My sister attached this tiny tag to a birthday present she gave me last weekend. 

Bought at Blue Sky, in the North Shore area of Chattanooga.  The North Shore has the most wonderful restaurants and boutiques.  Most times we are breezing through, taking the kids down to the fountains to play- so there is no time to browse.  Probably a good thing, with all the selection and options for spending money.

More on birthday later.  For now, sick children call my name.  And Tylenol reaches out to me.

I am thankful my Mom placed so much into her home growing up.  Creativity, color, balance- these were all really valuable to my mother.  She created a beautiful environment in each house we lived in.  And she lifted up home and family always- in speech and actions, but also through the way she lived.  Working hard for her family was not a sacrifice to Mom.  It was and is, her passion.

Now that I am looking at my younger sisters, watching them as wives and mothers, I am so thankful to see how well Mom’s elevation of home and family have “taken”. 

I snapped a photo of Grace’s entry before Cora’s big bash Saturday…if simply to prove that the house was picture-perfect BEFORE the party.

Grace knocked herself out for Cora this weekend.

With the kind of excitement and enthusiasm reserved for first-born babies, celebrating a year of firsts.

I love that I have begun to figure out Pat’s camera and flash and settings.  It is exciting and rewarding to chronicle the every-day.  Most of the significant moments are fairly normal, found in days that are fairly normal.  And having a camera on-hand to document reveals much beauty in the every-day that is easily lost or unnoticed.  It grows my gratitude to photograph our days- too look back and review the fun and the joy.

Grace ordered wonderful cupcakes from a local bakery.  And she labored intensely over these toppers to place on them.

She hoped to keep many, in order to re-use.  And we discussed a variety of options for art on Cora’s wall, using the whimsical pieces.

She filled glass canisters with a variety of candy.  And placed beside them tiny paper bags with ribbon.  Each child was allowed to fill a bag with candy, as a fun goody-bag to-go.

Cora was the woman of the hour.  And she LOVES the limelight, so her party gave ample opportunity to bask in her own confidence.  That little critter is endlessly amusing.  She points at everything and tries to pronounce what she is seeing.  “What dat?”  “What dat?”  is her routine inquiry.

She is 1 now.  She and parents survived the first year of parent-hood, with it many confusions and bumps and interruptions.  So, we were celebrating Cora’s first. 

But we were also celebrating Grace and Justin’s first year too.  They made it.  And they have loved it!

My goal was to run to Hobby Lobby and buy wrapping paper and ribbon.  BUT, Pat needed a hair-cut and wanted to take the kids shopping for my birthday.  And then Josh- my lone child at home, simply wanted to stay put for Saturday.  He loves to be home, easily more than any of the others. Thus, purchasing wrapping supplies was a no-go.

By next weekend, we will have celebrated 4 birthdays in the last 2 weeks.  We go through a lot of gift-bags and paper.  But parties allow me to wrap gifts, and that fills me with a joy that cannot be measured:).

I buy butcher-paper whenever I see it on sale.  Or UPS packing-paper.  (A note of humor: when driving to the UPS store this week, Anna told me “Mom, I’ve always thought it was the Up’s Store”. Like, rhymes with pups ).

Long rolls of paper are basic for boys or girls.  Often the kids color on it or write a message to the recipient.  It’s not super-classy, but kinda fun. 

Like I said, I had no ribbon, but Pat had twine hanging on the peg-board in the garage.

Perfect.  I made dozens of labels last Fall, and still have plenty to use for last-minute needs.  We got our gift delivered: just took a little imagination is all.

Another friend collected coloring-books which her son will deliver to a local hospital.  This in lieu of birthday-presents.  I like that kid, though. 

And after clearing it with Mom, he gets a gift anyway.  (Packed in a gift-bag that Anna doodled on before- grr).  She seems less concerned with the GIFT than the EXPECTATION of many gifts- something every North-American parent likely understands.

This weekend we celebrate Miss Cora- who is turning 1!  Grace shares a love for polka-dots with me, and appreciates dots in Cora’s little life too. 

So, Cora be fore-warned: Aunty Maryanne has a weakness and it revolved around shapes that are round and colors that are bright. 

How fun is this bag?  A serendipitous find…and a perfect size for the church-nursery- of which Cora is Queen (her nursery only has 2 small babies, and she has seniority).

Off to Chattanooga to help set up for the birthday-girl!

