2 little monkeys

I finally downloaded some videos from our flip that have been sitting there for months. This is from January. These are my two little monkeys jumping in the bed :)

ABC's

I thought about posting this tomorrow, but Yaya and Pawpaw were so happy with Jesus loves me that they wanted to see the ABC's too. And as a FYI, the sound system wasn't on, That's just Eden rocken' out. I see a singer in our future :)

Jesus loves me :)

I took Eden and Josiah next door to run off some energy this afternoon. Eden found the microphone and wanted to sing. If this doesn't make you say awwwww, I don't know what will :)

Eden's heart update

Eden did so well at her doctor's apt this morning. She has a doctor's kit that she loves to play with. She wanted to take it with us this morning to show the doctor. She let the nurses take all of her stats and do an EKG without complaint. The nurse even said she was the best two year old she has ever worked with.

When Dr. Fairbrother came in the room Eden beamed! She was so proud to show him her doctor tools. And Dr. Fairbrother played along! He was so sweet and played with her for a few minutes and did an exam all the while using his tools and Eden's tools. She was smitten by time she left and wanted to hug and kiss him goodbye. I love having a doctor that treats my child like he would one of his own. Taking the time to be loving and tender. That is such a blessing.

As far as check ups go, we did find out that Eden has a heart mummer. We have never been told this before, so I was a little alarmed. Dr. Fairbrother explained everything to me and this is just part of Eden's little heart. Not unusual for a child in her situation and age. Eden's heart beats differently to begin with. If any of you with medical knowledge want to hear an interesting heartbeat, you should listen to Eden's.

We also discussed a surgery time line. We have decided to delay it until Eden is between 4 and 5. Part of me wants to go ahead and just get it over with. Hoping it will be less traumatic on her at 2 than 4 or 5. However, the reality of the situation is she needs time for her heart to continue to grow. This year and a half will allow her heart to grow in size. Which will help to make it more easily operable. And there is still a small, though very unlikely, chance she could outgrow this.

The problem is we don't know how often Eden is Tachycardic, and to what level. The episodes we have caught her heart rates have been in the 270 range and she has been sleeping or resting. Imagine running a marathon and having your heart beat so fast it feels like it might explode out of your chest, then go to sleep. That's what Eden does b/c she doesn't know any differently.

We pray that the medication is doing it's job, and that she can continue to use it without side effects. The doctor increased her level today, but that's just to maintain it's effectiveness as she grows. We also hope that Eden will become aware and verbal enough to tell when her heart is racing. With a little age and training we hope to have a more accurate idea of how often this occurs.

This is one of those times when I have to trust the Lord with the most valuable thing I have, my child. I am so thankful that God has given Eden to us and that he has given her this heart condition. We are much more aware how how special each moment is in light of this. We know this situation could be much, much worse. Seeing the other children in the waiting room makes me thankful that Eden is able to run and play and be normal 2 year old. What a tremendous blessing!

So I choose to rest in the Lord, Knowing He cares for Eden much more than I do. Knowing He created her heart, with a plan and purpose in mind. It is not easy. As the days draw near to her having surgery, I'm sure my faith will be weak and I will be fearful. But for today and the next few months to come, I choose to enjoy my child and not allow the fear to destroy joy.

Moments of motherhood

This has been a tough week for me emotionally. I weaned Josiah. My goal was to wait until he was a year old. He turned one Feb 2nd. So it's been a slow process. I finally ended this past week. It seems instantly he grew up in my mind. In reality, he's been on the big boy track for months.

Maybe it's because of his size, or maybe because he's reached milestones a little faster than Eden, but Josiah hasn't been my little baby for many month. Nursing him was my last hold to the special time we had with one another. It was sweet times of rocking and singing and telling him how much I loved him. Nursing was a special time when things could be quite and still for a few moments. Dirty dishes and dusty surfaces waited. I was able to stop the chaos of my day and just be still with my baby for a few minutes. The middle of the night feeding went much longer than I would have hoped, but I enjoyed the quite time. It was a fruitful time of prayer for me. I was purposeful about enjoying it because I knew a day like today would come, and it would soon end.

And yes, I know there is plenty more time and different ways I can show Josiah my love. I am looking forward to it. But, my baby time with Josiah is gone. He's growing up. This awesome rough and tumble boy has emerged. And I'm glad. He brings me so much joy, and such worry. He is way more daring and fearless than Eden. He loves all things boy. Cars, climbing and getting dirty are part of his daily adventures. I've never had to teach him these things, it's just ingrained in who he is. He is a special gift from God.

There is also a freedom that is involved for me. I have either been nursing or pregnant non stop for the past 43 months! That's almost 4 years worth. I think that plays more into my emotions than I realize. It's a season of my life that is now over. There is no one immediately dependant on my body for their well being. I went to take some medicine last night and thought about if I should take it or not. Then realized that It wouldn't be an issue because it wouldn't effect anyone but me. That was the first time in years that I could make that kind of decision. I had a mixed response of feeling free and sad. I'm smiling at the future. But at the same time being sad that this season has passed. It seems like just yesterday we brought him home.

