THREE

Our sweet Camille Grace is three years old! 

My heart if overwhelmed with feelings of love and nostalgia as I look back at the last three years of this little girl's life.  She brings laughter, silliness, and tenderness to our family in such special ways.  When the environment is tense or stressful, her countenance almost immediately reflects that with tears and a desire to be held and hugged.  When the atmosphere is happy and peaceful, she cheers, jumps up and down and just revels in that.  It's awesome.  :)

Camille is an encourager.  When Dan is building something, when Hannah Reece is making an art project, when Graham is tying his shoes, when I'm in the kitchen preparing a meal, she's right there cheering "Go ______ Go! Go _______ Go!"  She has this sensitivity to know what we struggle most with and is so eager to come alongside and hug, kiss and encourage us.  

Camille, you are such a blessing to our family.  In you, I see the tender heart of God towards his children.  Your smile lights up a room.  (Those dimples!!)  It's easy to see when your "love tank" is empty and I'm grateful for that.  You remind me to be present, to enjoy the moment, to take time to express my love for you.  Your cheerful heart and good nature is such a "lift" and a joy to all of us!  We love you, precious girl!!

At age three Camille:

-can reach the light + fan switches

-can climb up on the potty by herself with a little white step-stool

-wears a size 3T in bottoms, 4T in tops and an 8 1/2 in shoes

-is excited to be a big sister to "Livia Kate" and regularly sweet talks and sings to her (Hush Little Baby)

-enjoys black beans + rice, ice cream, gummy fruit snacks, corn chips, oatmeal, yogurt, carrot souffle, smoothies and does not like meat, eggs or veggies.  Girl's got a sweet tooth!

-loves to color and paint

-enjoys dressing up and being a princess

-sleeps in her own bed sometimes, but still prefers momma and daddy's bed (working on that!)

-has demonstrated a few temper tantrum (meltdown's)  ususally when she's tired or over-stimulated

-loves hanging out with her big brother and sister

Birthday interview questions:

How old are you?  Holds three fingers up (three)

Who is your best friend?  Taylor (Bunt)

What's your favorite thing to do?  I love when daddy throws me up in the air and gives me sugars (big smile)

What's your favorite food? "umm, let's see...." yogurt and strawberries and hot chocolate"

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A few more pics from Millie's birthday:

Camille LOVES to jump.  She jumps when she's happy, she jumps when she's sad and she really goes to town on the trampoline in our backyard.  :)  So when we were trying to thing of something fun to do as a family for her birthday, we were excited to surprise her and take her to Pump it Up.  It has several rooms FULL of bounce houses, mazes and slides.  

We got there, bought the kids wristbands and were ready for two hours of jump-a-palooza.  And this is how the birthday girl felt about Pump It Up:

 I think maybe it was too dark, too many kids, too much noise? Whatever it was, it was a no go.  So Daddy took her to the party store to pick out paper goods for her family party later that night, and I stayed and watched Graham and Hannah Reece jump, climb and slide to their heart's content for the next to hours!

 Nana has a tradition with the kids that she takes them clothes shopping for their birthdays.  The girls especially get into this, and it was fun to see what Camille picked.  She picked some really cute outfits with Nana, mostly pinks, purples, tulle, sparkles and frills.  Here's her very favorite outfit from Gymboree, complete with pink princess sparkle shoes a matching headband and bracelet.  I'm pretty sure she took it off about two days later when I insisted that it was time for she and her outfit to have a bath!  :)

 Graham: age 9, Hannah Reece: age 6 1/2 and Camille: age 3

Same day, new outfit, plus her princess birthday crown that she and Daddy picked out at the party store.

