Forever young...but still growing up with each new day

Post Created On: 8/30/10

I just celebrated my thirty-third birthday and it was quite memorable. Mark and I had a truly enjoyable evening out where we had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants out on Lake Hefner - gorgeous views! Mark gave me a really touching birthday card and a beautiful silver bracelet from James Avery. He also ordered a custom engraved heart crosslet charm for the bracelet that has the kids' birth dates on the back. Ian and Gram (what the kids call my mom) made a birthday card for me and Ian wrote his own name (for the first time) on a card Mark got for me, from Ian. Ian did an awesome job - he clearly wrote each letter and did it really well. Ian got me a new necklace that he calls my "jewels" for my birthday. Gram helped pick it out and Ian was so excited to present it to me. He knows I often wear my diamond (or "star" as Ian calls it) necklace that Mark gave me for our wedding and how much it means to me. So Ian was so excited to give me a necklace, too. He has the sweetest heart!

On my actual birthday, my mom and the kids and I went to the Science Museum for the day and had a blast. We ventured into the planetarium show for the first time and it was a huge hit with Ian. He impressed us by knowing many of the answers to questions posed during the show. Anna decided the dark room was a good place to catch a nap on my lap so I enjoyed the snuggle time.

The kids and I rode the two-story twisty slide in the tree house play area - keeping hold of those babies on the way down was quite a challenge. Anna liked it so much she tried to climb back up the slide to try it again. Ian enjoyed the new robotic arm exhibit, climbing in the airplane cockpit (one of his usual stops), playing in the kidzone area - including the John Deere life-size farm tractor, the child size fire station, and the squirt gun and bubble wand station. We enjoyed a packed lunch in the cafe and some energetic tumbling time in the gymnastics exhibit of the museum, before heading home for naps.

I get such joy watching how wide-eyed both kids get when they try something new, learn something new, or accomplish something new on their own. Watching them grow and live a life of pure joy is a remarkable blessing.

A Reflection....

Our wedding day

On the way to dinner with Mark over the weekend one of my most favorite songs from my childhood came on the radio - "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart. That song reminds me of growing up and of my Dad - he played Rod Stewart a lot when I was a kid. And growing up there was always music around me - on the house stereo and in the car. Music isn't just entertainment for me - it's deeper than that. Music touches my soul. Some of my current favorites are "Sweetly Broken", "By Your Side", and "At The Foot Of The Cross". Their message is so powerful! These songs (and so many others) make me think of raising my own children, the amazing influence those around them have, and how I pray they have a true relationship with the Lord and follow His guidance from a young age.

 

Our first anniversary

In my early twenties I always felt like ages 29-31 would be great years for me. Those where the years I looked forward to - not sure why at the time, but I do now. Little did I know those would be the years in which I would give birth to my precious babies. These years were also the authentic start to a deep relationship with my Lord and Savior. I grew up in the church but wasn't what you'd call a "church kid". I was baptized while in college but never truly opened my heart to Jesus until many years later. It wasn't until Mark was brought into my life that I sincerely asked the Lord into my heart and prayed for His will in my life. A decade ago I was a very different woman. I still marvel at how He worked to mold, teach, and "love" me into the woman Mark would choose to marry and raise a family with. As my walk with Christ matures each day and each year, I see more clearly how He has been with me my entire life, through so many lows, even when I didn't know He was....or didn't want to acknowledge His presence. He made it possible for me to not only make it through a few very dark times, but to come out stronger. His glory and His grace abound.

End of summer

Post Created On: 8/29/10
Well, the summer is coming to an end (at least we hope the summer heat is). School starts in just a week and a half and both kids will attend Mother's Day Out this year. Anna will attend on Wednesday and Ian will go Tuesday through Thursday. I think we're all ready for the structure each school year brings. And I know Ian is so starved for interaction with children his own age.

Ian starts his first season of Tiny Tot soccer through our local YMCA next weekend. He was so excited to get a set of shin guards, cleats and a small blue soccer ball. He and I have spent several hours already practicing in the front yard with his small goal. He is so funny. If he knows we're going outside to play, he chooses soccer or golf as his primary activity. He still loves his "green jeep", an automatic Arctic Cat ride-on toy, and does countless laps around the backyard every few days. I'm anxious to see what he thinks of the real game of soccer when he's on a team, has to take turns being on the field or on the bench, etc.

The women's Bible study I take part in starts up this week and I look forward to getting back with that circle of friends and fellowship. We have several new members this year so I am excited to get to know them all.

We raised Ian's bed up off the floor and onto the rails, adding the headboard that was part of the guest room decor before the kids were born. He was so excited to have his bed up high. He told us a while ago that he wanted it done and I'm sure part of his desire for a "tall" bed is so Anna can't get up there - a place of his own where she can't bother him.

I turn 33 years old tomorrow and I'm looking forward to the coming year. We're quickly putting the days of having "babies" in the house behind us and daydream about how much easier it will be to take upcoming family vacations, do weekend day trips, etc.

Lots of change on the horizon.