Asher (7 mos/A Day in the Life)

This fourth little one is loads of fun.  I still marvel at God's goodness in giving us another little guy to love on.  Asher is crawling everywhere!  He gets on his knees and I know he'll be trying to pull up sooner rather than later.  He absolutely loves to eat.  He will put away a bowl of cereal, a veggie, a fruit, and then stuff as many puffs as possible into his cute little face.  He has a slight obsession with our dog, Savannah, who is ever patient with him. 

 

He is sleeping very well...about 11 hours at night and great naps during the day.  He lights up whenever his brothers are around and I think he secretly prayed for this ice storm to hit so he could see them a little more!  He loves anything that can pass for a ball...as long as it rolls and he can chase it.

 

His favorite toy is "Squeaky" his little teether monkey.  He is fascinated at Cade's basketball games and loves the action and people-watching.  He wears mostly 12 month clothes and it breaks this momma's heart that he is growing so fast. 

 

He would live beside the Christmas tree if we would let him.  It is just so pretty and bright.

 

His disposition seems to remind me of Cade as a baby.  He seems to take it all in and be observant.  But, then he gets to laughing and reminds me of Eli.  And then again, he is laid back and that makes me think of Sam.  He is all of them and none of them.  He is simply Asher.

 



Our Ice Day in Pictures

Burlap Stockings (My Love Language)

One of my favorite things about our new house is our mantel and fireplace!  A few weeks ago, we lit that baby right up, sat back with huge grins and realized that it was our first "house-fire" in 15 years of marriage!  I love having a mantel to decorate with each season!  This year, I wanted some froo-froo burlap stockings cause I am a girl among zero girls.  Sometimes a momma just needs a little frill!  I knew just the person to call!

 

Paige is all things creative!  You can't beat her prices or the quality.  If you are looking for stockings, pillows, canvases, embroidery, aprons, or you-name-it,  she is your gal!  Here is her website. 

 

My "O Come let us adore Him" sign was crafted by my amazing sister, Amelia. She is some kind of gifted, too!  I love that the sign hangs in the center of the room, pointing us to the main reason for Christmas.  May our hearts truly adore Him.

 

I have big plans for the JOY buckets.  My friend Michelle apparently has a truckload of rosemary in her backyard.  Once Ice-ageddon 2013 passes, I shall fill those babies right up with that heavenly herb!

 

This is the first season I have had such fun and meaningful Christmas decorations.  Fa-la-la!!!

 

Now I am off to make Zuppa Toscana.  I grabbed the last bunch of kale at Kroger today.  Forget milk and bread, I went to the store for kale.  That soup is calling my name.



 

Gathering Around the Table



Sometimes it is the simple things but I guess they are really the big things.  The older I get, the more thankful I am that we can all gather around the table, this year with an extra little fella!  We all cooked and cooked and enjoyed a mighty feast including smoked turkey, mmm.  Along with the traditional chocolate, pumpkin, and pecan, "impossible pie" made an appearance, which stole my tastebuds away.

 

After stuffing our faces, we sat on the huge couch while Kirby dug out his guitar.  We found a couple of hymn books and sang til our Nana was smiling ear to ear.  I am pretty much in my happy place when I get to hear my Mom sing.  Combine that with the words of old hymns, and my heart was just oozing thankfulness.

 

After all the festivities and feasting, I decided I was going to do something for the first time...hit a few stores on Black Friday.  I don't get to shop often enough with Amelia, so this was our ticket to a little fun!  I was abhorred and fascinated all at the same time.  I made it until midnight, which is a feat in itself. Even without coffee!

 

I hated all the grabbing and materialism and crowds and seeing BABIES out who were needing their beds!  But I did love making memories with my sister, finding a dressy wool coat for $59 marked down from $200, and realizing that I can say no to other things even if they are a good bargain.

 

Because, in the end, the gathering around the table is what really matters.

