Our Pretty Little Tiger

We went to Dia's first carnival at a local play area and we showed her a poster of face painting. We asked her if she wanted a flower or horsey. Her eyes lit up, she pointed and exclaimed, "Tiger!" We left it on her for a few days and she would run to the mirror each morning saying, "Mama, tiger! My's tiger!" She loved being a tiger. And we loved it, too. She now uses her puzzle frame and a straw and pretends to paint our faces (including Depot), too. She can do a giraffe, a puppy and just about anything you want with just a few flicks of the straw. Each color stands for a different animal, apparently, and she is a very serious artist. :) Not to mention, adorable enough to eat.

I Want, I Want, I Want

Sadly this isn't a post about the selfish cries of my two-year old.

I'm suffering from a bad case of "But, I wanna!"

Not necessarily one to comb the malls, scan the magazines or even shop online, I do encounter certain things that I simply must have. MUST. HAVE. I see it and instantly know that I want it.

Currently I'm envying over the 13.1.

Have you seen them? Those fabulous bumper stickers that say 13.1. I WANT ONE. MUST. HAVE.

But, of course, it's not one of those stickers you can just go out and buy. You have to earn one of those beauties. Specifically speaking, you have to run 13.1 miles. A half-marathon.

Sigh.

I got it in my head about a year ago that I wanted, no, NEEDED, one. I got together with my favorite and fitness-booty-saving Stroller Strides instructor and we planned to train for the Nike Women's in San Francisco. One of the most popular races in the country, the Nike Women's selects (at random) only a certain amount of racing teams to participate. When we weren't selected, I was truly sad. But we consoled ourselves with the fact that the P.F. Chang's was only a few months after that and that we could train just as well for a race in town.

And then I found out we're pregnant! And not just pregnant. Due to deliver exactly four days after the P.F. Chang's. Hmm...somehow I don't see myself running the 13.1 at a full 40 weeks.

So I've settled for a 5k here in town in October.

Can I tell you something, though? I can barely breathe after running a mile! Looks like I may be walk/running those 3.1 miles.

I wonder if they make a bumper sticker that says 3.1? Maybe I can just scratch out the "1" in front of my coveted "13.1"...and then after Olive and a few months of training, I'll fill it back in.

DAUGHTERS!

Did you catch the plural there?

Daughterssssss.....as in more than one. Yep.

We are having a little girl!!!!

A beautiful (you can totally tell she's gorgeous even in the ultrasound), perfectly healthy baby girl. Due this January, Olive Christianne will be India June's baby sister and our newest daughter.

AND I'M JUST SO EXCITED!!!!!!

Dia sporting her "Big Sister" shirt while being excited :)

Olive means "peaceful" and Christianne is a feminine form of Christopher, Rory's middle name, which means "bearer of Christ." (Actually, all of Rory's family has a middle name beginning with "Christ" so Olive will not just carry on her Papa's name, but his whole family's tradition.) So we have ourselves a sweet little "Peaceful Bearer of Christ" in her papa's tradition.


And with two strong personalities ahead of her (her mama and older sister), she just may be a little more on the peaceful side if you know what I mean. We instantly knew this would be her name. And just like with Dia, I cried when I heard it. With both of our children now, I realize that we are more discovering their name rather than just choosing it. We really feel that their persons and spirits are already well-established before the Lord and it's our job to "tune-in" to who they are.

Dia and Liv. Olive and India. DD and Livy. I can just see a beautiful friendship already.

In fact, when the ultra-sound tech told Dia she would have a sister, Dia cried.

"NO! Girl!"

She wanted the baby to be a girl and thought that a sister wasn't a girl. How cute is that? We explained that a sister is a girl and that was met with giggles and a hearty, "Yay!" As we've been slowly talking more and more about the baby to come now that we have a name (Dia says "Olif"--so adorable), we explained that Baby Olive will come to live with us forever and even sleep in bed with us. That night Rory went to lay his head next to Dia's and she got upset saying, "No, Papa! Baby Olif sleep there!" Without any prompting, she has also taken to kissing my belly. My prayer is that her protection over and love for this new sweetheart will carry on long into their adulthood and throughout their long lives serving the Lord together.

