Eating me outta house and home

So he's finally decided to walk from one place to another. Granted, it's short lived, but it's something different.
I am just amazed that in a few short months he has grown from laying peacefully in my arms to completely ransacking the house, playing in the toilets and getting cracker crumbs on every inch of my rug. He's disgusting, but in a cute way :)

He's been putting away the food too. HOKEY CHICKENS! I will say this, I'm just glad we don't live in a gingerbread house. 'Cause I'd be rollin' up in the Wal-mart parking lot and heading to the camping section to buy a tent. really. he eats more than I do.

This collaboration is a collage of two events: one, a Monday at home with daddy where he begged for a cracker (rice cake) for almost an hour and finally got one (after just finishing a huge lunch) and two, yesterday where he decided to eat 3 man-sized bowls of Cheerios and drink water from my glass. that was sitting. on the coffee table. so I guess he thought it was his? Anyway, he knows how to drink from an adult glass now...sort of. I only fill it up 1/3 of the way. Overall, you will notice that the kid is eating in every picture...if not, he's crying. Probably because he's not eating.

Tyler helped out a little with the first few, love that guy.

Drama for his mama.

This face...ohmycute. Check the tear glistening on the right :(

 He decides that he is, in fact, happy and wants to share his "cra-tter" with me.

"I LOVE my Cra-tter"

"You want some, Dad?"

That's his cutie little tushie from under the coffee table.

Wow. After that, I know. Can you even handle anymore??? Ok then. You asked for it.

 Not only does the camera love him, he loves the camera ;)

*choke, cough cough

There ya have it. Don't say I never post any pictures of him anymore ;)

Walk instead of crawl

Exhausted and ready to call it a night, I left the kitchen a mess and came to see what all the commotion was about in the living room.

My cousin Adam had come over for dinner while he was in town and had just stepped out to make a call.

Crouching low on the ground the hubs was cheering and clapping so loudly I can hardly make out what he was saying. "Go Will!! Yay Buddy! Twwwoooo, thhhrreeeee, C'MON bud! Fouuurr, FIVE! AHH!"

He did it. Finally, conquered his fears, stood to his feet and took a few steps of faith. Faith in what?

His Father.

Of course the fact that Tyler was dangling the pacifier in front to lure him to himself had nothing to do with it I'm sure but never-the-less, He DID it!!!

I stood there, tears in my eyes. Every comment from all of the well-meaning friends, "You need to walk, Mister!" or "When's that boy gonna start walking?" they all went out the window. He can do it. He just did. I knew he could. When he was ready.

We've tried a few times since then and he's done 2-3 steps here and there, but only when he's in a good mood and feeling pretty adventuresome. Is he running yet. no. Barely stepping.

And that's ok.

Why do some kids walk at 6 months and others at 16 months? Because we're all different. Our minds and bodies work differently on our own time. It's absolutely amazing. What really amazes me though is the fact that Will had the ability to do this probably for a few days, maybe weeks, but didn't. He didn't act on his ability until he felt safe. Not until he knew he had someone there to catch him, just in case he didn't quite make it. 


His Father.

His father knew he was ready. His father believed the ability was there. He believed that with a little encouragement, Will would stand up on his two little feet and take steps toward him.

Just like Will, I have a Father. I have a Father who watches me stand tall sometimes and other times fall down. He knows me better than I know myself (Ps 139:1-6).

He never asks me to do something that He knows I'm not capable of. Only what He has equipped me to do. 

He is standing there with His arms open wide waiting for me to step out in faith. He's mighty to save (Zeph 3:17), ready to catch me when I stumble.

Will I trust Him?

Might there be something that God is calling me to do today that only He can do through me? Is there some step of faith that my Father wants me to take that will draw me closer to Himself? If so, Lord, show me what it is. And give me the faith to walk instead of crawl.

egg'd

As a youth pastor's wife, you get used to the litany of schemes and attacks of the teenage variety...this, however is a first.


I saw them out of the corner of my eye. The car was light blue and she jumped out in a pair of skinny jeans and a green t-shirt. Her ponytail bounced with her step. 


"Uh-Oh," I thought, mainly because I had been cleaning all day and didn't want to go to the door in my pajamas.


DING-DONG! My doorbell just rang. Do I open it, or just ignore it and hope that they walk away???


I glanced at myself in the mirror and decided honesty was the best policy. Putting my best foot forward (the one with some toenail polish left on it), I stepped toward the front door and opened it cautiously.


No one there.


But WAIT! There IS a carton of eggs setting on my doormat! I heard of Milk-men but Egg-men?


I knelt down to pick up the carton with "You've been egged!!!! :)" written on the top.

Classy.


Although, I probably will not attempt to eat them, this was probably the nicest form of egging that we'll ever have to endure. Thanks girls. You've made my day...

Only the first day of Spring Break. I wonder what other torture I'll succumb to this week.

Is this how it feels?

He was always such a strong man. My grandfather was an amazing kind of guy. He made the best pound cake in the whole world. No one came close. He also knew how to get his belt off faster than anyone else I knew. "Quit rompin' in the house! Like a bull in a china cabinet!!" Then the belt would come out, although I never saw him actually use it.

A few years ago we saw a decline in his health. He started forgetting things, looking lost, driving on the wrong side of the road (I know because I was in the car!). He became very emotional and less talkative. When we found out he had Alzheimer's Disease, we kind of already knew.

We were able to take Will to see him in January. I was so happy he got to spend some time with his great grandad. Pawpaw was overjoyed at him being there.

It's been 6 years since he was officially diagnosed and the decline has been slow and steady. One thing remains constant, the loving care of my grandmother.

She has taken such good care of my grandpa. Makes his food, feeds him, cleans his mouth. She talks to him even when he doesn't talk back. Watches him while he sleeps. Sits in lonely silence for hours when his mind is blank. And through it all, she loves him.

Can you imagine, sitting by the love of your life, your other half, your best friend, and not be able to speak whenever you wish about whatever's on your mind? Not be able to hear them say, "I love you"? Giving them a hugging and them not hugging you back? This is her life. every. day.

And it makes me think...

Is this how my Saviour feels? Is that what it's like for Him when He speaks  to me and I choose to ignore Him? When He wants to fellowship with me and I'm off in my own world...does He wait for me to respond? Does it make Him sad?

Yes. 

His Word tells us that it "greives" Him.

Psalm 95:10

Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

Lord, help me to recognize You when You speak to me. Help me to listen for Your voice. Wake me out of my slumber and drowsiness of mind, so that I may draw nigh to You sweet voice.

Thank You, for Your unconditional, unfathomable, unending love. 

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A few more images from my time with my grandpa.

     

Right as I was about to leave their house to head back to Texas, I held his hand, told him I loved him and that I would be back soon. I didn't go into details, he might not understand. Right as I was about to leave, he squeezed my hand and said, " 'kay." 

I'll never forget it...my special moment with my Pawpaw.