Raegan's dedication

Sunday, we dedicated our little girl to the Lord.

In our church, we don't baptize them when they're babies. We wait and let them make that personal decision themselves.  So we make a "public announcement" of sorts.  One, where we present them to the Lord, as parents, saying that we will raise them up to love the Lord.  They get "paraded" around the church so the church family can see them, while a song is being played/sung.  And then the elders of the church pray over each of them.  It all sounds extremely formal but it really isn't.  , we're just celebrating their lives and all the promise that it holds under God.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto me."  He said it to the disciples, who were trying to keep the kids away, thinking he could focus on the adults.  At least that's my guess.  And I'd take a further stab at the reason being that children can be loud. unpredictable. distractable and distracting.

Well...that would about sum up Raegan as we dedicated her. And I'm so willing to bet that the disciples would have made a bee-line toward my child, asking that we retreat behind the olive trees, away from Jesus and the listening crowds. 

The above picture is to prove that Raegan was quite content when the whole "process" started!

FYI...Raegan is 4 months old now and she doesn't take to strangers.  She can tolerate them, but she doesn't like them very much.  In fact, she's just now starting to interact pleasantly with people outside of her immediate family.  Knowing this, I was already a little iffy about her being carted around the church by a "stranger".  So, we were tossing around the idea about waiting a little longer to dedicate her.  But it's a gamble either way: will she become more or less outgoing as she ages?  Who knows.  So we went ahead, called the church, and set it up.

Sunday morning, everything's going well.  She's happy all during worship.  And then...she starts to fall asleep.  Jet and I exchange glances.  And JUST as she's getting ready to doze off, one of our pastors asks for the babies that are to be dedicated to come up to the front.  Two friends and I had planned to have our babies dedicated on the same day...so tons of family members are all walking up to the stage. 

Jet hands Raegan off to David. We asked him specifically if he'd be a part of her dedication since he's known ME since I was born. I look at Jet and mouth, "Just pray." We both knew Raegan was a ticking time bomb at this point.


The guy starts to sing...the babies are being walked around...every thing's going well.  She's not crying. not crying.  Steady, girl...you can do it.  And then, from the congregation, someone reaches out and grabs ahold of her foot to squeeze it.   Because you know, who can pass by a cute baby and not touch them?

But that was enough to set her off. She screamed her "back off" cry. And then it just progressed from there.  Because once a tired, teething baby starts crying, only falling asleep can make it all better.

Here's David with a very weepy Raegan. In the background you can make out Debbie, his wife.  

Finally! All the pastors bring the babies back up and hand them off. Jet takes her and tries to calm her down.  He leans over and says, "She's starting to poop."

Seriously, am I on candid camera here?! Can it get any worse?

...maybe you don't understand. Raegan doesn't poop often (yes, I am a parent discussing my child's pooping habits on the Internet), so when she does...watch out!  She stains her clothes.  She stains the clothes of the person holding her.  She cleans out her system...a week's worth...all at one time.  Jet and I hold our breath.  I'm start thinking "Can I make a break for it, if I need to?  Technically, does the whole dedication thing still count if she's back in the nursery and not up here?"

Raegan makes it clear that she only wants me to hold her.  But I'm afraid if I take her, she'll think I'm going to nurse her.  And then when I DON'T nurse her, it's A-L-L going to break loose because this girl has got some lungs.

For those of you currently childless readers, allow me to add that there is no talking an upset baby down from her fury. There's no reasoning with her.  I am at her mercy.  And on stage, no less!

Out of no where, I hear the Lord say, "Put her finger in her mouth and rub her gums."  Now, grant it, I know she's teething.  But the whole finger-in-the-mouth scenario just hasn't cut it before.  But I'm desperate.  I mean, I figure God's all-knowing, right?  So maybe, just maybe, he does have some sort of clue concerning this inconsolable, squirming child.

