A Spring of Joy

Glimpses of our world…

  • Meg, Jo, Beth, or Amy?

    Little Women is one of my favorite books, and as I watch Bella-girl toddle around our home, I will often catch glimpes of each of the girls in that book, and I wonder what her little personality will bring.

    Will she be a Meg, responsible for helping out in our home and the moral compass for her siblings? Yet vain and concerned about her clothes and looks? Will she know that true worth lies within and not in riches or appearances? She’s already learning that hand-me-downs are fine to wear, and those second hand shops have some adorable clothes, I might add. She cleans out the dishwasher every day with me, and “helps” sweep the floor with the boys every day. What I love the most is how she gets so excited to help, and I pray that gift will be cultivated in her heart more and more.

    I can totally picture Bella as a Jo, the outspoken tomboy with a passion for writing. Perhaps because that was me as a girl. Will she speak her mind quickly, then regret it later? Will she follow her brothers through thick and thin, climb trees, hit home runs in wiffle ball and shun Barbies for G.I. Joes? Audrey is obsessed with markers and will scramble to grab the ones her brothers drop on the floor. She loves to pull the tops on and off and her fingers are often stained with ink. She throws a ball like a pro and loves to drive her brothers’ cars; however, she shies away from the touch of grass and would rather sit and watch them run than join in the chase.

    So I wonder if she will be the nurturer, caring for her brothers’ cuts and bruises with the tenderness of a nurse? I guess that would be the Beth…quiet and kind who loves music, playing the piano and looking after her dolls. Beth cares for others and has a heart for giving… but it is costly. I can see that in Bella as well. Already, she is tender with her dolls and loves to snuggle stuffed animals. She will gently take her doll to the rocking chair, climb up and rock her all the while “ooooing” over her. She loves music with a passion, dancing and clapping her hands no matter where or when she hears its strains. I don’t like to think about the cost part… because I want to see her take risks in caring for others, but I don’t want to see her hurt, even though I know that struggles in life are inevitable.

    Then I tremble at the thought of her becoming an Amy, the youngest sister and a talented artist; however, she is spoiled and tends to throw tantrums when things don’t go her way. She’s beautiful and wordly, but thankfully, ends up learning wisdom and compassion. With her princess wave and penchant (already!) for picking out pink dresses in her closet, Bella has the makings of a diva. She has a bit of the fiery temper to match her red hair, and her daddy and I think she is positively gorgeous, but especially in a culture obsessed with beauty, that’s a scary thing.

    I want to be a good role model for her, the mother who lives happily in her body and doesn’t succumb to society’s messed-up standards of attractiveness and physical perfection. Yet, like it or not, I do succumb. No matter what I’ve put on, I will inevitably turn to see just what the side view looks like. I often don’t even know what I’m looking for, I just do it–it’s almost a ritual. And since it’s mostly an unconscious action, I’m sure Audrey has seen me do it. And the first time I catch her doing it, it will break my heart.

    As I look at my sweet daughter, I realize she’ll be Bella, not Meg, Joe, Beth or Amy, and it will be the perfect personality for her. And like Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, she will have life lessons to learn no matter what that personality is. I want her to learn those life lessons, even though they will be hard. I pray for those qualities that are best for her… for understanding, wisdom, gratitude, talent, contentment, compassion, thoughtfulness, love, and so many more. But I know that mingled with those qualities will be the ones with which she will struggle… anger, vanity, pride, thoughtlessness, selfishness, discontent, and others.

    She will not be perfect, but she will be perfectly Bella, and that is good. And I will do everything in my power to make sure that my sweet girl knows who she is even when what she sees in the mirror is different from how she feels.

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  • Abraham and Mayonnaise

    Last night both the boys gave us quite a laugh during family worship. Each night before bed we read them the Bible, sing and pray. As Brian reads, Micah tends to play with his hands, hum to himself, point at the pictures over and over and ask, “What’s that, Daddy?” Obviously in “Micah-land”, we will sit with him and try to explain what Brian has just read. Asher, of course, knows all the answers and is more than happy to answer for Micah.

