I need a vacation from my vacation!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Al-Cute-ah
We have uncovered a new faction of Alquida here in Colorado. It is the smaller lesser known faction Al-Cute-ah. The leader is Osama Bin Lily and she terrorizes her parents by refusing to sleep at all hours of the night. She can be heard screaming in the night, throwing her blankets in rage, arching her back in protest to her parents rocking attempts, refusing her bottle or pacifier and kicking her legs in protest of being forced to lay in her crib. She is hard to find because she usually masks in the form of the adorable smiling Lily Grace. Her methods are sneaky and just when you think that she is the cutest little baby you have ever seen and can do no wrong, she transforms into the midnight terrorist. You must have intestinal fortitude to wage the battle against the mighty Al-Cute-ah. We are hoping that a strong regiment of spankings, no no's and screaming herself silly will give us the victory against this organization! We will prevail!
I need a vacation from my vacation!
I need a vacation from my vacation!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Climbing the Mountain
Well Lily Grace has been up to much as a one year old. She keeps me on my toes more and more each day. She is a quick little one and boy is she starting to get a little bit too smart for herself. I could not believe, the other day we were downstairs doing laundry when I watched as Lily crawled her way right over to the stairs and began the great ascent. She didn't even pause for concern. Here I was thinking that I was going to have to teach her how to traverse the steps when someone (I think it as Feddy:) had already beat me to it. She was an old pro and by the time I reached her she was already up 3 stairs. We climbed up both flights of stairs and caught her right before she summited. My baby is already stair climbing! I must admit, I was the very proud Mommy!
Lily has just recently absolutely fallen in love with Miss Grace. She is just mesmerized with her.
Even when I am in the room Lily just heads straight for Grace. I LOVE it. I love that Lily has beautiful women around her that want to be a part of her life. Grace is a heaven sent treasure and I am so blessed with how she loves on Lily. Every Tuesday, Grace watches Lily while Bob and I head to small group. I think that it is Lily's favorite time of the week. First, she gets to hang with her favorite big person and second she gets to play with her BFF Jancsi. What could be better than an evening of bath time and near nakedness.
Her curiosity about things and places is growing daily. The dishwasher holds a special fascination for her and when I am in the kitchen, I can usually find her somewhere near the utensil rack. She discovered the tops to our water bottles the other day and I turned around to find her using the top as a makeshift pacifier.
Of course her usual one is attached to her 24/7, but the bottle top was clearly the better choice.
We are so excited to head to Colorado for Thanksgiving this year and I simply cannot wait. Doing things with our Lily Bear gets more and more fun every day!
Lily has just recently absolutely fallen in love with Miss Grace. She is just mesmerized with her.
Even when I am in the room Lily just heads straight for Grace. I LOVE it. I love that Lily has beautiful women around her that want to be a part of her life. Grace is a heaven sent treasure and I am so blessed with how she loves on Lily. Every Tuesday, Grace watches Lily while Bob and I head to small group. I think that it is Lily's favorite time of the week. First, she gets to hang with her favorite big person and second she gets to play with her BFF Jancsi. What could be better than an evening of bath time and near nakedness.
Her curiosity about things and places is growing daily. The dishwasher holds a special fascination for her and when I am in the kitchen, I can usually find her somewhere near the utensil rack. She discovered the tops to our water bottles the other day and I turned around to find her using the top as a makeshift pacifier.
Of course her usual one is attached to her 24/7, but the bottle top was clearly the better choice.
We are so excited to head to Colorado for Thanksgiving this year and I simply cannot wait. Doing things with our Lily Bear gets more and more fun every day!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Blue Flames and Jewels
I have wanted to get my nose pierced for a long time. I know, many of you are going, REALLY? And yes, really. It has just never been right. First I had a career, and one that would not have looked kindly on a pierced nose. Then I had a baby, breastfed and couldn't risk a possible infection hurting the baby. So for my birthday this year I did it, I pierced my nose and I LOVE it!
I came up with the idea to do it for my birthday a few weeks ago and mentioned it to Grace. She has always wanted to pierce the cartilige in her ear so we decided to make it a date. On Wednesday of this week we psyched ourselves up all day, picked Bob up from work and headed down to the Blue Flame Tattoo joint. Okay, what a culture shock!
