a growing family

I am simply amazed at how quickly the time has passed since I started having babies.

I can remember nearly everything about my pregnancy with Cameron, my oldest.  The emotion I felt then comes flooding back so easily when I dwell on those memories.  He will be 11 in November.

Caleb will be 9 in November.  I love how he doesn't try to keep up with his brother.

Carleigh just turned 7.  To me, she is just starting to lose her baby-ness.

Bella just turned 4, and is headed to pre-K in a few short weeks.

Bri is 2 and a half and can carry on an intelligent conversation with just about anyone.

All of these precious spirits have been big in size for their age.  Bri has always been on the light side, but is tall.

Then there is Bay.  She is my itty bitty baby, and different in so many ways from the other kids.  She was the largest of the girls at birth, weighing in at 7lbs, 10oz.  But since then, she has measured on the small side.  This morning at her nine month well check, she weighed 16lbs, 7oz, which places her firmly in the 10th percentile.  Her height, a mere 27 inches, puts her in the 20th percentile.  She is a very well proportioned little thing...she just resembles a 6-month-old!  Her size doesn't keep her from amazing us, however.  She is nearly crawling, can sit up well, can go from the crawling position to sitting, can pull up to her knees in her crib, and is babbling up a storm!

Her milestones don't separate her from the rest of the brood, but there are several things that do.  First, she is fair-haired.  She has beautiful strawberry blonde curls (none of the others have curly hair), although I am certain her hair will darken as she gets older.  Her eyes are very blue and her skin is fair.  Her first word was "mama" (all the others said "dada" first).  She cut her first two teeth in true textbook fashion...the bottom fronts.  The next two to pop out will be her canines...on the top!  Unlike her sisters before her who had tubes by this age, she's never had an ear infection.  In fact, she's only been to see the ped for well checks.

I share all of this with you not because I favor Bayleigh over the other children, but because I naturally assumed I would know how this sweet girl was going to look, how she would grow, and how she would behave.  Her distinctiveness has kept me guessing.  It has also helped me to embrace the qualities in my other children that make them uniquely the individuals they have become.  It has even changed my parenting style a bit.

Bayleigh Joy is our last little one (as if 6 wasn't enough, right?)  I am in no hurry for her to be older, to move on to the next phase of growth, or to be any different than she is right now.  She has helped me to slow down and just enjoy each of my short people right where they are right now.  Too soon, they will be grown, and I will long for these days.

What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  James 4:14

it is easy to be a fool

I read this verse during my morning reading, and it is too good not to share.

A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.  Proverbs 18:2

I love this.  It clearly shows us how to discern truth (God) from lies (fools).  One who is firmly planted in a garden of hatred (the fool who has no desire to understand) will reap a harvest of bitterness.  The fool is perfectly content to condemn and slander at the expense of another.  He does so even in the name of what is good and right and further believes wholeheartedly that the slander is deserved.  It can be easy to fall prey to the unrighteous judgement.  The condemnation is hurtful...after all, we are all human...given by the hand of the Lord a wide range of emotion.  It can be easy to believe the slander.  Don't.

Romans 8:1 says, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Sounds easy, right?  It's not.  I have to remind myself often that my judgement is in Christ, and not in the flesh.  I am a real person with real feelings.  I cry.  I hurt.  My heart breaks.  Just like you.  Just like the fool.  Yes, I also have to remember that the fool has feelings, too.  The fool was created in Christ's image, just the same way I was.  We are equally worthy of His love and grace.  What a hard lesson.

Remember, it is easy to be a fool.  It is difficult to seek to understand.

ADDED NOTE:  Webster defines the word fool several different ways.  Here are two commonly used definitions: 1. a person lacking in good judgement or prudence; 2. one with a marked propensity or fondness for something (e.g., a fool for God or a fool for love).  It is of the former definition which I speak.

if x, then y

No, this is not a math lesson.

James 4:13-14 reads, Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow, we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

I have spent countless hours wondering what would happen IF?  I could plan my whole life out starting with that simple phrase...what if?  Or how about this one... if x would happen, then life would be better. 

Life is about the journey, not the destination.

Each day, I will continue to focus on relationships.  Encouraging, discipling, mentoring, training, loving, playing.  I will remember that I am not promised tomorrow.  I will make the most of today.  I will be thankful for how I am blessed now, and not how I might be blessed later.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

Are you accomplishing your dreams? What is keeping you from fulfilling them? Are you focusing on what matters in life?

Carleigh...over the years

I am bummed that I don't have any digital pictures of Carleigh when she was first born...she was so sweet.  But here are a few from the past 7 years...

Around 9 months old

1 year old

Two years old

Three years old

Four years old and headed to Pre-K

Five years old with her new haircut like mommy's

Six years old

Carleigh is 7!

