Happy 4th birthday, Lila Grace!

November 16th our sassy Lila Grace turned 4.  Lila is such a joy and a challenge all wrapped in to one.  She makes me laugh; she makes me cry.  She is a negotiator, a performer, an artist, independent, creative, sassy, strong willed.  She sets her mind on something and doesn't let go.  She wants to be the rule maker at home but is a rule follower at school.  Lila goes to preschool 3 times a week, takes a tap/ballet class once a week, hops around in gymnastics once a week.  She is a kind friend and hates to see others hurt.  She loves to go to church and do the weekly memory verse challenge.  Gifts are definitely the way to her heart.  She likes the Disney princesses, boots, anything sweet, and dresses.  She sings with the radio as well as makes up her own songs.  She also loves the Veggie Tale audio books.  She laughs big and cries big.  Recently while shopping in HEB, Lila looked at me and said, "Mom, when you eat a lot of cookies your belly gets big...but the baby never comes out!"  She says "crown" instead of "crayon", "Emmo" instead of "Elmo" and "leaf-es", "shelf-es", etc. instead of "leaves, shelves", etc. and I will be a mess the day she grows out of these cute little Lila-isms.  At her 4 year well visit, she weighed 43 pounds and measured 40 inches tall.

I am so blessed to have the privilege of being Lila's mommy.  My prayer is that as she grows, she will know that we love her and that God created her uniquely to glorify Him in all she is and does.

Birthday manicure with Nana

Dad gave Lila flowers and a Hello Kitty balloon for her birthday

Lila in my high school cheerleader uniform

Birthday celebration!

 I took this video one afternoon when Lila was playing outside.  She wanted to take some sandy "outside" toys inside to which I told her "no".  That prompted this song "when I'm a mommy".  The sound isn't great so turn your volume up high.

1. What is your favorite color? Pink
2. What is your favorite toy? My babydolls
3. What is your favorite fruit? Apple
4. What is your favorite tv show? Peppa Pig
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets
6. What is your favorite outfit? My Hello Kitty outfit
7. What is your favorite game? "To make a pumpkin"
8. What is your favorite snack? Trail Mix
9. What is your favorite animal? Giraffe
10. What is your favorite song? Taylor Swift
11. What is your favorite book? The Bible
12. Who is your best friend? Sophia
13. What is your favorite thing to do with your brother?  "play barbies" to which Andrew answered "I do not agree with that!"
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? play on the swing
15. What is your favorite drink? Orange juice
16. What is your favorite holiday? Mother's Day
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Hello Kitty lovie
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? donuts
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? "Can we buy fruit loops?"
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? teacher

Catching up - October

Lila's first day at Andrew's school

Andrew's class performed at chapel...he overcame his stage fright.

Luke and Andrew playing flag football for the Saints

 

Happy Halloween from our "Muscle Ninja" and Super "Woman"

After months of playing catch up with the blog I'm caught up...now to try to stay that way and capture my sweet little ones in the moment as they grow.

Catching Up - September

Lila's first day of preschool - 2011

Water gun fight!

Lila's first dance class

Catching Up - August

Sleepover with friends from London

Andrew's first day of Kindergarten

Girls trip!

While I'm waiting

My children’s demands often drive me to my wits end.  My sweet little three year old is nothing if not persistent. 

“Mom, can I watch a TV show?” “After school.”  “Mom, can I watch a TV show?” “After school.”  “Mom, can I watch…”  “Did you hear my answer?  It’s not going to change.”

Or

“Mom, can I have milk?” “Yes” Getting cup from the cabinet. “Mom, can I have milk?” Pouring milk into the cup.  “Mom, milk?” Heating milk in the microwave.  “Mom!”

Oh, poor child, she gets that straight from me (God bless my husband).  Only, she’s 3; I’m 31 (for a few more weeks) and I still have not learned to take an answer and wait. 

“God, tell me what we should do.” “Wait.”  “God, ok, I can wait.  Just tell me how it will end.”  “Wait.”  “But God, what exactly am I waiting for?” “Wait.” “God, do you mean sit and wait or do something while I wait?” “God, I don’t hear You.  How do I know I’m trusting you for the right thing?”  “Just trust.”

Wow.  I treat God so much like my 3 year old treats me.  Begging and pleading although He’s given me an answer.  Persisting in my petitions to change and control all while He works away at His higher plan for me. 

I’ve been praying over an aspect of my family life, claiming to want to be obedient to God’s will when what I’ve come to realize my heart is really wanting is control, His plan but on my terms. 

Last night I attended Outbreak, a study taught by Gari Meacham at my church.  I’m so thankful that God speaks to us each individually through His servants.  Gari read the story of Peter jumping out of the boat during a horrendous storm but being distracted by the waves and losing sight of Jesus.  She was talking about the worship that ensued after everyone was safely back in the boat.  But God had a little different spin on that message for me. 

So I’ll call this situation I’ve been praying over a storm….an apparent problem that needs a solution.  However, just like Peter in Matthew 14:13-33, I keep taking my eyes off Jesus, distracted by the waves.  I’ve been so focused on measuring the waves and the wind gusts of the storm and predicting the aftermath that I have forgotten to worship Him while I’m amongst the waves.  I've been seeking answers to questions rather than seeking the face of Jesus with a goal to be more like Him

On Sunday, our Bible study teacher, David, talked about Romans 4 as trusting Jesus for our salvation through grace is related to our trusting Him for our earthly provision.  If we can trust Him in the biggest thing – eternity – why can’t we trust Him in the “little” things on earth (where they seem big)?  During his lesson, he touched on James 1.  I read the first few verses but all day yesterday my brain kept coming back to James 1.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for not letting go.   So finally last night at the end of Gari’s teaching she allowed a few moments of time for quiet, individual worship.  Most in the room were praying, but I was pulled back to James 1 which I finally read in its entirety. 

Here’s what I gleaned:

            V3 testing produces endurance

            V4 endurance’s perfect result is for me to be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (my ultimate goal)

            V5 ask for wisdom, He gives generously and without reproach (He’s not trying to hide from me)

            V6 when you ask, ask without doubting

            V13 no one is tempted by God, He cannot be tempted by evil and He doesn’t tempt anyone (He’s not trying to lead me astray)

            V17 every good gift comes from God (opportunities included)

            V19 be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger (can’t talk and listen at the same time)

            V22 prove yourself doers of the Word, not just hearers (move on what I know to be true)

            V27 keep yourself unstained by the world (remain faithful to the Truth)

On the way home from coaching at the gym this morning, I turned off the radio and was just meditating on the messages I heard over the past 2 days:   Trust God (Rom 4) in the storms (Mt 14).  He is working on my heart (endurance) by giving me just enough wisdom for today (Jms 1). 

Then out of no where the song, “While I’m Waiting” by Matt Waller, starts running through my head.

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I can now see God is not yet asking me to take the BIG step.  He's not as concerned with the outcome of my storm as the maturity of my heart through the storm.  My obedience is to be obedient moment by moment, trusting and patiently waiting while He prepares my heart and matures my faith.

Catching up - July

Judging Crossfit Katy's Bring the Heat

Summer fun with friends

Lego camp

Andrew rope climbing at gymnastics

Lila crashed watching TV

Circus fun