And lo and behold, it works like a charm.  So I rub and rub and rub...until my arms start to get tired from holding her.  I think "She's calmed down now. I'll just pass her back to Jet, since she was fine with him before all this starts."  But nope.  Screaming commences.  I shake my head and take her back...still waiting for the soloist to bring this song to a close.  For the record, I loved the song (at least before the crying started) but it has got to be the longest dedication song known to mankind. Or so I felt...

Notice, at this point, I'm not thinking about the lovely thing we're doing. I'm not thinking about what a precious moment this is.  I'm not even thinking about the words of the song that I'm so desperately wanting to end.  No...I'm just thinking "Rub the gums. Rub the gums." over and over again.

Our pastor, asking me and Jet questions about our commitment to raise her up in "fear and admonition of the Lord".  I'm pretty sure I'm not really thinking anything too deeply at this point...just "focus on his face, nod yes when he looks at you, rub gums."

David and our pastor praying specifically for Raegan. Again, I can't tell you what was prayed because my arm hurt and praying my own prayer: "Please don't let her get upset that David is touching her! Please don't let her cry! Please let this whole thing just end!"

Yes...I realize, the depth of my spirituality at this point is all-together inspiring.

"Just rub the gums! Rub the gums!" My new mantra.


Prayer for the parents and siblings and extended family.  Notice that Raegan and I are MIA.  She started to cry harder through little Josiah's prayer time, so I walked off the stage so Phil and Leanne could actually HEAR what was being prayed over their child.

So yeah, Jesus DID say to bring the little children to Him.  He just didn't say what to do after the fact, when we're standing up there doing the "presenting" and the child is...being a child. 
Thankfully, He's got a lovely sense of humor and most likely enjoyed the whole thing...crying and all. In fact, I'm sure he was in heaven saying "Calm down, Christin. Seriously. Lighten up, she's just teething."

Kids...they are God's gift.  I know it.  I love my girls like crazy.  It's just that sometimes I think the whole package is somewhat of a gag gift...meant to make you learn to laugh when you're tempted to get uptight.

I know the dedication didn't run as smoothly as I would have hoped.  But, in all sincerity, we are both committed to raising her up to love the Lord.  I just pray that when the time comes, she will choose for herself to love Him.  To not just go through the motions, but to really dig into the things of the Lord. And to seek his will for HER life.

The mind of a 3 year old...enter at your own risk

The girls' new favorite thing to do...put a sprinkler right under their new swing.

They get the best of both worlds...swinging AND playing in the water!

**name has been removed to protect the innocent


Playing in our water-swing this afternoon, Selah announced that she had to go potty.  So I walk her in through the kitchen to use the downstairs bathroom. As she's going potty she says,

"Last morning, when we were at the park, they didn't have a potty.  And (**family member's name) let me go potty in the grass.

She pauses. As if to let the weight of her confession sink in.

"Mommy, sometime soon can we go potty in the grass again?"

Notice that she didn't say go to the park and play again?  Or hang out with that particular family member again.  No, my little delicate flower asked if she could, once again, urinate outside.

Priorities.  Everybody's got them.  Not sure where she gets hers from.  But yeah, she's got them.

...And you thought this was going to be some quaint little blog about the fun time we had swinging. Yeah. Guess again. Not with my little 3-year-old running around.

The Art Lesson...by God.

Selah and Raegan were napping, but I knew that Charis was laying in her bed awake.  Peaking my head in Charis and Selah's room, I motioned for Charis to climb down out of her bunkbed quietly.  We spent the next little while having something rare in a house with three children: one-on-one time!

We pulled out a sketch pad, charcoal pencil, and some pens. And then headed to our front porch for a drawing lesson on a tree.

She ended up playing in the tree as well! :)

Here she is looking at the tree from a "different perspective" which was something else we discussed as we layed under the tree, looking up at the leaves.

She decided to draw a flower. We don't have any like this planted in our front beds, so she just drew from memory.  But when she was finished, she was pretty upset.  She thought that it looked wrong and wanted to cross out the above petal that has a square shape because she said it didn't look like a flower petal.

