Memorial Day

Papa Emery in his Air Force uniform.

Praise God for the many who made such big sacrifices.

BFF's

This weekend Emrie got to spend time with two friends of hers that she simply adores!

First is Suzan, who Emrie has named Suzy. The picture above was taken at Aunt Nan's Christmas Sale where their bond began. Saturday at a family graduation party she got to see Suzy and as she watched Suzy she told me "Suzy is sooo pretty!" Today at a family bridal shower she told Suzy that her dress was beautiful. I think this friendship is glued together by Suzy's willingness to get Emrie anything or any sweet treat that mommy would usually not let her have. It is cute the way Emrie loves her and talks about her. Like Suzy says, they are BFF's!

Second is Miss Kristy. Miss Kristy has also won Emries heart through chocolate yummies, and lots of playing and pretending together. Kristy and Emrie played maydough, babies, doctor, and even exercised together-lots of giggling was involved. Emrie requested that Kristy read her bedtime stories too! After waking up the following morning, I wonder who the first person she talked about was, hmmm? Yep, Miss Kristy!

Praise God for BFF's!

Big Changes

Emrie coming home from the hospital.

Emrie Ann today.

Henry coming home from the hospital.

Henry today.

The kids are growing and changing every day it seems. Emrie looks like a teeny tiny little thing in her car seat coming home from the hospital. I can clearly remember how nervous I was bringing her home. Today she is still making me nervous, I suppose this will be ongoing.

Henry's picture just seven short months ago and then today. It is hard to believe we had a rough start getting him to gain weight.

I praise God "You are my God" My times are in Your hand. Psalm 31:14-15

Beach Dreaming

This video was from vacation last summer. I found myself numerous times today dreaming of being on the beach, vacation time must be getting close! Emrie must have been dreaming the same thing because she spent most of the evening running around in her swim suit. Today we had new windows installed and we spent a great deal of the day outside, to avoid the inside mess. Emrie got a boo boo on her big toe from climbing Ms. Cheryl's fence in the back yard. She limped around for most of the day.

Right now Emrie is in the process of checking my blood pressure, giving me shots, taking my temperature and looking in my eyes-she just announced that I am sick. I don't believe that I am sick...but definitely TIRED.

I praise God for a beautiful day and my new windows!

Pertick Monday

Today was pertick(perfect) as Emrie would say. We went for a walk this morning with Kristen, Lilly and Lydia. Emrie and Lilly have such a good time together, it is fun to watch them grow as friends. Emrie and Lilly went potty together-after all isn't that the girl thing to do? When they came downstairs from the bathroom they had switched panties, where do their ideas come from?

They are such busy little girls Henry and Lydia will learn a lot from them!

Henry is pulling himself up to any and everything, I wonder if his first steps will be coming soon. He sits and plays so well, something Emrie never did at that age. He is so giggly with daddy, his little laugh is just wonderful. Henry is saying da da da, ma, and ba.

I praise God for a fun play-date with friends.

Saturday Morning Imagination

Aunt Beth and Jeremiah picked Emrie Ann up to take her to a pancake breakfast at the high school. Mommy stayed home with Henry and my mind just spins-I imagine Emrie throwing a nice big plate of pancakes on the floor, syrup running everywhere, or dumping orange juice down the front of Aunt Beth and embarrassing her to death. Everyone around would just stop and stare at the child who is so out of control and feel such sympathy for the Aunt who has to deal with her. I hope that all of this is just images from an overactive imagination from a mommy who is hoping her fiery little girl is behaving and displaying her best manners. Until they make it home I will cross my fingers and hope for a good report!

I praise God that I get to have a little "girl time" today with the ladies from my Sunday School class!

Friday

Henry 7 months and Micah 6 months.

Thursday Worries

Henry in his bouncy horse!

Emrie entranced by Barney.

Planning Funerals that Won't Happen Today

Lysa TerKeurst

"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

A couple of years ago my teenage son came to me and asked if he could take his brother and sisters to go get ice cream. How fun! How thoughtful! "Sure," I said, "Let me grab my keys and we'll go."

"No, Mom ... we sort of want to go just us kids," he quickly replied.

