I realized Tuesday after I posted that it was my 500th post. That’s just FYI.
The kiddos and I had a great weekend in CT visiting with friends and family. It was very busy, but wonderful. Friday we kicked things off by hosting 8 or so mamas (friends from high school and church youth group) and their babies. It was HYSTERICAL to see all these kids together. As you might imagine, the photo opportunity was filled with laughs from the grownups and tears from some of the kids. Here’s my best one:
One of my and my sister’s closest friends growing up has a baby 4 months younger than Maria and 2 months older than my niece Julia. Our mothers find it hilarious that the 3 girls have the 3 girls. Here they are, plotting how to talk us into letting them have their first sleepover:
The 4th of July started off with the small-town parade. Henry marched beside me and my flute with his shaker, and did SO well. We followed that up with the annual picnic at my parents’ house, which this year morphed into a surprise 40th wedding anniversary celebration for them. It was a lot of fun – Henry got to play with some cousins he rarely, if ever, gets to see and he DID NOT STOP until I forced him to go to bed (an hour earlier than normal). I can’t believe he was upright at the end of that day. Anyhow, here’s the little flag girl, and also a rare shot of all 6 grandchildren. It’s blurry, but it’s the best one I got since, as I said, THEY DID NOT STOP ALL DAY.
Maria got to get snuggled by her godparents and we all got to admire Amy’s half-done bump. Henry has named her growing person “Cute Star Turkey.” Check out Maria’s Kate Gosselin hair!
Henry and Papa got some story time in while I got the packing done to get home:
It was an amazing weekend – Maria and I leave Sunday on the mission trip to Alabama with the youth group. We’ll be back a week from today. And then I can breathe.
Sunday I took Henry and his good pal G to the brand new splash pad about a mile away. I didn’t even know we had one! Farah was my inspiration to find one – although someday we will make the trip north county to play with her adorable little MT at their splash pad. This place is incredible – the splash pad is next to the biggest playground I have ever seen. There is SO much to do there, and Henry & G had a blast.
I just realized a few minutes ago that amidst all the hubbub, I haven’t been very good about taking photos, especially of Maria’s new accessories – 2 teeth (bottom center) and a hairclip. So, here you are.
Taking the youth group to Atlantafest, a Christian music festival held at Stone Mountain Park was a lot of fun… even when our fuel pump died in the hotel parking lot, just as we were loading in to head to lunch. God gave us a hand by hiding the Chik-fil-A we were going to stop at on our way to the hotel (so we didn’t get stuck there); putting a Goodyear repair shop 2 doors down; keeping our other vehicle, an 8 passenger van in good working order; helping everyone remain patient; etc etc etc.
The bands were awesome, and the youth were almost always perfectly behaved. What more can you expect from a bunch of teenagers, am I right? We headed straight to the park after getting the van limped over to the repair shop, and enjoyed worship led by Fee, a new-to-us band who was awesome. Then we were properly introduced to Leeland, who have taken the title of “MY NEW SECOND-FAVORITE BAND.” Any guess of who’s my FIRST FAVORITE BAND? I believe I’ve mentioned this before. The night was capped off by Skillet, who aren’t always my thing – but at least the guy was sparkly.
Day 2 we refined our routine and ate lunch before heading to the park. We pulled up and were loading our chairs, cooler, and other flotsam in our arms when I heard the unmistakable dulcet tones of Mr. Marc Martel of my favorite band Downhere (duh) as they took care of their sound check. They, too, had been cursed with van and trailer troubles and were probably exhausted, but you’d never know it. We met up with them at their merch table before their praise and worship set, for as soon as they were done playing, they had to head to the airport and fly out west for a week or so. I acted maturely and was able to make conversation instead of feeling like a total moron. I’m sure you’re proud.
That night we were treated to a 90 minute kick drum solo set from Kutless. I was rather confused by the lead singer’s choice of tight pants, long sleeve white button-down, and leather jacket, given the fact that it was SO SO SO HOT. [as an aside, I waited each day to see which performer or speaker would use the names “Hot-lanta” and/or “ATL” – oh, I was not disappointed.] At least some of us had fun dancing!
