Ever since we announced the upcoming arrival of baby #2, it feels as if everyone has voiced their opinion Usually, the women INSIST I have a girl, or else there is no possible way my life will be complete. The men tend to put it all in sports terms - will biology even out the teams for Tammy, or will Frank have a winning streak? No matter what people have said, about 85% of it I have to force myself to smile graciously and act excited along with them as they tell their opinion. Sometimes over and over again.
Oh, little girls are WONDERFUL. You CANNOT miss out on all the cute clothes out there!
Oh, little girls are such DRAMA. You're well off with boys.
Oh, little boys are so SWEET. They love their mommies like none other. (this is true, btw) :)
Oh, little boys are TERRORS. They are always in trouble and forget about owning anything nice!
I too, have indulged in all these thoughts. Wanted to run out and buy oversized hair ribbons and yet also secretly hoping for another boy because my mother and I had a really, really tough time until I was an adult. Sometimes we still do.
So, as of today, here is how our family stands. A 2-year-old boy and a girl determined on a 16-week ultrasound. Sam started out as a girl too, so I have my doubts. And with those doubts, I go into our big anatomy scan and high-risk appt this Friday morning, and we'll hopefully get another peek at gender and solve this once and for all ;) The critics will have to shush, and I can begin to settle into the idea of what will be likely the last sweetie added to our family.
And this I know. If I have a girl, great. If I have a boy, also great. I was devastated when I found out Sam was a boy. And now, 2 yrs later, I cannot imagine life without the added fun and exhaustion a little guy brings. Sam is my light, and he is hopelessly devoted to his mommy. I cannot picture myself ever having a girl now. Like, at all.
But this I also know. My prayer is not for a specific gender. It is not for health (why bother, we didn't get that last time!). My prayer is specifically to have the blessing and ability to raise my two children up in a godly, solid way that will affect generations. Sound cheesy? Likely. But it's my truth.
Boy(s) - I am praying daily I can teach you how to be gentle, self-controlled, and loving. Courteous toward everyone, and respectful toward girls - who will always be confusing and difficult to understand from your perspective. I am praying you will learn to be responsible, solid in faith and decisions, and family-oriented like your father. Slow to speak and quick to think deeply. I am praying you will learn from me to be passionate about whatever you choose to do with your life, value good friends like family, and allow yourself to listen to God, even when it's really difficult.
Girl - I am praying daily I can teach you how to be gracious in tough circumstances, and that you'll value education and career as much as baking and crafting, and vice versa. I am praying you will stay away from gossip, slander, and rejection, and that I will be wise enough when the time comes to direct your heart toward the Lord as your first love. I am praying you learn a little bit of biting humor from your father (enough to keep up with the boys), and that you will also have his intelligence and open-mindedness to all people. I am praying you'll make friends as easily as I do, but also learn the importance of quiet time alone to discover who you are without the trillion influences of this world. I pray you will always be strong, and feel 100% loved and supported by your family so you never need to seek out other things as a reaction to consistent disappointment.
Whatever we get, is what we'll have. And I'll be blessed with either. So will my life suck if I have another boy OR if I have a girl? Nope! It's exactly what God (and um, Frank's sperm), have decided to trust me with! <3
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
One One One One
Happy 2011!
I am not one for New Year's resolutions, or even ringing in the New Year with much celebration. Frank's serious side has worn off on me, and reminds me it's "just a day." But for some reason, saying goodbye to 2010 was exceptionally joyful, bittersweet, and a relief all at once.
It was a good year.
It was a growth year.
It was a year where I learned more than probably all other years combined + my college degree + all the useless crap I learn about all 800+ of my friends on Facebook on a daily basis. It was a mind full, for sure.
