Girlie Girl

I've never been a girlie girl. As a child, I did have a pair of high heels that I wore everywhere, but I don't really remember being into princesses, ballerinas, purses, fairies and the like.

Truth be told, my dream was to have my own cubicle. In 3rd grade, I would take my Trapper Keeper and turn it on its side to construct my own cubicle at my desk. And as a little girl I would crawl into the corner kitchen cabinet with a flashlight and my Wildlife Treasury cards. Maybe it's just because I was the oldest of 5 and wanted my own space. I don't know.

Eveley must be feeling the same way!




"Get out of here," she said!



My favorite games to play by myself were McDonalds and Office. I was always overstressed and overworked at the job and had a very demanding boss. As I played McDonalds in my room, I would look out the window and imagine a large tour bus pulling into the parking lot. "Drop the fries," I would yell. At the Office, my boss would come in at the last minute with pages of information he wanted me to type up before the end of the day. I would frantically type away trying to get finished in time.

I did love to play with Barbies. But my favorite was the "Day to Night" Barbie who had her own office and briefcase. Do yall remember that one?



I guess it's too early to tell if Eveley will be a girlie girl. For a while, she was having to play with trucks, trains, tractors and blocks. I did not put Robbie's toys away so I figured Eveley would just have to make do. After her birthday, however, she has some girl toys. She now has a cute little purse complete with lipstick, mirror, cellphone and debit card! She also got an adorable little tea set, and we can't wait to have our first tea party. Other friends got her a cookie baking set, wonderful books, squishy stuffed animals, and a lovely charm bracelet. How fun!

I have noticed a few clues that may be signalling she's a girlie girl!

She found the lipstick!




Sorry I haven't been posting very regularly. I have a really good excuse and will post about that soon!

Miss Priss

A friend recently commented on me calling Eveley, Miss Priss. I don't even know where that came from or if it's unusual. I've heard it most of my life and haven't thought much about it. Maybe my mom knows!

Anyway, Miss Priss had a wonderful birthday weekend. I was nervous because the day before her birthday, she was sick. I was trying to make her birthday cupcakes, but she wouldn't let me put her down and was very whiny. Then, I remembered something that always made me feel better as a little girl.





It worked for her too!

I think Eveley had fun at her party. She wasn't too sure about the cupcake at first. She enjoyed the beaters much more!







After we got home and Eveley had a bath, she napped for hours. Then, Eveley got a package in the mail from my mom and dad. She spent the evening prancing around in her new wings and tiara.








For my mom and sisters, here is another picture of the cupcakes. (Did I mention that photography is not one of my hobbies...)

Happy Birthday Eveley Joy! -- Updated.

Today is Eveley's one year birthday. What a special day.

Little Eveley is a gift from God. She was sent to us at the perfect time with an incredible mission -- to remind us of our JOY. "Though sorrow may last for the night, Joy comes in the morning."

Eveley was the only member of our family who was unaware of the tremendous sorrow we were experiencing and the sadness weighing on our hearts. Yet she was intimately involved.



Eveley Joy is fulfilling her mission quite well. She is an angel baby (you can read more about there here) and is becoming a sweet little girl. In many ways, she is very much like her brother. They both were curious as little babies, not content to be still for very long, and eager to see (and chew on) new things. But the one HUGE difference between Eveley and Robbie is best seen in the bed.

As soon as Robbie's eyelids cracked open, he was yelling for us to come get him. I had to rock him to sleep for his naps and ease him ever so gently into the bed. Eveley Joy loves her bed. When she starts to get a little whiny, I'll take her into the nursery intending to rock her for a little while. She pushes away from me and almost dives into her bed. The thumb goes into the mouth, and she is sound asleep. In the mornings, she will play in her bed, talking to the sheep on the wall until she is ready for mama. And we know that she is ready when she begins vigorously shaking her crib. (By the way, I'm typing this at 9:15 a.m. and the princess is still sleeping!)

Eveley knows who Robbie is - she recognizes pictures on the wall and the refrigerator. And I let her watch one of our home videos of Robbie with me the other night. She giggled and pointed at him through the entire thing.

Eveley, your daddy and mama love you more than you could ever know. We are so thankful for your sweet spirit and your peaceful face. You have brought us great JOY and are a gift from the Lord.

Happy Birthday, beautiful girl!

Now for the party ...

Even though a one-year old doesn't really understand the concept of a birthday party, I was determined to celebrate anyhow. We had a small party for Robbie on his first birthday, and we're so glad that we did.

So, we invited a few friends to a nearby playground for swinging, sliding, and, of course, cupcakes! The kids seemed to have a nice time and really enjoyed the cupcakes. (Note to self: Next year, just order cupcakes. It's simpler and you really are not a cake decorator no matter how hard you desire to be.) But, I will say that the cupcakes were pretty humorous and the kids didn't laugh too hard at them.

Eveley got the most beautiful gifts from her (and my) thoughtful friends. I'll post more on that later. For now, I'm plum tuckered out. So, enjoy the great slideshow of pictures taken by my friend, Kim.

Homesick

I guess 4 months is long enough to be blogging before discussing the name of the blog. So, let me explain.

It's hard to express how I felt after Robbie went to heaven. I knew He was safe and happy there. I knew his soul was alive and free. I knew it was just his body that we were placing into the ground. But I loved that body. He was my beautiful baby boy. And I wanted to be with him. I wanted to squeeze his chunky legs and soft cheeks. I wanted to kiss him and stroke his hair. I wanted to hold his hand and nibble on his fat toes.

