Smashing Pumpkins

Or carving, rather.... When Scott called to tell us he would be gone for two more weeks, I was able to take a deep breath and not cry. That is, until Sam reminded me we needed to buy pumpkins and carve them. Then I lost it. I'm not kidding either. :-) It had always been a Daddy job, and I was the one who took pictures. So, in an effort to continue the tradition, the kids and I carved pumpkins tonight. It was interesting to say the least.

This was a little celebratory moment, that mommy was actually able to cut into the pumpkin successfully!!! Ian was our official photographer for the evening, so he's not in most of the pics.



Emma insisted on playing with the pumpkin guts before putting them into the bowl. She said she was making pancakes. Yeah, okay.



Emma feasting on raw pumpkin. She will eat just about anything!

A partially cleaned out shell.

And the finished product. Not so bad I guess. Sam and Emma drew faces on their pumpkins, and I tried to cut according to their designs. Ian wanted something different. I remember seeing a picture in a Martha magazine and tried to emulate it. We used an apple corer and poked holes in Ian's pumpkin. Voila!

He Will Supply

This song has rocked my world today. In case you need to listen to this song too, I'm including the lyrics. I especially love the line about God promising to supply my need, not my greed. More later.

Though your vessel be empty
He will supply
For His yoke is easy
He will supply
He will supply
He will supply
OH Jesus said that He will supply

Though your dreams feel like memories
He will supply
And some relationships are now empty
He will supply
He will supply
He will supply
OH Jesus said that he will supply

So my friend don't you worry
He will supply
This is just temporary
He will supply
He will supply
He will supply

OH Jesus
OH Jesus
My Jesus
Sweet Jesus
Yes Jesus
OH Jesus said that He will supply

Oh supply [x6]

He said He will [x2]
Supply
I know He will [x2]
Supply
He told me He will [x2]
Supply
He said He will [x2]
Supply

Addison Barret Nicole

20 years ago, a beautiful baby was born. She had the biggest eyes that seemed to take in your soul when she looked at you. When I sang to her, she would turn her head and look at me like she'd heard that voice before. For the few days I was with her in the hospital, she rarely cried, and sweetly tolerated my attempts to feed her, change her diaper, and dress her in new outfits. She had this tiny stork bite on her forhead that would darken if she was feeling upset. And even as I held her that last day in the hospital, crying tears all over her, she was calm, peacefully looking up at me as if to say..."I'm going to be okay; I know you love me; it's alright to let me go."

My precious birthdaughter, Addison, turned 20 this week. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. I've only known her for about 6 and 1/2 years, but during that short time she has grown and flourished into this beautiful young woman. In honor of her birthday, I'm going to list:

20 THINGS I ADORE ABOUT ADDISON

1. Her sense of style. This is one of the first things I noticed about Addi as I studied the picture I received of her prior to ever meeting. She knows what she likes, cares little about fads, and knows how to put it all together. Care to help me out there sistah?

2. Her gorgeous smile. Even when she had braces, it was big and beautiful.

3. Her heart for God. Wow, this one is huge. She loves God so much, and still clings to Him even in the most trying times. I love that she is honest about her struggles in faith, but never lets go of God's hand. Keep pressing on girl.

4. Her fingers. :-) I love her long slender fingers and soft hands. She did not get these things from me; I long for them. Her nails are naturally beautiful.

5. Her loyalty to her family. She loves them so deeply and will stand with them through anything. It's a tight bond that I hope my children will have with me when they are 20.

6. Her love for all things Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Yes, she loves Jane Austen as much (well, almost as much) as I do. She even named one of her cars Mr. Darcy. Yes, that's true devotion.

7. Her determination to complete college. People, I never even made it to my junior year! I'm so proud that she strives to make good grades, and even when it's been tough at school, she's hanging tough.

8. Her honesty. She's not afraid to look you in the eye and tell you what she thinks. Sometimes in a loving way, sometimes just straight up. This is a new character strength in Addi's life - it's been amazing to watch it grow from her heart.

