Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Cherish the moments

Leia saw this picture and said "Baby screaming Happy Birthday to you"

I don't think baby Dakota was screaming that. But it was the coolest thing EVER to hear that 1st cry. 7 months before, I thought just hearing his sweet little heartbeat was the best sound in the world. 
Each moment is precious.

They say .... As a child, you sing songs. As an adult, you finally realize what the words mean.
The song that comes to mind right now is "Cherish the Moment" by Patch the Pirate. I never understood why it brought tears to the eyes of the mommies in the audience when we sang it. I'm sure each mother/parent was reminiscing back to the day when their children were little ones. I can't hear this song, much less read the lyrics, without a catch in my throat and a tear in my eye. (and no! it's not an eyelash or the beginning of a cold...lol)


Cherish the Moment
 
Read my book, rub my back;
Mommy, listen to my prayer.
Let me sit in your lap.
Daddy, fly me through the air.
Throw a ball, make a snack;
Can we go to the park?
Tuck me in, hold me close;
I’m afraid of the dark.
(Chorus)
Cherish the moment;
Soon you’ll be apart.
Cling to the mem’ry;
Clasp it to your heart.
Soon comes the day when
you’ll have no child to hold,
So cherish,
cherish the moment.
Sing a song, play a game;
Swing me high in the air.
Ride a bike, fly a kite;
How I love the times we share.
Hold my hand, hug my neck;
Daddy bounce me on your knee.
Come and sit by my bed;
Mommy sing me to sleep.
(Chorus)
Cherish the moment;
Soon you’ll be apart.
Cling to the mem’ry;
Clasp it to your heart.
Soon comes the day when
you’ll have no child to hold,
So cherish,
cherish the moment.
Think ahead to a time
When your little ones are grown;
Hold them tight, don’t lose sight
Of the blessings you have known.
Think ahead to a time
When your little boy’s a man
And you’d give anything
Just to hold him again.
(Chorus)
Cherish the moment;
Soon you’ll be apart.
Cling to the mem’ry;
Clasp it to your heart.
Soon comes the day when
you’ll have no child to hold,
So cherish,
cherish the moment.


8 years...that's ALOT of moments...with many more to come.
Happy Birthday to Mr. Dakota Wyatt. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you. We look forward to all the fun times, silly conversations, and long walks through the woods in the coming years.

-enJoy

Monday, January 27, 2014

Where did the time go?

My baby boy used a big word today..and he used it correctly. I think that's when it hit that my baby boy is turning 8 years old tomorrow!


Where did the time go?  I think that statement is overused but it must be said. I remember bringing him home from the hospital wondering how will ever do this thing they call "being a mommy". And now, he's using big words to tell on his sister. Haaaha! 

What was the big word, you ask? 
"Mom, Lily is trying to start a conversation with me. And I'm trying to eat my cereal. I can't talk right now."

Yes, that was my baby boy speaking this morning.

Excuse this momma for the next 24-48 hours while I reminisce of when I first became a mommy.

Like I said...."Where did the time go?"

-enJoy

Thursday, January 23, 2014

6 years ago...

It was this time, 6 years ago, that we found out about Lily's congenital heart defect.
It was incredibly puzzling. Lilyann was my first baby over the 6 pound mark (7 lbs 1 oz). Her sonogram pictures showed she possessed the cutest chubby cheeks. I was so excited. This pregnancy was so different than my last. While pregnant with Dakota, I dealt with high blood pressure. So much that, my Dr admitted me to the hospital one day for observation. I was 36 wks 1 day. Dakota arrived the next day....just shy of 4 weeks early. He was a skinny little baby. (6 lbs 2 oz) So after dealing with high blood pressure and an early delivery, I just knew this time was going to be different. And it was. I carried Lilyann to almost 39 weeks; and when we left the hospital, she was healthier than her mommy. But 7 weeks later proved different.


We were pushed by Jed's aunt and mom to take Lilyann to see the pediatrician. Lily slept almost all the time. She barely woke up enough to eat. And when she wasn't sleeping, she was crying. My sweet baby and I didn't know what to do. After our visit, it was true...there was nothing I could do for her...but pray.
We got the news that I don't wish on any parent....Lilyann had a hole in her heart. I remember calling my mom after that appointment and just losing it all. I was devastated...this was MY baby girl. She was PERFECT when she was born...why MY baby girl???

Here's my blog post from 1/23/08:
"we received the results yesterday that Lily has Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) which means there is a big hole between the left ventricle and the right ventricle. This hole is allowing the oxygen and the blood to mix ---making Lily very tired..and exhausted. She cant seem to finish an ounce of formula without falling asleep...so she isnt gaining weight. She has only gained about 1 lb since she was born. We are seeing the pediatric heart specialist in Dallas tomorrow...so we can talk about treating this."