2010 Lessons Learned and Experiences Had
**If you will be on a flight longer than 3 hours, t's a good idea to get your toddler a seat on an airplane even if he is still young and little enough to sit on your lap. In July we journeyed to Hawaii and back with sweaty, sleep-drool covered cheeks on our shoulders, little toes trying their best to jam up our nostrils, and overall...we learned what it felt like to be a bed with a very restless and bored sleeper. Not fun. Thank your bed today.
**I also learned like there is nothing like traveling with my family. I've been all over the world with friends and total strangers, but going on trips with my family this year has been so much fun. Experiencing the joy and wonder of the world that can only be seen through the eyes of a 2-year-old, and sharing it with my best friend (husband), was so special and incredible. From day trips to vacations and adventures, it is such an honor and blessing to experience all the fun in life with this little alien that has come to live with us.
**Be brave and trust God. In all circumstances, be brave and trust God. Even when you know it's going to hurt. Even when you know it's filled with the unknown. Follow what your Dad (and that means God, not my earthly father. Take his advice, and you'll be in loads of trouble!) calls you toward, and everything will turn out amazing. I learned a lot through this process, and it was well worth it.
**We found a new church in the middle of the year. We love, cherish, and adore our Harvest family, but God was moving us on, and it became really clear in late spring. So off we went - and it has been really rewarding. God has blessed our ministry tremendously, he has brought us into solid, meaty teaching on God's word with no holding back, a pastor we respect and trust, and new opportunities for fellowship and blessing that we could never have anticipated. It's so great to get to still maintain friendships and love from your old life, while jumping fully into your new one. Best of both worlds. Beautiful.
**Learn to cook. It will make your life easier and your family happier. This was the year that the wild, take-out loving Tam was finally domesticated. I'm learning to cook, and it's been fun. And even better yet, no one has died. You cannot replace the family dinner table, and it is better for some reason without bags and cartons scattered about as your centerpiece. My biggest winners of the year:
**Cherish and enjoy God's blessings. Every single one of them. Never take the small things for granted. After going to a party and then texting some good friends, I spent the last ten minutes of 2010 talking to God. Thanking him for everything. Confessing what hurt me and what I may have done that hurts others. But mostly I thanked him. 2010 was a hard year, and I am glad to see it go. But it was a really good one too. I got my priorities straight. Learned who my true friends were. Found new ways to enjoy my family. Grew closer than ever to my Lord.
Really, what more could a girl ask for?
I am not one for New Year's resolutions, or even ringing in the New Year with much celebration. Frank's serious side has worn off on me, and reminds me it's "just a day." But for some reason, saying goodbye to 2010 was exceptionally joyful, bittersweet, and a relief all at once.
It was a good year.
It was a growth year.
It was a year where I learned more than probably all other years combined + my college degree + all the useless crap I learn about all 800+ of my friends on Facebook on a daily basis. It was a mind full, for sure.
2010 Lessons Learned and Experiences Had
**If you will be on a flight longer than 3 hours, t's a good idea to get your toddler a seat on an airplane even if he is still young and little enough to sit on your lap. In July we journeyed to Hawaii and back with sweaty, sleep-drool covered cheeks on our shoulders, little toes trying their best to jam up our nostrils, and overall...we learned what it felt like to be a bed with a very restless and bored sleeper. Not fun. Thank your bed today.
**I also learned like there is nothing like traveling with my family. I've been all over the world with friends and total strangers, but going on trips with my family this year has been so much fun. Experiencing the joy and wonder of the world that can only be seen through the eyes of a 2-year-old, and sharing it with my best friend (husband), was so special and incredible. From day trips to vacations and adventures, it is such an honor and blessing to experience all the fun in life with this little alien that has come to live with us.
**Be brave and trust God. In all circumstances, be brave and trust God. Even when you know it's going to hurt. Even when you know it's filled with the unknown. Follow what your Dad (and that means God, not my earthly father. Take his advice, and you'll be in loads of trouble!) calls you toward, and everything will turn out amazing. I learned a lot through this process, and it was well worth it.
