"Mamma Mia" Turns 7!!

Let me properly introduce you to our 7 year old! She is 7 and full of energy, soul, and undying passion! It's amazing how a mom can give birth to 3 kids and they are all so completely different! Mia broke the mold when she entered this sphere. She is our "mosaic". She is so unique and full of crazy expression. Her birth was actually quite the drama scene and we should have taken the hint then. She was not one to be unnoticed. The squad showed up at her birth due to the cord being wrapped around her neck and she spotted an entire 2 on the APGAR sca1e (10 being the highest). She was a blue smurf and still recovering from the rocky entry. She recovered and we saw those ridiculously enormous pools of blue open up and stare right into our hearts. She was precious and she was ours........all ours. Since her birth, she has managed to create all sorts of parties in our house. She even invented her own world that she calls "Janian World". You can hear her playing Janians on her bed and talking to all her imaginary Janians, as well as to her stuffed animals. She tried to explain the complex concept of all the characters but she lost us at "good kitty" and "bad kitty". Our giggle were unstoppable and we were blown away at her creativity, years ago!

Just the other day she told us that she couldn't wait to birth her own kids and that she knew she would be a great mom. I agreed and asked why she thought so. She mentioned all the wonderful care that she has been giving her "giggy" (her frog) and that she was practicing. Ohhh, we sure do love her. She is our spunky middle child. Her name means "like God" and "beautiful". She is living up to her name each day. It's not uncommon for her to ask about the homeless with impecable timing; usually while we are gulping down a 5 course meal in our air conditioned home. She is the unusual child that begs me take her to the park..........to pick up trash. She loves her earth! She would love to go totally Vegan but I told her to wait until she is older/healthier. She can't eat meant without mentioning how sad it is that the animal died. Oh, Mia.....we love you!

At any moment you can find her standing on a stool- helping in the kitchen, walking around on all 4 limbs and roaring at Lincoln, laying on her top bunk bed and whispering to her babies, playing swords outside with siblings, building forts in the living room, or collecting toys to give away at school the next day. Happy 7th birthday sweetie!

Loving the Person and not the Perfection in Kids

I keep constantly reminding myself that this is a 'season' in my life. As moms we travel though many seasons, at turbo speed, with our kids. Our peeps change as quickly as the rocky weather at sea. One moment our precious princesses are twirling around in pink fluff and in a blink they are shopping for a bras! What, who stole that time?! Who allowed the fairies to grow up into a mature adolescents?! Not fair! Talking to a "mom-to-be" the other day, I realized how much I thought I 'knew' before my kids were born. I mean, I had taught 1st and 5th grade and volunteered with highschool kids for 8 years. I knew soooo much about rearing and parenting, right?! Hardly! I now realize how completely obtuse I was and even came across as moronic to some. Sooo, what am I learning through these experiences as a mom of 3 kids??? Seasons..............take it in stride. This has been beyond difficult. Our 1st born was given a name that literally means "strong/chief helmet". Hmmm...who's idea was it to pass along such a name? Good one, Lisa! So after she was born, we had 3 chief helmets, 3 first borns coexisting under one roof! Eye-opening. There have been arduous moments that birthed many tears, many after-birth 'labor' pains, and self-examination! Looking at your children is like looking at yourself in the mirror. My sin unveiled and disclosed in such a real and personal way. Ouch! My deficiencies, blemishes, and flaws draped upon the girls like ugly robes. Who dressed them today? I did. These realities can only invoke grace. They must produce grace or we are finished now. Grace leads to love, forgiveness, acceptance, appreciation, and growth. Sooo, knowing that our kids will make mistakes, that they reflect us, and that grace is required, I am much obliged to welcome the many seasons. I welcome the loud noises from dumptrucks being scraped down the tile floors, drenched bathroom floors after a fun bath, spilled milk every day in partnership with wiggly bodies, disheveled bedrooms, loud voices, chewing/talking/spewing with mouths open and full of food, mismatched/stained outfits on picture day, sassy lips, and the arguing. I welcome these experiences and allow them to grow me, as well as the opportunity to grow/teach my children. I have to ask myself in some of these moments "Is this a big deal as I look at the 'Big Picture" in life? Loud dumptrucks........not a big deal. Sassy lips that reflect wounded heart......big deal. So deal with the character at hand and teach through the moment. Be a coach that marinates her words in gentleness. Be a parent who gives grace without strings attached. This is not mastered in my young life but I'm growing daily in these mosaic seasons of life.

A New Easter

This was the first year that I've ever participated in Lent. It was quite the experience. Someone asked me "why.....why would you even lent? Isn't that just for Catholics?" It was a great question. I decided to participate in a 40day fast in which I gave up desserts. As Jesus took off into the wilderness for 40 days to give up food and focus on his Savior, I too hoped to give up some luxuries and focus on the up and coming Easter. It was a meaningful learning experience for me and I also decided to watch the Passion of Christ by Mel Gibson this year. It first appeared in theaters when Mia was born, but I was not able to see it. Because it's so emotional and most certainly a true stor, I have put it off for 7 years. This a year of firsts for this 36 year old. Embarassingly so but oh so good for my soul. Glad I decided to lent and watched my Savior's story on film this year.

One other first moment for us............ we decided to give each of our kids a special egg with something encouraging written inside. Because God is always doing something 'new' in our lives, we wanted to reveal to our kids what we noticed God doing 'new' in each of their lives. Paul wrote a short letter to each of the kids and put them in their eggs. Each one read the note aloud after we had dinner. It was fun to encourage our kids and focus on what God is doing new inside of their hearts and acknowledge their growth on Easter.

