The NOT

There is a huge tidal wave heading my way, whether I am ready or not. And right now I am feeling the NOT.  I'm not ready to touch starvation.  Not ready to cradle babies on the verge of life or death.  Not ready to talk and pray with women who suffer.  Eye to eye.  I am so not ready.

It was only anxiety about leaving our kids, what to pack, writing our will that taunted my mind.  The typical American life oriented things causing some clutter.  Now, the fear of soul altering change is bulldozing that easier temptation of worry.  How will I come home and be "me" again?

That must be God's point.  I am not ready, but He is.  And I am not supposed to just come home.  I'm supposed to come home, and let His work be evidenced in me as He has already determined in His heart.  

I will never be ready to hold hands with poverty-injustice-suffering, but somehow I get to  - and with Jesus holding my other hand.  The one thing I know for sure, He is NOT going to let go.

"But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”"

-Matt. 15:25

Memories from 2012

"And with my song I shall thank Him."

-Psalm 28:7

A= apple picking, Aunt Mimi’s visits and cookout

  

B= riding bikes without training wheels, Barnum and Bailey Circus

C= Caroline's favs: 3^rd grade, ACTS, Christmas Tea at The Jefferson Hotel, cut baby ring off of her finger, met author Jim Arnosky, Groove Thing performance, 8^th birthday at Onesty Pool, reading; cherry picking, cook outs, doughnuts at Carters Mountain, our sunset Christmas tree hunt at the Kennedy’s

D= Donald's favs: finished work project with flying colors, coached two seasons of T-ball, took the “bigs” hunting, 39^th birthday Reeses Peanut Butter cake; diving at Grammy’s pool, drive-in movie theater with friends

E= Egypt IMAX movie, Etiquette School dinner at Glenmore Country Club, Easter egg hunt at Grammy’s and La Fayette playground

F= camped at Fairy Stone National Park for Caroline’s 8^th birthday, Caro learned how to do a flip under water, Father-Daughter Christmas Dance, fishing at the lake, sleepovers and flashlight tag at grandparents’, celebrating the Fourth of July at Lake Monticello, Fluvanna Carnival, Fruit Hill Orchard, fun with the fam

G= 1^st Girl Scout cookie sale and fall festival, Caro scored a soccer goal or two, God opened the door for us to minister in Guatemala, golf lessons for the kids

H= hiking near Hump Back Rock, hand print stepping stones, hand-me-downs, ministered to the homeless on the Downtown Mall

I= i-phones !!

J= Jackson's favs:  5^th birthday party at Camp Friendship and the circus, graduated from preschool, big boy bike, 1^st sleep over, started to read, Kindergarten, Lazy S field trip; Jerry John letters from Haiti

K= Karis' favs: the centerpiece of our table A LOT, loved Mommy’s Fisher Price record player, new friends Cana and Abby, enjoyed visiting the Food Lion restroom A LOT, 2^nd birthday beach party, 1^st haircut, pumpkin decorating, cookie and ornament making with Cana and Abby, Kid’s Point

L= Caro’s spring musical “L.O.S.T.”, swimming at Lake Monticello, Little Drummer Boy performance, Aunt Leni’s visit

M= Mommy's favs: watching my kids, naps with Donald, became a runner girl with running partners, ran the Women’s 4-Miler with Aunt Steph, started leading Charlottesville Women’s Community Group, visited Laura in TN, taught Caro 2^nd and 3^rd, invited to former students’ graduation parties, Bible study at Effort Church, Sister’s Group, Michie Tavern with Aunt Leni

N= new carpet, new friendships

O= Onesty Pool party for Caroline’s 8^th birthday, Caro’s 1^st oral book report at homeschooling book club, old friendships

P= pillow forts, pumpkin picking at Hanover Farm, The Point, paint renovation

Q= Quetzel Kite Festival

R= roller skating, Relay for Life with the Meyers, The Royal Ballet's Nutcracker

S= strawberry farming at the Kennedy’s, sledding on the golf course, stuck our heads in a T-Rex skull, Super Heroes and a Strawberry for Halloween, slip-n-slide at Alex’s graduation party, swimming with Grammy, bedtime stories and snuggling

