Harless Christmas 2012

We enjoyed the Liberty Park Parade!

Santa came to our HOUSE!

York brought him COOKIES!

Pop Pop brought a gator!

Our Elf "shottie" shenanigans!

Fishin' for our gold fish...

Joy ride in the tractor

A little snack

Perry jumped into Santa's lap!! ((dont know how this was out of order?))

 

 

 

 

 

This was our very first Christmas staying home in Birmingham.  We usually travel all over the place in hopes of seeing all of our sweet family members face.  This year we decided to begin our own traditions of waking at home and enjoying the holiday with our children.  So we did just that. . .  Christmas Eve was amazing as we attended our Church's Christmas service.  We let York come to "big church" and I think I enjoyed watching his sweet face more than anything.  This was his first time to come and he took it all in.  He bowed his precious head each time to pray and stared intensely at the decorations, choir, and hummed to the beautiful music.  He didn't make a peep and gazed to the front of the church with the most amazing expression I have ever seen.  A look of pure happiness, excitement, and wonder.  It was a magical night... complete with Perry coming in right before it ended announcing he had a "Poo Poo" and needed to be "Wiped".  Very loudly!  A perfect ending to the chaos that is our life.  We did arrive 5 minutes late after a shoe debacle that resulted in one with neon orange crocs and the other in camo crocs.. the perfect accessory to smocked baby blue corduroy nutcracker outfits.  You win some... you loose some!  

We talked in length about the birth of Baby Jesus and York learned what the 3 wise men brought him.  He is mostly concerned with what gold mine they got said Gold.  Oh well... he got the point.  Perry points to our nativity advent calendar and talks about how "cold" Jesus was in that manger.  They are very interested and don't quite understand where Santa fits into the picture.  ((Remember last year York asked me if "Santa watched God or if God watched Santa"))  You see they are real thinkers... these 2!! hehe!  So after they were satisfied with the fact that we give and receive presents in honor of Jesus birthday all was well in the world.  Until next year...

York and Turner celebrated their birthday together for the second year in a row!  We had a big boy Camp Out!  It proved to be one of the easiest and most fun yet!  Heath and Kelly have a fantastic outdoor living space that we utilized for our Camp site.  A jumpy, riding toys, and animal hunt added extra fun.  Guest dressed in their camo-best to brave the woods of the Cotswolds.  Here are some shots from the PERFECT night.  Happy 4 years to 2 great KIDDOS!

Happy 4 years, my first baby

I've told the story of Mr. Yorks birth many times before with great detail explaining the miracle he truly is.  And while his birth and weeks after were a powerful showing of God's healing and love, his life has also been a testimony to his goodness. I wish I was more like my first baby.  York wakes each morning with a beautiful outlook for the day. He doesn't give up when things get tough and always reminds others that they can do it with God's help. He has a generous nature and will share MOST all of the time.  He listens to what he is told and always thinks about his response (something I have a difficult time doing as an adult). My best friend once said he was an old soul and I would have to agree.  He sees things differently than most his age... He is a critical thinker and his responses often blow my mind. He has so much love to give and is constantly saying "momma I love you" or "momma do you know how much I love you". He has a tender heart that sometimes leaves him vulnerable.  His heart aches for others if they are in tears or upset. He tries to make things better at any cost. He doesn't understand why we can't adopt all children who don't have families. He has a phenomenal memory and doesn't forget a thing!  He is smart.  He is kind.  He is funny.  He is incredibly patient... tested daily by his brothers who want to be just like him.  What a wonderful role model.  His spirit is pure and comments always hysterical. I'm a lucky mommy and can't imagine life with out my first baby. He brings me so much joy that my heart explodes each time I see that smiling face complete with tiny dimple.  York you have taught me the value of family and importance of one more minute in your embrace. I cherish these things and Thank the heavens from the bottom of my heart for the gift you are. 

Recent York-ism

We need to hurry home because if Mae Mae gets there and we aren't she will be very appointed!

