Emily's Non-Party

Well, this has been quite the week for the Duncans.  Last Wednesday, April 17, Leah was really sick.  She went to bed that night with a high fever and woke up around 10pm just miserable.  I took her temp and it was 103.9.  I called the dr and he said it would probably be ok if we waited until the next morning to take her in.  Around 10:45 she woke up again claiming she was thirsty. I took her into the bathroom to get a glass of water and her eyes just looked extremely glassy.  She was staring into nowhere and seemed a little wobbly. I said to her, "Leah, are you ok?" and right as I said that, she colapsed...just passed out right into my arms.  It was terrifying.  I was alone as Kirk was still at work.  I called the dr again and he said we should definitely take her to ER.  I am so thankful my mom lives close and was able to come over quickly so I could take her.  Kirk met us at the hospital.  After a chest xray and an ekg, they diagnosed Leah with pneumonia.  I was so proud of Leah. She was a total champ.  The recovery has been tough since her coughing keeps her awake much of the night.  I fell ill myself on Monday of this week and had about 3 long days of fever/sore throat/general misery.  

Here she is at the ER, miserably sick but still looking adorable somehow.

SO, all that to say, Emily's birthday happened somehwhere in the midst of all that :).  She turned the big ONE on Sunday of last week (April 21)! I can not believe my baby is a year.  It has been such a great year watching her grow and learn. She is a light to us.  She is a fantastic reminder to us that God is good and faithful.  She is seriously such a sweet baby...she will smile at anyone and she loves to giggle and explore.  She's obsessed with her brother and sister and wants to be doing whatever they are doing, however age appropriate it may or may not be :).  I just love her.  I am so thankful.  

We had planned to have a "pretty in pink" party in our back yard today (the 27th) but because of all the sickness, I decided it was in everyone's best interest to cancel. We wanted her to feel celebrated though, so we still went ahead with the cake that we had already ordered anyway.  Friends of our make cakes/cupcakes, etc. and sell them in an effort to raise funds for their international adoption that they are working on.  It is such a great cause and they make beautiful cakes to boot! 

They made this beautiful pretty in pink rosette cake. 

So pretty it was actually a little hard to cut into it :).

We cut Emily a nice big slice and gave it to her.  She took one bite...

...and was over it.

Crawling away. See ya, folks!

Leah and Elijah smelled an opportunity and jumped on it! ps. doesn't Leah look SO old here?

My mom suggested that we bring her high chair out so that she wouldn't be so distracted. She started with just one finger in the cake and didn't seem thrilled.

But she quickly came around.

Ahhh...this is the good life.

Thoroughly intrigued.

She will never miss an opportunity to make a good mess!

Nice work, Em.

Naturally, this is where we went next.

She was quite thrilled to have the bath all to herself...I'm actually not sure that has ever happened before! 

Happy birthday, sweet girl! We love you so very much.  We promise to have a bigger party next year :). 

It happened.

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." -Luke 15:10

Today is a day I will never forget.  Since becoming a mom, I have loved the passage that talks about Mary treasuring memories of Jesus in her heart.  Today, I have received the greatest treasure. I had the sobering, humbling, and incredible experience of praying with my son to ask Jesus to come and reign in his life. I am tearing up even as I write this.  My heart is overwhelmed.

Just recently, Elijah seemed to become very aware of the idea of sin and has been able to recognize it in himself.  We have talked a lot about what it means to follow Jesus and turn from your sin.  He follows the conversation, seems to understand and believe in God, but whenever I would say, "Is following Jesus something you want to do? Do you feel ready to ask Jesus to come live in your heart?", he would very politely, but very definitively, decline.  I knew that this was part of God's work in his life, softening his heart towards the truth of His word.

