Happy 4th Birthday, Ellie Kate

Four years and five months ago, I sat at my oak dining room table, reading a letter I had just received from your well-versed-in-mothering Aunt Kristy. She had written me a letter, congratulating us on the soon to be arrival of you, and also offering some advice for your daddy and I. She gave us 5 helpful tips, including things like taking time to enjoy life without kids, and buying long sleeved Old Navy maternity shirts. But one particular tip has stuck with me, and it was one of the main reasons for starting this blog.

Helpful tip #3 was to take hundreds, thousands, or even millions of pictures and try my hardest to capture each moment as best as I could, because it wouldn't be long until that itty bitty baby growing inside me would be 4 years old and I would be sitting somewhere thinking, "where did the time go?"

I naively thought to myself, "4 year old? That is so far away. That won't be me for a long time."

Well, here I sit, Ellie Kate, on your 4th birthday, staring out the window, trying to remember the past 4 years and indeed wondering, "where has the time gone?"


Your blonde Goldilocks hair is the envy of any hairdresser, and in your mind it furthers the "princess" look. You have bright blue beaming eyes, that come straight from your daddy, and melt my heart when they are filled with tears. You have an infectious smile that captures everyone's attention as you come into the room. You are just so beautiful.



But what is even more beautiful than your hair, eyes, and smile is what is on the inside, little girl. Your love for your brother and sister is astounding as you sacrifice anything and everything to make them smile. You love to give hugs and kisses and you are so interested in the needs of others. You long to fix anyone's broken hearted or bandaged knee and will stop at nothing to put others first.

Your enthusiasm for Jesus is inspiring and humbling. You love to pray to Jesus and thank him for your family, your pillow, and your toys outside. Every night you ask God to help grandad feel better, to give food to kids who don't have any, and for no one to get in trouble. (I know that "no one" means you and Peyton. And I often say "Amen" to that prayer!)

Although you haven't asked Jesus to be your Savior yet, I know its coming soon. And oh, how your mommy's heart yeans to hear those words of understanding and readiness from you. You are going to do great things for Jesus some day, baby girl. Things that use your courage, tenacity, and tender heart.

I tried to convince you to stay 3 for just a little bit longer. I begged you to pack up the birthday presents and save them for next year, hoping that we could just skip this day altogether. And I even tried to put bricks on your head to keep you from growing anymore! But the truth is, Ellie Kate, your mommy can't wait to watch your grow. I can't wait to see you mature and become the woman God made you to be - the woman I see behind those bright blue eyes and the woman inside that enormous heart. I can't wait to become your best friend and cheer you on as you grow into your potential and into the role God prepared for you - even before time began.

I can't wait, honey. But until that day comes, I'll continue to enjoy watching your grow. I'll continue to enjoy all those hugs and kisses. And I'll continue to enjoy being your mommy.

Happy Birthday, sweetie. And thank you for giving me the greatest gift I have ever received, the gift that my heart so desired, and the gift that keeps on giving - the chance to be somebody's mommy.

My Week - In Review

Monday -

Monday was Valentine's day. Not a super big holiday in our little household. But we try and do a few fun things for the kids to enjoy. Like breakfast!



Tuesday -

Tuesday is "school" day for us. My kiddos and I head to a learning center (run by my fabulous brother), and we spend 4-5 hours learning our letters, numbers, and shapes. When the day is over and all the students have gone home, Uncle Neal takes my kids (and his own red-headed one), and they spend some "quality" time together. This particular day's "quality" time included racing through the halls on the freight cart.



Wednesday -

We visited the zoo with some great friends. They have two little girls, and my girls just adore them. It was also a monumental day in Peyton-history. She touched an animal in the petting zoo. *GASP* and survived.


Thursday -

Ben had been out of town for two days on "business," and he was returning home to us on Thursday night. My kids spent exactly 64 minutes exploring the front yard, waiting, ever so anxiously, for their daddy. And found some sticks along the way.




Friday -

Ellie Kate & Peyton were invited to their sweet friend Kaityn's 4th birthday party. It was a cooking theme and each girl made chef hats, had matching aprons, and decorated cupcakes. Although, I think the highlight out of the party was the serious disaster the girls made in the birthday girls room.