Shotty (our elf) was hanging on the Chanda-lure!

I want to get rid of shotty .. Its too hard being good!

Boys brains are hard and girls are soft and squishy. 

I've got a lot of membery in my brains. 

Have you been good York? - mom

Yes.. Though I hope shotty doesn't tell Santa a story. - York

What do you have a taste for ? -mom

Spit - York

I love you as big as a tower crane. 

I love you as big as 3 moons. 

I'm as thirsty as a June bug. 

I told my teacher I was thirsty but she was too busy. I thought about who I'd ask her again but I couldn't come up with a plan. She was just too busy. 

How do you say frog in Spanish? - mom

Dos - York

I can feel my heart getting bigger!

That was when you were still in heaven mom.  Before you were born you were in heaven. 

I like our house and don't want to move because it has bunch of memories. 

I'm marring Emma grace in a couple weeks. 

Step aside baby. 

Mom, I have to use your bathroom. Mine is worn out!

I can breathe under water... Like a fish. Water skills!!!

Mom I'm growing a nose beard. 

I dont speak CAT!

"York, can you put his paci in please?" -mom

"I'm not his babysitter!"-York

"If you just quit pooping your pants we could play together!" -York 2 Perry

"I need to strap myself to this chair with that chain momma.. so I won't fall out when I rocket to the sun!!" - York (duh!)

"I really don't like this song.. may I change it?" -mom

"Just dont listen mom.. put your hair over your ears and don't listen!" -York

----5 minutes later----

"Country is quite popular, mom!" -York (trying to convince me to keep it on a country radio station)

A motorcycle zooms by... "I like that very dangerous motorcycle!" -York

"Where should we go to breakfast?" -mom

"Firehouse" -York

"They do not serve breakfast foods." -mom

"what are breakfast foods?" -York

"Eggs, pancakes, sausage, biscuits" -mom

"Oh, your talking about Cracker Barrel ... let me look it up on my dot com" -York

((He looks down into his hand and "types" in said destination))

"Yep only 12 24 miles... thats 4 turns! -York

"thanks son!"

"Can you believe Mae-Mae is at the beach AGAIN!?" -mom

"Yea I know... It's so LAME when she's not around..." -York

A cat was meowing at his grandfathers house...  York walks into the bathroom and brings out a brush.  "Is this what you want?" the cat meows  -He goes back into the bathroom and brings out some tweezers.  "Is this what you want?" the cat meows 

irriated he says...

"I DON'T SPEAK CAT!"

York and I went on a date the other morning and I asked him to take the card up to the register to "pay".  I proudly watch my little man walk to the cashier and hand over our bill and my card.  He then runs back to the table.  I tell him that he has to get my card so I can sign the bill.  He walks back to the register and retrieves our card.  He casually walks back to our table and says "Lets go pretty Lady!"

"You need to rest your bones" -mom

"I don't have bones mommy... I'm squishy!" -York

"I can feel the magic school bus in my leg!  I will try to cough him out... or maybe it would be better to poop him out."

Waste your time this week

Today is world prematurity day... 

Having had God's blessing to mother a premature baby and two full term babies I'm able to reflect on each experience with unique perspective.  A preemie mommy holds her breath as the seconds pass wondering if her baby will make it through the night... relishes the moments the NICU nurses allow only her fingers inside the incubator to feel the delicate skin of her fragile baby... fights back tears as she puts on a brave face for hospital visitors... angrily asks her Maker what she did wrong... Begs to switch places with her child who fights for their next breath...wipes away tears as she overhears others talk about her "sick" baby and feels sorry for her... experiences waterworks when they finally hand over her perfect gift to hold for the first time... Heart skips a beat as her babies oxygen monitors go off ... Tries to ignore the dozens of wires attached to her infant baby... Sobs as she leaves the hospital without her baby... Tires of being positive... Exhausted after running up and down the road during visiting hours... 