    There are times when Asher interjects his own questions for Brian. In the middle of reading about Abraham leaving his home country of Ur, Asher looked up and asked, “Was he angry?” Brian and I both looked at each other trying to figure out why he would ask that… was Abraham’s face angry in the picture? Brian asked him what he meant, and Asher said, “You said he was going ‘eeeeeerrrrrggghhhh’ like when you’re angry.” We stifled laughter and explained that Ur was a place, but we had to spell all the different ways to say “eeeerrrrggghhh” to him (always the details with him).

    Meanwhile, Micah was in another world and finally pointed to the picture of Abraham and Lot and asked who they were. Brian tried to spur his memory, but Asher yelled out, “That’s Abraham!” Micah said, “That’s Abraham.” So Brian asked Micah who was with him. Micah sat there for a minute, then said, “Ummmmmm, MAYOnnaise.” Yep, that’s our Micah… we have no idea what’s going on in that mind of his. Oh well, family worship is always entertaining, that’s for sure. I can’t wait to see what Audrey will bring to the mix!

  • Sunshine Blessings

    Tuesday was an amazing day outside–gorgeous, sunny, and warm. I think I spent the whole day outside with the kids. But the best part of my day was the 30 minutes before lunch. The boys were helping water the seeds I planted under the deck and then asked to play in the water. Why not? We set up the sprinkler, and they ran through it screaming and laughing in sheer delight. I sat on the swing with Bella-girl who snuggled into my arm and watched the boys without moving.

    As the swing’s motion settled us in, I shut my eyes and drank in the smells of spring, the sounds of my boys’ laughter, and the feel of Bella’s warmth, and I thanked God for times like these. How calming it was to be there together for that time and to spend it with my kids and praying blessings over them… sunshine blessings, I called it in my mind… it was sweet, it was wonderful, it was a little spring of joy in my day.

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  • May’s New Discoveries

    So far this month the boys have been quite busy learning all the fun tricks they can do on the swingset… like slide down the slide on their feet and give Mommy a heart attack. Here’s my list for May of fun things the kids have learned:

    –Asher learned to do a flip on the side bar of the swingset and says he’s going to be as strong as Uncle Rob.
    –Micah learned to do a somersault but said he didn’t like it because it made his head hurt; however, it didn’t stop him from doing them.
    –Audrey discovered the button on her little motorized bike. If you push it then let go, you go about 6 inches, then clap and laugh.
    –Asher learned what a pull-up is and tells me everytime he goes to the swingset he’s going to do his exercises. Then he decides pull-ups are too hard and gives up.
    –Micah discovered that he really does like peas.
    –Audrey loves her new glow worm and has learned that if you push the button on its chest over and over and over, then you can stay up later in your crib.
    –Asher learned to ride his bike!!!
    –Micah learned how exciting it is to watch Asher learn new things as he ran next to Asher’s bike yelling, “Asher, I’m so impressed with you!”
    –Audrey learned that grass is okay to touch, even though she’s still not sure about walking in it.

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  • The Haircut Store

    The past few months I have been increasingly frustrated at how difficult it is to find a cheap place where I can get the boys’ hair cut without it looking as crooked as a dog’s hind leg. And I’m way too much of a perfectionist to attempt cutting it myself. I gave up on the Hair Corral because they only did one haircut, and it didn’t work with either boy. Brian won’t let me buzz Micah’s hair, so that takes some of the simplicity out of things.

    So off they went this morning to the “Haircut Store” as Micah calls it. Brian took them to a little barber shop downtown where he had gotten his best haircut ever from a little 80-ish year old barber who seemed genuinely excited to have the boys come in. When they got home, Brian told me that Asher talked the whole time to the man, who fortunately didn’t hear much of what he said, because he said this: “You look just like my Grandaddy (my Dad). His hair is all gray and there’s not much left either.” Oh, the joys of children… you just never know what they might say. (Sorry, Daddy.)

