Going Private

Hi all -
I've decided to make the blog private in a week or two. I haven't been great about posting because there has been a lot going on in a variety of areas of my life that hasn't really been public reading material, but I have written several posts lately (and saved them without posting) and would really like to get back into it. God is doing some great things in our lives, and teaching me a lot through a whole list of trials along the way and it always helps to be able to look back on the progress that has been made to see His hand working. There's a lot happening and I want to remember all of it at some point down the road...
Anyway, if you're still out there reading along every now and then, whether I know you are or not, and would like to continue to do so, please let me know. Once I figure out how this "private" thing actually works (ha!), I'll let you know how to access the blog!
Thank you!

The Pretty Dress

My conversation with Jackson this morning while I was getting dressed for church:

J: Mommy, are you going to wear your purple? (As I pulled a dress with purple polka dots out of the closet)
Me: Yes, baby, I am going to wear this purple dress.
J: Are you going to put your arms in? ... You did put your arms in!
Me: Yes, baby, I sure did put my arms in my dress.
J: (smiling up at me) Awww, you look pretty!

Seriously, does it get any better?!? Of course, I told him how sweet he was and how happy that made Mommy and he hid his face and got embarassed :)

I wore that dress to work today. I think I'll wear it more often.

The Difference in My Children

Solely to give you all a good chuckle in the midst of the holiday craziness that I imagine has invaded most of your homes lately.

This one...

will kiss and hug me any time of day, every day, all day.

This one, however...

well, you can see how he feels about it :)

As for us, we have had a deliberately quiet day at home. We've watched the Curious George Christmas movie, we've watched the Mickey Mouse Christmas movie, we've laid on the kitchen floor playing Matchbox cars, we've rolled around wrestling on the den floor, we've read books and more books, we've (well, they've) bounced in the bounce house, we've napped, and have not even thought of leaving our warm, cozy home. We all needed it and I'm so thankful that the Lord allowed us this breath of refreshment amidst the craziness lately. I'm loving up my babies today - and thankfully, they're loving me up too! Hope y'all have some quiet family time scheduled...seems to do everyone good.

The (Short Term) Cure

...for the aforementioned storm, that is.

Tonight, as I sat down on the couch to contemplate what needed to be done next on my list while the washing machine is running and tomorrow night's dinner is in the oven, I heard Jacob still rustling around in bed. Most nights, I would have just let him wiggle until he went to sleep, because he often rolls around for a while, but tonight I decided that an extra good night kiss might just help everyone.

So, I went into the boys' bedroom, picked him up, and felt that warm, drowsy heaviness of my baby in my arms. In that moment, with a hand holding Winnie the Pooh draped over my left shoulder and a hand holding his current daily treasure (a piece of paper) draped over my right shoulder, I pressed my cheek to his, kissed his temple, and whispered "I love you".

And you know what he did? He gave me a little squeeze with his head on my shoulder and whispered back "I wuv you".

I'm here to tell you that when your baby, who is now closer to 4-years old than 3-years old whispers "I wuv you"...those storms, for just that moment in time, they go away. Because you know what? Those moments, those fleeting moments of pure innocence, that's what really matters in life. And in those moments, life is good.

I Will Praise You In This Storm

by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll Praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of Heaven and Earth

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of Heaven and Earth


Somehow, this is easier to pray when you're not actually in a storm...

To "My Sara"

Dear Sara,

Words cannot begin to express what you mean to our family. You came to us in January 2008 after two months of desperate pleading with God to send me someone to care for my boys. And send he did. You were such an answer to my prayers. And so much more than I ever could have hoped for. Over the last year and a half you have made such an impact on all of us and on your last "official" day with us, I cannot help but be so sad. Sad because Jackson and Jacob love you so much and don't remember life without you and sad because I will miss the friend that you have become to me.

