Carter is Four!

Well, Carter turned 4 this past Tuesday, and we celebrated all weekend! He had his heart set on a Pump It Up Party, so we had a bunch of his friends and they had a blast. We gave him a present the night before, so that he could wear it at his party...

He LOVES the Superman costume! It is so neat to see his entire persona change when he dons the superhero costumes. He had a blast with all of his friends and loved his Superman and Batman cake. As Natalie and I reflect on his party and consider all of the fun kids and wonderful friends that were there, we are truly thankful that God has surrounded our family with such a great cloud of witnesses. And then of course, Anna Brooks was right in her element, with lots of people and physical activity.



Then, we capped off the four day four-year birthday celebration at the restaurant of his choice: California Pizza Kitchen. He got some special drinks, Kiwi Twists, and then he topped it off with a HUGE brownie sundae!

When I reach a milestone such as this, I cannot help but be overwhelmed at the past four years. Where did that time go? What was my life like before kids? As I reflect on this past special year, it seems somewhat transitional for him. Like he is in between stages of life. At times, he can still be a sweet, innocent, precious little boy, who loves to snuggle, be carried when he's sleepy and give bear hugs. And at other times, I feel him wrestling with growing up, asking tough questions, and dealing with life's reality.

And while I can easily drift into wistful nostalgia and mourn the passing of such sweet times, I know that God has a special plan for Carter, and I am so excited, honored and blessed to be his Daddy. Natalie and I pray that He fills us with the strength, courage and wisdom to guide Carter to be the man of God He has called him to be.

We love you so much, Little Buddy.

A look back at the past birthdays...

a week old:

1st Birthday party:

2nd Birthday:

3rd Birthday:

May 10, 1928 - October 19, 2008

Our phone rang at 5:15 Sunday morning, and as I hurried throughout the house to find it, I knew the call would surely be woeful. My Mom: "Kit, Grandaddy passed away this morning. Can you get over to the house?" I made my way through the darkness back upstairs, told Natalie the news, and she said "No, not again."

These past three days have been quite a blur. My Grandaddy was so special to me, I admired him in so many ways: his unfailing dignity, sharp sense of humor, how he loved my grandmother in such a special way, how he accepted Natalie and encouraged her always, and how my children sensed his love and ran to him.

When Carter took swimming lessons nearby, we would park at their house and Grandaddy would drive them down the street in his golf cart. One day when we arrived, he had placed a placard in the dash: "Carter's Limo". He loved playing with our kids, and they loved him.

When we sat down with Carter and Anna B on Sunday morning to tell them about Grandaddy, in a similar way of just a few weeks ago, we told them that Grandaddy had died and that he was now in Heaven with God, Jesus and Grandaddy Harding. We asked if he had any questions. Carter sat for a moment and then he said:
"I have an idea!"
"Great, pal, what is it?"
"How about we get an airplane and ride to Heaven to see them?"






I wrote a few words for the service yesterday:

Dear Grandaddy,
From all of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, let us thank you now for all that you have been for us:
Thank you for playing Monopoly, Checkers and Grand Old Golf with us, and even letting us win. Thank you for taking us to see the Globetrotters and on many out-of-town trips, and for carrying us asleep home from the circus.
Most of all, thank you for reflecting God's image into our lives with your quiet dignity, unwavering respect for "the right thing to do", and your unconditional love for each and every one of us.
Until we in glory are reunited with you, we pray that you know how dearly we miss you and how always we love you.

Peace Like a River

Earlier this weekend, as Carter was performing a mini-concert in our living room, I was struck by his words. At times it seems trite when I hear people say how much they learn from their children, but it is absolutely true. He was singing, his own version of course, "Peace Like a River". And as my future southern gospel singing son was on his fourth refrain, I felt that his words were a great summary of our past month.

On the night of August 1st, our family lost a hero, Grandaddy Harding. More of a father to Natalie and just as much of a grandfather to me, Grandaddy went to be with the Lord after cutting his grass and sitting outside his garage. He enjoyed an amazing outlook on life, and even death. He said he didn't fear death because in his words, "I've got friends over here, and I've got friends over there."

It still doesn't seem real that he is gone from us, and in our quiet moments, the pain swells. He loved everybody, but he especially loved his great-grandchildren, and I feel truly blessed that they got to spend so much time with him, and I look forward to telling them stories about him foverer. About Carter, he would say, "I believe he's above average!" And then for sweet Anna Brooks, for whom he really grew a special affection, he would say "She just gets prettier and prettier."

What a joy it is though, in the midst of sorrow, to be loved by a faithful God who redeems even in the midst of sorrow. Grandaddy, we long to see you again and we act in the confidence that we will be rejoined with you in glory. Thank you for the gift of your love, and we love you.