T= Jackson lost 2 teeth – didn’t  realize he had lost the 1^st one!, baby turtles, T-Ball, tea parties, Tyler’s community group, tractor rides (Grandpa, Mr. Kennedy, Dr. Farley),Tabitha made Mommy a birthday cake

U= Upwards soccer

V= Velveteen Rabbit book report, Caro learned about the Vikings, Valentines’ Memorial Day cookout, Thanksgiving Indian vests

W= visited my old home in Warrenton, Washington Monument, two trips to Washington and rode the D.C. carousel, watched the Sound of Music with Grammy, played in Grammy’s wedding dress, water gun fights with Dylan and Grandpa, 

X= Caroline had a chest x-ray

Y= yes and you and yummy and youth and yappy kids

Z= National Zoo

Back to 2011

I promise I know what year it is!  I thought I would write about our year in review last month and missed the opportunity.  2010 was such a BIG year, full of BIGNESS in every way that I may just do a flashback every month.  Now, onto 2011 -- 

This January we were plagued with quite a few unwelcome bugs and some snow, which has kept us more grounded than usual.  I have secretly liked it.  The time home has helped me to understand how Mom maintained a beautiful home and had delicious manly meals every night of my wonder years.  The secret?  She stayed HOME.  Ohhhh, is that how it happens?  I'll think on it. Done thinking.  My poor mom!

We started the month off with a trip to "Chuckie  Cheese-Its" with Grammy.

Jackson loved this bicycling helicopter!

Poor Caroline couldn't get it to move!  Brought back an awful memory of being in a bumper car and getting slammed by other kids, because I couldn't get my car to move. 

Obviously, still traumatized.

Jacks' favorite outfit these days.  Cannot get him out of that old sweatshirt to save my life! 

Why he's on the chair?  I have no idea-

Our sweet baby turned 6 months old!  More on her to come!

One lovely snowy afternoon I *treated* my family to a homemade, gourmet peppermint shake

with the leftover peppermint ice cream from Christmas. 

We were totally psyched, especially since I added peppermint oil

(that was supposed to make my hair grow in nice and thick, but I digress...). 

MISTAKE. 

This turned out more like lactose-infused peppermint schnapps!

Too darling for words, even with a dried boogie on her face.

Can you spy Jackson?

Jackson's teacher Ms. "Ali Dora" says, "He is a very physical little boy." 

Here he is with his buddy Eli on "P is for Pajamas" Day.

I don't think Eli ever saw it coming.

Princess Caroline with her Word Study.  Look at those big girl teeth!

Jacks is quite into anything "fireman" these days...

...and multitasking.

The Return of Caroline's Crazy Hair Day

This is all Karis could come up with for such an event.

10-4 good buddies!

January 2010

January last year...

Caroline was learning to read!  Love this -- The "princess" reading a Tonka Truck book. 

Doing her best John Travolta moves in her modern day leisure suit!



The 100th Day of Kindergarten and Jackson's snack -

This was hillarious!  Nope, not a gold tooth wanna be, just a stuck raisin.

Crazy Hair Day

Looking quite productive!

Good reminder of all the snow 2010 brought!



Making Headlines

We've had a couple of lousy days on this end.  The kids are battling a whopper of a virus.  The bonus is we've been able to hunker down and not leave the confines of our petite home since Saturday.  Saturday.  However, we do have much to cheer about!  Let's see, the top stories making tonight's headlines...

1.  Proud momma reporting that Karis Elizabeth is now sitting by herself for a good 20 seconds or so!  That is until she topples backward.  I remember as a little girl trying to sit my baby doll up and she would fall back just like Karis does now.  Makes me laugh!  Same perfect posture with her little bent arms out to her side.  She is such a doll.


2.  JERRY JOHN
And I debated about putting this first, because we are SO excited -

Jerry John is now a part of our family!!  Doesn't his name just make you smile?!  I knew Donald would love his name too.  My hubby with the WVA roots who halfway teased this want-to-be Southern Belle about naming our son Jimmy Don. 

