How do you look at your children?

Psalm 127:3-5 

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.  Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."

I believe this.  I find it a little sad when I am treated as though I am crazy for wanting more than two children. I even want more than three! It will depend upon how the Lord sees fit to bless me.

 I realize it is a personal decision for each couple as to how many children they have. There is no doctrinal command concerning this.  I do not criticize those who want fewer children than I want.  I do find it a little sad when those 2.5 children are described as a burden and that having more than 2 somehow puts you into the "braver than most" category. I cannot help but believe we are allowing the liberal ideas of society to convince us that God is lying in the above verses.

Children are work. Oh boy are they! But, I have never been happier or more fulfilled than I am in this role of wife and mother that God scripturally laid out for me.   At this point in my life I truly feel "the more the merrier" applies to me.

I am not writing all of this because I have any sort of chip on my shoulder.  I do hope, however, that we will say things that will encourage young mothers (Titus 2:3-5). Let us say positive things to help them see child bearing and rearing as the Psalmist describes it, as a blessing from the Lord. 

Scared of a little baby?

I'll admit it.  I was scared. I was just getting used to the idea of raising a son when my fear returned, but this time for a different reason. The first time I was scared is simply because our little Noah IS a boy. I have two girls.  I have two sisters. I've got girls figured out. But what do I know about boys? Well I just told myself that I would learn.  I'm always up for an adventure.  It would all be fine.  

The fear came back.  I heard several lessons this past week about raising our sons to be spiritual leaders in the church.  These new generations are seriously lacking boys that will make good leaders.  I walked away feeling the heaviness of these lessons.  I feel the responsibility of the future on my shoulders, as well I should. We have lost so many congregations because the leadership did not take their role seriously.  They did not take God seriously. I want to raise a son that will walk with God and put the church first.  If my son desires to be an elder as a young man, it will help him make spiritual decisions as he grows and I am the person that will point his way!  I want the church to grow.  I see her declining.  I see her congregations forgetting their purpose.  I want a son that will keep her going towards God long after I leave this world.  Do you see how important this is?  I was scared of this responsibility!  

Then I was reminded that I am not doing this alone.  My husband stands before me and I see a man full of desire to please His Maker.  A man whose life is dedicated to the Lord and His church.  He IS a spiritual leader and he is always growing.  There is no one better prepared to raise a son than this man. He will not only teach Noah doctrine and commands, he will teach him to be a gentleman, to not be haughty, a good work ethic, the list goes on and on.  A sense of calm came over me.  I knew things would fall into place as I figured out this little guy still growing inside me, but now I'm not afraid.  How silly of me to completely overlook such an obvious answer.  God answered my prayer long ago and I was too busy worrying to see it.  I have learned my lesson. 

A love letter to my husband...

August 8, 2003

Ten years go today we stood before our Heavenly Father and promised that we would stay together as a married couple for the rest of our lives. We made that promise because we loved each other and trusted the other to keep their word. 

These ten years later, my love and trust has grown tremendously. You have proven to me that you will keep your promise. How do I know? Is it because you love me so much? No. I know you will keep your promise because I know you love God.  I really knew it all along, but now that I know you inside and out, better than anyone on earth,and I have full confidence in saying that we will be married the rest of our lives.  Because we both love God more than we do each other, we use His word and have the best marriage possible. Perfect in every way? No. But we haven't given up on making it better and I trust that we never will.  We are living what He intended marriage to be and I am not ashamed to say it! 

At our wedding ceremony, we chose to play "It's Something That We Do" by Clint Black while our grandparents and parents walked down the isle. They who have lived as married couples for so much longer than we, are examples of the words in that song. I am proud to say that we have lived this song, too. Ten years is just a drop in the bucket compared to those other marriages, but we have still lived love. The lyrics, while not a spiritual song, are an example of the agape love that we have.

I am so proud of the man that you are. I am so thankful that God blessed me with you.  Our walk together down the narrow road toward heaven is the best walk I've ever been on. Thank you for holding my hand along our way. 

