Gods Children

While Olivia and Nora napped this afternoon I sat in bed, thankful for the rest and time alone. I was reading a book called "Kisses From Katie" about a young woman who left everything in her loving, well-off Tennessee home, to serve and love children in Uganda. I was in the middle of the book when Olivia came downstairs, hair tousled from a really good nap. You crawled in bed with me and asked if I was doing my bible study. I love that "doing my bible study" is a normal scene for you. I will always try to model faithful and healthy behavior for you and your sisters. But I explained that this time I was reading a special book about a woman who takes care of children who have no parents, no home, no food, and no clothes. I showed you pictures in the book of this Katie loving these children, giving them a home, food and clothes, playing and smiling with them. You let me read for a little while longer and then asked to see the pictures again. You picked out details about what the children were doing and told me about them. But then you asked me a question.... "Does God have children?" 

I said...Yes Olivia!!! God does have children and you are one of them, I am one of them, and these girls in the pictures are also his children. "Whaaaat?! I didn't know he had children!" Yes sweet girl he made us and loves us so much. We are all special and important to Him "I know mama...I just didn't God has children. That's crazy."  

I love these sweet little conversations of discovery. And I never want to forget them. 

Olivia Turns 3

Well funny girl, much to your dismay you were only turning three this year. You want to do everything that your big sister does so you often act and think you are much older. Daddy was gone on your actual birthday, June 25 but we celebrated anyway.


We started the day with birthday candles in your oatmeal.



You said you wanted to hike at Dunbar Cave



We got Nerdy Birdy cupcakes.



You got a cute haircut.



 

The following weekend, when your daddy got home, we had your birthday party at our house. You love "camping" with your sister and dad so much that we set up a tent and grilled out hotdogs and smores in the back yard.

                                        





Summer Fun

Well ladies, we are coming toward the end of summer and I wanted to share some of our everyday experiences. With Nora being so young, your daddy being gone for six weeks, and your momma trying to get a handle on life with three littles, we have spent a lot more time close to home than we usually do. I think it has been good for us all to just enjoy what we have right here in and around our house. This will forever be known as the summer you older girls learned to "occupy yourselves".

 

Lessons under daddy's truck.

I coached the PreSchool CrossFit class one day a week.

Nora learned she loves to sleep on her tummy.

Nora also learned to love her baths.

Nora enjoys watching the big girls play in the back yard.

Art Camp with Chrissy at the kitchen table.

More time at the gym!

We even made it to the pool a couple times.

Nora's beginning

Well sweet girl I have known you for 12 weeks now and I love you more every day. Your pregnancy was so pleasant and I enjoyed being able to workout until the day before I had you. I didn't want to cook the first trimester so we ate out a lot but I didn't have any nausea. I felt best when I was moving but had more hip pain at the end than with your sisters' pregnancies. At 40 weeks in my pregnancy, your Chrissy drove up to our house in TN the afternoon of March 15. By that evening, contractions were getting regular and your daddy and I were heading to the hospital expecting you to arrive quickly. We got there at 10:30pm where a steady and painful labor ensued. Being it was the middle of the night, the hospital was quiet and we had an amazing nurse that helped make it a peaceful and natural experience for us. Your sweet daddy was by my side every contraction holding my hand for 6 hours. 

40 weeks pregnant 

Minutes after you were born at 4:41am. 

You look so small in all your clothes. 

Your sisters bring you flowers on our walks. 

Some of your first smiles. 

Sleeping snugly swaddled. Your favorite in the beginning. 

Back To It

Well somehow it's been over 9 months since I wrote about you girls. A lot has happened and I will never remember all I had wanted to write in those months. But I better get back to it now before more time passes. 

Charlotte's Mind

I sure wish I could get into your mind sometimes. You have been asking and saying the funniest and most random things lately. I figured you would want to read about the things you talked about as an almost 4 year old. 

Several weeks ago we went to a water park with our neighbor and her daughter. We had a blast swimming, sliding, and climbing in the water. On the way home you asked your dad why our neighbor had smaller breasts than mommy. Your poor daddy was about to bust out laughing but knew it was a serious observation and question. We told you that God makes us all differently and we are all wonderfully made. 

A day or two after that we had to stop by a sports store to get your dad a protection cup for combative a training. Of course you assumed it was a drinking cup and wondered what daddy was going to put in it. Oh geez... Your sweet daddy explained the whole thing and you were satisfied. 

Some other random statements while we were driving around town this week...

Mom, when I grow up and I am 5, can I have a pink motorcycle?

When I grow up I am going to drive and chew gum and Livi will ride next to me.

How can you be so insightful and absolutely true at such a young age? You amaze and entertain me daughter. 

