Party at the Park

 All week the girls had been ELATED that Gammy was having her party at the park.  And Gam was a good sport, too, since she wasn't even the one that planned to have her party there.  It was a little chilly and windy at certain moments, but altogether turned out to be a nice day and we were thankful for no rain! 

We watched the girls play, ate Subway sandwiches, laughed, talked, flew kites, built sand castles and watched the geese on the river.  It was a simple and wonderful day for my sweet mom's birthday.  The thing that continually stands out to me about my mother is her UNSELFISHNESS.  It is truly beyond what I can fathom.  Although I am much less self-centered now that I have children, I still have to fight doing what I want all the time and planning things the way I want them.  No matter what my mom prefers, she always makes sure that her plans are in the best interest of SOMEONE else.  It is mind blowing to me.  She puts herself out and causes herself extra trouble all in the name of making sure someone else has an easier time.  Her example is always present in my mind when I am trying to make a decision on what to do.  I am so thankful for her. 

 Love this picture of the birthday girl and the four littles who think the WORLD of her. 

Wrapping up Easter

 Amelia woke up and seemed to feel so much better on Easter morning, but once she got to Sunday School with Gammy and Gampy, she had a 103 fever!!  I was a wreck of all wrecks.  Upset because of the fever obviously, but she felt so awful and was perhaps the sickest I have seen her.  It was so heartbreaking.  And then I was upset over the trivial.  No Easter lunch after church or egg hunt or family pictures.  And then I was frantic that Liv, Ing, and Elise would get it- or Pop- or anyone in her face the day before.  I felt horrible.  And worried.  And scared. And spent most of the morning bawling my eyes out.  Thankfully Ross was as cool as usual and calmed me down by the afternoon. 

 

I went over and took a picture of this bunny cake that Jen made to cheer her up and after a nice nap and some iPad shows, she was feeling so much better and her fever was gone.

She got to hide eggs for the other girls and then watch them hunt.  We tried to keep her out of their face, but one little Elisey wasn't having it.

She was even feeling good enough to hunt a few eggs and then return to the shade to rest.  For this, I was SO thankful.  I know that egg hunts aren't why we have Easter, but I couldn't' shake the broken heart of her not hunting for any with our family.

After some more resting and the fever still not returning, we kept our original plans and headed to G and Pa's to see them.  The day was slowly being salvaged and we were proceeding carefully.  Amelia was convinced she was well and it was hard to keep her still on the farm. 

Mammaw gave the girls kites and it was the most perfectly breezy day to fly them.

G had Easter baskets for everyone and they were full of goodies.

Elise decided to eat some chocolate gravy at our delicious dinner and she found that she loved it- just like her Mama.

We had a huge egg hunt and the whole family was able to be together after all.  We headed home and Amelia slept the whole way (Elise sang) and it ended up being a wonderful time together.

Tough Stuff

I don't try to paint an idyllic picture when I blog.  The words that I type out aren't essay worthy or award winning- just me trying to capture some memories, accompanied by pictures.  Memories that I hope my daughters read one day and say, "Oh, I remember that!"  or "That is such a special moment to me!"  The moments my word and camera capture are usually happy.  Joyous.  Filled with laughter.  That is the kind of people we are.  My kids and I are passionate and easily excited; loud, boisterous.  I want them to find fun in the mundane because that is how I was raised.  My Meme told me once that being bored is not an option if you have a good brain in your head.  My mom supported me as my sister and I created an entire (fake) business in our basement one summer and we spent hours each day selling our (fake) inventory to (fake) people.  I can remember our client list, the name of our business, and when I close my eyes I can see us down in our dimly lit basement doing inventory and making payroll.  I am getting very off track, but all this is to say that I loved my childhood and I strive to duplicate that feeling for my daughters as well. 

So, yes, most of the things I blog about are happy, but that is not to say life is without challenges.  Parenting is getting tougher.  Like, way tougher.  My parenting worries have moved away from teething, nursing, talking, and sleep drama (well, a bit) and shifted to things that are rocking my world.

Amelia and I had several long, laborious talks last week about her tone of voice and 14 year old attitude.  Some of her answers have been short and some of her words have been hurtful.  I have noticed new behaviors involving crossed arms and pursed lips and as I went over these things she explained that one of her friends at school does these and she thought she would try them.  This led to another conversation about not copying people and their behavior unless it is something kind.  Which led to a conversation about picking friends carefully and discussing that we maintain our standard of behavior even when their behavior is off course with ours.

Which led to this, "Well, ok, so you are saying don't be friends with anyone that isn't perfect?  I think I need to find new friends.  Or, I will just play by myself to make sure I don't copy any bad behavior."- Amelia.

Okay.  Mega fail.  One night last week after Amelia and Elise were in bed, I just went over and over my conversations.  Wondering what I could have said differently.  Stressing about future conversations to come.  Praying for guidance and wisdom.  Desperately wanting my girls to just love the Lord first and foremost and make wise choices.  And although this definitely isn't the first time I have had this thought, it is the first time in a while that I have been forced to think about just how hard this is.  Just how big this responsibility is.  Just how much I want for these two.

Man do I love the dresses and shoes and glitter headbands and sledding and swimming and leaf picking.  I live for the picnicking and coloring and dirt digging.  I get giddy for SDC, the zoo, Jumping Joeys, and dinner out.  But none of that is this kind of hard. 

Praying for wisdom and thankful for grace.  And she's just four. 

"Pop's Number is 82,"- Amelia, whose number is 4

 Easter weekend, we celebrated my Poppy's 82nd birthday.  He is so attentive and so interested in my life and the life of my family; from the mundane to the huge decisions.   It is my dream of all dreams come true to watch him with my daughters and see their love for him. To see them look at him as I did as a child.   His advice, approval, and wisdom are a gift that I do not take lightly. 

Amelia was not feeling well on the day of the party, but man was she a trooper.  She was trying to be sweet and kind and help with all the presents.  I loved her attempt and energy on this day, but felt sad that she was not up to par.

 

 

 After the party we dyed eggs as a big group and it was a blast watching everyone's creations, but specifically Liv's.  LOL she was a mess.

It was a great celebration for a wonderful man of the Lord and a great celebration for our risen Savior.