I have begun Christmas shopping in earnest.  Last year’s order and preparation fell behind the necessity of keeping up with a new baby’s needs.  A good reason to be behind, but I was ALWAYS behind.  And I am eager to be ahead of gifting this Christmas.  I want to enjoy the festivities, without the stress of running, driving, going all the time.

This year is my year to shine!  These stuffed toys were between 30 and 40 cents at Hobby Lobby.  For my little nieces.

Keeping on top of a gift-list not only saves money, but allows for gifts that suit the receiver.

I already know who will be the recipient of a boxed set of Beatrix Potter.  Are there any children out there who have not loved the Peter Rabbit series?  I have yet to meet them if they exist.

These snails met the Will/Emma- seal-of-approval.  They definitely met mine.

Our basement gift bin is getting tighter and tighter.  But without my wallet emptying.  And I am prepared, which is…priceless.

What about you all?  Have you started Christmas shopping yet? 

Will woke from his birthday- nap, to the excitement of a balloon.

The balloon originally looked like this.  But Josh arrived home and I heard “COOL”! He held onto that balloon and he and Emma danced around the house.

Unfortunately, but not surprisingly- I heard a holler and crying.  Emma with big, fat tears rolling down her cheeks.  Josh looking perplexed and nervous.

“What happened, buddy?”

“I just brought the balloon up here and then turned the FAN ON, and it popped!”

Will didn’t notice that his treasure was destroyed.  He was simply thankful for something new and colorful.  For his siblings to be home from school.  To have someone to play with, voices that are loud and boisterous.  My friends were so sweet to remember Will’s day.  One friend prepared a cupcake and had us over to eat it.  Another brought over Mr-Fish balloon and some new bath toys.  Another provided a snack-tray that clips onto a shopping cart: brilliant!  These neighbors and friends challenge me in so many ways, as they are some of the most service-minded people I know.  Their example inspires and encourages me.

Friday afternoons are wind-down times.  We rarely plan anything major to occur on Fridays.  The kids come home from school wrecked from a busy week, and we only relax-generally with dinner, dessert and a movie.   It’s not our single-days Friday nights, but I think I like this tradition better anyhow.

In this case, play-time on my bed filled a quiet afternoon.

Anna was with a friend, so I had only 3 noise-makers with me.

The birthday-boy was very pleased with himself that day.  Although he looks somewhat suspicious in this shot.

My energy crashed and burned by Friday afternoon, so we drove to Kroger to buy Will a cake.  The kids were unanimous that it should be chocolate, and I agreed with hidden reluctance- knowing his clothes would be irreversibly damaged.  And they were:).

I made Will eat penne first.  And he did so obligingly.  He is quite a food-disposal, having yet to meet something he did not find tasty.

Then, the chocolate.

Squished through fingers, smeared across face.  It was appreciated, though I think the penne was more appreciated.  He has healthy taste, which is a good thing- because I have fought the junk-food wars with Emma for long enough.

My neighbor had twins named Emma and Will.  So, we inherited two monogrammed blankets for MY Emma and Will.  And this birthday bib, which proclaims that “Will is 1″.

It was a good day.  We thank God for the gift of life, the gift of parenting, the gift of family.

Big Brother, Little Brother

One year ago this moment, I was cuddling an hours-old baby in a heated, flannel hospital blanket.

Resting

I was exhausted, but running high on adrenalin and pride: because the waddling for 9 months and the aching and the “I think I can” of the ninth month had all run together and made this beautiful moment, where it was just Pat and Will and I.  And we were high on a birth-story-gone-well.

We had created this person and meeting him was the excitement that only lines up with new life.  The sense of anticipation which comes with knowing you are about to greet a part of you.  A real, whole person has lived inside and is now ready to be met and blended into family.

Happy Baby

I was so sleepy in the hospital.  I remember being barely able to visit with anyone, almost-unable to keep my eyes and ears alert to anything but watching my baby and resting.

The kids had waited and waited for Will for so long.  Days are infinite to children, so there is no way to know how long this 9 months seemed to them…except to say that they were ready.

This son of ours has not disappointed.  I have disappointed myself many moments, with how I have adjusted with immaturity and impatience to the needs of another person.

Curious

But he…has been so easy to love.  And loved he is.

This morning the kids could not wait to watch Will open his gifts.  So they had Pat wake the sleeping baby up, so they could celebrate with him before school.  He was kissed and loved and he smiled and wriggled.

