Sweet William

It is impossible to believe...a year ago Chris and I welcomed our third son into the world. Where does the time go?

Today we celebrated! It started with the first of many singings of "Happy Birthday to You" by Daniel and me when William woke up. Then we fixed him blueberry muffins...with a candle.

I think he liked it...

The boys and I spent the morning watching all three's first year video. I make a birthday video each birthday for each child. So before school, we watched and reminisced on Philip, Daniel, and William's first year of life.

The big boys were off to school...me off to cook dinner...William off to nap! I feel as if I spent the day in the kitchen, but that's okay.

GranGran, PopPop, Dee, PawPaw, Aunt Susan, and Uncle Rob came to celebrate with us. We ate hamburgers and visited...

Sang "Happy Birthday" one more time and ate caterpillar cake (Philip and Daniel decided on the theme)...
Watched the birthday video...

And opened presents...

It was tons of fun to celebrate a fast, but wonderful year. We feel so blessed to have family around to celebrate with!

William, you are a precious soul...an easy baby with an adorable personality. You love buttons, cords, and all sorts of things that can get you into trouble. You are loved on immensely by your older brother, Daniel, and disciplined, I mean, protected well by your other brother, Philip. Love is one thing you do not want for.

You crawl through the house finding objects to pull up on...practicing what it feels like to live on two feet. You have no teeth but eat anything we put in front of you...and some things we don't intend for you to eat! You have become quite a thumb sucker. You rarely cry. You hold your own sippy cup and like to drink water, juice, and milk. Your smile is infectious...especially when you crinkle up that little nose.

You are a joy to parent. A quiet spot for me when your older brothers are acting wild. I look forward to watching you grow into the boy and then man God has intended you to be. Happy Birthday, my son!

The Gift of an Ordinary Day

Yesterday and today have definitely been ordinary days. Here's how I found my older two after I came up stairs from feeding William breakfast.

I had left them playing in their pajamas and now they were having a "team meeting".

I think I told you about this book in a previous post. After spending all my free time on Easter sewing, I started it as a guilty pleasure. I have found it hard to put down.

In it, the author relates life with her two teenage sons and husband. I can relate to the sons...not the teenage part yet. It's about slowing life down...enjoying simplicity.

Unfortunately, I have not had pencil in hand to underline the many fabulous quotes that I'd like to share. I did read one this morning that struck me.

Kenison writes, "And so I gather up the monotonous winter days, the snow days, the mundane weeknights, the hours we spend together watching a silly TV show, and I string them together in my mind like matched pearls on a thread, finding satisfaction in their very sameness. Ordinary days. The days in which nothing momentous happens, no great victories won, no huge disappointments suffered, no milestones achieved. Most of our lives are made up of days just like this - if we're lucky, that is, and the seas of fate are calm. Days that are not particularly memorable, but are nonetheless the only days we have. Days in which we simply attend to the humble business of life - making meals and eating them, cleaning up afterward, doing algebra problems, praticing for next week's piano recital, paying bills, coming and going, until finally, at day's end, we are reunited for a little while, to share a laugh, a foot rub or back scratch, a game of Cribbage, the satisfaction of our togetherness. If I'm paying attention, then I do experience these days, and all these plain, unadorned moments, as gifts. And remember that grace, like any other gift, can easily be mine if I open my hand to accept it."

I feel as if the boys and I have so many of these ordinary days. Days like yesterday when...

• we played Legos for hours on end
• we strapped on helmets and went for a stroller/bike ride around the block to look for hidden treasure and ripening blackberries
• all four sat in a rocking chair...two with thumbs in mouth...and read familiar stories
• I got two little ones asleep and Philip and I curled up on the couch to finish up our Little House on the Pairie book

And then again today...a picnic in the backyard and a bike/stroller ride to Old Dutch with Dee. She even commented that she remembers a picnic with a young Chris at the site of the house before she and Phil had it built...the house that was home to Chris and Cameron.

Sometimes I am almost paralyzed by my need to freeze time...my need to keep them little...my need to bottle up my feeling of contentment when just simply playing with them and watching their ability to wonder. I try to take pictures in order to keep these moments frozen in time, but I wonder down the road if a picture will do the moments justice. Can a picture bring back the smell of WaterBabies sunscreen lathered on William's head? Can a picture capture pure glee of two boys swinging as high as they can on their swingset? Can a picture evoke the feel of warm sunshine on your skin...pollen in your throat?? Can a picture recreate the happiness of ice cream for three little boys?

