Building A House.

We are staying in College Station, but we are building a house, actually, just about 8 miles from where we currently live.  We are really, really excited.

This decision has been brewing for a while.  Nothing made us dislike our current home, and in fact, we love this home, the location, our neighbors, and Famous's school.  But, Chris and I both just felt a stirring in our hearts for something different.  We couldn't quite pinpoint it, but even before Famous came home, we began talking about these feelings we had.  There were only 2 things we knew about this potential move: we wanted more outdoor space for kids to play and explore, space to plant a garden, and enjoy creation, and we wanted a slower pace of life.

So, we just started casually looking at places that fit those descriptions, and my spirit just never felt settled about anything we saw.  We discussed building, but all of the land we looked at didn't feel right.  I knew that moving would be hard with 3 kids, and I wanted to feel complete peace about it if we were going to take that plunge.  Since we hadn't felt that peace, we decided we would just stay where we are and look again in a couple of years.

Fast forward to a week or so after Famous got home while the littles were playing with some friends, we went out to a small subdivision just south of town where a house was being built.  I cannot remember exactly what spurred this decision to go look at this house since we had ceased our efforts at least a couple of weeks prior, but we went to check it out with our new Ghanaian son in tow.  We pulled into this subdivision that boasts of acre or more lots, and I started getting a good feeling about this place.  We arrived at the house and went inside to check it out, and as we went out on the back porch and Famous ran out in the massive backyard, I started to cry.  I knew in my heart that this place was right for our family and particularly for our sweet son.

So, in true Chris Field fashion, we didn't waste any time.  We began perusing available lots and found the perfect one for our family. We bought an acre of land at the end of a culdesac.  We will have more outdoor space, a house designed just for us (with the help of amazing architect friends), and a safe space for our kids to grow, play, and explore.  We will also hopefully be able to cultivate a less harried way of living.

 

We are beyond excited, and we have officially broken ground on our home.  Our house will hopefully be ready some time in May.

Before the clearing of land began, we took our first family of five pictures on our untouched land.  I'm so thankful that we will always have those special pictures--thanks to my father in law.

 

We are praying that the Lord will bless our home and make it a sacred place where He is honored and where His Spirit is alive.

Now, time to go make a lot of decisions, which can be a little scary for this indecisive person!  Updates to come.

2014 Resolutions.

I am, by nature, a perfectionist.  So when it comes to making resolutions and goals, I can sometimes be a little bit negative.  Goals do excite me, and I absolutely love the feeling of a fresh start that the new year brings.  BUT--I do not want to fail.  If I make resolutions, there is always a chance that I might not actually follow through with them, which would mean that I failed.  I know, totally ridiculous.

While Chris and I were on our getaway to celebrate our anniversary (9 years, baby!), we wanted to spend some time casting a vision about what we wanted our year to look like individually and as a family.  I am really thankful for a husband who pushes me to do things that make me uncomfortable  and who reminds me that I don't have to be perfect because grace has already been offered. So, we sat down, in a movie theater, and began talking through what we hoped for 2014.  A few of the things on my list are:
eat and serve my family more whole foods,
put my phone away more often during the day,
keep exercising,
plant and tend a garden with the kids,
read more,
be more like Jesus on 12/31/14 than I was on 12/31/13,
and let go of things I cannot control instead of worrying.

Over the past week, my heart has continued to wrestle with and get hung up on that last one.  These two words are swirling around in my head a lot: let go.  A popular theme is to choose just one word for the year as opposed to setting specific goals, and last year I read this post that made me really rethink the idea of resolutions and words altogether.  However, I feel the Lord stirring something in me this year, and making goals, and even possibly choosing a phrase, seems like the right thing to do for me in 2014.  So, I am declaring that this will be the year that I begin to really let go.  I am a worrier and control freak by nature, so I spend a lot of my days worrying about something that could happen and living in that fear while "the now" moments fly by.  I want to let go so I can live in the present with my family and not let this time pass me by.  I want to breathe in my little family of 5 just as we are right now and stop wondering if I can control the course of our days, weeks, and years. I want to let go of those things, release them to the Lord, and give in to trusting Him to be the provider He promises to be. I want to let go of needing to maintain a certain image as a mother, wife, and woman and just be who God created me to be in those roles. I want to let go of wishing things were different and just live in the present with what is right now.
I just want to stop wasting time living in fear, doubt, and worry and let go.
I'm already praying and believing that the Lord will be gracious to me in my quest to learn this.  I'm also hopeful that I can accomplish a few of those other goals up there in that list.
Cheers to a new year and a fresh start!

Back At It.

It has been a while since I have visited this space, and while I have missed it, it has been nice.  I needed the break.  I needed the time to just live moments with my family and be present during the changes and transition.  Relieving myself of the "pressure" to write something here and to document every worthwhile and not-so-worthwhile moment in our family's life allowed me to actually fully experience it.  I am grateful for those months where I gave myself the freedom to just be.

