A Merry Old Soul...

Last week, December 22nd to be exact, Allison turned 12.  I wanted to post something on her actual birthday, but I couldn't.  It wasn't because I was too busy or too tired or that I had a case of writer's block.  I just couldn't find the words to describe what this child means to me. 

Twelve years ago, I would've never imagined that the tiny brown-eyed baby I held in my arms would become a beautiful, wise young woman.  The fact alone that I can describe Allison as a "young woman" ages amazes me!  Allison has always been an "old soul".  I forget sometimes when we're having a conversation that she is only 12.  I often ask her advice and opinions on things, because I know she is guided by God and that alone weighs heavily on her way of thinking.  I know she seeks God's wisdom and counsel and I am always inspired by her example.  It may sound a little strange, but I look up to her. Her little sisters do everything they can to be "just like Allison", in their words.  They want to dress like her, act like her, talk like her.  I try so hard to teach my girls to be themselves (how do you teach a five and three-year-old that anyway?!) but even they see that special something in Allison that makes them want to imitate her. She is the kindest, most compassionate person I know and it pains her to see anyone suffer.  I sometimes find her teary-eyed after seeing a commercial for an animal shelter or the Salvation Army.  Some may call that being a drama-queen, but I think her tender heart is what will make her great in this life.  I've noticed that Allison wants to make the lives of those around her better, whether it's by making them a card or baking them cookies.  She just wants to let people know she loves and appreciates them. 

Even as I type, I'm still struggling to put the words together to accurately describe how much I love her.  Don't get me wrong, I love all four of my babies beyond words.  Just when I feel like my heart can't hold any more love for them, it finds a way to.  I have a different bond and different connection with each of my daughters.  I treasure each of them for their unique personalities and for what makes them "them".  I think what makes my bond with Allison special is that she made me a mother first.  The moment she was born, my life was forever changed and I will always be grateful to her for that.  The second I held her, I felt love that I had never felt before.  I didn't know it was humanly possible to love someone to the depths that I love her. 

In her 12 years, Allison has brought more joy, more happiness and more love than most people have in a lifetime.  She is our blessing and everyday I thank God for that precious, wonderful girl. 

That Perfect Little Face...

Our sweet Laurie turned three today, and I can't believe how quickly time has flown.  When I was pregnant with her, I tried to imagine who she'd be like.  Would she be like Mary Carolyne and Ryan; outgoing with a big personality, or would she be like Allison and me; a bit more on the shy side?  Never did I guess that she would be the perfect "mash-up" of everyone, with a million times more energy than all of us put together! 

When she was born, one of the first things I noticed was the dimple on her left cheek.  I think it was God's finishing touch on that perfect little face.  It wasn't long before her personality began to develop.  She was such a busy baby, always on the move.  I never had to baby-proof our house until Laurie came along!  She was so curious about everything and everything she did was different than the way her sisters did it.  Even her straight hair is a stark contrast to Allison and Mary Carolyne's spiral curls. Laurie is our child that we never know what she's going to do.  Before her, I never had to clean crayon off a wall, or call 911 because a child jumped off the bed and knocked herself unconscious, or tell a child to stop splashing in the toilet water.  I've learned never to ask Laurie why she is sticky, wet, or where all my gum went.  The answer may be downright frightening :)  I've learned to just clean her up and send her on her way.  We affectionately call Laurie, "Pigpen" after the "Peanuts" character.  She attracts dirt and mess wherever she goes, but I wouldn't recognize her otherwise.  The child is more comfortable when she is messy, and I love her for that.  Laurie has made me appreciate the differences in all of my children.  She, in her three short years, has made me realize that a home is meant to look "lived-in" and that crayon marks on the walls are just a sign that kids are present.  That being said, thank goodness for Mr. Clean Magic Erasers :)

Our three years with this sweet baby have been a learning experience, to put it mildly.  She has brought more light and love to our family than we could ever imagine.  She has kept us on our toes and kept our lives interesting.  That perfect little face has blessed our lives in more ways than we thought possible.  Happy birthday, sweet Laurie Beth :)

Well, At Least You Make Me Laugh...

Tonight, Ryan was trying to help Allison with her math homework.  The lesson was on discounts and percents, and Allison was really struggling with it, to the point of tears.  We told her to take a little break and Ryan could help her finish it later.  She walked out of the room, and I said to Ryan, "Poor Allison, I remember having a hard time with math too."  Ryan replied, "Yeah, I never had a hard time with math, but I could never memorize stuff.  Like when I was asked to memorize all ten continents!"  I laughed so hard!  Ryan, unamused, said, "Lindsey, I tell you my deepest and darkest and you just laugh at me."  I couldn't help it though.  I'd rather have a fella that makes me laugh than one who knows all "ten continents" anyway :)

A Crown to the Aged...

One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 17:6, "Children's children are a crown to the aged."  I love this verse because it makes me excited to be a grandmother.  Now, I hope I won't be a grandmother for YEARS to come, but the thought of having grandchildren eventually makes me so happy.  I think it's because I have such good grandparents. 

My dad's parents passed away within the last few years.  They were what I call "Classic" grandparents.  Grandpa Glen was a gentleman, in every sense of the word.  He always wore some kind of button-up shirt, even when he was farming.  I loved the little "twinkle" he had in his eye and the way he would greet me when I saw him, "Well, hell-o there, Lindsey!"  His hands were rough from working in the fields for so many years and he always smelled like Lava soap.  He was somewhat short, a fact that I didn't realize until I was much older.  He always seemed so tall to me I guess because he carried himself that way.  I remember him teaching me how to jump rope when I was four and I remember him tap dancing.  He was what, I think, every kid wanted in a Grandpa.  When I think of him, I picture him on his old Ford tractor, in his green "work slacks" and a plaid button-up shirt with a black pocket protector peeking out.  If Grandpa was a gentleman, then Grandma Avis was a lady.  She was always dressed to the nines and she always looked flawless.  She smelled wonderful; a combination of freshly baked cookies and Balm-Barr handcream.  I remember her keeping a hankie up the cuff of her blouse and when it rained, she wore one of those clear plastic bonnets.  She would sing the song, "A Bicycle Built for Two" when I was little and since she couldn't be at my wedding, I chose that song to be part of our wedding music.  She was an English teacher and even when I was very young, I remember her correcting my grammar.  Maybe that's why poor grammar is one of my pet peeves!  When I think of her, I picture her waiting at her front door for me to come in.  I can see her in her apron, holding a dish towel and feeling her sweet, loving hug.  I'm pretty sure I can smell cookies...

My mom's parents are different in that I feel like we are the same age!  My Granddad is 80, yet he has the energy of a 30 year old.  He is by far the most Godly man on this earth, in my opinion.  I believe he is one of the smartest men too.  I don't think there is a problem that Granddad can't solve.  I love that he and I share a love of reading and I love that he has given me so many of his favorite books.  I love his singing voice and his stories.  He and my Grandma have been married for 57 years, yet he still looks at her as if it is the first time he's seen her.  By his example, he showed me what I deserved in a husband and father for my children.  My Granddad is also one of the best preachers I have ever heard.  Hearing a sermon by him is like receiving a present.  He radiates faith and wisdom.  I can't wait to hear the Lord say to my Granddad, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant," because there are few on this earth who deserve to hear those words more than him.  One of the few who I know will also hear those words is my Grandma Drue.  She is the definition of a Christian woman.  I know she is what God had in mind when he created a "helper" for man. In my overly active imagination, I picture the angels telling God, "Hey, great job on Drue!" when she was created.  I am convinced that my Grandma has never met a stranger.  She is the most personable, fun-loving little lady.  I love that she gets my sense of humor and I love to make her laugh.  She has boundless talent, from writing to photography to organizing family reunions.  I am amazed at how young at heart she is...she had a Facebook page before I did :)  I remember her playing basketball with us when we were younger and I know if I asked her to play now, she would.  She looks at my Granddad with stars in her eyes and her example makes me want to be a better wife.  There is nowhere on this earth that she wouldn't follow my Granddad, and she proved that through their years of mission work.  She looks at everything as an adventure and a new experience.  She truly puts God first in her life and she lives by his example everyday.  I am thankful that she is not only my Grandma, but my close friend.

I hope I am a combination of all four of my grandparents when that time comes for me.  I am thankful that I've had four very different, but very influential people in my life.  I hope to take the best from each of them and pass it along to my grandchildren...no time in the near future though :)

When the Moon Hits Your Eye...