Peace is a little more elusive when we learn of our dear friends losing their 4 year old little boy to cancer. Please visit www.prayforjoseph.blogspot.com and pray for the Peabody family. We were able to see them at the visitation on Sunday afternoon, and we simply cannot fathom the depth of that pain. While crying like a baby in my car last Friday, I was comforted by Robert Robinson's original closing verse of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing":

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I'll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless days.

Since Joseph was diagnosed last November, we have prayed with Carter for Joseph. We told him that he had a boo-boo in his head. Even today, when we ask Carter who he would like to pray for, he says "Joseph, because he has a boo boo right back here" and he taps the back of his head/neck with his right index finger. Every time.

Once again, I fear telling Carter the truth, another manifestation of our fallen world that is in desperate need of a Savior. But, like earlier this month with Grandaddy Harding, I suppose I will tell him the truth, point him to Jesus, and kneel to pray with him.

And then last night, as I was laying in bed with Carter, we rolled over to hug me, and in my ear, he whispered, "I just can't get enough of your loving, Daddy." At times like this, when we are unsure of just what to pray for and the confusion of this world sets in, I am reminded of my 3 year old son's words. We indeed need "Peace Like a River" and Jesus, we cannot get enough of your loving.

And our dear Anna Brooks is as precocious as ever. She's now on two wheels!

4th of July Weekend - Greenway Fun

The Fourth of July is definitely one of my favorite days of the year. There is something very poignant to me about being patriotic, it's a very unifying experience that makes me proud to be a part of this country. And, I like grilled hotdog sandwiches.

For the first year, we got to enjoy the pageantry of the Whitland neighborhood Fourth of July parade. And we were grateful to have the Siefert family join us. I really didn't know what to expect from the parade, but it was fantastic! There were hundreds of people, countless little ones riding their decorated tricycles, bikes, scooters, wagons, stollers, and dad's necks down Whitland Avenue. The symphony played patriotic tunes, and then this man with a terrific FM-radio quality voice stood, with the symphony in the background, and recited the Declaration of Independence. Awesome! I was moved, and I can't wait until next year.

Anna B looks so cute in her little decorated stroller with her little flag.

The parade marches on. Carter's eyes were as big as dinner plates.

We then went to the Siefert's house for an afternoon of friends and fellowship. We are truly grateful for their hospitality and their friendship.

Then, the next afternoon, the weather was so beautiful that we decided to go check out one of our fine city's amenities, the Richland Creek Greenway. Carter rode his Thomas bike, Anna B rode in her stroller (still decorated), and we had a blast! Over about 3 miles, we saw golfers, a train, several bunnies, and even some ducks in the creek. I actually felt slightly better about my exorbitant city property taxes. Slightly.

Carter really enjoyed riding his bike across the huge bridges. He then discovered that if he rode his bike very fast, then slammed on the brakes (a brand new, and helpful, skill), his tires squealed and made "tracks" on the bridge planks. He would pedal, pedal, pedal, and then brake! Then turn around to look over his shoulder at his tracks. Even though it made for a very choppy walk filled with breaks, it was so great to see him take such joy in a simple pleasure.

It makes me wonder how many of these simple pleasures are going unnoticed in my every day life. It also amazes me how much I can learn from my 3 1/2 year old little boy. He is such a treasure.

We then took the party to Five Guys, where Anna Brooks demolished some great fries, we dined beside Alan Jackson (I resisted the urge to ask him if he just mailed it in with his new song "Good Times"), and Carter was thrilled with his hotdog sandwich and Sprite. What a treat! I, however, was devastated that Five Guys had already perfected my entrepreneurial dream of bringing hotdog sandwiches to the masses.

May 08 Beach Trip!

So back in May we had the great pleasure of joining Nanny and Papa at their beach house in Bonita Springs, FL. Many many thanks to N & P for having such patience with us and sharing their beach house with us for a much needed vacation. After a very busy and taxing year, Natalie and I were able to get some rest, and we were able to spend time together as a family with Anna Brooks on vacation for the first time. And we very much enjoyed the time with Nanny and Papa who vacation just like we do: without an agenda!

And many thanks to Papa for taking Carter and I on a great, though fishless, fishing trip. Carter even got to touch a "scrimp".



Here are Carter and Papa getting ready to jump in the pool. Nanny and Henry are just out of frame left. The photo of Natalie and the kids was the best out of the 40 similar shots that we took. Maybe the Olympic committee should adopt "Taking a successful photograph with two children" for the 2012 games.

Carter fell in love with the pool, and we could hardly keep him out of there! He enjoyed playing torpedo, yelling into the pool noodles, and checking out the "bug craps" (that's "traps").



Anna B really took to the hammock well. I'm convinced there will be a sea of swinging hammocks in heaven. Laying in that hammock at the beach is about my favorite place on the planet, and I am so glad AB loved it!

It's so exciting to begin to see new and different aspects of little Brooksy's personality: sweet, determined, observant, hungry, fun-loving... This is just a great time to see such changes, and I was so thankful for the amount of quality time that we got to be together as a family.

Carter is showing off his huge muscles. He's starting to grow out of his cute toddler stage, and in many ways, it breaks my heart. He's still just as cute and sweet and loving as ever, it's just that life's lessons are starting to creep in. He's such a special little boy, and I love every little second with him.

Buddies

Carter got the chance to play with Blaine a few times recently, and they had a blast! Throwing rocks in the creek, playing on the front porch, wrestling on the couch...

We're so thankful for the Campbells and their friendship!

Anna Brooks, Child of the Covenant

4.06.08

Among blessings, few are more precious than witnessing our children be baptised and receive the sign of the everlasting covenant of our Redeemer. To God be all the glory!

Our dear friend, Pastor Jack Foster was so excited, he skipped right on by the Nicene Creed to get our little beauty, then they shared precious moments during the Baby Walk!

After the service, we were blessed to be surrounded by family and friends at our new home, and celebrate Anna Brooks. As usual, the Queen of Hospitality, Natalie outdid herself in the wonderful food and drink. And as usual, my girls looked absolutely radiant.

March '08 - Changing Times

March was a fun month in our family...

Anna B got her first tooth, and she's trying to use it every chance she gets!

And Carter is no longer in diapers, my wallet thanks you, little Buddy! I'll spare the embarrassment of the photos...

We hunted Easter Eggs at the Siefert's house. Check out the photo: Carter is not too comfortable holding AB, and she can't get enough!

The Englerts came over to play, we ate pizza and we danced in our PJ's! We love them!

The Lord's Prayer

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:14-15

I have always imagined the heavenly hosts, and how glorious their anthems must sound, but I cannot help feel like hearing Carter utter these words, with his cute and perfect mispronunciactions, is again a foretaste of the heavenly host!

He is such a joy; it is truly impossible to describe the joy of being a parent.

It is the richest of earthly blessings, and as Easter approaches, the ultimate sacrifice that Christ afforded our souls is magnified that much more. Isn't this the essence of blessings? That as we consider and enjoy our earthly blessings, our awesome God is magnified that much more!

Nashville in Snow

We got snow in Nashville! Not just a threat, but inches of it! I would estimate that the snow totals at the Ozburn Chalet came in around 4".

So Carter and I got our boots on (thanks Papa!)...

And we headed out into the drifts. After making a little snowmound, Carter wanted to head up into the playset, er I mean Pirate Ship, and he wanted to throw pirate snow balls off the Pirate Ship.

We had a wonderful season of snow fun until our pirate gloves became so soaked with snow balls that we had to turn in. It was a great day, 4 inches of snow throughout the early morning, 4 hours of sunshine in the middle of the day, and then, as quickly as it had fallen, the snow melted and was gone.

Car's Little Scrap

So little Carter suffered his first semi-major doctor-visiting injury yesterday. While playing with Mommy on his bed, having a terrific time by all accounts, he was jumoing back and forth from Mommy to the pillow. Once when he went to jump back to the pillow, he jumped and his eye caught not the pillow, but the chair rail on the wall (cringing). He first continued laughing! Then, he realized he had hurt himself.

All is well, although he does have a nice little shiner. The small cut just outside the outside point of his eye was not very deep and very clean, so he will probably have a tough-man scar for only a year or so. No stitches yet.

Something about when the kids get so tired, or if they hurt themselves and need consoling, they oftentimes enjoy a small window of pure sweetness. After we visited Dr W's office, we were driving home in Daddy's car (a treat), and out of the blue, Carter says, "Daddy, I love you." Wow, what a great little guy. I just melted. I almost had to stop the car and crawl into the back seat to snuggle with him right then and there.

I love my little buddy, and especially his xerberts:

Then after we had read about Joseph and his mean brothers, after he had drifted off to sleep, I went into his room to tuck him in as I usually do. As I pulled the covers up over him, he regathered his twisting sleeping body, pulled his knees up under him and pressed his hands down between his legs, just as he used to sleep as a baby. I was deeply touched at how fast time moves, and how quickly this sweet sweet time is running through my fingers.

And sweet little Anna Brooks is the world's best cuddlebug. She loves to burrow up into your neck under your chin, and she loves to kiss your chin.

The Lord has a time and a season for everything, this I know. With my worldly limitations, I cannot imagine a more special season than now. But, as His goodness endures and never returns void, I know that this is somehow only a foretaste.