I am ready to be back to writing, to documenting, to fleshing out the things the Lord is doing in me and in my family.  This blog may look a little different than it used to.  The time off taught me that I will actually remember events that take place in our family even if I don't record them here. I know, I know.  Crazy and novel thought. I just want to write and to take pictures and to learn and to grow in the process.  I will keep writing about our family because that is where most of my life is lived and most of my lessons are learned, but I also want to keep my hands and heart open to writing about other things.  I want to be true to myself and to honor my family and God in the process.  I want to give myself grace on this blog, and I want to be honest and vulnerable about where I am in life and the work the Lord is doing in my heart.

So, there you have it.  I'm back.

I'm ready for a hope and Jesus-filled 2014!

 ********

For those interested, here is a quick recap of 2013.

School + A Letter

 On Monday, Famous began first grade.  

His first year in school in America after having only attended school (in Ghana) for a total of 8 months in his 7 1/2 years of life. To say I was a little anxious was an understatement.  

 

But, he rocked it.

He is staying for only 2 1/2 hours each day right now, and the plan is to slowly increase the time as he is ready, both academically and emotionally.  He loved it, and his teacher continues to sing his praises.  The Lord provided an amazing teacher for him that Chris and I have known for many years, whose son was in our wedding and is moving to Ghana in a few short months to work for Mercy Project.  If I question the Lord's faithfulness, I need to look no further.

Famous came home with a smile on his face and has been eager to go back to school each morning.

Micah began pre-school on Tuesday at a local episcopal church.

She was definitely more ready than her momma, armed with the most precious butterfly backpack and sweetest smile you ever did see.

She had a great day and was only a little sad that her painting had not dried enough to bring home.

Micah is our social kid who thrives around people.  I always say that being with friends and family is her happy place, and she just comes alive.

I think preschool may just suit her.

Thinking about sending these two off to school was and is a bit overwhelming for Chris and me.  We have so many hopes and dreams and prayers for them.  It is hard to let them go and even harder to not be able to guide their every step, letting them forge their own paths.

Chris wrote a letter for them from us the night before their first day of school.  With his permission, I am posting it here.  He shared our hearts for our children in a most amazing way.

My precious Micah and Famous,


I can’t believe you’re going to school. It seems like just a few short months ago that we were hushing you to sleep and putting tiny bows on your head or visiting you in your village and playing soccer with you in the open fields of Ghana. And now, just like that, you’re going to school for the first time. I don’t remember my first day of school specifically. But I do remember the first year well. My kindergarten teacher, my school, my classroom. If I close my eyes, and focus, I can still remember which side of the hallway it was on and how the room was laid out. I remember reading “Spot” books for the first time. I remember our Kindergarten circus (I was the lion tamer…ha!). And I remember my best friend John. So many good memories. So many chances to be light and hope and goodness in a hurting world. So many times I didn’t take advantage of those or even created the hurt instead of the healing. I want to talk to you about that as you start school.

For the first time, you’re going to be making lots of decisions and choices that won’t be overheard by mommy and daddy. Your teacher will surely hear some of them but not all. Much of what you say and do, the faces you make, and the way you treat your neighbor, won’t be seen by anyone but your peers. I want you to remember that good is good, and right is right regardless of whether anyone is watching you. Being kind and loving is always right and good. I wish I could tell you that others will always treat you like you treat them, but I cannot tell you that because it is not always true. You can be as good and kind as possible, and there will still be people who don’t treat you well. It’s okay. Good is still good, and right is still right. This doesn’t mean I want you to be a punching bag or a pushover. I know you too well to think that you will be either of those, but it does mean I don’t want your first instinct to be hitting back or dominating those weaker than you. I want you to remember “hands are for loving” even when we’re not there to mouth it to you on the playground.

Even at a young age, you’re going to see and meet other kids who are different than you. Some of them will be different from almost everyone else in your class, maybe even your whole school. Some kids will make fun of these kids. They will tease them for being short, or tall, or white, or black, or purple, or whatever. They will tease them for being different. When that happens, stand up for these kids. Be their friend. Hold their hand. Look at the teasers in the eye and say, “This is my friend, and I don’t think you should speak to them like that.” It’s going to be hard for you to do this. But it’s good. And it’s right. And it honors that child and God. And those teasers, like me, are going to grow up and wish they had as much as courage as you. Believe that.

School is going to give you a thousand chances a day to do good and right. To your classmates, the lunch ladies, your P.E. teacher, the custodian, the principal, and to your teacher. Even though most of the people I listed are grown-ups, they want and need to be loved just like you do. To really be seen. To be heard. You can do this. At a young age, you can look in their eyes when they talk and smile to show them that you care. Take the extra 5 seconds on the way to recess to do this. You’ll never know how much it means to them. Please pay special attention to the janitors and lunch ladies. They work so, so hard and often go days without anyone telling them “thank you.” Tell them every day, with a smile, and maybe even a hug. I promise it will change both of you forever.

