Lost and Found

Every child seems to have a blanket or stuffed animal that they adore.  I had Snuffles and still have him (his ears are barely hanging on and he has redefined "threadbare").  Elle has Lovey.  Elle loves Lovey. Elle adores Lovey.  Well a couple of nights ago Lovey went missing.  It didn't take long for Jay and I to put together that Lovey must have jumped ship on our walk.  We consoled Elle and told her we would do everything to find Lovey, which brought little comfort to Elle.  Poor thing kept asking if Lovey was scared and all alone... One must be careful to not forget that she has feelings.

Well, I got out in the car and drove our walk scanning the streets and yards for Lovey.  Jay then went and re-walked our walk looking in every trash can, under the assumption that perhaps someone had thrown her away.  I then went back out and...

Ahhhhhh!!!!  Enter Hallelujah chorus in the background!

Thank you kind someone who picked up Elle's beloved appendage!

I am sure we are not the first parents who have exhausted 4 or so hours combing through the neighborhood in search of a tattered blankie, nor will we be the last.  I just hope it is the last time for us :)

Elle.isms

Elle is a character.  This should come to no surprise given the choice of genes she was given.  Neither Jay, nor myself, are called "normal" by those who know us well.  The long debated notion of nature vs. nurture can be thrown out the window in the Shaw household.  Either way, our children don't hold much hope to be "normal."  Personal, I think normal is overrated anyway :)

This blog is an attempt to document the happenings of our household.  I sadly have already forgotten so many of the things that I had to "write down immediately lest I forget!"  Today's post is a montage of "Elle.isms."  There are so many, but these are the ones that we hear now on a regular basis.

Introductions:

This is my Elle.

She "lubs pwincesses, specially Punzel." We often role play that Lucy is "maxis.us" and Caroline is Pascal.  Elle has started using her imagination all the time.  I'm not convinced that she has an imaginary friend, but she frequently refers to "Chi Chi" and laughs at something Chi Chi has done.

This shot is from Elle's 3rd Birthday party.  (She is painting like Rapunzel.)  

When Elle goes to bed, she knows she is not allowed to get back out without our permission.  I went to check on her one night to find all her babies tucked in right by her.  The next morning she said, "Mommy, sometimes it's hawd to sleep.  Sometimes, peoples get out of their beds.  But don't worry, you no need to spank Ewel.  Look..."  She then rolls to her side, lowers her pj bottoms to show her tiny hiney and proceeds to spank herself.  "See, Ewel alweady got spankin' and Mommy can just say it's okay.  It is okay Mommy, it's gonna be okay.  Ewel a gooooood giwl.  You wanna hug?"

 

These pictures are from Elle's first Auburn game.  She is learning the fight song and sometimes will randomly yell "Wa Eagelged!!!"  

Elle tends to stutter a tidge right now and always asks "whats in.n.n.n.n it?"
Elle always asks us to "clause it!" meaning, pause the tv.
She recently hurt her mouth and kept referring to the "snore" in her mouth.
Elle loooves "Dr. Whig.gig.ew"
"Maz.a.beans"  Elle loves magazines.
The other day we were picking Elle up from the nursery and asked her if she was hungry.  She replied by putting her hand under her chin and saying "no, I not hungry.  My tummy full up to here."  Jay said, "Oh, well that's good to know because they have cookies in the fellowship hall."  Elle then scrunches her eyebrows and thoughtfully says "hmm, no, my tummy only full to here," while lowering her hand to her belly button.   This is now how she communicates her hunger level.

She just loves to decorate.  Herself.  Anyone else see Jay in her??

People always say that children are honest, but what they don't say is that you should teach them to filter early early on!  Forget filter, you should teach them to simply not talk in public.  After I had Caroline, Elle thought everyone had a "baby in their tummy."  She asked my dad, neighbors, cashiers at hobby lobby, etc. etc if they had a baby in their tummy.  I apologize to anyone who felt the need to palio it up in response to our presence.

Elle's sips n' strokes painting.  ALL PINK and so her.

One evening we were face-timing with Aunt Tracie (Jay's sister) and co.  Elle was talking to Aunt Tracie, Juju and Noah.  She suddenly realized Uncle Scott was not present.  "Where's Scott?" she asked.  Tracie said "I don't know, you ought to yell for him to come."  So Elle said "Scoott!"  Scott did not hear, so Jay instructed Elle to yell louder.  So Elle proceeded to yell "Yell Louder!!!!"

