The little lady likes Bing!

December 8, 2010

Brynlee barely slept at all last night.  Fussing and hollering if she wasn't being held.  Finally around 5 a.m. I put Prince's I-phone in her bassinet and started playing Bing Crosby's Christmas album.  She hushed right up and slept for 2 hours!  What can I say?  She has good taste in music.

One of my all time favorite blogs is wrote by a lady friend of mine in New York.  She is such an encouragement to me.  I love reading about her life as the mother of 12 children.  Yes, that is not a typ-o!  She’s pretty amazing.  Here is the link so you can find her wonderful blog http://dailypleasures.blogspot.com/ .

Mrs. Amy just had a baby and she wrote a very interesting post you can find on her blog called Some "older woman" Advice for younger mommies. .  I feel kinda rude or disrespectful typing Amy as an "older woman",  but that's what her title was... sorry, Amy, I don't see you that way.  {smile} I read this the day after having Brynlee and it was so very interesting to me.  I thought I would share her wisdom with you.  

Thank you, Amy!

Brynlee Erin Wesley

December 7, 2010

Today around 2:30 p.m. we welcomed a fourth little princess to our family.  Babies are such wonderful little miracles. 

This picture is very special to me.  

One thing I noticed first is that my mom 

has Brynlee's socks off already so she can see the toes....

her favorite thing to do to new borns.  

{smile} 

 I love the expressions on my Mom and Grandma's faces as they look at our new little miracle.

First Kiss

Brynlee and her uncle Levi

I’ll admit I was very surprised that it was a little girl.  She fits in just perfect, and we are so very thankful for a healthy baby. 

“Mom, Why?

December 4, 2010

"Look...mom...me...ready."

Faint glow of sunshine coming in the window....{gasp}...it’s morning!    Gotta go...gotta go...gotta go, go, go.  

“Somebodies” chipper little children are already running around the house.      

{waddle, waddle down the hall}...the day has began!

“Mom, I want fruity pebbles.”

“Eden, do you want oatmeal?”

“Mom, can I have cinnamon toast?”

Three separate breakfast orders coming right up.

One wants apple juice, one wants chocolate milk, and one wants hot cocoa.

“Drink ALL your milk”

“It is not to hot!”

“Blow your nose.”

“It doesn’t matter what color your vitamin is.....eat it!!!”

“Go wake up your Father.”

“Yes, I see the chocolate milk on your jammies.  Make sure you put it by the washing machine.”

Next step, scrub their faces... brush their teeth.  Check.

“Your clothes are already laid out on the couch.”

“Go wake up your Father.”

“What do you mean your panty hose are gone?”

“Let’s see, the last time I wore your shoes...I put them....”

“Why is the hairbrush never in the same place twice?”

“Didn’t I tell you to wake up your Father?”

“Stand still while I brush your hair.”

Load the washer.

Clean up majorly overflowing trash can. 

“Sit on that couch and don’t you move!”

{Shriek!}  I looked in the mirror.  

{Shriek!  Shriek!!}  Looked at the clock!

15 minutes to make myself look presentable!  Wonder if I can spend 10 minutes of it taking a nap?

Turn off the Christmas tree lights.

Put away milk.

Shut off lights.

Remember the jammies with chocolate milk down the front?  Somehow they got in the bed room floor.

Turn down the heater.

Grab my coffee and my purse.

Out the door.

Back through the door... to grab the cupcakes and a blanket for Eden’s legs.

Out the door.

Waddle, waddle to the van.  Open side door to buckle children.

One impish little face turns to me and sweetly asks, 

“Mama, why are you ALWAYS the last one out the door?”

{Deep sigh}

Slowly, I turned and just got into my seat.  Realizing that she wouldn’t understand... at least not for about 18 more years.

 

All I Want For Christmas...

December 3, 2010

Moriah lost a tooth tonight.  She was so brave and we were all crowded around admiring how brave she was.  

Well, I guess the sight of her own blood bothers her.  Moriah was standing there fine one second and weaving and falling over on the floor the next.  She scared me, but she didn’t actually pass out.  Now we know.  Poor girl.

 

Raindrops on the Windshield

November 12, 2010

Last Friday the girls bought umbrellas at the Salvation Army thrift store...I know...I’m a big spender.  They’ve wanted umbrellas for a long time.  Moriah told me on Saturday morning that she prayed for rain that day.  The precious thing was, she believed with all her heart that God was going to send her some rain so she could use her umbrella.  

