Resurgence

No, I am not talking about a book in yet another captivating trilogy.  I am speaking of my resurgence into blogdom.

Exactly one year ago, I quietly, but reluctantly, walked away from the blogging world.  A sabbatical seemed to be in order for a time of refreshment and renewal.  And, let's be honest, my four precious monkeys are a handful.

But a lot has happened in a year.  My hands are still full, but my heart is fuller.  (That is a word.)  And it only seems proper to re-enter the scene as my babies turn THREE.  (Three? Three?  How can that be?)


Guess who is 3 ??!

This guy.

And this girl.

These two love each other.

And share most everything.

Birthday morning hugs began as this.

But morphed into this.

The twins received a sandbox for their birthday.  It was a major hit.  (And I am very thankful for that since I hauled 800 pounds of sand from Lowes (Sixteen 50-pound bags), into my minivan, and then filled the sandbox.  The depth of a mother's love....

We were all a little tired.

Mother's Day weekend was filled with exactly what I would have wanted.  Dirty, loud, crazy, beautiful kiddoes who call me Mama.  (over, and over, and over again.)

I'm excited to see what this year will hold.

Two Twos and Tutus

This Mother's Day weekend was filled with the best Mother's Day activities  -- celebrating these little munchkins who allow me to fill the coveted role of a mama.

 

 

 

These TWO turned TWO.

I cannot believe it.

 

 

 

We celebrated with cake and candles.

Then we headed out for Eveley's very first ballet recital.

Their practices are closed, so I had no idea what to expect.  But she was so very poised, confident and strong, and the best little bunny I have ever seen.

Daddy had some flowers waiting for her, and she was thrilled!

 

 

Grandma came to visit for this special weekend and brought her little dog.  

They all adore him.  I'm not so sure the feelings are mutual.

Six + Nine = Crazy

I can hardly believe it, but we now have a 6 year old.  In some ways, it seems unbelievable that she is 6.  And in other ways, it seems unbelievable that she is only 6.

Our Eveley Joy is one energetic and spunky little girl.  She is curious, creative, confident, and crazy.

 

 

 

 

As in year's past, Eveley's birthday turned into a week long affair.  Her actual birthday came while we were at the beach, so we were able to celebrate with some family and sugar.  (Her 2 favorite things.)

But she still wanted to have a birthday party with her sweet friends from school, church, and the neighborhood.

Around the beginning of March, Eveley let me know that she wanted a surprise party for her birthday.  That seemed a little hard to pull of....  So, we decided to do a 

Pancakes and Pajamas Party.

Saturday morning, 9 sweet little girls showed up at our house wearing their pajamas and ready to party.

They made necklaces out of fruit loops, decorated pillow cases, and enjoyed pancakes, hot chocolate, and every topping you could imagine.

 

Eveley's party was complete with a dapper maitre'de who welcomed the girls, took their food orders, and catered to their every whim.

 

 

It's a good things birthdays only come around once a year.

But, no time to rest.

These two little stinkers are turning TWO in two weeks.

Spring Back

It's just been a mere FOUR months since my last blog post.  Not that anyone other than my father and grandmother have noticed, but 2013 is simply whirring by.

I'll be real honest.  There is almost no down time in my world.  And on those rare days when Mr. Sandman visits each child at the same time, I would prefer to plop on my crumb-infested couch and catch up on Project Runway.  I've finally finished season 3.  

Seriously though, I've spent the past few months reflecting on many things and sorting through the craziness that is our current life's stage.  I want to do this well.  There's only one shot at it.  And whether blogging fits in there somewhere was something I needed to pray about.

Right now, life requires a lot from me.  Sacrifice.  Patience.  Contentment.  Energy.  Determination.  And a great amount of prayer.

But, I've come to realize, these beautiful babies are worth it.

We just returned from a fun filled week at the beach.  And I am feeling a bit refreshed and re-energized. (Just a bit.)  

 Farewell, winter blues.  Spring has sprung.

January Lesson

This lesson came as many of them do - right in the midst of a conversation with one of my children.

Eveley was getting ready to watch one of her favorite movies.  One she has seen at least a dozen times.

She confided that she was nervous to watch it again because she feared the main character would get hurt in a dangerous scene.

"Why are you so fearful?"  I asked.  "You know how the story ends."

"Exactly," I heard the Spirit whisper to me.

*******

January is a difficult month.  It hasn't always been this way, of course.  My Januarys were typically consumed with picking out the perfect new calendar, tidying up the closets and labeling the playroom bins, and vowing to exercise more, eat better, and lose a few pounds.

But for the past few years, Januarys have become, frankly, very daunting.  I dread them.  After Christmas, I sort of feel as if life is at a standstill until the looming date of January 16 passes.

It was January 16, 2007, when our world forever changed.  I was forced to say goodbye to our beautiful Robbie and to begin a journey more difficult than I could have ever imagined.

But it was also January 16, 2007, when our world forever changed, and I began to know Jesus in a way I had never imagined.

He held me so very close.  He let me cry and yell.  He listened to my heart struggling to find answers and explanations.  He guarded my mind as it wandered down many dangerous paths, trying to unpack the tragedy.  He displayed His power and goodness in soft and loud ways.  And He gently reminded me of Truth.

"My grace is sufficient for you.  For My power is made perfect in your weakness."  I Cor. 12:9

"The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."  Rom. 8:18

"Death is swallowed up in victory.  O, death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?"  I Cor. 15:54-55

"I have told you these things so that in Me, you shall have peace.  In this world, you will have tribulations.  But take heart.  I have overcome the world!"  John 16:33

"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

Well, here it is.  January 16, 2013.

"Why should I be fearful?" I ask myself.  "I know how the story ends."




Maranatha.