so many moments unfolding before me.
rather than just rushing through and passing by,
i've been convicted to open my eyes and treasure them.
here's some of the 2015 moments that went from MUNDANE to MEMORABLE:
this spring i had a busy bee narrating everything in the dermatologist waiting room with me. I was entertaining to the best of my abilities and hoping we weren't disturbing everyone too much. an hour later we were at lunch with Evan when I spotted the same white haired gentlemen from the waiting room. He was eating lunch at the table next to us. We smiled at each other across the way and he said, "it really is a small world isn't it?' At the end of their meal he walked by our table and said, "thanks for letting her entertain us in the waiting room too.She added a bright spot to this difficult day. See you around again sometime." And then with a half smile he dropped off the sweetest sketch of mae on our table. And he was off.
at carpool line monday afternoon, mae was already in costume and asked adelaide, "wanna go see cinderella yaya?" akm squealed and declared it a miracle because she had been hoping alllllll day to go see it soon as everyone in her class was talking about it. the actual movie date with my girls was a miracle i may never understand here on earth. i spent the whole movie praying for safety and wisdom as we were in the theatre alone with one other middle-aged man. a couple weeks later adelaide mentioned when there were only two other men in the theatre with us. i don't understand fully, but i do know i prayed in faith for protection and i trust Jesus protected that day in a way i didn't even fully know.
these happiest faces brought to you by a stranger that saw us playing on the city centre green after church and lunch and casually asked if they were baseball fans. next thing evan knew they were being given them third row seats for their impromptu sunday afternoon at minute maid park.
once upon a time a stranger raced over to help me lift off one of these heavy race carts off my smallest child that wasn't strapped into the seat, slid under, and was stuck beneath it in the parking lot. i am reminded of his kindness, to help others along the way, forgiveness (and to buckle up) every time they sit in these seats again.
on may 1st we geared up for crowds but discovered 1st fridays is always no field trips allowed at the children's museum of houston. we had added up the money needed but at the entrance bumped into friends from graham's class who had extra free admissions they gave us and had an impromptu play date with them too.
i've lost count of how many times these three have taken trips like this. they climb aboard their helicopter (always three across in the cockpit). they fly away to "island 88" to make ice cream cones and sell pretend treats. on this day chic provided real cookies for their island dessert shoppe.
on a cool spring day in 2009 i was pregnant with graham but had hardly told anyone yet. adelaide and i were invited over to splash at a friends' pool and met more of their friends that day too. the pool was cold, but the hot tub was warm so most of the moms and toddlers huddled in the hot tub. adelaide got in it with them, but i splashed in the pool insisting i love chilly water (but really knowing i was nervous whether i was allowed to get in a hot tub while pregnant). we laugh about this now and have continued to gather on summer thursdays for "swim team" all these years since. there are more kids and more chaos. zero organized laps happen on our swim team, but the name stuck anyway. it is such a treat to watch them become independent swimmers and interact together all these years in the same place.
when i was a kid i thought i could do anything i tried on the diving board. this summer i was reminded where my confidence comes from as my dad well into his 50's climbed up on the diving board at the neighborhood pool and did a back flip. the next weekend, i was inspired anew and a friend and i had the kids score our diving board tricks while they had to sit on the side during adult swim. we laughed harder than we have in a long time. and i had water stuck in my ears for a full week after it as a result.
eleven years ago we inherited treats while helping my uncle mark and aunt suzanne pack up their house and move across the country. this toy was one of them and i kept it in my classroom when teaching. it was known as the beloved "birthday ball" by each of my kindergarten kids that climbed in it and were sung to on their special day. our friend rubey has carried on the tradition with it in her classroom the past 7 years. this week she delivered it to these three kids. we were months away from a birthday, but it was thoroughly enjoyed still.
the first night in florida we picked up corn on the cob at the grocery store to have with dinner sometime during the week. the last day there we realized he hadn't ever used it. but it looked too yummy to just throw away so while we ate breakfast the corn was cooked, seasoned, and each cob was wrapped in foil, then thrown in the cooler. what started out as cleaning out the fridge, ended up being their best beach lunch. and the sight of these sun kissed cheeks and sandy toes eating their favorite vegetable together ended up being one of my favorite views of the trip.
one day during rest time adelaide was doing her usual crafty mccrafterson activities. after awhile she came in to show me her creation. the entire page (front and back) were filled with people she loves and a memory verse card with 1 thessalonians 5:23 on it. she told me how it is to remind her that God is always with her and hang by her bed. she wanted to see it anytime she had trouble falling asleep. yes, yes, yes. excellent idea sweet girl.