Day three we perfected our process, and found the place to where the shade would arrive first but would still give us a good view of the stage and screen. It was great – we enjoyed each other’s company and the music. The highlight of this evening was Family Force 5 – they are always so much fun. And their attire was the SUPREME WIN of the whole weekend:
In case you’re having trouble catching that – they’re wearing denim knee-length shorts, white wife-beaters, mesh wife-beaters, gold belts, and golden football pads (also gold sparkly high-tops). It was awesome. The night ended with an incredible show by Casting Crowns, complete with candle-light.
I had a blast with the kids – who knew J could fit her entire fist into her mouth? And guess what? In 3 weeks we get to do it all over again!
I’ve been light in posting, I know. If I have any readers left, here’s why:
I’m BUSY. And I’ll keep on being busy for the next month. From tomorrow until July 16, I’ll only be home 14 days. Two youth trips and one trip to CT for the 4th of July are gonna run me ragged – but it’s good. I’m actually looking forward to all of this traveling, with the exception of the many hours drive to AL in July for the mission trip. It makes tomorrow’s 8 hour drive to Atlanta seem like NOTHING.
Well, one of the awesome things that kept me busy recently was my bloggie lunch with Jen & Elizabeth The Great. Maria and I had a great time walking around a big fancy mall looking at things with them and eating yummy lunch. The girls were hilarious together – click here to see just how!
Henry attended Vacation Bible School at church and had a blast. I led the music and worship section, and Timon led the video section. Henry has a memory like a steel trap, so we’re sure to continue talking about VBS for months to come. Here are Maria and Timon during a break in the action:
Timon and Henry set off on a last minute adventure after Bible School ended the last night – they hopped in the Griswold Family Station Wagon to the other side of our state in an attempt to bear witness to a space shuttle launch. After finding the perfect parking/camping spot, spending the night in a car fending off the mosquitoes, and rising with the east coast sun, they got the word that the launch was canceled. Not ones to waste a trip, they connected with some friends who were also out there to see the launch and explored the area together. They did, in fact, get to see at shuttle:
So, not a failed trip, all in all.
I’ll be out of computer range for the next few days, I’m assuming. I may tweet from my phone, so follow me there – search for maresib. Have a great weekend, kids. Call your Dads on Sunday, tell him you love him.
We went to our first MLB game of the season Sunday – Maria’s first ex-utero game. Let’s just say that Maria isn’t a fan of loud cheering/horns blaring for home runs, or being kept on someone’s lap for several hours. That 3 hour flight in July should be AWESOME. We got there super early (hence the empty seats in the photo). Here was our view:
And once we came to accept that Maria was NOT GOING TO FALL ASLEEP NO SIRREE, Timon took her in the stroller to walk around a little. Henry and I could finally cheer at full volume – it was also free kid’s cap day! I borrowed Maria’s:
Last night we stayed home to watch, and we had a much more favorable result to the game than the one on Sunday. Even got to see a grand slam by one of Henry’s favorite players! The kids are just loving on each other so much – my heart might seriously explode from the love one of these days.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I never post anymore. 10 whole days. Moving on.
There was a snake on the walk/steps leading to my house. A BIG SNAKE. (although, when it comes to snakes size does not entirely matter) I’m a bit skittish when it comes to entering and leaving my house now. Which is weird to be skittish about, considering that a week ago, there was…
A MURDER ACROSS THE STREET. Yes, really. An unsavory character was driving down our street when an even more unsavory (unsavory-er?) character apparently shot said 1st unsavory character and he drove his truck into a house a few doors down across the street. Timon heard the shots and the truck radiator hissing. Lovely.
Mom/Nana came to visit last weekend and we had a lot of fun. Maria and Henry were on full display of their talents and abilities and insanity. It was really good to have her here. In the few days she was here…
Maria learned to crawl and pull up! We keep finding her in her crib like this:
She’s obviously very proud of herself. Look at that hair! And isn’t that dress just to DIE for? We then brought her into our room where Henry was sleeping. Here’s what happened:
*sigh*. Nana and her two Floridian grandbabies: (Henry’s showing off his new watch WITH HANDS that he ALREADY KNOWS HOW TO READ. Is there no stopping him?)
