The Great 8

Y'all...how is my baby 8 years old today? It seems like just the other day I remember excitedly driving to the hospital ready to meet him. (Little did I know it would be a whole 20 something hours later...but it was well worth the wait and the emergency c-setion.) I thought I would have no trouble transitioning into being a mom...I had 5 younger siblings and knew all about how to handle babies and change diapers. What I didn't know was how much different it is to be a mom than a big sister to 5.

Becoming a mom was the best thing that ever happened to me. I've been stretched in ways I didnt know possible...more exhausted than imaginable...and felt more overwhelming love than I know I ever could have possibly deserved. I'm so grateful for this baby boy who was the first to fill up my heart. I cannot believe he's lived 8 years already...they've flown by way faster than I'd like to admit.

He doesn't look like a little boy anymore. He's starting to have that goofy older kid look and the mind of his own to go with it. He is every day growing into more and more of his own person, and it breaks my heart and makes me so proud all in the same breath. How to learn to let go while still giving him all he needs to face the world is a tall order, but I'm ever so grateful that I was the one chosen to do that. That I was the one chosen to be his mom. I can't imagine being anything else.

Merrick Wilder is so many things. He is fun. He is literally the sweetest boy I know. He cares for others. He never stops climbing and running and jumping and moving. He looks like his daddy. He will be the first to comfort me if I'm upset...rubbing my back and tucking my hair behind my ear. He constantly makes me laugh with the unique way his mind works. He wants to be a good man...he is already a good man. He loves his God and his family. He is irreplaceable and has taught me so much about love.

I always say this, but I mean it so much. I know birthdays are about the person having one, but I can't ever help but feel like I'm the one who is getting the gift on my kids' birthdays. No gift I could wrap up and give to you today, Boogie, would ever compare to the gift I was given when you were born. I am so grateful and humbled to be your mom, and I love you more than I can say. I'm so proud of you, and can't wait to see how you grow this next year! Happy 8th birthday, Merrick Wilder!

Game Face

As a homeschooling mom of 4, sometimes it takes serious effort to spend one on one time with all of the kids. (I know, I'm home with them all day long...but that's not quite the same as spending quality time with them.) The older two get a lot more focused attention relating to school, but a lot of times Jericho in particular gets lost in the shuffle.

He was such a chill baby, that it was even easier to kind of let him do his thing and not have to worry about him. (Amaryllis as we all know, demands attention and doesn't care what you think about it.) As he's gotten a little older, though, I can tell he's needing more good attention by the amount of time he spends looking for negative attention if you know what I mean. (What sibling can I irritate to tears today?) So recently I've been trying to make sure and put genuine effort into just spending time playing with him.

The other day he asked me to play Guess Who? with him. (Superhero edition, of course.) So I wasnt about to say no. We played several rounds...most of which involved him not following any of the rules are even seeming to be aware there are rules to Guess Who?, but I think it was a success. I know one day this little big guy will be asking me for the keys to the car instead of asking me to chat with him every night before bed...so I think spending more time with him (and all the other hooligans as well) is a win/win. Even if I have to lose a few times at a board game.

Fancy Faces

Nothing too elaborate to say over here right now. It's been the typical busy yet, well typical, kind of week so far already. I always feel like the days crawl but the weeks fly by when I look back. It's tricky, that living life business. But I'm always thankful for the fact that the majority of my time is spent with people I really really like.


Here is one example of "people I really like." She's recently noticed she can make people laugh by doing silly things, like that face in the middle picture. The older hooligans give her standing ovations for so much as sneezing...so it it any surprise she finds herself hilarious? ;) She doesn't lack for personality that's for daggone sure, but come to think of it none of the hooligans do.


At least my seemingly long days are filled with these faces. There isn't much I would rather see. Except occasionally the back of my eyelids.

Independently Cheesy

At our house we are attempting to raise independent individuals. That means things like letting them fix their own lunch...and the mess that typically goes with it. Letting them dress themselves...and the interesting wardrobe choices that go with it. (Within reason...I do occasionally put my foot down.) Letting them do their laundry...and the spilled detergent that is now all over the laundry room. You get the picture.

I know that one day it will be worth it, and I will be glad I let them try and do things for themselves. I just have to struggle through all the trauma that this gives my neat-freak soul. And also make sure they eat their vitamins, since sometimes if I don't catch them in time their lunches look something like this:

Here we have what Tirzah calls a cheese sandwich. She has even covered all the bases by making sure the "bread" is also cheese, technically cheez-its. Go big or go home, right?

Introductions

Back in the Spring, our oldest two kiddos had made their own personal decision to become Christ followers. We have talked to them about our faith often, and it's something that is a big part of our  home...but also something that we very much wanted to let them decide on their own without any pushing from us. It's obviously a very personal decision, so I was thrilled when the two of them told me they believed and wanted to take the next step. 

Our church recently had planned to have a baptism service, which was open to whoever wanted to participate. We asked the kiddos if they wanted to do this, and if they understood what it meant, etc. They both said that they did, and were so excited about it. We spent a lot of time talking to the two of them and listening to their thoughts about the whole process. Kids have such an amazing perspective on things...and seeing them walk through this for themselves has been such a heart-renewing experience for me. 

As a mom, there is nothing more you could want for your children than to see them grow to be people who love, people who are devoted and loyal to their friends and family and what they believe, and who see the bigger picture that exists outside of themselves. I'm so proud of these two kids. They have their struggles like we all do, and some days I feel like I'm failing them in so many ways, but hearing their hearts through this process has made me realize more than ever what beautiful souls they have. They love, and they care, and they get it...sometimes way more than I do. They love their Savior and the people around them, and they amaze me more all the time. 

I am so honored to have been able to be a part of this, and to be able to walk beside them as they grow and learn. I know as a mom you always worry if you are doing right by your kids, giving them what they need, teaching them all they need to know, preparing them for the life ahead, loving them completely and knowing them better than anyone. I readily admit that I am not capable of doing this as well as I would like to, but I am so glad to have been able to introduce them to the One who can.