You know those words we have you say every night before you go to bed? “I’m beautiful, God made me, and I’m going to change the world.” Those are true. It’s time to let those words become more than a nighttime ritual. To let them fill you up and spill over into every moment of each one of your days. To live in such a way that those words become a truth that brings an overwhelming light and hope into the world around you.

Love deeply. Love unreasonably. Forgive. Trust. Do your best. And when you get home and it’s been a terrible day, we will be here to kiss your cheeks and tell you how amazing you really are. And we will get up again tomorrow and do it all over again. A beautiful, terrible mess. All of us. Just doing what we can to make the world a better place. We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to watch you change the world at school like you already have in our lives.

Daddy and Mommy
 
p.s. Wash your hands after you go to the bathroom, please. And don’t pick your nose

Two.

 My dear Beckett,

You turned two just one week ago, and each day it seems that you are becoming more of a little boy.  I know this is cliche, but I truly feel like I was walking into the hospital to deliver you just a few months ago not two whole years ago.  Time has gone crazy fast, but I could not be more thankful to have already had two years knowing you.  You are an incredible little person, and the Lord is already working His glory in and through you.  The truth is that even as you melt into a little boy right before my eyes, I am so thankful for the creation and gift of enjoying each day with you and seeing who you are becoming.

Your sweetness and gentleness are so evident, and I pray that you will always have a gentle soul--that your strength will not come at the cost of your compassion.  Your dimples still get me every time I see them, and I cannot tell you how many times a day your daddy and I look at each other and say, "he is too cute."  The way you smile, tilt your head, say different words and phrases, and imitate your brother and sister are just some of the things that contribute to your cuteness.  You adore Famous and Micah, and the feeling is mutual.  Really, we all just adore you and your sweet kisses that you dole out every night to each family member, over and over, before you go to bed.

A lot has happened in your little world in the past month, and every night I pray for your little heart in this time of transition.  You have handled it all like a champ and are still such a joy. Your bring a richness and peace into this family that could never be overstated.  You have a calming way about you that centers me even after tough, long days.  You and I, my sweet boy, are so alike, and I sometimes find myself comforted just by your presence because I "get" you.  I am deeply thankful for the bond that we share.  Your life has changed me in ways that I never predicted or knew that I needed.  I could not be more thankful that God gave us you two years ago.  Happy Birthday, Beckett Lucas!

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

The Five

Famous is home.

That is one sentence that packs a lot of reality and a lot of God work in three words.

He and Chris arrived one week ago tomorrow, and it has been both lightening fast and incredibly slow all at once.

We are learning life as a family of five.  It is hard, and it is beautiful.

We are learning more about the Lord's redemption each moment of every day--in Famous but mostly in our own hearts.  I can only imagine how that will grow as the days continue to pass.

We are settling in, and all five of us are adjusting into a new normal.

Before I move on completely, the homecoming was one for the books.  It was emotional, raw, and real.  I never want to forget Beckett running to the car and yelling "Famous" repeatedly.  I never want to forget Micah grabbing Famous's hand to introduce him to his grandparents and then to excitedly show him his room and his toys and his soccer goal.  I never want to forget Beckett trailing behind and Famous stopping to take his hand and watching all three of my children holding hands in our house.  I hope those memories are etched into my brain and my heart forever.

Our dear friend, Gretchen, came over to silently capture some of these moments for us, and I've made a short video of them.  We will treasure these days always. 

3 1/2

Almost 2 months ago, a certain little lady in this house turned 3 1/2.  I know that half birthdays aren't a big deal to many people. We never necessarily celebrated them growing up, but I do remember my parents always acknowledging it when it came around.  With my kids, I find myself a little extra sentimental when their half birthdays roll around, and I think I always wonder how in the world 6 more months has passed.  The blink of an eye, people.  It is true.

Just like that, this precious one is 3 1/2.

Here is a little bit about Micah Elisabeth Field right now, interview style.

How old are you?  3

What is your favorite color?  pink

What is your favorite animal?  leopard

What is your favorite book?  I don't know. 

(I believe it because she almost never picks the same one over and over again these days.)

What is your favorite TV show?  My Little Pony

What is your favorite movie?  Tangled

What is your favorite song?  "When Will My Life Begin" from Tangled and the Girls Song (Girls Just Want to Have Fun)

What is your favorite food?  fruit snacks

What is your favorite drink?  Gatorade

What is your favorite breakfast food?  Popsicles

What is your favorite snack?  fruit snacks

What is your favorite outfit?  dresses

What is your favorite game?  ????

What is your favorite toy?  Lalaloopsy

Who is your best friend?  Emma

What is your favorite thing to do?  play with markers

What is your favorite thing to do outside?  play with flowers

What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas

What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Lalaloopsy

Where is your favorite place to go?  Freebirds

What is your favorite restaurant?  Freebirds

Where do you want to go on vacation?  Schlitterbahn

What do you want to be when you grow up?  Firewoman

Micah girl,

We are so proud of who you are and thankful to be your parents.  You are a gift and a ray of bright sunshine.  Your passion, love for life, and fiery personality have seared themselves on our hearts for forever.  We love you to the moon and back.