Playing The Days Away

Just a few pictures for you today. We have been filling our days with lots of play time lately. From trying to ride a new tricycle to play dough to lots of dress up time to walks in our sunglasses to collect acorns to learning to love the exersaucer.






















I sure do love staying home with my babies. They make life lots of fun.

Life

Does anyone else ever feel so busy and overwhelmed, and then you look around and realize that this is just how life is? I feel like that's where I am right now. I have been waiting for life to slow down and return to "normal" for more than a month now, and what I am finally realizing is that I need to take a deep breath and accept that this is just our new normal. We are busy, and I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. I believe that the Lord is using this season to remind me that I need to be content with where I am, where my family is. That is definitely a struggle of mine.

So, here's a little of our busy-ness over the past month or so.
-Chris organized and directed the inaugural BCS Marathon + Half Marathon on December 11, and it was an unbelievable success. We ate, breathed, and slept marathon for a long time in this house, but we ultimately raised $72,000 for Mercy Project and another local non-profit...praise God! It was a crazy time.
-The day after Christmas, Micah climbed out of the pack and play for the first time. This was followed a couple of days later by her climbing out of her crib. So, we figured it was time for the big girl bed. Let's just say this transition has been no piece of cake. We have been tired. She has been tired. But I think we are finally settling in.
-Chris and I celebrated 7 fantastic and blessed years of marriage with a little overnight stay-cation. My parents kept both kids, and we had an amazing time! Great conversation, a movie, delicious food, being with my love, and sleeping ALL night long! Amazing!
-Chris went to Ghana for a week at the beginning of the month. We have hired a Ghanian to work for Mercy Project, and we have visited with some prospective villages to begin more economic development projects. God is doing great things. We are trying to wait well but are deeply hoping that 2012 brings our first group of rescued kids. Cannot wait for that day.
-Beckett got his first cold. So sad. I hate having sick kiddos. We got extra cuddle time, especially in the night. He has now lost his ability to sleep well at night, and we are waking up between 3-6 times each night. It is the flavor of the month...you never know what it's going to be. It is getting better though.

So, there you have it. Just some of what has been occupying our time, and that doesn't include the ordinary day to day stuff that comes with running your own non-profit and keeping up with a busy 2 year old and a 5 month old. Oh, and I decided I want to makeover my living room without buying hardly anything. I'm excited for a change, but I have no idea when or how I'm going to make it happen. But, I will make it happen.

Never a dull moment at the Fieldhouse. But, in the midst of the chaos and busyness, we are well-fed, healthy, happy, and in love with one another and the Lord. And, at the end of the day, that's all that matters.

Five Months

Beckett,

Oh little mister, you are too precious for words. I seriously don't know how it would be possible for you to get any sweeter, but somehow you just keep managing to make it happen. You have me wrapped around your little finger, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I know I say this every month, but time is just flying by. I can hardly believe that you are already five months old, but it has been such an amazing five months of knowing and loving you, my sweet boy. I could not be more thankful to be your mommy and to experience life with you as you grow, learn, and discover. I am blessed.


I love watching as your little personality continues to develop and come out. You are as sweet and happy as we predicted you would be. You are almost always content to be wherever someone has put you {bouncy seat, playmat, blanket} and just watch what is going on around you. If we look your way, you will flash us the most precious gummy grin. You make me stop in my tracks and melt my heart multiple times a day with that smile. I pray that you always have a content, joyful spirit. Your favorite place to be is in our arms, and I love to snuggle you, my little cuddle bug.


You discovered how to roll both directions, tummy to back and back to tummy. So you are now on the move. You crack me up because once you get going, you are unstoppable! You are totally fine with tummy time too and are becoming really good at it. You are trying to figure out how to make yourself move and can get those feet kicking trying to will yourself forward. You have managed to scoot a couple of times, but your specialty is spinning in circles :) It is okay if it takes you a little while to learn to crawl. I don't mind carrying you :)


This month you also learned to love your feet! It is just the sweetest thing. Anytime you are on your back, you want those little feet in your hands and really want them in your mouth. This makes changing your diaper a little more difficult! Almost every time I come to get you from a nap, you are holding your toes and flash me a sweet smile. Little love. You are also fascinated by toys now and will follow them with your eyes and always try so hard to get your hands on them. It is so fun to watch the discovery process. You absolutely love your voice, and so do we. Once you get going, you are hard to stop! You will talk and talk and then smile so big when we look at you. You also found a new scream, but you don't use it when you are upset, just when you are hanging out. It's pretty hilarious...for now :)


Sleeping has not been your strong suit this month. You were doing so great and were only waking up once a night to eat, but all of a sudden, you decided you wanted mommy's company more. As much as I love you and seeing you at all hours of the day and night, I also love my sleep. Your naps haven't been so great either, so I am thinking sleep training may be in your near future. You got your first cold this month, so maybe that is the culprit. I know we will all be happier when we are better rested. But, you are worth it!


You absolutely adore your big sister and are always smiling at her and laughing when she talks and sings to you. I love that you two will always be so close in age, and I pray that you will love one another deeply and be great sources of joy and encouragement for each other. I hope she always brings a smile to your face and is someone you will look up to. I hope you will grow to be someone she can look up to as well.


We love you so much, precious Beckett. You bring so much to our family, and we could not be more thankful for you. Everywhere we go, people comment about how sweet and happy you are, and we are so grateful for the constant reminders of how blessed we are by you. Your daddy and I pray for you always. We dream and wonder who you will become, and we hope that the Lord dominates your life. I pray that you are a dreamer like your daddy and will confidently pursue the Lord's calling in your life, just like he has. You have such an amazing example of a man who is following Jesus, and I am so thankful for that. You are a miracle and a dream come true, sweet boy. Happy five months, Beckett Lucas.