 He especially liked his blocks from Mimi.

Ooh, Blocks!

Moments after opening gifts, he slithered out of his seat-belt in the booster seat, stood up and turned around backwards….and toppled the chair over onto the hardwood.

Ka-Boom

And now, he has a birthday-egg on his forehead.

Will, I thank God for you daily.  I am grateful for your life for many reasons: because you have made Josh a brother. 

 You have taught your sisters better how to nurture.  You have bonded us all, as we spend countless hours admiring and enjoying you. 

Birthday Grins

You have encouraged us all in service and selflessness.  You should never have ego-issues, with the way you are adored.  In fact, so solidified is your position in this house, that your siblings call you “The King”.  You are especially fond of your Dad these days, and every evening around 6, you listen for his voice and wail and holler when the door closes.

Da-Da

 Because you know that Da-Da is way fun, and his magic-carpet rides on the sofa-pillows are the best.  You are pretty tight with your “Mama-Ma” and love nothing more than to sink back against me and talk about what bunnies do: you wrinkle your nose and sniff really hard.  We love you dearly, little guy.  You have turned our worlds upside-down in the way that small people do…

….But it’s upside-down for the better.

What were Pat and I thinking when we created life-and several critters all with Summer birthdays?

Oh yes.  We weren’t thinking! 

Both my “big two” - my older kids- have birthdays in June.  We also celebrate Father’s day and our anniversary in this busy month.  It is a financial month to remember each year!  Like Christmas, only with hot temperatures- but the same debit-card beeping as the bank account releases dollars and more dollars with which to celebrate.

And I do celebrate.  This week it is my Josh. (Whose baby pictures are startlingly like Will’s.)

My solid-rock son.  I try and tell him often how much his slow-and-steady approach to life encourages me.  We are different.  I guess he is like his Dad, and his Dad and I love well.  So when I see quiet strains of his father’s imprint on his life, I am joyful.  His Dad is a really good man, and I hope the same for Josh.

Before Josh was born I had virtually settled on a name.  But I also happened to be reading through the book of Joshua at the time.  Moses was laying out the commandments for the Israelites.  They had been given the covenant- a tangible, rock-solid sign of God’s faithfulness to them.  They were so blessed to have God near, but they didn’t know it.  Certainly couldn’t appreciate it.

Moses led a troubled people.  I would imagine he was exhausted most of the time with leading a stubborn, rebellious and autonomous group.  They thought: God says to do it like A.  We will do it like B.  God says to move forward, let’s slide backward until we are far out of His grasp.

I read this account and then Moses’ response to a people who were determined to run as far away from God as possible.  “Leave us to our own ways”, was their basic cry.

Moses gathered them together and spoke to them, honestly and firmly.  He was a leader who agonized over his inward fear and sense of unworthiness, but he was willing to stand in the face of dissent and live courageously for a God he loved.   He knew Truth and was willing to share it.  He was chosen by God for his humble spirit and yet bearing humility, he was also extremely bold.  He tells the Israelites:

¹⁵“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or ^(A)the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

This verse solidified my son’s name in my mind.  This is the Joshua I wanted when I could feel him churning and turning in my pregnant belly.  And it is still the boy I pray God will shape: One who can live obediently, walk truthfully, submit wisely and proclaim God’s amazing truth LOUDLY.

So, it’s another birthday.  Another number.  It’s the 6- mark for this baby-turned- boy. 

But it’s also so much more.  It’s another year of looking back and celebrating what we have seen in maturity and integrity, and praying toward a child we hope will become a responsible man.  One who will live his life quietly in obedience to God.

And that is what and why we celebrate.

The past week has been a blitz of activity.  Anna’s party was a garden theme.  Kroger regularly marks bouquets down, so I picked up several bundles and used them to decorate the dining-room table, and the server.

Brought the planters inside.

And made it pretty for our guests.

Ate some good-for-you food.

And some not-so-good-for-you food (pizza). 

Ate lots of cake- of course.

Wrapped up and passed out party-favors.

Made the birthday-girl a new shirt, since the first one got very, very dirty.

Opened gifts.  And was grateful for many beautiful things- though I did have to remind her to say “thank you” after each one:).  Etiquette does take time and many, many reminders.

And pretended to sleep.  Eventually, all girls were asleep by 11pm.  Not too bad.

Time marches on. 

