A Little Addition . . .

 . . . . that I hope serves as big encouragement.  Kenny and Jana Cook, some friends from Alabama that we actually got to know during our time in Kentucky, have a wonderful blog that is telling the beautiful story that God has written for their lives.  I encourage you to take a peek into their window!  (You can by clicking on their names above.)  Anyway, on the sidebar of their blog they have a "verse of the day", which I wanted to incorporate on our blog as well.  I didn't want to do this without giving them props and to say "thank you" for the idea - I have been encouraged by the Scripture I have read the times I have visited their site.  May our hearts be encouraged by these wonderful Words of Life!  

From Baby to Big Boy

As I sit typing now, John David is lying fast asleep in his BIG BOY bed.  We made the transition from his crib to his big bed a little over a week ago in preparation for the coming of his little sister.  I have been amazed at how easily John David has transitioned and how well he has adapted to not only a new bed, but to an entirely different room.  He now excitedly refers to the nursery as "Claire's room" and is seeming to enjoy his "new room."  

However, I think that John David has made the transition much better than I have.  Taking his name off of the wall in the nursery was something that I had to work up to.  After several failed attempts that only caused me to leave his former room with tears in my eyes, I finally did remove the canvas my dear cousin painted for him that beautifully spelled out his name, as well as the meaning of it.  Removing a canvas from the wall sounds like a simple task, but what completing the task meant held a lot of weight for this emotional mother.  It meant that the nursery was no longer his room, nor did he need it to be.  He has turned into such a big boy, who no longer needs a crib, or a rocking chair (although I hope rocking will always find its place somewhere in our daily routine); I guess his continued need for the changing table helps me a little.  (Our pediatrician highly recommended waiting until AFTER the baby comes to start that process, in case he were to regress with all of the transition of a new sibling.  We'll keep you posted on that!)  Also, taking down the framed pictures of John David when he was first born, his tiny feet, and his sweet, swaddled newborn frame, was quite difficult.  So many precious memories and images rushed through my heart and mind.  But I knew that I didn't want John David to be confused about his room swap . . . with his name and pictures on the wall, I thought it may be a little puzzling to him.  That - and only that - is what finally convinced me to remove these objects at this point and time - objects that I didn't realize were so tightly tied to such sensitive heart strings.  

In the process of all of these emotions, I wanted to write a little something for my son.

It seems like only yesterday you were so very small . . . 

my newborn little boy; how I imagined all 

that life with you would hold - 

the joys and tears the same. 

No way could I have imagined 

all that truly came.

The first two years of your little life, 

only God knew what would be;

but His love and grace have covered you, 

proving an answered prayer for me.

Our Sovereign God knows what will be and foreknew that which has been,

and all we know is as long as you live, you shall be lent to Him.

Now as you have moved from your crib into your big boy bed, 

I pray that as you sleep each night, thoughts of Christ will fill your head.

And may He draw your heart to Himself and pursue you even now.

This is my prayer for you, my son, and on my knees I bow

and thank God for all that He is making you to be. 

I count it a privilege, it's my joy and smile, 

to enter year number three

of your life - John David, junior -  

Oh, I want you to know

how proud I am of you as I watch you learn and grow.

Each time I hear you call my name and share what's on your mind, 

my heart melts inside of me - oh, how the Lord is kind

to give me the role of being your mom, to love and nurture you, 

to share in your journey on this earth, until our lives are through. 

John David, you will be a big brother soon, an excellent one, I'm sure.

I know your sister will be proud of you, as you will be of her. 

And although, Lord willing, she will come to us in just a little while, 

know that you'll always be my eldest son, my precious first-born child. 

I love you, John David!

  

Missing Daddy Already

David and our youth leave for Mission Fuge camp in the wee hours of the morning . . . 3 a.m. to be exact! (And that's after their 1 a.m. meeting at IHOP for pancakes!)  They will be heading to South Carolina to be a part of the camp where they will be participating in different mission projects throughout the week.  

Please pray for David and the students, that the Lord will grant them safety traveling, as well as throughout the week, and that they will be the hands and feet of Christ to this South Carolina community.  May they experience the joy of serving others, and may those whom they are serving see the joy of Christ permeating through them.  Please pray that their serving will open doors for the Gospel to be shared and received.  

And please pray for John David and me, as we will be remaining behind.  A week without Daddy is a sad week for all.  I dread times when I have to be away from David, and for John David, there's nothing like "Daddy time."     

Let's face it . . . Daddy is a TON more fun than Mommy! 

Fourth of July Fun

Fun with family, food and a festive dessert

Fun with cousin Ella

Fun with sparklers 

(not as dangerous as it looks!)

Fun watching the fireworks 

(preferably from the kitchen window :)

What's in a Name?

We decided to name our little girl Claire Elizabeth.  We wanted a name that was not overly used, not too trendy, had family ties, and had a good meaning.  After much discussion - primarily my initiative ;) - and much contemplation, we were thankful to decide on a name.  Honestly, after seeing her ultrasound picture, she looked more like a "Claire" than any other name we were thinking.  I know you can't tell a lot from those pictures, but we could see enough.  Once we get our printer/scanner hooked up, I hope to post a picture of her.  

We've liked Claire for a while, which means "bright & radiant; clear".  

"Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame" (Psalm 34:5).  

