Friday Five

Alternate Title: Finding the Beauty in a Rough-Patch Week
Subtitle: A Lot of Boring and No Pictures

1. So...my Friday morning began with a tiny face smooshed into mine, whining and begging (with all the passion a three year old can muster...which is a lot) for candy. Candy. I was dead asleep and my son chose to woke me begging for candy. Yes, candy. Is it possible to be completely annoyed by your own child within the first seconds upon waking? And the added insult to injury? Every other morning this week was a battle to get him to wake up at all. He still had school and had to be out the door around 8. Meltdowns ensued because I took his shirt off or put a shoe on or what have you. The one morning we could all sleep in with no alarms set...and he was up before the sun begging for candy. Candy. Can't say I wasn't a little tempted to just throw something candylicious in the child's face and go back to sleep. It's moments like these that I'm reassured that I do, in fact, have traces of unselfish parenting in my veins.

2. Potty training- I have a completely separate post in the works about all things potty and poopy and pee. Get excited. It's gonna be a thriller. But in the meantime, I will just say that it's pretty much consuming my life right now, as I fully expected it would. In fact, this is why I have put it off for so long, despite many "encouragements" from well-meaning others. Like I said, I have much more to say on the topic because I have learned oh, so very much in the whole process so far, but I just want to note that I'm grateful for how well it's been going so far. It really has been such a positive experience for us all and I definitely attribute our success so far to waiting until we were all ready.

And here's a spoiler alert/question: How do you handle potty-training when you're right in the thick of it and it's going SO WELL and then...BAM!...diarrhea? Cuz after the candy-begging incident, this has been what my day looks like. Awesome.

3.I had one of those days on Tuesday where Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day crosses Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. Nothing earth-shattering in the slightest, but annoying nonetheless. First, it was all rainy and stormy and gloomy that morning. My son had a typical morning meltdown because I tried to put clothes on him and I was feeling rather exhausted, both physically and parentally. I was able to have some alone time and get my heart right. Even had a few great conversations where I could tell the Lord was bringing some sweetness into some lives. But when I tried to respond to one of the texts I got in the middle of one of these conversations, my phone froze up and went black. It refused to turn back on. Not the end of the world, for sure but definitely inconvenient and annoying.
Later on, the sun had come back out and I was getting ready to go pick Josiah up from school. Because the AC in the Beast (our beloved, giant Navigator) works a bit better when it's been shaded from the fierce sun, I went out to put the sun shade in it and crack the windows a bit (tip #1 for surviving Texas summer heat in a hot car). I went back in to finish getting dressed and wait for my sister who was coming over to come with me to get Josiah from school. I wasn't even sure if she was still coming because my phone was not working at all. But she eventually arrived and we got in the car to leave and it wouldn't start. I didn't mess with it much because she was willing to drive. THANK THE LORD that she was there. It was actually pretty random and out of the ordinary that she "just happened" to be there. Matt was gone for the day and I had no way to get in touch with him. If she hadn't been there, my darling son would have been left up at his school til who knows when.
While we were out getting him and doing some Target shopping, Matt texted Allison to see when we were coming home. He noticed that the windows on the Beast were cracked and it was starting to rain again. A little rain never hurt anyone, but we never did get the car to start back up and it poured again that night and well into the next morning. Such a nasty mess. I think there were a few other unfortunate occurrences, but I've forgotten about them by now.
Just one of those days.