One of the best things about the ultra-sound is that it's done at home by an amazing and talented professional who also records our voices along with the full ultra-sound so we will have our reactions to this blessed news on a DVD to enjoy forever. Not to mention, her first glorious images to savor forever--just like with India.

The other day I went to return some shirts at a local off-the-rack department store. I prayed while in line that the Lord would grant me favor from the cashier (I didn't have my receipt and was pretty sure I was well passed the 30-day return policy deadline anyway). He completely granted me favor and the cashier even gave me a knowing look as she explained that she knew the shirts weren't worth anywhere near what she was giving me in store credit. I couldn't help but thank Him (and her, of course), but somewhere deep down I felt so unworthy of the full amount I received when I didn't really deserve it. I now think that was a teeny tiny little glimpse into the favor He has had in store for Rory and me. Knowing that we will have two healthy daughters...well, of course I haven't been able to stop thanking the Lord. But I also feel so unworthy. Children are a blessing. A blessing FROM THE LORD, He says. They are pure gifts. And here, selfish, horribly flawed, completely unqualified us gets two. Two daughters to love and raise and nurture before the Lord. I don't think I could ask for anything more!


Thank You, Lord, for Your favor! For the blessing of two daughters. They are nothing but gifts and I praise You forever for such favor. Thank You. Be with us each day and night as we learn and struggle and rejoice through parenthood. Teach us to love as You do. And to be as patient and gracious as You are. In all ways and things, let our family be a testament, a glory, an example and following of You and Your Son, our ultimate gift. Cause our home to be a living testimony and praise to You always--in strength and weakness, good times and hard. Lead us all closer to each other and nearer to You. I also continue to ask You for health and strength for all of us and Baby Olive as she continues to grow. In the name of Your Precious Son, Amen.

Baby Olive, we can't wait to meet you!

The Honor of a Legacy

I know that when home-schooling somewhat fell into my family's lap back in 1993, my parents were hopeful that I would not have the same educational and social experiences they had. Rory's parents also chose home-schooling making efforts so that their son would not repeat their own history.

Rory and I don't have that concern when it comes to educating India. As a direct result of our parents' sacrifices, prayers and hard work, we are honored to continue the legacy they began with us. We pray that our daughter builds the same friendships, finds the same community and enjoys the same educational benefits we did. While we are different parents and different people than our parents are and while India is already all her own person presenting unique situations and decisions, ultimately our goal is to give our daughter just what our parents gave us.

What an honor.

Obviously, our parents were not perfect. I know it goes without saying that our childhoods were not from the fairybooks. But our parents laid a foundation, began the process of setting us apart while we were children and it has only blessed us. It inspires me now as a mom. And getting to go the annual Arizona Families for Home Education (AFHE) Home School Convention as a home-school mom, a second generation home-schooler, thrilled me.


Call me what you will, but I love home-schoolers. I adore denim jumpers (*note: I do not wear denim jumpers, merely admire and adore). I grin from ear to ear watching moms and dads huddle over curriculum books. I make special mention to tip my imaginary hat to the little boys in suits. I do not know why, but I just love it.

I love the uniqueness of home-schoolers. I am impressed always by their ability to remain set apart from the world. In it, but not of it. Loving it, but not living it. They are a special subculture, unique to themselves and no matter how many people try to document it, analyze it or demystify it, the lifestyle of a conservative Christian home-school family deserves respect. These people don't just talk it, they walk it. And I love it!

This year, Rory and I went merely as spectators, trying to glean and soak in as much as possible while still just getting our feet wet. But we ended up being pretty inspired!