9. Her love of swishy skirts. She's a romantic. She wants to live in Paris and open a coffee shop. She just bought a classic bicycle that's begging for a basket on the front and a bell on the handle. She loves chick flicks. And of course, Mr. Darcy.

10. Her strength. I don't know many 19/almost 20 year olds who would remain awake during a heart procedure. She faced fear dead on, and clung to God. That was incredible.




11. Her heart for the lost. Addi has a deep burden for those who don't know Jesus. She has members of her family and her birth family that are lost, and it breaks her heart. She is boldly developing relationships with some of them, praying and hoping to share Jesus' love with them.

12. Her relationship with her brother. They are so tight. She constantly looks out for him, encourages him, teases him, but KNOWS him. Even though he's much younger than her, their relationship is so sweet.

13. Her writing. Addi can express her heart so beautifully when she writes. Sometimes witty or silly, sometimes quite deep and moving. I love it all.

14. Her love for my mom. There's a connection there that I can't quite explain or understand. They see each other rarely, and talk just a bit more. But they love each other and it blesses me.

15. Her hair - it's HOT! :-) Seriously, it's thick with a slight natural curl to it. So stinking gorgeous and so NOT me!

16. Her love of all things Hilary Duff. HA! Not really, but she was so sweet to me as a young teen, to tolerate my desire to know all things Hilary. I figured Addi was a good excuse to go see every stinking movie she ever made. heh heh. So maybe this one should really be about how sweet you were to me during those silly days of duff. :-)

17. Her comfort items. Once, on her blog, Addi posted a picture of the things that really got her through the day; the things she couldn't live without. They were her iPod, cellphone, journal, Beth Moore bible study and her Bible. That says so much about her heart.

18. Her purity. She is commited to remaining morally pure until her wedding day. To Addi, that means not even kissing. That is incredible and so honorable. You go girl.

19. Her hip hop ways. Ah yeah. She keeps me in the know of everything ghetto. She knows the talk, the walk, and all the signs to go with it. Word.

20. Her openness to me. I am, undoubtedly, a very blessed birthmom. I know of no other birthmom who has such a sweet relationship with her birthchild. And it's because of Addi. She has come to me with open arms and an open heart - sharing a tender friendship with me that I hold so dear.

Addison, I love you so much. I pray this next year of life for you is filled with huge moments with God, adventure, good health, and good times. You are precious, and such a gift. I adore you!

Love,
Eliz

Truth

I read this on a blog tonight and wow did it hit me. I've heard people talk about lip service before, but don't recall reading it straight out like this:

"You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts." Jeremiah 12:2

Yeah, okay. I joined a new bible study today - CBS (Community Bible Study). It's a bit like BSF, but more laid back. There are several ladies from VCC there; none that I know too well, but I know them. We are studying Proverbs and the wisdom of Solomon. I am praying for true heart engagement this year, not just lip service. One of my biggest fears is that I will continue to struggle with the same sin issues over and over, and never know victory in my life. I can't help but hope that a heart truly His, given over to His leadership and wisdom, will truly know victory in every sense of the idea. Pray that for me, will you?

Blessings,
Eliz

P.S. A birthday post for precious Addison is coming tomorrow! I promise! :-)

A Random Tag

i am: procrastinating
i think: I might watch a girly movie, since Scott's away
i know: that Jesus loves me
i want: for Scott to return from China
i have: a case of insomnia lately
i wish: that I were a perfect mommy
i hate: that I don't exercise
i miss: my best girlfriend - Teresa
i fear: never changing, always dealing with the same sin issues over and over
i feel: thoughtful
i hear: my children winding down for the night
i smell: the air from the air conditioner - it's cold air and yes, it smells
i crave: solitude
i search: for old friends on facebook - ha!
i wonder: who my children will become
i regret: being stubborn with the Lord, knowing that when I do submit - peace comes
i love: thunderstorms and jane austen novels
i ache: for my brother and family to know Jesus
i care: that my children will know Jesus
i always: drink Diet DP - AMEN?
i am not: going to bed anytime soon
i believe: tomorrow will be a productive day
i dance: like Elaine on Seinfeld heh heh
i sing: constantly
i don't always: hold my tongue
i fight: submission
i write: expressively; I feel I communicate better on paper
i win: rarely ever
i lose: my keys, my debit card, my cell phone all the stinkin' time!
i never: graduated college.... :-(
i confuse: my husband
i listen: to my friends with heart felt emotion
i can usually be found: with my children and a Diet DP in hand, most likely from Sonic
i am scared: that my husband will die in a plane crash; he travels so much
i need: some serious time at a spa
i am happy about: the prospect of a productive week, and my husband coming home next weekend!