Saturday -

A sweet soul gave Ellie Kate & I tickets to see Disney's Beauty & The Beast at our downtown music/theatre house. It was one of the highlights of her little life, and all she has talked about since.

Sunday -

My best friend and I headed to our town's larger-than-life consignment sale. And I am ashamed to admit that I became "one of those" moms. I followed a helpless girl around, weaving from aisle to aisle, in hopes that she would lay down the one dress peaking from the top of her bag - the one that I desperately wanted. No, no, no. The one dress that I desperately needed! I'm happy to report that she did lay down that dress, I did snatch it up, and I quickly ran for the exit in hopes of saving my sanity.

Our week was full of fun, laughter, and good times. How was yours?

To My Valentine...

Here are some of my fondest (and not so fondest) moments of Ben and I over the past 8years.

1. The Great Birthplace

When we first met, I was wearing an Ohio State t-shirt. He immediately began questioning me about my familiarity with the Buckeyes, and I think he was pleasantly surprised to find out that I hadn't just picked up the football tee at some thrift store. Nope, I was a true fan. I flashed my flirtatious smile and said, "But don't tell anyone, I was actually born in Michigan." To which he replied, "SO WAS I!" Boom. Instant connection. We laughed, batted our eyes, and blushed as we sat and chatted for a few more minutes.

Go ahead and flash forward three months. I had pretty much decided that this was the man I was going to marry, and we mutually agreed it was time for me to meet the parentals. While enjoying dinner, I felt the need to make small talk, and simply asked, "So when did you guys move to Oklahoma?"

Silence.

"Honey, we have lived here all our lives."

"So, when did you guys live in Michigan?"

Crickets.

Light Bulb.

*Insert intimidating glare, fire shooting from my ears, and a suddenly bashful husband, so busy moving his peas around his plate, that he doesn't even look up.

Yep, he lied. But he swears it was just to impress me. Is that kinda like pulling my pigtails on the playground?

2. Peyton's Birth

When Peyton was born, it was my first "all natural" birth, as well as my first birth without my mommy. I warned Ben that I would need his help tremendously and that I need him to be there for me - mind, body, and soul. He never could have anticipated how true those words would be.

During Peyton's birth, I pulled, yanked, and squeezed Ben's neck so hard that he went to see the chiropractor next door while I was still bathing my 15-minute-old baby.

Sorry, babe. Wait, no I'm not. Labor hurt worse. I win.

3. The Fashionista

When Peyton was 9 months old, I had left her and EK in the capable hands of their daddy while I enjoyed a peaceful morning out. When I returned, I found Peyton, wearing newborn clothes. He had found the clothes in a box I had in her room, and I suppose he assumed that this particular box was where I kept her clothes? I don't know. If you just have to see proof, you can read about it here.

4. Daddy's girl

When Ellie Kate was a bitty baby, she screamed, and screamed, and screamed. There were moments that I felt so overwhelmed, I thought I was going to literally go nuts. One particular day, she had been crying all morning long, so I called out - at work - and told you that I thought something was terribly wrong with her. She wouldn't stop crying.

You were immediately on your way.

I took her outside on the front porch and she probably woke up every sleeping animal within a five mile radius. I heard your truck rumbling down the road, and I knew help was on the way. You jumped out, came over to us, took her in your arms, and began doing the same thing I had been doing for the past three hours.

Except she instantly stopped crying. I honestly remember thinking, "OK, well then I'll just go to work and you can stay home with her."

5. Bachelor Gift

After our formal reception, help at a ritzy downtown hotel, we had made plans to stay the night there, and get up and head to the airport in the morning. We had packed a small overnight bag to use that night, and we made the horrific mistake of leaving that bag in the hands of your bachelor groomsmen.

While no one was looking, they put some "lovely parting gifts" into our bag, one of which included a word search puzzle book with the words "Just in case you guys get bored." Classy.

Now that story is fun in and of itself, but the true story is the fact that we actually played most of those games that night, on the plane the next day, and on the sandy beaches of Siesta Key during our honeymoon. I love that we can be so dorky.

