Strawberry Shortcake

My 2 year old can decipher the difference between the new Strawberry Shortcake movies and toys, and the old ones. She will have nothing to do with the new stuff. I'm starting to think she just like's Strawberry's red 'fro.

That was my random thought for the day.

Well.

The one I posted anyway.

Then and now

Because my 10 year anniversary was this year...

because my brother in law happens to be an amazing photographer...

and because my kids are just so stinkin' cute...

We got some new pictures taken!!!

(Which of course, calls for a blog-makeover as well.)

So we went back to the Cool Springs house of Crockett Park, the place where we got married. Its SO cool to have these new pictures of our family on the same porch where Jake and I posed moments after we were married.

THEN

NOW

THEN

NOW

THEN

NOW

We agreed the whole property felt much much smaller than it did then. But it was so sweet to be there and remember... the house, the music, asparagus ferns hanging from the white tent, my closest friends in matching sage green bridesmaids dresses dancing on the brick patio, the scent of the roses and lilies in my bouquet, my new husband smiling at me as he squeezed my hand in his...

I was brought quickly back to reality as the chubby baby on my hip squealed with joy because her siblings were running in circles around us, tickling her as they passed. Jake saying, "C'mon Babe, they're not gonna last much longer" as he held the hand of a wiggly toddler on either side.

*sigh*

Little did I know then what an amazing 10 years lay ahead.

Great is thy faithfulness Lord. We give you the glory for the great things you have done.

Thanks again to Tyler Patterson for the killer photos. To read Tyler's post about us on his photography blog and to see more pics, click here.

Favoritest

One of my favoritest things ever (and yes I'm aware that's not a word) is going outside after being in air conditioning all day, and sitting in the hot sun til I get chills from the heat. Do you know what I mean?

Or like when you are in a freezing cold restaurant and then go get in your super hot car? I LOVE that!!

This concludes my random thought for the day. Now back to my regularly scheduled blogging.

Abby update!!

Its no unusual thing for Abby to rummage through the pantry to find her snack of choice-- a slice of bread-- and then quietly sneak back to the playroom and eat it in silence hoping no sibling will go tattle on her. Because getting food with out permission is just not okay and she knows it.

So when I found Abby in the pantry today, I wasn't surprised. I pulled her hand out of the sandwich bag and gave a firm, "Abby you know better!" But when she turned around to throw her fit, her face and hand was covered with blood! It seemed to be dried, but it still scared me to death!

This wouldn't be the first time I've found a child like this. One time when Ashley was around 3, she locked herself in my bathroom and when I found her, she was screaming and covered in fresh blood and lots of it. She had found my razor on the side of the tub and tried to brush her teeth with it. Thankfully she has no scars from it and hopefully has no memories from it either.

Anyway.

Abby didn't seem to be in any sort of pain aside from the distress of being caught with her hand in the cookie jar... er, bread bag.

I started washing her face and that's when I realized- she lost her first tooth!!!

To be honest, I didn't even know it was loose! Micah's had a loose tooth for a looooong time that still hasn't come out. And Abby's only 5, that seems kinda early! I guess there's a possibility it got knocked out, but she didn't seem to be hurting at all. And very happy to take pictures of her new smile.

After some searching, I found the tooth on the playroom floor. Not really sure what the tooth fairy brings to little girls who could care less about money. Maybe Abby will get a dollar-bin trinket tonight. :)

Nine years ago

Nine years ago right now...

I was waking up in a hospital bed.

A nurse was coming in to check on me and the beautiful newborn baby girl in the hospital bassinet next to me. A mom for nearly 12 hours, I was in awe of the tiny breathing miracle that God had brought into my life.

Ashley Elizabeth Spencer was born at 10:03pm on August 12th, after 21 hours of labor plus one hour of pushing. Being the first grandchild on both sides, she not only made Jake and I parents that night but several more people grandparents, aunts and uncles for the very first time.

This morning I walked her into her third grade classroom with a bag of colorful plates, napkins and juice boxes for her birthday celebration at recess. I kissed her head and she gave me joyful, "Bye Mommy!" as she shoved her backpack into its cubby. I love that she still calls me mommy.

