Emma KATE is 8 !!!

I really did want a girl. I loved having 2 boys because I loved watching brothers be brothers, and then I got selfish and wanted a baby girl as well! I thought I could control my own destiny, read a bunch of books, and tried to calculate the right "time" to conceive a girl. Needless to say, I miscarried a baby in the early weeks of pregnancy during the month of December 1999. I truly feel it was because I was trying to control my own fate instead of letting God determine what I needed. So, I tried again, this time leaving it in God's hands, and in February of 2000 I found out I was pregnant again.

I still remember the day I found out I was indeed having a little girl. The nurse said to me, "Well, you will be having ANOTHER GIRL in the house" (meaning in addition to the ONE other girl which was ME!) I tell you, the word ANOTHER sounded so long, and drawn out that I just knew she was going to say BOY...which I was prepared for the slogan, "My Three Sons"...and there was something cute about that too! But, I was having a girl and could not wait to begin buying hair accessories and PINK stuff!!!

Emma was born late in the afternoon on October 23rd, 2000. She weighed 7lbs 8oz. Her first name was chosen from her Great-Great Aunt Emma Louise; her middle name was chosen from my first name, but spelled with a K because it looked "prettier", Katherine; and her second middle name, Faith, was chosen because I kept saying throughout my pregnancy, "I'm going to have FAITH that it is a girl!"



My mom saved the outfit I wore home from the hospital, back in 1971, and though it had a few "rough spots" on it, I could not have imagined her coming home in anything else. I now understood how it felt to love your children the "same but different." Something my mom always said to me, and I never believed her...I did now.



Emma proved to be my saving grace when I went through a divorce just 7 months after she was born. I took her to bed with me and just stared at her when I couldn't fall asleep. I held myself together and took care of her when I wanted to lay on the floor and not move. She made me smile, her and the boys...and today she is still that sweet little girl.



On a lighter note, I have learned a lot about Emma over the last 8 years. She was meant to be my MOTHER'S daughter!!! I tease my mom all the time that she must have whispered all of her crazy quirks and fears into Emma's ears when she was a baby because she is the mirror image of my mom. Lately my mom and I laugh and say that Emma was probably hiding, crouched down somewhere when God looked for her to send to her and found me instead. Then when it was time for me to have a daughter HE found the one my mom was supposed to get!!!!! She has the same squishy nose like my mom. They look a lot alike as children, and their mannerisms are remarkably similar. Emma is scared of loud toilets, she used to sing songs about anything she saw throughout the day, she wears her feelings on her shoulders and cries at the drop of a hat, she wants everyone to like her, and will go out of her way to apologize EVEN if it WASN'T her fault. She is frightened of airplanes, she won't get her ears pierced because she has NO pain tolerance...I could go on and on...Yet, I would not want her any other way. My mom is a remarkable lady and has a heart of gold. I love laughing about all of the traits they both share.



My mom started a tradition a few years ago to send a tea cup and saucer she has picked out from an antique store to the Florist, and then the florist fills them with flowers and delivers them to either school or home. It is such a delicate, precious gift and I know Emma will enjoy having all of the various tea cups to collect....thanks mom!!



Emma,
I hope you had a wonderful day. I just want to make you smile in all the ways you have brought laughter and joy to my life. You continue to grow into such a sweet young lady. Your beauty comes from the inside out. I can't believe you are 8 already! Keep the love of Jesus in your heart and know that I am so proud to have been chosen by God to be your mother. I love seeing the world through your eyes and pray you always see the beauty and excitement of life as you do now.









Happy Birthday,
I love you!!!

MOM

It is CRAZY busy around here!!

I must confess...I wasn't sure what to blog about next...I wanted to continue with the accident story, but I just haven't had the time to sit for over 30 minutes to give the detail and time to the post that I want to.

Here is what I've been up to...and I'll post pictures soon.

1. Training for a Sprint Triathlon I'm competing in on October 25th, the day after my birthday. I've been running, riding a road bike, AND swimming, one each day at least 5 days a week!! I'm thinking of inventing my own triathlon that is called triathLONG. It would be a Friday, Saturday, Sunday event where you would swim on Friday, bike on Saturday, and run on Sunday...because putting it all together for a beginner is gruelling!!!! :)

2. I've been a regular at the Varsity Football games because my son plays snare on the Senior drum line. It is a lot of fun and a bit surreal to think I am a PARENT of a highschool student. I can't believe I've been out of highschool almost 20 years.

3. I've been going to Brandon's football games on Saturdays. He got LEVELED the other day and caused all of the people in the stands to go running to the rope to check on him...you'd have to have seen the hit to appreciate how bad it looked.

4. I've been taking horseback riding lessons with Emma and Mallory every other Wednesday. I am just as much of a beginning rider as the girls are. We are having a great time together...just us girls!!

5. The usual...working full time, careening 16 five year olds for 7 hours, then straightening my classroom only to come home to clean my own house, cook dinner, give baths, sew patches on Brownie vest and Raleigh's work shirts, help Robby with Algebra homework (EVERY night), pack lunches, iron clothes, wash clothes...on and on and on...LOVE IT...thank you JESUS. I can honestly say I believe my sweet friend I work with who continually tells me I will miss this time when my children are older and doing their own thing, living their own busy life.

I went to Emma's Brownie re-dedication ceremony the other night and it was so precious. I'll have to post the pictures of me in my uniform and her in her uniform, both of us in 2nd grade...too cute.

And the most exciting thing going on in my life right now is that I've gotten back BUSY for Jesus!! We are attending church regularly again, and last night we went to a Bible study at our friend's house. The boat has pulled back around and I have grabbed onto the ski rope and I am back "in his wakes" holding on tight!!! I'm so glad our Heavenly Father is a God of second, third, and unlimited amount of chances. I am so blessed.

Well, I'm off to watch the Presidential Debate. Another big deal and weight on my mind...this is quite a strange Presidential race.

Good night and God Bless!!