I am very embarrassed to say we have talked for too long about sponsoring a child, though this one year anniversary of Haiti's earthquakes did our hearts in.  The kids and I got a call this morning from Donald to chose someone, anyone, but to do it.  So we threw open the laptop and prayed that God would hook us up with just the right child.  After pages of too precious, extremely adorable faces Caroline was quick to point out the only photo we had seen with a red heart in the corner.  We had found our someone.

The red heart meant the child had been waiting for over 6 months for a sponsor.

I still can't get that out of my head.  I have a hard time thinking people have been passing his photo for 6 months.  I have a hard time thinking we've waited so long before taking action on a constant pull.  It breaks my heart to think of children all over this globe in such dire need -- of clean water, attention.  I really dislike how tightly I've been clinging to the few tens we'll be sharing each month, as if I can look back and say they made any real difference in our lives.  I really, really dislike how easy it is to be informed, feel horrible, and still ignore.

BUT!  I really like to imagine how Jerry John and his parents will react when they learn  they finally have a sponsor!  I really like how thrilled our kids are to be helping someone they've never met, picturing Jerry John wearing his school uniform for the first time, perhaps a healthier year for him, easing his parents worry, the kids writing to him, watching him grow through photos taped to our fridge, praying for him.  Julie Andrews singing "My Favorite Things" is floating through my head, but with different lyrics.  I wonder what he looks like sleeping.  Now, I can watch the news about Haiti with Jerry John in mind.  It's personal now.

Our New Friend Jerry John

 http://www.compassion.com/

Jerry John.  Jerry John.  Jerry John.  I keep saying his name.  Makes me smile!

1-1-11

It was a great 1st day!  Extremely average and when I am in mid-year feeling rather middle aged with an average life I want to remember how truly remarkable that is.

Let's see, today...
-Jackson crawled in bed with me while I cuddled my 5 month old baby saying he wanted to sleep with me.
-Donald slipped back in from being "in the woods" because he forgot something, but in the process he fixed me a pot of coffee and Jackson his oatmeal.
-my big kids brushed their teeth without hassle.
-I used new hair products that made my post pregnancy, fine, thin hair feel a bit bigger.  Trying really hard to focus on the fact that I have some hair.
-Karis hung out virtually fuss less.
-I was able to call my mom and sister to wish them a great new year.
-Caroline wrapped a few gifts I have to give to folks at church.
-Jackson and Caroline played with his new train from Grammy and my old doll house furniture in her castle for at least an hour.
-I made some awesome banana nut bread and got around to delivering it to a new neighbor 2 houses down that I have actually known for a few years!
-Jackson and Karis napped at the same time for a couple of hours while Caroline read her Bible among other things.  I am not lying, I promise. 
-a couple of old friends sent me some very sweet messages.
-my favorite uncle and I are now FaceBooking.
-the kids and I visited an even older friend and exchanged Christmas gifts. 
-we arrived home at the same time as Donald who had pizza in hand.
- we played "Don't Wake Daddy" with the kids.
-I snuggled all of my kids to sleep.
-I am currently having my fair share of peppermint ice cream with a picked up house, some laundry in process, and may I repeat, sleeping kids.
-Donald just walked in the door safe and sound at midnight from saving his parents and their dead car battery.
-our needs and an awful lot of wants are taken care of.

I realized even after moments of laziness, procrastination, frustration, loneliness, exhaustion, awful comparison that I am loved, lavished, happy, happy, happy and blessed beyond my deserving.  And I'm thinking if you're reading this, you probably are too. 

Signing off very happy to be average.

Happy New Year!

Thankful to give 2011 to the big hands of an even bigger God! 
Looking forward to this new year!
Hope it's a great one for you.
Love,
Kristin

"But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way,

who can't see where they're going.

I'll be a personal guide to them,

directing them through unknown country.

I'll be right there to show them what roads to take,

make sure they don't fall into the ditch.

These are the things I'll be doing for them—

sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute."  