 Daddy has decided that three is the inaugural age for "real" Lego sets.  :)  Camille was so excited to play with her Friends Lego pool! Hannah Reece decided she would put it together for Mill and she did! :)

 Millie + Emma

Some of Millie's birthday gifts:

a new hat, mini magnadoodle, sticker sets, Cinderella duplo carriage, hairbands, clothes, some seed-starter kits (which are growing on the lanai!) and crafty supplies

Big Sibs

We are all getting excited about Lydia's arrival!  This anticipation is expressed in many ways and here are a few:

some of us make Lydia a "pretty house" out of paper

Some of us drive Lydia's momma CRAZY stalking around trying to snuggle with the belly

the sister-types like to practice their swaddling methods

and practice rocking the baby

and practice kissing the baby

and some of us get ready for Lydia by putting the baby's porta-bed together with great care.  :)

Some of the things I want to remember are not easily photographed, but are so precious, just the same:
-prayers of thanks for "our baby Lydia"
-the many many pieces of artwork creatied for Lydia Kate
-the way Camille breathlessly tells folks about our baby "Alivia Kate"
-the way every new baby and stuffed animal is now named "Lydia Kate"
-the way Reecie wraps her arms around my belly to give Lydia hugs and kisses
-the way Graham sings "Hush Little Baby" to Lydia each night:
Hush little Lydia don't you cry, Bubba's gonna buy you....
-the many, many conversations about who will change, feed, burp, help, sit next to in the truck, and be with Lydia each moment of the day  :)

I'm so excited to enjoy our precious people together and watch their relationships grow into something so beautiful!  

Upward's Award Ceremony

Last Sunday was a busy one for us!  Dan preached all three services, followed by lunch at G-ma and G-pa's--Aunt Sue and Uncle Terry were here visiting last weekend.  And THEN, the grand finale to our day, Graham's basketball award ceremony.  This has been an awesome "first" organized team sport experience for Graham and our whole family.  I think we will all be a little sad when Saturday morning rolls around without a game!  Then again, some extra sleep and snuggle time will be nice, too.  :)  

Daddy "coached" Graham informally this season at home and on the sidelines.  :) Maybe next season, he'll be the official coach for Graham's team!  

Graham and a few of his new buddies through basketball:  Logan and Marcus

Big Birthdays

All glory to God, today marks thirty years since Jesus drew me to himself, and I was:

"buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4

He paid the highest price to cleanse my sin-filthy heart and redeem my life from sin and it's consequence...eternal death.   He made me his own!  It boggles my mind to know that the greatest joys in this earthly life pale in comparison to even ONE day with God in eternity.

"A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. "  Psalm 84:10

God alone loves us completely, the way we were created, by HIM,  to be loved!  And today I'm especially grateful for two precious people who demonstrate God's love to me and so many.  I love you, Dan!  I love you, Aunt Sue!  Happy Birthday!  xoxo

A few more from Dan's birthday:

The kids wrapped Dan's gift all by themselves and couldn't WAIT to have him open it!  

The anticipation!  :)  

I'm pretty sure Daddy let Graham put together most of his birthday girft.  :)  It was a Lego Star Wars Desert Skiff.  Also, Graham remembered that Dan had seen a giant Snickers ice cream bar at Target, and that was Dan's birthday cake. The kids were pretty much in charge of Daddy's birthday this year and they loved every minute of it. We love you so much, Dan!

awake

It's 5:10am (new spring forward time) and I'm WIDE awake.  Baby bumpin' around....indigestion....and the cutest little (almost) three year old snuggled so close that I practically fell out of bed.  So here I am, in my "happy" place.  Recording these fleeting moments...how quickly I forget.

Yesterday was Hannah Reece's half-birthday--6 1/2!  I made her blueberry muffins for breakfast and we had grand plans to hit the skating rink for "Kids Skate Free" but finishing the girls' room took all afternoon.  And I love how it turned out!  Every inch of that 10x12' space is fully functioning.  :)  I look in there and STILL cannot get over the fact that God has entrusted ME with three daughters.

I started babysitting around the age of 11, I was a responsible, detail-oriented, baby-loving girl whom mothers trusted.  (I still can't imagine leaving my babies with an eleven-year-old---no matter how mature??)   Anyway, for several years, all of my babysitting gigs were for boys.  Gangs of brothers.  My mom would jokingly say that God was preparing me for a "basketball team" of boys someday.  Funny how those prophetic words (even in jest) stick!  :)  So with each new daughter I still can't believe it's true.  And I never would have imagined just how much I'd enjoy raising daughters.  They are complex little creatures, to be sure.  I am learning so much about myself (the good, bad and ugly) because a this stage, they mirror my attitudes and responses in so many ways.  I remind them often how blessed they are to have each other.  Even in the midst of squabbles and irritations, what a great blessing -- the assurance of life-long allies in sisterhood.