"But Charis...God makes all flowers look unique. Your flower isn't wrong!  Just wait a minute, I want to show you something"

So I went across the road and picked a random flower that was growing among weeds, hoping that it would have some sort of petal shape malfunction by chance. :)

It's almost like God grew that flower just to make a point, isn't it?  Charis smiled the biggest smile when she saw it.  She was speechless.  was I.

Thanks, God...for caring that much about my daughter and helping her realize that her creativity is good enough.

Craft Time viewed through the Mind of a 3 year old

One of the things we like to do around here is crafts.   Charis is always asking to make something.  Even after we do a craft, she still asks to do another one.  So when Uncle Tommy and Aunt Tonya gave Selah some craft things for her birthday, both girls were thrilled!

Last night, Selah pulled out the decorate-a-princess craft.  They were using the plastic needle that came with this particular kit, sewing ribbons through the ready-made holes on the princesses.  My thoughts were going to how good this craft was for them, how it would help build their self-esteem because they were able to do it all by themselves, how it may birth a love for sewing in their hearts, how they are such girlie girls decorating with jewels and glitter....

This is where my thoughts were interrupted by Selah, as she was glopping the pink glitter all over The Little Mermaid's dress.

"I'm pretending it's diarrhea!"

Huh. It never really plays out like you think, does it? All daydreaming of my future debutantes came to a sudden abrupt stop. What was I thinking?

Jonah and the Whale

You know the Bible story about Jonah?  The one where he disobeys God's instruction to go to the people of Nineveh, instead going in the exact opposite direction and ending up in the belly of a whale that eventually spit him up on shore.  Know that one? Well recently, my girls have really been into that story!  We even found a Bible story CD for them to listen to in the car... "Do #10 again!! I want to hear about Jonah!"

So yesterday, I utilized their interest and told them the story in a little more detail over lunch.  Stressing the points of Jonah's disobedience, God's choices not always making sense to us at first ("but WHY did he tell the fish to swallow him?!"), and the fact that Jonah's obedience to God in going to Nineveh (on his second try) ultimately saved the city from death.

Charis was riveted.  She wouldn't take her eyes off of my face.  I knew she was listening.  Selah, on the other hand, was bouncing around, distracted by anything that happened to come into her line of sight. To be honest, I sort of wrote her off from our little Bible lesson.  But I had just finished saying "So Jonah wasn't obedient to God" when Selah sat up in her chair, looked me in the face, and said "Like we need to be obedient to you?"

Score!  Selah not only was hearing me, but she was applying it to her own life! And all while suffering from a sudden onset of ADHD and apparent lack of interest. ;)  Who knew she could multi-task, appearing disinterested, yet learning all at the same time?!

After lunch, I walked into the family room and there on the floor I found two budding actors, playing out the story of Jonah!!

This is Selah, designated to be the whale that's swallowing Jonah.

Jonah seems to be intrigued with the size of the whale's mouth. and that isn't even as big as it can get!

' Director Charis' changed Selah's acting role half-way throughnn, aouncing that Selah was now playing the part of Jonah and that she was taking over the part of the flesh-eating fish.  This is Selah getting ready to jump ship into whale-infested waters.

Only she wouldn't do it. So Director Charis, once again, did a role change and dubbed herself part of the ship's "man-overboard" crew. Only she wasn't strong enough to throw her off the ship. So I was drafted. I was successful in throwing her off, but apparently this Jonah can walk on water. Run, actually. Because she hit the "water" and ran off before the whale knew what happened. :)

Makes me wonder what kind of acting jobs they'll be doing when we talk about all the different battles scenes in the Bible. Maybe I should wait until Daddy has a day off before reading those stories, eh?

Sisters...

"Look Mom, she's laughing.  I think she likes me."

Yes honey, I think she does. :)


 Charis and Selah marvel over every time Raegan interacts with them.  It's like, in their eyes, she's doing it for the first time all over again; their excitement over Raegan's delight in them never seems to get old.

