Summer Vacation

"Daddy, did you say we are going to Florida in a few weeks?"
"Yipee!! I love my great aunts... just wait until they see this tan!"
"Okay, we're ready for the beach!!"

Baby Boom

I have found out in the last week or so that two of my friends are pregnant. They will remain nameless as they have not gone "public" yet, but you know who you are...and CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy for them. One of them is expecting their second child after having miscarried their first a couple years ago. And the other is expecting their second, after having taken almost 2 years to conceive their first who is now Vivi's age. They are both due early next year, but both live far away so I will only be able to celebrate with them over the computer! I have a tender place in my heart for these two as motherhood did not come quickly to them.

My longtime friend who is dear to my heart also announced not long ago that she was pregnant with their third. Sadly, they lost the baby in the first trimester and are grieving. I sent her a soft blanket and some booties as a keepsake for the baby they said goodbye to. I think about her everyday and about that baby and tears instantly spring to my eyes. With the joy of a new life, come sadness for many as they reflect upon all of the what-could-have-beens. Her baby was also to be born early next year.

As Paul said, we rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. Our Lord's prescence is never more strong in times of celebration and never more needed in times of sadness. I love you sweet sisters, and your little babies too.

Sleepy Heads!

I couldn't find Vivi to get her ready for her nap and she was being a bit too quiet for my liking, so I finally discovered she had climbed on Isaac's bed and passed out! When I picked her up to put her in her crib she said "Hi". So cute. Often times at night she will throw everything out of her crib. This was a night that after she fell asleep, Isaac recovered all her blankets and dumped them on her. The poor girl was sweating underneath!
The room was actually dark in this picture, I just have a great flash. It was about 9:45 at night and we heard Isaac was still awake! When I went in to investigate, I discovered that he had unloaded the toy box into his bed. There was no room for him to lay down. After we cleaned up the mess I asked him why he had put every toy in his bed and he said "because I love them."
And here is Isaac's passed out photo. He fell asleep still in his church clothes right on the couch, and we could not wake him up! What did they do during Sunday school?!

Our 4th of July Fun

Make a Smilebox scrapbook Yesterday we started our day at a children's parade with extended family. The kids all had decorated bikes and scooters. Isaac rode his the whole way. It was hot! For lunch, Grandma and Grandpa took us to Life's a Beach. That night we ate out with friends and went to see fireworks but we were stuck behind some trees so our view was bad. We had fun with our friends and finished off the night cold drinks at Starbucks. Better luck next year on the fireworks show!

Happy 4th!!

The Profession of Motherhood

Many of you know I was looking for a preschool teacher position. Well I got one!! It is at a church about 4 exits down from our apartment so it will be a breeze to get there. The director has been a foster mom of infants and toddlers for years now-and I just LOVE her! Isaac will go Tues, Wed, and Thurs and Vivi and I will go Tues and Thursdays, from 9-2. It is not confirmed what age group I will have but likely it will be 12-24 months, although not Vivi's class. All the kids go to chapel once a week which sounds so cute! The best part is that I will be there if either of them need me at any time, and that is a great feeling.

Someone asked me today in reference to the economy if I have "gone back to work yet". Well- no. I have not. Nor will I. I'm not sure that 10 hours a week will really count as going back to work especially since half my paycheck will be paying their discounted tuition. This is more of a chance to get us all out and socializing. Could I go to work full time-of course. My mother could even keep the kids. Would this help our financial situation, yes big time. But would the sacrifice be greater then the financial gain? I believe so. Now I write this not to make my working-outside-the-home friends guilty, but just to express where I am coming from on this notion.

I have to confess, this job is more challenging and at times less rewarding then I expected it would be. I don't get paid, I don't get thanked, and I don't get recognized. But I know and believe in the core of who I am that my children are better off having even flawed me, over anyone else. When I see their sweet smiles and all that they are capable of at such young ages, that is my paycheck. When their adorable little voices bleet "Mama!" and their chubby toddler hands reach out to me, that is my thank you. And when they fuss over where I am and when will I be home and wander about the apartment like lost little puppies when I run an errand, that is my recognition.

Billy says that it is a testimony of God's sovereign choice over mankind-that there is not another mother and father in the whole world that could be their Mommy and Daddy the way we are. I am the one that is there every day and every night to teach them, discipline them, read to them, and love them. And even though I fall short often, I believe that the investment will pay dividends. And there is nothing that could entice me to walk away from that. Yes, we currently live in a two bedroom apartment and all of our worldly possessions are crammed in a small downstairs garage. Sure their wardrobes for the fall won't be quite as extensive as they were last year. But there is no shame in that for us. It is what we needed to do to provide the best for these kids, and we don't believe the best is determined by square footage or name brands. My children are thriving and growing. Yes, Vivi has tantrums and whines and Isaac has clearly perfected the art of sassing. But they are healthy and beautiful and smart and loving and such happy children. And nothing will keep me away from soaking every moment up, because I know if I blink they will be grown and I'll have missed it. Money gets made and money gets spent and you know you can't take any of it with you when you die. The souls of our children are eternal, and the investment in them is worth much more than the work force could offer me.