Happy 6 Months Rhodes

 Your smile fills our home with joy and we are so thankful that God blessed us with YOU! 

You finally made the big move out of the pack and play in our room into your crib in your room.  You immediately roll to your side or tummy these days when you sleep. 

 You also seem to feely cozy snuggled up right next to the edge of the crib.  In fact, you usually have your arm poking out the side. 

 This was the best picture I got of you today! Actually it is a pretty good depiction of normal life because you are constantly being sat on surrounded by your brothers! 

We tried the high chair today and you seemed to enjoy it.  So far you have had green beans, peas and sweet potatoes.  

We sure do love you little Rhodes! I'm trying not to be sad that you are already six months old, but I sure wish time would slow down a little!  

Palmer {at 2}

Earlier this week we headed to the doctor for Palmer's 2 year well check-up.  

Beau had the option to stay home, but he chose to go.  This was being a very BRAVE big brother.  If you know Beau, you know that he and doctors don't mix well.  The funny thing is, if the appointment is not for him, he is fine.  

 Sweet busy bee Palmer explored every inch of the room.

Palmer wasn't due any shots this time, but he did have a finger prick to check iron levels.  When it was time for the check, we went to the lab.  I had no idea there was a lab because any time Beau has ever needed anything, it's a whole thing and they bring the lab to us. 

Palmer at 2

height: 33 3/4 inches

weight: 24 1/4 lbs

Just for fun, Beau's weight at 24 months was 23 pounds and his height was 32.7 inches.

At 2 years old, Palmer is just a fills our home with so much joy! He has so much contagious energy.  He wakes up ready to roll!

Palmer loves sunglasses, hats, watches, socks, etc.  He is wearing size 2 clothes and size 6 shoes.

He loves all fruit and I would say he's a good eater.  Once he has finished eating a meal, he is somewhat adamant that he is ready to get down from the table, but we are working on that.  Just his age a stage.

He loves doing anything that Beau is doing.  I'm sure I've let him do some things earlier than Beau, simply because it is easier to just let them do some things together.  He loves playing outside and taking walks.  He definitely still has Raleigh's skin tone, so I have to be more careful about remembering sunscreen with him.  

Palmer loves to talk and he talks often and loudly.  He has limitless words that he uses from morning until night. 

When he wakes up, he asks for daddy, Beau and Rhodes every morning.  

Palmer brings so much delight into our home and I love seeing the world through his eyes! 

Can't wait to see all that "2" brings! 

                    Palmer at 2!                                                                                          Raleigh at 2! 

On Grief

As I was reflecting on the last two years, I realized that I have spent the majority of my time grieving for my mom's deep loss and grieving for my boys.  It actually takes my breath away to think that my dad was only here for one of my sons' birthdays....Beau's second birthday.  Palmer will not have any memories of my dad.  He does have the special pictures of meeting him as a two day old baby, and those are priceless.  I can barely even fathom it but Rhodes won't even have any pictures of them together.  What a deep responsibility and joy it will be to pass down stories of my dad to keep his legacy alive.  

Speaking of stories, take time to write them down.  This is really a goal of mine for 2015.  Write down family stories that you don't want to forget.  I definitely know a handful of stories from my dad's childhood, but I wish I had written down more.  What was his favorite subject in school?  What was his favorite meal as a child?  What was life like in college? If you have living grandparents or parents, take time to write down or record their stories.  Ask them to write down stories for you.  It will take time.  It may even seem like a "chore."  But it will be worth it.   

My mom and I have both been blessed with an amazing support system of friends and family.  Those who seem to call or text or send a note at just the right time.  But as I've walked through grief with my mom, I've also noticed many people seem to somewhat disappear when you have experienced deep loss.  Honestly, sometimes people really just don't know what to say.  Your words and my words don't have to be perfect, just say something.  I now know the deep overwhelming grief that comes with the death of a father, so I can turn an empathic ear to others in that situation.  But I have no idea what it feels like to lose a spouse or child or mother or sibling or best friend.  While I can't take pain away from others, I  am learning to do something.  I don't have to say the right words or give the right gift or show up at the right time.  But I am learning to say something, give something, show up.

And I can always pray.  I can always pray for the Lord to show up in a miraculous way and hold those who mourn in the palm of his hand and make his presence known to them.
  
Sometimes people are afraid to say anything after a loss because they don't want to bring it up and make the griever more sad.  From my experience, acknowledging the grief doesn't make the person experiencing the loss more "sad" because it is probably already on his or her mind constantly.  If anything, acknowledging the loss is beneficial.  When people tell my mom stories about my dad, it makes her feel like his life still matters.  His legacy is still alive.  Generations are still experiencing the ripple effect of his great love.

