Spicy Magnolia

Any Day Now

Howdy, folks! Thought I’d take a moment to check in with y’all. It’s Wednesday evening, and I’m sitting in our comfortable recliner with my feet up watching “Murder, She Wrote”, snacking on a few Hershey Kisses while hubby is on the couch eating a bowl of ice cream. The house is filled with the fragrant aroma of a French Vanilla candle. Brennan is asleep, tucked soundly in bed as is Molly in hers. After I finish writing this brief post, I will climb into my own bed, squeezing my ever-contracting and cramping belly against the large body pillow that offers some balance and comfort through the night.

Last Wednesday at my weekly doctor’s appointment, I was 1 cm dilated (is this sort of info TMI?) with the forecast looking like I would make it the full 40 weeks, if not a bit longer. After a week of Braxton Hicks contractions and some other unmentionables that I know would be TMI, my doctor confirmed this morning that at 39 weeks and 1 day, I am 50% effaced and 2 cm dilated. We had the option to induce as early as Friday, but we’re going to let things play out on their own. But if how I feel tonight is any indication of when baby Skittles may make her debut, it certainly could be any day!

Physically, I’m ready to feel more comfortable and normal (if it’s possible to ever feel normal again after birthing children). Logistically, we are ready, and our quiet evenings knowing we’ve crossed everything off our to-do list is relieving. Emotionally, I’m scared and apprehensive. My friends have been encouraging, reminding me that it will all come back to me about how to get through the newborn stage. And I know and want to trust that there will be grace and strength sufficient enough for us to walk through all of the current unknowns. But wondering how the labor will be, to functioning on a lack sleep, to the unknown nursing details, to figuring out how to juggle two kids and not just one, I’m plain apprehensive.

Those feelings aside, I’ve been blessed with priceless time with my boy as we await the birth of his sister. Today’s highlight, for instance, was a bowling outing. The use of a ramp and bumpers surely acted toward his benefit, but nevertheless, he creamed me. The boy blew me out of the water scoring 115 points in his first game and I a measly 45.

My posts may be few and far between, but I’ll be sure to let y’all know when Skittles arrives! Until then, you can find me in between moments of rest with my feet propped up on the recliner, crawling on all fours racing cars with Brennan, getting beat at a bowling game, napping for a good hour, making muffins with a muffin-lover, cuddling up watching Super Why, showing Brennan his baby pictures, staying cool in the A/C, story times at the library, and hearing an excited big brother say several times during the day, “Want to go to hospital to get Skittles”. Hearing that makes me a little less anxious.

Blessings, dear readers!

Simply trusting,

Latest Happenings in Picture Form

There are a few memorable moments captured on film I want to remember, and maybe, just maybe, you’d like to see a few of our latest happenings.

Way back in May, these two precious gals, Cassie and Leah, threw me a surprise baby shower at one of my favorite restaurants, Z Tejas. It was so much fun and very yummy! I never anticipated having a closet full of girl clothes before Skittles’ birth. What a gift to have a colorful and girly assortment of clothes ready to go. Matt’s gotta lot of work cut out for him learning how to dress her in the appropriate, matching clothes.

I dipped my toes in the world of bows, and it is quite the world! I had no idea where to start and it was overwhelming. Every website was a whirlwind of complicated choices. I found a sweet bow maker on Etsy who took the time to answer my long list of questions; I was grateful for her response of instruction and advice. She also makes some great bows! Kelly also posted another wonderful website that sells $1 bows, so I took advantage of the deal and purchased a variety of colors and sizes. Receiving these bows in the mail was the first reality check that we are having a girl, and I got super giddy about it.

 

I mentioned in this post about Brennan’s love for muffins. This was our breakfast picnic to the park the next morning with the blueberry muffins. He’s a pretty cute date.

We have no words <grin>.

In late June, I spent a few days in San Antonio with my momma while my boys enjoyed bonding. Brennan varies his role-playing between Woody and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger, but consistently, I have the pleasure of being his “Jessie girl”.

