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I have a cousin, her name is Melissa. She is beautiful, sweet and has a heart for others like no one else I know. She also has a fabulous blog ----> http://melissaemma.blogspot.com,
which you should totally subscribe to, she will bless your socks off.
My sweet Melissa is cousin by marriage, but it is like we are blood. We are two peas in a pod, a very organized pod. :) We are so similar, but Melissa is a lot of what I am not. I am not good at cards, thoughtful remembering of dates, surprise gifts just when you need them and loads of other thoughtful gestures. I can't tell you how many times I have thought, I am going to surprise her with _______, and then time gets away from me and I have failed. She, however, never fails to send me encouragement and inspiration and her timing is impeccable. She is an avid reader and knows of every book that I should also be taking the time to read, but haven't. Pretty much, it is like she has a piece of my heart and knows exactly when it is hurting and she does something beautiful and sweet to make it all better.
Her latest blessing, was this book.
I am a follower of Angie's blog http://angiesmithonline.com/,
(as should you) and so I was beside myself when I received a surprise package on a very special day-Judah's Birthday. I got the box 1/16th of the way opened, when I peeked in and realized what was inside. I knew immediately what it was and who it was from and I stood in my entry way and wept. How does she know? I guess it doesn't matter, I am just so glad that she does.
Since I have been following Angie's blog, I know her amazing story. Reading it again, is a slow process for me. Not for lack of intrigue or amazing writing, but purely out of I can only weep so long mid-day without being questioned. I have literally put the book down after every chapter, taking a moment to really let her words sink in and then I weep. It is like she took the words straight out of my heart. If I were to write a book based on my sweet Judah and our testimony, well there is really no need. She did it much more beautifully than I could have done. This book is simply amazing and everyone should read it. Everyone should also get a Melissa, so that you can feel the love and thoughtfulness that I am so privelaged to enjoy.
Melissa, thanks so much for knowing my heart and caring enough to fill it. Just another reason we should be neighbors. ;)
My sweet boy is now 6 years old and with all of the growing up he has been doing, he has taken on new responsibilities. One of these, is piano lessons. Starting last week, he has to practice, at least, two times a day. Big responsibility for a little guy once you add in school and sports. He is doing amazing and shockingly, practicing on his own first thing in the morning and again in the afternoon, withOUT being asked! I know I am being a little braggy and presumptuous, but I think he is going to blow us away some day with his skills. My Dad plays by ear, and like I've said before, not just a few things, but literally he hears a song once and he can play it exactly. I am praying my Bobo has that talent, and after his lesson today I am starting to see a few signs he has the "ear". I think my biggest challenge is going to be that he does something once, memorizes it and then doesn't want to read out of the practice books. Stinker. Anywho, I say all of that to say, Bobo deserved a date night with Mommy for all of his hard work, and just for being his sweet self.
After his lesson today, he got a hair cut and then we were off for dinner. I told him he could pick any place, his choice, and he said, "Hmmmm. There are a lot of places I like....but, I am going to pick Arby's. You know why Momma? Because I know that is your favorite and I like to make you happy." You are starting to get it right? I mean the kid is just too gooey sweet. We talked over dinner and he shared his excitements and fears of First Grade. That conversation almost left me in tears. I remember that anxiety of the unknown, and I wish I could make him feel all better about it.
Izzy is a thinker. He loves to ask questions and he has come up with a game he calls the "Question Game", which involves him asking very big, difficult questions and I have to give an answer-even if it is just a complete and wild guess. We go back and forth and laugh at our answers.
Question Game from tonight's date:
Iz- "Momma, why do we have to grow up?"
Me-"Well, God designed us that way. Our bodies grow and age daily and there isn't anything we can do to stop it."
Iz- "Good answer...I'll take it."
Iz- "Momma, why do we exercise?"
Me- "God made our bodies with muscles. If you work out and eat healthy, your muscles will grow and you will become strong. If you don't, your muscles stay small and you will be weak."
Iz- "Yeah, you are right! I think you have been reading."
Me- "Izzy, why do we have belly buttons?"
Iz- "Okay, this is a hard one. Well, I have thought about it a long time, and so this is the truth. *picture the next part with lots of hand movements, finger pointing, and serious eyes* Your belly button is connected. It circle-lates (circulates) all the way through our body to our blue vines (veins), which go way up to our chambers in our neck. This is how we can breathe. It is all because of our belly button. It's a true answer, Momma."
Me- "What did you dream about?"
Iz- "I dream about you every night! I think about the fun we have and then I dream about fun things I want to do the next day. I also pray for you in my dreams."
*Cue Tears.*
Oh, he makes me laugh! Izzy loves to talk and that is really all he wants to do on our dates. He doesn't really care what we do, he just wants to be able to talk the whole time. After dinner, we spent some time at a park, shopped at Target where we found a new game to play and spent the rest of the night laughing and playing.
As Izzy and I spent quality time together, I reflected back to those moments in the NICU, when his life was so fragile and then, I looked at him tonight, and his 6 years flashed before me.
Seriously, this was like 5 seconds ago when he was 2.
FLASH!
And now...
SIX years of non-stop joy, laughter and blessing to my soul. These six years have literally been a flash, and I want to make as many memories as possible this year so he has lots and lots to dream about.
Life is short, make lots of happy memories!
I've been away a bit. Hopefully not too long as you won't check back in with me! The last few months have been an explosion of crazy, chaotic fun and sweet surprises. We have wrung this Summer out for every single drop of fun and happiness it could offer and we still have a little time to go. You will have to excuse me, because my brain is fried and my body is exhausted. This summer has left me feeling much like a mother with a newborn. Ecstatic and exhausted, loss of memory and a little blurry, but oh so worth it.
We've had:
Playdates
Picnics
Girls Nights Outs
Family Visits
Birthday Week
Double Birthday Party (pics to come :)
New York CITY!
Operation FriendNap
Friends Birthday Parties
Family Birthday Parties
Water Park visits
Regular Park visits
Max & Ruby LIVE!
Daily pool meetings with friends
Craft nights
Date nights
BBQ's
Summer Parties with friends
Family Days with Daddy
A week in Branson with extended family
2 more weeks of visits and fun with said family
Silver Dollar City
School shopping
Birthday shopping
Shopping, Shopping, Shopping
4th of July Party
Game Nights
Sweet surprises from friends
Movie Nights
These are just a few that stand out. I have about a million un-edited pictures, and video that document our Summer so far, and I can't wait to share a glimpse of it with you. Forgive me, for the light posting until I can get myself together and find a few seconds to organize some thoughts. I have less than a month with my sweet Izzy before he starts FIRST GRADE and we have promised to make every single day count!
Lots of pics and funny stories to come. Pinky promise.
See... I'm hanging with Frank and Karli. What did you do this Summer?