Well, today, when I least expected it, Elijah initiated the conversation that ultimately redirected the entire course of his life.  We had MOPS this morning at church and we were on our way.  As the Lord ordained, Leah wasn't there because she was spending the morning with her BFF Peyton (Thanks, Steph!).  Emily was quietly resting in her seat.  Elijah and I talked a bit here and there but it was a mostly quiet ride.  When were about 5 minutes from church he said to me, "Mom, I really want to go to heaven."  I said, "I want you there too, bud. Do you know what you need to do?".  He said, "I need to ask Jesus in my heart."I said, "That's right, buddy. And what does that mean?", to which he responded, "I need to ask Jesus to forgive my sins and follow Him".  What a joy to hear my son so accurately, and yet so simply, describe the process for experiencing redemption from sin! I was overwhelmed.  I talked with him a bit more about what kind of commitment this was and if he was sure he was ready.  He said yes.  I told him to wait until we got to church so I could park the car and go back to the back of the van and pray with him.

Praying with him was one of the most joyful, humbling, and proud moments I have ever experienced.  I couldn't keep the tears from flowing down my cheeks.  I told him how happy I was for him and how thankful I am that he wanted to talk about that with me and pray with me.  I told him as much as I love him, I could never love him as fully and perfectly as Jesus does.  I told him no matter what happens to me or anyone else, Jesus would care for him.  I told him how many people have prayed for that very moment since before they even knew his name.

I know he will experience pain in his life.  I am certain he will experience seasons of doubt.  I know the road will not be easy. But what a joy to know that he does not walk it alone! Thank you, Lord, for saving me. Thank you, Lord, for saving my son.

And thank YOU, to all of you who have prayed with us. I have been struck today but what a great cloud of witnesses we have around us! Elijah wanted to call each one of his grandparents individually today and share the news.  Each one of them were overjoyed, as well as so many others that heard.  We are so blessed! 

Happy Easter!

  I think I say this every year, but I will say it again.  Easter is one of my very favorite days of the year.  I can't help but be filled with joy as I think about the victory Jesus has given me over death.  I can't help but raise my hands in praise as we sing about his great love for us.  God is so good.  This year, Elijah has been very inquisitive about Jesus and what he did on the cross.  I know the Lord is softening his heart toward the truth of the Gospel, and I pray that he will one day soon choose to invite Jesus into his life.  Of course, I pray the same for the girls too, but Elijah has seemed particularly interested, for which I am humbled and thankful!

Easter was a good day for us. They had changed the Easter service times around, so we didn't have to be at church until 11:30. It was nice to have a slow, relaxed morning with the kids.  We started out the day with an Easter egg hunt and then gave the kids their little Easter baskets (which ended up being bowls, because I didn't shop until the day before...oops! The kids didn't seem to mind.) 

Here is Elijah checking out his loot.

 Leah seems excited about her Peeps :). 

Emily was looking a little ragged with her crazy hair and mismatched outfit, but she sure was loving her plastic eggs! 

   

I took Elijah and Leah outside on the porch for a few pictures while Emily had her morning nap.  I SO wish Emily had been with them now, because they are just too cute !

 Hugs!

 This is Leah trying not to smile while Daddy acted like a crazy person behind me :).

 Still trying...

 And she can't hold it in anymore! This is one of my absolute favorite pictures!

 Daddy hopped in for a picture! I love, love, love when Kirk wears a suit :).

 Cuties.

 After church we got Emily in there. Elijah is trying to hold Emily back from crawling off the edge of the porch.

 Still keeping his grip.

 I just love these 3.

 Oh well, hey there drools :).

 Sunday night we went up the country club for their Easter dinner with the whole family.  It is a crazy bunch, but we sure do love each other! Here is Grandma with half of the grandkids :).

 Trying to get a decent picture of all 6 is like trying to wrangle a greased pig.  It's better not to try.

 This is the best we've got of all 5 of us.

 Some of the kids playing Ring around the Rosie with Aunt Rach and Grandma.

Happy Easter! He is risen!

Elijah's 20 Questions

So, you may remember when I asked Elijah 20 Questions last year on his birthday.  We did it again this year. It's fun to see the differences a year can make.  Here they are with last year's answers in the parenthesis.

