The Magnificat
3 years ago
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Prayers
Please pray for Danna (she's a link to the left) and her family as they mourn the loss of Danna's father. E.W. was a great man who loved and was loved dearly.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
An Ordinary Family
Last March I attended a Hearts at Home conference and loved every minute of it. I'm hoping that schedules work out for me to attend again next March. I enjoyed listening to great speakers and something one of them said struck a huge chord in me and I've been constantly reminded of this and so I thought I'd share.
From the moment we find out we're expecting, we pray for healthy ordinary children. An ordinary pregnancy, an ordinary birth, and an ordinary child. The moment that child is born and we count the 10 fingers and 10 toes and find out our child is ordinary, we determine ordinary is not enough. We want "our" child to be extraordinary. The star athlete. The academic. The Popular child. The graceful dancer. The overacheiver. And the list goes on.
So what's wrong with asking for extraordinary? Nothing really as long as you don't forget the ordinary. I know that there will always be someone more beautiful than my children (however, don't tell me if you find them!), there will always be someone smarter, and more talented. I want my children to find themselves okay with being ordinary. I wish I was a writer so I could convey exactly what I feel. But you'll have to make due with my stumblings. There are so many things I want my children to delight in and you know what? They're ordinary things. These are some ordinary things that I've found such delight in.
A sonogram and seeing all three sucking their thumb and little button noses.
My babies first cries.
Feeding my babies.
First steps.
First coos.
First time I heard Mama and I Love You.
Holding my children's small hands in mine while we walk.
Hearing my children's voices sing and praise God.
Hearing my children pray each day.
Little feet kicking me in my bed.
Sending my oldest off to school for the first time.
Little kiddos helping me cook and set the table.
Hearing my children giggle in the bathtub.
My children telling me how much they love church and their teachers.
My children coloring pages and pages each day. The fridge is FULL.
The concern and caring that my children show to me when I cry. (which if you know me is often)
The love my children have for other people.
I have so many more "ordinary" moments in the future! I can't wait!
From the moment we find out we're expecting, we pray for healthy ordinary children. An ordinary pregnancy, an ordinary birth, and an ordinary child. The moment that child is born and we count the 10 fingers and 10 toes and find out our child is ordinary, we determine ordinary is not enough. We want "our" child to be extraordinary. The star athlete. The academic. The Popular child. The graceful dancer. The overacheiver. And the list goes on.
So what's wrong with asking for extraordinary? Nothing really as long as you don't forget the ordinary. I know that there will always be someone more beautiful than my children (however, don't tell me if you find them!), there will always be someone smarter, and more talented. I want my children to find themselves okay with being ordinary. I wish I was a writer so I could convey exactly what I feel. But you'll have to make due with my stumblings. There are so many things I want my children to delight in and you know what? They're ordinary things. These are some ordinary things that I've found such delight in.
A sonogram and seeing all three sucking their thumb and little button noses.
My babies first cries.
Feeding my babies.
First steps.
First coos.
First time I heard Mama and I Love You.
Holding my children's small hands in mine while we walk.
Hearing my children's voices sing and praise God.
Hearing my children pray each day.
Little feet kicking me in my bed.
Sending my oldest off to school for the first time.
Little kiddos helping me cook and set the table.
Hearing my children giggle in the bathtub.
My children telling me how much they love church and their teachers.
My children coloring pages and pages each day. The fridge is FULL.
The concern and caring that my children show to me when I cry. (which if you know me is often)
The love my children have for other people.
I have so many more "ordinary" moments in the future! I can't wait!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Back to School
Well Ashlyn is officially a 1st grader. (She started a couple weeks ago, but slow mommy is just now posting!) She loves her new school. She was a little nervous, but when she saw a couple children she knew, she was excited. She loves her teacher and loves being a big girl and getting the choice to buy or take lunch. What choices!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Tagged
Apparently it's come to a game of internet tag. Like my friend who tagged me, I'm not fond of being tagged. It's kind of like getting a Fwd, not one of my favorite things. But I decided to play along as well. It is a great way to get to know people a little bit better. So here goes...
The rules are... 1) I have to post eight random facts about myself, 2) I have to list these rules and 3) I have to tag eight other people.
And we're off...
1. I'm afraid of clowns. Yep, you read that right. They freak me out. And no, my children will never get to dress up as one. Tragic childhood for them I know.
