Happy Girl!
Happy Boy!
Playing peek-a-boo with Mommy :)
Playing games and drinking hot chocolate!
~Whitney
Sunday, December 22, 2013
School Christmas Parties!
Since I work downtown OKC, and school parties are usually mid-day (which requires a trip back to Yukon and then back to downtown to finish up my workday) my attendance is sporadic. I was excited to make it to both Tessa's and Parker's Christmas parties this last week! Tessa's was on Thursday and Parker's was on Friday.
I have to admit, I was not exactly prepared for Tessa's range of emotions ;) She got tears in her eyes and a pouty lip sad face when I first leaned in to tell her hello and give her sugars. All I could think was that she was sad I was there because maybe she thought I was going to take her home. I quickly told her again and again, 'Mommy's not taking you, you get to stay and play!!' It took Ms. Kayla and Tessa's teacher consoling and reassuring her...not something I would say I knew how to handle. Even though it was hard to not be the one to comfort her, it did at least reassure me, that Tessa is well acclimated with her school environment and enjoys it very much :)
I did a couple of the crafts with Tessa, but realized she seemed to enjoy it better when I was just watching (and snapping pictures). I think she wanted to show me she was a big girl...so I took my cues from her.
There was lots of cuteness to be had:
this would be the point when I took a pic in between bites of a yummy donut, which delayed the next bite...not thrilled....not thrilled at all!
And then there was Parker's party! It was so fun to see him in class with all his friends. He was so sweet and super fun to hang out with!
There's not as much time for pictures when you're sharing in snacks and conversation with your kindergartner :) Not as many pictures...but just as many memories! He was so excited I got to come and I was so excited to be there. When you can't do this kind of thing all the time, it definitely makes the times you can, incredibly special.
~Whitney
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
What Fills My Heart This Season
I have been absent. Not in my life...but here on my blog where I enjoy capturing moments and memories....just wish there were a few more hours in the day sometimes to carve out opportunities to jot things down.
There is a theme of busy-ness that surrounds us these days. And this year I have found myself increasingly more aware of how I would like for things to be flowing in my life...aware of the things I want my heart full of and the things I don't. Being busy is part of life, but the important thing for me, is awareness of where all the effort goes...inward or outward...for me or for others...a spirit of want or a spirit of giving.
The never-ending-questions over the last several days have been "so are you ready for Christmas? got all your shopping done?" The questions themselves are not irritating, but I am finding myself stubborn to respond to them with the progress of my shopping and lingering to-dos. Instead, I am feeling drawn to express the heaviness in my heart for those special families that I am aware of that have had to say goodbye to their little ones this time of year. This season has the heartbreaking tendency to cause these perfect storms of illness and weakness that disrupt and often take the precious little lives God has entrusted to us. The reality of my child's fragile body is a constant, ever-present reality, and I strive to not let it keep me from living life now...today; but it is a reality that brings heaviness to my heart for those families that have walked this path...and it has an effect, even from a distance. Distance can cause the appearance of limitation...but distance doesn't have to limit love, kindness, genuineness, connection and empathy. I am thankful a heavy heart brings awareness of this in my life.
I am thankful for the gift of a new day every morning. Another opportunity to show my kids and husband how much I love them. Sometimes the new day means I get another chance ~ a chance to take my grumpy pants off and put my happy pants on ;) I will fail every day. I will be selfish every day. But I will also fight every day to be thankful for my children and my husband, for every healthy day that's put in front of us, for opportunities to embrace the blessings of this life. I will fight to be thankful for the second chances I get to look outward, to love others, to approach life with a genuine spirit of giving. I want to take time each day and pray for the families trudging through times that I can't imagine...because they are around us each and every day.
I am grateful for this perspective of living right now and no further than right in front of you. Jesus' birth calls for celebration. Remembering the day He came to earth as baby, to live among us...to love us...and to pay the ultimate price for us by dying on a cross for us. I hope and pray that what this Christmas season does for me, is remind me of the ways we were called to love and care for each other, just as Christ loves us.
~Whitney
There is a theme of busy-ness that surrounds us these days. And this year I have found myself increasingly more aware of how I would like for things to be flowing in my life...aware of the things I want my heart full of and the things I don't. Being busy is part of life, but the important thing for me, is awareness of where all the effort goes...inward or outward...for me or for others...a spirit of want or a spirit of giving.