  • Dragon Tails… er, Tales

    While I was outside with the kids this morning, we all piled onto the big swing on our swingset for our daily story time. The boys love for Brian and me to tell them stories we’ve made up; however, my imagination is waning. There are only so many coyote, wolf and bear stories I can tell! Thankfully today Asher asked for a dragon and knight story.

    “Ahhhh,” I said, trying (and failing miserably, I might add) to be a humorous mom, “You boys want a dragon tale.” Micah looked up at me with consternation in his eyes, “Mommy, no!” he cried, “Not the dragon’s tail. Nothing happens there. The fire comes out of his mouth! I want a dragon mouth not a tail.” I tried so hard not to laugh out loud. I’m afraid the poor boy is going to get a complex as much as I laugh at him… but he is such a sweet, funny boy. And so, being the good mother that I am, our dragon tale today had plenty of fire.

  • Knowing How It Ends

    My boys love to watch Homeward Bound. They sit up on the loft entranced and talk about what’s happening throughout. I love to listen to them talk together like that! It makes me realize how they are such little persons.

    As I was listening to them the other day, I had to smile… they both get so excited every time it ends. Bear always says, “Asher, they found everyone!” Then he calls down to me to tell me that everyone is home and happy. It is new and exciting to them every time even though they know how it ends. And then it hit me… I know how it ends, too.

    I know how it’s all going to end–my life, this world–Jesus wins! And yet I can so often live in despair caught up in how my life isn’t going the way I want it to… but it is… it’s going exactly where I want it to. I’m heading to heaven and victory and defeat over sin and Satan. I found the excitement of my boys contagious that day. I want to live an excited life, because I know how it ends!

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  • All Stretched Out

    Brian has a squishy ball to squeeze when he’s stressed that he got on a business trip to San Francisco. This morning I was fixing breakfast and Micah had just gotten up. He raised his arms, yawned and did a full body stretch. All of a sudden he says, “Mommy, I’m all stretched out. I need daddy’s smiley face ball to squeeze.” I asked him, “Do you mean you’re all stressed out?” He stretched again and said, “Uh huh, I’m all stretched out.” Oh how he makes me laugh!

  • Bella’s First Year Milestones

    April 2006

    –Welcome to our world, little one! 7 lb. 4 oz., 19 inches long.
    –You met your brothers on the day you were born, and they loved you so much. Asher calls you “Andre”.
    –You met your Grandma & Grandaddy Misantone.
    –Your first Easter… and first Easter dress!
    –Your first visit to church.
    –You met your Uncle Mike, Aunt Sherry & Cousins Josh, Ben & Danny.
    –Your PKU screening came back with some strange levels… but everything turned out okay!
    –Your first youth retreat.

    May 2006
    –You smiled!!!! Then 3 days later you smiled at Asher.
    –You met your great-grandparents, Nanny & Pappy.
    –A baby shower for you! Lots of pink.
    –You coo at us when you see us… such sweet sounds.
    –Tummy time is not a big hit with you.
    –Your first virus.
    –You met your Grandma & Grandpa Davis.
    –You slept through the night at 7 weeks old!

    June 2006
    –You try to grab things when we hold them out to you.
    –Your 2 month appt.: 11 lb., 2 oz., 23 inches. The doctor says you’er perfectly proportioned.
    –We heard your first squeal of delight.
    –You suck your thumb!!!
    –You love to take your baths.
    –You love to listen to music, and I love to dance with you.

    July 2006
    –You met your Aunt Sam, Uncle Alan & Great-Grandpa Davis.
    –Fourth of July in DC with Daddy’s family.
    –You discovered your toes and were fascinated.
    –Ugh.. you spit up so much. A record SIX outfits in one day this month!
    –So big! You bear weight on your legs.
    –Your first visit to JMU–Go DUKES!
    –You rolled over!!

    August 2006
    –You hold your folded hands up and just watch them.
    –You love to read with your brothers.
    –You giggle when we tickle you, but still no big belly laughs.
    –You found your voice! Happy gurgles all day.
    –You love to stick out your tongue, and you look so silly.
    –Sweet giggles became big belly laughs whenAsher was playing with you.
    –Your 4 month appt.: 11 lb. 15 oz.; 24 3/4 inches.