6. Red Sox

Valentines has never been a hearts, roses, and flowers kind of a day for us. No, it gets overlooked by the fact that it is the beginning of spring training. The Red Sox are officially reunited in Ft. Myers and my life is officially over for the next 6 months.

7. The earring misunderstanding

We have been dating for just a few short months, when one day you surprised me at my college dorm room. You asked me to come outside, and I could just tell by the look in your eyes that something was different.

We headed to the parking lot, where we stood by your bright orange dodge truck. You asked me to go sit on the bed of your truck. At which point, my sassy self said, "No, I don't wanna."

"Please, Meredith, just go sit back there for a second."

"No, we are just fine right here and I don't want to get dirt on my pants."

"Meredith, for the love, would you please just go sit back there for a second."

"You might as well just stop asking."

Wow, I was a charmer, huh? It was at this time that Ben through a bag at me with a teeny tiny box in it. Whoops. Now, we had only been dating a few months, so I knew it wasn't THE teeny tiny box, but I did know that only expensive things come in teeny tiny boxes. And it was something expensive. It was my first pair of diamond earrings. I am surprised he wasn't digging in his pocket for the receipt and looking for the first opportunity to bale. Nope, for some reason, he stuck around.

8. The Engagement

While visiting my relatives in Ohio, Ben had pre-decided to pop the question. When the fateful day came, He asked if I wanted to go down to Ohio State stadium, because he wanted to look around.

"No. I don't want to go there. You hate Ohio State, why do you want to leave my family all the time? That is so rude. No we are staying here."

"Please, babe, I'd really like to go see the legendary stadium."

"You might as well just stop asking."

Do you see a trend here? It is a pure wonder why he even married me, but it is no wonder that my girls are just.as.sassy.

He did propose on the 50 yard line of Ohio State stadium, but I didn't mumble and grumble under my breath the entire time. Something for which he has never let me live down. Him, or the other 20 relatives that were standing there "watching."

9. Argentina or bust

After about 6 months of dating, we were in that "I never want to be away from you" stage. It was also at this point that I took a week-long mission trip to Argentina. I tried my very hardest to contact Ben every day, but sometimes, I just didn't have the means.

But that didn't stop you.

Somehow, you managed to track me down, remote hotel and all, and talk with me for 5 minutes. That's when I knew I had you.

10. "Big Brother"

You were the youngest of two boys, and it was God-ordained that you didn't have younger siblings. Because you would have tortured them. Just like you torture my younger brothers and sisters.

For example:

You drive with your blinker on for miles, just to annoy them.

You high jack their towels while they are showering.

You yell embarrassing things to them while on the beach, and in front of all the "hot babes."

You blast your Bass-thumpin music with the windows down, as soon as they see someone they recognize.

You constantly drill them about stuff they've written on facebook.

You like to say you demolish them on the Xbox, just to get a rise out of 'em.

And oh so much more. (Feel free to add to this list, boys!)

Snowed in foreva

How do you know if you have been snowed in foreva? You find yourself identifying with the following 15 steps.

1. You Dehydrate pineapple, just so you will have a healthy choice available while your children are eating snow ice cream for the 12th time.

2. You Let your children nap, and nap, and nap some more.

3. You learn to keep a close eye on "napping children."

Case in point. I put the girls down for their afternoon nap, and two hours later, I get a phone call (on the house phone) from my sweet husband, informing me that the girls had just called him.

"huh? What are you talking about? The girls are...."

I walk in, only to discover my sweet girls, both on the top bunk, having a grand ol' time with my cell phone. After a brief scolding and a stern word of warning, I put them back to bed, reclaimed my phone, stepped out of their room, and laughed for a good three minutes. I then examined my phone for damage. Luckily, they had only called their daddy, but they did take 148 pictures. Here is a brief sampling...

4. You plan a double date night with some dear friends, hire a babysitter, and put make-up on for the first time in days. Then proceed to watch your husband run out of gas on the side of the road, which will then trigger a ten minute cry-session in which the words, "All I wanted was ONE normal night" come flying over your lips. Oh, and don't forget to take a picture - you'll want to remember that moment someday.

