He Buys Me Flowers

This man.  He buys me chocolate... and specialty coffee... and tulips wrapped in paper... and a Magic Bullet (a secret wishlist item).  It's all sitting on the table, waiting for my sleepy eyes to behold after he has long left for work.  Before the morning breaks.  There's even a red bow on top of the Magic Bullet box.  

I smile at that red bow.  Because in all our years together I can count on maybe two fingers the number of times he has wrapped a gift for me. ...

The first gifts came packaged in the mail.  He, thousands of miles across the sea, hiking in the mountains.  Myself, a schoolteacher in the deep south, in the Crescent City.  Boxes delivered on  doorstep carrying flowers and chocolates.  There was always this.  And surprises that would show up in the mailbox.  A John Piper book he knew I'd love.  A Passion cd he thought would minister to my heart... Cardboard boxes from Amazon never looked more pretty.  The nice little box that came from Mignot Faget... holding the tulip charm.  My favorite.  Always the flower he tries to buy for me.

Then there was the surprise waiting for me in my hotel room when I was fresh off the plane in the capitol city... 12-dozen paper-wrapped roses, bought at the outdoor market.  His hiking partner had to help him carry them all.

But in those first few days, when we were finally face-to-face... when he couldn't wait to give me my birthday present two weeks early... there he was, standing in the hallway.... he, with the giddy grin.  Holding my present behind his back.  Unwrapped, he handed it to me.  My first climbing harness.

And so unfolded the tradition of being the recipient of un-wrapped gifts.  But this morning.... a red bow.

He gives me so much more than earthly things.  He gives and gives and gives....  isn't this what love is?

Every day of our life together he has tried to give me what I want.  Always showing the Father's character.  I could never out-give him.

He gives me shoulder rubs and foot rubs... when he is the one who has worked 60 hours in a week.  He gives his service in helping in the kitchen and picking up where I lack... when he doesn't even have time to keep the lawn mowed or piddle in the garage they way he always longs to do...

He gives me perspective... always that God is Sovereign thinking... even the day his own father left this earth... and he picked up my chin and picked up his Bible and smiled as he headed to his speaking engagement... no one there that night knew of our great loss just hours earlier.

He gives the kids horsey-rides when he's worked a 12-hour day... and picks up what I forgot at the store on his way home from work... and tries to pick up his socks off the floor...

He gives me courage when I see his... when he chooses the adventure of un-known over security... when he chooses the hard path - that's always what he wants.  I've learned not to kick and scream too much... to enjoy the journey more... because of the gift of seeing it through his eyes... through that constant grin...

He's given me bountiful blessings in these children we wrangle together... He gives me his heart.

This man.  He is my hero.

Little blonde boy turns two tomorrow.  Oh my heart.  My Mama heart wanted to do something special for the boy who loves puppies.

And his grinning, sleepy, surprised-after-naptime reaction made it worth every moment spent.

Rest well, puppy... for tomorrow we eat you!

I've been rather patient waiting for today.  Since the beginning I had a calm; a peace.

Nothing to hurry about.

Besides, I felt I secretly knew already, like the Father had whispered it to me early...

Patient for many months.  Quietly pondering in my heart.

But today.  Today I was eager.

Three of my little crew were witness, giggling and waiting.  The clear jelly made a funny noise when it was squirted on my bare mid-drift.  Little eyes watched the show on the screen.  So did I.

In only a moment, it was confirmed - that which I knew already in my heart.

I have another daughter.

One of my daughters squealed with joy.

Although I would have been ecstatic to be having another son, I am warmed at the Father's lovingkindness in giving me another girl.  And the irony, it gets me.  I always thought I'd be mother to four boys.

Today was no surprise.  The Father had given us her name more than 2 years ago.

Olivia.  Derived from Olive Tree ~ a symbol of Peace.

"... you children shall be like olive shoots around your table..."

One of her middle names means 'light' - just like her big sister.

Now, more than ever, I feel like this is Our Blessed Life.  His lovingkindness has overflowed to us.

We watched her wiggle and wave.  Kicking, yawning.  Her nose looks like that Hazleton nose I prayed all my kids would have.