I love you, to the moon and back.
Your Mommy

Living With Purpose In 2011

I honestly have mixed feelings about New Year's Resolutions. I like them because I really love the idea of getting a fresh start and getting priorities in order. I like that it makes me focus on what I want to do better or how I can be better. What I really don't like is that I never keep them. Not only do I not stick with them for a whole year, but I am doing amazingly well if I even keep them for the month of January. It's sad but so, so true.
I like to make goals for myself, but I generally do better with short term goals. I tend to get overwhelmed by the long term. {thankfully, I married a man who balances me very well!}

I have come up with a few short term goals for myself that I will share later, but I was inspired by fellow bloggers and a radio station to choose a word that I want to live by in 2012. I feel like one word really simplifies things, and it will help me not to get bogged down by failing at keeping my resolutions. However, coming up with one word was definitely a bit difficult. I prayed about it, thought about it, and I finally settled on this: PURPOSE.
I want 2012 to be a year of purpose for me in many aspects. I want my days to be purposeful. I want my time with my children to be full of purpose and not just obligation or because it's "my job." I want to use my time purposefully and intentionally. I am good at wasting time, but I want to be better at making sure that the things I spend my time doing have a purpose. I want to be purposeful as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.
I also want to live into the Lord's purpose for my life and my family's life. It's easy to go about my daily life without giving it a thought as to what the Lord intends for me. I really want to commit to doing better about living intentionally for the Lord.
So, there it is. I want to live with purpose in 2012. Blessings to all of you as you start fresh this year.

Christmas 2011

We had a great Christmas this year.  

So filled with family and fun that I seriously feel like I am just now coming up for air from it all!

I thought about breaking this post up into smaller installments, but I also thought that it would take me near to forever to get them all done.  So, I am just putting it ALL in this one.  There will be lots of pictures, and hopefully I will not be long-winded :)

This was Micah's third Christmas, {and Beckett's first...still cannot believe he is four months old.  Last Christmas was when we revealed the big pregnancy news to our families, and now he's here.  Craziness.} but it was the first one that she was able to start comprehending what was happening.  This caused some serious questioning and decision-making on Chris's and my parts.  Will Christmas be about gifts, wrapping paper, bows, lights, and Santa? Or will Christmas in our house be about the birth of Jesus, our Savior, who stooped so low in order to bring us into deep relationship with him?  That is a hard decision to make in a culture that throws consumerism in your face at every turn, especially at Christmas.

So, we talked very little about presents and Santa and focused on celebrating the birth of Jesus this Christmas. In fact, we talked so little about presents that Micah didn't even ask about the gifts under the tree or act interested until we began opening them. We are already looking forward to adding more ways to make that a special time with our little family.

We did, however, make a visit to the big guy in the red suit.  Micah was so excited and was completely enthralled with Santa and the little castle that surrounded his special chair.  Beckett was his sweet self even after being woken up in the middle of his nap to sit on Santa's lap and appease mommy :)
 
We baked goodies for our neighbors.

We had family over to bake and decorate sugar cookies.  This is the second year in a row that Chris's mom and sisters, our nephew{s}, my mom, and my sister have come to the house the day before Christmas Eve to do this.  I really like this tradition.  It's fun to have some low key talk time before the festivities get going.

And, we are so blessed to have families that get along so well!

Christmas Eve was spent with my family.

My kids were spoiled by their Mimi, Pappy, and LeeLee...not just in terms of gifts but also attention :)

We came home on Christmas Eve, and the kids opened their Christmas jammies to wear to bed that night.

We left cookies and a note for Santa, read the story of the birth of Jesus, and put the kids to bed.

Santa got busy on a sweet pink tricycle for Micah, and an indoor play set for both the kids.

Christmas morning, Micah came out to see what Santa brought her. She was excited.

We played for a bit, then sang happy birthday to Jesus and blew out the candle on the bubble bread.

Then, we headed to Chris's parents' house to do Christmas with them.

We headed to Grandmamma and Grandaddy's house that afternoon after naptime to round out Christmas Day celebrations.  Micah LOVED the rocking horse.

The day after Christmas was spent with Granny and Pops's side of the family.  Sadly, I have no pictures of our time with them.  But, we enjoyed it, and the kids were once again showered with love and gifts.

We really enjoyed celebrating the birth of Jesus.  My hope for our little family is that we can continue to find ways in the midst of the glitz of Christmas to honor our God who gave up everything to be one of us.  That is one amazing gift.

Seven Whole Years

Today is our seventh anniversary.

Seven whole years since I stood at the altar and said I do to my forever love.

Seven years has brought a whole lot of lessons and a whole lot of love.

We were just kids, and we've kind of grown up together.

 

Marriage is a true gift. 

It is one of the greatest gifts because it doesn't stop giving the moment you open it.  The goodness and excitement isn't over after you exchange vows and rings and walk back down the aisle hand in hand.

Marriage just keeps on giving.  And sometimes the giving is hard.  It challenges you and forces you to be selfless and to give in return.  It reveals your weaknesses and sheds light on your inadequacies. It's tough.

But, it's also the most wonderful journey.  It means there is someone with you every step of the rocky road.  It brings someone to share in your joys and in your sufferings.  It means that you aren't ALWAYS the one giving, but that many times you get to receive.

In a world where marriage and love are often just seen as conveniences and not lasting, I am thankful to be with a man who is with me through it all, who believes that I am someone worth fighting for, who encourages me to be better than I think I can be, and who I know will stick with me for the long haul, warts and all.

So, here's to the best seven years of my life with the most amazing person I've ever met. I can't wait for the next seven.  Thank you, Chris Field, for showing me that the fairy-tale, always and forever, happily ever after love still does exist.  I'm proud to be yours.  I love you.