Born First

Nine years ago right now, I was snuggled in bed, having just birthed the one born first. He opened my womb, this 10 lb son, and I became both teacher and student.

God chose this one to be born first. God knew just what He was doing. Tender heart, strong will, inquisitive mind. God's classroom wrapped up in blonde hair and blue eyes.A baby boy...for just a moment. Just a breath and he's running, talking, wondering...His strengths, his weaknesses, his bents, his passions, his victories, his failures....they mold me as I mold him. This one, born first. Born before brother and sisters. God's choice, God's order.

Boyhood, stand still! Please! Slow your pace, don't rush, don't usher him away. Let him linger here, in this place, but just for a moment longer. This mother's heart wishes for just a moment more.

He's 9. Today he is 9. Born first.

Wintertime Birds

The birds may not know that it's Christmas

But YOU do- and that's a good thing.

So be very nice to wintertime birds,

And on Christmas they'll bless you and sing!

~Holly Hobbie

Snow Day Joy

The Memory Lane called Christmas Tree

The ornaments on our Christmas tree are like a walk down memory lane. When both Craig and I were growing up, our mothers each gave us an ornament every Christmas from babyhood on up. When we began having children, they both continued the tradition for Noah, Kaleb, Hannah and Sarah. I invite you to join me for a short jaunt down my memory lane!

For Hannah, who loved horses in 2007

For Kaleb's first Christmas in 2002

A four year old Cubbie Bear


For Noah, who has loved turtles since he was three


One of Craig's treasures from childhood:)

A new ornament this year, engineered by Kaleb

Given to Craig by his mom and dad in 1976

I don't know when I received this ornament but I can't remember ever NOT having it on our Christmas tree

Given to Craig on the Christmas after Hannah was born

Like his father, my husband is an aircraft mechanic. This plane was from his childhood

There are SO many more! A pregnant momma, a princess crown, a rocking horse with the year "1978" on it, a boat engine, a pair of skis, a blown chicken egg from Mrs. Chicken with "1984" painted on it, a few Noah's Arks, a Snoopy dog, a corn husk mouse with a red checkered dress that I have had since I was little tiny, and the list goes on and on! Can you imagine how fun it is to decorate the tree every year, not just for me, but now also for my children as they remember receiving the different ornaments and why?

Synonyms

Sweet Baby Asleep

Sweet Baby Awake

(but just barely)

Want to Win an Ergo?!?!?

I don't usually pass along contests. Afterall, if I pass it along to you and you enter, it reduces my chances of winning, you know!!!! But because I am such a HUGE fan of The Ergo, I'll pass this one along! Go to this link for your chance to win!

The Reflection of the Heart

The other day, while shopping with the Fabulous Four, I received one of the nicest compliments I've ever been given. An older lady stopped me at my car as I was loading groceries and little ones and asked if I was 'the lady with all the children' (I really don't think four children qualifies for 'all the children' statements, but alas, I digress) that just came out of Fred Meyer. I admitted to coming out of the store with my children and she said, "I was watching you with your gang and you just have the most peaceful countenance". I tried to deflect the compliment (why do we do that? Why can't we just say, "Thank you") and she responded by saying, "I don't know. You just look like you LOVE your children!" By then, I was about in tears, not just because of her nice, encouraging words to me, but also because I was terribly humbled. You see, just that morning, one of my children was behaving in a far less virtuous manner than how said child had been raised to behave. I do believe in my dealings with this particular child, I looked more like this:
and less like the mother with the peaceful countenance that just "looked like she loved her children". Now I don't expect to be smiling every second of every day, especially when behaviours and misbehaviours must be dealt with. But such a compliment encouraged me to consider who I set my best foot forward for. I'm glad that nice lady could tell that I love my children. But do you know who I want that to be REALLY apparent to? My children and my husband and the Lord who gifted them to me! Her compliment, as nice as it was, presented a challenge to me, one I notice the Lord refreshing quite often. I know our countenance reflects our heart. What do my children see reflected there? Just something to think about!
As a bit of a side note, usually when we are in the grocery store, I will have Sarah in the Ergo, Hannah in the seat of the cart and both boys at my sides. I'm sure we look like an entourage. The comment I get most often is "Boy, you sure have your hands full". It is usually said in passing and thus I rarely have time to let the commenter know that I am so thankful for full hands, that the fillers of my hands are some of the greatest blessings I have ever had bestowed on me!!! Instead, I have begun to say, "Yes, it keeps me from those soap operas and bon-bons"! Hee hee:)