Three Things that Make Me Smile

Here are three little things that produced three big smiles this week:

1. Andrew is at puppy class with Rose tonight. It's their first class. Andrew has wanted a bulldog since he was a boy. And now he has one. She is such a great pup ... but what a character! She snores and grunts and rolls over when you try to get her to walk. She hates baths but adores being rubbed down with a towel afterwards. And her favorite part of a toy is the stuffing that's inside. I have laughed and laughed while watching my husband interact with this sweet clown of a dog. I bet they are having a great time. Man, I wish that I could see what they are up to right at this very minute!

2. Rose the bulldog and the baby had a great time in a little red wagon. Andrew and I so wanted to get Sprout a wagon for Christmas ... but all that we could find were plastic ones. Don't get me wrong, plastic wagons have many great qualities; but, Andrew and I are the nostalgic types and we wanted a red metal wagon, like you would see in a storybook. There were none to be found. However, this past weekend Grammy and Grampy found one! Yep! They found a Radio Flyer for just $15.00 at a thrift shop! Granted it's a little rusted and the paint is a little faded ... but to me, that adds so much to the charm! It looks loved. And that is exactly the type of wagon I have always dreamed that my little boy would have.

3. My students ... they make me smile. One little guy wrote me a sweet note and told me that I was a great teacher because I was "rulyabul" (reliable). He's six and I thought he did a fabulous job sounding that word out! Which brings me to my next point. Watching kids learn, well it's one of the coolest things in the world. They get so excited and so proud of themselves. It just gives me goosebumps. When they become readers, it makes me feel like they can do just about anything.

List

Dear Sprout,

In less than 2 hours, it will be Monday. I miss you and your daddy already. It will be a busy week, indeed ... but I am going to do my very best to spend as much quality time with you as possible. Like Daddy says, "We're just a family that's meant to be together." I have decided that each work week, I am going to list three special things that I will do with you no matter what. So, here are this week's things:

1. We will go on a leisurely walk
2. I will read to you at least three times
3. I will make you homemade baby food and feed it to you

It makes me sad to write this list. These are things that I imagined I would do with you every day. Hopefully, next year will not be quite so busy. You know what, double that list ... I will make each item happen at least twice as much! And baby, just know that you and daddy will always, always, always come first. I promise.

Love always,
Mommy

Thinking and Reflecting

Dear Sprout,

You are sleeping. I am thinking. I've told you many times before that you are the first thing that I ever remember praying for. When I was little, all I wanted to be was a mommy and that's what I asked for during my quiet time. And then I grew up and I got married and I found out I was pregnant about a month later. I was so happy ... and at the same time, I was so scared. I almost could not believe that my prayer had been answered. Just like that. I think that part of me did not feel worthy of such a blessing ... and really, I am not worthy. I am just a person -- a plain, confused, sinning person. However, I have a Father who loves me despite myself. He knows me and understands me and loves me and forgives me and blesses me, even when I don't deserve it. I know that I will never be what I aspire to be. In this world, it's not possible. However, I do want to model my life after Christ's. I want to act like He does and love like He does. I want to listen and trust and obey. I want to be the mother that He has designed me to be. I am still so wonderfully overwhelmed by my answered prayer ... you. How all of my life, every little thing good or bad, miraculously worked together and brought me you. That is something that I will never take lightly.

Love always,
Mommy

Ergo

I got and Ergo! I got an Ergo! Ergo! Ergo! Ergo!

I have wanted to get one of these babies for a long, long time. Apparently, they are among the very best baby-wearing devices! And that, my friends, is important to me. With Sprout now weighing 20+ pounds, I am finding it hard to carry him for very long. This makes me sad. I would rather hold him then have him in a stroller. Silly, I know ... but I miss so much time with him while I am at work that when I am with him, I want to be very close to him. He and I are best buds.

You may notice that my Ergo is pink. You see, I got it at babysteals.com for 45% off! This site gives 2 great deals a day (9:00 am and 9:00 pm). And today, Ergos were one sale! Granted, I had to get the heart rose pattern ... but Sprout won't mind. He's itty-bitty and won't even know the difference.

So, that's it! I just wanted to share my exciting news! I love when things just work out like that sometimes...