Carleigh Grace was born on June 30, 2003.  After two awesome boys, it was such a joy to be getting my little girl!  But she is little no more!  She is now a little lady at 7-years-old!  It has been so fun to watch her grow.  She was one of the most laid back babies I have ever known (except for her first two weeks of life, when she spent a lot of time screaming at me!)  She always had a smile for everyone!   When the terrific two's hit, she became a little pistol!  She was the true definition of Dr. Dobson's strong-willed child...I never knew a child could cause so much frustration and joy all in an instant.  One form of discipline never worked very long with Carleigh...she was too smart for us and figured out the game quickly.  Then, a couple of years ago, I read The Five Love Languages at Chris' prompting.  We were reading it for each other, but I found that we could apply it to our children as well.  Almost instantly, I knew that Carleigh's love language is quality time.  She is at her best when we single her out and take her somewhere, even if it is only to the grocery store.  I love that when she is having a bad day that I can simply take her aside, do something as simple as read to her, and she is a changed kid!  She is becoming a young lady before my eyes.  She has grown up so much, and I am so proud of her!

So...yesterday, we celebrated her 7 years with a tea party!  It was THE funnest party I have ever thrown!  We were blessed by the presence of 17 little girls...yes, 17!...dressed in their cutest dresses.  We had lunch, sipped pink lemonade from tea cups, played games, ate cupcakes, and played.  It was divine.  Carleigh was a shiny happy little lady the entire day!  I love how grateful she was for it all, too.  A perfect day!  Here are a few pictures from the day...

The sweets table

Carleigh's flowers and tea cup

Carleigh's huge cupcake!

Me and the birthday girl

Most of the guests...missing the little ones

I was so blessed by this day!  It was amazing!

an angel on earth

Sweet Laynie Payne went to be with Jesus this morning.  I am struggling to find words to express how I feel about this little girl.  She was not expected to make it more than a couple of hours past birth.  Though she has since been diagnosed with serious illnesses, she has defied the odds and survived an additional 30 months!  I had known her precious mama for a couple of years already, but I met her for the first time when she was only days old when I went to create what was expected to be Laynie's first and last portrait.  I went to be a blessing to her familiy...instead, I went away blessed.  I was changed that day.  So many have been changed because of the life of this angel.  I have been lucky enough to photograph her a couple more times since the day I met her, and I have been even more lucky to have known her.  Laynie's family has been one of the most pure examples of faith I have ever seen.  They have been steadfast throughout her journey, and I have stood completely in awe.  Today, I celebrate her.  I know that she rests safely in the arms of the Lord and has been made whole and new.  I will leave you with the words of Laynie's Lolly (Laura), who I have come to know and love since the day I met Laynie...

"What a joyous, love filled, faith filled, happy, fun journey we have had. And that Laynie, marching right along with her family, never knowing her life was anything but the best in the world... and it was."

"Behold, I make all things new."  Revelation 21:5

just a-runnin'

Only got in 3 this morning, which is better than nothing I suppose.  It has become sooooooooooo boring!  I've run around this neighborhood and the one adjacent that I can run it all in my sleep!  ;)  My motivation is out the window, and I can think of a different excuse everyday not to get up and go.  Sigh.  Maybe I could run it backwards?  Can you imagine?  Seriously though, I need to add something to my workout...and soon.  Any thoughts?

a weekend of celebration

I am truly humbled by what this day really means.  By signing the Declaration of Independence, our forefathers were essentially signing their own death warrants.  They were guilty of high treason, according to British law, which was punishable by an excruciatingly painful death and humiliation that extended on to their heirs.  Fortunately for us, the revolutionaries fought and won the right to the freedoms that have been afforded to each of us.  I love history.

Today, we celebrate Independence Day with backyard barbeques, family gatherings, sporting events, and fireworks displays.  Our family is no different.  We have had a weekend of fun, thanks to this amazing holiday!  Our neighborhood does it up right each year with a family parade, games for kids, lawnmower racing, and a spectacular (thanks Fancy Nancy!) fireworks display that rivals the UCO-Edmond display!  If you live in my hood or were here as a guest...you know its true!  It's a non-stop fireworks show for several hours out here!  I love how the neighborhood comes together for this big event!

While I was preparing for company this afternoon, I thought about what the first Independence Day must have been like.  Scary stuff...facing death for standing up for what you think is right.  I wondered how it came to be that we celebrate in the manner we do.  I found a letter John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, about the holiday just two days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence...

"[Independence Day] will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America.  I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.  It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

Wow.  We were always supposed to celebrate this way!  Cool.

So grateful for the country we live in...even with all its flaws, it is blessed.  Thank you, God, for freedom!