I hoped and prayed for someone to provide excellent care for Jackson and Jacob while I worked for a few days each week. What I didn't imagine I'd get was someone who truly loves them, cares about them and takes a genuine, heartfelt interest in teaching them, worries about them when they're sick and rejoices when they reach a milestone. I can tell you truly have invested yourself in them and they have learned so much from you.

To be able to call you and say something as silly as "Everyone woke up dry from their nap!" and konw you will be as excited as I am is priceless. To have Jacob, who is so selective with who he accepts, cuddle up with you on the couch before I even leave the house warms my heart. To hear him call you "My Sara" and ask for you when you're not here is so much more than I could ever have hoped for. I have never doubted for a minute that they love you and enjoy having you around.

I hope Stuart knows what a fantastic wife he is getting....but something tells me that's not news to him. You have such a big heart and you will make a wonderful mother to your own children some day. In the meantime, I thank you for treating mine like your own for this time in their lives. We love you dearly and you will always, always be welcome in our home.

We love you,
Lindsey

Sweet Jackson

This sweet boy...


has totally stolen my heart lately! He has absolutely had the sweetest spirit and the most caring, selfless, empathetic heart I could ever have imagined from a 3-year old and I am so thankful for this sweet time with him. A few things he has done lately:

• Every morning when I get them out of bed, Jackson immediately heads to the den to find his hammer. Lately, though, before he even gets his hammer, he comes back with whichever favorite toy (usually a ball or block) Jacob was playing with the day before, gives it to Jacob and then goes back for his hammer.
• At least half a dozen times each day, Jackson picks up a toy (always one of his favorites), takes it to Jacob, lays it down on the floor or couch beside him and says "Jackson wanna share ___" (boonana, block, ball, or even his most prized possession - his hammer) with no prompting.
• One morning this week, I fixed each of them a waffle and 1/2 of a banana for breakfast. Jackson finished his waffle and asked for more waffles before he finished his banana. In the meantime, Jacob finished his banana and was showing very little interest in his waffle. Every now and then when this happens, I let them "trade" something off their plates or will just give one of them something the other one hasn't finished. So, I put part of Jacob's leftover waffle on Jackson's plate. Jackson looked at the waffle, looked at his banana, looked at Jacob...then picked up his banana, reached it out to Jacob and said "Jackson wanna give boonana Jacob". Jacob, of course, got so excited and scarfed down the bonus "boonana" as I tried not to eat Jackson to pieces right then and there!
• And the best one of all...tonight, Clark piled all of the pillows from the couch on the den floor and the boys all "played piddows", which is their new favorite game, consisting mostly of climbing to the top of the pile and sliding down the other side. Jacob, however, discovered that an empty sofa is an awful lot like a trampoline and couldn't resist. After telling him to stop jumping a few times, he did it again and I made him get down and sit in the middle of the floor by himself. Well, it totally hurt his feelings and he sat in the floor and bawled. Jackson got a very concerned look on his face, walked over to Clark and said "Oh, no. Hear Jacob crying!", looking at Clark like...well, aren't you going to do anything about it??? Clark said, "Yes, he is crying. He didn't do what Mommy told him to do" and Jackson replied "do Mommy tells you!". Clark assured him that yes, you should do what Mommy tells you! After deciding that Mommy and Daddy weren't going to rectify the situation, Jackson walked over to where I sat Jacob, looked at me and said "Wanna sit here." I told him he could sit there if he wanted to, so he sat down in front of Jacob, facing him and just looked at him for a minute, assessing the situation. Jacob was still sniffling and Jackson just reached over and put his arms around Jacob's neck and hugged him several times! I could have cried right there with them.

I don't know what has brought about this tenderness from Jackson, but I am so thankful for it. He has such a big heart and I love seeing him care so much about his brother and be so empathetic and observant about his needs. I truly believe he would give Jacob anything he had if he just asked for it! I pray that God protects this trait in him that others won't exploit it as he gets older, that he will always have such a big heart and seek to serve others, and that he never loses the sweet spirit that he has right now!

I absolutely love my big boy and could just squeeze him right up these days!