Over the weekend we celebrated by going to the county fair. Jake, Ashley, Emily, a couple of their friends and I all rode rides, drank overly sweet lemonade, and left with 4 goldfish. :)

Ashley and I at the top of the "Spider" ride.

I love you sweet Ashley Elizabeth. And I'm so proud of the beautiful, kindhearted, generous, Jesus lovin' girl that you are. Happy Birthday baby girl.

Reflections from the Dominican

Since we got home a few days ago, I'm having a hard time trying to find the words to describe our trip. Things like "wonderful", "awesome" or "amazing" don't really seem to suffice.

Though my girls did wonderfully,

I'm in awe of the great things that God has done and is doing,

The trash dump village.

and I'm further convinced that my mother and father in law are, in fact, amazing people.

The Josiah's House "Dedication Celebration"

But much of the trip wasn't what I expected.

I thought I was going to be okay leaving my babies. I wasn't. I cried on the flight there, praying against feelings of guilt and depression. I wondered if I'd made a bad choice, leaving the four of them. I realize that sounds a little dramatic to some, but... its true. The only way for me to see past it was to try to put it all out of my mind, which only made me feel more guilty. But truly, God gave me peace knowing it was out of my control and in His hands.

I thought that Ashley and Emily would have a life changing experience. Shocked and appalled by all that they would see, surely they'd come home more thankful for all that they have. Instead, they viewed it all with a childlike unawareness. It didn't matter that these kids had a fraction of what they had at home. They served, loved, and played with the kids, the same as their friends at home. For Ashley and Emily, things like wealth, skin color and language were irrelevant. It wasn't something new, it was just something different. And it didn't matter. So instead I was the one who's eyes were opened.

Carlos, "Gracie" and Emily

The girls playing one of many many MANY hands of Uno with the boys at Josiah's House.

Making sandwiches to pass out at the village at the trash dump.

Sorting clothes to pass out.

Because the girls and I came down with the youth group but weren't really a part of that group, I wasn't sure where exactly we'd be staying or what our days would look like. I was just prepared to be flexible and go along with whatever. We stayed at Josiah's House with Jake's parents and the boys for a few nights and the last half at the hotel with the kids. And the hotel was nice. Really nice actually. When we got there, it was really hard for me to process. I felt guilty, once again, that I wasn't staying somewhere... I don't know, poorer. It had a beautiful, tropical garden in the lobby. I slept in a huge suite with a fridge, microwave, king size bed and 2 TVs. There was a big beautifully landscaped pool and cabana. And there were 3 all-you-can eat buffets a day. I went to serve and bless and instead I was served and blessed. I should have been thankful. Instead I was frustrated. I thought I was being selfless. I wanted to "rough it". Turns out I was being selfish but in a totally unexpected way.

The pool at our hotel. That's Ashley rockin the goggles. :)

I'm so glad that the Lord loves selfish, confused, sinners like me.

I have to say, my favorite part of the trip was the time spent at Josiah's House. I loved getting to spend precious time catching up with my mother-in-law and seeing the way they live life now. Talk about sacrifice and selflessness. Those boys have all kinds of traumatic backgrounds and its manifesting in all kinds of different ways. But God is doing a mighty redemptive work in their lives and I have no doubt that they will grow up to be strong, Spirit filled men of God.

This quilt was made by the the K-3rd grade kids at church (each made a different square) for the boys at Josiah's House.

Singing their songs for the dedication.

It was a great trip and really good for me. I'm thankful to have spent the time with my in-laws, to get to know each of the boys and their different personalities, to see my awesome husband in action, to serve those whom I got to serve, to give my daughters that experience, and to learn what it truly means to be selfless. It doesn't mean having nothing, it means you quit worrying about yourself and focus on others. Period.

Mom and I enjoying the breeze. :)

Lovin' on the orphans at "Jackie's House"

As a season splinter removal professional, I pulled 8 sea urchen spines out of the foot of one of our youth girls. 

La Familia. :)

I'm also thankful to those who took amazing care of my babies. :) They were loved and well taken care of. And it felt so good to all be back together again.

This was taken by our babysitter once all four littles were reunited at the house the day we came home.

Its hard to say when we'll get back down to the Dominican Republic. I hope its not too long. And I hope the things I learned there will change me forever.