Sweetness

Our lives are so sweet.

 

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The History of Our Valentine's Days

Valentine's Day 2001 was the first holiday Christian and I shared as a dating couple. Although we had dated for several months, I was still living in Clemson until I moved to Atlanta that January for work. Let it be said that I was completely smitten. I am not sure that I believe in love at first sight but from the moment I met Christian, I was determined he was going to be mine (you'll have to ask him for his version of the story). Head over heels does not even begin to describe how I felt about this cute, smart, shy guy.

For our first Valentine's Day Christian made dinner reservations at the Horseradish Grill. Before we left on our date he presented me with a card that contained Matchbox Twenty concert tickets and a gerber daisy plant. To understand how I feel about gerber daisies, see the photo below. Christian rocked that first Valentine's Day. I was blown away. Not only is this the guy of my dreams but he gives awesome presents too. Score!

So you can understand my surprise when Valentine's Day 2002 rolled around and Christian mentioned about a week prior that he really didn't celebrate Valentine's Day. Since I have always been very mature and rational when my feelings are hurt, I sulked. That year Valentine's Day fell on a Friday. The day after Christian's anti-Valentine's Day proclamation, I informed him that since he didn't believe in Valentine's Day I would be spending the weekend in South Carolina. I don't think that is what he had in mind but I can be a bit stubborn and I indeed went home for the weekend.

Since our second Valentine's Day we have called a truce and now Christian always finds a special way to show his love.

I was especially impressed last year. I was three weeks postpartum, exhausted and overwhelmed. I had no card for Christian and I am not even sure I had showered or washed my hair in days. Christian and Jack ran an errand to Costco for diapers and pre-made dinners. When they returned Jack walked in with a dozen roses and Christian with chocolates. He had a sweet card for me and cooked my favorite nursing mama meal of spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. I am still so in love with my cute, smart, shy guy.

This year I will celebrate with these guys and I all three have me completely smitten.

Happy Valentine's Day! Remember to tell your special someones that you love them.

Kindness

At the beginning of the year I spent time thinking about how to live my life with more intention. After four years of pregnancy, newborn and nursing, pregnancy, newborn and nursing; I am finally sleeping and have time to focus energy on other things. I asked myself what characteristics I want to portray as I walk through each day. Strength, gratitude, generosity, kindness. Those were the words I decided upon. The friends and family I admire most, whether I watch them from a distance or know them intimately, exemplify these qualities regularly.

Motherhood has heightened my desire to live a better life. One thing I know for sure is that children see everything and I want to set a quality example. My priority for my children, above intelligence, success (whatever that means), and achievement; is for them to be kind and generous. Above all things kindness is the quality that demonstrates good character. However, as I look at my list and think about my positive examples; kindness is the one area that I need the most improvement. 

This year when I read Jen Hatmaker's book, "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" I learned that if you live in a household that earns $50,000 per year or more you are in the top one percent of the world. I do not want to raise entitled people; I want to raise people that know that a home, pantry full of food, warm beds at night and readily available education are blessings. If I am honest I have no idea how to do this other than living an example of kindness and generosity.

I am not an intentionally mean person. I don't kick kittens or even spank my children. I do have times when I could demonstrate more kindness in word and deed. I believe focusing on kindness will benefit my family and make me happier. 

Writing this down and sharing it with the world makes me scared. But I want to share it because I know other people struggle with kindness too. I am not sure how much of this journey I will share but I have specific areas in my life that I want to focus on: faith, health, random acts of kindness, organizing my home. I believe that a kind heart and a generous spirit will aid as I focus on living intentionally. Jack and Grace deserve a humble, kind, generous mother. 

A quick story. My neighbor Pam is super generous. Last week Christian had a business trip and I just mentioned this to Pam over the fence as we were toting our babies in from our various outings. Later that day Pam called to tell me she was bringing over a spaghetti pie from her freezer. What an unexpected act of kindness. And the best part is I know Pam doesn't expect anything in return. That is what I aspire to be - generous without an expectation of reciprocation. 

I gave the blog a facelift. I wanted to freshen it up. I want to share more positive stories. I want to talk about my family, cute kids, and fun adventures but I also hope that my focus on kindness will come through in topics of faith, food, friendship, motherhood and home. If you notice a change I hope you find it uplifting.  

Happy Birthday Grace

Our sweet Grace is now one. 2011 was a very interesting year. If I had to describe it in one word it would be exhausting. With all of the challenges 2011 presented it also gave us one of life's biggest blessings, a daughter. Our second child. Sweet Grace.