5. You build a monstrous fort for your children, just so they can have a "change of scenery."

6. You let your 4 year old paint her own toe nails.

7. And spend the good part of a morning scrubbing finger-nail polish off of your 4 year old's skin, while continually repeating "What was I thinking?"

8. You take a picture of your dog, and know that he, also, has gained at least 5 pounds during this snowcation. Hey, it happens to the best of us. (I should know)

9. You proceed to play hide and seek with your children so many times that they actually get extraordinarily good at it.

10. You start conducting make-shift crafts out of construction paper, a doily, crafter's glue, and last year's valentine candy,

11. You make these "meringue" cookies, that look and feel like Christmas ornaments, and savor every bite because it is the only sweet recipe in which I had all the ingredients for.

12. You play a game called, "On what step can my children jump off of and still be caught in the loving arms of their mommy." They each respectively reached the following steps....

13. Your husband has a competition with the neighbor on how fast each can shovel their drive.

Ben would like all of you to know that he won.

I've never been more proud.

14. You sit down and paint with your children, and remember how important it is to enjoy these moments.

15. And make memories that will last a lifetime.

Wherever you are, snowed in or not, I hope you are enjoying time with your family, staying warm, and finding sanity in the knowledge of my 15 steps of being snowed in. Oh, and sunshine, please hurry, before I am forced to eat last years Valentine candy.

My 5 Prayers

Every night, when I lay my wee ones down to bed, I take the time to individually wrap my arms around each, hold them a little bit tighter, listen to the stillness of their breathing, and whisper a sweet prayer over their being.

Its such a special time, and one that I know I will wish I had more slowly cherished. SO I try to remember that during the hustle and bustle of life, during the pre-dinner time meltdowns, and during the days and day and days that I am stuck in my house due to snow.

About a year ago, I began asking God to make my prayers more purposeful, asking Him to give me divine direction over how I could directly pray for each of my children. And God delivered. In a big way. I now pray sweet prayers over my children every night, as I hug them closely, and try and recite the Scripture promises that God gave me with each prayer.

So here they are, in no particular order, but all very important to my mothering heart.

1. I Pray the Lord would begin preparing the hearts of my children to accept salvation at a very early age.
I pray that my children will never say no to the God that loves them even more than their mommy does. When they feel that quiet, yet all-important tug at their heart that they would whole-heartedly and willingly be ready and able to accept, believe, and commit. I pray that they are young enough to bypass a life full of disappointment, hurt, and confusion that is known when navigating without a Savior; yet old enough to remember that moment in the heart forever and never waver on that decision. I also selfishly pray that I am nearby, ready to jump, shout, and celebrate that relationship shift from parent/child to sister/brother in Christ.

Ephesians 3: 17-19
These children are rooted and established in love; we pray that they may have power with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ towards them, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that they may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God.

2. I pray for boldness in their faith.
I pray that my children not only walk with the Lord, but do so in a manner worthy of it's calling. I pray that my children are not afraid of the Gospel, and are willing, ready, and able to share with whomever comes down the path. I pray that they are not ashamed, but rather are anxious that no one miss out on a life with Jesus and a life full of promise.

Mark 4:20
The hearts of our children are like good soil, they hear the word, accept it and produce a crop….100 times that which was sown.

3. I pray that God would call them to something great.
I pray that my children will do BIG things for His name. That they would be STRONG and courageous, devoted to a life of furthering the kingdom. As I hold each of my sweet babies, I can only imagine the greatness that God has for them, and I pray, so hard, that they would surrender to that greatness. That they would never fear it, but realize their potential as Christ works through them.

1 Timothy 4:12
No one will look down on our children because they are young, but they set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in faith and in purity.

4. I pray over my children's future spouses.
I earnestly pray that God would begin preparing the hearts of my children, and the hearts of their future mates. I pray that God would protect both of their hearts as they save themselves - mind, body, and soul - for each other. I pray that they would both be rooted in the Lord and when the time comes, that they would both be running the race of the Lord, at the same pace and towards the same prize. I pray that they would be obedient to their parents, practicing submission, and so that they may live a long life with each other.

Ephesians 5:1 and 21
Our children will be imitators of God and live a life of love. They will submit to others out of reverence to Christ.