4. That last one was long enough to count for two, right?

5. Hmmm...anything positive to share? Memorial Day was a good one. We'd had zero plans for the day. There's something about those "holidays" that are intended to be more somber and reflective that it just feels irreverent to have a big ol' party and celebrate. This is just a personal opinion, although I'm sure there are plenty others who hold the same opinion. I'm genuinely not trying to be critical or judgmental of those who choose to take the day off they've been given and have a blast with their friends and families. By all means...you know? But I feel odd making a big deal about grilling out and sales and going to the beach, etc. when I know there are some families who really are spending that day, and every other day, honoring the memory of their solider who chose to give his/her life to protect mine and my family's. It's not normally a soapbox I get on, and I'm not even intending to get on one now. I'm just reiterating the point that we had no plans for the day and hadn't really expected anything.
But then, I'd told Matt the day before that I was wanting some barbeque chicken and some mac and cheese and some banana pudding (super healthy, yeah?). So, we planned to cook all that on Monday...which just so happened to be Memorial Day. He came home from the grocery store with a huge package of chicken and the idea was somehow birthed that maybe we should invite a few of the students over who probably aren't at home with their families. A simple, no plans, small meal day ended up with a living room full of some of the best people in Houston and seven different kinds of meats, a bucket of dirty rice, a load of mac and cheese, delicious green beans (the only semi-healthy thing on the menu), cornbread, a chocolate-coconut cream pie, banana pudding and cinnamon rolls. We had a great time cooking together, eating together and playing a few rounds of a game that I've decided I'll never play with them again.
It's moments like those...and all the rest of these...that I'm grateful that the Lord has really done a work in my heart in the area of flexibility. All these different occasions and situations have the theme of "things not going according to 'plan'" running throughout. Maybe that's a whole post in itself. But it seems that the Lord has supernaturally given me the grace to take life as it comes and enjoy it.

Even when I get woken up all too early by a child begging for something he sure-as-heck knows he ain't gonna git.

Summer Bucket List

Our little Lydia is due right at the beginning of the school year, making this our last summer as the three of us. Part of me has all these dreams of grandeur...imagining us making the most of the summer days and doing all these fun things outside. And then I think, "Eight and Nine months pregnant. 100+ temps. Ummm...no thanks."

So, instead I've come up with a few other options (yes, some are still outside) that mostly involve AC and/or cold foods and beverages. Of course, Matt and I both have a LONG list of things we need to accomplish this summer, but this is mainly family fun goodness.

Here are a few of the fun things we have in mind:

1. Go to the beach (scheduled for late July with all the Hoogs).

CanNOT wait to be with these people again and the rest of the family!

2. Play in the pool (already happening and will probably continue happening just about every single day).


3. Hang out in the hammock (once the sun starts to set it's actually really nice).

This picture (and that face) just kills me.

4. Make homemade popsicles (got a board on Pinterest already going).

5. Go to the Zoo and the splash pad section (this will probably be more Matt and Josiah while Mommy stays inside).

6. Children's Museum (Thursday nights are free).

7. Christmas in July (on the 25th...gonna have to figure out how to make it feel cold in our house).

 

8.Get some snocones (the kind with ice cream in the middle).


9. Popsicles and splash pad at Discovery Green (continuing a tradition started last year).

10. Vacation Bible School at our church (he's finally old enough to go!).


11. Stand in the freezer sections of grocery stores (you think I'm kidding).

12. Get the nursery at least cleaned out and started (she won't even sleep in there for the first couple months so I'm not really in a huge hurry to get it done). (Also...is it weird that my inspiration for her room is a bottle of hand soap?)

What are your plans to beat the summer heat and make some fun memories?

24 weeks

So...I'm totally blaming the lack of posting on how insanely busy the last few weeks have been. With birthdays and birthday parties, graduations, missions trips and wrapping up the school year, we have been going pretty much non-stop. I may have even forgotten a few times that I'm even pregnant. Just kidding. There's no way I can forget with this giant belly already bumping into things and knocking things over. And so many other wonderful reasons I wouldn't be able to forget that I'm carrying a tiny human being. See more on that below.

How far along: 24 weeks (inching ever-closer to that third trimester...wow. just wow.)

Size of baby: the length of an ear of corn

Gender: It's getting so much more comfortable to say things like she, her, daughter, girl, etc. I'm not sure I'll ever fully come out of the shock of having a daughter, but she's really starting to take her place in this family. The girl is also already getting a head-start on a great wardrobe. And that doesn't even include the hand-me-downs coming her way!

This is not even all of it!