I once again had my socks blessed off my feet when these two ladies, Sabra and Jan, from our church small group, asked me earlier this month if they could co-host a dessert baby shower for me with a few of our small group and Bible study ladies. It was a lovely evening, and the first of four very full nights out in a row.

My second night out was with these two boys at a Round Rock Express baseball game. I love them so!

The third night out was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner for my good friend, Lizzie. She was gettin’ hitched and it was quite the celebration for this precious lady in waiting!

I was honored to be a bridesmaid and the weekend was full of wedding festivities. Let me bless you with a picturesque moment of me fanning myself trying to stay cool the night of the wedding (note the strategic fan placement on the armpits). I won’t gross you out with the details of the sweat I felt dripping down my arms and legs at the altar. Oh no, that wouldn’t be lady-like.

A glimpse at the wedding party getting ready to pose for a picture. My picture taking that night was pretty limited, but I mostly wanted to show you how beautiful the bride was! For some more great shots of the stunning girl, check out Rosanna’s blog.

This man. This man is something else. He stood by my side the entire afternoon and evening, making sure I was ok and drinking enough water. His eye was the only one I wanted to catch standing up at the altar.

We’re nearing the end folks. I’m just about 38 weeks. After Mees’ visit last Thursday, Brennan’s wish to “go to Mees’ house,” that he’s been requesting for the last two months came to fruition when he gallivanted off with her without looking back. I gladly received the big hug and, “I love you, Momma,” before he left though. He has since not taken much time to talk to me on the phone other than the, “No, no want to go home”, and the “I moving to Mees’ house.” I’m anticipating the need for a full Mees detox when he returns.

Matt and I gratefully received the long weekend to ourselves to enjoy extra sleep and to get a jumpstart on major house cleaning, the last big thing to accomplish on our to-do list.

Despite my doctor telling me I will likely go the full 40 weeks (if not longer like I did with Brennan), because my certain measurable birthing body part is the only rock solid part of my body, these intense Braxton Hicks contractions are somethin’ else. Surely they’re doin’ something, right?!

Please ignore the deodorant marks on the bottom of my shirt. Classy, huh?

Hope y’all had a great weekend!

Simply trusting,

An Exterior Heart

“Being a parent is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” Despite not knowing the origin of that phrase, I’ve heard it enough in the last two and a half years of parenting to know it’s an accurate analogy and feeling. Vulnerable. Exposed. Raw. Most of the time, it’s as if my heart constantly wears a grin. Other times, it turns a blush red, wanting to hide out of embarrassment. And then there are the inevitable, excruciating moments that immediately trigger the tug, pull, and rip. And my tear ducts well up, taking only a second till those drops trickle down my cheeks.

Some of the most valuable gifts Brennan has received in his two and a half years of life are older friends who include him, play well with him, and enjoy being his buddy. They each have been a great example of how to joyfully include younger playmates. We’ve also stepped foot in a home where an eleven year old took it upon himself to play with Brennan, not forcefully put upon him by his mother, but out of a deliberate choice to welcome my son. And may I suggest it was an attribute molded in part by his parents who encouraged sensitivity to others and inclusion. The exhilaration that exudes from Brennan when he can work his way into playing with older kids, particularly older boys who happily include him, sparks the grin on my exterior heart.

In recent weeks, there have been two occasions where Brennan has developed a new facial expression based upon his environment. In watchfulness with hopefully accurate discernment, I think I pinpointed the reason for this distinct look that is accompanied by shrugged shoulders, eyes fixed to the ground, a somber frown of disappointment, and a deep sigh. It’s my son’s sign of feeling excluded, forlorn, unable to break into a game of play with kids he’s specifically selected to be the ones with whom he wants to run around.

One particular incident to which I’m referring is actually no deliberate or hurtful fault of the three older boys Brennan desperately and repeatedly tried to engage. The boys ranged in age from three to seven, all brothers, completely engrossed in running around and chasing each other. They were mesmerized in their own fun, oblivious to the younger one trying to keep up. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that. Each time Brennan would spot the boys coming around the corner, he’d take off again, smiling, trying his very best to get their attention. Each failed attempt, he’d walk back to me with that new look of dejection.