-Isaiah 42:16 (MSG)

Caroline and The Backseat

Today Donald and I took the kids to the mall to make our Christmas returns and enjoy some Christmas money.  He took them and I shopped!  Caroline hung with me for a bit in her big girl dress coat and "Ugs".  We had so much fun trying to decide how to best spend the $1.79 that she brought in her fairy purse.  She carefully chose a necklace with a "C" charm after her wise momma declined a menagerie of lip glosses and nail polishes.  Gotta love Claire's.  It was a great afternoon topped off with a run into Starbucks with my little miss.  This afternoon I was acutely aware of how she has grown.

On the way to the mall Caroline announced that she and Jackson are "BFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFs!"  How does she know what BFF means?  Regardless, that was music to my ears, especially since these two sibs don't pronounce their love for one another often.  It got me thinking about how I've heard some of the most treasured comments and surprises from Caroline float forward from the backseat.  Almost as if I could plot points of her growth on the wall of our minivan right next to where they happen.   For instance, in the fall of Caroline's kindergarten year she climbed into the van and announced that she met the boy she is going to marry, like she was announcing that she'd like jam on her toast. I was shocked that the thought had even occurred to her!  Since then she has decided that she's going to marry her brother instead, which suits me just fine.  At least I know the boy!

From the dark depths of the minivan there have been so many moments, and questions, and songs, and temper tantrums... But here is a memory that is especially dear to me.  About a month ago she climbed onto the backseat and just happened to mention while buckling in, "I made someone a Christian today."  Poor thing didn't know she was going to get an inquisition.  I was shocked, tickled, scared, proud, amazed.  My 6 year old, sitting at the cafeteria table had shared her heart with a girlfriend, then prayed with her to ask Jesus into this little darling's life.  Still in awe.  I don't have the guts to even find out what some of my more ambiguous friends believe.

No big deal, Mommy.  I am just making an impact and planning my wedding with my BFF. 

Indeed, you are, little girl!  Impacting your momma and her driving in ways you know nothing about.  Needless to say I'm looking forward to 2011's backseat commentary from my little miss!

Caro and her "BFFFFFFFFFF!"

Amoeba Love

I told Donald the other day that I have "amoeba love" for Karis; the kind of love that could just wrap itself around the unsuspecting, little edible and swallow it up whole.  Yep, that's how I feel about my little babinski.  She's such an EASY baby and smiles, smiles, smiles.  PRECIOUS.

My Amoeba Love

At her 4 month appointment Karis weighed 14.13 pounds (75th percentile) and was 24 inches long (50th percentile).  Her head was a whopping 90th percentile.  I'm afraid she comes by her big head naturally.  (Some of you will get that -)

Let's see, Karis slept through the night just before Thanksgiving, rolled over on Thanksgiving Day for the 1st time, and can completely delight herself by pondering her fingers.  She also loves to grab her toes and smile at me with a look of sheer accomplishment.  We adore her!

Caroline and Jackson are super big-sibs: 
          -holding her until she squirms --not a long wait
          -making silly faces
          -jiggling whatever baby contraption she is in (Jackson)
          -reading to her (Caroline)
They are a HUGE help when I need a diaper or burp cloth in a pinch, which seems to be often.  As we say in the south, they have taken to her like bees to honey.

I would be remiss if I did not also mention "Dad of the Year".  He is still getting up with Karis when she wakes to change diapers, reassure her, or bring her to me when we cave at 3:00 AM.  He is pretty incredible in the waking hours too.

More Amoeba Love

Fall Photos

Hard to believe it's almost mid-October!  Karis and I had a virus for a couple of weeks which has thrown me way out of whack.  We did make it to Connie's photo party last Thursday where these pictures were taken.  It was a gorgeous afternoon at Pleasant Grove!  http://www.jennymphotosession.com/Fields/

Wanting to do some blogging catch up this week if and when I find the energy!

Thanks for checking in!

If I Could, I Would

I had the best time the other morning answering "If I could do anything regardless of time, money, ability I would..." on a blog.  It was hard listing only three answers.  I'd love to know what you, my three friends who read this blog, would do.  Remember this has nothing to do with regrets and should be somewhat realistic.

If I could, I would...