Photo credit: This photo of my new Ergo was taken off of babysteals.com

Time

Today we went over to Ruby's house. Ruby is Andrew's grandfather's sister. She is 90 years old, sweet as can be, and reminds me of an angel with her pearly white hair and lashes. We have been meaning to visit her, but we did not get over to her house until today. She was so happy to see us. She laughed and talked with baby Sprout. He just tickled her. And then she looked at us, smiled kindly and softly explained that she wants to see her great-grandson Luke every week so he'll remember her when she's gone. Her words reminded me of my own grandmother's similar sentiments. When we took Sprout up to New Jersey for the first time, Grandma Mollie told me how thankful and grateful she was to meet her little grandson, as she did not know if she'd live to see him. Sometimes I wish that time would stand still. I would visit these ladies over and over and over again.
When I was a child, the time seemed to pass so slowly. It seemed as if I had to wait forever for Christmas to come each year. I remember wanting to be sixteen so badly ... because sixteen was when you were a real teenage, as beautiful as ever, and to top it all off, you could drive. Sixteen seemed like it would never come (almost sixteen years ago). I guess time started to pass at a quicker pace once I graduated from college. Each year passed a little faster than the year before ... but not extremely so. And then I became a mom. Now time flies.
I don't have enough time to do all of the things that I want to do. I want to see my family more. I want to be a better friend. I want to write so many letters that remain unwritten. I want to create individualized lesson plans for every single student in my class and send them flying towards academic success. I want to be a better wife and have the time to make my husband a beautiful dinner every night. I want to hold my baby just a little bit longer. I want time to reflect, time to dream, time to read, ... time to be what I really want to be.
Today, as I was watching Sprout sleep in my arms, I noticed subtle changes in his little face. He is changing. No longer is he just a baby -- he is a hybrid of a baby and a tee tiny man. He's growing up so fast. He's going to be a year old in April! And now, when he sleeps in my lap, half of his body spills over the edges. But I still love holding him just as much as ever. And this afternoon I heard myself say aloud, "Thank You God for right now." Suddenly, every single second of every single day is precious.

Feeling Better

Dear Sprout,

Mommy got her very first migraine ... or something like one. Never in my life had my head felt like it did! It hurt so badly that I was queasy and my hands were tingling. I got home and I felt so horrible and so weak. You saw me and wanted to stay with Mommy. I couldn't bring my self to remain sitting up. All of the sudden, we fell asleep. You were so sweet and cuddly. Your soft, warm little hands would give my surprise hugs every now and again. My head and limbs still hurt, but my heart could not have felt any better.

Thank you for the best out of my "not feeling well" day.

Love always,
Mommy

Twelve Hours

I love my job, I really do. Everyday brings lots of smiles, no matter what. However, in less than twelve hours, I start a new week. I know that it will be a wonderful, rewarding week ... but part of me misses my husband and my boy already. Part of me wishes that I could wear the baby in a Bjorn all day and that my husband could sit at my desk and strum educational songs on his guitar. And all of the kids would sing along. We would have family time every day, all day. Long hours of being apart would be a thing of the past. I guess that's the one downfall of our family being the number-one-in-love-in-the-whole-world family ... it's hard to be separated.

Dear Avett Brothers

Dear Avett Brothers,

I want to start this letter off by letting you know that you are one of our favorite bands, ever. We love your music, your lyrics, your instrument choice, and your character. Also, we cannot wait to see you in Charlotte! Look for us! We'll be the ones standing up the whole time and singing along with every song.

Aside from letting you know how much we enjoy listening to your band, we also wanted to know if you would do us a little favor. You see, on April 23, our little boy is turning a year old. He loves you just as much as we do and I know he'd really enjoy seeing you at his birthday party ... and so would his 12 or so yearling friends. I know that this might be different than the usual booking arrangements that you make, but please consider it nonetheless.

We would not be able to pay you a lot -- there are three of us living off of a teacher's salary. However, we can promise you a good time. You can have the second slice of cake. We will also have homemade sweet tea, S'mores, and ice cream. Afterwards, we will take you to get some of the best BBQ around and you can see the local cloggers dance the night away.

We will understand if you cannot make it ... and if you can't, we will be sure to play your CD. Just think about it, okay. We are not too awful far from Concord and we think that you'll love our neck of the woods. We hope to see you soon!

Love,
Andrew, Anna, and Sprout

Nap

Today I decided that I wanted to try to take a nap ... but I couldn't. I think that my body has adapted to sleeplessness. Oh well. At least I will not have to worry about sleeping my life away!

PS: Enjoy this picture of Grampy and Sprout at bedtime!