CA is Three!

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. 

I sought the LORD, and He answered me; 

He delivered me from all my fears. 

Those who look to Him are radiant; 

their faces are never covered with shame. 

This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; 

He saved him out of all his troubles. 

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, 

and He delivers them. 

Taste and see that the LORD is good; 

blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. 

Psalm 34:3-8

When I read Psalm 34 to the girls this afternoon at lunch, these verses jumped out at me. They are just what my heart needed to say about God and to God as I look back on my pregnancy, labor, and delivery, and also as I think on these first 11 days of having CJ with us.

As you know, I was a bit faint of heart heading into labor. I did call, and God did hear me. I (we!) have certainly tasted and seen that the Lord is good!

We are overwhelmed by the kindness of our friends in bringing meals and sweet gifts for Baby. God is so gracious. The thoughtfulness of our brothers and sisters in Christ (I include my parents in this) has made life so much easier and simpler for us since CJ's birth.

On a different note, we celebrated 3 birthdays and a birth in July. Whew. One of those birthdays is actually the first week of August, but we partied for her a bit early so that my parents and niece could join in. So here are a few photos from CA's third birthday celebration:

CA's not a cake-eater, and cookies are just way easier to make than cakes. She asked for M&M cookies. It was fun getting out my 3-tiered serving plate. I don't get many chances to use it.

We took all the girls to an indoor playground down the street that morning. I took about 6 photos with them all together - this was the best one. They really were happy...

I'm not sure if the pose was her idea or her daddy's, but she struck it. The whole series of photos is pretty funny. I so don't love the fireplace backdrop, but for some reason that is where we always stack their presents and where they open them. I told you our family Back Home was amazing about sending presents our way for the kids' birthdays! Also, her sisters wrapped up some random stuff from around the house for her.

In the words of Mrs. M's husband, CA is so full of personality! She sure is. We consider her to be our most expressive child, especially now that she can talk well (she was my latest bloomer in the verbal skills department). You know how Buddy the Elf says, "hugging's my favorite"? I think CA would say, "Talking's my favorite." She's speaks in a very knowledgeable and big-girl style, as though she's about 14, except for the fact that she can't pronounce R's or L's or any consonant blend, like spl, or th or squ.

Ever since she was a nursing infant, CA has had a habit of caressing my skin (and now her dad's or any other person she feels close to). Her favorite places: my neck and the crook of my arm. Sounds a little odd, maybe, but it's really very sweet. And in spite of the fact that our fourth-born is pretty high-energy, and is moving almost all the time, she is also our best cuddler.

CA makes herself happy with whatever happens to be nearby - books, baby dolls, Pet Shop toys, buckets outside, crayons. She does it all!

She's a colorful kid and makes us all laugh a lot. There's the stubborn side, too, but I am encouraged by the fact that I see her willing to make right and obedient choices more and more.

Thank You, God, for this sparky, sparkly little girl You've given us. Draw her to Yourself day by day.
*

Adding to the list of Mercies:

333 my plastic containers with lids scattered in the backyard, evidence of bug and frog hunts

334 pushing CA in the swing yesterday morning...her smiling big the whole time, blue sky behind her

335 just being outside a little yesterday

336 reflecting on the time mom was here, and dad, and my niece, the ways they blessed us, the memories made

337 getting spa treatment yesterday: at MK's salon, that is...she touched up my toenails (imagine it), rubbed lotion on my feet and hands, put a clip in my hair

338 spa treatment today at LC's salon: another toenail "touchup," this time, every other toe is pink (the original purple remains on the other toes)...will have to do a little touching up myself after they go to bed...

339 getting to hold each of the big girls for a bit today in the rocking chair

340 bb back to work (not glad he's gone, but it's a step toward normalcy, and that must happen)

341 making the full pot of coffee while dad was here

342 gallons of tea consumed while mom and dad were here

343 five little girls, rather obsessed with the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack...a bit annoying at times, but sweet and funny too...they kept putting on dresses, bows in their hair, and dancing to their favorite songs

335 remembering with a little thrill of emotion those special dates BB and I had in the very early days, where we saved up and got to go downtown and see something like Phantom

336 watching BB have his visit at MK's salon. Oh boy. He's a great dad. That's all I can say.