1. Be an avid runner with a swishy ponytail

2. Travel the U.S. in a luxury RV and hike all the national parks, especially Yellowstone/Grand Tetons

3. Secretly plant daffodils and tulips all over... Wouldn't the spring be extra awesome?!
 
4.  Be the person that gets to name things:  roads, crayons, lipsticks, ice creams...
 
5.  Adopt lots of orphans
 
6.  Raise my kids without ever loosing my patience (probably falls into the "totally not possible" range)
 
7.  Be fluent in sign language
 
8.  Have one of those decorating TV shows redo my entire home
 
9.  Work for an impactful ministry like LPM
 
10. Collect & sell antique china, linens, jewerly in a Victorian town like Cape May, NJ -- minus the NJ part

11.  Ride in a hot air balloon

12.  Be happy to have my hubby hang deer antlers in our family room -- This should be a "I would if only I could..."  Ha!

13.  Travel

14. Have a large, flat enough yard so when you lay in the grass you can see the curvature of the atmosphere

15.  Raise my kids on lots of land with an orchard and some chickens

16.  Speak a foreign language fluently -- probably Spanish

17.  Paint landscape portraits at the beach and have a seafood restaurant sell them

Still thinking of some...

Bone Marrow Drive

Melanie and Trystan

OK, perhaps my last blog was a bit dramatic.  My friend Tracey kept it real by reminding me, "It is only a cheek swab."  Ha!  So yes, the registering was very easy, andI am glad that I registered in person rather than mailing in the kit for a handful of reasons.

• First, Melanie was there and so tickled to greet us!  It was like a party in her honor.  In fact, later that night she FaceBooked saying, "It was the party I always wanted to have."  She is amazing and a beautiful example of living from the perspective of Christ's truth for her rather than being stuck in earthly facts.
• Second, I was really touched to see the support.  We were there for maybe 45 minutes for a 10 minute process due to the amount of people registering.  Yay!
• Third, I learned some BIG time facts, which can explain my emotions in the last entry.  Turns out I was believing a lot of misconceptions and assumptions. I am very relieved I acted on how I was led rather than what I thought to be true. 
• Fourth, it was the most meaningful date night Donald and I have ever had.  We left feeling even more grateful and with deeper compassion for people. 
• Last but not least, I loved being contacted by a handful of people I reached out to that have already registered as donors.  I learned a lot and was touched by their humbleness! 

It may have only been a cheek swab and I may never get the call to save a life, but sending those cells to a Petri dish felt better than I ever imagined!


"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that."  -Eph. 5:1-2 (MSG)

Melanie

Last spring I met my 41 year old, elementary school counselor neighbor Melanie and her incredibly gorgeous 3 year old daughter at a playgroup.  A couple of weeks later Melanie discovered that she has Myleodysplastic Syndrome/pre-Leukemia.  A few days ago I found a flier with their photo in our postbox asking for help with finding a matching bone marrow donor.  Without any hesitation the flier states, "Melanie's continued state of wellness, actually her survival, depends upon her receiving a bone marrow transplant."  I have not been able to shake the gnawing thought of what if I were in her shoes?  What if she was my sister, my good friend, my mom... ?  

Tomorrow there will be a drive in Charlottesville to join the Bone Marrow Registry.  All it requires is a simple cheek swab and I could be the one to save a life.  To be completely transparent, I am not 100% certain I will be there.  If I knew it would be just for Melanie, I would be a lot less hesitant and selfishly so, because the likelihood of being a match and actually going through the donation process would be almost null.  But upon entering the registry you agree to donate to any patient in need.  The thought enters my mind again; what if it were my sister, my good friend, my mom.... ? 

Melanie and I ran into one another a few weeks ago in the library parking lot and I prayed with her.  So often the Lord allows people to be the answer to prayers.  How often have I felt so incredibly blessed and casually looked for ways to give a little.  I think I am being invited to put action to my words, to be actively engaged rather than usually passive, to be like the Savior who got His feet dirty for me.  Hard choice, because I know I don't have to -- but I get to.

