Seasons

Change is coming at our house. Nothing major. We're not moving, we're hoping no one else is dying, school is in session, we're going to the same church, kids are involved in the same things and mostly (as a kid can be in late January) healthy. And yet...

It feels as though spring might by springing.

Not in the literal sense. I've been along time fan of Nichole Nordeman, and she has a song called Every Season that talks about the seasons we go through in life and as believers. I first heard the song when I was a junior in high school and it has stayed with me since. A reminder that no matter what we are walking through it is but temporary and something else is on it's way.

After almost a year of what has felt like winter, it feels as though the sun is starting to burst forth it's light and tips of green are springing from the frost bitten dirt. Instead of burying ourselves in protective coats we're throwing on flip flops and flinging open the windows.

The Lord is making himself known and felt in our home again. Not that he ceased to while we were in our winter season, but it felt a bit more as grasping at straws. Even though I know and trust we were in His hand and will the whole time, it felt as though we were surviving on bread crumbs, spiritual nuggets and insights that would occasionally pass through the haze into our hearts.

Now it feels as though we're in sort of a spiritual awakening again. Every promise a new revelation and reminder, each realization of neglected sin grieved over, acts of service bringing joy, and the Word constantly being delighted and amazed over.

I'm grateful for the Lord making His presence KNOWN and FELT once more, and for cleaning house in what's been neglected while we grieved. Not that we don't still have hard times and days, but instead of questioning the Lord's promises and intentions we're resting in them amidst confusion and trusting in the hope we have.

Spring has Sprung.

11 months (and a week +)

It's been a bit of a tumultuous month with baby girl. Not to mention it's been raining practically non stop here so I've been unable to do her 11 month pictures which has further disrupted my rhythm in writing this. Oh well.

I feel a little bit like I have a toddler over night. She's very explorative (I won't go so far as to say she's into everything, because compared to the boys her curiosity is mild), has little interest in being held unless she's tired and jabbers all the time. Those combined makes dinners out, being around groups of people with our children, and in general going places or having more than a few people over difficult. Doable, but not exactly enjoyable. Just everyday life with a toddler.

• Crawling. Like all over the house, can't leaver her unattended unless it's in a closed off room that's been baby proofed type of crawling.
• Pulling herself up. She's still particular about this one and will only do it on certain height objects she feels very stable on.
• Double ear infection that was causing eye drainage and took two rounds of antibiotics to kick. Not fun, for her or me.
• Stopped nursing. I felt like I drug it out as long as possible and we were both just over it. She didn't seem to miss it a bit.
• Eats everything we eat
• Is chunking up. When at the doctors they weighed her and she was up 3 pounds from her 9 month visit!
• This has been an ongoing thing but something I'm just now remembering to note on, the girl loves her some accessories. She is always checking out and feeling others and hers shoes, rings, necklaces, earrings etc. It's one of the first thing she notices and goes for.
• She talks ALL the time. If the boys are talking a lot at dinner she'll raise her voice to be heard and noticed.
• She kicks her feet really hard when she's excited. The harder she kicks, the more excited she is. She reacts this way to favored foods as well.
• She's started to show an interest in TV. We did a pizza and movie family night and watched Dolphin Tale (so good BTW!) and she kept kicking her feet and yelling at the screen and laughing. It was so cute.
• One of her favorite parts of the day is when he brothers get home from school. She is so excited to see them and loves to be on the ground playing with them.
• She hugs me. She'll put her arms around my neck and squeeze.
• Gives lots of kisses on cue, sometimes without being prompted. Very lovable.
• Her favorite toys are hot wheels cars and her little push car. She also likes her talking tea set and purse
• She is very intuitive with clothing. I won't have put anything on her yet and get ready to put on a pair of pants and she lifts her leg up for it. Even if I go to put a shirt on first she'll hold her arm out, and with cardigans and jackets she hold her arm straight out in anticipation. The boys never did anything like that until closer to two years. I swear she already knows her clothing items and how to get dressed.
• If I ask her which pair of shoes and hold out one of each, she chooses. And usually the one I would pick
• Laughs when others laugh
• Crinkles her nose when she laughs

I'm not really loving the lack of snuggles more independence has brought me, but I know that phase will come back. It makes it easier that I get to see her fun personality coming out!

Right you are

Great quote form Jack this morning:

Mom: Jack, don't step there, you're sister made a big mess. (look under his chair) I guess someone else made a big mess too, why did you do that? You're not a baby like you sister?

Jack: Mom, I'm just a boy.