Our prayer is that she will look to Christ and clearly see Him in all of His beauty, that she will radiate Him all of her days.   May she shine brightly for His glory during her pilgrimage on earth.  I'm sure she will bring much brightness to our life, as well!  Also, Elizabeth means "My God is a vow"; in other words, God is a trustworthy, faithful, covenant God.  Amen!  May Claire taste and see the goodness of God and find her refuge in Him (Psalm 34:8).  Verses 9 & 10 of Psalm 34, go on to say:

"O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.  The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing."  I think I will just pray all of Psalm 34 over our little girl's life! 

After deciding on Claire, David's mom informed us that it was her mother's middle name. Elizabeth is my middle name, as well as both of my grandmothers'.

We are excited to meet little Claire, Lord willing, around September 24th.  I changed the ticker on our sidebar that counts down the days until Claire's arrival; the former one said that I had 132 days to go, and I knew that being a little over 2 months away, that couldn't be right.  This new counter says 80 days, which is more like it!  However, there is much to be done in not as much time as I thought!

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And just a little insight into my complicated way of thinking.  (Sometimes, when I try to articulate the way I think to my sweet husband . . . well . . . once he replied, “If I thought like you do, I think my head would explode!!” J)  

When thinking about a name, I try to imagine the name on a birth announcement; how does it flow when written on a Christmas card along with the names of our other family members?; will it need correcting on the first day of school when the teacher calls roll?; I imagine them as a teenager, introducing themselves to new friends; I try to picture their name on a wedding invitation; how does it sound with Mr./Miss in front of it?

Although, "John David" has already been a bit complicated at times; for example, filling out a form with FIRST and MIDDLE NAME blanks. It helps with they have that third, PREFERRED NAME spot where I can make it known that he goes by both names.  Despite that, I am still glad that we made him a "junior" and gave him David's name.   And then there are some people, especially those who are NOT from the south, who seem to insist on calling him either “John” or “David”.  Oh well, you simply name your child whatever you like!  

Beach Retreat '09

John David and I accompanied David and our youth group on this year's beach retreat to Laguna Beach in Panama City, FL.  I was privileged to serve as a small group leader during the week and greatly enjoyed my time with our students, as well as time with those from other churches.  (We went with three other church groups from Tuscaloosa.) Of course, taking John David along, it wasn't like I had a lot of "hang-out time", but it was good getting to be around our youth (as well as our adult chaperones and college leaders) for a concentrated week.  I was so proud of John David and how well he did on the trip. He loves the beach, but the pool was definitely his favorite.  He and David went swimming each day during the hour or so that I met with my small group.  Here are a few pictures from their fun together.      

Our good friend, Shane Parker, was the pastor for the week.  He did a fabulous job . . . from what I was able to hear.  John David and I usually had to leave the services each night before before the preaching began - bed time!  But David and others said Shane was great and the Lord was magnified!

David and the 3 other T-town youth pastors: Jon, Colby & Troy.

They were about to serve as the judges for the competition 

Laguna Beach Idol

Each small group had to come up with a skit, rap, dance, etc. and

performed it on the last night.  I missed this but heard it was hilarious!

Group photo on the last day, everyone is in their retreat t-shirt

(LOST was the theme, inspired by the TV series)

And John David . . . 

enjoying his Bruce the Shark sunglasses!

What a fun week at the beach!

Vacation Bible School

This was the first summer that John David officially participated in Vacation Bible School.  To say the least, he LOVED it!  His favorite part was going to "big church" for the opening celebration each morning.  The two-year-old class did not attend this part of the day, but I knew that John David would enjoy it.  (You know how he loves music and microphones, etc.) I took him to the sanctuary each morning before taking him to join his classmates.  He still had his preschool program at the University on Monday and Wednesday mornings, but we were able to be at the opening part of VBS before heading to school.  He spent Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings in his VBS class (and I stayed to help out) and thoroughly enjoyed his new teachers and friends!        

Tuesday morning...so excited to get to go back to Bible School!

(and holding a hymnal...one of his favorite books :)

The back of this year's VBS t-shirt...

The Boomerang Express was the theme; 

"It all comes back to Jesus"

John David enjoying the opening celebration, 

microphone in hand, of course!

All week long "Kangaroo" was a part of Bible School, and 

John David could not wait to see him each morning.

When we were putting him to sleep one night that week, he asked if he could see the kangaroo.  I told him that the kangaroo had to go to sleep and so did he, and that he 

could see him in the morning. 

The next morning when John David woke up, he said 

"I'm awake!" followed by "Kangaroo's awake!"  

Although at one point in his life John David was leery of toddlers, 

surprisingly he has always loved such things as this big animal.

Characters like him have never been on his 

 list of dislikes . . . 

John David and his new friend, 

waiting patiently for water games 

Nothing like a refreshing popsicle on a hot Alabama day

Snack time!

No doubt John David enjoyed having treats 

that he usually doesn't get at home :) 

On stage with microphone in hand; 

contrary to what one might believe, this is one of my 

"prone to be shy and quiet" child's favorite places to be!

 

Saying "good-bye" to Kangaroo at the end of the week.

Sunday night at Circlewood Baptist Church; 

the kids all wore their orange VBS shirts and 

performed the songs they had learned during the past week.

This was John David's first real public performance on stage.

He did great - we were very proud of him!  

A special thanks to Mrs. Virginia Thomas, as well as the other teachers in John David's class, that made it such a fun week for him!  Oh, and as far as the kangaroo goes . . . we were getting ready to go to church this morning, and John David asked if we would see the kangaroo. (Surprisingly, he hasn't talked of him much since VBS has been over.)  I told him that he was from Australia and had to go back home.  Maybe LifeWay can work a kangaroo into next year's theme . . . John David may not think it right otherwise. :)