It's Something That We Do

I remember well the day we wed

I can see that picture in my head

I still believe the words we said

Forever will ring true

Love is certain, love is kind

Love is yours and love is mine

But it isn't something that we find

It's something that we do

It's holding tight, lettin' go

It's flying high and laying low

Let your strongest feelings show

And your weakness, too

It's a little and a lot to ask

An endless and a welcome task

Love isn't something that we have

It's something that we do

We help to make each other all that we can be

Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently

The way we work together is what sets our love apart

So closely that you can't tell where I end and where you start

It gives me heart remembering how

We started with a simple vow

There's so much to look back on now

Still it feels brand-new

We're on a road that has no end

And each day we begin again

Love's not just something that we're in

It's something that we do

We help to make each other all that we can be

Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently

The way we work together is what sets our love apart

So closely that you can't tell where I end and where you start

Love is wide, love is long

Love is deep and love is strong

Love is why I love this song

And I hope you love it too

I remember well the day we wed

I can see that picture in my head

Love isn't just those words we said

It's something that we do

There's no request too big or small

We give ourselves, we give our all

Love isn't someplace that we fall

It's something that we do

I love you Sweetheart! 

Happy Anniversary!

It's been too long...

So motherhood has kept me from updating (as I knew it would) but I have been inspired as of late to do some posting.

Life is never boring here in the McCormack house.  Two little girls keep me on my toes.  Emma is all over the house, following her sister wherever she goes.  Their new favorite thing to do is walk around the living room together.  Emma thinks it's hilarious when  Lucy helps her walk.

So I am totally addicted to Pinterest right now.  I'm waaay late on the bandwagon.  How sad is it that I didn't know it existed?!   The last couple days I've been looking at things to sew for my little girls.  I don't like sewing with patterns.  I'm not patient enough I guess.  I like to just jump in and see what happens.  So that's what I did today.  I took the general idea of a pattern for a little skirt and this is what came out of it.  I made it with a sheet I bought at Goodwill.  Lucy thinks it's beautiful and that's what matters!

Lucy discovered that she could take pictures by herself today.  Here's a few of her great shots...

At one point during her photo shoot she was looking at the view finder and said "Mommy, don't put your finger there....oh, that's my finger!"

What a great day

February 14th, Valentines Day was such a sweet day for me and my family.  When Jon came home for lunch we gave Lucy her valentine.  One of the little things we got her was a pack of Strawberry Shortcake stickers.  When she saw them she said , "cool!"  My sweet and thoughtful hubby gave me a gift that will last all year!  I get to pick a piece of paper out of a jar once a week and I get the treat that is written on it!  The best part of this gift, and I told him so, is that he sat and thought of each unique thing based on what he knows I like!  I am already writing down what each week's gift is so you can read all about it...in a year!

I actually started this post about 4 weeks ago.  That's when the sickness came.  My husband got a nasty stomach bug, that the rest of us escaped.  He got a cold a few days later.  Then Lucy caught it.  That accounts for about 2 weeks.  All was well for a few days, then Lucy started running fever again, then Jon did, then I did, then baby Emma did.  We seem to finally be over it except for a lingering cough.  Getting sick just set you back on everything!

My little baby Lucy is turning 3 this Saturday!  She's growing up so fast.  She is a girly girl.  She loves dresses and anything frilly.  She likes to dress up and be a princess.   She calls me Queen Mommy!   She is very smart.  She remembers everything!  Sometimes I wonder if she has a photographic memory.    She likes to play with her toys in groups.  She plays with "like" things.  For instance she plays with all of her stuffed monkeys at once (his makes me wonder, why do we have so many stuffed monkeys?!)  and all of her ponies at once.  She has two Barbie toys from her Happy Meals that she plays with together.  Do all kids do this?  I've never seen her "mix and match" unless the toys were all similar in size!  She has started rolling her eyes and sighing when I want her to do something.  She also bows to me when I tell her to ask politely for something and not demand it.  I guess bowing is polite!  When she wants a hug she says, "Let's love."  I waited 4 years for her and it was worth every moment.  She is so wonderful  It is impossible to describe in words just how wonderful she is.  Her sweet little face.  Her sweet little voice.  I'm tearing up just thinking about it!  God gave me the greatest gift, the most rewarding gift, the most precious gift 3 years ago this Saturday.  My Lucy.