I think it’s sad how adults have such a harder time trusting God, or believing He hears or answers their prayers. 

Out loud I said, “That’s good, baby, keep praying.”

My mind said, “It doesn’t rain much this time of year, and even on the slim chance it does...I can’t let them play in it.  It’s much to cold.”

They kept praying all week.  This morning we rode to town with daddy.  The princesses “knowing” that God might send rain today asked if they could bring their umbrellas.  I figured....why not?  So I let them pack the umbrellas in the car.    

Today is unusually warm.  When came out of Wal-Mart I didn’t even need my coat.  And we cracked the windows as we drove.  A huge change from the 20 deg weather last week!  We were almost home when, what do you think we saw?  Yep!  Raindrops on the windshield!

The girls were very excited and as soon as the car stopped moving they jumped out and opened up those umbrellas!  

Now, ain’t God good?

Crunch, Crunch, Crunch

November 10, 2010

Finally...I have my puffy feet resting on the footstool.  As I pull a cozy, fluffy blanket up to my chin I enjoy a few minutes of {precious} silence.

Suddenly a door bursts open and one of my princesses come running into the house like something is chasing her.  

“MOOOMMMMM!!!  Come quick you GOT to see this.”

“Ok, baby, I’ll be there in a minute.”

(For some reason, she didn’t believe me.)  “No, mom, you have to come right now!”

Letting out a small groan, I grab a light jacket and follow her out the door.

What would you expect to find, when they needed me so urgently?  A fuzzy caterpillar? A deserted bird’s nest? 

Around the corner of the house, the princesses had been hard at work building a huge pile of crunchy leaves.  They were so proud of themselves when they showed me.

They spent a long time jumping into the pile and reshaping it.  Then they had a “ginormous” leaf fight.  Resulting in a lot of scratchy leaves down their shirts, skirts, and boots.  Is it worth it?  Isn’t being a kid great?  They didn’t even notice something that would drive me and you “buggy”.

The below picture is my favorite.  {I love happy children} 

Eden didn't care for the {scratchy}leaves 

in her boots and kept dumping them out!

Ooh La La Beauty Spa

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Princess Alexis turned 5 years old today.    She celebrated by eating brownies {with sprinkles} for breakfast.  What????  It’s her birthday!  {smile}

We went to story time at a local library during the morning.  The library is something we really truly miss in Jamaica.  I LOVE to read to my princesses and they love to listen.  Many times we take a stack of books and get lost in some faraway kingdom or wild west town.

After the library, I asked Princess Alexis what she wanted to do.  She wanted to go to the park, so we went and bought some {sugary} sprinkled covered doughnuts and chocolate milk.  Then we went to the park, to run off our extreme sugar high.  It is a little chilly here in Missouri today - lower 60ish.  

Next we went back “home” to watch Susannah of the Mounties and make a big dinner of spaghetti.  Maybe I’ll even fix some vegetables.....we’ll see what the birthday girl says.  {wink}

Princess Alexis had received several makeup items as gifts. The girls quickly set up the Ooh La La Beauty Spa. 

“Bonjour, what can I do for you today?”  Moriah

“I want to look like Belle.” Alexis

“We’re going to have to use a lot of lipstick.” Moriah

“Why are my eyes two different colors?” Alexis

“I learned how to do this in college.” Moriah

Moriah wrapped a towel around Alexis’s head and Eden said, “You look like Mommy.”

Smocked Scarecrows on an Autumn Day

Saturday, October 30, 2010

When my first daughter was born, my “southern” mama, introduced me to smocked dresses.  It was love at first sight.  I love the precious little girl look.  When we were in Baton Rouge, a few weeks ago, Memaw bought some new dresses for the girls and I must admit that the scarecrow ones are some of my favorites.  

Princess Eden Grace Wesley, age 2

Princess Alexis Nicole Wesley, age 4

Princess Moriah Jean Wesley, age 6

Ever wonder why mothers take a million pictures of their kids, where the scene is almost the same? Clothes are expensive and {my} children are rarely clean. 

 

In the Woods with Robin Hood

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Walking back into the woods brought back 

lots of memories when I was younger in the same woods.

