The Penny.

It's Tuesday night. The kids are all in bed. Damian and I are soaking in the quiet, each of us reading our book of choice. Suddenly there is a blood curdling scream from the boy's room. We vault off the couch and go running to save them from whatever horrible thing is happening at that moment. I flip on the light and Ethan says, "I swallowed money!" Apparently he had a penny in his bed. He said he could feel it in his throat so we made him drink lots of water. When things calmed down a bit we were explaining that nothing should go in your mouth except for food. To which he calmly replied, "Well, I was going to put it in my piggy bank, but I couldn't stop thinking about putting it in my mouth." So now we just wait for it to come back out.

Adore

Today is one of those days that I am overwhelmed by my amazing, beautiful children. I adore them. I adore being a mother. So, forgive me while I gush for a few moments.

Ethan, my first born. I am in awe of how grown-up he is becoming. He's tall and lanky and bears no hint of the baby he once was. I love to watch him draw. It brings him such joy and he'll sit for hours and create. I love his logic. He's four and he's smart and he needs to know the how's and why's of everything! I love his imagination. Somedays his room is Radiator Springs and he's Lightning McQueen. Other days his bed is a spaceship and he's a spaceman flying to the moon. Most days he's Wall-E and he goes around the house looking for treasures to add to his goody pile.

Caleb, middle child. His goal in life is to make people laugh. He's such a goof! He's full of energy and joy. I love how much he wants to cuddle. He always says, "I just want to be with you Mom." I love how everything is an adventure for him. His day is never boring. I love to watch him worship. He expresses his love for Jesus by dancing. Three year old dancing consists of jumping up and down and running in circles, it's a beautiful thing! I love how he lights up a room when he walks in, making sure to greet everyone there with a big smile and hello.

Eliana, my baby, my girl. She is lovely. I love the feel of her weight in my arms. I love how she will just lie there and study my face. She is a sweet, bundle of pure happiness. She smiles constantly and it's the prettiest smile I have ever seen. I love that she thrills to be sitting on the floor playing with her big brothers. I love that she kicks excitedly and squeals with glee when I walk in the room. Her name means, "God has answered." And he has.

2010 Ramblings.

I have a dream/desire/crazy whim that has been rattling around in my brain for awhile now. I shared it with Jesus this morning during a rare quiet moment. It's big. It would require money, time, and resources that I just don't have. So I asked Him, "Is this crazy? Is it too big? Am I out of my mind?" Do you know what He told me? "Never stop dreaming. It is through those dreams and desires that I will work." I don't know the full meaning of that statement. Maybe this dream will come to pass. Maybe it won't. Only He knows. What I know is that He is a big God and nothing is impossible with Him. What I know is that I want the desires of my heart to line up with His desire for my life. What I know is that I long for, yearn for, need to make a difference in this place.

As this year begins, I am stirred. I have a long list of things I want to accomplish this year. I am changing. If I had to choose a theme for myself this year it would be discipline. Not the punishment kind. Self-discipline. I want to improve in every area of my life. I want to follow through and do things with excellence. I want to become a better wife, a better mother, a better minister, a better friend. I want to inspire and be inspired. I want to go to bed each night knowing that I have put a smile on Father God's face. I'm sure I will stumble. I'm sure I will fail some days. I'm also sure I will press on, try again, and come out stronger.

Eliana & Grandpa

This week my dad is here. He wasn't able to be here after Ellie's birth so this was his first meeting with his one and only granddaughter. She fell in love. He fell in love. It was a week of kisses, happy squeals, and ear to ear smiles. While he was here we were privileged to have him perform Ellie's baby dedication. I cried. He choked up. The boys made faces and picked noses. It was a good week.

A Charlottesville Christmas

One farmhouse. Twelve children. Twenty-two stockings. Two babies celebrating their first Christmas. Nine kids with stomach flu. One amazing girls night out with good food and a play. Too much rich, delicious food to number. Seven days of sweet, noisy, joyful, family indulgence!