It is amazing to me that I, at age (almost 41) am continuing to experience firsts. First time (and LAST time) being pregnant over 40. First time sending a little boy to preschool, albeit only one day a week. First time actually forgetting to get Truett to baseball practice (must be that over 40 thing). First time going through the "busy season" of work working for someone else, and terribly missing those that got us through it in previous years.
This has been one of the hardest years of our lives. So many changes with life, job, and church. There have been many days I have wondered why on earth God would give us a new life to look after when our "normal" life has been turned upside down! I remember, however, that all babies are blessings. And so much joy comes from them. Not to mention the lack of focusing on oneself when there is one so completely dependent on you. I am confident that THIS is why we have a new little boy arriving in 100 days or less! Such precious gifts that we are so unworthy to receive.
As for us...
Mary just won 2 silver medals at the Special Olympics State Aquatics meet. She is also on the Equestrian Drill Team at her therapeutic riding school and continues to take ballet, including Light of Joy Ballet Company.
Bradlee returned to art classes this fall as that is her declared "major area of interest" for high school and she is truly amazing in this area. I am so thankful for her gift that I know she will always be able to use. She continues to take piano and is making great strides in adding to her basic playing ability. She is still taking ballet and is also in the Company. Much talk about going on pointe at the beginning of the year..so we hold our breath on that one.
Whitney is still my dreamer. She reminds me of the line from the movie Say Anything when Lloyd Dobler is asked what he wants to do with his life and he replies "I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that." That is so Whitney. She is going to do great things. I just know it. As for activities, she gave up piano as in her logic "The only reason I continue to take piano is because I know I will regret it later if I quit." So she is applying her piano knowledge to voice lessons and loves it. She also takes ballet and is only 1 level below Bradlee. She's in Company and is extremely hard on herself but is doing so well. It's hard having a sister 13 months older and wanting to do all that she does and not being able to see what she will be like in one year. She thinks much and works hard. She is definitely my "go to" gal around here when something needs to be done well.
Truett is growing up. I am proud and sad all at the same time. He is an aggravating (to his sisters, anyway) 10 year old in every sense, but to me, he's a precious young man who is kind to his peers and well liked by everyone. His baseball playing abilities, developed only with hard work, some natural talent, and very little help from his sports challenged parents, have come a long way. Even as a 1st year major (moved into 11-12 division) and one of only 3 first years on the team, he is the starting short stop, has sat out only 1 inning all year, and has made a great impression on yet another set of coaches. 3 different head coaches at his ballpark have told me that they hoped to get Truett on their team in the Spring. This amazes me because Truett is not an A-list player (although, he's getting so much better that I think I'm going to have to drop that line). What he lacks in ability, though, he makes up for in heart. He loves the game. Loves his coaches. Listens well. Works hard. Is kind. That means so much to me as I know that those qualities will take him farther than any great playing ability. He also plays piano...ALL THE TIME. I am thankful for his enjoyment, but sometimes it does make me crazy, especially if he REALLY loves the song. Then we get to hear it....EXTRA.
Emmett started preschool one day a week. He loves it. He's so smart that I'm not sure they're teaching him anything he doesn't already know, but he is learning how to follow instructions and work in a more disciplined environment. He can't wait to go and is disappointed to come home. I just miss him so much when he's not here. Whatever will I do when the girls leave for college?
Wyatt is talking more. He still has lots of times when he carries on a conversation with you and you have no idea what he is saying, but he's getting there. He's in a big boy bed now but ignores me when I talk about the new baby. He's been more attached to me than any of our other kids so January should bring some interesting changes for him. He is the only one of my children that actually goes "sour" if he doesn't have some time with me alone each day. Like he missed a vitamin or something. We accommodate this, but it is going to be more of a challenge when his little brother arrives in a few months. Still, how sweet to have someone love you so much that they just can't be without you.
As for our nameless baby boy...he is growing and active. Doctor says I am very healthy and do better being pregnant than most 20 somethings he sees every day. I stay away between appointments as much as possible and hope to keep my distance from there another 2 months.
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, REJOICE! Even when in the car, even when Monday rolls around and I have preschool, art, ballet (3 times over) and baseball, even when work is complete stress. REJOICE. I am thankful for the days the Lord has made for me and my family. I am thankful for my children who are such great people and wonderful to be around. And I am thankful for a husband who loves me and them, and works so hard to provide for us.
I hope that you all find reasons to rejoice each day. Our purpose is truly to show that joy to a lost world and clearly point them in the direction of Christ. I pray for boldness to show the joy that exists in our home truly comes from Christ, and that all other paths are just leading nowhere. I'm rejoicing that mine leads somewhere...heavenward.