Although the Father was sweet enough to give me this monkey with my nose.

And I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Ah yes, the boys are outnumbered.

And life is good.

Home

So much to share these days, and I promise to catch you guys up soon (with LOTS of overdue pictures, AND my post about the Word for the 2012)... but this morning, I just wanted to share this picture with you.  Take a look at all these faces.  The Lord is good to bring them all home to their families this past year.

Can you find Lena and Christopher's little faces?  Their buddies are on there too.

God is good.

A Little Inspiration

If you haven't heard from us in a while, it's because... well, we're busy.

You know, parenting.  Holidays.  Family life.  Advent.  Learning how to help our two little Ukrainians thrive in their new family.  Introducing them to The Nativity movie and the joys of homemade popcorn and hot cocoa.

It's been wonderful... and ~ to be honest~ overwhelming too, at least once a day.  I was no stellar homeschooling homemaker before bringing home two more blessings into our family, so I certainly have been having my struggles keeping up with chores, laundry, cleaning, meals, and the constant correcting and coaching that comes with being a stay-at-home Mama.

Yes, I grew up with my own mama at home, being a homemaker.  But I did not learn homemaking skills by proxy.  (Unfortunately.)

And running a household and lovingly training up children were not skills they taught me in my undergrad. Can you believe that?


And come to think of it, I didn't gain a stitch of knowledge on these subjects in my College/Career or Single Sunday School classes at church either.

Baffling.

So if any of you reading this (all 9 of you out there) has thought at one time or another that I have it all together, let me put that thought to rest.  I never, ever have it all together.


There have been so many times in recent months that I've prayed for help or inspiration from the Lord - sometimes just confessing that I don't even know where to start.

Every time, He answers.  One time I prayed and the next evening some friends of ours told us they were sending over their cleaning lady to help me clean the house!

Another time I prayed and a day or so later a friend from church sent me a text, saying she had made a few meals for us.

Yet another time I cried out to God and a Mom at church told me her older children wanted to come help me around the house for a day.

Other times, I've prayed and the Lord has brought me inspiration through other mothers.

One sweet source of inspiration I stumbled upon was a video put out by Family Vision Films called homemaking 101.  Well, if ever there was anyone needing to take a Homemaking 101 course, it was me!

I popped the family-made film into the dvd player and all of my children enjoyed watching it with me as we sat in the living room and folded clothes.  It was such a peace-giving tool, and one I've enjoyed watching over many times.  (Maggie particularly love to watch it as well.)

So today as I'm confessing that we're just plain busy and often overwhelmed with our wonderfully blessed life, I also want to leave you with this little jewel.


If you somehow missed out on your homemaking 101 course, too, check it out!

Now, time to dive into some laundry...

Thankful: 6th Birthday - First Party

This picture above was the defining moment of the day.  Clutching the camera, trying to get an adequate shot of the priceless expression on her face.  Clutching my insides as I tried to hold it together.  Voice cracking as we sang 'Happy Birthday' to her - for the first time in her life.  I've never seen such a look of pure joy on her face.  Cupcakes made just for her... candle burning just for her...

I'm so thankful, Father, that I get to be the one to do this with her.... 

 The smile never left her face all day.  She was quiet, taking it all in... 

Simple games in a breezy back-yard.  How could 'duck-duck-goose' and 'red rover' be filled with such glee and jubilee?

Celebration.  Merriment.  Triumph.

Gifts picked out just for her, not part of a shared collection of rummaged-through goods.  Dresses she'll be the first to wear... a baby doll she can call hers...

A simple gathering of loved ones who love one.  

One I didn't know I was going to love.  One 'added' in at the 'last minute'... before dossier left faltering hands.

One who was at first my wildcat... now aptly-named, a source of joy.  

My Word for the Year... joy.  

I didn't know it would come like this, at such a high price, and such unexpected, overflowing measure.

Today, thank you, Father, for Lena Joy.

Day 5

Thank you, Father, for sweet rest.

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep. 

For you alone, oh Lord, make me dwell in safety."

Psalm 4:8