Visions of grandeur

My husband and 2 year old are sick.  It's just a cold.  Fever, runny nose, etc.  Lucy is getting better and Jon is in the middle of it.  A hard freeze is coming in tonight and the roads are expected to ice, so our mid-week study was "cancelled."  So here were are in the house on this cold winter's night and I decided that I wanted some coffee.  Not just regular coffee, Starbucks coffee.  Well, that's not possible is it?  I thought that my sicko husband would enjoy a cup of peppermint mocha.  So I went online and found a copycat recipe.  I was excited.  I went and made a simple syrup with peppermint extract, some extra strong coffee and heated and foamed (by hand) milk.  I was on a roll.  I was thinking about how great it was going to taste and how I was going to put the recipe on my blog. Well, it was awful. I followed the recipe exactly.  I know I did!  There was way too much cocoa and not enough sugar I guess.  I tried to fix it several times.  It just wasn't working for me.  So I poured it down the drain and started over.  This time I put a packet of hot chocolate in the cup of regular coffee and added some of the peppermint syrup. It wasn't bad!  All it needed was some whipped cream and a candy cane.  Next time, I will know better....and it won't take me 30 minutes....

We are preparing for a Valentines day progressive dinner!  There will be three courses total and I am serving the appetizers.  I am planning to make bruscetta, spinach artichoke dip, and mozzarella sticks (for the kids).  I think I'm going to have a pomegranate punch and maybe some tea as well.  I don't have much by way of Valentines decor, and I don't have much time for making things.  I started a paper heart chain, so to speak.  It's very simple and cute.  I'm thinking of making more and hanging them all from my dining table light fixture.  Maybe that's what I'll work on tonight instead of folding clothes!  It's way more fun.

Lucy saw the hearts I was cutting out today and asked me about Valentine's Day.  I'm not really sure how she knows about it.  I asked her what she thought it was and she told me it's for cards.  She's right.  She told me she wants to make a heart for her friends and "put sparkles on it like Minnie Mouse."  Right now  Lucy is playing with her paper hearts in the floor and talking about valentines.  Jon just turned to me and said, "Have you ever known a kid that gets into holiday's more?"  I laughed because she really does.  Since she's been old enough to know what's going on she loves every holiday equally!  She's so sweet and smart.  I am proud of her, just like she is of me (she told me so and the supper table tonight).

That about does it for me right now.  I'm going to try and sneak my baby boo into her bed and hopefully she'll stay asleep.  Then on to paper heart cutting!

Just us girls

Every other Tuesday we have a Bible study with friends from church.  Jon was sick tonight so I braved the 35 degrees with strong wind gusts on my own (after begging Jon to reconsider).  We left early enough to get a bite to eat before the class.  I let Lucy pick where she wanted to eat.  She wanted pizza.  So did I, but there weren't any pizza places to sit down and eat in.  Her next pick was Dairy Queen because she wanted ice cream.  So did I.  The two of us shared a chicken fingers basket while Emma made little baby noises from her car seat.  I asked Lucy what she wanted to drink and she asked for Coke.  Before I could fill up the glass she decided on fruit punch.  We talked about ketchup (ketch-dip) and how she needed to sit still and eat.  She tried to tell me she was done eating several times so she could eat ice cream.  But I made her eat the rest of her chicken first.  As I was telling her to eat her chicken I wondered if the fried chicken was really any better for her than the ice cream I was making her work for.  I still don't know.  I just did the mom thing I guess.  As I write this she's telling me she's hungry and bringing me a breakfast bar to open for her.  I gave her a pinch of it and I just saw he drop it in the floor and walk away...I got both of the girls in and out of the van 6 times by myself tonight.  I don't think it would have been such a big deal if the wind hadn't been so strong and cold.  We stopped by Walgreens on the way back to get sicko Daddy some gingerale.  I told Lucy where we were going and she said, "Walgreens?  To get Toy Story diapers?"  She remembered seeing them from the last trip and asked for them then.  I told her maybe next time...silly me.  She walked in the store and picked up a coupon book like she knew what she was doing.  She cracks me up.  On the way home I heard her singing the books of the New Testament and I tried to get her to sing louder.  Well that of course caused her to get silly.  She started singing the Wonder Pets song instead.  She thought it was so funny that she was singing something other than what I asked.  Then she started singing about "baby Mommy" and I pretended to act like it bothered me.  "Don't call me baby Mommy!  I'm not a baby!"  She laughed and laughed.  She could hardly get the words out she was laughing so hard.  It was precious.  To top it all off, when we got home Emma decided that Lucy was hilarious and she was cracking up at Lucy singing with that adorable belly laugh.  It was great.  I didn't even attempt to move and get the camera because I knew she would stop.  And so here we are.  Lucy is now playing with a shoestring and calling it a rope and sweet baby Emma is laying in my lap eating her fingers.  I will soon be putting them both to sleep (Lucy should have been about 2 hours ago) and the house will be quiet...for a while.  Most of the time I prefer the noise =)