Catherine at 6 months, Henry at 2 1/2

This is really the only place that I write anything down about our kids, so here we go. Catherine turned 6 months old a couple of days ago. She's a slow mover! The day before her "birthday," she finally rolled over. We went to the doctor the next day and she weighed 18 pounds, 7 oz (26 1/4 inches). Her favorite things are taking a bath and watching her brother try to make her laugh! She is still sleeping like crazy. I'm very thankful, but it makes getting out a rare thing. I'm learning to be content being at home A LOT.

Henry turns 2 1/2 in a couple of days. He is constantly moving (unless he is being read to or watching "PS" (PBS). He is very curious and gets into just about anything that is within his reach. Getting on top of a table for something to be in his reach is not out of the question either ;) He's just like Hank in so many ways. The more people around the better, as happy as a lark outside, a love for good food/music.  The things we are working on are having self control during meltdowns, giving people their personal space, playing by himself for longer than 2 mintues, and faster obedience.

Dear Jesus

By Max Lucado

Dear Jesus,

It's a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.

The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger. This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.

Hopefully,

Your Children

home

This is the first year (besides when I lived overseas) that we haven't been with family at Thanksgiving. We were gone for half of November with Cru stuff, and just couldn't stomach another road trip. Surprisingly, it hasn't been as depressing as I thought it might be. Actually...we are elated to just be at home:)

While Hank was at a 9 day training with Lifelines, I went and stayed with my parents. Nine days was way too long to be a single mom, and we had not been to South Carolina since March. Griffin, Henry's three year old cousin came and visited for a night.

Gigi and Granddaddy took the boys to the Zoo!

Catherine at 5 months! She's reaching for things, a lot more verbal, and is VERY interested in her big brother. I feel like she is more laid back than Henry, or I guess it could be a second child thing!

We've got some big changes coming up, I'll write more on that soon!

Our greatest need and random pictures

I watched the whole thing. Henry (mad) pushed his toy lawn mover across the floor straight into Catherine's head. Screaming, tears, and eventually a two year old apology followed.

In the scheme of things (or even our day), it really wasn't a big deal. But, I saw the anger in my son's eyes and his desire to hurt something, someone. And there it simply was... sin. I was overwhelmed with the realization that Henry was just like me and you. He needs Jesus. As a parent, I have the responsibility to train him how to have self-control and not act out those raw feelings, but the Holy Spirit (I pray) will more importantly change his heart. I love this kid and need wisdom in how to raise him to love the Lord (and his sister)!

Catherine at 4 months (17 pounds, 25 inches)

Sharing the love

Henry and Catherine are both sick...

with the same thing...

I wonder how?

3 months

Catherine is three months old today! This kid is huge (she was 14 pounds at her 8 week check up). She's recently found her thumb (yipee) and continue s to sleep through the night (whew)! She started teething this week (just like Henry did).

(Catherine with Pop)

Henry continues to be a stinker, but on a much smaller/normal scale than earlier this summer. I'm continually reminded of my need for Jesus and for His wisdom in raising these kiddos.

Sleep

Isn't it amazing what you'll do for your kids to sleep? Two nights ago, we blended a smoothy outside on the porch and last week bathed 35 pound Henry in the kitchen sink (the bathroom with the tub is right next to Catherine's room). Sleep is something we're getting more of these days, and I'm thankful. I won't tell you just how incredible our 10 week old is sleeping, b/c I am well aware that it can change within a matter of days;)

On another note, Hank turned 32 today! One of his love languages is food (yep that is the sixth love language that didn't get included in Gary Chapman's book, "The Five Love Languages"). Therefore, today is a day of his own choosing for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cake. Plus, one of my gifts to him is going to be cooking Paleo for a week. He's been wanting me to do that for a while and it just takes a lot of energy that I don't have to plan out meals according to that diet! Sometimes I feel like a gift of time is more precious/hard for me to give then something that costs money.

I'm super thankful for this man and pray that we can celebrate many more of his birthdays to come!

our trip to the beach

We went on a trip this past week to Sunset Beach, NC! Hank and I purposely call it a "trip" and not "vacation" because, lets face it...with a two year old and a newborn, this is no vacation;) On top of that, Hank and I were both sick! Needless to say though, we enjoyed being with Hank's family (my parents came down at the end too) and getting away from our house where we've been spending a lot of time the past eight weeks!

On another note, we have LOVED watching the Olympics! Catherine doesn't go to bed until 11 p.m., so its been fun to have something new to watch that late at night. I missed several big moments though and would like to see them. Does anyone know how to do that?!

"I'll love you forever"

When you saw the post title, I'm sure some of you thought this was going to be a sweet story about Henry, Catherine, etc. I wish. Instead, this is a blog post about my sin, frustration, and shear impatience with our two year old. I remember reading the book, I'll love you forever, and not being able to identify with this...

"The baby grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was two years old, and he ran all around the house. He pulled all the books off the shelves. He pulled all the food out of the refrigerator and he took his mother's watch and flushed it down the toilet. Sometimes his mother would say, "This kid is driving me CRAZY!"