Movement:I mentioned to Matt the other day that it's so different than I remember with Josiah. Granted, that was 3+ years ago, but I remember feeling him moving around a lot, but not so much "kicking" me. This girl though, this sassy, feisty little lady...she's a kicker. And I don't mean the country-music-listening, boots-wearing, hat-tipping kind. She straight up kicks me. Or punches. I don't know. Either way, she's getting stronger and bigger. Another difference is that I really only noticed Josiah when I was still and easier to notice him, but I could be full-on working out or doing something and I can feel her going to town in there. Looks like I have myself a little work-out buddy.

*And I just wanna make a note of something. When I mentioned the differences to Matt, he apologized (because that's how compassionate he is), thinking that maybe I was complaining about how uncomfortable it is. And I explained that I will NEVER, EVER, EVER complain about being able to feel my child inside of me. Do I complain about other pregnancy-related discomforts? Sure do. But what a incredible privilege it is to be able to experience another human...my human...wiggling around! Not only does it mean that I've been miraculously and graciously given this gift of being pregnant, but it also means that she's alive and healthy and growing and developing. What a big deal!

Maternity Clothes: Shirts are getting too small, but found some decent shorts that just might get me through this already blazing heat. Now on the look-out for a swimsuit that isn't over-priced or ugly.

Sleep: Not too bad. I'm so exhausted by the end of the day that it doesn't take long for me to get comfortable. Just being horizontal is comfort enough. And I only wake up when a certain little somebody is climbing over me, thinking he's gonna get to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed. And then, there was that one time about a week ago when Homegirl kicked me so hard it woke me up. I laughed.

Cravings: Peach-flavored things are hitting the spot these days. It might have something to do with Chick-fil-a's seasonal peach shake being back and the weather warming up. SO yummy!!!!

Symptoms: Got that wildly persistent indigestion going on after every.single.bite I eat. I get it when I haven't eaten and I get it when I have eaten. Can't tell you how many times I've said, "This girl better have a full head of hair for the amount of heart burn I constantly have." (Side note: What's the difference between heart burn and indigestion? Are they synonyms?) Other than that...not being able to breathe, stretch mark city, a bad case of the "can't go's" (sorry...too much?) and restless leg syndrome. Wouldn't trade a bit of it.

Best Moment this Week: So many wonderful moments these last few weeks. I mentioned most of them in this post. What I didn't mention, was that we took a team of students on a missions trip to serve at The Rock Outreach Center in Port Arthur, TX. WE LOVE THEM!!! We've gotten to serve with them for the last couple of years and it's always such a wonderful, powerful time...for everyone.

Looking Forward to: This summer. No, not the heat. It's not even in the 90's yet and I already get punched in the face with a headache and bad nausea when I get into the car. But I am very much looking forward to having the extra time to be relaxed and lazy while also being productive and getting some stuff done at my own pace. I have a few projects in the works, but no major commitments.

Daddy's Involvement: Besides being compassionate about all my various pregnancy symptoms, he's been a huge help with Josiah. He's taken over bath-time since it's gotten increasingly difficult and is just over-all being really great about being attentive and selfless. And he takes me out on yummy dates.

Big Brother: I love how inquisitive he's getting about the baby. Just this morning we were having a conversation about her being hungry and how does the food Mommy eats get to her tummy? And when is she gonna start walking? I'm hoping and praying that his capacity for understanding how a baby develops will increase as time goes on and when she gets here. I'm sure there will be some frustration with her not doing much of anything for awhile but crying and sleeping.
He's also had a hard time with not being able to jump on me and ride me like I'm an animal. Daddy's not the only one who's a rough-houser (is that a word???) with him. I usually am too, but have had to cut it out, for obvious reasons. He seems to understand once we get on to him and remind him that he can't do that...after he's already gotten a running start to fly into me. This wild boy. My heart can barely contain my love for him.

God has done GREAT things!

I have so much to do today. So many things on my list. But all I really want to do is just sit here and reflect on the last few days...and the next few days...and just let my heart overflow with all the gratitude that seems to be bursting from it.

Maybe it's all the extra hormones coursing through my body, by I just want to weep...with a lifetime of joyful, grateful tears.

God has done GREAT things.

Why does that sound so small to say? Probably because it's vastly insufficient.

So, why am I so grateful? Here are a few reasons.