Here we were, Bob in his clean cut work clothes and sweet tattoo free Grace and I with our precious little doe skinned babies entering a nightlife tattoo parlour full of fully tattooed artists sporting piercings in everything you never thought could be pierced. We were a sight. Once we signed our waiver, met our piercer, selected our "studs," and mustered our courage we had to wait for a while. Oh dear!
Lily loved playing with the tattoo example boards, we were so glad that she was unaware of the questionable artwork on several of those boards.
15 minutes went by and it was TIME. Grace went first. She did great and she looks so cute!
After seeing how brave she was I knew there was no backing out!
Once I had my nose fully sanitized from the inside out I laid back.....took two deep breaths.....and WOWZA......Nose pierced!
Not going to lie, it was a bit painful, but I LOVE it and am so happy I did it!
I came up with the idea to do it for my birthday a few weeks ago and mentioned it to Grace. She has always wanted to pierce the cartilige in her ear so we decided to make it a date. On Wednesday of this week we psyched ourselves up all day, picked Bob up from work and headed down to the Blue Flame Tattoo joint. Okay, what a culture shock!
Here we were, Bob in his clean cut work clothes and sweet tattoo free Grace and I with our precious little doe skinned babies entering a nightlife tattoo parlour full of fully tattooed artists sporting piercings in everything you never thought could be pierced. We were a sight. Once we signed our waiver, met our piercer, selected our "studs," and mustered our courage we had to wait for a while. Oh dear!
Lily loved playing with the tattoo example boards, we were so glad that she was unaware of the questionable artwork on several of those boards.
15 minutes went by and it was TIME. Grace went first. She did great and she looks so cute!
After seeing how brave she was I knew there was no backing out!
Once I had my nose fully sanitized from the inside out I laid back.....took two deep breaths.....and WOWZA......Nose pierced!
Not going to lie, it was a bit painful, but I LOVE it and am so happy I did it!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Crisis of Self
Bob and I had a great weekend this past couple of days. It was busy! We headed down to Charlotte on Friday to host a MILA event on Saturday. It has been on the books for a while and it was so great to see Darcie and Brent. I have discovered, though, that I am not an overly patient person and road tripping is so hard. I think it is overly challenging because Lily is not a fan either, so the entire trip is spent either listening to a crying baby or doing everything to keep her (and me) happy.
When she does finally nod off for a few minutes, Bob and I usually have some great time to catch up and converse. When we are finally given an uninterrupted hour with no TV, Computer or other distraction, it becomes a time to reconnect and talk deep. Its honest. Its transparent. Its beautiful. When given the time and the encouragement to really dig deep and talk about what is going on in my life and emotions, I actually find a lot within myself that I just haven't been able to verbalize. That is exactly what happened this past weekend and I discovered that I am going through an internal crisis. A crisis of self. Let me explain.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been about music. Actually, I take that back, my whole family has always been about music. It has kind of been a synonymous thing Bethany=music. I grew up singing in church, being encouraged to sing, even being asked to sing. I sang all the way through high school choir, leading VBS music along the way. Graduated from High school intent on being a musician, and spent 4 years seeking a college level music education. After college, I got involved with the worship team of every single church that I or Bob and I have been a part of. Music was me, I was music.
About two years ago was when this crisis had its beginnings. I auditioned to be part of a worship team fully expecting to be the singing treasure that I had always been. While I did make the team, I was told that my voice wasn't really what they were looking for and I was never asked to lead or sing a solo. I was the "ooo" and "ahh" singer. At the time I was okay with it, after all back up singers can be music ministers too, but there was a seed of self doubt planted. Well, we moved to North Carolina and after having the baby I decided that it was finally time to get back into music ministry. So again, I auditioned. This time I was told that while I had a nice voice it wasn't really a good fit and that they wouldn't be able to use me. Yes, I have dealt with rejection before, but this time it was different. This time it went far deeper than a simple "you didn't make the team." For the first time I felt my identity slipping away. Maybe I'm not music. Or said better, maybe music is just small part of the bigger self I live with. Maybe my ministry, my gifts, my heart has been hidden behind the conviction that Bethany=music. There you have it.....crisis of self.