Because as far as I am concerned, lots has happened since then.  2002 is not that long-past, but we have become a family over and over in the last 8 years.  This once- tiny person now bears leadership responsibility for 3 more.  And while we do not want her to bear the weight of the world, we do want her to know that first-born is a place of responsibility.

We pray often, daily for grace to parent this child: our Anna Grace- We named her so because we are aware of exactly how much we need Him.  And the transforming power of amazing grace.  May we be God’s and as we instruct, may this GRACE transfer from our hands….to hers.

Just in time for Anna’s 8th birthday, I figured out the t-shirt.  My time is so limited, it has been months on my mind, but with A and J both celebrating birthdays this month, it seemed appropriate to get it done. 

Counting down the hours til party!!!

Anna has made me a mother.  She was the beginning of this journey.  I thank God for her place in my life.  She keeps me honest with her honest looks at life.  She keeps me encouraged with her reassurance daily that “You are the best Mom ever”.  She keeps me laughing with her insights into people and the world as she observes it.

Poser:)

I praise God for her life.  This child.  This beautiful gift.  May her next 8 years be lived not unto herself, but unto the glory of One so much bigger than her. 

This morning I asked her to give me some quiet so I could finally read my Bible.  Summer has thrown a kink into my devotional life- as I am finding a new pace and schedule.

We read from James 1- where I hope to read for the summer.  I asked her to jot down notes as I read aloud.  “Sin, when full-blown gives birth to death”.  She drew a coffin:).  Isn’t that true, though?  I reminded Anna that only choosing right ways bring blessing.  Choosing sin and rebellion ALWAYS leads us astray.  Leads our hearts into darkness.  I was reading to myself as much as to her.  We learn in tandem, the kids and I.

Off to take the birthday girl to lunch!

By process of division, I would say that my heart is split up into 5 pieces.

Or perhaps better stated, my heart walks around in 5 bodies.

Perhaps the most touching element of the weekend, was seeing the fore-thought Pat put into celebrating me.  Pat is generally “in the moment”, which makes him very easy to live with.  He is not wishing he was in the past, nor thinking ahead to a glorious future.  He is cemented contentedly in the present.

Yet somehow, he manages to think ahead beautifully on special occasions.  I have seen this element of thoughtfulness develop over the years, and it has meant so much to me.

He manages to draw the kids into celebrating, trundling them around to various stores.

He remembers items on my “wish-list”.

He knows the way to my heart.

And he appreciates our marriage.

I asked for a waffle-iron for Mother’s Day, but a bed-and-breakfast sounds better overall. It’s been a while- a long while- 8 or more months in fact, since Pat and I have spent a night away from our children.  And it is time.  I haven’t desired to do so until recently.  I find myself less needful for time away than I used to- I think there is a peace and contentment to being a family most of the time.  So, our “dates” are less frequent.  But dates don’t necessarily equate to solid marriage, as I have learned.  Each year as we give more to our family, we actually love better.  I think giving in one element means giving develops in all areas. 

How could marriage not grow through growth in sacrifice?

Perhaps my favorite aspect of this Mother’s Day: watching the older 2 children plan out Sunday.  Friday night there was much whispering and consulting.  There were paper and pens spirited away.  And hints verbalized:  Mom, you can’t come down on Sunday morning until we call, okay?  What’s your favorite breakfast food, Mom?

Of course, I knew they were making me breakfast, but that didn’t make it any less special.  The childish innocence is actually more special.  It’s only a matter of time until they realize that I realize, so these years are precious in their innocence.

It’s fun watching the children slowly switch gears from simply following Pat’s lead on Mother’s Day, to taking the lead.  They know basic skills enough to truly help out.  And they know my likes and dis-likes.  They remember small details that are important to me.  And the overall experience translates into…thought.

Each Mother’s Day becomes more meaningful than the last.  Each year I am cemented in my role a little more, so that the celebration of motherhood means a little more.

p.s.  Immediately following that shot of all 4 kids, my children released their hold on Will.  All at once.  He took the opportunity to lunge forward from his little chair and met the cement path-way.  Panic.  Ice.  Guilt.  More guilt.  Holding.  Neosporin.  More ice.  Watchful hour.  Observation.  More observation.  More guilt.

Thank God he seemed alert, happy and observant.  I kept vigil for a while to make sure his eyes were noticing.  His ears hearing, etc.  He seems just fine.   For which I am truly thankful.