Emet and Mama's First Date

Ah, the things we learn about people when we take the time to study them, removing them from their ordinary position within the daily grind, and setting them free to be their own, best self in the setting of their choice.

For the past week, Emet has repeatedly asked "How many days is it again until our date night, Mama?"  Since his big brother's date to the trampoline park, that has been Emet's goal, but when the time came and Mama's knee was not in any shape to be jumping on a trampoline, Emet decided he still wanted me to be his special date and selected a place where I could play along side him.  (God bless that little boy of mine!) The decision was made....off to Chuck E Cheese's we went.

"C'mon Mama!  Let's leave for our special date!" he kept saying as I tried to tie up the loose ends of the dinner I had begun for the family.  Papa took our picture in the yard, and the minute we hopped in the car, Emet...in his sweet, but knowing voice, said, "Oh wait!  Where are Caleb, Anna Ruth, and Gracie?  Oh, yeah!  They're not coming on our special date!"  And truly, I believe this night away from his siblings is just what he needed to make his little spirit soar. 

Emet was quiet the whole drive down, but the minute we pulled up to the parking spot right in front of the door that seemed especially for us, he could hardly wait to get out of the car.  He raced to the door, and just before he pulled it open, he looked back at me and sweetly said, "Thank you for taking me here, Mama."  Can a Mother's heart melt?

We ordered our food and sat down, Emet proudly carrying his new "upgraded" kids cup - a plastic cup with a big Chuck-E-Cheese head, which apparently comes with free refills forever.  Perhaps this will prove to be a good investment for our grandchildren....a family heirloom of sorts.  He asked me to sit right next to him. So there we sat, he anxiously awaiting his very own personal sized cheese pizza and happily sipping one of six glasses of soda, and me contentedly munching away on baby corn from the salad bar.  Ah.....bliss.  :-)

Once we finished our meal, Emet asked if I would watch while he climbed around in the overhead play structure.  I did, and then we headed over to purchase our tokens.  As the coupon we brought wasn't valid at that particular location, (figures), I was pleased to find such a nice employee who found one for me.

Fifteen dollars exchanged for ninety tarnished gold tokens, and we were on our way to fun.  We wandered around playing this game and that, but much to his Mama's delight, Emet seems to be as interested in the Skee Ball game as his Mama.  He would say things such as, "OK, Mama.  OK.  Just one more time on this game, then we're moving on!  OK?!"  Repeat several times.  Move on.  Come back. Repeat.

Some games were genuinely fun....like shooting hoops, or aiming to shoot water at blinking objects for points.....or holding on to the monkey's vibrating hand grips until you can't stand it any longer, or, I would argue, Skee Ball.  Other games, such as the treasure wheel, largely resembled casino gambling and were dominated by adults spending countless tokens on them.  (OK - I can see how Skee Ball might fit into this category as well, seeing how Emet and I could not seem to step away.)

Emet was a true delight, and what an encourager he was!  "Oh, good job, Mama!  You're doing an awesome job getting points!"  When I would say, "Well, this game isn't as good as my last one" he'd return, "No!  Just look at all of those tickets you've gotten!  You're doing awesome, Mama!" Or, when we went back for one of the many soda refills (Root Beer, Root Beer, Diet Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Orange Soda, Diet Pepsi) , he said "Thanks again for bringing me here, Mama" in his sweet, quiet voice.

At the end of our time, we fed the tickets one by one to the ticket muncher....all 251 of them, then headed over to the store to carefully select our treasures.  In the end, Emet picked out a blue rocket for himself and an orange one for Caleb, sweet tarts for all, and a twizzler.  Yep - that was the end of fifteen dollars of tokens and 1.5 hours of ticket earnings.  Emet seemed pleased enough with his new found treasure, however.  He was quiet in the car for a bit, then said a little sadly...."I was going to pick out a rocket for Sissy too, but....I didn't."  I assured him that I would be willing to pitch in a dollar or two for a treat for Sissy at our next stop, Fred Meyer, where we were headed to purchase a Hot Wheel - his choice.  He ended up with a metalic green car, and Sissy with a baby bottle with disappearing banana juice.

Coming home far past bedtime, we snuck upstairs to brush teeth, change, and get ready for stories and snuggle.  I read him I'll Love You Forever, and I Love You the Purple-est, then snuggled him close and traced on his back.  Finally, after prayers were said and I tucked him in, I saw him hopping out of his bed to grab his Hot Wheel.  "Good night, Mama.  I love you," he said.  "I love you too, Sweet Bug.  God bless you, Dear Bug."

