Life with the Emerts: March 2009

You know, I'm thinking back over the last month and what keeps coming to mind is the good stuff. The memory-making moments. The funnies. The sweet times. This is not at ALL to say that we haven't had our bad days. But whereas the year between December 07 and December 08 when Olivia was 2 until when she turned 3, where most days were scripted with plenty of emotion, drama, tantrums, and more drama, these days we're kind of "in a groove." It's an EXTREME challenge for me to get ANYwhere on time. So I'm late alot. It's tough to coordinate feeding schedules with, well, anything because, though he eats pretty consistently every 3 hours during the day, each day's "first meal" for Jude starts at a different time; therefore, each day looks a little different and I don't know what that "different" is going to be until 7:00, 8:00, or 9:00 a.m. It's more difficult to fit my medical transcription work into the day, but it still needs to get done. So we've had to implement "room time" for Olivia so that I can supplement what little work I get done during her naptime since I'm inevitably feeding Jude at some point in there as well.

Insert: PLEASE don't hear me complaining about ANY of this. I love that these are my challenges everyday. I'm NOT griping, whining, trying to muster up some sympathy from you. I'm just being honest about our every day stuff. All this to say, still, as I look at this last month in review, all the positives are at the forefront:

1. How much Olivia LOVES her brother and how Jude is just now really beginning to respond to his funny, extremely in-your-face affectionate, big sister with huge grins and gasping for air as he tries to make his own sounds. He Adores her with a capital A.

ex. of aforementioned in-your-face affection

taking his temperature on his toes, naturally

my helper girl

2. Olivia's first experience with organized sports: A 45-minute soccer "practice" that consisted of 2 minutes of initial excitement and joy, 14 minutes of crying, pouting, and tattle-tailing after a fellow (male) teammate continuously "borrowed" her pink soccer ball, 7 minutes of a kicking the ball into the goal, 7 minutes spent passing the ball back and forth with a teammate, 9 minutes enjoying some gatorade and a snack, and then the last 6 minutes spent with Daddy just having fun on the field. We gots lots of pics and video and they are priceless.

Daddy showing her the ropes

just a wee bit upset, probably because of the ghetto rolled-up leggings, 80 degree weather, and non-soccer shoes she's wearing

taking a "gator-juice" break

look at that form!

superstar #9

3. Olivia's comment in the car the other day. Jeremy and I were discussing something (can't even remember what) and Olivia says to us, "You're arguing." We explain to her that we weren't arguing at all, just talking. She listens for a few minutes, isn't convinced, and says, "Guys, you ARE arguing," to which we again reassure her that Mommy and Daddy aren't mad or upset. We're simply having a conversation. Silence. She's thinking. Processing. Then states: "I know you're still arguing...miserable family." WHAT?

my snow angel

intensely enjoying the snow

back to her old stylish ways...this time two layered bathing suits over winter jammies. she's desperately ready for summertime.

having fun with mommy

4. Olivia's time with sweet friend, Wyatt, who won't be here too much longer as his family--under the Lord's direction--feel called to move on. Can't talk about it. Hurts too much right now.

high-five

wyatt talking, olivia listening

we now know why some cultures believe in and practice arranged marriages. here is our choice for olivia.

5. Lots of opportunities to fellowship with old friends and new friends. Though we don't have pictures of these events, the conversations that we get to have with folks around our dinner table keep us going, motivate us along in our journeys with Christ, cause us to think, question, press on.

6. The Truth Project: Though its early on in this, the newest study that our small group is involved in at Sandhurst, God is CLEARLY at work in our hearts (Jeremy's and mine). He is giving us each, individually, a new passion for his Word, his proclamation of truth, and really is drawing us to himself. He is calling us to "be transformed by the renewing of our MINDS" so that we can KNOW him more intimately. I don't want to speak for Jeremy, but I'm humbled that he pursues me so relentlessly; even after more that 20 years of my inconsistent, lukewarm, roller-coaster ride of a journey with him, he still chooses to pursue me.

7. My healthy 11-week-old son. I'm so. in. love.

killer smile.