Everyone will grieve differently and there is no right or wrong way.  Some like to talk it out.  And others like to process internally.

Today as I celebrate my dad's life and legacy, I pray I can love like he did.

If you have living parents, call them today and tell them you love them and ask them to share a story that you might not know.  And then write it down.

The Lord has recently reminded me of Psalm 27:13.

I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  

I'm no Bible scholar, but I love Jesus and I think it is normal and natural to feel a longing for Heaven after a deep loss.  I long to be reunited with my dad.  But, I am reminded in Psalm 27 of the promise of goodness here in this life.  There is much goodness here.

Love you dad!

Do The Thing

Ok...so it is an odd title, I know.  

This is a story about the importance of "doing the thing"...whatever the thing is.... make the call, write the letter, send the text, make the drive, change your plans to meet the needs of someone else...do the thing.

On Easter Sunday, the boys and I left East Tennessee with my mom and headed to Nashville.  As we were unloading the van, a neighbor approached.  She was selling some type of baked good for a high school fundraiser.  Her father was standing in the distance up the street.  About the time the daughter finished up her order, the father approached.

I know most of my parent's neighbors, but I did not recognize this particular one.  He was very kind and complimentary about my boys, but I could tell he was somewhat stalling the conversation.

I actually got Raleigh on a text conversation, just in case we needed back-up.  Hey, you can never be too careful these days, lol.

We ended the conversation and started to head towards the house and he called us back and started crying.

The kind neighbor said he hadn't spoken to my mom since my dad passed away because he just didn't know what to say.  

He went on to say how much he admired and missed my dad.  He told stories and shared how brave, and courageous and "cool" my dad was.

Most importantly, he said that my dad was not forgotten.

That was probably the most important thing for my mom and I to hear that night.  

I share this story as a reminder that when the Holy Spirit prompts you to do something, do the thing.  When the Lord leads you to encourage someone, do it.  It is probably just what that person needs at that time.  

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

While we were in Nashville recently, we were able to spend an afternoon with my oldest friend, Jessica.  We met at the beginning of 2nd grade, so we are going on 25 years of friendship.  Jessica also has 3 boys, which is so fun.  We can totally relate to each other and the season of life we are both in.  

As soon as we got out of the car, Palmer made a bee line for the John Deere tractor! He could reach the pedals and he loved it! 

Vroom! Vroom! 

Beau just "clicked" with Jessica's oldest.  He is a mature three (and tall, or maybe Beau just really is that short, lol) and they had fun going straight to the swing set in the backyard.

 Tripp taught Palmer how to sword fight! 

 After having lots of fun outside, we headed inside for lunch! Jessica was so gracious to have our whole crew join hers! 

 I wish we had gotten a better picture of everyone together.  Next time. 

Palmer was fast asleep before we got out of her neighborhood.  I'd say it was a fun time for all! Thanks for having us over, Jess! 

Palmer's Puppy Paw-ty

Palmer is in a cute little stage where every living animal is a "puppy" to him.  We decided a puppy party would be a perfect way to celebrate his second birthday! 

The boys and I spent the week after Easter in Tennessee with my mom, so we decided a sweet little family party would be fun this year.

Big shout out to Publix for making my vision of a puppy cake a reality! 

I'm so sad we didn't get a picture of the food.  We served barbecue with all the typical sides.  But the cool part is that we served it in huge cast iron dutch ovens that my dad had made many years ago at Dixie Foundry Co. in Cleveland, TN. 

 The boys were really into the balloons! 

 My lifelong friend Jessica let us borrow her bouncy house and it was a so much fun.  Jessica and her oldest son, Tripp, were at the party and I feel terrible that I didn't seem to capture any pictures of them! Beau LOVES Tripp.  They really seem to just "click." I know if we lived closer, Beau and Tripp would be great play mates! 

 Aunt Angie and Rhodes had lots of fun! 

 Whee! 

 Mahlon was the baby whisperer and Rhodes slept in his lap much of the party.  

 My sister Angie, niece Cayci and my mom! 

 Say cheese Lily! 

 We told Palmer to hug Lily and he leaned right over and gave her a kiss! 

 My mom's sister Connie and her beautiful family.

 Aunt Connie and Uncle Greg

We love you Palmer and enjoyed your paw-ty! 

*I know I took pics of my cousin Sarah and her family, but they must be on Raleigh's phone or my mom's phone.  Will edit and add later. ;)