Insert: teachable moment.

We talked about what a blessing his older friends, like Evan & Harrison, have been to include him, mindful of his feelings and kindly play with him. We chatted a bit about him having eyes to see others around him who need a friend and how we always want to include others, no matter the differences, making them feel welcomed and valued. He can put into practice what he’s learned from his good, older buddies.

He went about playing again, once again trying to keep up with the three boys. At the same time, there was a girl, age six or so, who sadly walked up to her momma sitting behind me and said, “The girl I was playing with left. I need someone to play with.” Her momma sent her on her way, and despondently, she continued to scope out the playground for ten minutes, trying to find a new playmate.

My boy returned to our table after another fizzled attempt to play with the big boys. I reiterated my earlier schpeal, knowing that I verbally (and in writing, my dear readers) can be too verbose. So I thought another attempt at talking about these points as best I could at a two year old level wouldn’t hurt. Lastly, I pointed to the six year old girl also looking for a playmate. “See that little girl? She’s looking for a friend to play with, too. You should ask her if she wants to play with you. See how you can include her.”

He scampered off toward her and in his two-year old language, mumbled something to the girl. Off they went, the girl quickly climbing up the playscape with Brennan in tow. He was smiling, and I wore the grin, on my face and on my heart. She blazed down the playscape as quickly as she went up, turned back to look at Brennan who was still following her, and she bee-lined it to her mother. I was not prepared for the piercing conversation between the girl and her mother that ensued. “That little boy keeps chasing me.” To which her mother replied, “Well, he wants to play with you.” And out of those young lips came the deafening words, “But I don’t want to play with him.”

Cue the tug. The pull. The rip. The tears. A giggle was the mother’s only response. Thankfully, Brennan was still paces away and wasn’t in earshot. While I tried to compose myself, grateful my back was to the momma and the girl, I grabbed Brennan and gave him an extra squeeze, affirming his decision to bravely walk over to the girl and ask her to play with him, doing so quietly as I didn’t want to cause any further offense, and well, I was choked up.

In that teachable moment, I realized how much those purposeful bits of time aren’t just about talking but doing, putting them into action. I wasn’t prepared, however, for the potentially painful lessons to start so early. And despite any desire to shield my children from people’s arrows, intentional or not, teaching him to wear a silver-plated breastplate to cover his heart isn’t the remedy. I’d much rather have my son soft-hearted and teachable, his thoughts bent on others’ needs, with hands and feet swift to act in love. Now if only I can remain courageous to wear my exposed heart outside my body and exemplify the same things to him.

Simply trusting,

Worthwhile Watching

Hope y’all are having a great Fourth of July! Anyone planning to see an amazing fireworks display? All of ours were scrapped this year because of the horrible drought, but it’s not like we would camp out in the heat, endure the crowds, or stay up late to watch the dazzling color-fest tonight. Some years, yes. But not this one.

Instead, our highlights will be based around food: blueberry pancakes and eggs for breakfast, and some hefty burgers with chips and the tomato-watermelon salad with feta and toasted almonds for dinner. Other than that, it’s been a low-key day with rest and a few errands. I think I have a new store I need to better familiarize myself with: Kohl’s. It looks like a good one-stop shop.

There’s one thing I think is worthwhile to bring to your attention and ask you to watch for five minutes. My precious friend, Corrie, called me back in May to share an incredible story. It spurred the already twirling thoughts in my mind that were formulating this post. As a family, we stood with the Shireys rejoicing and giving many thanks to God, who clearly exhibited His power and His desire to show Himself strong, allowing 2.5 year old Guy to carry this treasured testimony in his heart for the rest of his life. Take a moment to hear all about it yourself. 

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Thank you to those in centuries past and in our present age that have fought for, secured, and defended the freedoms we so liberally enjoy in The United States of America. May we continue to adhere to the spirit and intent of our Constitution, and know the One who gives us true and everlasting freedom.

“[The adoption of the Constitution] will demonstrate as visibly the finger of Providence as any possible event in the course of human affairs can ever designate it.”

--George Washington

Simply trusting,