Once I was able to put words to the emotional and personal turmoil within something amazing happened. I let go. Not of music, it will always be a part of me, but of the belief that music is the only ministry for me. Maybe now that I have let go, the Lord will truly be able to use the best parts of me to grow his kingdom. Maybe, just maybe, this crisis of self is instead a joyous beginning of living in the fullness of ALL that God has created me to be. The encourager, the prayer warrior, the confidant, the leader, the mentor, the builder, the friend, the love giver, the connector, the servant, the real, created............ME.
When she does finally nod off for a few minutes, Bob and I usually have some great time to catch up and converse. When we are finally given an uninterrupted hour with no TV, Computer or other distraction, it becomes a time to reconnect and talk deep. Its honest. Its transparent. Its beautiful. When given the time and the encouragement to really dig deep and talk about what is going on in my life and emotions, I actually find a lot within myself that I just haven't been able to verbalize. That is exactly what happened this past weekend and I discovered that I am going through an internal crisis. A crisis of self. Let me explain.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been about music. Actually, I take that back, my whole family has always been about music. It has kind of been a synonymous thing Bethany=music. I grew up singing in church, being encouraged to sing, even being asked to sing. I sang all the way through high school choir, leading VBS music along the way. Graduated from High school intent on being a musician, and spent 4 years seeking a college level music education. After college, I got involved with the worship team of every single church that I or Bob and I have been a part of. Music was me, I was music.
About two years ago was when this crisis had its beginnings. I auditioned to be part of a worship team fully expecting to be the singing treasure that I had always been. While I did make the team, I was told that my voice wasn't really what they were looking for and I was never asked to lead or sing a solo. I was the "ooo" and "ahh" singer. At the time I was okay with it, after all back up singers can be music ministers too, but there was a seed of self doubt planted. Well, we moved to North Carolina and after having the baby I decided that it was finally time to get back into music ministry. So again, I auditioned. This time I was told that while I had a nice voice it wasn't really a good fit and that they wouldn't be able to use me. Yes, I have dealt with rejection before, but this time it was different. This time it went far deeper than a simple "you didn't make the team." For the first time I felt my identity slipping away. Maybe I'm not music. Or said better, maybe music is just small part of the bigger self I live with. Maybe my ministry, my gifts, my heart has been hidden behind the conviction that Bethany=music. There you have it.....crisis of self.
Once I was able to put words to the emotional and personal turmoil within something amazing happened. I let go. Not of music, it will always be a part of me, but of the belief that music is the only ministry for me. Maybe now that I have let go, the Lord will truly be able to use the best parts of me to grow his kingdom. Maybe, just maybe, this crisis of self is instead a joyous beginning of living in the fullness of ALL that God has created me to be. The encourager, the prayer warrior, the confidant, the leader, the mentor, the builder, the friend, the love giver, the connector, the servant, the real, created............ME.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Another First....A Trip to the ER
It is inevitable as a parent that there will, without fail, be one or several trips to the ER. Of course, as a Mom, you run through every possible scenario from a broken bone, to a cut needing stitches, praying that whatever it is will be non-life threatening. You never know when that moment will come, but you know it will. It is actually a daily challenge to not live in fear of that dreaded moment. You always wonder, "Will I really know when it is time to go to the ER, will I overreact?"
Well, Bob and my ER experience came, on Lily Grace's birthday no less! Everything was okay and we got her the help she needed. Lesson learned: don't push a sippy cup too fast on a little baby, because if they don't like it, they won't drink water, get dehydrated and decide that going #2 is not fun. Oh Dear. What a hard lesson to learn especially at the expense of precious Miss Lily.
After a long long night we caught up on some sleep and then had a much needed debrief. Watching as Lily screamed and cried throughout her ordeal was probably the hardest thing we have done to date. Bob and I really discovered how hard it is to watch your baby be in pain. Just awful! Goodness, loving these precious babies sometimes really hurts!