evan tells elaborate bedtime stories of "the tinies" that come into our house through air vents some nights. tonight these three decided to create a village in anticipation of the tinies next visit. they also set out a homemade ruler, pencil, and request for them to record their heights.
as i attempted to finish cleaning the kitchen and put groceries up mae really wanted to go outside. i told her i couldn't help her get socks on yet so she needed to wait. her "bubba gam" must have overheard what i said and appeared with a pair of socks he got for her. he sat down by her to put them on so they could go outside together. but as we unlocked the back door the rain started falling. not to be deterred, he grabbed their rainboots next and held an umbrella over their heads.
the other day i walked by this snoozer and lots of layers of love caught my eye. she happened to choose one of my baby blankets, one of her brother's blankets and one that originally belonged to her sister. her own bunny and her own thumb accompanied her to nap though. everyday before she falls asleep she asks, "i'm still two?' because she's heard the tales of how three-year-olds at our house don't suck their thumb anymore. only time will tell if it holds true for her too.
once upon a friday we headed to miller outdoor theatre for a show (and made it before it began for quite possibly the first time ever). we were surprised to find out that it was an opera of the velveteen rabbit. and pleasantly surprised to also discover we all enjoy an opera. bonus: we met a puppet afterward made by a man who also makes puppets for jim henson's muppets.
a celebration of wooden cupcakes was well underway when i was informed it's barry the giraffe's 8th birthday. barry has endured more home vet appointments and hairstyles than any stuffed animal i know. i'm glad he was celebrated well too.
i'm learning to ask for help and celebrate help instead of being offended i couldn't do it as well. evan to the handwriting homework rescue every school day this fall! one wednesday evening after dinner while they tackled handwriting, mae and i prepped a science experiment. the squeals and delight watching it together were such a treat.
the inventors of the house especially excel in making backyard mischief and creations. i'm declaring this particular afternoon's invention their best ever though and mae definitely agrees. they tethered the two swings together making "the double swing" so she is in constant movement too.
gymnastics for adelaide + a late-night meeting for evan + a lack of dinner plans or groceries
led to a sweet impromptu date at star pizza for the four of us. we were seated on the patio. we all participated in completing coloring pages and polishing off every bite of our pizzas. and after dinner entertainment was provided by the star on the walkway and running laps around it.
you know what's really fun- an oxford study abroad friend turing into a square one friend too. one of the few that endured a front row seat to evan and i falling in love was becca (affectionately known to me as "baby becca" back in 2003). now she has a baby of her own, my baby thought he was the cutest thing ever, we both live in the same town again, and we got to spend monday mornings together all fall. and i simply can't get over how fun these details are.
fall greetings from "toodoo and acorn flash." our well-loved scarecrows who were happily bought but the youngest two in the family with money they saved. they greeted us all for a couple of months (and also made us and neighbors jump at first glance that intruders were in our yard). no scarecrows have ever been talked to more.
on the most beautiful fall day, we joined school friends at the park for a birthday celebration. it was such a fun playdate for all and then came a bonus out-of-season snow cone too. they were ordered from a random food truck in november, and we were delighted to discover they were cajun cones caliber upon first bite.
the longest, hardest school day of the week at our house is the same day of the week witt goes to therapy. when they asked if they could pick mae up to keep bennett company during it, i think i shouted YES! once upon a time i thought mae would be shuffled about at our house while adelaide and graham were being taught. instead she squeals with delight when she gets picked up every week to go to "witt's office" and on various other adventures with witt, bennett, mel, and chic afterward too. we are all so grateful for this part of our week and unique family bonding.
thanksgiving doesn't look the same every year for our family, which leads to me enjoying each year for unique reasons. this year we sat under a tent in our cousins' driveway just down the street from our own house. we held hands and gave thanks before eating mass quantities of each dish. after our prayer i looked up to see these three holding hands across from me. they are three (of four) generations that all live in our neighborhood. they are three girls that are always up for something fun. they are three girls i am extremely thankful for.
on the last school-at-home day of 2015, the berkeley mascot gave to us... tolerance of all of this. our couch has a permanent indention from where she spends most of her time perched. but as i walked by that day, she did not look quite like her usual self. but a costume and props still didn't prompt her to move a muscle.
2015 comes to an end and 2016 soon begins. there are memorable moments a plenty from these days. as a new year begins, we make goals. and i realize the "little moments" shape each year just as much as the specific "big things" i strive for.