2. I have this urge to play BINGO with old ladies. Don't know why, just looks like fun.
3. I LOVE to cook. Everything except for seafood. Yuck.
4. I read cookbooks like some people read books. It's fun for me.
5. I've had dreams while sleeping about how nice it would be to take a nap. Weird I know.
6. The St Louis Zoo is one of my favorite places.
7. I CRAVE Taco Bueno and I'm not a huge fan of Mexican food.
8. I'm a bargain hunter. I can tell you where ALL the sales are and where the places to go are. From groceries to pretty much anything. I have lists of Kids Eat free places, etc. I LOVE to rummage!
I'll tag: Jenny, Amber, Elizabeth (who already did 100 so she's exempt), Stephanie, and I can't think who else...
The rules are... 1) I have to post eight random facts about myself, 2) I have to list these rules and 3) I have to tag eight other people.
And we're off...
1. I'm afraid of clowns. Yep, you read that right. They freak me out. And no, my children will never get to dress up as one. Tragic childhood for them I know.
2. I have this urge to play BINGO with old ladies. Don't know why, just looks like fun.
3. I LOVE to cook. Everything except for seafood. Yuck.
4. I read cookbooks like some people read books. It's fun for me.
5. I've had dreams while sleeping about how nice it would be to take a nap. Weird I know.
6. The St Louis Zoo is one of my favorite places.
7. I CRAVE Taco Bueno and I'm not a huge fan of Mexican food.
8. I'm a bargain hunter. I can tell you where ALL the sales are and where the places to go are. From groceries to pretty much anything. I have lists of Kids Eat free places, etc. I LOVE to rummage!
I'll tag: Jenny, Amber, Elizabeth (who already did 100 so she's exempt), Stephanie, and I can't think who else...
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Dinner Time
2 posts in one week? Do I get an award or something? I (with the help of friends) have found an incredible place to do great suppers. Ours is locally based, but I know there are chains available. You sign up for the amount of meals and which specific meals you want to make. You show up. The give you an apron, show you the fridge and the stations and you create your meals. They are packaged in freezer safe containers and then you take home and bake! I love this! We've saved money, had GREAT food, and have tried things I probably wouldn't have made had I seen the list of ingredients! If you have one in your neighborhood, I definitely recommend checking it out! My kids eating the Parmesan Encrusted Chicken with Pesto Sauce will second that!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Milestones
We made it. Well, Braden made it. I had a difficult time of course.
Braden is officially a two year old. Braden's birthday was Saturday and we HAD to start the day off right with homemade chocolate chip pancakes. We took the kids to Grants Farm (which if you're ever in St Louis is a must see place!) and Braden took charge of the goats.
I was stung by a wasp at the park and unfortunately am still trying to get my arm back to normal. We then came home to have Braden's favorite food: Amburbur's. Hamburgers for those of you that don't know toddler lingo. We capped off the birthday with a trip to Nana and Papa's house for birthday cake. 
Braden got some great gifts and has since decided not to remove the conductor's hat he got, nor sleep without the John Deere tractor. While singing happy birthday Braden sat stone still and when we started cheering Braden wanted us to sing it again. And again. And again. 4 times and we forced him to blow (or spit on the cake in his case) out the candles. All in all, I think Braden had a great day! As for a little about my special boy:
Braden is a boy! No doubt about it, his favorite past times include playing ball, and playing in the dirt.
Braden can actually play baseball. Braden since 18 mos has an uncanny ability to actually catch a ball when you throw it to him and really has a great arm. So great in fact that most of his teammates are unaware of his abilities until they catch one of his passes in the head or chest.
Braden has favorites. Braden loves his Papa like no other bond I've seen. Every item or activity in his little life refers back to his Papa. If Richard is cutting the grass, we have to hear about Papa's lawnmower. If we are in the car, we hear about Papa's car. Papa is the first one Braden cries for when he gets in trouble or when he gets hurt. Braden looks just like his papa as well.
Braden does not like to sleep alone. I can actually count one one hand the number of nights Braden has slept without one of the four of us in his lifetime. His most favorite place is my bed. And if you ask him whose bed it is, he'll reply with his! He's a stinker but we love him. Happy Birthday Braden!
Our 2nd major milestone, is Ashlyn. On Saturday Ashlyn was having issues keeping her mouth closed as her teeth hurt. She's been battling two loose teeth for over a month and it finally came out.
This morning while getting ready to eat breakfast she told us she couldn't eat since her tooth hurt. Daddy told her to just pull it out ( and if you know Richard this was sarcastic) to which she reached in, pulled it out, and set it on her plate. That's my girl. So the tooth fairy will get to visit our home two nights in a row. And just in time for all the wedding photos we'll be taking in the next two weeks!
Braden is officially a two year old. Braden's birthday was Saturday and we HAD to start the day off right with homemade chocolate chip pancakes. We took the kids to Grants Farm (which if you're ever in St Louis is a must see place!) and Braden took charge of the goats.