Well, Bob and my ER experience came, on Lily Grace's birthday no less! Everything was okay and we got her the help she needed. Lesson learned: don't push a sippy cup too fast on a little baby, because if they don't like it, they won't drink water, get dehydrated and decide that going #2 is not fun. Oh Dear. What a hard lesson to learn especially at the expense of precious Miss Lily.
After a long long night we caught up on some sleep and then had a much needed debrief. Watching as Lily screamed and cried throughout her ordeal was probably the hardest thing we have done to date. Bob and I really discovered how hard it is to watch your baby be in pain. Just awful! Goodness, loving these precious babies sometimes really hurts!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
I am a ONE Year Old!
Mommy has been so busy blogging about my birthday party and birthday lately! Wow, she really does love me a lot! I wanted to get everyone up to speed on what I like to do now that I am a whole 1 years old!
1. I love to unroll the toilet paper. Oh it is so much fun. One day I got all of the paper off of the roll and since then Mommy puts it too high for me to reach. I always go into the bathroom though and check to see if it is back within my reach. It is so much fun.
2. Have you heard of credit cards? Wow, I just discovered them the other day when Daddy left his wallet on the ground. He was a little nervous when I pulled them out of his wallet, I wonder why?
3. I love to help Mom in the kitchen. I help her by taking the spoons out of the dishwasher and standing in the open refrigerator. I see Mom do these things all of the time and I want to do everything she does.
4. Bath time is still the best time of the day and I love to stand at the side of the tub as my bath helper gets water in the tub. It's just so exciting!
5. I am learning how to ride a tricycle. I can't wait until my feet reach the pedals!
6. I sleep all the way through the night. Mommy really loves this. I kind of miss her during the night and I always want to see her, but I go to sleep at 7:30 and don't wake up until 6.
7. Blankies are the best! Besides Mommy and Daddy, my two favorite things are my pacifier and my blankie!
8. I know what a kitty says, "Mow," and I know what a doggie says, "MMM, MMM." I am also learning what a cow says, "MMMM....something" I am still not sure about that one.
9. Patty-Cake, Patty-Cake, Baker's Man is so much fun to do. I am so good at Patty-Cakin."
10. Mommy says that I have a strong will. She says that she can see many tantrums in my future. I don't know what those are, but I can't wait to have one!
So excited for next year! It's gonna be fun!
1. I love to unroll the toilet paper. Oh it is so much fun. One day I got all of the paper off of the roll and since then Mommy puts it too high for me to reach. I always go into the bathroom though and check to see if it is back within my reach. It is so much fun.
2. Have you heard of credit cards? Wow, I just discovered them the other day when Daddy left his wallet on the ground. He was a little nervous when I pulled them out of his wallet, I wonder why?
3. I love to help Mom in the kitchen. I help her by taking the spoons out of the dishwasher and standing in the open refrigerator. I see Mom do these things all of the time and I want to do everything she does.
4. Bath time is still the best time of the day and I love to stand at the side of the tub as my bath helper gets water in the tub. It's just so exciting!
5. I am learning how to ride a tricycle. I can't wait until my feet reach the pedals!
6. I sleep all the way through the night. Mommy really loves this. I kind of miss her during the night and I always want to see her, but I go to sleep at 7:30 and don't wake up until 6.
7. Blankies are the best! Besides Mommy and Daddy, my two favorite things are my pacifier and my blankie!
8. I know what a kitty says, "Mow," and I know what a doggie says, "MMM, MMM." I am also learning what a cow says, "MMMM....something" I am still not sure about that one.
9. Patty-Cake, Patty-Cake, Baker's Man is so much fun to do. I am so good at Patty-Cakin."
10. Mommy says that I have a strong will. She says that she can see many tantrums in my future. I don't know what those are, but I can't wait to have one!
So excited for next year! It's gonna be fun!
Dear Lily
Happy Birthday Lily Grace! A year ago today they placed you in my arms and your Daddy and I got to meet you for the first time. I will never forget the day, I will never forget the moment. It is so amazing to think that an entire year has come and gone already! You are growing up so fast and I am in awe at the precious little girl you are becoming. The Lord has blessed your Daddy and I more than we could have thought possible with you. Everything about you reminds us of the love the Lord has for us. You know, sweetie, your middle name "Grace" is very special. You were given that name purposefully. When your Daddy and I found out that we were pregnant with you after so many years of trying, we were overwhelmed with joy. You are a priceless and precious gift, undeserved, but given freely to us. God's grace is even more amazing and we pray every day that you wil know the Lord and have a relationship with Him.
