Undeserving

I typically keep this blog to stories about the kids and updates on our lives, but this post is going to be addressing something a bit different.  If you just read this blog, you might think that we have it all made with a near perfect life- the boys are always sweet to their little sister and our days are filled with nothing less than hugs and fun memories.  I intended for this blog the record sweet moments and milestones and to celebrate the joys of family.  But this blog gives a glimpse into just a part of our lives; we still deal with siblings fighting, bad attitudes (Mom included), tantrums, and daily disobedience.  And this week has been especially full of the above list. I have found myself discouraged, complaining, and wondering why God chose me for this task of mothering.  But a verse in my devotions this morning from Genesis 32:10 got my attention.  Jacob prayed, 

"I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you shown your servant."

I was freshly reminded that my bad attitude was like telling God that I deserved better.  And yet I deserve none of this- not the loving husband, the children I adore whom God is using to work in my heart, not the home I have or the church I love, not the extended family that cares for us or the faithful friends- none of it.  And if all those things were stripped away, I still have far more than I deserve. I have a Savior who rescued me from the dark slavery to my sin and who made me right with God.  The Holy Spirit convicted me this morning to look at my not-so-easy job of mothering with fresh eyes.  When my child is throwing the tantrum, I want to remind myself that I don't deserve to the gift of that little person in my life and the grace that God is at hand to provide.

Cinderella & Army Men

Princesses are one of Adriana's latest obsessions.  She eats off of her princess bowl and plate, wears princess underwear, reads princess books, and informs me that she is "Daddy's princess". The other day I found the boys very sweetly helping Adriana dress up like a princess, and from the other room I heard Elijah ask her if she would like to dance (*sigh* This would be why I always wanted a big brother).  I made a dash for the camera and snatched the moment.

Doesn't your heart just melt?!

In other news, I've been repeatedly informed that Isaiah is joining the Army when he turns seven. We'll be sad for the loss; but maybe the military will be able to instill some of the discipline that I have yet to get through his crazy, little head.  So come June, we'll be renting out a bottom bunk space at our house.  Contact me if you are interested.

Freshening Up

While some friends were over, we caught Adriana showing her friend Griffin just how fun it can be to powder one's self (and one's room).

Carter Photos

My nephew Carter was released from the hospital and is finally back home!  I did his newborn photos, and you can check them out here: http://alyssaannephotography.blogspot.com/2009/01/carter.html

Our Little Carter

My sister Christine had her son in at 12:22 a.m. on Monday morning.  It was a home birth, and I was able to be there which was one of the more amazing experiences of my life. Carter Gregory was 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 20 1/2 in. long, and he just happens to be one of the world's cutest nephews. Eighteen hours after he was born, Carter's heart rate spiked up way past normal.  He was taken to the E.R. where they tried without success to lower his heart rate.  The hospital transferred him by ambulance to another nearby hospital that specializes in heart problems.  There they were finally able to bring his heart rate down to normal and began working to find the problem. Since then, they have discovered some extra tissue on his heart which causes electricity to start flowing around the heart. This can cause the heart to short-circuit and the heart rate to go up to levels that it should not be. To prevent this, Carter will have to be on medication for at least 6 months. In 98% of cases this takes care of the problem. He has been transferred out of the pediatric ICU and is now in a normal room.  He's doing great and will hopefully be going home in a day or two after the cardiologist gets the medication levels correct.  His Mommy and Daddy have been through quite a scare, but they are just so grateful that this was discovered so that it could be treated. 

We were all reminded of Philippians 4:4b-7 throughout this, "The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Before this ordeal with Carter, my kiddos got to go over to see him.  Here are some photos of the first meeting:

Blog Contest

I'm running a contest for some of my photography clients over on my other blog.  If you have a second to cast your vote, that would be wonderful!  Just follow this link: http://alyssaannephotography.blogspot.com/2009/01/2008-favorites-contest.html and play the judge for a minute.

Thanks!

Mommy Driving School

I've been hearing the National Safety Council is trying to push a law that bans using cell phones while driving.  A local radio station was asking listeners to weigh in on the subject, and a man called in with this brief response that cracked me up:

"If they're going to ban cell phones, then they need to ban children under the age of 5 as well.  My son has caused more distraction to my driving than my cell phone ever could."  

This reminded me of an idea I had awhile back: Mommy Driving School.  Why do we send 16-year-olds to driving school before we put them behind the wheel, and do nothing for women who are about to have to drive while bottle feeding?  I'm a six year veteran of mommy driving and there are still times I'd like to throw up my hands and call a cab!

So here's how Mommy Driving School might look.  For starters, students would be taken out driving in a minivan, to get them used to the idea of no longer being cool, with a big "Mommy Driver Vehicle" sign on the top for fair warning to the other drivers.  You would need more than just an instructor in the car. To take the place of the children, actors or simulators in the back would be a necessity, preferably ones who could whine loudly.  Suggested material to cover would be:

-Answering Complex Questions in a Traffic Jam

-Singing Loudly & Obnoxiously Enough To Keep Your Toddler From Napping Until You Arrive Home

-Breaking Up Fights in the Back Bench Without Ever Taking Your Hands Off the Wheel

-Rapidly Locating the Nearest Potty Stop in a New Part of Town

-Successfully Tossing a Kleenex Two Rows Back to the Kid With Snot Hanging Past His Chin (harder than it sounds)

-Navigating Your Way to a New Destination with Continuous Rounds of "When Will We Be There?!?" in the Background

-Serving Lunch or Snacks Without Taking Your Eyes Off the Road

-Contorting Your Arm Backward to Retrieve the Fallen Pacifier 

-Merging Onto a Major Highway While Listening to: "He's Looking Out MY Window!!"

Students who pass the class would be given the "Mommy Driver Vehicle" sign instead of a certificate so that the other drivers would have more patience with these slow-to-notice-the-green-light drivers. Or maybe, other drivers could just be on the lookout for the uncool minivans; because inside them are ladies ready to pull out their hair and having the most wonderful adventure of their life, all at the same time.

Holiday Vacation

We've been enjoying an extended stay at my parent's home. We have had a wonderfully relaxing time. We have munched on homemade cinnamon raisin bread each morning, and eaten homemade Peppermint Patties, Almond Joys, or fudge whenever the urge hits. We've made new memories with a "girls day out" in Old Town Alexandria, and have been enjoying a Helms-size dosage of games.
My brothers and sisters got a Wii for Christmas and my boys are now little Wii pros. Isaiah will proudly tell you how he knocked out both Grammy and Papa in Wii boxing. And Elijah would chime in with the story of how he beat his uncle in Wii bowling with "4 spares and 4 stripes". Personally I feel like a wimp since the Wii has destroyed me; my body hasn't been this sore since I exited the sport of gymnastics. Adriana in the meantime has been playing with her new pink refrigerator and kitchen accessories while sporting some sparkly, Dorthy-like red shoes.

I'm munching homemade carmel corn as I write and being told to hurry downstairs to watch one of the dvd's that Steven received....ah, vacation...