I was stung by a wasp at the park and unfortunately am still trying to get my arm back to normal. We then came home to have Braden's favorite food: Amburbur's. Hamburgers for those of you that don't know toddler lingo. We capped off the birthday with a trip to Nana and Papa's house for birthday cake. 
Braden got some great gifts and has since decided not to remove the conductor's hat he got, nor sleep without the John Deere tractor. While singing happy birthday Braden sat stone still and when we started cheering Braden wanted us to sing it again. And again. And again. 4 times and we forced him to blow (or spit on the cake in his case) out the candles. All in all, I think Braden had a great day! As for a little about my special boy:Braden is a boy! No doubt about it, his favorite past times include playing ball, and playing in the dirt.
Braden can actually play baseball. Braden since 18 mos has an uncanny ability to actually catch a ball when you throw it to him and really has a great arm. So great in fact that most of his teammates are unaware of his abilities until they catch one of his passes in the head or chest.
Braden has favorites. Braden loves his Papa like no other bond I've seen. Every item or activity in his little life refers back to his Papa. If Richard is cutting the grass, we have to hear about Papa's lawnmower. If we are in the car, we hear about Papa's car. Papa is the first one Braden cries for when he gets in trouble or when he gets hurt. Braden looks just like his papa as well.
Braden does not like to sleep alone. I can actually count one one hand the number of nights Braden has slept without one of the four of us in his lifetime. His most favorite place is my bed. And if you ask him whose bed it is, he'll reply with his! He's a stinker but we love him. Happy Birthday Braden!
Our 2nd major milestone, is Ashlyn. On Saturday Ashlyn was having issues keeping her mouth closed as her teeth hurt. She's been battling two loose teeth for over a month and it finally came out.
This morning while getting ready to eat breakfast she told us she couldn't eat since her tooth hurt. Daddy told her to just pull it out ( and if you know Richard this was sarcastic) to which she reached in, pulled it out, and set it on her plate. That's my girl. So the tooth fairy will get to visit our home two nights in a row. And just in time for all the wedding photos we'll be taking in the next two weeks!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Travel prep
I love going places, but boy do I hate the packing (read as last minute laundry to do) and all the car time. The kids travel great so that's no problem. It's just so drawn out! We are off to Texas (via Tulsa) on Wed for a wedding this weekend. This is the first of three weddings we'll be attending in a time span of 7 weeks. And to top it all off, Carter and Ashlyn will be in all three. We are unable to make the fourth, or we'd have another one to add in there. So, I'd say by the end of August we'll be able to rent out the kiddos for all your flowergirl and ringbearer needs. I'll also have lots of pics to post and probably some wedding attire to loan.
Baseball is our current season of life and Carter had an exciting weekend. Carter has been unable to get a hit during an actual game. Fouls yes, hits during practice and scrimmages yes, but a game NO. So this Friday, (after we've been practicing at home a lot thanks to a great new birthday gift that helps hitters) Carter got his first hit. All the parents (on both sides) stood and cheered and clapped for him. And because of the great hitting of the boys behind him, he got to run home and score. Again, all the parents stood and cheered for him!! He could not stop grinning and the first thing he wanted to do was call his Dad who unfortunately didn't get to see it because of work. He had a game the next day and got another 2 hits!! We now have a little slugger on our hands ladies and gentlemen!
Saturday, I missed the game for Carter and Ashlyn due to the Race for the Cure. It was amazing! I've NEVER seen that many people in one place. It was so humbling to see so many "pink" survivors and all the families with them. During the race, I couldn't keep my eyes away from all the signs people were wearing in memory of their loved ones. So very touching. I can't wait to do this again.
I'm also trying to post pics from Photobucket and unsure how to link to this post, so we'll see what happnes.
Baseball is our current season of life and Carter had an exciting weekend. Carter has been unable to get a hit during an actual game. Fouls yes, hits during practice and scrimmages yes, but a game NO. So this Friday, (after we've been practicing at home a lot thanks to a great new birthday gift that helps hitters) Carter got his first hit. All the parents (on both sides) stood and cheered and clapped for him. And because of the great hitting of the boys behind him, he got to run home and score. Again, all the parents stood and cheered for him!! He could not stop grinning and the first thing he wanted to do was call his Dad who unfortunately didn't get to see it because of work. He had a game the next day and got another 2 hits!! We now have a little slugger on our hands ladies and gentlemen!
Saturday, I missed the game for Carter and Ashlyn due to the Race for the Cure. It was amazing! I've NEVER seen that many people in one place. It was so humbling to see so many "pink" survivors and all the families with them. During the race, I couldn't keep my eyes away from all the signs people were wearing in memory of their loved ones. So very touching. I can't wait to do this again.