1. We celebrated my husband's 36th birthday last week. There was a time when I thought I would never have a husband. And I certainly never thought I would have one as good as the one I've got. And there have even been times in the last few years when we feared that he might not have any more birthdays left to celebrate. God has done great things.

2. We celebrated my son's third birthday earlier this week. There was a time when we thought we would never be able to have children. But the Lord, in His mercy, saw our tears and heartache and gave us the most precious we could have imagined. What's better? His health has never been threatened. And having cried with dear friends who haven't had that luxury, we don't for a second take our son's health for granted. God has done great things.

3. We wrapped up another wonderful, incredible school year with Chi Alpha. Two weeks ago, we rejoiced as (about) 10 students were baptized, saying their lives had been changed by a God who loves them deeply. We met with 8 students who have chosen to rise to the challenge and the call of discipleship and we heard their hearts for their campus. We spent a wonderful evening with our current leadership team who has sacrificed and given countless hours  (and even tears) to unselfishly choose for the Kingdom of God. There was a time when I thought I would never be part of something so wonderful in the capacity I have been this last year. And what a privilege it has been to serve! God has done great things. 

4. We spent the last couple days planning ahead for the summer and for the next fall semester. You don't even know how big a deal this is. We are last-minute folks by nature. Normally we start planning for the fall semester in August. We knocked out so much in just a few days and so much comfort and relief is now ours because we took the time to do it now and not wait. The Lord gave us wisdom and insight and creativity. And we are thankful. God has done great things. 

5. We found out two weeks ago that we're welcoming a daughter into our family in a few months. There was a time when we thought we wouldn't be able to have any more children. But yet again, the Lord saw our tears and the ache in our hearts for another child and showed us His favor. I even often felt guilty for begging Him for another child after He had already been so good to give us one when others that we know and love are still longing for their first. And there was a time when we thought we'd only ever have sons (which was a beautiful thought for me), but now we get the joy of raising a little girl to be a fierce and mighty woman of God. What a splendid and terrifying task ahead of us! And furthermore, through multiple scans and ultrasounds, we have the confidence that she is healthy and developing perfectly. God has done great things.

6.  My baby sister is graduating with her Master's degree tomorrow. Nobody in our family has ever done that before. She worked so hard and is walking that stage with all her fancy hoods and things tomorrow. There was a time when I thought I would never get to watch her graduate (I missed both her high school and undergrad graduations), but tomorrow I will yell and cheer and embarrass her and the people around me. I'm so proud. God has done great things. 

The list really could go on and on and on. It's far too easy to be overwhelmed with all the things I lack and wish I had or wish I was that I'm not. Too many things that are less than ideal.

But OH! God has done GREAT things...and we are filled with joy!!!

Three

Dear Josiah,

My wild, sweet boy. You are three. How? I feel like the last month or so I've just been rounding up when people ask how old you are (plus, I've been in a bit of denial over it) so it doesn't seem like that much of a shock to say that you're three. But when I really think about it...I just can't.

I also just can't fathom how in the world I'm gonna sufficiently articulate who you are right now. Either this thing is gonna be entirely too long or there will just have to be some holes. I'm writing so not only will I be able to remember who you are and what you do, but so that someday you can also read this.

So, let's begin with physical stats. Should be easy because I have none. Your 3year check up is next week and hopefully we'll get some accurate details then. But until then, you are tall and skinny, but kinda stating to chunk up a bit. I constantly find myself laughing at your long, skinny, white, chicken legs. You used to be smaller, in total, than your legs are now. So crazy to think about. You have the cutest, most hilarious overbite due to that lingering paci. Speaking of that paci...it's headed outta town the day after you turn 3. (I'm not that mean of a mommy to make you get rid of it on your birthday, but we're not stringing this thing along. It's time.)

You are an excellent communicator. You speak very well and random people are always commenting on how smart you are and how well you speak for your age. It comes as no surprise to me, but it does make me proud to know other people notice. One of your new favorite things is to repeat various lectures you've been given about kindness and good manners and how to treat someone...especially when you're the recipient of a "no" response. The funniest? "Mommy/Daddy, you say 'Yes, ma'am' to me." (Said in the strictest voice with the most furrowed brow you can muster.) You also like to tell us to stop "treating me that." Or, "It's not nice manners to tell someone 'no'." You sure are a bossy little dude and have picked up many of those bossy habits from your dad. Okay, okay...whatever. From me. Well, from both of us.