I was reminded tonight that my second born son Emet is an individual with a rare and beautiful spirit, and I had a chance to see the true character and humanity of my son.

I could plainly see that he, even as a child, has temptations that pull at him and lure him aside.  Though he wanted to move on from that Skee Ball game, it kept drawing him back, time and again.  Life has such lures as well, and it is my job to help train him up to be strong in his convictions and in the building of his character....so that his ability to avoid such traps is based on a habit of strong morals and character, just like his Papa.

I also was able to see how Emet is very appreciative, helpful, and wanting to encourage. He comes along side and doesn't insist on his way, but is willing to compromise and support in others decisions.  He offers assistance, but doesn't insist if he is turned down.  He is always looking to help and do his best, even if in his almost five year old state, he can be clumsy and slow.  He is trying his very best....all of the time.

It's hard to see each others' unique and special traits sometimes as we all struggle to find our way in the midst of a family dynamic....positioning among the siblings, defending your ground.  Date nights go a long way in providing refreshment, reminders, and insight into an individual...for Jason and I or our kids.  What a gift I received tonight.  All I had to do was show up!

I love you the blue-est, Emet.  I love you the blue-est.....just like you want me to. 

The Mighty Little Dump Trucks Roll On

Sometimes it seems a smell or sound can evoke a memory from times past.  In an instant, you are transported back in time to the past.  I heard a familiar sound this morning, one that I hadn't heard for a year or so, and instantly my heart felt happy.  I grabbed my camera and ran outside to see what I already knew.....my two little boys racing their yellow dump trucks up and down the gravel driveway.  I used to hear this every day, often for hours at a time....especially during the summer.  However, as the boys began riding bikes and playing swords....the little yellow dump trucks spent more and more time parked under the giant holly bush...untouched.

You can imagine the joy of that moment!....a chance to revisit the past, even if only for a few minutes.  No, in the big scheme of things, it hasn't been that long since the dump trucks were their favorite toys....perhaps a couple of years.  However, being a Mama has taught me just how very brief and precious each and every stage of childhood is.  These stages move from one to the next, bit by bit, until they are a thing of the past.  Sometimes the days seem endless and the hours drag on. Yet, in what also seems to be a moment - the years fly bye.

I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to see this again.  If I do, I can say for certain the times of the grinding of the plastic tires on gravel for hours on end has passed.  Nonetheless, this morning was a gift, like the brief visit of a beautiful butterfly in your garden....there one minute, gone the next....but a moment that leaves a lasting impression in your mind's eye.

Roll on, little dump trucks.  Roll on.  You'll always be a favored friend in this Mama's heart.

Here's the beginning of their story:

Season of Two Little Yellow Dump Trucks
Ode to Two Mighty Little Yellow Dumptrucks

No! God is in MY tummy!

There's a short space between happiness and rage these days!  In the hopes that Anna Ruth can someday laugh at herself (though I don't imagine that to be anytime soon)....for the past few days, our breakfast conversation has been this:  (so predictable even that I was able to coordinate pictures this morning!)

Me: Kids...what do we have to be thankful for this morning?
Anna Ruth: God in my tummy!
Me: OK
Emet: Anna Ruth, God is in my tummy too!
Anna Ruth: No he's not!
Caleb:  Yes, Anna Ruth, God is everywhere, so he is in everyone's tummy.  
Anna Ruth: NO!!!  God is in MY tummy! MY tummy!

Me: Uh...anything else we can be thankful for?

Anna Ruth: NO!

"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No' " Matthew 5:37  Anna Ruth seems to have this one down!! Happy parenting!! :-)

6 Months: Turning Point

Was it only six short months ago you were born, Grace?  From now on, you are closer to being one year old than born.  New tiny babies are being born in our circle of friends, and, though you were never tiny to begin with, you are well on your way to the milestones that define this next half of the first year.  As soon as you sit up, which will be very soon indeed, you will have lost all traces of the newborn I once held in my arms, and will be headed full long into babyhood.

You're a tall baby, continuing to grow to keep up with the top of the charts.  Your blond hair and dimples make you your own, but you certainly bear the resemblance of the Ordway Children.....Gerber Babies one and all, with your found face, big blue eyes, and long eye lashes.  A sweet song you are!