I wonder if Dottie has a picture of her picnic with a baby Chris. Maybe she doesn't need one...maybe reliving it with three young grandsons evokes the memories well enough for her.

Kenison book has reminded me that it is easier to keep life simple when children are young and we are in control of their days. As they grow older, parent's control weakens and they are at their peers mercy when it comes to TV, video games, cell phones, extracurriculur activities, etc.

I hope that I am setting the tone of slowing down, simplicity. I think about my to do lists and calendar and wonder about the message I am sending to the boys. Is busy good? Do I equate busyness with successful days? Do I spend my time wisely? Do they see me stop to read a book, slow down to enjoy a chat with a neighbor, get on the floor and play? I hope so, but I don't think I do it enough.

So I am left with goals for myself...slow down, enjoy the time I have with little boys, play, wonder, and keep in mind that my ways set the tone for their future. A mighty task indeed.

How do I even begin...

to tell you about all the fun we have had in the past week?? There's so much to recap!

First, the trip up to Cincinnati. We pulled out of Mobile around 5:30 am. We had a long day ahead. It would be 9:30 pm before we were officially off the road and in Cincinnati. The boys were fabulous. Maybe it was the borrowed DVD player, or the last minute car seat swap to take William out of his bucket-seat, or even still the layover in Chattanooga where we forced the boys to walk, play on the playground, and get much needed sunshine. Whatever it was, we remarkably arrived safe and with every bit of our sanity in tact.

Saturday morning started with Merrill and Morgan's soccer game...so much fun to watch them play. Then we headed over to the Watson's to visit. The boys loved their yard and playroom in the basement. I hardly saw them whenever we were there. We picniced and then said goodbye to Daddy and Philip who went to see the Reds/Cubs game. Here's Philip in their incredible seats behind home plate...thanks Morgan!

Saturday night ended with a fabulous barbecue cookout at the Watson's. We enjoyed the company of Morgan's mother and his brother's family. Morgan is quite the cook. All of his meals left me feeling like this...

Sunday brought the reason for our trip. We headed to the church for Russell's baptism. My boys were clearly outnumbered in their lace outfits, but they and their cousins made a good looking bunch.

I'm happy to report that Russell (and his godfather, Chris) did great! Russell is quite the wiggler, and I think he gave the minister a run for his money! It meant a lot to me to be there as Russell officially became one of God's own.

Another fabulous meal Sunday...brunch with family and some of MD's friends. I loved meeting some of the people that are close to her! Naps for everyone...leftovers for dinner...ice cream at the local place for dessert. Do you notice a theme???

On Monday, we tackled the Cincinnati Zoo with six little people. The flowers were in bloom...absolutely gorgeous.

The animals were pretty cool too!

The sun wore us all out, so more naps and then a trip to the Lego Store! The boys had been looking forward to this part of the trip since we mentioned it. We told them they could pick out one thing each...so we have entertainment upon our arrival home!

Another cookout...hamburgers...more visiting. On Tuesday, we said our goodbyes and after a brief trip to a great playground on the river (to wear the kids out), we headed to Nashville. We are here now awaiting the last leg of the trip tomorrow.

So there's the play by play...what did I leave out?? First, Chris and I really liked Cincinnati. I loved seeing where MD and family live, worship, go to school, etc. I loved meeting some of their really nice friends. I loved seeing their sweet children that are growing so fast. I loved watching the cousins play together and form those relationships that are priceless. I got so tickled when Merrill asked Philip if he liked playing with GranGran. He said, "I do." And then, "How do you know GranGran?" I loved sitting in the basement with MD and discussing the trials and joys of raising three children. I loved eating Morgan's good cooking. I loved holding Russell and realizing how big my "baby" has gotten.

From another angle, though, I loved the time with my own family. I loved us all venturing out together in one tight little car. I loved listening to Daniel sing "God is bigger than the boogeyman." I loved the time to talk to Chris (again thank you portable DVD player)...time to analyze things, dream dreams, etc. I loved watching Philip tell me all about watching his beloved Cubbies. I loved laying in bed in the hotel room and knowing the four people I love most in this world were within arms reach.

Chris and I are both naturally homebodies. I think we both learned that when forced out of our shell, we really have a good time. We made a promise to plan another family trip again soon!

As for MD and Morgan...thank you for your hospitality. You fed us well (I think I gained 5 pounds)! We loved being with you and look forward to your venture home in a few months.

