indoctrination

Hope's astute thoughts on the Kansas Jayhawks:



What can I say, we raise 'em right.  Rock Chalk Chickenhawks, go Mizzou!!!

9 months

As of last week, Hopie is another month older and what a big month it's been!  In the past couple of weeks she started crawling and is pulling up to her knees.  She dances to music, waves at strangers and will initiate a game of peekaboo.  She blows raspberries continually and repeats sounds that her sister makes.  She also says "Mama."  She's shown a bit of a stubborn streak lately. :)  She loves to be startled.

After many fitful nights she had two tiny teeth appear, the same month her older sister got her first tooth.  At her nine month check up we found out she's in the 98% for height (30 inches) and 95% for weight (23 pounds).  She wears a size 4 diaper and 12-18 month clothes.  She's a sweet natured baby.  People love to talk to her when we're out in public.  My favorite is when little girls say "I like your baby."  I like her too. :)

mother's day

I am spoiled rotten.

My mother's day celebration started on Saturday morning.  After donuts for everyone, we split up and my favorite four year old took me to the movies.  I could tell she was up to no good before we left.  There was some serious whispering going on with her father.  On the way there she piped up from the backseat.

"Hey Mama!"  Her volume gave away her mounting excitement.

"Yes Baby?"

"Do you know what's in my pocket?"

"What??"

"NOTHING!  Hahahahaha!"

We parked the car and held hands all the way to the ticket counter.  The worker asked me how many tickets we'd need and before I could respond Reesie yelled, "WAIT!  I'M GIVING THE MONEY FOR THIS!"  She whipped her money out of her tiny pocked and slapped it on the counter.  Then she turned to me and bellowed "Happy Mother's Day!" so loud I'm sure even the people watching Avengers in theater 9 heard her.

We saw Chimpanzee (so good!) and only needed one bathroom break before it was over.  On the way home she talked about whatever popped into her head and I got to listen with undivided attention.  Conversations these days are equal parts interesting and hilarious with a heaping amount of the unexpected.

The next day we went to church and ate lunch in the parking lot of McAlister's.  Then I went shopping for an entire hour by myself.  Then we called our moms to thank them for putting up with us.  We ended the night eating Mexican food and playing corn hole with our new small group.

Like I said.  Spoiled rotten.

The women responsible for making me a mama.  I'm so grateful they haven't fired me yet.  

hopie's vlog

We can't leave all the video fun to Chica, it's Little Sister's turn!  Our baby just turned nine months old.  While this movie doesn't pack the humor punch of the last one, it does feature her waving and and crawling skills. :) Enjoy!
 

church choir

I know I promised a recap of the birthday stuff, but this video is too good to keep to myself.  Each Wednesday night Chica's been going to children's choir at a local church.  Tonight was the end of the year performance.  

Danny and I laughed so hard we were both in tears.  

A few things to note about this video:

1.  If you watch it, watch it until the end (it's about 2:00)  It gets better and better.

2.  Chica's in the middle in the blue shirt and brown pants.

3.  Apparently hands on your hips is a great neutral position.

4.  If a little choreography is good, more is better.

5.  Why stand still when you can dance?

6.  I tried to hold the camera still, but it's a challenge when you're laughing hard enough to shake an organ loose.

7.  The baptists might not have us back. :)

there's a four year old in our house

She makes four look good!  

All the birthday shenanigans to come...

almost four

"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, 

bringing something we must learn 

and we are lead to those who help us most to grow 

if we let them.  

And we help them in return.

Well I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

because I knew you."

"For Good" by Stephen Schwartz from the musical Wicked.

Dear Reesie,

Tonight I kissed the face of a three year old good night. Tomorrow morning, the footsteps of a four year old will patter down the hallway, round the corner and enter my room ready for some breakfast.  Cereal will have to wait because I will scoop you up, close my eyes and remember your first entrance.

You were round and wiggly and I couldn't stop looking at you- this new, little person.  Your daddy cried and the nurses said you were beautiful.  I held you and said, "hello."  I didn't know you yet, but you knew me.  You recognized my voice, peered up at my face and I was done.

A few days ago Daddy was working in the yard.  You went out to join him and I watched you from the window.  Your feet dangled from the swing and as you rocked side to side I could only imagine what it was you discussed with your father.  I welled up thinking back on all that's happened this year.  And I thanked God for the attachment to your Daddy that seemed to pop up overnight but really is rooted in three years of consistent, intentional time he has spent with you.

We're crazy about you, Sweet Girl.  This was a year of big changes.  There were a few moments that made me wonder if I'd survive age three.  It was the hardest year of parenting thus far.  I struggled with a multitude of personal issues that had nothing to do with you.  Often I could do nothing but ask God for help.

You know what is one of the best things about being completely His?  You aren't stuck with the things you don't like about yourself.  The things deep in your heart you just can't stand that come to the surface in moments of tension.  True ugliness.  They don't have to be a part of you forever.  A frustrated, short tempered, selfish, cowardly, impatient woman can fall to her knees before God, submit her shortcomings to His authority and by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, rise a different woman.  A better woman.

Baby, as tempting as it would be to wish away all the hard stuff from this past year I am so grateful for the difficult times.  It made us need Jesus more.  Because of the incredible privilege of being your mama, I am a different woman than I was four years ago.  Praise God.  Thank you.

Your Daddy, Baby Sister and I delight in you.  You brighten up everyday with your constant singing as you flit about in your own little world.  You are brave, inquisitive, and sensitive.  You love details, dancing, board games and order.  You could swing for hours and you've developed a fondness for the color green.  You have a silly sense of humor and a flair for the dramatic.  You're smart and a quick learner.  You want to stand on anything that slightly resembles a stage.

I love you Reese.  I can't wait for you to be four.  

Mama