JOIN THE BONE MARROW REGISTRY

• Date:  Thursday, September 9th
• Time:  5:00-7:00 pm
• Location:  Courtyard North by Marriott Hotel (behind Toys R Us)
• Phone:  866-301-4650 x7385

You can also have a swab kit sent to you directly. 
1-866-301-4650 x7385
http://www.bethematch.org/

"But look! A king will rule in the right way, and his leaders will carry out justice.

Each one will stand as a shelter from high winds,

provide safe cover in stormy weather.

Each will be cool running water in parched land,

a huge granite outcrop giving shade in the desert." 

-Is. 32 (MSG)

Labor Day Weekend

"Come to me all those who labor..."  If Jesus didn't come to save us from our soul's labor, I'm not sure why He came.  Goodness knows my mind has travelled back and forth to twisted  land this week over a close loved one's turmoil while dealing with a 3 year old boy who wants to disassemble nearly every household assembled thing.  There are bigger worries in the world, but when it rains in your little corner it pours.  I am so thankful God is true to His Word and in His perfect timing brings refreshing when trusted for it.  This weekend my family had a ton of fun and I needed it. 

To start the weekend off Jacks and Caro went to their first Fluco football game with Donald and Grandpa.  Caroline's favorite part of the evening was when "the team we were cheering for got two home runs."  You  catch her drift, I am sure!  Jackson liked the blue boy with the blue hair that waved the flag.  Caroline tells me this was the mascot.  I'm guessing a "Flying Fluco" is up for interpretation.

Fluvanna vs. Madison

Saturday Caroline had her first Upwards soccer game which was SO FUN!  I never played soccer.  I was a total ballerina.  In fact, the idea of kids kicking at my shins never really appealed to me, so I was especially proud of Caroline for getting out there and going for it.  She reminded me of a sheep dog bouncing off the ground outside the mess of kids on top of the ball, hollering and pointing in the direction they should be moving.  My favorite quote of the weekend came from Caroline about what she and her pal were doing on the field:  "Talking about nothing for no reason." 

Saturday evening we went to the Valentines' annual Labor Day cookout.  This is no ordinary cookout.  This is an all out event with a hundred people at least, professional bouncy houses for the kids, frozen drink machines, food, food, food!  This year's theme was a luau and it was delicious!  It was especially great to catch up with old friends from Central Elementary.  There was a moment when I thought how fortunate I've been to spend the past 15 years sharing life with the same people.

After a great morning at FUBC on Sunday we took naps then  moseyed up the street to a neighborhood block party.  The kids had a ball sledding down the Hersmans' dirt hill!

Jackson, Ben, Bella, & Caroline

Monday afternoon we headed to Fredricksburg to surprise Mom.  One of our highlights was pulling over in Orange to watch the skydivers land.  I really think I'd like to do that some day.  In fact, I've planted the idea for Donald and I to take the plunge on our 40th.  Someone hold us to it!

Mom is one of the unfortunate laborers who is fortunately employed that had to work on Labor Day.  You should have seen her face as Caroline surprised her and her clients!  It was something between sheer delight and utter terror!  Priceless, and I wish I had been prepared with my camera.  While there my undemonstrative Donald plopped down on one of the leather sectionals on display and the words "Stop it!" rolled out of his mouth like water from a fire hydrant.  It CRACKED me up. I've never heard him react that way, but apparently it was pretty comfortable.  After spending some time with Mom, doing a little sales shopping at Khols, and eating too many rolls at Ryans we rode home into a beautiful sunset --feeling refreshed. 

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." -James 1:17

Big Happenings Around Here!

This was another big week of firsts for the Fields Family!

Karis had her 1 month appointment (at the tender age of almost 6 weeks old).  She weighed in at 10 pounds 5 ounces, which is a weight gain of 2 pounds 5 ounces. She also grew 2 inches and is now 22.5 inches long. If you are a stat fan that places her in the 75th percentile for length and 50th percentile for weight. She took her shot like a trooper; didn't even accept the lollipop her big brother suggested as a reward.