 



The First Gift

I find myself drooling over the Target Black Friday ad that is already out, tempting me in every way.  I have already had the boys make out their Christmas wish lists, laughing at the few things they put down.  A laptop?  Oh, you must be a teenager now! Extra Cheddar Goldfish?  Now that is more like it!

Before the season is upon us, let us all stop and ask ourselves if we want this year to look like all the others.  Personally, I want to make gradual changes so that even the small things point more to Jesus and His worth instead of all the other things that seem to rob the miracle of Holy-God encased in mere mortal flesh.

This post gave me pause.  I agreed with some, not with some...but that is the point.  Be purposeful and remake this season into how you as a family want to honor the humble King.

This year, we are trying something new.  We ordered the book "Jotham's Journey" which is a storybook for children during the Advent season.  Before we go buy them a few gifts for Christmas, we want to start with this first gift, a gift that will point them to the beating heart of the Ultimate Gift.  We so want to see Him freshly this year.

I devoured the whole thing today, wondering if it could be as good as I had hoped. It really went beyond my expectations!  It was full of mystery and suspense.  It told the story of arriving at the manger in a fresh way, through a boy of only ten years.  Jotham must go through a lot of heartache to reach the Messiah, but what he learns along the way is priceless.  He learns about respecting authority, the consequences of sin, and telling the truth. 

This book is meant to be read as a family a chapter a day, starting with the Advent season, which starts on December 1st this year.  So, if you order now, you can start on time!

Here is to one small change amidst the chaos and materialism.

 

Looking Up

My husband looks at me with large eyes.  "I just measured Cade.  He's over 5 foot 7 now. It's official, Becke'; he's taller than you."

And with that, the firstborn has overtaken me.

What is a mother's heart to do with such information?

I can remember the first time I saw him, just a tiny little pinto bean on the ultrasound screen.  I knew I always wanted kids, but this one, now this one brought a whole new meaning to that desire.

I remember carrying him inside, the sheer humility of being some sort of holy-safehouse where the Creator was busy at work, knitting and creating.  Knitting and creating.

The first time I laid eyes on him, he stole my breath away.  Head full of dark hair.  Perfect in every way.  I haven't breathed since.  These boys know how to steal fast.  Steal hard.  Steal completely.  Sons can strip you bare, leaving you absolutely undone.

I see him there, curled up on that sweet chest of Eric's.  Spit up spews everywhere in true-baby-Cade style.  I laugh, thinking we have all the time in the world with this sweet baby and he surely will stay little forever.  How is it that I could have been so wrong?

I look up to him now.  The baby I rocked and fed and sang to.  The toddler I chased after and worked puzzles with.  The child I cheered on from the stands and watched joyfully as he rose from the Baptismal waters.

Cade has surpassed me in height. I pray he surpasses me in other ways, too.  I pray he out gives me.  I pray he doesn't live a life of fear.  I pray he has more courage when loving the downcast. I pray he won't doubt God's goodness when life throws an uppercut.

I see him growing in so many ways, height only an outward expression of the inward.  I see his face light up after understanding another truth in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."  I think of the joy of knowing that your children are walking in truth, that there really is no joy to compare it to.

I smile and think that God has been extravagantly kind to allow me all these days and inches and snotty noses and Bible stories.

May he never stop growing, not where it really matters.

Honored...

Honored to be a guest blogger over at The Mob Society.  The Mob Society is a great online community whose desire is to "help moms delight in the chaos of raising boys, enabling them to have more peace in their hearts and love in their homes."  I am all about some peace amidst the chaos! 

God put this topic on my heart to write about...I hope it blesses you!  {I have only boys but if I had a daughter, I would do the same thing with her...point her to her father!}

Thanks for joining me today over here.

Some firsts!

Asher has been full of new tricks the past week or so! He is sitting up, crawling, squealing, attacking the dog,and teething. He also got his first ear infection...boo! Even when sick, he is full of smiles. Bless his little happy heart!