The convention is a whole world unto itself--lectures, sales booths, a graduation. And the focus of it all? Christ. Jesus! Whether they are discussing how to make lap books or select curriculum or plan your day or budget your finances, it all comes back to serving Christ, remaining sensitive to the spirit of your child and serving Jesus. I think all Christians should hang out around here each year just because it is so spiritually rich.

Take for instance a lecture we heard on how dads can support moms in home-schooling. Blew our socks off. We expected the whole "Help around the house, grade papers, be the head of the household, call the shots and pray for submission." We ended up hearing, "If you are not listening to the heart of your wife everyday, that is wife neglect." "If your wife has to do the dishes, that is wife neglect." "If you are not hugging and sharing physical, non-sexual intimacy with your wife everyday, that is wife neglect." Huh? Well, sign me up for this lecture any day! He challenged husbands to put family before work (shared his own story as a top lawyer and how cutting back his office hours only blessed his efforts), called them to never expect submission but love as Christ even if she doesn't deserve it. He even, wait for it, called each husband to "shoot their TV" as Little Bear Wheeler used to. Some men raised their hands and voices at this--"What about sports? News?" He asked them how much their wife has sacrificed to home-school their children and told them television would be a drop in the bucket compared to what she has given up for the better of their family.

Oh yeah, preach it, baby!

Ok, so we got pretty inspired...

And that wasn't even the educational or directly spiritual lectures. Am I absolutely boring you with my gross enthusiasm?

Sorry. I can't help it!

We heard time and time again that education is discipleship and that discipleship is a scriptural charge to parents. That any establishment that teaches or advocates life without God is discipling in atheism. Scary, huh? But true.

When it came to educational philosophy, I was especially excited to find these women who were absolutely speaking my language. Educational philosophies are fairly scientific but intensely personal and you have to find what works for you. Charlotte Mason and the KONOS method are two symbiotic philosophies that have already given me direction with Dia.

And it's direction to simply let. her. play. Let her be young, be a child. And these women even had the scientific studies to prove its benefits--this is so helpful when you are making your own way with your own child! Not only do early reading and early preschool offer no educational benefits or "boosts", but it can actually harm them. While I am in no way, an "unschooler" (yes, this is a real term), I am completely of the mind that forcing education upon a young mind can only hurt both parent and child.

They shared the story of their daughter/sister who did not read until eight years old. Eight. I imagine that in formal educational training, this poor soul would have been allotted to the special needs group and never given much opportunity to learn. Clearly a bright child, she just wasn't ready until she was ready.

She's now a successful engineer. Extremely well-read and well-educated, she was given the chance to learn at her own pace and it ignited her academics. I want this for my children. Home-school is a unique venue to that end.

I could write pages (have already written pages...sorry!) about how this convention encouraged, inspired and united us. I am just so grateful for all the parents who forged ahead when it was even illegal to educate your own children. All those parents who kept on with it even when outside family members and friends frowned on and questioned them. I am so grateful for the parents who did what they knew was right even when no one else did. I am so grateful for my parents and my in-laws. They began the legacy and here we go following after them.

And being Gratitude Monday, let me continue my count...

91. My parents. Home-schooling lets you see all the ridiculous imperfections in both your parents and children--we came out loving each other all the more for them!
92. My in-laws. Dia and baby #2 will be richly blessed for the choices you made.
93. Celebrating the little things that really are big things when you're a papa and mama (and a husband who doesn't mind getting emotional with you over it).

94. The work of the Holy Spirit who gently leads you to an inconspicuous lunch spot only to be inspired to make a whole change.
95. My husband--the papa who does everything FUN. (He sent me this picture while I was at Starbucks writing this...balloons and static electricity, I'm thinking...)


96. Unexpected faithfulness.
97. Enjoying my daughter's proud selection of clothing (She always enthusiastically nods her head and says, "ASKX?" when making sure it's okay...)

98. The grace of being able to go outdoors at least for a little each day first thing in the morning. Fresh air is good.
99. A small fridge and the way it helps me keep budget.
100. Knowing you're not alone.