Lily, He is everything. He created you in the secret place and knows all about you. He purposed and planned you, called you by name and loves you. You know the amazing part? He loves you far deeper, wider, greater, longer and higher than Daddy and I could ever love you and we love you A LOT! The Lord is going to use you in mighty ways if you let Him. The road of life won't always be easy or seem fair. You will face tough decisions sometimes daily and Lily, you won't always make the right one. Even so, there is nothing though that you can do that would make me, Daddy or the Lord love you any less than we do. We are and always will be on your team.
Lily, the Lord has great plans for you. You are a beautiful girl with strength, passion and determination. Yes, I can already see those things in you. I know that you will be a leader for Christ and that your life and passion will effect a great many people. The Lord has given you His heart and He loves who you are. Use your gifts to fight for the weak, to stand up for injustice and to love those who some of the world would deem unlovable. Seek to be compassionate to everyone you meet no matter how different or "sinful" they may be. Don't judge or pre judge someone based on their lifestyle or actions, they are sinners in need of Your Savior just like you. Lily, the greatest way that you can love the Lord is to love others.
I wish that I could accurately put into words how much I love you, baby girl. Even as I write this I have tears in my eyes thinking about you. I never understood how special being a Mom is until I had you and every day I am in awe at the blessing you are to me. I love being your Mommy and there is nothing in the world I would rather do. Watching you grow up so fast is the most joyous and heart breaking thing. You won't be my baby girl forever and I find myself wishing that each day, hour, minute was just a few seconds longer. Then I find myself excitedly thinking of all we have to look forward to, those first steps on your own, your first day of school, the day you accept Jesus into your heart, driving, graduating........oh the list is endless. There is so much life ahead of you and I cannot wait to watch you in each moment. Happy Birthday Lily Grace!
I Love you
Mom
To my Daughter
Ah Lily Bear, I can't believe it has been a year. You have been a joy beyond my wildest hopes since we first got to meet you. Over the past year we learn more about you every day. Each time you look at me I see something special and unique in your eyes. You have a passon and compassion I can't wait to experience.
Your mother and I love each other so deeply and you are such a natural part of our family. Each day when I come home from work you are helping mom around the house or playing so well with your blocks. As soon as you see me your eyes light up and you reach out for me. Those moments are the best part of my day. There is a rhythm to our home that you complement so well.
As you can see, through all the blogs on this site, you are loved. You are cherished. You are a prize that I celebrate. You are the perfect addition to God's blessings in our lives. It has simply been a joy going through life with you this year. Even during the hard times I never wanted anything other than to be in that moment with you.
When you are old enough to read this please never forget the love we have for you. A love that comes from the Lord and flows through us as we try to do our best caring for you. Please forgive me when I fall short. I can assure you there is nothing you can do for me to Love you less. I am on your team and nothing will ever change that.
May you know comfort and compassion. May you have and experience true others centered love. May Grace be more than a title.
Happy Birthday sweetie. Daddy loves you
Your mother and I love each other so deeply and you are such a natural part of our family. Each day when I come home from work you are helping mom around the house or playing so well with your blocks. As soon as you see me your eyes light up and you reach out for me. Those moments are the best part of my day. There is a rhythm to our home that you complement so well.
As you can see, through all the blogs on this site, you are loved. You are cherished. You are a prize that I celebrate. You are the perfect addition to God's blessings in our lives. It has simply been a joy going through life with you this year. Even during the hard times I never wanted anything other than to be in that moment with you.
When you are old enough to read this please never forget the love we have for you. A love that comes from the Lord and flows through us as we try to do our best caring for you. Please forgive me when I fall short. I can assure you there is nothing you can do for me to Love you less. I am on your team and nothing will ever change that.
May you know comfort and compassion. May you have and experience true others centered love. May Grace be more than a title.