(Denial, Anger, Sadness, Depression-  every emotion possible )

Until your bundle of joy is strong enough to come home. A preemie mommy can barely put her miracle down...she can finally sleep ... Can finally eat... Can finally experience motherhood as its meant to be.  Preemie mommies are strong. They are fighters. They are cheerleaders. They are advocates. They belong to an exclusive group who have been taught patience trusting God's timing.  I am proud to be apart of these ladies and am a far better mother because of it. As I reflect on those dark days, I can now see God's hand all over those painful hours and treacherous nights.  Without that experience I would not have cherished those late night feedings, first little coos, smile, or giggle as I did.  I remember praying over York's bed for hours just thanking God for this precious gift!  For allowing him to grow stronger each day and giving Wes and I the opportunity to grow closer spiritually. 

Life moves quickly and we forget to sit down and appreciate its goodness.  To play peekaboo a moment longer, hold hands just a second more, or read another night time story. The days are gone to fast and more often than not, I'm looking at pictures on my phone to remember our day and that isn't acceptable. In the hustle and bustle that is this world I vow to stop and smell the roses ... This week as hard as it might be I promise to snuggle in bed with the boys an extra twenty minutes, let bathtime go a little longer, Sing itsy bitsy spider AGAIN and AGAIN, build a bigger fort with pillows and use the GOOD blankets, lay in that fort with my boys and listen to their laughter, listen to each and every word that comes out of their mouth, and read as many bed time stories as they want!  Maybe I'll be late to something, not make it to the store, or forget to wash some dishes because of it ..but who cares!  I'll be able to look back with no regrets... Isn't that worth more?

I challenge each of you to stop and smell the roses this week... Take an extra moment with your kids, parent, or co worker. Make them feel your love and see they are important. . . Important enough to "waste your time" with.  

Because I'm R E A L

This morning...

• Showered in record time (trying to finish before munchkins woke)
• repeatedly putting paci back in Ramsay's mouth to hold him off for breakfast (while shaving, washing hair, drying hair, dressing, and a very brief makeup attempt)
•  Perry begins showing signs of movement during hair drying process
• Perry begins crying = explanation of BRIEF makeup attempt
• York still snoozing... 
• Ramsay begging for a bottle (i.e Screaming his head off)
• Perry refuses to eat all things put in front of him (milk, oatmeal, cereal, nutri grain bar, banana) -things beginning to go down hill FAST- 
• Babies screaming has hushed a bit ... because he is at that past MAD point and isn't making any noise at all...  kinda like NOT breathing **you get the point**
• make bottle -check (prop it up so baby can "feed" himself)     DONT judge!!
• notice Perry's breakfast items on floor -who has time to clean that up?-  begin bargaining with Perry on other food items (not nearly as nutritional as first choices -apple jacks? cheerios? cheese toast? cheez its?  ALL NO's!
• we settled with pretzels and a capri sun... (Perry 1, mom 0)
• York echos from the upstairs "Good Morning family" (smile on my face!)
• Perry still crying
• giving myself a tiny pep talk (Perry is just at that stage... York did that too, etc -Ev you can do this!  deep breaths... oh Yea baby needs to burp!! ahhhh!)
• pull bottle out of babies mouth to see that he has finished all 6 ounces without burping ONCE! (Life 2, mom 0)
• He gives a HUGE burp and vomits (voms -as the boys call it) while making York's breakfast... missing York's cereal bowl by millimeters.
• Perry is now standing in his high chair -crying.
• Did I mention he hasn't stopped crying/whining since he woke?
• Put York's food at table and baby down in bouncy seat to rescue Perry from potential face plant.
• I attempt making lunch for P and Y for school while Perry insists on me holding him while he continues to cry.
• lunches made/ school bags put together -check!
• begin putting on boys clothes for school (brush teeth, find shoes/ socks, brush hair, find jackets) all while Perry cries... my nerves are a little thin at this point
• Change babies diaper and York says his hair looks stupid... we head to bathroom to remedy said situation
• ((cant imagine life with a GIRL after that interaction)
• Pack baby in car seat (pack baby bag with bottle because we will be out until his next feeding)
•  JUST REMEMBERED.. I have a "tour" at school and meeting with adviser for York's K-4 program beginning in fall... crap! I'm running out of time.
• Perry still crying
• We gather all 3 bags/ baby and head to car... Perry is knocked down on the way out because York decides he is "line leader" -Perry crys, York sits in time out in the garage while I load the other 2.  (Life 3, mom 0)
• Everyone is buckled I back out of garage and realize I left my phone
• Pull back in house to retrieve life line
• Perry is calm for the moment because "Dirt Monsters" is in DVD! **thank you technology
• finally on the road to school 35 minutes late...
• Pull into school after unloading my bunch and see York's teacher... she says "is York participating in the McDonalds lunch today?"  Obviously I forgot because I packed him a lunch ... must have "slipped" the ole brain.  My response "Of course!  how much is that?" "only 4 dollars"-teacher... 
• I run Perry to his class where he has begun crying again and the only thing that will make him stop is taking his new "golf cart" toy in... F I N E with me!  Enjoy teachers... this momma needs a BREAK!
• realizing I have NO CASH and that I'm about to be late for my meeting with the adviser... punctual and together -both NEGATIVES -
• I run to car with baby to get purse then to school office and ask if I write them a 4 dollar check will they give me cash for York's McDonald's day.  They say "SURE!"
• Run money to York's class room because I'll be darned if my baby will miss out on McDonald's day... what is that anyway?  I'll ask later!
• Run to the other side of the school for my meeting... she is waiting patiently and looks at the baby in the stroller and then at my frazzled face, kindly places a hand on my shoulder and says "I sympathize with you.. I also had 3 under 3!"
• Thank you Lord for patience and understanding
• Perry crys... Oh wait -he is at school! (I thought I heard him -is that kinda like phantom pains?)
• We make it through the tour with only 1 baby melt down and we are off to do 2 errands before returning to grab munchkins at 1.
• enjoy a quick lunch and head back to school
• lug baby inside to pick up brothers 
• BEST PART OF THE DAY - I get to their room and they run to the door with big smiles and excitement. . . melts my heart every time.
• get home... feed baby and they ALL crash