She loves, oh how she loves Caroline.  Until Caroline's arrival, I considered Elle like an only child on crack.  She had gotten so much attention simply due to Jay's profession.  From the time Elle was only a few months old, before I was even really getting out of the house, some of my students would come over multiple times a week.  Elle was and is loved on beyond measure.  She has pretty much gone to every youth function, knows half the nursery staff by name, and has seemingly never met a stranger.  I was terrified at how she would adjust to having to share the attention.  When Caroline came home I was amazed and thankful at how the Lord answered my petitions for Elle to love her baby sister.  Caroline has brought out a side of tenderness in Elle that I have not seen before.  I am sure that as Caroline learns to crawl and wants to play with Elle's stuff we will be having many "opportunities for correction," but for now I am enjoying how much Elle looks after her baby sister.  

I remember one morning Caroline was crying and my limbs weighed 100 lbs each.  (Translation: I did not get out of bed right away).  I hear Elle jump out of her bed, then hear her creep into Caroline's room.  Then Elle proceeded to say "It's awight Clawolime.  Ewel's hewe.  Sissy's wif you.  It's gonna be okay."  If you know how extremely spirited my Elle is, you can imagine how much I savor these moments.  It is my prayer that they become the best of friends who are a source of encouragement to each other.  I have talked to many moms as I struggle trying to figure out how to biblical reign in some of Elle's Elle.ness.  Those moms who truly know my child have varied responses.  I am learning from the godly women in my life that prayer is vital and essential.  I am also learning to pray with more than hope, but with confidence that He is "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine."  (Ephesians 3:20)

Oh... last story.

Thank you to Ms. Jennie and Ms. Mikelyn for teaching Elle about her "muddy heart."  EVERY time we see mud, look at mud, see mud on Lucy, etc. Elle exclaims "That's like my heart mommy!  It's got mud on it.  Only Jesus can wash it.  Mommy can't wash it, Daddy can't wash it, but Jesus can make it clean!"  

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Jay and I have been married for 10 years.  Some things in life you can count on.  You expect them to remain constant, unmoved and unchanged.  Let me properly introduce you to the Riverside Motor Lodge, of Gatlinburg, TN.

The backdrop:

Jay is the youth pastor at Briarwood Presbyterian Church and has been for the past nine years.  Prior to that he and I were partners for Briarwood's then outreach ministry, Student Stampede.  Stampede started a winter conference nearly 30 years ago, taking 250-300 students to the Riverside Motor Lodge.  The entire hotel is rented out and becomes our home for the week.  Jay has gone for the past 19 consecutive years, and I the past 10 out of 12. 

A little over a week ago Jay called me.  "Allison, I've got tragic news.  Are you sitting down?  The Riverside is shutting down."

Gasp.

What in the world?!  This place is the oldest running hotel in the tourist mecca of Gatlinburg!  I was truly in shock and a little embarrassed to admit I cried.  After Jay and I had been dating nine months, I went on this conference as a volunteer counselor.  Up until that particular conference, when Jay and I were together I was at large his focus.  This was the first time I didn't really matter and I got to see what he was like in his element.  I saw his heart for students, for the Lord, and for ministry.  I can honestly say it's when I realized I was in love with him.  The next year when I went I was on Stampede Staff and Jay and I were engaged, the following married, and the last time I had a young Elle and was pregnant with Caroline.  

How could the Riverside be closing?!  More importantly, what are we going to do for our winter conference?!

Jay and I quickly arrange a getaway, which I am so thankful I got to be a part of, in pursuit of a new hotel to host our event. 

We arrived around 4:00 to this jewel.

Oh wait, it's changed a tidge.

I mean, I have spent countless hours in these rockers.

We were appropriately welcomed and headed to our room.

Only to find this.

Poor place is just having a hard time keeping up.  

We spent hours on the way up calling hotels and finding which ones were prospects.   By 11:00 at night I had literally 12 pages of hotel listings in my lap with giant sharpie X's through them.  The Riverside suddenly looked a little fancy.  Jay and I were then brainstorming about possible other destinations.  We were beat and went to bed knowing tomorrow we wouldn't have much left to see.

We started the day properly.

Dunkin Donuts really is my new favorite coffee.  I drink my coffee black but decided to add blueberry to it.  It was ah.mazing!