    September 2006
    –Hooray! Off to the beach!
    –What? You’re wearing a bikini. Daddy says this is the last time!
    –A taste of formula… BLECH!
    –A second visit to Rockbridge Youth Retreat!
    –Uh oh, Mommy has pneumonia, so you’re getting lots of snuggle time.

    October 2006
    –You love to sit in your swing and watch your brothers.
    –Micah makes you laugh all the time.
    –A day trip to DC’s WWII Memorial.
    –Your first tooth arrived…
    –Then a week later so did tooth #2.
    –You are a talker… ta-ta-ta and na-na-na are your favorite sounds.
    –6 month appt.: 12 lb. 7 oz.; 25 inches… petite little one.
    –You started rice cereal, and hated it!
    –You’re sitting up like a pro.

    November 2006
    –You wore shoes for the first time… cute, little black dress ones
    –New foods this month were bananas, pumpkin, applesauce, peas and oatmeal.
    –You are so close to crawling!
    –You love to dance… it makes you belly laugh.
    –You met your Great-Grandmom Misantone, Aunt Louise & Uncle Larry.
    –Your first Thanksgiving at home with the family.

    December 2006
    –Christmas tree hunting and decorating and getting all tangled in ribbons and bows.
    –You are fascinated with moustaches.
    –Look at you go! You are crawling now.
    –You waved bye-bye… just like a princess.
    –Your first Christmas… favorite gifts: Raggedy Ann & Andy.
    –Your first plane ride.
    –To Phoenix where you met your Uncle Rob, Aunt Candice and Cousins Kayin, Demitri and Eden.
    –You’ve started clicking your tongue and think it’s so funny.
    –To the zoo with your cousins.

    January 2007
    –Happy New Year!
    –9 month appt.: 14 lb. 6 oz.; 26 1/4 inches. Your height predictor says 5’0″.
    –Your first snow! You were fascinated.
    –You cut tooths 3 and 4 this month.

    February 2007
    –Slow month… not learning much new, but crawling everywhere and getting into everything.
    –More snow and building a snowman with your brothers.
    –Uh oh, your first ear infection, and a 105 degree fever!
    –You say Ma-Ma and Da-Da and it’s music to our ears.

    March 2007
    –Road Trip!!! To Delaware for your first wedding (Sarah & James De Boer).
    –You stood alone.
    –You love to help empty the dishwasher and will hand us the silverware piece by piece to put away.
    –You’ve figured out how to crawl with a dress on… no knees! Thinking outside the box already!
    –Your FIRST STEP!!!

    April 2007
    –Your first taste of cake at your first birthday party… you weren’t too sure at first, but learned to love it.
    –You’re walking now! Just took off the day after you turned one. And life moves on…

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  • Things That Make Me Laugh

    I’ve been delighting in my kids these past few days and the way their brains work. Like how excited Buddy gets when he says his L-words with the L-sound instead of the W-sound. Or how he fusses at Bear to stop playing with something because it wastes the batteries. This morning, Buddy and I had a deep conversation about obeying God and praying for strength to “beat Satan”. He told me, “If I pray, then God won’t let my foot slip.” Then he thought about that for a while and said, “But my feet slip when I ice skate. Is God going to help me ice skate?”

    Then there’s Bear, who lives contentedly in his own little world… and thinks his elbows are his muscles and will randomly show me “how big my elbows are, Mommy!” And how he mispronounces things like saying Dixie cups are “disky cups”. He is in that really cute stage where everything he does is funny, and I try so hard not to laugh at him ALL the time, especially when he’s “cutely” asserting his independence. Oh, how they keep me entertained.

    Earlier today the boys were pretending to fight the bad guys and they had walkie-talkies to communicate with each other. I had to laugh when they kept yelling into them, “Roger? Are you there, Roger?” They’ve heard Brian and me on talkies before and apparently thought we were talking to someone named Roger. It’s so fun to see how they take things and go with them… into their own worlds. And I will truly enjoy watching them bring Bella right along with them. Oh, the places they have been and the places they’ll go!

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