**We found a new church in the middle of the year. We love, cherish, and adore our Harvest family, but God was moving us on, and it became really clear in late spring. So off we went - and it has been really rewarding. God has blessed our ministry tremendously, he has brought us into solid, meaty teaching on God's word with no holding back, a pastor we respect and trust, and new opportunities for fellowship and blessing that we could never have anticipated. It's so great to get to still maintain friendships and love from your old life, while jumping fully into your new one. Best of both worlds. Beautiful.
**Learn to cook. It will make your life easier and your family happier. This was the year that the wild, take-out loving Tam was finally domesticated. I'm learning to cook, and it's been fun. And even better yet, no one has died. You cannot replace the family dinner table, and it is better for some reason without bags and cartons scattered about as your centerpiece. My biggest winners of the year:
- Mexican Scramble
- Enchiladas (secret recipe, sorry)
- Catalina Cranberry Chicken
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes
- Fruity Chicken Couscous Salad
**Cherish and enjoy God's blessings. Every single one of them. Never take the small things for granted. After going to a party and then texting some good friends, I spent the last ten minutes of 2010 talking to God. Thanking him for everything. Confessing what hurt me and what I may have done that hurts others. But mostly I thanked him. 2010 was a hard year, and I am glad to see it go. But it was a really good one too. I got my priorities straight. Learned who my true friends were. Found new ways to enjoy my family. Grew closer than ever to my Lord.
Really, what more could a girl ask for?
Monday, December 27, 2010
I Prayed, and God Said "Okay" :)
Need a cheap date idea for Valentine's Day? Have I got a treat for you ;)
I am so excited to announce we are almost ready to debut The Royal Stage to local and extended communities. We're performing on Feb 11 and 12 on a big pretty stage that your faithful donations helped provide us with!
I have been praying for this for a long time. My whole time in ministry, it has felt like there was something missing, and now it feels like that little void has been fully filled with God. It's so awesome to serve completely in His will.
We have an amazing cast of dancers/actors. Some are just starting out and are still a bit rough, and others are pros who I am so blessed to have their talents involved. The most fun is probably the ladies from my former ministry that I've gotten to see grow up, and now are choreographing for us and have come up with some brilliant stuff!
Anyway, it's not perfect - but the heart of it is amazing, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
I don't want my blog to be shameless self-promotion, but I would love to have you there. If you are one of my best friends, or a long ago friend that I haven't seen in ages - it would mean so so much to me for you to come out and support my heart.
Oh, and hey you can buy tickets online!
Click Here to Get Tickets
Yay!
I am so excited to announce we are almost ready to debut The Royal Stage to local and extended communities. We're performing on Feb 11 and 12 on a big pretty stage that your faithful donations helped provide us with!
I have been praying for this for a long time. My whole time in ministry, it has felt like there was something missing, and now it feels like that little void has been fully filled with God. It's so awesome to serve completely in His will.
We have an amazing cast of dancers/actors. Some are just starting out and are still a bit rough, and others are pros who I am so blessed to have their talents involved. The most fun is probably the ladies from my former ministry that I've gotten to see grow up, and now are choreographing for us and have come up with some brilliant stuff!
Anyway, it's not perfect - but the heart of it is amazing, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
I don't want my blog to be shameless self-promotion, but I would love to have you there. If you are one of my best friends, or a long ago friend that I haven't seen in ages - it would mean so so much to me for you to come out and support my heart.
Oh, and hey you can buy tickets online!
Click Here to Get Tickets
Yay!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navi-baaaaaaaah!
Today Sam's daycare/preschool had a Christmas pageant. To accomodate all the parents and grandparents, it was actually held at the church we used to attend, so we got to see some old friends, eat Christmas cookies, and enjoy watching Sam sing it up with his little buddies.
At 630am, his preschool teacher texted me to tell me that Sam needed all black or all white clothes THAT AFTERNOON - and so we made an emergency trip to Target to blow some cash on bland clothing so he could fulfill his commissioning as sheep #2.