Happy Birthday sweetie. Daddy loves you
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Tricycle Time
Pictures really do say it all. Lily got a brand new tricycle from her Grandma and Grandpa Longmire for her first birthday. Although she is still a bit small and her feet can't reach the pedals, the joy is priceless! Thanks for the Tricyle G and G Longmire!
Celebrating Lily!
Today we celebrated our sweet Lily Grace and it was GRAND! I am so overwhelmed at how loved our baby girl is. The Lord has blessed us with so many friends and such dear family! I love that Lily is loved!
Feddy and Kemo came into town and we started the party planning yesterday with the cake! I had a little teddy bear cake at my first birthday party (handmade by Grandma Feddy of course!) and I thought that it would be so cute to have the same little personalized cake for Lily! I made the cake, but Grandma Feddy was the Icing artist.
It turned out just perfect! Lily snuggled with me while Feddy worked. She has become super snuggly lately!
On the big day we spent the morning warming up food, setting up chairs and balloons and vacuuming around the babies.
By 12:30 our little house was bursting at the seams with birthday blessings and guests. Lily was extra blessed because Grandpa Longmire, Aunt Darcie (who is expecting!), Uncle Brent,
Great Great Aunt Bev, Cousin Sandy,
Cousin Sherman and Cousin Stuart all came out to spend her special day with her! Not to mention Feddy, Kemo and a host of friends from all of our favorite places!
We enjoyed a wonderful lunch and then headed straight to the cake. We were a little uncertain as to whether or not Lily would dig into the cake or not touch it. All of our wonders were put to rest the day before when, as soon as I gave her a taste of the icing, she wouldn't go into the kitchen without grunting and reaching towards the frosting. She is very much my child, SWEET TOOTH galore. So we all sang her happy birthday, blew out her candle and gave her the teddy bear's ear.
She picked up the piece and ate every bit of it, even picked up all of the frosting on her tray. She finished that and then had two spoonfuls of ice cream. YUM!
She was fading fast so we started with the gifts!
Lily was lavished with diapers, wipes, clothes, toys, handmade pillows and hats, lego duplos, books and even a tricycle. As the party goers started heading back home, Lily got to snuggle with her Aunt, Uncle and Gpa Longmire while the tricycle was being constructed and all of the new fun toys were being opened!
We are so blessed and I am so humbled and grateful for everything! The party was a wonderful time and such a special way to celebrate LILY!
Feddy and Kemo came into town and we started the party planning yesterday with the cake! I had a little teddy bear cake at my first birthday party (handmade by Grandma Feddy of course!) and I thought that it would be so cute to have the same little personalized cake for Lily! I made the cake, but Grandma Feddy was the Icing artist.
It turned out just perfect! Lily snuggled with me while Feddy worked. She has become super snuggly lately!
On the big day we spent the morning warming up food, setting up chairs and balloons and vacuuming around the babies.
By 12:30 our little house was bursting at the seams with birthday blessings and guests. Lily was extra blessed because Grandpa Longmire, Aunt Darcie (who is expecting!), Uncle Brent,
Great Great Aunt Bev, Cousin Sandy,
Cousin Sherman and Cousin Stuart all came out to spend her special day with her! Not to mention Feddy, Kemo and a host of friends from all of our favorite places!
We enjoyed a wonderful lunch and then headed straight to the cake. We were a little uncertain as to whether or not Lily would dig into the cake or not touch it. All of our wonders were put to rest the day before when, as soon as I gave her a taste of the icing, she wouldn't go into the kitchen without grunting and reaching towards the frosting. She is very much my child, SWEET TOOTH galore. So we all sang her happy birthday, blew out her candle and gave her the teddy bear's ear.
She picked up the piece and ate every bit of it, even picked up all of the frosting on her tray. She finished that and then had two spoonfuls of ice cream. YUM!
She was fading fast so we started with the gifts!
Lily was lavished with diapers, wipes, clothes, toys, handmade pillows and hats, lego duplos, books and even a tricycle. As the party goers started heading back home, Lily got to snuggle with her Aunt, Uncle and Gpa Longmire while the tricycle was being constructed and all of the new fun toys were being opened!
We are so blessed and I am so humbled and grateful for everything! The party was a wonderful time and such a special way to celebrate LILY!
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