Eight Years Ago Today

I waited.  I wanted the baby I was carrying to come out on his/her own time.  I was scared of being induced.  I was excited.  I wanted to meet this baby I had prayed so hard for.  I don't remember how I spent the day.  Probably on the couch reading and staring at the closet full of daygowns I had made for him/her.  I probably sat in my brand-new, spit-up free, spilled-milk-free glider and dreamed about what it would be like to be a mother.  Finally.

But, Philip, you didn't come on your own time.  You needed a little help...an extra nudge.  Come you did though and baby it was love at first sight.  I had. never. been. happier.  A true dream come true.

And for the next eight years you have continued to be such a dream come true.  You are an incredible (almost) eight year old.  You are mature beyond your days, months, and years.  You simply do the right thing almost every time.  You set a good example for your brothers and friends. I tell you so often that it probably becomes unheard, but you make me proud.  All the time.

Yesterday was no different.  One we waited.  A lot.  And two, you made us proud.

We traveled to Atlanta for a MRI.  Little did we know that your braces would cause such a stir.  For four hours, the nurses pondered what to do.  And we waited.  A lot.

You were awesome.  Never complained.  Even though we were stuck in a tiny room and forced to sit.  Even though you hadn't eaten or drank anything in twelve hours.  Even though your parents were getting restless.  You waited beautifully.

The nurses were so taken with you, they left you their personal iPad for an hour!

And then when you were asked to walk several blocks to the Oral Surgeon's office to have the wires in your mouth clipped, you didn't complain or act scared.  Just got it done.  I hadn't prepped you for this step, but you never let it show.

Impressive, my son.  MRI time.  The nurses wanted to sedate you, but it was too late.  Your Dad and I reassured them of your self-control and ability to be still.  I sat with you during that noisy, claustrophobic MRI and watched your body.  You didn't move once.  Again, you made us proud.

It's a bumpy road we have ahead, but I have no doubt of your ability to rise above.  Still so extremely grateful for the gift of you.  You made me a mother.  You make me proud.  Happy Birthday, sweet boy!

I Really Owe You an Update...

about life at our house.  The update is: it is busy.  Little time for updating the blog.  But I'm working on a special birthday video, and I realized that I've forgotton to share lots of pictures with you.  So can I share with little explanation??

We are getting used to our new school routine.  John and I still try to go to storytime whenever possible.  On this Wednesday, we met up with Robert and had a lunch playdate afterwards!

Two boys suffered from a short fever virus that made us a little puny...

 We've watched lots of football on the porch...

Love being outside while Daddy and P watch together.  If you're not into football so much, there's always a board game to play!

We've been through the car wash.  Traumatic, but always better with a brother.

This one has gotten his bedtime extended which means a little football watching with Daddy to himself!

I know there's more, but that's all the photos I've got.  Will try to do better keeping you up to date!

Bath Time

Remember this post from 2011?  And this picture?

The times they are a changing.  It's funny how that happens.  Sometime last year, Philip and Daniel began taking showers.  It was such a relief to only bathe the little two.  And then this summer came along.  And with it flag football.  And late nights getting home really dirty (even if little boys didn't play the game!)  So many nights Chris and I would just shower everyone...helping of course.

And well it's just so much faster.  Line 'em up...throw them in...bathe...and ta-da...we are clean!

But sometimes I feel for the little guy.  Philip used to enjoy half-an-hour long baths when he was little.  Lots of time to play with bath toys.

Not a part of John's life story.

But tonight we had a little extra time.  The big boys were into their Legos, so I let John soak in the bath.  And play with the toys.

He was a happy little thing!

Value

Used in a sentence by 1st grader Daniel...

Melt my heart.

Sometimes that boy can be the most difficult thing.  And then he has a week like this.  Three 100's on his grammar, math, and phonics test.  Good listener award in Library.  And deep thoughts like this one.

The kid has value.

Dear Pancake,

Today I took you to story-time at the library.  By. Your. Self.  I had a hard time swallowing it.  You see, I have been going there for at least seven years and I've always had a lap full.  At least two.  Lots of times three.  Sometimes four.  How it got to be just me and you I don't know.  Time is flying and I need it and you to slow down.

You were a typical Gill boy at story-time.  Sat like an angel in my lap through all the stories.  Didn't dance.  Didn't sing.  Didn't sit up close with Ms. Val.  Sat still, focused, and listening throughout each book and song.  You're reserved...watching...taking the moment in. You don't seek to be the center of attention, and I like that.  I worried when your brothers behaved like this.  Worried that they were too shy...not interactive enough...not friendly.  But with you, I have perspective.  I'm comfortable with your tendency to be overwhelmed in a social setting (wonder where you get that from??) and I know your ability to sit and listen will make you a good student in the future.

I got teary as we left in the parking lot.  Oh, my days are numbered as a stay-at-home mama to a stay-at-home little boy.  It's freeing at times to know I'll catch a break one of these days...get all the laundry done...clean some bathrooms...commit my time to some worthy causes.  But it is heartbreaking too.  Because when I sit with you in a circle of strangers and sing "Wheels on the Bus", I know I am doing just what God intended for my life.  The laundry is necessary...but time with you and your brothers...that's my life's calling.

So remind me, please.  When story-time comes around next week, and I tell you I have laundry to do...remind me of what's important.

Just In Case You Ever Wonder...

They are listening.  Always.

Recently I have been amazed at what my little boys have been saying with regards to church.  These people seriously repeat phrases that they hear while sitting in church.  Funny, because it seems to me that they are way to busy wiggling, giggling, pestering, or on a good Sunday coloring to process anything.  Boy am I wrong!

First there's William.  About a month ago, he held up his pizza crust and tore it in half.  He said, "Peace of God.  Cup of Salvation.  Thanks be to God."  And just last week, he initiated a conversation with his father about strangers.  He told Chris, "You shouldn't talk to strangers because you don't recognize their voice.  You should run away from them."  Seems like good advice.  Do you recognize it?  William's heard it many times in the atrium.

When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.

-John 10:4-5

John frequently holds his juice cup in the air and says, "This is my blood.  Thank you for PopPop."  Where did that come from??  (Incidentally, this kid comes to the altar every Sunday and when he gets a blessing instead of Eucharist, he cries out "need some.")

And then in an innocent conversation about our recent mayoral election, I asked the boys if they knew our mayor's name.  Daniel replied with, "Barak, our president; Robert, our governor; and Sam, our mayor."  Straight from the Prayers of the People, my friends.

So to all you parents out there struggling to just get your children into the pew...to get them to sit still...to get them to listen...know that they are listening.  They are listening to far more than we assume!

PS - All the pictures are from sweet Bexie's baptism this Sunday.  So fun to celebrate a special day with the Cunningham/Thomas family!!  Congrats Bexie!

What Makes the Dadsters Happy

Dadsters...that's what John (who now prefers that we call him 'Pancake') calls Chris.  This post is dedicated to a day that made Dadsters happy.

Daniel, Karen, and the kids joined us for the first Alabama game of the season.  Chris was happy to have a fan to watch the game with.  I was happy to have entertainment for my boys!

A good start to the season!  Roll Tide!!