Miss Elisa made the rest of the sheep costume. He had bells tied to his wrists, and well - I think the headpiece made him look more like soft serve ice cream than a sheep - but whatev - it was really, really cute.
With Miss Elisa - she's known him since he was a little preemie, and now she loves on him twice a week while mommy gets her act together and earns some dough for things like emergency sheep clothes.
Sheep or soft serve?
With his daycare BFF Addi.
At 630am, his preschool teacher texted me to tell me that Sam needed all black or all white clothes THAT AFTERNOON - and so we made an emergency trip to Target to blow some cash on bland clothing so he could fulfill his commissioning as sheep #2.
Miss Elisa made the rest of the sheep costume. He had bells tied to his wrists, and well - I think the headpiece made him look more like soft serve ice cream than a sheep - but whatev - it was really, really cute.
With Miss Elisa - she's known him since he was a little preemie, and now she loves on him twice a week while mommy gets her act together and earns some dough for things like emergency sheep clothes.
Sheep or soft serve?
With his daycare BFF Addi.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Fondue Woo Hoo!
I am not a big chocolate fan. I love chocolate cake, and occasionally chocolate ice cream, but I never, ever touch chocolate candy or anything similar.
However, I must say that the Christmas fondue party my group of ladies had on Friday was yummy - definitely in the top 10 of heavenly desserts. Milk chocolate fondue with fruit, pretzels, cheesecake, and....sour gummy worms! :) (editor's note - I was not brave enough to try this).
I've been blessed with a really special group of friends. I am happy that Sacramento finally feels like home :)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Sam's Stage Debut
Last week, Sam was in the Community Bible Study preschool Christmas pageant. What is a preschool Christmas pageant, you may ask?
It is a herd of smartly dressed 2-4 yr olds staring blankly at the audience for 15 minutes while their teachers hand them large props and try with all their might to get them to sing, dance, do SOMETHING - other than stare or chew on their foam snowflake.
I loved it :)
2 year olds will clap when prompted. Even when they have no clue what is going on.
Aforementioned giant prop to add to the decorum.
Spotted mommy in the audience. I love this sweet kid.
Trying to care about the pageant.
Make this picture bigger to experience Sam's "I really want to run and touch expensive sound equipment - I don't want to sit and behave" face, which we see often at dance rehearsal.
Sooooooo over it ;) And I am sooooo in love with our boy :)
It is a herd of smartly dressed 2-4 yr olds staring blankly at the audience for 15 minutes while their teachers hand them large props and try with all their might to get them to sing, dance, do SOMETHING - other than stare or chew on their foam snowflake.
I loved it :)
2 year olds will clap when prompted. Even when they have no clue what is going on.
Aforementioned giant prop to add to the decorum.
Spotted mommy in the audience. I love this sweet kid.
Trying to care about the pageant.
Make this picture bigger to experience Sam's "I really want to run and touch expensive sound equipment - I don't want to sit and behave" face, which we see often at dance rehearsal.
Sooooooo over it ;) And I am sooooo in love with our boy :)
Let's Get Artsy and Festive!
Today was my last day with my MCA dancers. This semester was EX-HAUST-ING - dancing through the first trimester of pregnancy is not fun. But teaching the next generation of Christian artists is. They had their showcase last night, and today I got the sweetest Christmas cards, cookies, and a pair of pink fuzzy socks. My heart is warm tonight :)
I bring grape juice to class sometimes to energize my girls who have dance right before lunch and are dragging. After the showcase, my 7th-12th graders brought a giant Costco grape juice for me, and they had all written me love on it. So sweet!
I bring grape juice to class sometimes to energize my girls who have dance right before lunch and are dragging. After the showcase, my 7th-12th graders brought a giant Costco grape juice for me, and they had all written me love on it. So sweet!
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