"Look, mom, a swamp!" Moriah

Alexis loved exploring.  I noticed her sitting in the comfortable grass....just thinking.

One thing I want to deeply install in my princesses is the love of daddy.  Right now, daddy is #1.  He’s their Superman and Prince Charming.  Sure he’s not perfect, but if your husband is....well, I don’t believe you.  Yesterday, he changed the oil filter in the van and then repaired someones flat tire.  Today he is changing someones faucets in their house.  Moriah asked me, “How does Daddy know how to do everything?”  

I want them to keep loving and treating daddy like that until it’s time for my girls to transfer that feeling to their own husbands.  Sometime around the age of 30.....hehe.

That being said....

Ugh...it’s morning again.  It can tell this without even opening my eyes.  The main reason being the children standing around my bed telling me they are hungry.  I’m definitely in the “no sleep” stage of my pregancy.  Mornings always seem to come right when I finally fall asleep.  I stretch my leg over to the other side of the bed....empty.  Yeah, Prince is off in the woods somewhere sitting under a tree .  (His favorite American pastime.)  I’m thinking of changing his name to Robin Hood.  {half-serious}

Now, I have to get up with these children who keep calling me “mother”.  15 or so minutes later find me drinking a very strong cup of coffee and watching the princesses eat their oatmeal.  See...sometimes I serve nutritious food.  

My cell rings.   Why do they keep making them smaller and smaller?  I never seem to leave it in the same place twice.  

Prince’s rugged, excited voice on the phone tells me that he got a 10 point buck with his bow.  {I’m telling you....Robin Hood!}

Now what does a supportive dedicated wife do?  She bundles up her three small children, braves the 40 degree temperatures and heads for the woods.  Yep, that’s right.  And that’s exactly what we did.  {Aren’t you proud?}

Crashing and crushing through the timber we sounded like a herd of elephants.  We’d have been really bad Indians.  Or maybe just really hungry ones.  Finally we found Prince with the deer.  For all you weak {or weepy} ones out there I won’t post any pictures.  But, honestly our daughters weren’t traumatized... they were enamored that daddy killed meat for us.

The girls and I did a bunch of ohhs and ahhhs.  Then came the looonnnng drag of the deer out to the truck.  Those things are very heavy.  It took so long that the girls and I walked ahead and sat down to wait for Prince to catch up.  

I put my camera strap around Alexis’s neck and let her walk around getting pictures from her perspective.  I really love the picture she snapped of me and Eden talking.

Alexis's leaf picture.  I think it is just beautiful.  {sigh}

Mommy and Eden

Life is beautiful,

 

Giving God the Crusts

October 27, 2010

The Girls at the Pumpkin Patch

Moriah was pulling her sisters and cousin Evan

We’ve always tried to teach our daughters to give in the offering plate at church.  Even before they were a year old, we had them drop coins in, as it passed by.  Last Sunday, we were at a church and they were collecting the offering.  I noticed Princess Moriah had a single penny laying in her hand.  I asked her if that was all the money she had.  She said, “No, mom, that’s just all I want to give.”  I whispered to her to put the penny away and we would talk about it after church.

Later I tried to explain to her why giving a penny wasn’t good, but she didn’t understand.

Wednesday, we were driving to a pumpkin patch.  I had my princesses and my nephew, Prince Evan in the back of the van.  They were eating peanut butter sandwiches and apple slices.  Alexis gave Evan her bread crust and then gloated about how she was sharing because he was still hungry. Princess Moriah started fussing at her, “Allie, you only gave him the crust because you don’t like the crust!”  {yada...yada..yada}

All of a sudden...it clicked.  I turned to Moriah and explained how the penny and the peanut butter crust were the same thing.  It’s easy to give something that we believe to be worthless. Princess Moriah knew that a penny wouldn’t buy anything.  Princess Alexis knew that if someone else ate that “yucky” crust she wouldn’t have to.

How often do we do the same thing?  It’s so easy to give God the crusts...then stand back... nudge the guy beside you.... “Look what I just did...” 

She came to a big hill and the wagon went down so fast that it almost ran her over!

Stardust on My Pillow

October 24, 2010

Every once in awhile I write a post that gives a glimmer to deep inside me.  This is one of those times.  I’m not even sure I’ll post it.