I love watching them together...dreaming over what it'll be like for them 5, 10, 20 years down the road.  I love knowing that they will forever have each other to lean on, to laugh with, to love.

Birthday-part 2

My brother and his family left our house (the birthday party) around early-evening.  But my parents and Nana stayed well after 9pm:  Playing with the girls. Eating dinner. Putting up the swing that Nana gave Selah. Playing cards, where I was kicking everyone's tail for the longest time. Until the very end where, by some fluke, I lost the entire game. ?? Mom was keeping score.  So I doubled checked her to make sure there was no "conflict of interest" on her part. :)

Raegan was getting into it... My little card shark!

I like this picture. It's of Nana's hands painting her great-grandchild's (Selah) fingernails.

Raegan is very particular about who holds her.  But especially when it comes to mom holding her: She usually doesn't let Mom hold her for more than a few minutes...we think it's because she looks enough like me to confuse her.

This is how the scene normally plays out.  Mom is holding Raegan.  Raegan is laughing. talking. generally enjoying herself all the way around.  Then, she stops and studies Mom's face carefully,  deliberately.  Suddenly, Raegan's lower lip juts out. Followed by a full-on, broken-hearted wail.  It appears that she suddenly realizes that Mom is not, in fact, me.

BUT there seems to have been a break-through! Raegan let Mom hold her and talk to on numerous occasions today! :)

And the winner of the "Best Way to give your wife a heart attack" goes to....

This is Jet putting up the swing in our tree. Sometimes you just gotta wonder what goes on in the mind of men.  I think they like the challenge, the little thrill of conquering the impossible, the chance of breaking a bone.

And just in case you need a detailed description.  Yes, that is his truck on an incline...with a tall ladder resting in the bed...leaning on a limb that has a little bit of a sway to it. *shaking my head*

But oh! how it made his little girls happy! Charis and Selah LOVED being pushed!  I did some "underdog" pushes on them.  Selah called them "corndogs."  When I tried to correct her, she said "Okay, do the corn-under on me too!"  Apparently, she had corndogs on the brain.

Even Raegan loved watching the girls swinging back and forth!! She was laughing and squealing!


All in all, it was a LONG day for the girls!!  By the end, they were exhausted, to the point that Selah was whimpering a bit when she was being put in the bed.  Jet said that when he asked her about her birthday and turning three, she said between small sobs, "No, I want to be 2 again."

For the record, she did wake up the next morning singing a made-up song about her being a big three years old! :) A good night's sleep puts everything into perspective, doesn't it?

3rd Birthday Part 1

This is for all those relatives that are up North and unable to come down.  A sneak-peak into Selah's 3rd Birthday Party!

Jet and I had decorated the dining room with streamers and balloons and presents and hats and a birthday tablecloth.  This is Selah, first thing in the morning, as she's walking in for breakfast.  And no, they usually aren't dressed for breakfast. But...you know, for pictures and all... ;)

Charis is such the sweet big sister, taking Selah under her wing and explaining the how-tos of birthdaydom. I don't remember what she was saying, but I do remember it was precious.

You just want to squeeze her and that sweet face!!


Charis was so sweet.  Sweet when Selah kept getting tons of attention.  When Selah refused to share her new toys, or any of her balloons.  She never lost it, but always waited patiently. I'm so proud!

Celebrating sister style! ;)

We started a new "tradition" this year. Birthday donuts. Something we NEVER eat...but something that they'll, now, be getting every morning of a birthday. They loved it!

Proud Daddy...as Selah, oblivious to the camera, eats her icecream and cupcake.

This one is for Davene. Who says I never have a picture on here of me. It's a rushed one, but there you go! *wink*
Mom and Dad with all of their grandkids, except two. Raegan was sleeping. Eli was at the beach with his mommy and daddy. They range in age from 17 years old to 3 1/2 months (with one more on the way).

Sydney was "playing" Jet's childhood guitar, while the other girls were dancing around the floor together.

Skyler wasn't about to be outdone by her big sister!! :)

My two men (brother and husband)! Rolling their eyes at me for wanting to take a picture of them.

