21 Months

My baby boy. 21 months old today. We had such a fun time playing tonight. I was singing "Rock a Bye Baby..." and every time I'd get to the part that says "When the bough breaks, my baby won't ... FALLLLLL...." I would pretend I was going to drop him and he would squeal in delight. Belly laughter filled the room as we did this over and over.

And then it was time for "nigh-nigh" ... and after my nightly routine of kneeling with him at the foot of the bed to say bedtime prayers, he didn't reach for the crib as he usually does. Instead he clung to me. I was okay with him not wanting me to put him down and I held on to him too. At that moment a soft and sweet melodious version of "Rock a Bye Baby" started playing on his CD player. And so, this time, instead of pretending I would drop him, I held onto him and sang softly into his ear. His eyes were open but he laid still in my arms (a rarity at this age and stage of his active little boy life!) and he started to hum back. It was a sweet and tender moment that I will cherish on the day my baby boy is 21 months old...

Round 3

We're getting it again. As if 12" of snow last weekend weren't enough, we woke up to 2" and it's still coming down. We've got about 5 so far...expecting another foot at least by the time this is done. I'M READY FOR SPRING! And so is Elijah because he's going STIR CRAZY having been kept in the house most of the week. We did manage to bundle up and get out to play for a little bit but it's coming down so hard now we had to come back in. These are from today.

This was from last weekend.

And here he is...wide open, hamming it up!

You Deliver Me

This is one of those weeks I would much rather forget, only it's probably one that I will always remember. Not for any one reason, but for all the reasons that continued to compile, one after another, stripping my strength, defeating my soul. Survival. That is all I have been hoping for.

After a sweet time in the Word this morning, and hearing God's voice through my circumstances, He gave me this song. You need to understand, music speaks to my soul. It is at the very core of who I am. It is, a apart from God's Word, the way my soul feels most intune with the Lord.

And so, better than I can put into words, Selah has provided "You Deliver Me." And today, after this week, it is my anthem.

What I'm accutely aware of - and the reason for this posting - is there is a world around me of hurting people. Daily disappointments have happened in your life. Tragedy, crisis, heartbreak... And so, I share this with you, too, praying it will be a healing balm to your soul as it has so aptly done for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D86IpkYDjOo

You Deliver Me

Deep as the ocean, Bright as rain
This power emotion lifts me up above the planes
It's taken me to places I never thougth I'd go
Showing me a grace I never thought I'd know

When I feel like I can't go on
You Deliver Me
When the road is winding and way too long
You Deliver Me
You Deliver Me

I feel like a sinner, my sins have been washed clean
I'm absolutely given, this heart has never seen
I must be forgiven sometimes asking why
I was chosen to be given you in this life

When I feel like I can't go on
You Deliver Me
When the road is winding and way too long
You Deliver Me
You Deliver Me

When there's a distance
Between what I am and who I want to be
You Deliver Me

Music Man

Elijah has started a weekly music class at Melody Makers where he learns to clap to the beat, play instruments, and dance to the beat. He loves it (much to mom's delight)! He has his own set of musical instruments that he loves to play at home - most especially the drum. He hasn't quite got the hang of the harmonica but the drumsticks banging on the drum or the tamborine are usually his instrument of choice.

Some self portraits

Negligent

I know. I've been extremely negligent. For good reason, I assure you. This was the first week of classes and work and life have been a bit hectic. Okay, that's an understatement. The second reason is because Elijah had a full-fledge cold this week and is just now getting better. So there are no pictures. I refuse to ever take a picture of a snotty nose child and post it on my blog. You all know me way better than that!

So accept my apologies for the lack of blog postings and the missing pictures. We'll hope to be back to "normal" starting this weekend!

60 Degrees...and Sick...

We started out the Saturday with a deep chesty cough and a trip to the doctor after Elijah seemed to be having trouble catching his breath when coughing. It's viral - of course - which I've come to realize means they don't really know what it is. It does mean there's no prescription or medicine that can really be given. Doctor's orders were for a vaporizer in the room and tylenol. Thankfully, he seems to have moments of his normal playful self and we were able to enjoy the unseasonable 60 degree weather today. He had a great time running through the yard, picking up rocks and grass (and taste-testing - can you see me cringing?!), and throwing golf balls all over the yard.

Playing Catch Up!

I'm playing catch up on posting pictures from the past week and a half - or the first part of 2010. Elijah turned 20 months old on Saturday. So hard to believe! He's FULL of life and personality and is such a JOY. He's saying more words and becoming quite the "tease" when it comes to doing things he's not supposed to or not doing things we want him to.



Like mother, like son - he LOVES to talk on the phone and often dials people...or texts...or even updates my Facebook status. Oh the joys of a toddler with a Blackberry!

Just hanging out and having fun. Mommy & E time!

Taking over Daddy's chair

Let the fun begin! Ed found a playset for a super deal at a consignment shop...and it has been worth every penny. Elijah LOVES it!

1 year ago...

A year ago today we said goodbye to Nanny. It was unexpected and sudden, just 9 days after we had spent a wonderful holiday together. I suppose that made it all the more bittersweet - we had no idea it would be our last time together. But thankfully, we made wonderful memories we will forever hold dear.

She loved life - she loved to have fun and make people laugh. She was the heart of our family and she never shyed away from expressing to us exactly what she thought. Much of my energetic and vocal personality is because of her. I saw her strength, I saw her faith. I watched her spend hours reading and educating herself, having only a 7th grade education. She was a Godly wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Oh, how she loved Elijah.

We miss her, especially today, and we remember her and all that she meant to our family. Love you, Nanny!

More TN Pics

Giant penguin pillow

Loving his fort

Riding the horse Aunt Lindsay bought him (although I suppose he could have just taken a ride on Sophie - the dog)

More presents! He is one loved little boy.

My great aunt, Winnie - Nanny's sister.

Me & E cuddle time

Trip To Tennessee

Posing with Poppy










Cousins









Fascinated with bows












Nana and Uncle TJ







He's either texting or updating his Facebook status




















Playing in the fort with Sophie (a giant Jackson)