And now, all I have to say is "amen, sister". Since Catherine has been here, we've reached a new level and definition of a two year old.   I've been surprised and saddened by both my lack of patience and sharp words. 

If you came to our house right now, you would see glimpses of what I'm talking about. But it is when there is no company, Hank has gone to work, and it's just the three of us when the full on behavior rares its ugly head. I know that it is has been magnified because of Catherine, but what do I do with my heart and attitude in the meantime? Again, I wish I could tell you that I had figured it out like having verses over the kitchen sink or finding my energy from the Word in the mornings. But I'm still in the middle of seeing my sinful heart and being reminded of my desperate need for my Savior. The crazy thing too, is that I'm pretty sure I act like a two year old to the Lord fairly often. Oh how I am so thankful that he doesn't treat me the same way that I often treat Henry. For He is love, He is joy, He is peace, He is patience, He is kindness, He is goodness, He is gentleness, and He is self-control.

I AM grateful for this little boy and by God's grace, we'll get through this just like we've gotten through different stages in his short two years of life. I pray that he'll see Jesus even in with my many imperfections. So in saying that, Henry...

"I'll love you forever, 

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living,

my baby you'll be." 

CLU, a birthday, and Father's day

Catherine Louise is here as of Monday the 11th at 8:10 p.m.! I love being induced. I think that it is so great to take a shower, pack, and have things set at home. It was so different this time around having another child to think about! That was just about the only thing that was different about that day though. Can we say deja vu? HTU and CLU 's birth stories are very similar and when we saw Catherine, it was almost Henry all over again (minus two pounds and 2.5 inches).

Henry is very interested in "Caffrine" and has already asked "where her weenie go?" Oh dear, so glad he is too young to have to get into all of that right now. Thank you mom and dad for coming for so long, taking care of Henry for three (i'm sure very long days), and for loving us so well during this big transition. I told a friend the other day that I feel like I can do this two kid thing as long as I never had to be anywhere, shower, cook, or clean;) A week later, Henry celebrated his 2nd birthday! I confess there was not much to it, but we were able to celebrate with mom and dad before they left. And of course yesterday was Father's day. I'm incredibly thankful for my heavenly Father, wonderful earthly father, and my husband who is truly a gift to Henry, Catherine, and me.

one month

I went to the doctor on Friday and scheduled my induction for June 8th at 7:00 a.m. It's crazy because that was my due date with Henry two years ago! We're really ready to meet baby girl, but I want to enjoy our last couple of weeks of being a family of three.

We've been spending a lot of time outside

and when we're not, Henry wants to be.

We were able to get out yesterday morning to go strawberry picking! It was fun to do something different and Henry loved picking/eating the strawberries.

We were gone for three months last summer, so it will be nice to stay in one place this year. Hank will be working with the Crusade students' summer gathering on Wednesday nights at our house, running trips for them as outreaches, raising support, and Lifelines ministry training. He really enjoys being on summer projects, so it could potentially be a difficult summer.  But we figure getting to have a baby is worth it;)

Easter, parents, shower

We had a great week last week. Easter was restful and worshipful. We went to the 7:45 a.m. service, which meant the day was nice and long:) It didn't take Henry much time to figure out the whole egg hunt deal. He insisted on eating the contents of each egg before finding another one. We didn't get ONE family picture. Oh well. In fact, the picture below is one of the only ones that I got with him that day.

The next day, my parents came in to town for the week. Henry was throughly spoiled (so much so that I wonder if we are still in detox five days later)?! My parents love being active and didn't mind following Henry around outside (two of Henry's love languages). Thank you dad and mom for coming and loving us so well!!

We ended the week with a baby shower that two of the girls in our small group hosted. I felt blessed and loved and now feel like I am armed with more pink items for baby girl. Nope, we still don't have a name! We have seven more weeks to decide...

Spring

I LOVE spring. The time change, warmth of the sun, and a lot of the day spent outside has been good for my heart and our family. Compared to the places that I've lived (Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina) the pollen has been minimal and it actually feels like spring vs. jumping straight into summer.





Hank's mom and step-dad came this weekend bringing lots of fun and easter gifts. Also, we were able to get away for the night to Richmond, which was super needed and relaxing. Thank you G-mama and Papa Hal for keeping Henry! Henry had such a great time that he uncharacteristically slept in this morning until 8: 30 a.m. :)




Earlier this month, we had a loss in our family when Levi Thompson, at 20 weeks, died in utero. Please be praying for my brother and sister in law as they are clinging to His promise of having a purpose and plan even in the pain of losing a child. One of the songs that we sang at his memorial was "Be Still, My Soul." The first verse:

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best thy heavenly, friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

The whole family would tell you that the Lord has "faithfully remained" beside Oliver and Katie and the rest of the family as we have grieved his death. We were 5 weeks a part in our pregnancies. As we prepare for the birth of our daughter in 10 weeks, it's hard to not be reminded that there was supposed to be a cousin that would be coming a couple of weeks later.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still my soul; when change and tears are past.
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Isn't it wonderful to know that one day we will forever be united with the Lord and the ones that have gone ahead of us?