Some more of them! My brother, nephew, and dad. So sweet!

The three little girls! Skyler is just 6 months younger than Selah. I foresee many sleepovers in the not-to-distant future. They LOVED playing together!

Mom and Dad gave Selah a HUGE bubble thing. Even though it was in the mid-to-high 90's, she wanted to be outside playing with it!!

As you can see, Selah had a blast turning a big three years old!

Selah, my 3 year old

Selah, I can't believe you're three!  

Here you are minutes old... It doesn't feel like three years has gone by.  One year maybe.  But three?
Yet at the same time, I can hardly remember family life without you.  Your large smile.  Your deep voice.  Your contagious laughter.  Your bold approach to living.

When I see pictures likes these, I just want to turn back time and squeeze you. to hear that little baby laugh. to pinch those huge cheeks that you used to have! ;)

What a little ham you were... And sooo adorable to boot! Always full of joy! Always!

You're 18 months old here. And already you have such poise and beauty. How is it such a little package can so completely capture two adult hearts?!


 *big sigh* My three-year-old at your birthday party.

Complete with dark circles under your eyes due to lack of sleep.  You've been too excited to sleep, knowing that your birthday was soon.  And not understanding the concept of two days away or tomorrow, you just always were hopeful that it was the next time you got out of bed.  Therefore, you were always getting out of bed...during naptime and in the middle of the night. :)

For the sake of remembering...here is what you are doing these days.

Inspired by your sister, you are trying to read.  It doesn't matter what the words on the page say, you will pick out a random word and go "Ch. Ah. Er. T.  Chart.  See Mommy, it says 'chart'."  I always cheer you on.  You always grin like a possum.

Forever fearless, you love to be swung around wildly as you hang upside down.  The faster the better. The higher, the more thrilling.  You love to declare yourself brave.  And you are.  Sometimes too much so for mommy's liking!  Even at a year of age, we all said you were into "extreme sports".

You love music and will routinely come to me, holding some random CD I haven't seen or played in years.  You, my dear DJ, want to listen to it.  You'll dance your crazy dances all around the family room floor.  Already you have crazy-amazing rhythm.  At times you'll yell "Yay Jesus!" "Praise you Jesus!" "Hallelujah!"  I love to hear you worship.  And I love hearing you say, "Come on, Charis! praise Jesus". Hmmm...are you a future worship leader in the making?

You also love to pick fights with your sister. :) You think I don't realize this, but I do.  But I also know that it's sometimes done just because you want her attention and you don't like being younger and less capable than she is.  Like when she's reading or drawing, you'll come up and jerk the paper out of her hands.  It almost always causes Charis to cry (or scream), which causes you to cry (or yell back!).  I'm always torn at how to respond because I know your heart is just to engage her.   But sometimes it can spark a fight or two...or three.

You're incredibly loving and will, at random times, walk up to someone in our family, hug them fiercely, declare your love, and promptly walk away.  You're endearing that way.

You're not one to be outdone.  If Charis can do it, you will try.  But you're not one to brag either.  If you can do something that Charis can't do (like whistle), you will offer your how-to tips willingly.

Yet there is a competitive streak in you!  Nana gave you the tree swing for your birthday...you've been known to say, as we swing you hard, "I want to go higher than Charis! Higher!"

It takes a lot for someone to win your trust.  Yet, once they have...you love them for life!  I love this about you.  I know some may call you shy, but I take comfort in the fact that you don't choose friends lightly and are loyal to those you love.

I love how you call your sister "Taris."  And not because you haven't mastered the art of saying the "C" sound.  But just because it's what you call her and why change it? :)

God has put such a sweet, gentle spirit in you, my little girl.  One that is coupled with a fierceness that is not easily intimidated.  I love that combination.  I love you.  And I can't wait to see how those seemingly polar-opposite qualities play out in your maturing personality.  I'm sure it'll be dynamic and beautiful!

I love you, Selah Bug.  I cherish these days with you.