Lily's treatment resulted in open heart surgery 3 months after her diagnosis. It truly was one of the best decisions we made for Lily. A tough one, but a good one.  At that time, I couldn't understand why things like this happen to good people. While it was quite the trial for Jed and I, we learned so much. We learned that "all things work together for good". We learned that prayer is a powerful tool. And we learned to lean on friends and family.


God knows what He is doing. We might not understand it all...but He knows.
Lilyann is now a healthy 6 yr old. She loves going to school and learning. Now, she can have her stubborn moments but I think that's a good trait for a Heart kiddo. She has Fight!! I pray that Fight stays in her all through life and she uses it to help out others.

Just a little something from me while I think about life and how far we've come.

-enJoy

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Home

Sometimes..... I think of home. 
Not my current home where my husband and I are raising our children, but my childhood home. The area, people, and love I grew up around. My family ♥

You know it's time to head back "home" to see family when you see their look-a-likes driving down the road, waiting on the bus, or shopping at the store. Yes, I've seen a good number of my Florida family and friends...well, their look-a-likes, anyway.

I truly love my life here in East Texas. But some days, I'd love if my children could be around their grandparents. I see different characteristics of my parents/family in my children daily. It could be that this bout of homesickness is shining the spotlight on it, but it does help remind me of "home". 

I can't wait to visit with my family this summer. It's been since my Dad's heart procedure 1.5 yrs ago. I'm like a kid at Christmas thinking about our upcoming trip. *excited*

This was the last time Leia and I saw my dad....the day before his heart procedure. Leia has many of my dad's characteristics (I'd like to think that I passed them down to her from my dad...lol)...Her facial expressions are outstanding..extraordinary. I could be having a craptastic day and what does she do? "Love you, Momma...Momma..Mom...MOOOOM!" all while doing her little raising of the eyebrows. I love that little girl. My dad has always had a way of making it fun to learn about everyday things. I've installed cabinets with him. Did I learn all about cabinets? not as much as I should. But I enjoyed holding his bottle of Coke Cola and just spending time with him.

Well, enough thinking of home. Now, I need to think about this home as it sounds like someone's ripping pages out of a book in the hallway.

-enJoy

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

"You see the hidden beauty"

Someone told me this recently "You see the hidden beauty."
I guess not everything HAS to be exactly what everyone else thinks it should be. 
I love taking walks and seeing different spider web patterns between tree branches. I enjoy the evening time....when the sun is setting, the birds are chirping, and sometimes the crickets start playing their songs. 

I never really thought about it like that. But give me a camera and it gives me the chance to show you how I see life. 

Yesterday, my sister and I took the kids to the park by the lake. My plan was to let the kids swing and then we'd go for a walk (they would ride their bikes) on the trail around the lake area. Well, that happened and more. The kids wanted to check out the bank. Then they started picking up driftwood and making a dam. Sooner than later, they were stepping feet first into the lake...with shoes ON! I know, I should have stopped it right then and there. But the kids were happy. They were so content using their imaginations. One was intent on making a dam while another was looking for worms and yet another was building a "bridge" to walk out into the lake. Crazy how children's minds work. They all see things from their own unique point of view.



The next thing that happened on this incredibly warm January day, the shoes came off...as well as socks. The sand was warm. The children then started burying their feet in the sand. 
Memories were definitely made yesterday. I'm glad I let them just be kids. Given my van is covered in sand, but for now, I will see it as a reminder of the memories, the good times, and their creative imaginations.


Find something today and really SEE IT! See the good!

-enJoy

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Literally, seconds of sanity

Oh sweet child of mine!
Yes, the one sweet sweet child that's currently eating (yes, EATING) the color pencils. It seems as if we have 1 minute of sweetness and then 4 minutes of "REALLLY?!?!"
It wasn't even 10 minutes ago that I heard a weird noise. I call out "What are you doing??" She responds with "brushing my teeth, Momma." Then I heard the toilet seat hit the back of the tank and a toothbrush plunged into the water. Fabulous!

I've started (just this week) to walking in the morning. I've found that if we take a walk...at least 10-15 minutes, it burns off enough of Little Chickie's energy so she will nap at an appropriate time. (meaning not while I'm cooking dinner or 1 hour before bedtime) I have ample benefits from our morning walks...extra energy, exercise, and a napping child. It's a win win win ;)

Today's walk wasn't as long as what we've been doing. Probably because Little Chickie was tired and wanted Mommy to carry her. Carrying a child while walking briskly burns more calories, right?! 


