Prayers needed

Stan and I help out with the middle school youth group and have for about 5 years now. We love those kids- an age group that I never pictured myself working with- amazing how God works. We just learned that one of our youth at church has lymphoma and is going through a lot of testing this week to determine the type as well as the stage in order to begin treatment. She is 13, beautiful (inside and out) and full of a love for life. I have always commented to Stan how mature her faith is for her age when she responds so thoughtfully to tough questions during youth group. Please pray for her, her mother and father and her brother this week and next as their future unfolds. It is times like these that are so hard to understand.

What a ham!

One would think that by looking at this picture that Landon loves to eat...oh, so not so. I have a picky little eater as I have mentioned before. It is so funny, I had two 15 month well child checks at work today and both were telling me how their little 15 month olds would eat anything put in front of them. Landon had his 15 month check yesterday and though he has finally climbed to the 10th percentile, much of our discussion was about how to establish good habits at mealtime with such a picky eater. I don't want to prepare separate food for him each meal, I don't want to have food battles, but my kid is tiny! So- did I ever mention how this whole percentile thing can drive a pediatric nurse practitioner crazy?

The good news is that we are actually doing great with our little picky eater. As you can see fromt the picture, he gets quite a variety- pictured is him eating one of his grandad's pork ribs which SURPRISE- he loved! He was laughing with all of us as we watched him bite into the meat and say, "MMMMMM".

Stan and I have already started trying to establish family mealtimes and it is so nice to spend that time together. Breakfast on the mornings I don't work is especially nice where we usually have pancakes or eggs and toast and Landon entertains us with his signs and purposeful use of his spoon and fork.

Feeding Landon has taught me so much - especially about patience and flexibility- what two better traits to learn as a new mom.

Thanks Jake

A sad day today, mom and dad took our beloved Jake to be put to sleep. He was 15 1/2 years old- quite old for a lab and was really starting to decline in his old age and have quite a difficult time getting around. Some part of me wanted to hold on- was he really THAT bad off I asked myself. Knowing my parents want the very best for him and actually lived with him, I knew they did know best. I appreciate their kindness in discerning that it was time before he became miserable.

We went to say our goodbyes over the weekend and I had my alone time with him and told him how very much he was loved and appreciated as I cried. I have learned that in dealing with death, it is so much easier to be able to say good-bye- if of course you are given that opportunity.

As I reflected to Jake all of my gratitude for those late night talks about all my past boy troubles and such (hey- I got him when I was 15- so now you know how old I am too!) I also realized the impact death has on us in general. I was taken back to both of my grandmothers recent deaths and my time with them prior to their deaths. It is something that grips my heart, bringing reality to the forefront and reprioritizing life time after time.

Death without faith is something I cannot image. I think about my grandmothers and my just knowing that they are in heaven and the incredible peace that gives me. In a different way, faith also helps me to accept things like Jake's death- knowing that he was a gift to our family for a certain time for a certain reason and that his presence in our lives was not chance. He was a member of our family and he was deeply loved and added to the depths of our family relationships as we cared for him and shared our yummiest of meals with him (only when dad said it was okay). :)

Time does move forward, I am reminded of this daily. But I am thankful for the opportunity I have to live and learn and share defining moments in this life with precious friends and family, even pets- like Jake.

New Words

Ball, Bubble, No, Truck, Stick, Book, Uh (for Uh Oh), Bye, More, animal sounds x at least 30- my favorite is "SSSSSSSS" for snake. I think Landon is officially starting the "burst" that I have talked to so many parents about in the past. You know how it is, the literature says it, so I tell parents and now I am experiencing it - and oh how it comes to life off of those pages in my textbooks from school. It is also funny that my child signs...I never thought I was "that type". But, now experiencing motherhood has taught me just how absolutely helpful it is! Landon can tell me "all done" which is a biggie. The funny part is that he did the sign for "all done" when his babysitter took him to Target to grocery shop- right when they walked in the door. Ladies and gentlemen, I don't think I have a shopper. :) It is so funny, those things motherhood is teaching me- another one is food. I have a picky eater who is tiny- 4th percentile at his last visit. Talk about driving a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner crazy!! I have accepted the fact that someone has to defend the 4th percentile and I am okay with Landon being there. Landon is a food throwing toddler- also a reason that the "all done" sign is essential- he signs "all done" and if I don't move that tray in about 2 seconds, he is throwing. I have also had to expand my food choices for him to include things I never thought I would give my child- after all, I did my research on childhood obesity! But, yes, I admit, I have bought him frozen tostidas and I let him dip the tostida in ketchup!!!!!!!!!!! Not only that, but he loves cookies. And cookie monster. And grits. And me. And he is teaching me so much more than I learned in those books.

Sureal in Nashville

So, I just returned home from my conference in Nashville for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. While there my friend Virginia and I, along with a new friend, Gigi, explored Nashville's most recommended hotspots. I have to share about our most favorite place- The Bluebird. http://www.bluebirdcafe.com/ We heard 4 extremely talented songwriters perform their songs that popular country stars have recorded. As I sat listening to the music- you know how country music is with the sap and stories- I just had to pause and really appreciate the gift of music that my parents have given me. I connected so much to the instruments, the voices, the words and more than anything- the captivation music has on me- it engulfed me for that time and that space. It was as if all of life stopped and the sounds that filled the room connected everyone together and none of the stress from the day mattered.
I only hope I can give this same gift to Landon and recognize how influential music already is in his world. Even today when I got home, I turned on the music and that little guy got the biggest smile on his face are started bee-bopping. What a blessing music is and what a gift to share in so many ways.

Persuaded to share...

So, after realizing that another good friend of mine is in on the BLOGGING as well, I guess it is time to get going. I am at a conference in Nashville enjoying expanding my mind with PNP onfo. I miss my little man so much and am ready to come and hear him say his new word, "bye". Of course I miss Stan too and can't wait to be home to my boys. Gotta run, it's off to the Wildhorse Saloon!!! :)