1.  What is your favorite color? Red (yellow)
2. What is your favorite toy? Captain America (dump truck)
3. What is your favorite fruit? Grapes (strawberries)
4. What's your favorite TV show? Fireman Sam (Dora)
5. What's your favorite lunch? Peanut butter and jelly (pizza)
6. What's your favorite thing to wear? Costumes (baseball shirt)
7. What's your favorite game? Tag (basketball)
8. What's your favorite snack? Crackers (Crackers!)
9. What's your favorite animal? Horse (Cow)
10. What's your favorite song? Jesus Loves Me (Drums)
11. What's your favorite book? Huggly Goes Camping (Jesus book...seems we have backslidden here! Time to read some more Bible stories :)).
12.  Who is your best friend? Campbell (Campbell!)
13. What is your favorite cereal? I don't like cereal (Cheerios)
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride my scooter (ride my bicycle)
15. What is your favorite drink? Apple juice (water)
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas (Christmas!)
17. What do you take to bed? Mr. Turtle. I have no idea who that is, by the way! (a blanket)
18. What is your favorite breakfast? Apple bar (Apple bar!)
19. What do you want to be when you grow up? Police Officer and a Daddy (baseball player)
20. What do you know about Jesus? He was born in a stable in Bethlehem and the shepherds went on their way there.  Jesus Christ is Lord! (Baby Jesus, Wisemen, Joseph)

We love him so very much and thankful that the Lord continues to grow him up healthy and happy! He is a true joy. 

Elijah is Four!

This is hard to believe, but Elijah is turning 4 tomorrow.  It's funny to think that the announcement of our pregnancy with him is how we started this blog of ours.  It's also funny to think how differently I felt about him then.  I was so so so scared to be a mom.  Let alone to be a mom of a boy.  But God, in his grace, has allowed me to not only embrace my role as a mom, but also to truly believe this is who I was meant to be.  This is exactly what God wanted me to be all along.  This may have been my plan B, but it was always God's Plan A.  I am thankful.

Elijah is such a joy.  He is adventurous, imaginative, curious, tenderhearted, and full of life! He is like his daddy in that he loves his life.  He is like his mommy in that he is sensitive and caring.  He keeps us laughing all the time and says some of the funniest things I've ever heard.  

Elijah, may you always know how much you are loved and valued.  May you always know that your life has purpose.  That Jesus loves you more than you could ever imagine.  That your parents will always be here for you.  That you are special. Happy birthday, sweet boy! I pray you will feel celebrated on this birthday and each and every day! You are truly a gift. 

Do a little dance...

If people ever wondered why we had our kids so close in age, this is why.  I just LOVE that these 2 are each other's best friends. They have so much fun together and it is a joy for me to witness.  This had me laughing today.

A little bit of catch up.

I feel like it would be a terrible shame if I didn't post a single thing about the holidays, so I've decided on our Christmas tree farm experience to share with you! This is, by far, my favorite Christmas tradition that our little family has.  Last year, since we were living in my parent's apartment, we didn't really have the space or desire for a tree, so we skipped out and I really missed it! I was excited to find a farm that was close to home, beautiful, and had reasonably priced trees! We had a really good time picking out a tree for our home and since we went on a Friday morning, we had the place to ourselves which was an added bonus.

Emily was all bundled up and carried in the Bjorn.

Daddy filling Leah in on the details of the hunt.

 I just love tree farms. 

 Elijah next to the winning tree...or so we thought. Turns out we didn't get this one because Daddy decided to take one last look around before we chopped and found a better one.

 The actual winner.

 Daddy gets to work! 

 Tried for a family picture but the 2 eldest were not interested.

 Leah helped Daddy out.

 Timber!

 Starting the journey back to the car.

 Love this guy.

 The tree turned out to be the perfect fit for our little living room, even if it was dead as a doornail by the day after Christmas :).

 Group pics are kind of a joke, but I tried :).

Breaking my silence...for my husband.

Well, if ANYONE out there still reads my blog, I'm back.  I'm not promising to be back consistently. I just gonna be honest with you: this blog is not a priority in my life.  3 kids is no joke and mustering up the energy or time to write a blog post is just...well...it hasn't happened in 4 months, so you get the idea.

I know most people who visit my blog want to see pics of the kids and I'm just gonna say it: in this post, you will be disappointed.  The only pics you will see are of me and my man.  And here's why...