I pray that they would be women of noble character.  Honest.  Whole-hearted.  Kind.  Compassionate. Courageous.  Resourceful.  And I pray that the Lord would continue to grow me in these areas, too.  I get so overwhelmed by the "dailiness" of life at times that I lose perspective.  And then I fall into self-pity, or the "if only's" and that is just flat toxic.  Lord, rescue me from myself.  I want to be consumed with your life-giving, strengthening JOY and PEACE.  Fully surrendered to you!

cooties!

Dan has been struggling with allergies for several weeks now, but when he came home from church on Wednesday night, I knew he was really sick.  He was achy, feverish, coughing, and sick to his stomach.  First thing on Thursday morning, I called the doctors office, on a gut feeling that he may have THE flu (influenza A).  Since it's been considered an epidemic this year, and Dan is constantly in contact with folks at church and on hospital visitations, I knew it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility.  Upon mentioning to the receptionist that I am 30 weeks pregnant, I was so grateful that they had him come in for the first appointment for a "swab" test.  Sure enough, he tested positive.  This led to a quick call on the way home to my OB/GYN and the kids' pediatrician to request Tamiflu.  None of us had symptoms yet, so we took it as a prevention.  And although the Tamiflu was pricey and gave us belly aches, we decided it was worth it, especially given the potential side-effects of the flu  during pregnancy.  Dan's worst symptoms only lasted about three days and the rest of us stayed flu-free.  I am usually so leery of drugs like this, but in this case--I felt total peace.  It was truly a blessing (protection + provision) from the Lord.  

In addition to the flu, all three kids came down with a nasty cold (RSV)...poor Millie was the worst.  

So here's a few pictures that capture some of the ways we spent an entire seven days in quarantine: 

napping

eating yummy food (for some reason, when the family is sick I go into feed my family mode, so we ate really well this week!)

soaking up some extra vitamin D in the sunshine

watching way to much tv

taking our yucky-tasting meds

painting nekkid, just because it makes her feel happy instead of sick and grumpy :)

bickering because we're tired of being cooped up in the house all week, group time-out is highly effective discipline (ha ha ha!)

looking at photo albums and reading books together

lots and lots and lots of snuggle-therapy

playing games new and old

and praising the Lord for his healing touch!

29 weeks

Sweet Lydia Kate,

We are at the start of the third trimester and you are a growing girl!  You feel like a strong little baby inside my belly.  Even now, as I write, you are gently bumping around inside and you have the hiccups.  :)  I love you so much sweet daughter.  This stage of pregnancy evokes some crazy emotions in my heart.  On one hand, I feel like there's so much left to do to be "ready" for your arrival.  On the other hand, I'm just ready to not be pregnant, holding you close and enjoying you as a member of our family.  So, patience is the word for these weeks of waiting and anticipating.  Here we are at 29 weeks.  I could nap about 2-3 times a day if given the opportunity and my favorite snacks right now are dried bing cherries (with a few chocolate chips sprinkled in), oats with peanut butter, honey and bananas, and grape juice.  I'm definitely carrying you straight out in front and low.  Frequent comments from folks are things like "your due date must be right around the corner!  10 more weeks??"  My sentiments exactly. Ha ha!

--sweet sister getting in on our little photo shoot  :)  --

--before church, in the front yard at 29 weeks--

I started physical therapy for my hip pain a few weeks ago, it's helping to stabilize my pelvic bones and sacrum so much.  Here I am exercising at home with Graham's "angry bird".  Ha!

Your great-grandma Oedy came for a surprise visit this week.  This is the first time she's been back since Daddy and I got married almost eleven years ago. She is one special lady.  

Your big brother and sisters love on you already.  They love to kiss and hug my belly and sing all kinds of songs to you.  A favorite is "hush little baby".  Graham says he "just can't wait any longer, I'm so excited to see Lydia".  Hannah Reece likes to lay in my lap and wrap her arms around my belly, as if she's giving you a big hug!  Camille sings all kinds of songs to you and plays "peek-a-boo".    We are so excited to see your sweet face, baby girl!  xoxoxoxo, Momma