Ephesians 6:1,2
Our children will obey their parents in the Lord. They will honor their father and mother so that it may go well with them and that they may enjoy long life on earth.

5. I pray during any and every trail, they would turn to You.
I wish I could pray that they would never see the down-hill side of a hill. I wish I could brush them under my wings and protect them from any harm, hurts, or hiccups. But the truth is, I cant. Trials are going to come, trials that MUST come for the maturing and growing of their faith. Trials that will try and overtake them, and try to rip them apart, and trials that will leave them with a broken heart. I pray that they would turn to the only ONE who can mend that broken heart. I pray that they would be so rooted in the Word, that they are prepared for any battle and every arrow the enemy tries to throw. I pray that I would be able to be a good example of such a daunting task. So much of me wants to throw my hands in the air and give up, as Satan works overtime to steal, kill, and destroy. But I know that if I don't show my children what a firm foundation in faith looks like, they may never see themselves as capable of doing so. I pray that they would not make the same mistakes as their mommy, but rather turn to God for ultimate comfort during all times.

Psalm 1:1-3
Our children do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly or stand in the path of sinners or sit in the seat of scoffers. But their delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law they meditate day and night. They are like the trees planted by the rivers of water, which yield their fruit in season and whose leaf will not whither, and whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 91:9-16
Our children have made the Most High their dwelling place. No harm will befall them; no disaster will come near their tents. For He will give His angles charge over them to guard them in all their ways. They will carry them so that our children do not dash their foot against a stone. They will tread upon the lion and the cobra; they will trample them underfoot. Because our children love You,
You will deliver them, You will set them on high. They will call upon You and You will answer them, You will be with them in trouble, You will deliver them and honor them and with long life You will satisfy them and show them Your salvation.

1John 4:4
Greater is He that is in our children the he that is in the world.

As I pray these things over my children, I am constantly reminded of the great task God has entrusted ME with in raising three beautiful, wonderful, sometimes ornery children into a nurturing relationship with Him. I sometimes (OK, maybe often) feel incapable and undeserving of such a task, but for some reason He has given it to me. Therefore, I (and all of us parents) must be faithful in carrying it out with all diligence and purpose. Keep up the good work all your parents out there, and don't forget - Great is OUR reward (Psalm 127:3)!

Snow-a-palooza

Some called it Snowpocalypse.

Others called it Snowmageddon.

But when you survive 13 inches of snow with three children under the age of three - I call it Snow-a-palooza.


Typical Oklahoma. Just Saturday, the kids and I spent a glorious day at the park and even picnic-ed under a shade tree because the kids were getting a little sunburned.

And this morning, we awoke to 5' snow drifts enclosing us into our humble abode.

We managed though. With homemade muffins, Toy Story 3 and reeeeally long bath times.

Ben spent most of the day shoveling.

Although I have no idea why. I kept telling him, "Honey, there's 14" of snow on the ground, we aren't going anywhere for quite some time." To which he replied, "Well, what else is a guy to do on a snow day?"

Men. I don't get 'em.

We did spend some time playing out there though. It wasn't exactly snowman, snowball, or snow fort kind of snow, but we had fun just frolicking in the whiteness.

Stone took a face plant right into the snow only seconds before this pic. It was at this moment that he decided he's a warm weather kind of fella.



So he mozied his way back into the garage where there were space heaters and toys.



Ben and Ellie Kate attempted some sledding. But they ended up just sinking and watching the rest of us laugh at their attempt.



After our time indoors, we came in and made snow ice cream.

Here's my favorite recipe for all of you snow victims out there.

Snow Ice Cream:

1 gallon of snow

1/3 cup of white sugar

1/3 cup of powdered sugar

7 ounces of evaporated milk

2 tsp vanilla

I usually stick all mine in the blender for easy mixage.

I know most of you give your family hot chocolate after a cold winter's play, but my kids just don't roll with the warm beverage variety, so this was the next best festive thing. And the kids really enjoyed it.

Ahem. As did I.

Man, there is nothing like getting shut in your house to make you want to eat 9,000 calories.

Here's hopin' that I can fit into my jeans tomorrow!



Happy Snow Day!