The never-ending-questions over the last several days have been "so are you ready for Christmas? got all your shopping done?" The questions themselves are not irritating, but I am finding myself stubborn to respond to them with the progress of my shopping and lingering to-dos. Instead, I am feeling drawn to express the heaviness in my heart for those special families that I am aware of that have had to say goodbye to their little ones this time of year. This season has the heartbreaking tendency to cause these perfect storms of illness and weakness that disrupt and often take the precious little lives God has entrusted to us. The reality of my child's fragile body is a constant, ever-present reality, and I strive to not let it keep me from living life now...today; but it is a reality that brings heaviness to my heart for those families that have walked this path...and it has an effect, even from a distance. Distance can cause the appearance of limitation...but distance doesn't have to limit love, kindness, genuineness, connection and empathy. I am thankful a heavy heart brings awareness of this in my life.
I am thankful for the gift of a new day every morning. Another opportunity to show my kids and husband how much I love them. Sometimes the new day means I get another chance ~ a chance to take my grumpy pants off and put my happy pants on ;) I will fail every day. I will be selfish every day. But I will also fight every day to be thankful for my children and my husband, for every healthy day that's put in front of us, for opportunities to embrace the blessings of this life. I will fight to be thankful for the second chances I get to look outward, to love others, to approach life with a genuine spirit of giving. I want to take time each day and pray for the families trudging through times that I can't imagine...because they are around us each and every day.
I am grateful for this perspective of living right now and no further than right in front of you. Jesus' birth calls for celebration. Remembering the day He came to earth as baby, to live among us...to love us...and to pay the ultimate price for us by dying on a cross for us. I hope and pray that what this Christmas season does for me, is remind me of the ways we were called to love and care for each other, just as Christ loves us.
I was reminded yesterday to be thankful for and blessed by the things that fill up our hearts. Parker has always been careful and particular about what fills his heart...and when we do that, I believe the Lord is able to make beautiful things of us.
~Whitney
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Brother & Sister
It has been simply beautiful to watch a brother and sister have such a bond. And here recently, it has been incredible to watch their relationship grow. Their bond has always been so strong, but their interactions, sometimes limited. Tessa is a big girl now, and Parker is becoming increasingly aware of this! ;)
Holidays are priceless; when there are cousins galore that await him to play each and every morning. He doesn't have this at home...there aren't any other sets of little feet pitter-pattering around in the early morn. But, in his own way, Parker is discovering ways to play and interact with his sister! He is so patient, so loving and so kind and he (and we) are so excited to be watching something so beautiful unfold.
Here's a sweet one from 11.16.13...Parker wanted to help me give Tessa a bath :)
I can't get this other video from 11.7.13 to load here on the blog, but it's posted on Facebook:
Around the beginning of November, Tessa started showing more trust in Parker to let him feed her snacks. That's a big deal...and he knew it was a big deal. I think it might be one of his favorite things to do now (or just a ploy to get as many snacks as Tessa does each day ;)
He has always been there to help her feel better. Always.
This is a very very special picture to me.
I don't see my children vertical and side-by-side very often.
This truly captures their bond, their growth and their love.
Parker even lets her honk his nose....
And pull his hair ;)
Cartoons and snuggles ~ yes please!!
More sibling snack sharing.....don't think this will ever get old to me!
and of course, sharing some ipad time together ~ a favorite pastime ;)
Look how much these two have changed in two years.
November 2013 September 2011
Parker has always been her biggest Fan!
In the background of each of these videos you can hear him being so proud!
August 17, 2012
April 19, 2013
And today....working so hard
(Daddy is proud too ;)
December 12, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
Thanksgiving!!
This kind of fun needs no words :) Enjoy!
This was our first year to all go to the movies!
We saw Frozen. Loved.It! :)
Tessa LOVED it too!
She got to sit in her Special Tomato seat in a movie chair
with the rest of us and was quite thrilled about it :)
Haha...this one didn't turn out so well this year...but hey, we tried!
~Whitney
Monday, November 18, 2013
Family Pics!
The chances of me getting around to mailing out Christmas cards is slim, so I'm sharing here and now :)
Our photo shoot at a local Christmas tree farm last weekend!
Thank you to Margaret Murray (murray4osu@yahoo.com) for capturing such beautiful moments and helping us make some very special memories.
Note: Tessa was less than pleased to be outside in the cold and wind early on a Saturday morning...in hindsight; she tested positive for strep the following Monday...so it's no wonder she was a rather cranky participant. We made the very best of it and our sweet girl was such a trooper!
Parker had A Blast!
Margaret was amazing with him and made him feel so special!
And for that alone, it was worth every minute!
One sweet little grin from Miss Tessa. We'll take it!
This little boy is such a blessing to us! My heart just melts in the moments when God blesses us with people that help him know just how amazing he really is!