You are a negotiator. You will bargain like no other child I have known. If we tell you you can have "one suck" (of the paci after bed/nap...a 10 second countdown), you say you need "all the sucks." If we say you can have one piece of candy, you say you will have 5. It's not even that you're begging (although, yes, sometimes it's in a begging mode), but you respond as though you are making the decision. Like, that's that.

You are a musical kid. You LOVE to sing and dance and watch music videos on youtube. Your favorites right now are: "Desert Song", "The Halo Song" (Freedom by Nicole C. Mullin), "Me Without You", "Deep Cries Out", "Oceans", "Let it Go" (and all other Frozen songs), and "Move it, Move it."

You could spend all you time watching shows on our iPhones. Your favorites right now are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Doc McStuffins, Little Einsteins, Handy Manny, Daniel Tiger, Curious George, Cat in the Hat, Peg+Cat, SuperWhy, and Dinosaur Train (even though you know Mommy doesn't like you watching it). I'm sure there are others...and I'm sure it looks like Mommy and Daddy are lazy, lame parents who just shove a phone in your face. But you don't watch all those in one sitting. And we have been trying to limit you. You're just so quiet and calm and we can get so much done! (World's Best Parents...ever.)

Another large chunk of your time is spent doing puzzles. And child, you are SO GOOD at puzzles. Maybe you are totally right on schedule developmentally, but I am impressed. You will do the same puzzle a thousand times in one sitting until you pretty much have it memorized. I keep trying to give you slightly more complicated puzzles and you are a little insecure at first and beg for Mommy and Daddy's help, but you eventually master it and can do it all by yourself.

You are in the best, sweetest (sometimes most painful...seriously, the head-butts and kicks to the belly) cuddling phase ever right now and I LOVE IT. I will admit it is sometimes frustrating when you insist on hugging me for a really long time as I'm trying to get you dressed in the morning and we're already running late. I have caught myself being impatient with you, but am quickly reminded to NEVER, never be the one to break the hug first. I have, however, picked up that you are smart enough to use cuddling as a way of procrastinating. In those moments, I tell you we can hug and cuddle after you are dressed. You have a had several meltdowns in the morning if you don't get a chance to get into bed with Mommy and Daddy to cuddle. It's so heartbreaking. I wish "the world" would be sympathetic if I told them, "We're always late because my son just needed to cuddle a little extra longer this morning." Some might be.

You are not an adventurous eater. We say you're picky, and yes. You basically are. But you eat fairly healthfully for a 3 year old. Your meal staples are: pbj sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, carrots and hummus, apples, some nuts sometimes and pb/cheese crackers. And your favorite beverage is a green juice made of green plants (despite what you said in your interview)...the only green in your diet. Of course, you also never turn down chips, cookies, fruit snacks, chocolate, froyo, etc.

You love to help Mommy and Daddy do whatever "chores" we're doing. If Daddy is cooking or working on the shed or gardening or fixing a vehicle, you always ask to help. You love to help Mommy fold laundry and make your lunch or bake or sweep and vacuum. You're pretty helpful right now and I'm hoping and praying that helpfulness sticks around for awhile or forever. At least until your sister gets here.

You've become so independent in the last few weeks and months. You have successfully learned how to put your own shoes and socks on. You almost always get the rights shoes on the right feet and your socks are still usually a little twisted up, but you do great. You also had a bit of a meltdown the other night because I wouldn't let you brush your own teeth (you take so long because you really just play around and we both were incredibly tired...and you really aren't so great at that yet). You are so proud of yourself when you put your own shorts/pants on by yourself.