This is just part of motherhood. The beginning of letting go; Allow my children to grow. This should be much harder than dealing with Eden's first broken heart or Josiah going off to college. Or maybe it's all hard! Maybe it's never supposed to be easy. That's why it's called Motherhood!

Sleepy boy

While Eden was learning to cut, Josiah was letting me know he was tired and ready to go night night. This is his blue silky. He LOVES this blanket! He reminds me of Linus from Charlie Brown's cartoon. He loves to take it with him wherever he goes. When he slows down and wants to rest, it seems he always has it in hand. So cute!

How do you keep two toddlers still for pictures?

You blow bubbles!

I snapped these right before church Sunday. The kids were so cute in their Easter outfits, but they were sleepy. I got them up for Sunrise service. They did wonderful, and seemed to enjoy it. They slept during the Sunday School hour and I woke them back up for church.

Coupon Princess is at it again

I fully admit to being lazy about couponing lately. With two little ones it just seems that time escapes me some days and my couponing fall behind. Plus having to drive to Greenville to double doesn't happen often for our family. I do well locally, but not like this.

Harris Teeter offers triple coupon sales about every three months or so. Thankfully Larry went to help me. I have to teach him some of the ropes still, but he did an awesome job. Our total was $143.45, we had $94.48 worth of coupons and Vic savings so our oop (out of pocket) was $48.97 :)

I'm going to teach another class at Reddicks Grove on May 15th from 9:00-12:00 for anyone who would like to learn. Just give me a call or send me an e-mail and next time around you could triple too :)

Potty time

Over the past few weeks I've been working with Eden to potty train her. Some days we seem to do really well. Others are full of accidents and battle of wills. Some days it's my laziness b/c it's just easier to have her wear a diaper. I know I know, bad Mom! But I figure she'll be potty trained before she goes to college, so I'm not going to sweat the small stuff.

One of Eden's best encourager is my niece Brielle. While visiting them Eden and Brielle would go potty together. Eden thought she was such a big girl just like Breille. Nothing like good peer pressure to help :)

One of the other big helps was the crafts we did while visiting. Shay and Brielle have scissors. Eden wanted a pair too. So I made it a goal for her potty chart. When she earned enough stickers she earned the scissors. Plus she gets two M&M each time she goes. she has an immediate reward and a long term goal. It only took her a few days to fill up her chart. She was so proud of herself! And I'm proud of her too.

We still have some work to do and we're not ready to go out in public yet in big girl panties, but like I said, we'll have this figured out by time she gets to college, so no pressure!

The funny thing is Josiah is watching and learning. He already seems interested. I have teased Larry that I'll train our girls and he can train the boys. My guess is he'll be easier to train b/c of Eden. Any ideas

Full potty chart!
Reward in hand

I love the concentration on her face as she learns to cut.

Good Friday and Easter Sunday

Larry and I went to a Tenebrae service, a Good Friday service, at a local Methodist church. The purpose of the service is to remember the death of Christ. During the service the lights are slowly lowered as the story of Christ's death is recounted. At the end of the crucifixion you are left in total darkness. Symbolizing the darkness of world at the death of Christ. I was reminded of the darkness of my own sin. The darkness in my heart that Christ took upon himself in my place. That great transaction when my sins were paid by an innocent Savior. I marvel at the depth of the Mercy and Grace God has bestowed to me through Jesus Christ!

Then we return on Sunday, Easter morning, in the full light of the Resurrection of Christ! This morning we gathered for a Sunrise service. We could not have asked for a more beautiful morning! We were blessed with wonderful weather, blossoming tress and flowers, birds singing and brothers and sisters in Christ rejoicing in the Resurrection of our Lord and RISEN Savior. The symbolism of death and new life surrounding us was displayed so well with the gravestones and spring blossoming. We were reminded that one day the dead will rise. Sickness and sin will no longer hold us back from worshipping the Lord in His fullness. It was an amazing day of worship!


In reflecting back over the Tenebrae service, I always find it interesting how other brothers and sisters in Christ celebrate and practice worship. I really enjoyed looking through the Methodist Hymnal while we waited for the service to start. It was full of great Theological teachings and services, responsive readings and Creeds. I found this teaching from John Wesley on the front page of their Hymnal and thought it so interesting. These are the words of John Wesley written in 1761:

I. Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please.

II. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.

III. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a single degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.

IV. Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, then when you sung the songs of Satan.

V. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.

VI. Sing in time. Whatever time is sung be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend close to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can; and take care not to sing to slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.

VII. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.

These words of wisdom can be appreciated as much today as they could have been in 1761.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter :)