Beck's Blog

Monday, February 06, 2012

You know it's a good birthday when...

Brooke had such a great birthday this year that she didn't even notice when we forgot to give her her presents! Wow, what a horrible mistake to make as a mom... The friends came over, then the grandparents, we had decorations and games and a movie... I'm just glad that, when I realized my error and reported this to her in shock this morning, her reaction was a HUGE smile. I guess she has something to look forward to today, and that's a good think, right? unbelievable...!!!

Monday, November 07, 2011

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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Brooke Knows the Truth About Santa

She knew the truth before she asked me this question the other night as we pulled into the grocery store parking lot. “Mom, is Santa real or do you fill our stockings and put presents out on Christmas morning?” How do you answer that question when you know by the way she asked it that she knows the truth? I had to tell her the truth. 1) Santa makes it fun. 2) Jesus makes it real. 3) Don’t tell your brother.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Teeth, Fish, and Baseball

It happened. Brooke lost her first tooth May 2nd, 2011. She felt something hard when chewing a bite of fresh strawberry at preschool and then realized it was her tooth! She got off the bus to greet me with the biggest grin ever, not opening her mouth, but she could not withhold that smile for more than a few seconds. Poor Brady, yet to lose his first tooth, is handling it like a real trooper – despite the fact that Brooke is already sporting another loose tooth. Hang in there, Brady!

I took Brady to the Fishing Derby at Robin Hood Park last Saturday. He could not muster up the courage to hook his own worm or even touch any fish, but I managed somehow to do the dirty work so he could throw the line. That boy can cast! He needed almost no instruction at all. He was disappointed to catch only two Pumpkin Seeds, but we learned enough to go back next year armed and dangerous. Next year we’ll collect worms the day before, be there when the sun rises to get the best spot and the first fish, and we will have lures and poles set and ready to cast the night before. Watch out Trout!

Brady also received the Bible Memory award for 1st and 2nd grade at DCA this year. I am so proud of him.

Dallas is a blessing. God has made it so clear that he has plans for Dallas. He is so sweet to Brooke, willing to talk things out with me, and very helpful at home. He is maturing overnight. OK – He is getting demerits for long hair and Brady is driving him absolutely nuts. But he agreed to a hair cut (finally) and Brady is just being a normal 6-year-old boy. Dallas forgets that he was exactly the same! I guess he won’t understand that until he has a boy of his own.

It’s baseball season again. Brady is a natural (who wouldn’t be with Dallas for a coach?). Dallas has always been an excellent ball player –but his physical maturity is really making a big difference this year. His pitching at age 14 is turning heads, and he’s still running like a bullet. It is sooooo much fun to watch.

Brooke blessed us by dressing herself for school one day last week. She came down with a flowered skirt, bright lime green knee socks with a hot pink stripe around the top, and a two-toned pink and purple shirt. WOW. I think I actually chuckled out loud. It immediately erased any hurry-up-and-get-everything-ready-for-school-and-work-so-you-don’t-miss-the-bus stress and lifted our spirits. I didn’t have the heart to ask her to change anything since her heart was in the right place. She did it both to help mama out and to show her fashion sense. So… I sent her to school and quickly emailed her teachers to let them know that I didn’t dress her like that! LOL – that was definitely one of those unforgettable moments that still lifts my spirits and always will. Wish I had a picture. Thanks, Brooke!

Monday, January 03, 2011

Brooke's 2009 Christmas Prayer of Salvation

I have been remiss in making this post, but not a day goes by that I do not fondly remember this moment. We had a wonderful Christmas day December 25, 2009. I woke up with the sunrise and stood out on the deck admiring God's creation. Dallas started the day by reading from the Bible for us (without being asked to do so). We had a wonderful breakfast and exchanged gifts with Nana's loving company. Early in the evening we decided to join Lainey and Poppa for some Chinese food at their home with aunts, uncles and cousins having just arrived for the next morning's Christmas celebration. Late enough for the children to have trouble keeping their eyes open, we decided to return home to feed the dogs and get some sleep. As we all start to nod off on the ride home, a little voice piped up in the back seat. Brooke asked, "Mommy, can I open my heart to Jesus now?". Newly rejuvenated, I replied, "of course you can, Honey". I told her we could read from the Bible and talk about salvation in Jesus to see if she sincerely understood what that is and why it is so special. Despite the late hour, she and I read from the book of Romans and talked about believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and why it took place. She clearly understood, and so sweetly believed. On Christams, 2009, my little Brooke Aleece accepted the gift of salvation. The greatest gift of all! That is a day I will never ever forget. I love you, darlin.