"Oh," and that's about all I could get my mouth to say as my brain started racing and reeling. In my mind's eye pictures started flashing of a terrible accident, a phone call from the police, planning a funeral, and then thinking back to this moment when I could have said no.

And it was that strange sense that everything depended on me and my decisions that made me want to say no. Absolutely not. You will stay home today. You will all stay home forever. I have to keep you safe.

Why do we moms do that? Most of us live with this gnawing, aching, terrifying fear that something will happen to one of our children. We carry the pressure that ultimately everything rises and falls on whether or not we can control things. And mentally, too often we plan funerals that won't happen today.

We do it because we know the realities of living in a broken world where car accidents do happen. Tragedy strikes old and young alike. We have no guarantees for tomorrow. And that's really hard on a mama's heart.

I stood at the front window of my house chewing my nails and watching as the entire contents of my mama heart piled into one car.

And I realized I had a choice.

I could run myself ragged creating a false sense of control that can't really protect them. Or, I could ask God to help me make wise decisions and choose to park my mind on the truth.

The truth is:
God has assigned each of my kids a certain number of days.

My choices can add to the quality of their life, but not the quantity. They could be at home tucked underneath my wings and if it's their day to go be with Jesus, they will go.

"When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:15-16)

Jesus conquered death so we don't have to be afraid of it any longer.

Of course, the death of anyone I love would make me incredibly sad, heart-broken and dazed with grief. But I don't have to be held captive by the fear of death.

"Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Death is only a temporary separation. We will be reunited again.

In 2 Samuel 12, when David's infant child died, he confidently said, "I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (v. 23). David knew he would see his child again--not just a faceless soul without an identity, but this child for whom he was longing. He would know him, hold him, kiss him, and the separation death caused would be over.

I know these are heavy things to process on a Thursday morning. And I certainly don't claim that these truths will help you never ever fear again. But I do hope these truths will settle your heart into a better place.

And the next time my kids go get ice cream together, instead of chewing my nails I'll only pick at them while awaiting their return. See progress? It's good.

Dear Lord, the fear of something happening to one of my children is so raw. And I guess the thing that makes it so hard is I know we live in a broken world and awful things happen to kids. But if I focus on this fear, it will consume me. Instead help me focus on You so I'll only be consumed with Your truth, Your love, Your insights, and Your power. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa TerKeurst’s blog for a list of three practical things we can do when we start to feel consumed with fear.

I totally need this reminder! I worry about this, that, and well just about everything. The desperation I sometimes feel to keep my children safe from harm or sickness, is overwhelming. So this devotion today, may be one I go back to on a monthly, weekly, and possibly daily basis.

I praise God for his son.

Bathtime

Bathtime is a must after finger painting! Finger painting isn't nearly as much fun unless you smear it all over your face!

Scrub-a-dub Henry is in the tub!

I praise God for his unconditional love for me. Wow, he's still working on me!

Look-A-Likes

Emrie Ann

Henry Michael

Everyone at church says how they look so much alike. So these pictures were taken at the same age to compare. Emrie's little arms and cheeks are huge, quite the chubby baby girl! Henry isn't nearly as chubby, which may have something to do with the fact that he is still a breastmilk only baby and could care less about any cereal, fruits or veggies.

Today I went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few items and it never fails, I always get a "Wow, what a beautiful baby." I can remember thinking how strange it was with Emrie when we were out, all the people who would stop and take notice of her. Now they do the same for Henry. But today in particular, an older man in front of me at the check out, talked to the kids and made over them as if they were his own grandchildren. He then asked me if I take my kids to church, I answered yes and he just beamed. I don't know who he was, but how nice of him to take a moment to show his care and concern over my kids. While most people just notice the kids for their outward cuteness, he was thinking of their heart(which is more important by far!)

Praise God for our house which provides us shelter from the rain!

Saturday

Emrie had a hard time waking up this morning. She slept this way for nearly an hour! I was waiting for her to fall over, she never did!

Good Morning Mommy!

Okay enough pictures Mom!

Get me out!

One day I will probably have to drag sleepy teenagers out of bed and won't be able to cuddle my babies anymore, so I try my best not grumble about the 5 a.m. mornings!

Praise God for the morning sunshine!

Friday NIght Fun

Henry playing in the kitchen this afternoon.