((I'm blogging while all of my healthy, beautiful, and amazing little men are napping)

These tiny people that God has entrusted to Wes and I ARE the center of our universe and although they make me crazy at times they also fill my heart with more love than I could have ever explain.  Above I give you a "day in the life" of mom-dom... -to let other moms know we are in the same season of life, expectant moms -foreshadowing into their soon-to-be world, and grandparents/ great grandparents -a time of reflection when this was "their" life.  I know I wont be changing diapers, wiping noses, powdering butts, packing lunches, making bottles, cutting up food, blowing off 'said' food, or buckling in these little men forever.  However... I want to get "it" right!  Knowing they aren't little forever brings relief but also sadness to my heart.  To know that my babies will too quickly become independent and embarrassed of my kiss is heartbreaking!  So in the mean time, I promise to do all of these things as only a "mommy" can with grace, patients, and thankfulness.  I reflect on my morning with big smiles as I know each of you have similar days.  We are "in the same boat" and sometimes I feel mine is capsizing.  That's when I turn to our Lord in prayer.  We will make it because our God is good, because he has prepared me to be the best mom I can, because he listens to my prayers and knows them before I ask, and because I take my "job" serious.  I can't imagine my life any other way.  I love the good days, cherish the incredible ones, and learn from the hard ones.  "Lord, thank you for this life you have given me... thank you for forgiveness because I need it daily.  Thank you for your unending desire for our hearts, thoughts, and love.  Equip me with the understanding and ability to do right by your word... and help me to become the best example for my 3 sons."  

Life -brought to you by one REAL mom

Circus Frenzy (part 2)

I have been asked by family members who do not choose to 

Facebook to upload some party pix! 

Catapult -pumpkin chunkin'

Yaya was cotton candy and brought some for all to enjoy!