So, I have to jot down some of the sweet things Ezekiel said to me yesterday during my moments of frustration. God can use - and often does! - even the smallest of people to speak His truth into our lives!
After I lost my cool with my daughter, I apologized to the kids and told them I shouldn't have yelled and reminded them that we should always talk to each other calmly and kindly. Ezekiel paused for a second and said "Oh...that's ok mom. I forgive you. Don't give up. Just try again." Talk about melting my heart! I loved that last part...just try again. Isn't that what God offers us? Forgiveness and mercies new every morning.
Not so spiritual, but pretty funny anyway: As we were running our errands Bekah Jane fell asleep much earlier than I was hoping for (What is with that girl anyway?! How can she wake up at 9 and be asleep again at noon?). I let out a sigh of frustration and Ezekiel says "What's wrong mom?" So I tell him I was bummed his sister fell asleep already and he says "Oh. I have an idea! We need something loud. Like a drum. How about we go buy a drum??" Such a problem-solver, my little man.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Numbers 14 thru 20
It was a pretty discouraging day. Too many unchecked boxes still on my to-do list. Busy all day, and not much to show for it. To top it off, I was feeling guilty about losing my temper with my daughter. And then Kevan calls. How can he be on his way home from work already? What happened to the day??
As I recalled the events of the day to him, tears spilling along with every not-so-pretty detail, he listened and asked a few clarifying questions. When I finally shut up, here was my sweet husband's response:
"Well, hon, it sounds like a success to me. I just counted at least 12 things that you did to accomplish the mission of our family. You nurtured our kids, played with them, and allowed them to learn from your mistake. You built relationships and encouraged a friend. You worked around the house and did the dishes. You shopped for things for our home, clothed the kids, and spent time with the Lord. You even took a few minutes to relax. And on top of that, you worked for ECCU. It's days like this that makes me proud to go to my job every day so that you can stay home and be a mom to our kids."
I am writing this down, so that I can re-read it and remember. Because, no doubt, another day will come when I will need these words of encouragment! And I think this should count for reasons number 14 through 20 of why I love my husband!
As I recalled the events of the day to him, tears spilling along with every not-so-pretty detail, he listened and asked a few clarifying questions. When I finally shut up, here was my sweet husband's response:
"Well, hon, it sounds like a success to me. I just counted at least 12 things that you did to accomplish the mission of our family. You nurtured our kids, played with them, and allowed them to learn from your mistake. You built relationships and encouraged a friend. You worked around the house and did the dishes. You shopped for things for our home, clothed the kids, and spent time with the Lord. You even took a few minutes to relax. And on top of that, you worked for ECCU. It's days like this that makes me proud to go to my job every day so that you can stay home and be a mom to our kids."
I am writing this down, so that I can re-read it and remember. Because, no doubt, another day will come when I will need these words of encouragment! And I think this should count for reasons number 14 through 20 of why I love my husband!
Monday morning perspective.
Last week we had a follow-up ultrasound to check on the health of our baby boy.
This was necessary because our ultrasound at 18 weeks showed that our son had cysts on his brain, which could either mean one of two things: 1.) Sometimes cysts form as a baby develops and they go away on their own, completely harmless and - without all of this incredible technology - most of the time we would never know they were there. Or, 2.) Really, really bad things.
So that is what we were left to ponder in the month between the two ultrasounds. Our doctor was very reassuring that it was probably nothing and that the cysts would very likely be gone by our next ultrasound. And, thankfully, they were!
I can honestly say that we didn't worry about it while we waited, but you can't help but think about the different scenarios that could pan out when you're given news like that. Best case: Cysts go away and baby is fine. Middle of the road: Cysts are a sign of a chromosomal abnormality and baby is born with Down's Syndrome. Worst case: Chromosomal abnormality is more serious, like Trisomy 18, and baby does not live long after birth.
And I couldn't help but reflect on the conversation with my nurse practitioner as she reviewed the initial ultrasound. As I sat listening to the different possibilities, and being offered a myriad of tests, the nurse finally said: "Bethany, it all depends on whether or not you would change the course of the pregnancy depending on the results." Change the course of the pregnancy?! Of course, that is a pleasant-sounding euphemism for what she is actually referring to. Was I the only one that just saw that little guy not 10 minutes ago waving at me and wiggling his toes? He had fingers, and eyes, and a round little belly...he looked like my baby.