I'm also trying to post pics from Photobucket and unsure how to link to this post, so we'll see what happnes.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Sweet Carter
So obviously I'm posting this while the household is sleeping and I'm trying to adjust to using a laptop and a new photo host. So bear with me and the pictures I'll try to edit later. On to the important things:
Carter
Such a sweet little blessing wrapped up in a shell of rambunctious giggles and sweet(read little boy smelly) hugs! Carter is officially 4. Carter has been preparing himself for his birthday since Ashlyn turned 6 in April. We've been counting down a while and this past week he's celebrated his birthday a couple times with a couple more celebrations to go! So each morning he's asked if this was a fake birthday day or a real birthday day! I love 4 year old logic already! Carter can steal your heart with his smile and his giggle. As well as make you laugh with his solemn faced looks when he knows he's in trouble. He loves to sing and play and as you saw in earlier blogs, he's learning baseball. He loves cowboys. Not the Dallas cowboys, but cowboys. He wears his cowboy boots with everything and loves that he has a cowboy room. I'll try to post pics another day....Don't hold your breath though. He loves Ashlyn fiercely and is very headstrong with having his now 4 year old voice heard along with hers. He's so tender with Braden but is not afraid to let us know when Braden has done him wrong. (aka tattling). He gives the sweetest kisses and cannot do so with a straight face. He has a sweet special love for his nana and she loves him so. Carter loves Jesus and isn't afraid to tell you that. He loves to sing (read make up his own words ) to songs and is currently a fan of the Veggie Tales, "Crocodile Rock" and Veggie Tales, "Lean on Me". I'm so excited about the years to come and am savoring one more year home with Carter before he starts school. I love you Carter!
Carter
Such a sweet little blessing wrapped up in a shell of rambunctious giggles and sweet(read little boy smelly) hugs! Carter is officially 4. Carter has been preparing himself for his birthday since Ashlyn turned 6 in April. We've been counting down a while and this past week he's celebrated his birthday a couple times with a couple more celebrations to go! So each morning he's asked if this was a fake birthday day or a real birthday day! I love 4 year old logic already! Carter can steal your heart with his smile and his giggle. As well as make you laugh with his solemn faced looks when he knows he's in trouble. He loves to sing and play and as you saw in earlier blogs, he's learning baseball. He loves cowboys. Not the Dallas cowboys, but cowboys. He wears his cowboy boots with everything and loves that he has a cowboy room. I'll try to post pics another day....Don't hold your breath though. He loves Ashlyn fiercely and is very headstrong with having his now 4 year old voice heard along with hers. He's so tender with Braden but is not afraid to let us know when Braden has done him wrong. (aka tattling). He gives the sweetest kisses and cannot do so with a straight face. He has a sweet special love for his nana and she loves him so. Carter loves Jesus and isn't afraid to tell you that. He loves to sing (read make up his own words ) to songs and is currently a fan of the Veggie Tales, "Crocodile Rock" and Veggie Tales, "Lean on Me". I'm so excited about the years to come and am savoring one more year home with Carter before he starts school. I love you Carter!
Monday, May 07, 2007
The Monday Update with random photos
So, a lot has happened since April 10th. But unfortunately I can't remember half of it. The big thing right now is Baseball! The kids are doing great (when the weather cooperates and they love it!!
This is Carter being the catcher!
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1082.jpg
This is Carter with his 2nd place medal:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1085.jpg
This is Ashlyn's team:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1053-1.jpg
And this is Ashlyn hitting the ball:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1063.jpg
And we can't forget dear Braden:
This is Braden after learning how to take off his clothes and diaper:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1088.jpg
And this is a pic of the kiddos last week:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1090.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1089.jpg
That's all for now!
This is Carter being the catcher!
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1082.jpg
This is Carter with his 2nd place medal:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1085.jpg
This is Ashlyn's team:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1053-1.jpg
And this is Ashlyn hitting the ball:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1063.jpg
And we can't forget dear Braden:
This is Braden after learning how to take off his clothes and diaper:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1088.jpg
And this is a pic of the kiddos last week:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1090.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t114/TheSweetLife_2007/100_1089.jpg
That's all for now!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
6 years ago today
we were blessed with a tiny little pink bundle of joy. We are still filled with joy each day that Ashlyn is in our lives. She is the sweetest most thoughtful blessing. She can cheer you with a smile and is RARELY sad or discouraged. She has an amazing voice and loves to sing. Her current favorite CD's are Lincoln Brewster LIVE, Acapella (Heaven and Earth), and Veggie Tales (O Veggie Where Art Thou). She is so talented in whatever she is doing. She is trying out T-Ball this year and is so excited to play! She giggles all the time! And I mean all the time! She loves Jesus! She can tell us Bible Story after story and verse after verse! She loves to tell her brothers about Jesus. (I've heard the resurrection egg story 10 times a day before and after Easter!) She is THE BEST big sister.. She takes such good care of Carter and Braden and loves to read to them. I can't say enough about our precious girl! We love you Ashlyn and hope you have a wonderful 6th year!