Clemmons Family Beach Trip

We had one of our best beach trips ever last week. We went to Mexico Beach, FL for 7 days with 15 of us spread out in 7 bedrooms. The house was situated right on the sand, only steps from the water. You girls enjoyed the constant love and attention doled out by your great grandma, grandparents, great aunts, great uncles, and second cousins. You were the love and entertainment for the week. You two slept in your own room that had two boat beds just your size. Livi, you fell out of yours the first night, didn't make a peep, and had a bleeding lip the following morning. From there on out, I pillow sandwiched you in the bed. You both slept so well and mommy and daddy were able to get some extra sleep too. We loved seeing you play with your uncle Chris and his girlfriend Kayla. You also enjoyed a fun day with Gma and aunt T while mommy and daddy went fishing for the morning. Uncle Jeff and Charlie had a couple late night talks on the balcony including volcanoes, caves, and lightning. Here are some pictures we captured but come nowhere close to the memories we all came home with. 

The Big Bed Switch

You girls both got a "new to me" big girl bed! Olivia, at 20 months old, you were looking a little cramped in your crib. Charlotte was about your age when we switched her to a twin bed and she did wonderfully with the transition. We moved Charlotte's bed into your room and added the railing to keep you from falling out. You were so excited and said "mine? big bed?" over and over. Then we moved the full-sized guest bed into your room Charlotte. You were impressed that such a large bed was all yours and immediately wanted to jump on it. You have both done great with the switch and obediently stay in bed until a decent hour. Charlotte, you have a night light in your room, called a Sleep Buddy, that turns off at 7am, signaling to you that it's okay to get out of bed. Olivia, you like to roll around and play in your bed when you wake up and we come and get you at 7:00. 

Daddy Home

Well girls, we got your daddy home! He was gone a total of 6 months and missed you two fiercely. We drove to Fort Campbell with Gma and Papa where you two had your very first bus ride to the hangar. That was quite exciting to begin the adventure. Charlie, you were concerned but excited that there were no seat belts. Olivia liked all of the windows! We didn't have to wait very long once we got to the hangar. They announced the arrival of your daddy's airplane and we went outside in the cold to watch it land. You two were so thrilled and seemed to really understand that your daddy was coming. After the soldiers got off the plane, we went back inside to see the formation march into the hangar. We found your daddy on the end of the formation and Charlie had a hard time not running right for him. I explained that we had to wait for the formation to break apart before we hug daddy. As soon as that happened, you took off toward him and as he bent down to hug you, he fell over at your impact. I caught up holding Livi and dropped to the ground to hug him as well. We were the only family sitting on the floor crying and hugging....so happy.

Thankfully he had a couple weeks off to reconnect with us. We went to an indoor pool, did some yard work, and just played at the house. I am so pleased with how well you girls have taken back to your sweet daddy after 6 months away. You are so resilient!

Everyday Now

Hi girls,

I enjoy your company each and every day. There hasn't been a day that I dread starting with you two...I can honestly and thankfully say that. The routine days, the nothing days, the sick days, the exciting days, even the everything goes wrong days...blessed, so blessed.

Today we got ready for a busy Tuesday...drop off at preschool, workout, coach, grocery store, shower, pick up from preschool, play outside, prep dinner, gymnastics, dinner, baths, playtime, books, bedtime. On the way out the door, Livi got sick. "Seriously!? We just got well!" My mind started reeling with the days plans and what to do. I decided to just stop, cancel everything and take a day with Livi. I had my CrossFit class covered by a fellow coach. Because you seemed like your normal self, no fever, happy...I decided to take a chance and still take Charlie to school. You and I got back in the car with no other episodes and started to head home. You started asking, "Char char? Char char?" You must have asked me this a total of 5 times in our 4 hours together. Thankfully you never got sick again and you snacked on some crackers before we laid down in my bed together. We had never taken a nap together so I was interested to see how it went. I was pleased when you laid your sweet head down next to mine, got really still, and your heavy eyes started to close. I started to think of the workout I was missing, the ladies in my class who would wonder where I was. I pushed those thoughts away, watched you fall asleep, and even caught a nap myself. After picking up Charlie from school, we went on a walk in the neighborhood and even made it to gymnastics since Livi felt fine the rest of the day. Charlie, you absolutely love wearing your leotards, spinning, running, bouncing. You loved the one you wore this day especially, because of its attached skirt. You are such a learner in everything you do. Very thoughtful, compliant, and brave. Your teachers and coaches enjoy your teachability.

Christmas catch up

Goodness time has gotten away from me. Here it is January and I'm by myself to reflect. We had a warm, relaxing, fun Christmas despite your daddy being away from us.

On the 19th, we packed up Christmas and traveled to Chrissy and Poppie's house and then Gma and Papa's house. In all, we spent 2 amazing weeks with family. You girls can typically be shy...even in places that you regularly visit, like the gym or church. But I was so pleased to see you two open right up to great grandparents, grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts, and friends that you either never met or don't remember meeting. We shared a room most of the time and you did fabulously. It was actually pretty sweet how you two talked to each other when you woke up from a nap. O-"Shaa Shaa..." C- "What is it Livi?"

You two were completely spoiled with wonderful gifts from everyone. But you both took it slow opening and exploring each one before moving on to the next. I was so proud of how respectful and kind you were to each other and to others. Apparently we needed this visit more than any of the three of us knew. Charlie, you're already asking when we are going back. What blessed memories we have.