The good news is -- I'll be able to do all of that again. The bad new is -- I have to be patient until that time comes. I'm not a very patient person.

You see, we don't necessarily wish Robbie was not in heaven and back here on earth. We recognize that Robbie is experiencing Paradise and that those experiences would blow our earthly minds. We just long to be Home with him.

I have told some of you before that as I imagined my arrival in heaven, I could only think of my reunion with Robbie. I felt terrible that I might run past Jesus on my way to hug my little boy. Then, the Truth hit me. Were it not for Jesus and His submission to God's marvelous plan of redemption, I would have no hope of seeing Robbie again. At that realization, Jesus became so much sweeter to me. He was not only saving my soul, but His Grace was saving my Robbie and guaranteeing our reunion. Now, I am certain that I will run for Jesus first to tell Him "thank you" for His priceless gift. And Robbie won't be far behind, I'm sure.

Of course, my greatest desire is for all of my children to choose Christ and for Heaven to be Home. We pray that Eveley Joy will grow up to love and serve Christ every day of her life.

"Our citizenship is in heaven and from it, we await a Savior, Jesus Christ." Phillippians 3:20

"You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."

Ephesians 2:19

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

As far as the exact title - "Homesick" - it popped into my head one afternoon while I was driving and listening to the radio. This song was playing, and it sums up my thoughts very well.

Here are the words:


You’re in a better place, I’ve heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I’ve rejoiced for you
But the reason why I’m broken, the reason why I cry Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home’s where my heart is then I’m out of place
Lord won’t you give me strength to make it through somehow
I‘ve never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord because I don’t understand Your ways The reason why, I wonder if I’ll ever know
But even if You showed me the hurt would be the same
Because I’m still here so far away from home

In Christ there are no goodbyes
In Christ there is no end
So I’ll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home’s where my heart is then I’m out of place
Lord won’t you give me strength to make it through somehow
I‘ve never been more homesick than now

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Rev. 21:4

More Than You'll Ever Know

We recently received a priceless gift.

Shortly after Robbie went to heaven, some friends got together and solicited our family, friends, childcare workers, and Sunday school teacers for their favorite memories of Robbie while they were still fresh. They compiled all of the funny stories, sweet moments, and lovely messages into a book.



We cannot thank our friends and family (and even strangers) for the many ways they have loved us this past year. We know the prayers are still being said for us, and that blesses us more than you'll ever know!

Isn't it interesting how God can place certain people or hurts on your heart. As I watched Idol Gives Back the other night, I was touched by all of the pain around this world. It's just heartbreaking. And immediately I wanted to go out and adopt all the orphans, provide a million mosquito nets, buy the necessary drugs and immunizations, and become a foreign missionary. But, then I realized that God has placed certain people and causes on my heart. And I am responsible for responding to those needs.

Thankfully, God has placed my family on many hearts. One friend mentioned that I almost "haunt" her. "I can't get you off my mind," she said. Sorry!

The faithfulness of you all to pray for us and encourage us has made a tremendous difference. Please listen to the words of this song. I couldn't have said it better!

Much love.

New Hobby

This past year has included many "firsts." Some good ones, and some not-so-good ones. But one great thing that has happened this year is that I've developed some hobbies.

I remember one evening, my husband told me, "You should get a hobby." A hobby? Like I have time to have a hobby. My hobbies include laundry, cleaning, meal preparation, house organization, raising children. How could I possibly handle another hobby?

But, soon afterwards, a MOPS friend invited me to a Stampin' Up party and another had me addicted to her adorable blog. I began to discover that I was a creative person -- or, at least, I enjoyed attempting to be creative. My mother and sister are very creative people with great artistic talent. I cannot draw a stick figure. So, I concluded that I was neither artistic nor creative. But I was wrong!

Now, I do not like to scrapbook. For some reason, I hate the idea of cutting photos. My husband would say that is because I am a terrible decision maker and take forever to make a choice that will become permanent. I take oodles of pictures and end up printing them off and sticking them in a book. Or even worse, they stay on my computer.

But when I discovered the whole concept of "digital scrapbooking," I was hooked. I'm still learning the ropes but enjoy it. I began with Eveley's birth and am looking forward to completing enough pages to have the "first edition" printed.

Here are 2 pages from our vacation. There are more to come!

Home Sweet Home --- Updated

After being away for 11 days, we are finally home.

We vacationed in Destin, Florida with our great friends, Brian and Jenna and their 3 kids - Lauren, Cade, and Cooper.







Eveley loved Lauren


And she had fun playing with the boys. Uh oh!




Here is Cooper sunbathing!

The beach was gorgeous, our house was perfect, the seafood was delicious, and the shopping was awesome!


Our House








I could not believe how much Eveley Joy loved the beach. She would have stayed there all day, playing in (and eating) the sand. And she did not even flinch when the cool waves washed over her.








She enjoyed the pool and the hot tub and, as usual, was an angel on the trip.


Thanks for the bikini, Kim and Kate!











By the end of the days, the kiddies were exhausted and allowed us to have some fun "adult" time (which included watching the Bachelor and American Idol!).



We have vacationed together before, and will certainly do so again. They have been wonderful friends to us, especially during this past year.

Here are a couple pictures of Robbie and Cooper when we were together in Gatlinburg in October 2006. Cooper was born about 6 weeks before Robbie.





My 2 little piggies!


Robbie in Clearwater at 9 1/2 months


Eveley Joy in Destin at 11 1/2 months