As a teenage girl I would dream about life “on the mission field” and exactly how it “would be”.  Life would always be perfect and storylike.  Always easy, smooth, and beautiful.  

I had stars in my eyes going into my story.

I’ve been reflecting back on the year I lived in Jamaica, with Prince and the girls.  Life is not always like we planned.  

There was a lot of adjusting.

There was a lot of getting rid of selfish desires.

There was a lot of {stuff}.

There were even some nights, late when no one could see or hear.  Times when I poured my heart out to my blessed Lord.  Those nights I left a lot of star dust on my pillow.  I’m so thankful that my Redeemer liveth and listens to my every thought and prayer.  

I’m not regretful that I live on the missionfield.  I’m not regretful that it is Jamaica.  I’m very grateful and thankful for the life that I share with my husband and daughters.  

Just recently I was talking to one of my brother-in-laws.  We were discussing Jamaica and the different culture.  As we were talking it hit me, life isn’t always smooth and easy.  Life isn’t always the way I plan it out. 

BUT!!!.....on the missionfield God becomes more real.  When you literally have to pray for the food you eat, and when you wake up each morning knowing that He literally protected you through the night, God is more then just a bedtime prayer and a Sunday School story.

I know there are times, when I’ve prayed with my princesses, for God to give us running water today, or “Please, turn the electricity back on.”  And shortly after we pray, God answers.  What is a richer reward then having my daughter look into my eyes and say, “God heard us, mom.”

So, as I went from a missionary with stars in her eyes to what I am today, {I believe with all my heart} all the star dust I left on my pillow was worth it.  There will probably be more tears over the years, but I’m raising my daughters to know we serve a real and living God.  What more could a mother ask for?  

 

Are There Camels in Paris?

Being a mom is so.......(you thought I was going to say special, sweet, rewarding....etc)  Gotcha!  It is those things and so much more, but to be honest I think motherhood is down right exhausting.  {insert a huge exhausted sigh}  I don't think it's just because I feel about 13 months pregnant either.  It's a big job.  With long hours.  I don't care if the kid is as cute as a cupcake.

And write in the middle of all this....and your brain is whistling like a pressure cooker...they ask you a question like, "Are there any camels in Paris?"  (Princess Alexis's question while driving today.)   The way I look at it, there are several different options that come up right now.

Option A {sweet smile}  "No, darling, camels live in the desert."

Option B {half-heartedly}  "Ask your father, dear"

Option C {raised eyebrows} "Well, actually camels aren't native to France, but there are probably a couple in the zoos there.  When you grow up {and become a doctor} you can buy  mommy a plane ticket and I'll check that out for you."

Option D {ignore and pretend the noise around you is to loud} 

We are at a missions conference in {the huge State of} Texas.  After the wonderful service tonight, I took my princesses into the missions apartment and got them ready for bed.  Unbuttoning dresses....pulling panty hose off sweaty little toes..... taking out their hairbows....etc, etc, etc.  

After situating the girls on their air mattresses, I plopped down on my twin size bed.  The clock on the wall reading almost 10 p.m.  Snuggling into a fluffy pillow and wiggling my achy toes I wonder to myself "why do you love high heels so well".  After my 7 1/2 seconds of "me" time, Princess Alexis sits up in bed and says, "Mom, can you cover me up?"

I roll my eyes and say, "Allie, I'm not......."  

Then I catch myself and guilt slams through me.  I remember a post I wrote several weeks ago, while we were still in Jamaica, but I never posted.

(following letter wrote September 5, 2010)

To my little Darling Alexis,

Last night I sent you to bed and went about getting myself ready to go to sleep.  About an hour later I realized that something special had been overlooked.

Every night, after our special time on the couch, I send you to your room.  And every night, you get back up, come find me and ask me to cover you up.  Sometimes it's inconvenient.  Sometimes I'm so exhausted at the thought of walking all the way, through our large home, to your room.  Sometimes I might even let out a tiny groan.

Laying on my own bed tonight, I realized that it is something precious and special that we can share.  I missed that.  The thought of all the many missed opportunities, to show you I Love You, makes tears come to my eyes.  Are you growing up before my eyes?  Sadly, yes.

So, only Kokowawa the kitty, saw as mama tip-toed into your room to cover you up and kiss your forehead.