I tag: all my friend who are reading this. Leave a comment and let me know you're going to participate. Enjoy!

Emma Turns Four!

My baby girl turned four this past week. We have had such fun celebrating her, Ian and Scott over the past weeks. It's a month long party at our house this time each year! And for the next few months, my babies will be 6, 5 and 4 years old; it helps justify the craziness that is my family when I think of their ages being so close. :-)

We started the celebration off last Friday with a combined birthday party for Ian and Emma at Chuck E. Cheese's. Most likely this will be the last year I can do that - I'm sure Ian will want an "all boy" party next year. They invited a few of their closest friends from church and The Cube, and had lots of fun! Emma wanted a princess cake, and Ian wanted a Lightning McQueen cake, and Tom Thumb did a fabulous job making it happen.

On Sunday, Mimi (my mom) and I took Emma to the American Girl Botique and Bistro for a celebration. Emma had been looking forward to this outing more than any other part of her birthday. The boys (including daddy) were SO tired of hearing Emma talk about going to the "dolly store!" The AG Bistro does such a fabulous job of putting together a girly lunch. The sandwiches and fruits are cut in fun shapes, the birthday cake was amazing, and even Bitty Baby gets her own menu. Emma felt loved and adored!

Finally, on Emma' s actual birth day (Tuesday) we had a celebration here at home. The traditional birthday muffin, along with gifts galore. The boys got her ponies (what is it with girls and their ponies?), and we got her a "rock star" outfit with microphone. This is what she really wanted! She immediately dressed up and gave us a concert - so precious!



That night as I put her to bed, I asked Emma, "So how does it feel to be four years old?" She replied in her ever dramatic way, "Mom, it's like, just SO AWESOME! I mean, I feel like a rock star!" Sweet girl, dream away! What a blessing she is to our family!

Sam's First Day of 1st Grade!

My baby boy started 1st grade on Monday. I am still in shock! The night before, he laid out his carefully chosen clothes, brushed his teeth, and allowed this mommy some snuggle time before sleep. I have some of my best conversations with Sam just before he sleeps - he's quite open and reveals much of his heart. That night, he reminded me that he would miss me all day, and that he wanted me to pray for him. He said he REALLY didn't want to go to public school. He wanted me to pack his lunch, but "no notes this year mom, they are embarrassing!"

The next morning, he requested eggs, bacon and sausage for breakfast, of which he only ate 2 pieces of bacon. :-) He told Ian and Emma that he would be gone all day, and that mom was going to pray for him. I'm glad that sunk in.

So we packed up, and headed to school. As we walked into the school, hand in hand, he whispered to me,

"Mooommmm, I really don't want to do this."

"I know baby."

"Mom, remember, we talked about this last night?"

"I know baby. You can do this. I'll be thinking of you all day."

We walked into his classroom, and he put his backpack in his little locker. Then we looked for his assigned seat, and noticed that the little girl next to his desk looked familiar. I told Sam I thought that was Hayley from preschool. He says, "Mom, I know...she's an old, old friend!" It was a little hug from God that morning, providing an "old, old friend" in a class where he thought he knew no one, and making him completely at ease.

So it was a good start to the school year - no hiding under a table in the corner of the classroom like last year, and more tangible evidence of God's provision and presence in Sam's life.

After we dropped Sam off, Scott and I took Ian and Emma to IHOP for our 2nd annual celebratory breakfast. We did this last year when Sam started Kindergarten. The babies had such fun having special time with us (after so much focus on Sam). It won't be much longer til they start kindergarten - whatever will I do then? :-)