Top Ten Things...

Here's the top ten things I have learned from our trip to Cincinnati. I am actually blogging from the hotel, so maybe there is more to learn! I have no pictures for this post because I can not download on this computer. I'll give a detailed post when we return!

10. The portable DVD player may be the greatest invention ever made.

9. A single hotel room is not made for a family of five.

8. You can take a boy (Morgan) out of the south, but you can not take the Southern cooking out of the boy.

7. Watching a 5 year old, 4 year old, 3 year old, 2 year old, 1 year old, and 1/2 year old play together is a fabulous study in child development.

6. "God is bigger than the boogeyman." (I have learned this via one of the boys' VeggieTales songs.)

5. Living in the same place for nearly all your life is safe, but moving 700 miles away and setting up roots in a new town is exciting.

4. There are great cities that are above the Mason-Dixon line.

3. It is hard for two lifetime Episcopalians to worship in a relaxed Methodist style!

2. Children usually rise to the occasion and surprise you! (We had a fabulous 16 hour trip up here!)

1. A baby's baptism is one of the most exciting occasions and time with your sister and her family is worth all the fits that come with disrupting normal life for three little boys.

Alleluia!

Christ has risen! What a wonderful day...what a busy day!!

In case you're wondering, real men wear lace!

Our morning started bright and early. The boys checked out their baskets...

and then we started to head outside to hunt eggs. Before opening the door, I saw this out the window...

Turns out the possum decided to spend the morning in our yard. We thought he had left, but I headed out to my laundry room in the garage and walked about 5 feet from him. I was about as surprised as Mary upon seeing the empty tomb.

Anyways, back to Easter. We dressed and headed to the church. Once there, we visited with friends...

hunted eggs...

and worshiped the risen Lord! It was a fabulous morning. After church, Mom, Dad, Dottie, Phil, Cameron, Heather, Susan, and Rob joined us for Easter lunch. Chris grilled lamb chops and everyone else brought a dish. We had a great time together.

I hope your Easter has been equally wonderful!

Holy Saturday

My eyes opened and I knew that I was awake, despite the darkness in my room. I told myself regardless of what the clock said, it was time to get up. So my day started at 4:15 am. I came downstairs and enjoyed sewing in the silence. For an hour and a half, I attempted to finish up Easter outfits.

I'm happy to report that now at 4:15 pm, I have just put the finishing touches on everything. Three French handsewn outfits...done!! I am really pleased with how they turned out and can't wait to see the boys in them tomorrow.

Back to Holy Saturday...it hasn't seemed too holy to be honest. There have been trips to the grocery store, an Easter egg hunt at GranGran and PopPop's church,

kite flying in the park, dying Easter eggs (have to add that before we started Philip asked if the eggs were going to heaven...had to explain that it was a different than "dieing" Easter eggs!!)

and a birthday party.

Both of the older boys are exhausted, but if I have time when they return from the party, I'd like to make the Resurrection cookies that Meme sent a recipe for. Then it's dinner, bath, and bed for the little guys. And preparing for Easter lunch for Chris and me!!

Whew...anytime to register what we are celebrating??

I want to share with you some words that I wrote for a Lenten devotional my church prepared several years ago. I was given Holy Saturday and here's what I wrote...

I like to imagine what Holy Saturday was like in Jesus' time. I doubt the day after a loved one's death in Biblical times was unlike our experiences today. Joseph of Arimathea tends to the burial plans, Mary Magdalene and Jesus' mother Mary are grieving at his tomb, and I imagine other women in town are frying some chicken to take to Mary's house.

Unlike Jesus' disciples, we know the ending. We know what tomorrow brings. For me, Holy Saturday is full of anticipation. It is hard to sit still any longer. I have celebrated the Last Supper with Jesus and his disciples; I have prayed with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane; I have witnessed Christ's arrest and death by crucifixion. I have been still and prayful. I have fasted through a long Lenten season. Is it not time yet? Can we not proclaim, "Christ has risen?"

Then I remember. The disciples had the hope of resurrection, but not the certainity of it yet. On this day, many years ago, they were filled with more grief than ever. They had lost their best friend and teacher. They were not sure they would see him again. It is not a happy day for them. They are still grieving. They are still waiting. And so on this Easter Eve, I choose to wait with them. Instead of proclaiming the resurrection early, I pray with David, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope."

I hope you will wait with me!