Yesterday Kevan taught the high school group on John chapter 9. The beginning of the chapter starts this way:
Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."
Even though Kevan was not focusing on why God allows birth defects as he taught the passage, we both couldn't help but feel like that verse jumped off the page. "...that the works of God should be revealed in him."
How thankful we are that our son appears to be healthy and strong, but also how thankful I am for the peace that has accompanied this pregnancy. It is beautiful that God gives us the reassurance in His word that He absolutely uses our weaknesses, our frailties, and our imperfections to accomplish His purposes. Healthy or sick, strong or frail, God has given us this baby...that the works of God should be revealed in him. What a privilege to be a part of the journey!
This was necessary because our ultrasound at 18 weeks showed that our son had cysts on his brain, which could either mean one of two things: 1.) Sometimes cysts form as a baby develops and they go away on their own, completely harmless and - without all of this incredible technology - most of the time we would never know they were there. Or, 2.) Really, really bad things.
So that is what we were left to ponder in the month between the two ultrasounds. Our doctor was very reassuring that it was probably nothing and that the cysts would very likely be gone by our next ultrasound. And, thankfully, they were!
I can honestly say that we didn't worry about it while we waited, but you can't help but think about the different scenarios that could pan out when you're given news like that. Best case: Cysts go away and baby is fine. Middle of the road: Cysts are a sign of a chromosomal abnormality and baby is born with Down's Syndrome. Worst case: Chromosomal abnormality is more serious, like Trisomy 18, and baby does not live long after birth.
And I couldn't help but reflect on the conversation with my nurse practitioner as she reviewed the initial ultrasound. As I sat listening to the different possibilities, and being offered a myriad of tests, the nurse finally said: "Bethany, it all depends on whether or not you would change the course of the pregnancy depending on the results." Change the course of the pregnancy?! Of course, that is a pleasant-sounding euphemism for what she is actually referring to. Was I the only one that just saw that little guy not 10 minutes ago waving at me and wiggling his toes? He had fingers, and eyes, and a round little belly...he looked like my baby.
Yesterday Kevan taught the high school group on John chapter 9. The beginning of the chapter starts this way:
Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."
Even though Kevan was not focusing on why God allows birth defects as he taught the passage, we both couldn't help but feel like that verse jumped off the page. "...that the works of God should be revealed in him."
How thankful we are that our son appears to be healthy and strong, but also how thankful I am for the peace that has accompanied this pregnancy. It is beautiful that God gives us the reassurance in His word that He absolutely uses our weaknesses, our frailties, and our imperfections to accomplish His purposes. Healthy or sick, strong or frail, God has given us this baby...that the works of God should be revealed in him. What a privilege to be a part of the journey!
Monday, March 08, 2010
For Nana...
I am just a tad behind, but I promised Nana I'd post some pictures of taking the kids out for their Valentine's Day treat! We had such a great time at the Cupcakery in the Orange Circle! Thanks for the making the day extra special, Nana!
Friday, March 05, 2010
Monkey See, Monkey Do
This morning Ezekiel sneaked my cell phone and called Kevan. (I didn't even know he could do that!). When I walked in and found him on the phone, he held up his finger to his lips and said in whisper to me, "Excuse me mom, I'm talking to daddy. I'm on the phone." And then he tried to shoo me away!! Ummm....ok?!? How old are you again?? Kevan and I had a good laugh over that one!
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Sound Bites
A few of my favorites from Ezekiel lately:
- Last night I came home with my arms full of groceries. Ezekiel said, "Mom, you got milk for me? THANK YOU!" then threw his arms around the bagged groceries and said "I love them!"
- A while back, when I was helping Ezekiel use the potty, he obviously wanted some privacy when he said to me "Mom, just drop me off."
- My friend Trisha took me out for a pedicure for my birthday (ahhhh!). This morning, E looked at my feet and said "Mom, those toes are a-mazing!"
- Most mornings, my little guy will wake up and say "How did you sleep, Mom?" I just think that is so cute, coming from a 3-year-old. It's also pretty funny when he is the one that has kept me up at night!
- Last week the Kevan and the kids baked cookies together. A few days later, Ezekiel says to me "Uhhh...mom? I need something. Something brown. I know...a COOKIE!"
I know I am seriously overdue putting up pictures of the kids! It is just so much easier to write a blog than put up pics when I just have a few minutes. Baby steps, baby steps. They are coming!
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