We had hot dogs over a fire at Uncle Aaron and Aunt Ea's tonight, which were yummy! Emrie really enjoyed the roasted marshmellows Aunt Ea shared with her! Emrie Ann had tons of fun playing/bossing Kaylee(the dog)around. No complaints at bedtime tonight, she is out cold.

Praise God for nice cool evenings around a warm fire!

Good Night Thursday!

Emrie Ann enjoying her first ear of corn!

Henry Mikey is what Emrie is now calling her baby brother, pretty cute! I just love to watch the two of them interact with each other. Emrie loves to hold Henrys hand and rub his soft skin. Henry giggles with delight when watching Emrie in all her busy-ness running and jumping from here to there.

Our typical bedtime routine was a no-go tonight. Emrie was overtired, so she had to be pinned to the floor to get her teeth brushed, screaming all the while. Then put into bed with no stories. Daddy handled her wonderfully, mommy sometimes gets overwhelmed and frustrated by one more dramatic ordeal to end the day. She then sat quietly in the dark looking at her books and drifted off to sleep in no time at all. I love her for all her vim and vigor, she is uniquely Emrie Ann, I wouldn't have it any other way!

Now Henry Michael is off to bed as well, belly full, swaddled and white noise on. He has been off and on out of sorts today, all due to teething I presume. There are four teeth showing and two more just below the surface now. He will have a full toothy grin any day now, and hopefully back to his normal easy-going self. We were up 3 times last night, so I am crossing my fingers that we can beat or match that!

I praise God that is bedtime!

Special Request Wednesday

I am putting in a request for more sunny days like this one in the video!

(Henry tried to help with the filming of this clip.)

Praise God for the promise in Genesis 9:11!

Tuuuuesday!

There is no App on the Ipod for a teething little guy, but Henry thinks it works just great! I don't think Greg knew what a hit this Ipod would be with our kids when he bought it a couple years ago!

This picture of Emrie Ann is so funny! She would ride her bike into the refrigerator, we would giggle and then she would do it again! Everything is more fun with a bucket on your head, huh?

I think we are on the upswing of these nasty colds. Emrie is back to her normal fit throwin', "I can do everythin' I want!" normal little self. Which oddly makes me very happy! She has had numerous time outs today and a few little spankin's too! Trying to curb the whining is a hard job, it just comes natural for her to do. "I waaaant juuuuicccce, I waaaant to plaaaaay maydoough(playdoh), I dooon't waaaant straaaaawberrieeeees." The classic today was when I wouldn't give her what she whined for she would cry "Wah, Wah, Wah" totally and completely fake! It is so funny......and frustrating!

Henry is still feeling yucky, maybe just a little better. He was up 7 times through the night last night and that was an improvement! I did feel like I was actually able to rest, so that is just super!

I praise God for my children who are overall happy, healthy kids.

Bye Bye Weekend

Happy Mothers Day! I have a very special Momma! One of my very clear memories of my mom is us sitting on the steps outside of our old white house on the hill, wrapped in a blanket, reading stories while waiting for the school bus. I am so very blessed to have a mom who always, always took time for me. So thank you Mom! I love you!

Thank you Greg for my beautiful flowers, patio rug(which we will go shopping for soon!), cleaning the kitchen up and allowing me to get a much needed nap! I am thankful for you on Mothers Day because you allow me to stay at home and do what I love the most!

The kiddos have been feeling a little under the weather this weekend and sleep has been sparse. I am filling them up with Tylenol and hoping that all this crud will pass and we will get back to a normal sleep routine soon! *yawn*

I praise God for my Mother!

Nap Time Friday

I took this picture yesterday of Emrie Ann. I am envious!

Well here it is again nap time and I feel semi-zombie like. I put Henry down to sleep and he woke up nearly instantly. So I am attempting to let him babble or cry himself back to sleep. I suppose now is the time to let him do this on his own. Since infancy I have enjoyed the magic of swaddling him and white noise for naps and bedtime.

Last night sleep was elusive. Henry had a snotty nose, and perhaps some teething discomfort which made him very restless. I know this to shall pass(I am hoping quickly!) A full nights sleep right now seems to be light years away.

Emrie Ann is somehow sleeping through the cries coming from her baby brother, which is good!

Praise God for Fridays!

