How did we ever get here?

After a rough first year with Noah I was reminded over and over again about God's supremacy. We really ultimately have no control. I was well read, well prepared, happily married in a beautiful home. I had great experience with children and I was so excited to welcome a child into our home. The story is old so there is no need to repeat it.

But today, I was home with my kiddos and I just marveled at their interests and willingness to try new things. I admire their personalities and zest for life so much!

I made them each a PB and J on whole wheat with natural peanut butter and all fruit jelly. Their sides were bananas, blueberries, strawberries, and grapes. I went to make myself an omelet and they begged for more and more mushrooms as I put them in the pan. They ate half of the container. And then I got out some green beans to cut up and they ate a ton of them raw. Over the past week both kids have gorged themselves on hummus and tzatziki (greek cucumber and dill yogurt that I used to love in germany...).

In the grocery store I saw banana chips on special and I asked Noah if he wanted some for home. He said, I've never had them, but I'll try anything!

Our life is full of chaos that we are working to quell, but it is a process that can't happen over night. And as we work toward a new life together, I am often reminded on days like today that there is so much good in the little things (trite I know).

The kids played for hours running around in circles and falling in piles of pillows laughing hysterically. They colored for ages and Noah continued to work on his cutting skills which amaze me. Noah drew a brontosaurus "I'm sorry" card for a friend who he wasn't nice to. Maeve is pushing her skills into our lives as she reminds us that she is growing too. She interrupts me to point to my face and show me the words she knows -- mouth, nose, eyes, ears, hair. She runs out the door to climb into the car by herself without help and shrieks when I try to pick her up. She has an adorable defiant "I don't want to" that we probably let her say too much. We both know she isn't in control. She is using the potty 2-3 times a day and loves the family joy and attention when she has a success. All three of us rally and clap and dance for her.

Last night Noah read me the entire book Danny and the Dinosaur and I was in tears at his ability to figure out words by sounding them out. And right now, Maeve is asleep and Noah is listening to Rhinoceras Tap and following along to the music during his quiet time.

Yes, they drive us crazy. Yes we yell and cry a lot. All 4 of us. But the blessings are so numerous, too many to count. The joys are so sweet, too difficult for words to capture. And again we are reminded that our supreme God is in control and for that we are grateful.

After Dinner Games

Tonight after dinner Noah asked if we could play bingo. Noah's Godmother Yaz is teaching elementary spanish and she gave us a set of Spanish Bingo. We got out the cards and set it up. Noah rocked!! He knew all of the colors, numbers, and many of the animals in spanish. We all learned the modes of transportation and some foods tonight too.

It is mind blowing to me to think we can do this! I can't imagine knowing any spanish words as a child, let alone before school. Between Kai Lan, Diego and Dora kids are exposed to so much more language than ever before... cool stuff.

Growing So Quickly...

My little Maevey Gravy just looked so big today so I snapped a few pictures. She's 21 months now... almost 2.

Witch of the East or the West?

Prayers

Noah and I practice "talking to God" for our prayers. He sometimes just doesn't know what to say and I tell him that is totally okay.

Last night he asked God to send Jesus back because we need him. And to send angels to get all of the sick people.

Tonight he asked for God to let the flowers grow back so that he can pick them for his mommy.

Sometimes I am certain that life doesn't get any better than the half hour we spend together before bedtime....such a sweet boy he is.

Cowor

That title is Maeve's pronunciation of color. Every time she sees ANY writing utensil she starts shrieking cowor, cowor.... At church the amazing secretary lets her push her out of her sweat and lets her cowor all over the stuff on her desk. Here she is practicing her masterpieces...

Caught off Guard, completely.

This morning I got up and went to church like any other morning.  Up and out the door before the kids are barely awake.  Usually Sunday and Wednesday are 10-12 hour days.  I did my usual work and prepped, sang Sunday School songs, taught confirmation class, and then headed into worship.  I did a fun announcement about grocery cards and our mission trip to Jamaica.  I did a children's sermon on the different gifts that God gave us and because it was Gifts of Women Sunday I asked the children to tell me about special women in their lives. 

I had agreed to fill in for a friend for children's church so I took the PreK kids back and taught them about Psalm 139 and how God made them very special.  In the middle of my lesson, someone came into the room and said they needed me in worship.  Pastor Kerry was away for his father's funeral so I thought something might have happened.  But, when I walked in the sanctuary, I heard a dear friend of mine describing my life and how I was a woman of God.  I was stunned.  I was selected as one of the Presbyterian Women of the Year, pinned with the PW pin and made a lifetime honorary member of Presbyterian Women. 

Needless to say I was speechless.  I am a staff person... this is my JOB!  I totally didn't think I deserved this kind of affirmation when so many people in the church give of their free time, not as their job. 

However I was honored.  I felt very grateful and surprised that others felt this way.  I am still a little stunned...

Here is a description of the award.

Honorary Life Memberships

 An Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is conferred upon an individual in recognition of faithful service in some area of church work. Moderators, leaders, teachers, officers, pastors, and missionaries have been among the recipients of this honor. 

The symbol of the Life Membership pin represents and portrays the qualities of persons deserving the honor and recognition of an Honorary Life Membership. The following are some meanings found in the symbol:

• The caring, supportive hands represent women who seek to build an inclusive community of Presbyterian Women.
• The leaf represents growth of our personal and corporate response to Jesus Christ as we nurture our faith.
• The dove indicates our work for peace in our own lives and throughout the world, shown in the globe.
• At the center of the design is the cross, by which our sins are forgiven and we are freed to live in Christ who is at the center of our lives.
• The overall design is of a butterfly, a symbol of newness in Christ and the emergence of a new creation — Presbyterian Women.