And for your enJoyment, here's a recent snapshot of the kiddos. To get the big kids to cooperate, I promised they could play the Wii if they'd sit for a picture together. See my results! Fabulous

--enJoy

Monday, January 13, 2014

...doeth good like a medicine

Today was a dreaded Monday.
My sweet children took FOREVER to get out of their beds this morning...but we still weren't late for school.
Then, I get back home after dropping off the big kids at school only to realize that the load of laundry in the washer was the same one I put in on Saturday evening (I'm so forgetful lately). It's time to start this day over.

I got some breakfast, finished my coffee and then restarted the laundry. Leia's running crazy through the house screeching for a "treat"...but won't surrender to going peepee on the potty to get said "treat".  Oh, the whining!!! 
Next, I put on my sneakers and do the same for Leia. We are going for a walk. Maybe some fresh air will help...and It did!  
Then the mail arrived...why must the mail carrier continue to give me bills. They know I don't appreciate them ;)  But they still arrive. As my husband reminded me today...worrying won't pay them, it will be all right. I keep reminding myself that. It's nothing to constantly be worrying about...anyway, I'd rather have laugh lines than worry lines. 

And all of that to say this....
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."
~Proverbs 17:22
This verse is one that Dad would have us say at almost every family devotions. Those verses we repeated each evening have stuck with me. I find they pop up at exactly the right time. Pretty incredible how my parents instilled these truths in ours lives at a young age.


A merry heart...laughter.  I've heard it's the best medicine :D

--enJoy

Saturday, January 11, 2014

What would I tell my 18 yr old self?

Recently, I asked Facebook friends:
 "Knowing what you know now, what would tell your 18 yr old self?"

I've been thinking about this off and on for the last few weeks. I don't regret anything that has happened in my "adult years". Each and every thing that happened was meant to make me a better person. At times, I  swear I was on someone's hit list, but I lived to tell about it. Thank you, God.
 I'm far from perfect (yes, I put that in writing!!) but I strive to be the best that I can be. It's okay to make mistakes. If you don't learn from them, that's when the mistake was wasted. Each situation is a learning experience...believe me, I had lots of "learning experiences". ;)
 

So....what would I tell my 18 year old self?
*Never take life for granted.
*Take what Mom and Dad taught you and hold on to it. Just because you want to "make your own way" doesn't mean that you need to throw the last 18 years out the window. Each grounding, spanking, and "I love you" was their way of preparing you for real life.
*Trade in that Mountain Dew for Coffee...you'll learn to live off of it one day ;) (ain't that the truth!!!)
*Smile! It's the 2nd best thing to do with your lips

I was encouraged and inspired to read the answers from my fellow friends. Their tenacity is incredible!!
Like one friend said "Unfortunately I probably wouldn't listen." hahaha!! probably true, but hey! it's worth a shot. 

And one more thing...
*enJoy the moments...don't rush life!


Sunday, January 5, 2014

Patience with my patients ♥



Not even 5 days into the new year and I'm struggling with my patience resolution. Lately, the only way to recharge my patience is seeing my children sleeping.
Since my last post, the girls have been to the doctor and are both on antibiotics. It's not the flu (Thank you, God!) but it's bronchial....meaning liquids, rest, and breathing treatments are our best friends right now.

This mom just rocked a breathing treatment while said child was sleeping. She did wake up toward the end, but we got most of it done. When she's feeling lousy, she lets everyone know about it.  I'm hoping she gets to feeling better soon...she loves going to school and tomorrow is the 1st day back. She'll be home tomorrow, though :(

Little Chickie is doing a bit better. She's dealing with a small touch of bronchitis and a ruptured eardrum (painful..I've had this happen before). But she's seems to be coping with it rather well..as long as I stay on top of her pain meds.

I know I could never be a nurse. My patience runs out simply quicker than others. So, pray for my patience with my patients.

-enJoy



Thursday, January 2, 2014

Be Patient!

It's a double shot kind of day. I treated myself to a BIG coffee today. 

My love for my children is at an all-time high, but my patience...not so much.

My goal for 2014....Be Patient! 

-When the kids are climbing up the bunk beds and jumping off...ripping the curtains down in the process.
-When the screaming gets so high pitched, you're positive the whole neighborhood of dogs is on your front porch.
-When I finally get all plates made and set in front of the children only to realize, one plate has been pushed off the table to the floor.
-When a child strives to help mommy get drinks and dumps a fresh gallon of SWEET tea on the kitchen floor.
-When the youngest gets in touch with her monkey side and pulls furniture down on top of her.... oh Joy!!
-When I finally get a chance to get clean clothes on, and hugs are used as a cover to wipe their noses on Mommy. 

Yes, even during those times. I will strive to be Patient!



Counting helps me to get it together. Counting is one thing all 3 children are pretty good at. Leia can count to 8  .... Hahahahaha!! I wonder if we can get her counting to 20 soon.



-enJoy :)