SuperBabies Goo Goo

This video clip was taken on the way to Henrys 2 week doctor check. It seems like yesterday, not 6 months! Emrie Ann was singing Super Babies a song from Dora the Explorer. She watched a lot of Dora when mommy was busy feeding the new baby. I just love to look back and see how much they change in a short amount of time.

The kids are napping now, and while I am very very exhausted myself I can't relax enough to fall asleep. It is like I am on edge knowing that the moment I surrender to sleep, I will have to hop up to get one or the other. Just like now!

Praise God for a beautiful, sunny, breezy day!

Bummer Wednesday

Sometimes things just don't go our way. Henry is learning that at 6 months, Emrie Ann is learning that at 2 and Greg and I-we're still learning too!

Emrie Ann had mini-meltdowns over toilet paper not tearing on the perforated line, a cupcake that crumbled apart, and socks that bunched up when she put her shoes on.

Henry gets upset when you set him down-when he thinks he should be held, or take a toy or any other object from his hands, or when he has a slight tummy grumble.

Greg got not so great news today at school and part of me just wanted to have a "That's Not Fair " temper tantrum. I withheld and hopefully one day Emrie and Henry might too.

Praise God Romans 8:28

I love it!

I love it that Henry thinks every little thing his big sister does is so funny!

Praise God for my sister who watched the kids last night so Greg and I could go out for dinner with friends.

Sun Day Monday!

What a beautiful day! Emrie got to play with Lilly this morning for a few hours. They did all the typical little girl things-dress up, play kitchen, and even sat in her bedroom and looked at books! Henry napped during most of the girly stuff- I guess he wasn't to interested in any of that!

I asked Emrie if she was ready to take a nap as she was sitting on my lap with a 40 yard stare, she of course said no, but with some coaxing she headed upstairs. I read her a story and tucked her in and as I left the room she said "Sweet dreams mommy!" and then she was out like a light!

Henry pulled himself up again today, he thinks he is some big boy! I predict there will be some furniture cruising in the near future! Emrie knocked him flat on his back(why do those things happen in slow motion?) Of course it scared him more than it hurt him and he is ultra sensitive, which led to gasping sobs! I predict a lot more of those in the future too!

Praise God for being able to stay at home with my kids!

Sunday in a nutshell.

Rainy Sunday. On the way to church this morning Emrie sang "If all the raindrops where lemon drops and gum drops, Oh what a rain that would be!" This is one of her favorite Barney tunes! Emrie was clingy once again when taking her to Sunday School but as soon as I could pry her off of me and leave the room she did just fine. Guess she likes to try to make me feel guilty...works a little! She is always so happy when we return to get her, eager to tell us she had sooo much fun with Ms. Dodie, Lilly and Saylor.

Henry stayed in the nursery for the first time, the nursery had six other little boys, wow! He did great, and when I returned he was sound asleep on Ms. Amy Russell.

Grandma Jane fixed us a yummy lunch! Emrie didn't partake with us, she instead crawled into Mama and Papas bed to watch her favorite cartoons and soon dozed off to sleep. This is becoming her weekly ritual.

Kiddos are off to bed a little earlier than usual tonight and I think I will follow suit! Henry has been waking frequently(3x) throughout the night and I don't know that I ever get a chance to fall into a deep sleep....ahhhh maybe tonight!

Praise God for Sunday family time!

Independence Day

No, I know it is not July 4th yet but for Emrie Ann it has certainly been Independence Day. A day full of "I can do everythin' I want, all by myself!" For starters pouring her own juice, in her own cup, that she picked out herself, and spilling it on the floor, and then throwing a rip roaring fit when I tightened the lid on her sippy cup! Then washing her hands(yes, I know this is great hygiene), but there is no "a little dab will do you" in using the hand soap, so hand soap everywhere and again another rip roaring fit! Next comes potty time for a stuffed frog friend named Froggy- he is in the washer spinning 'round right now and my bathroom floor had to be cleaned again today. It is an hour away from bedtime and I bet there will be at least one more instance of "I can do everythin' I want, all by myself!"

So is this a phase I hope to pass soon? I have mixed thoughts but a little bit of "I can do everythin' I want, all by myself!" is not so bad! Now when she is a teenager this topic will be revisited!!

I praise God for the rain today!