After running poor Caroline through the mud, we found a place.  It was literally the last place on our list to look.  We didn't even think it was an option for this year and were looking at it for a 2014 option.  We will have to change the dates and as my sweet friend Amy B says "think outside the box," but I think it will be perfect!!!

When we left, I questioned my hormonal stability because I again teared up.  Farewell my sweet Riverside.  You have seen many a laughs and tears and we will miss you!!

Easter

Let no one caught in sin remain

Inside the lie of inward shame

We fix our eyes upon the cross

And run to him who showed great love

And bled for us

Freely you bled, for us

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave!

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with him again

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave!

Oh death! Where is your sting?

Oh hell! Where is your victory?

Oh Church! Come stand in the light!

Oh God is not dead, he's alive! he's alive!

"Christ is Risen" by Matt Maher

Goodness knows how these lyrics resonate in my heart!  It is my daily prayer and plea that I will be able to fix my eyes on my Creator and my Rescuer, to remember that He alone conquered death by death!  Praise the Lord!

This year Easter looked a little differently than last year.  Let me paint a picture for you.

Two newish parents have their first real visit from the easter bunny.  A precious Pottery Barn Kids easter basket, complete with pink gingham liner, is filled with all sorts of spring goodies.  Carrot shaped bubble necklaces, egg sidewalk chalk, sweet little candies, a pink kitten with glittery whiskers and the killer... a pink magna-doodle.  I mean, the easter bunny, in my personal opinion, was uber thoughtful and did an outstanding job.  

I get Elle up while Jay is stationed in the corner of the den.  He has the digital camera in one hand while filming with his iPhone in the other.  We wait for all the oohs and ahhs to coo effortless out of our beloved 2 year olds mouth.  Her eyes widen with excitement as she spots her basket.  She timidly walks over and peers into a pile of pastel goodies.  

Then IT happens.  I don't know how to describe exactly what IT is.  But IT is NOT my friend.  IT takes over and the rest is a blur.  Okay, it's not a blur, but I kind of wish it was.  In one swift moment, my sweet Elle flails her toothpick.esc arms across the table while letting out a shrill screech.  The next thing you know the den is a spattering of pastel eggs, a fuzzy pink kitten has been slung under the couch (probably thankful for the shelter), the magna-doodle has an Elle sized crack in it, and Jay and I are left, mouths agape, wondering if we are the only parents suffering such carnage this easter morning. 

Needless to say, Jay and I decided to recalibrate and lower our expectations this year.  The easter bunny was talked into another visit and left some treats for the girls.  We are so thankful this year was not a repeat of last year.  In fact, while Elle was sifting through her goodies, she spotted Caroline's basket.  She thought the easter bunny had upped the ante and left her two baskets at first.  When we informed her that it was not hers I held my breath.  She left her basket, which was still mostly untouched, and picked up Caroline's basket bringing it closer to Caroline.  Then, she took the time to hand Caroline all of her treats, one by one, and tell her what they were.  It was very sweet and made this mama very proud.

 Elle seemed to overlook the empty egg that was left in symbolism of the empty tomb and favored all the ones with candy.  I cannot wait for the day that Elle can understand all that the King of Kings has done for her. 

She is loving on her new "wainbow cawel beaw"

*Kathleen Palmer:  If you read this, my child is always available for you to practice your speech pathology skills on!

Words are not necessary here.

I mean, so sweet.  Caroline is mesmerized by her Wolfie.  He is a character.  I shall dedicate an entire post on him... It may help explain lots of my quirks.

Family Pics

This is the only one we got with us all looking at the camera.  I think it's sweet that Elle wanted to make sure "her" Caroline didn't fall.

Aunt Kake with Blakley.  

The second annual Easter Egg Hunt!  Poor thing couldn't find this egg for the longest time.

 

Uncle Gray Gray with his hair.pie.

Anyone with kids knows eye contact plus a smile with one child can be a feat.  So, this is the best we could do.  Parker was hilarious pulling out all stops to be the cutest.

Future best friends I hope.

Current best friends.

Am I a horrible mom for posting this pic? I know it's unflattering, but for the sake of trying to document my children's childhood, I could not resist!  This is so my Elle.  Huge grin, loves her socks, dancing and singing and loving life.

Gentle Elle.  Gentle.

The look of discovery that Aunt Kake has put some candies in the eggs!  Delight!

Happy Easter!