It was pizza night at the Bells tonight!  We rarely make homemade pizza, and when we do, the girls (and their mom) end up eating most of the toppings before they make it onto the pizza :)  Despite the cat fights between Laurie, Mary Carolyne, and the last pepperoni, we had lots of fun.  The final verdict on the finshed product:  Ryan said it was underbaked, Allison said it was okay, Mary Carolyne (in her infinite tactfulness) said it was gross, and Laurie licked her plate clean (keep in mind, this child would eat brick mortar if we let her).  Oh, and $20 to the first person who understands the title to this entry :)

Just Hear Me Out

Being the mom of four daughters, I feel like I am constantly filing little bits of advice in my brain to share with them at the appropriate time.  I am by no means an expert advice-giver.  I constantly second-guess even the tiniest decisions.  Nevertheless, I scraped together what I think is some of the best advice I can give my girls.  This is not all of it, because I'm still learning too.  Hopefully, they'll consider it...or at least humor me and pretend like they are :)

~Keep God first.  Always.  No exceptions.
~Stay in church and be involved in it. 
~Marry a Christian.  That doesn't mean your marriage will be problem-free, but having God in common makes those inevitable problems easier to handle.
~Be nice to everyone, but don't be a doormat.  People will respect you a lot more if you stick up for yourself.
~Appreciate what others do for you.
~Give people the benefit of the doubt.
~Keep your toenails painted :)  Everyone loves cute feet :)
~Clean up after yourself.
~Learn how to keep a house clean, but don't think that it's your "job" just because you're a woman.  Make it clear to your husband it's a 50/50 thing.
~Defend people who are defenseless. 
~Don't allow people to spread rumors.  Try to be the one who stops it.
~Take the time to do your hair and make-up, but feel good about yourself even if you skip a day doing it :)
~Know how to balance a checkbook.
~Know how to fix a toilet.
~Know how to put air in your tires and jump start your car.
~Laugh at yourself.
~Before you get married, live alone for awhile.  It may be the only time in life when you have your own space :)
~Love and appreciate your husband and tell him that everyday, several times a day.  They need to hear that :)
~Make sure your children know you love and appreciate their daddy.  They also need to hear that :)
~Don't wear tapered jeans.  Just don't.
~Make your bed every morning.
~Don't act dumb just to impress a boy.  They appreciate a smart girl.
~Don't get upset when your dad and I won't let you do certain things.  I promise it's only because we love you.  I also promise you'll grow to hate that reason when you're a teenager :) 
~A 16 year old boy usually isn't as safe a driver as you think.  That's why we've already decided you're not getting into a car with one.  Ever.
~Choose a career that you really love and give it everything you've got.
~Be well-read.
~Know that the kids at school who are "nerds" are just millionaires in the making.  Be nice, they may be your boss someday :)
~Be nice to waiters and waitresses.
~Be sweet to your sisters.  They will be your best friends someday :)

Ahhh, I Love the Smell of Brut in the Mornings...

So I've blogged about my mom, my siblings, my Ryan, my kids, but not about one pretty important fella in my life, my dad :) 

When I think about my dad, lots comes to mind.  He is by far the hardest worker I have ever known.  I remember him working in the fields of our farm from sun-up to sundown and never missing a day.  I remember him watching "Magnum, P.I." while eating a big bowl of popcorn and laughing his head off while watching "Cheers".  I remember how wonderful he smelled after coming in from the field and taking a shower.  I loved curling up in his lap in his hideous brown La-Z-Boy recliner and inhaling the classy smell of Brut Cologne and I knew it was a special occasion when he would splash on a little English Leather instead of Brut :) I loved when he would read the book of Ephesians to me and because of that, Paul has always been my favorite person in the Bible. 

My dad and I live miles apart now, but I don't feel like he's that far away.  Little things that I come across during my day make me think of him.  Whenever I hear any song by Journey or Hall & Oates, it makes me smile because it reminds me that I inherited his bad taste in music (sorry Dad, it's the truth!)  Whenever I chew cinnamon gum it reminds me of how he always kept a pack in his pocket.  Whenever I hear Allison begging Ryan to not embarrass her in front of her friends, I have to laugh because I remember being in her shoes.  I can't tell her enough though how much she's going to miss that someday. 

I'm so thankful for my sweet dad and the relationship we have.  I'm so thankful that he's just a phone call away and I love that he still answers my calls by saying, "Hey, Wincey-Pooh!"  It melts heart...okay, so does the smell of Brut :)