*A Big Happy Birthday to our Special Friend who turned 7 today!*
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Finding a mom's purpose.
So many times I allow Satan to bring me down by insulting my choice of staying at home. I hear many questions asking," don't you want more? what are you going to be"? These questions do nothing but discourage me which I know is exactly Satan's purpose. I really do find joy in my children and staying at home with them and I don't want to have an attitude of this being temporary. God has blessed my family with the financial ability for me to stay home. I want to use that blessing for his glory. A blog that I read so touched me today. It says exactly what I've been feeling.....
The funny thing is, I do not remember ever specifically aspiring to my current occupation: motherhood. I guess maybe I always assumed I would be a mom and never really thought about balancing motherhood with whatever my current career aspiration happened to be.
The transition from diaper bag to backpack and lunch box really caught me off guard. I'm a smart girl, I knew with each birthday my boys were getting older; it was my transition that surprised me.I once knew what I did: I changed diapers and filled juice cups and pushed strollers. For years. One baby boy after another. And now?That transition plunged me into what has been at times an almost frantic search for purpose and validation. I bought the lie of our culture that we must accomplish to be significant. I knew God called me to be home, even now with the boys in school, but I couldn't shake the feeling I was supposed to be doing something, some accomplishment, some more worthwhile endeavor, something I could tell people I "did with myself all day now that the kids are in school." Somehow, laundry wasn't enough!
Our faithful God has taught me the value of an ordinary life lived for His purposes and His glory. The privilege of serving Him in the simple tasks of laundry and grocery shopping and shuttling kids all over town. The holy responsibility of raising a generation of godly young men. The call to say Yes wherever He leads, whatever He asks. The freedom of living in the today of my journey, and knowing He holds the tomorrow
The funny thing is, I do not remember ever specifically aspiring to my current occupation: motherhood. I guess maybe I always assumed I would be a mom and never really thought about balancing motherhood with whatever my current career aspiration happened to be.
The transition from diaper bag to backpack and lunch box really caught me off guard. I'm a smart girl, I knew with each birthday my boys were getting older; it was my transition that surprised me.I once knew what I did: I changed diapers and filled juice cups and pushed strollers. For years. One baby boy after another. And now?That transition plunged me into what has been at times an almost frantic search for purpose and validation. I bought the lie of our culture that we must accomplish to be significant. I knew God called me to be home, even now with the boys in school, but I couldn't shake the feeling I was supposed to be doing something, some accomplishment, some more worthwhile endeavor, something I could tell people I "did with myself all day now that the kids are in school." Somehow, laundry wasn't enough!
Our faithful God has taught me the value of an ordinary life lived for His purposes and His glory. The privilege of serving Him in the simple tasks of laundry and grocery shopping and shuttling kids all over town. The holy responsibility of raising a generation of godly young men. The call to say Yes wherever He leads, whatever He asks. The freedom of living in the today of my journey, and knowing He holds the tomorrow
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Simplify
I'm really working on this. I know that I overcommit myself. Actually, everyone knows it. I don't want to live in busyness. I am committing myself (no not like that, but I probably should) to living a simplified life. I'm going to stop the hustle and bustle that our family seems to fall into so many times.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Blogger Blues
I don't know why, but I guess this is like a lot of things in my life... I get excited and can't wait to tell all the funny little things about our life, and then there's days for the life of me I just don't want to type!
We've all been really sad the last few days as the realization has hit that we are not going to be in Tulsa for the workshop this year! This is big news for me since I go every year! Richard's new schedule is not allowing it. It's spring break here, so taking off for him is not an option. So, Richard is scheduled off three days before the workshop so we are taking the kids away for a little R & R. They are really excited and I know they'll have a great time! Carter just wants to take a "Acation".
We've all been really sad the last few days as the realization has hit that we are not going to be in Tulsa for the workshop this year! This is big news for me since I go every year! Richard's new schedule is not allowing it. It's spring break here, so taking off for him is not an option. So, Richard is scheduled off three days before the workshop so we are taking the kids away for a little R & R. They are really excited and I know they'll have a great time! Carter just wants to take a "Acation".
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