We got a rare chance at a family photo of the four of us:
Now we are on TOOTH WATCH. No, Maria doesn’t have any teeth yet, at almost 9 months. I can feel the tip of one juuuuust under the gums on the bottom. I bet it won’t be long.
What is UP with that Merlin guy on Bravo’s The Fashion Show? Is he for real? If it’s a joke, I truly do not get it.
Dear Henry, Today you are FIVE. FIVE. Let me say that again - FIVE. This birthday of yours, this milestone has hit me particularly hard, in a way that none of your birthdays ever have - not even your first. It's probably because you are about to start kindergarten this August, and I am realizing that no, we can't just go to the aquarium when we feel like it on a random Friday because the school district attendance policy will frown on such absences. There's a major stage of your life about to end and a new one beginning that scares me, sends my mind to a place that I never knew I could go. Dooce said a lot of the things I'm thinking in her letter to her own 5 year old:
“I cannot wrap my head around the idea that you've been in our lives for five years, that seems impossible, wasn't it just yesterday that they yanked you out of my womb and placed you trembling onto my exhausted chest? I come back to that memory of you often, your right arm extended toward my face, the two of us meeting for the first time…
Your fifth year was by far the best yet, and not just because you are almost totally self-sufficient, although that does help quite a bit. There came a point in the last year when we felt like we were home free, like well, she can dress herself, pour her own cereal and read instructions, what's left for us to do? And now that you've got Wikipedia, do you really need two aging and out-of-touch busy bodies trying to guide you through life? Who's fact-checking the parents, am I right? It's like our only purpose now is to make sure you don't end up taking a job that requires the removal of your clothing, a job that could just as easily be accomplished by repeated viewings of E! True Hollywood Story. I'm thinking we're needed from here on out for the sole purpose of driving you to and from birthday parties…"
We exploded your entire world quite thoroughly in September when your sister arrived. You adapted so well and I’m not sure you really remember what life was like before Maria was born (and truthfully, neither do I). Your love for her is such a pleasure to observe and I sometimes feel like my heart is about to jump out of my chest when she smiles at something you’ve done. There’ll be times coming, probably as soon as she can walk and talk, when your now unconditional pure love for her will be adjusted as she breaks your toys, rips your books, and spits up on something of yours. Later she’ll want to tag along with you and your friends, and it’ll probably tick you off. I promise those hard times will not last. Treasure your sister, please.
Last night I told you the story of the day you were born and of how much you were wanted and waited for. You were mostly concerned about the sandwich your daddy had bought 5 minutes before they told me I was ready to push, the one he’d left on a windowsill outside the room – did someone else take it? Was it still there? I’m not surprised that this was your focus.
The other day when you were running from the end of the water slide back around to the beginning again, the freedom and joy on your face was so gorgeous. You have transformed in so many ways from the beginning - your shoulders have broadened, you have real hair on your legs, your baby belly has all but disappeared. THANK GOD your hands still have those little dimples instead of knuckles, otherwise I might not recognize you as the baby I birthed.
Son, you’ve brought your father and me so much joy, laughter, fatigue, exasperation, love, and fulfillment. You're so grown up, and we're so proud. Every time you call me Mom instead of Mommy it's a little catch in my heartbeat. Again, Dooce has said it better:
“You have changed so much since that first morning you spent with us, a morning that altered my life so drastically that sometimes it still feels like I'm catching my breath. I imagine that I won't ever stop feeling this way, won't ever stop having a portion of my brain dedicated to the thought of where you are and what you're doing, won't ever be able to escape the constant, nagging hope that you are happy and fulfilled. My pulse is forever closer to the surface of my neck because of you, because of my responsibility toward you, and I can't thank you enough for the dimension that this has added to what it means to be alive.”