On Saturday of this week, Kirk and I will celebrate 5 years of marriage.  5 years! Somehow I feel like time flew while simultaneously feeling like we have been together way longer than that.  On January 12, 2008 I would have never said nor really even believed that 5 years would be that notable.  20 years? 30 years? Sure! That's a celebration...throw a party! 5 just wouldn't have seemed like that big of a deal.  At least not back then.

Now? 5 feels like a really REALLY big deal.  I have experienced more in the last 5 years than in all the 24 years before I was married.  We have moved 5 times.  We have endured 27 months of pregnancy.  We have welcomed 3 beautiful children.  We've been through job loss.  We've been through deaths of family members.  We've cried (ok, I've cried) a lot.  We've laughed more.  We've traveled by car, by plane, by train, by cruise ship, and even by foot (ask Kirk about when he ran out of gas on the way home from our honeymoon.  Whew! It's been 5 years and I've kept that a secret.  Feels good to get that out.  And laugh about it again.).  We've had some really high highs and some really low lows.  We've done it all together.  I feel like the next 5 years will likely not be as eventful as these past 5.  I sort of hope not.

But, and this is a big but, I have to say: I married a really, really good man.  I love him. So much. I know I'm generally considered a likeable person, and I really believe that I am (for the most part).  But Kirk, he's more than likeable.  He is lovable.  Everyone who knows Kirk LOVES him.  He's the real deal.  Who he is in public, he is in our home.  He LOVES life. Even when it's messy.  Even when it's hard (and it's been REALLY hard during certain stretches over the past 2 years).  He still finds a way to make up a stupid game that will make us forget about it for a little while and laugh.  He will still hug me and kiss me everyday and tell me how much I am loved.  He will still dance.  He will still smile.  Man, I love him.

He is an incredible father. I mean...incredible.  I hear other young moms talk about how uncomfortable their husbands are with their kids.  How they couldn't imagine leaving their husbands overnight alone with the children.   I am SO glad that is not me.  I know the Lord knew I wouldn't be able to handle it if that was me.  These 3 kids adore Daddy.  Daddy can do no wrong.  Daddy is a hero.  I can't think of another person, besides Jesus, that I would rather them adore.  He's the right kind of role model.

The reason Kirk is the real deal is because he knows what matters.  In his core, he knows who holds the future.  He knows who numbers our days and directs our steps.  He knows it's not up to him so he might as well enjoy the ride.  He knows Jesus and he wants to be like him.  He's not perfect and he knows that.  But he knows that's ok because Jesus is and he has already covered our inperfections.  I am so glad I married a man who gets that.

I'm sure this seems lovey-dovey or over the top.  But I feel it needed to be said and I am uniquely qualified to say it :).  Marriage has been awesome.  It has also been super hard.  I'm not going to pretend we've been in the clouds every minute of the last 5 years.  But, I know, in my heart, that I married the right man.  I know, without a doubt, God made us for each other.  It might take the rest of our lives to figure out exactly what that should like, but my goodness, we will die trying.  Together.

Happy Anniversary, Babe.  I'm crazy about you.

Resemblance

So, this is a little crazy to me.  A lot of people say to me that the girls look alike.  While I can understand why they say that (they both have dark hair and bright blue eyes), I don't really agree.   I just have a hard time seeing the resemblance.  My sister Jess mentioned a few weeks back that she thought Emily looked a little like Elijah.  At first I didn't see it (probably because of the hair color), but then I went back and looked at pics of E when he was Emily's age. I totally see it now.  Don't you think??

Preschool

I can not believe this, but we officially have a child in school.  Of course, it's only preschool, and it's only 2 days a week, but I am having a hard time getting over the fact that Elijah is now school aged and will never be home with me all day long every day again! I was so happy with how his first day went. He was not timid or nervous at all, but so full of joy! I pray that this year will be a great year of learning and relationship building for him.  Thankfully, he was the first one up on Friday so he and I snapped a few pictures on the front porch before the girls were awake. 

Pretty pumped!

Such a goofball.

I just love this one! I wish it wasn't blurry :(.

He looks like a little boy here, which I love.

He is crazy about his backpack. It is the size of a small elephant, but he doesn't seem to mind.

Doesn't he look like his at least 12 years old here??