Grace was named perfectly. We didn't know it at the time of course, but this year Grace lived her name. She definitely taught us about the true meaning of grace as she demonstrated toughness and resilience.

As much as I hate hip dysplasia, surgeries, spica casts, braces and doctor's appointments; I know that by walking through this health challenge with Grace I got to experience her character and personality at a much earlier stage than I otherwise would have. Grace is tough. She is not deterred by physical trials. In this short year Grace has taught me so much about motherhood and strength. I am so thankful for her and feel privileged to be her mom.

Grace is a special child. She is peaceful and sweet but also has a lot of fight. Grace never fusses much. Even with the braces and the casts she never cried about it unless she was hot or in pain. However, in December after she was released from wearing the brace during the day, the first night I put the brace on her for sleep she threw a huge fit. If you know Grace you know this is odd behavior for her. I wandered if it was hurting her somehow but could find no signs of discomfort. After a few nights of throwing a fit I realized that she wanted me to know that she did not want to be in the brace. That was Grace showing her fight.

Grace has come a long way in just two months of freedom. She is crawling, pulling herself up, climbing stairs and powering her way up the couch cushions to play jungle gym with Jack. I am so proud of her determination. Today we were at story time at the library with other babies that were walking and Grace spent the entire time trying to stand up in the middle of the floor. She didn't manage to get herself up independently but I would bet that she will figure it out soon.

Grace changed me. I am a different mother and woman because of her. My circle is smaller but my heart is bigger. She inspires me to want more from myself. She has raised my personal conduct standard. She has shown me that determination pays off. She has taught me that you do not have to whine just because life feels hard.

Christian's grandmother passed away last week and the funeral service was very inspiring. One particular line that made me think about our year with Grace was when the priest said that we are not promised life without challenges and that those challenges are really just life at its most honest. Well, our lives have been really honest this year. We are not promised health, good fortune or happy endings. But I did receive life's grace this year in a very real way.

I love my sweet girl. She is one of the three loves of my life. My heart is so full and I do not deserve the beauty Grace, Jack and Christian bring to my life. They teach me so much and give my life such purpose.

Grace is a gift to our family and I am excited to watch her grow. She is going to have a fun year. Happy first year Gracie! You are an amazing little girl and wonderful person. We love you!

Jack is Three

Last week my sweet baby boy turned three. I have often heard that three is a hard age for parents; "it isn't the terrible twos, it is the terrible threes". Well, I have to disagree. I love Jack at three! He is funny, cute, lovable and sweet. He says precious things like, "Mommy's pretty" and "I love Gracie." He laughs at toots and boogers. He is rambunctious and full of energy.

A few months ago Jack found not one but two imaginary friends. The first one to arrive was DooDoo. Yep, I said DooDoo. I believe this name developed because Jack must have heard the word doodoo somewhere and kept bringing it up in conversation. I would simply say, "What is doodoo?" This went on for a few weeks when all of a sudden Jack began talking about his friend DooDoo. DooDoo comes over to play and Jack has me open the front door to let him in. Interestingly, DooDoo has a little sister too.

Jack's second imaginary friend is Scratchy Monster. He got this one off of a cartoon where the main character had a scratchy monster under his bed. One night Jack magically had Scratchy Monster under his bed too. Now each night Christian has to take Scratchy Monster out of Jack's room and throw him in the garbage. We love to pretend with Jack and even invited Scratchy Monster to breakfast one morning.

Scratchy Monster was in the booster seat

I totally stole this from a friend's blog. Here are a few questions I asked Jack last night in order to record what his little brain is thinking at age three.

Me: What is your favorite color?

Jack: green

Me: What is your favorite food?

Jack: mac-n-cheese

Me: What is your favorite toy?

Jack: fire engine

Me: Who is your best friend?

Jack: I like Isaac but I really like Luna

Me: What is your favorite thing to do?

Jack: I like gymnastics

Me: What do you want to do when you grow up?

Jack: Work with big guys.

Me: Yes, but what do you want to be when you grow up?

Jack: Daddy

Me: What are you most thankful for?

Jack: Daddy

This little question and answer session was a lot fun. I plan to do this every year (until he is old enough to think I am super lame and refuse to participate), and can't wait to compare his answers to previous years.

Jack and Christian making candy cane cookies

Jack is a has a gentle nature and often takes a few minutes to warm up in a new situation. He loves trucks, trains, tractors and cars. Fire engines and rescue ambulances are his current favorites. He is a kind child but also has a stubborn streak and knows how to be sassy (I don't know where that could have come from).

Jack fills our home with giggles and joy and love. We are so excited to watch him grow and learn and be during this year of three.