She still sleeps through most of the day, but will hang out for an hour or so in the morning and a little longer in the afternoon and is most happy in our arms. She does like to fuss right around dinner time until she's down for the night. She sleeps from 9:00ish to about 1:30 a.m. which is her longest stretch, but I have the darnedest time putting myself to bed which I suffer for later. After her 1:30 feeding she usually wakes up at 3:30 and 5:30.

I love her big eyes. They seem to open so big and bright, but maybe that is in direct relation to her sweet cheeks getting rounder and rounder, pushing up on her eyes.  Ha! Someone told me last night that she has my eyebrows which is kind of funny considering you can hardly see hers and I have to pencil in mine!

Let's see some things I especially love about Karis right now: how her hair fluffs after I wash it, her extra soft baby hands, how the bottom of her toes look like baby peas, all those baby sounds (nursing, sleeping, waking up), how I can take her anywhere in her car seat and she sleeps, and when she protests about being in her swing she cries in sync with the motion of the swing... My girl has rhythm!

Six Weeks Old



One Month Old

Wednesday Jackson had his 1st field trip.  His preschool class met at Fruit Hill Orchard and everyone picked a peck of apples.  He was so excited and ate more than his share, that's for sure!  We had a great time and learned how apples grow too.

Our good buddies from church also go to school with us.  Momma Kat is a national superstar.  You should check out the show she produces with her husband:  www.redarrowtv.com/pics.html

That very same day...

Caroline came home with another missing tooth!  It fell out on the bus ride to school.  She wrote the Tooth Fairy a letter asking for "sum mashic dus."  The Tooth Fairy was apparently all out of magic dust, but she did leave two Sacajawea coins this time!

This One Is For My Friend Erin...

Know what today is?

902010 !!

Gotta love fashion!

Kisses From Katie

I am so humbled my heart hurts.  Sometimes my eyes need to refocus on something other than my place in the world.  Tonight I am left wondering how else I could be, should be, want to be spending my blessings and the minutes of my life --  http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/ 

Lord, have mercy.

"Toof-less!"

While I was saying my goodbyes to friends at our Wednesday night church dinner, Caroline ran to me and threw her little chin up in the air to reveal a huge smile with a great, big gap!  Her eyes were as wide open as her mouth, and her hand was high in the air carrying her front baby tooth in a plastic bag like a new trophy.  It took me only a second and then I realized what a big moment this was.  ...The first day of kindergarten, first kiss, off to college, wedding day, loosing your first front tooth -- all biggies in my book.  When I asked her how it happened, she blurted, "Jackson knocked it out!!" which made it all the more fun.  Apparently Jackson was running toward her and landed with some body part in her face, and voila!  Of course the Tooth Fairy was prepared and left a shiny Sacajawea coin under her pillow.  We're loving the new whistle her words have taken on as well as her new look!

New Sister, First Grade, 6th Birthday, Lost Tooth...

It's Been An Exciting Month

First Firsts

Whizzzzzz--  Watch out, there life goes!  So much to catch before it wiggles away...

After a hearty breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes our little miss started her
1st grade adventure. 

Can you guess which parent dressed which kid?

It was a family affair! 

Daddy went to work late and even Grandma joined in the fun. 

Here we are making the trek to the bus stop at 7 a.m. 

(Jackson might be afraid of my postpartum early morning look.)

Big step!  No big tears for Mommy this year, just a big tug on the heart strings.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to school I go!  Delighted to be sitting next to Bella.

Super start to a fresh season!

Grammy picked Caroline up from the bus stop and said the first words out of her mouth were,

"It was awesome!"  =Whew!=

Caro's favorite part of the day was telling her teacher that she's a Christian,

and having her teacher reply, "I am too!"

Jackson's 1st day of preschool was the 13th.

He was sooooooo excited to go to school and have a big boy backpack!

Kissing Karis good-bye.

Flying Jacks to the "vinvan".

Jackson's first hook experience caught on film!

Time for me to leave.  I can do it.  I think I can, I think I can...

Jackson said he really liked school. 

He played with planes and looked for "Bailwee" from VBS most of the time. 

Ms. Allie said he was very good with playing play dough and is really creative. 

(I got a chuckle out of that.)

Ms. Allie is the big sister of one of my former second grade students.  How is cool is that?!