Another Christmas Flies By

We started playing Christmas music at home and in the car back in October this season. We just love this time of year so much - why let it come and go in just a week?! Dallas played a rendition of "What is This" at church on the piano last night. It was so beautiful. All he says when we compliment him on the performance is, "I messed up". I guess that's a normal teenager response. Don't give up on the piano, Dal! Well, ok, I won't let you give it up despite your pleas - but I am sure one day you will thank me! You play so beautifully, bud. Dal's big Christmas present to me this year was another amazing report card. All of his report cards have been good, but the teacher comments and fewer A's on the last report made it clear that he was starting to become somewhat complacent. What made this last one special is the teacher comments showing improvement in his attitude, and A's or A+'s in all but one class. You think I am hard on you right now, Dal, but I hope you understand how proud I am of you. I encourage and push sometimes because I love you, Snugglebug.

Just before hopping in the bath tub the other night, Brady also delivered a very special Christmas gift. Out of nowhere he stated, "Mom, when I grow up I want to marry someone as beautiful as you are". WHOA! That comment was so sincere, and so needed. Brady, you are my sunshine, Punkin Pie. I also remember coming home from work SOOOO TIRED one day last week. With my patience completely gone, I started sputtering about not having a chance to even sit down at home or even get my coat off before having to clean up the kitchen, find everyone something to eat, manage the multiple requests for this and that, etc... When everyone else carefully slipped out of earshot, Brady walked right up behind me, put his arms around me and gave me the biggest squeeze and an "I love you, Mom". You are such a special kiddo, Brady. Thanks for keeping me grounded.

Now Brooke, who is going through one of those "phases" (a simple term used to describe the act of driving parents absolutely nuts while testing their parenting skills over something that sounds like it would be easy to address, but really takes months of patience and persistence), had gifts to share this season as well. She begs me to read her the Laura Ingalls Wilder books (we're on "Little House on the Prairie" right now) as if it's a chore for me to do it - yet I enjoy reading this series to Brooke and Brady so much. Sometimes I even read ahead after they fall asleep listening to the story. I watch her care for her baby dolls and am awed by her natural mothering talent. Yes, it's just a doll, but it's clear her heart is in the right place. Sometimes I get carried away singing along with the tunes in the kitchen. Last week, Brooke said to me, "Mom, I want to sing pretty like you and Mrs. Teresa". Whether or not I could ever carry a tune, the fact that Brooke thinks I can just melted me on the spot. Thanks, Brookie. I love you always and forever, no matter what, I promise Sweet Pea. (...and she always responds to this statement with "I love you a hundred googles, a hundred finities, and a hundred heavens and back.")

JOY!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Zucchini vs. Good Heart

Brooke, my sweet pea, yesterday you helped Brady pick some ripe tomatoes from the garden for me to slice up and use in BLT's for dinner. You were quite proud to find one tomato that Brady missed. A few minutes after delivering this special little tomato, you returned to the kitchen with the biggest, most beautiful smile ever, held out your hands, and proudly reported that you found other vegetables in the garden and did me the favor of picking them. When I saw that they were the only zucchinis in the garden and weeks away from maturity (only three-or-four inches in length), I tried SO HARD to hide my oh-please-say-you-didn't-pick-my-only-zucchinis-before-they're-ripe countenance, but alas, you immediately picked up on my disappointment despite my efforts to restrain it. You traded your halo for tears. I felt AWFUL! Thankfully, when I explained that you picked the toddler zuc's out of the goodness of your heart and would still be rewarded with a chip for your chip jar, you perked up a little. I will never forget the look on your face when you walked in with the prize zucchini's, nor the look on your face when my speechless face revealed your mistake. You are so special, baby girl. You could never disappoint me. I love you always and forever no matter what I promise!