This leads me into the area of potty talk. You are SO ready for full-on potty training! Mommy is the one dragging her feet. Now that the school year is essentially over, we'll get down to business and get it done, but there was no way I could really give my full attention and be consistent with all that was going on. We've bought our "very last box of diapers" about seven times. And I'm pretty sure your teachers at school are judging me because I still bring in diapers vs. pull-ups. Oh, well. You are ready and will be in underwear before the summer is over. I hope. I hope. I hope.

Sleep. Can we just skip this part? I'm pretty sure there are no books available on how to sleep-train a three year old. Shoulda been done two and a half years ago. I have all these (semi-valid) excuses as to why you still wake up 2-3 times a night and are persistent about being in our bed, but the truth is that you are getting SO MUCH better lately. Instead of just pulling you into bed with us (which was the habit for far too long and still such a temptation at 3am), I just hug you for a minute and then walk you back to your bed. You go right back to sleep and I go right back to my bed. Daddy just gets into bed with you...which Mommy has many mixed emotions about. (Something about getting the bed all to her giant self, but also it not helping you learn to sleep by yourself...and your bed is super uncomfortable and you aren't the best bed-mate ever in the world.) I have hope that some change and growth is on the horizon for us in this department. Again, something just has to happen before a little someone makes her debut in a few months.

As is the fashion with just about every kid between the ages of 2 and 10, you say the darndest things. I've tried to keep track of some of the things you say. Here are a few of our favorite quotes and conversations with you:

Mommy: Why are you just the cutest kid in the whole world?

Josiah: Because I just am!

(Pointing to the leaopard-print scarf on my neck.)

J: “Mommy, I got all your bugs!”

Mommy: No, these are spots.

J: No. They are not spots. They buuuuuugs.

(fashioned a “typewriter” out of the pistachios and almonds on his dinner plate and pretending to type)

“Dear Mommy, I am typing this letter because Josiah is very smart!” (repeated multiple times)

Upon waking up, having slept on his arm funny: “My hand feels fuzzy.” 

Matt filled the tub up for bathtime and I discovered that there was a bunch of dirt and grass floating around in it. I said to Matt something to the effect of:  “Did you not see all the junk floating around in the tub when you turned it on?”

A few minutes pass by as I re-filled the tub and as Matt was carrying Josiah into the bathroom, he said, “Daddy show me your junk! I wanna see your junk”

We laughed way too hard and for way too long about that. The funniest part was that Matt didn’t realize he was referring to the “junk” in the bathtub. He was concerned about how Josiah knew that phrase and why he was saying it. 

Mommy to Daddy upon seeing a big white truck with the words, “The world is mine.”

Mommy: I guess Jesus drives that white truck right there.

Josiah: *gasp* Mommy, I found Jesus!

You still mispronounce some words: "gril" (girl), "aminal" (animal), "free" (three), "gotfor" (forgot), "mine" (my)  (...and I have a really hard time correcting you, though I do because I love you.)

You are already the sweetest big brother. I mean, there is a tenderness there when we talk about your sister that just isn't present really anywhere else. And I'm not sure if it's a result of her being a sister or just being a baby that makes you so sensitive, but it's precious. 

You love to re-tell whatever "funny" thing happens on whatever show you're watching.

Your memory is astounding. Details are included.

You love to be tickled. 

You are always asking us to play with you. You are not great at playing by yourself. We are trying to work on that before your sister comes. 

You love to read, but really only at bedtime. Your favorites right now are The Berenstain Bears books. Makes Momma proud. 

You are not much of an artist. You will color...for about 2.5 minutes. And you are quite the minimalist in your artwork. I always have to encourage you to fill in the white spaces. 

You are incredibly generous. Always wanting to share. And even when you have something that you don't particularly want to share, you might hesitate, but you still share. 

Kid, there's just so much more to who you are. And I knew it would be a futile effort to try to capture every little quirk of your BIG personality. I'm sure I'm leaving plenty out that I'll want to add tomorrow, but this will have to do.

Mommy and Daddy just love you more than we can say. You are the best thing we could have chosen to do together. You make life a sweet challenge and an incredible joy. What an exciting thought to imagine what this next year of life might be for you! I'm so glad I get to be there to get to watch it all happen.

I love you so much, Josiah. You're my Best Boy.

Mommy