Believing you to be our last child, each stage you pass through represents a new stage for me as well.  Since 2006, I've defined my journey through my blog as Gourmet to Gerber.  As of Memorial Day, I now am beginning the journey back from Gerber to Gourmet!  We started solid foods just yesterday, and you gladly chased the spoon into your mouth to sample the Gerber Organic Carrots....your first taste of anything other than my milk.  Rice cereal has been a hit as well. As one might imagine, it was a sad transition for Mama as well...another moment of letting go.  From conception until now, my body has nourished you. Now, we begin the slow but steady process of transitioning you entirely away from dependence upon me.

Your voice is continuing to strengthen and grow, and the sounds coming forth are stronger, louder, and far less shrill.  Frequently, we'll hear you humming the same noises over and over....sometimes happily, and sometimes with the growing impatience brought on by tiredness, and always sliding along the vocal scale.  Hmmmmmm Hmmmmm Hwwwwww Haaaahhhhhhhaaaahhhh.  And occasionally in the frantic moment of impatience just before you get your milk, a high pitched (and very loud) squeal comes out!  In these moments, legs and arms are flailing and grabbing until the immediate relaxation of milk comes upon you.

Your eyes are merry sparkles, shining like always with a secret wisdom held deep inside.  If we're lucky, you'll quickly twitch your eyebrows in flirtation as a smile creeps into your rosy, dimpled cheeks.  And, oh how you stare into our eyes!  If we never looked away, you wouldn't either.  It's as if we are the most fascinating creatures you have ever seen.....sent for the purpose of entertaining you!

Your mouth is frequently open, ready to chew on anything that passes by....hands or toys or clothes. When your hands aren't inside of your mouth, they are often busy playing with your toes or clutching the fabric of your clothes.

I'm probably asked about a hundred times each day between your three siblings, "Can I hold Gracie?"  They must collectively spend hours each day in front of you, cooing and talking in their sing-song happy voices.  How they adore you!  And you them....  If anyone can get you to laugh or smile, it is Emet.  And, he would probably spend his entire day getting you to smile at him.  I've rarely seen a face filled with more joy than when Emet looks upon you.

Favorite toys these days include the rubber giraffe named Sophie, which you squeak and chew every time we are in the car, in addition to the stuffed giraffe we hand you as we lay you in bed. A little grey stuffed elephant also finds its nose inside of your mouth.

No longer do you sleep in the little bassinet in our room.  You have officially moved upstairs to share a room with your big sister.  For a few nights, I thought that move might be the end of us, for you began to wake each morning at 6am, almost 2 hours before you had been waking. But, quickly, I discovered if I brought you down to eat, you would fall back asleep nuzzled next to me.  Lately, you've been sleeping through to your normal wake time, and sometimes even waking happy versus frantic and crying.  Anna Ruth has been especially good, for she loves to have you in her room and won't risk having you taken out if she slips into a big cry.  And she doesn't seem to wake up when you do in the morning.  However, we know that stages are brief, and all too soon, you and she will be giggling and tossing toys from one bed to another. Oh the joys of siblings! And the joys of being witness to the fun they have together!

You're rolling over, though our hard floors prevent us from giving you too many opportunities to practice your newly found skill.  But, when you do, your back arches and you high center yourself on your belly! Typcially, your left arm gets stuck underneath, and the experience ends in a bout of crying until you roll back over.

The hanging jumper just came out of storage last week to be used for the last time, and the swing and the baby tub are but a couple of weeks from fading into obscurity.  My hardest goodbye will likely be your bouncer, and if one object will be able to evoke instant memories from your baby days - this will be it.  You have bounced yourself like no other.....lifting your leg to bounce the minute you recognize you will be placed in the seat!  Up and down you go, picking the back up off the hard floor and creating a clicking sound as it bounces up and down.  If given enough time, you will move yourself, inch by inch, across the entire floor!  What sweet memories we have of you in this chair.  You could spend an hour in it without complaint, smiling the whole time! Increasingly, though, your little back arches in the seat after a while of bouncing, attempting to roll out and away.  We wonder if you'll love the hanging bouncer just as much.

As hard as it is to say goodbye to the newborn stage, which has slowly faded away, it is a joy to see you grow and change....and we are so excited to celebrate with you each and every step of the way!  God bless you, dear Grace.  We love you!