Of course we did have the famous egg hunts in our backyard, egg coloring, and we ate a few chocolate eggs. Paul and I hid the eggs. Kids emptied the eggs and hid them for us. Eggs were collected and hidden again and then again....... Fun to see all the 'hard' spots that they chose to hide the eggs in.

Closing up this Easter holiday, hoping to constantly remember the sacrifice made for me years before I was ever born. Hoping to remember the grace that was given to me and the unconditional love that still pours into me each day from above. Focusing on the all the new things He is doing in my heart. What new things are happening in your heart?

A Few of My Favorite Super-Heroes

We love to watch the movie, The Incredibles. I love the mom in that movie. She's so cool with all her stretchy arms and amazing strengths. I wouldn't mind being a bit like her; but that is only a movie. In real life, we have no super-human powers, just the human characteristics given to us by God. It seems that some women are a bit wiser with how they handle those gifts though?! You know? Having just completed a blog on motherhood etc, I wanted to talk about a few women who have shaped and molded me over years. Honestly, they appear perfectly normal at first glance. They would blend in with a sea of faces. Their hobbies are not extra-amazing and their kids are normal kids. They are not leading CEO's of companies, not wives of important dignitaries............just normal women with incredible hearts. It truly is the inside of one's soul that embodies the most vital qualities that leads one to become so influential to small people, like me.

Robin is a woman about 10 years older than myself. Married young due to a pregnancy. Her mate didn't share her love for Christ and yet she stuck with him, loved him, supported him completely and most of all she respected him. Her words are filled with love, kindness and wisdom. I've never known someone to dive into the Word like her. When I met her, she was on her 1st ever missions trip with us. Paul told her she couldn't smoke on the trip, so she quit cold turkey. She was dressed in her 'older clothes' and not as stylish as others her age. She shared her feelings with open exposure and complete freedom. She was raw, vulnerable and honest. I couldn't find any masks on her face..........she was the real deal! To this day, she is still my hero. I love that God placed her in my life during my crazy, immature years. I'm still immature but imagine me as a 20 year old?!!!

And sweet, sweet Lori. A time in my life when my marriage was rocky, my husband a pastor at a church and I was lacking many qualities that a wife should encumber. I was feeling hopeless. She came along with her tender heart and picked me up. She listened to me ramble on and on about my selfish requests, encouraged me to keep digging into the Word and most of all, to grow forward. To this day, she still calls on me and checks in. I love her so much. An older sister, she is!

Of course, life wouldn't be the same without Aime. My soul-sister who is walking in the same stage of life as myself. After spending time with her, I feel empowered and encouraged to become a more loving wife, stronger individual, and more tender parent. There is no competing or comparing. We have vacationed together multiple times, with kids adn without kids. Our friendship survived a church split, even when we didn't agree. We live on opposite sides of the country and yet I am giddy with joy when I receive her 4 page emails. Our hearts are knitted together. She is quiet to be around but deep inside the span of her being is a roaring lion who loves justice, give compassion to the hurting and displays grace to all.

And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my mom. A woman who single- parented for many years without any help. She worked as many as 3 jobs at one time. At one moment we were homeless and she sent us to live with a friend while she hit the streets looking for a job that would feed and house us. Romantically speaking, we were temporary vagabonds! Mom was successful in her search! To be quite honest she went through hell and back as a parent. I know, naughty word, but it fits. She dealt with an abusive husband, horrific jobs in fast food chains and even survived driving a school bus. She finally married her best friend and is happy and settled. I'm thrilled for her. I thank her for giving me the type of tenacity that only comes through rigorous and extraneous experiences.She's a rock!

I've been blessed with tons of amazing women who have shaped my life. I think of Jeannie, Julie, Holly, Maryanne, Alison, Sheryl, Lesa,Sloane, Jaine, Kineka, Linda and Roger, and so many more. All of these women love God, love people, and show it in their everyday lives. Their actions are synonymous with their deeds. They are unstained by cultural pressure, vulnerably strong, and not afraid to just be................I'm guessing you have a few super-heroes in your life too.

I'm Not a Superhero/Supermom........and That's Okay

i"m totally shooting from the hip here, as usual. Don't have time to proofread and change phrases........as if you couldn't tell in previous missplelled blogs! The more I talk with women and hope to see a vulnerable side of their deeply rooted and hidden souls, I realize how unsure we all are and how much we compare ourselves to "her". You know, the mom who drives the way cool SUV, has buns of steel, the finest and most stylish outfits, kids are all dressed and color coordinated (yuck), cooks like Emeril, kisses her kids/husband every 5 seconds, uses words like "oh come here honey, it's okay sugar-pie", and is a coupon maniac. Well that couldn't be more opposite of me. I am in agony (due to my pride) as I rumble around in the most familiar grey Honda Odyssey mini-van, have jello for buns, clothes from Goodwill, kids in mismatched costumes and a boy who wears his sisters socks, and the list goes on...........Looking at either scenario for a mom.....both can be and are amazing. A truly loving mommy is not defined by her clothes, car, or buns, right? So how come we use these characteristics to measure our worthiness, at times? Because we are human!

The other day, I rushed out of the house to pick up my kids from school and didn't even realize that I was still wearing my giant, bright blue Gator slippers. oops! And to make things worse, I was wearing my sweatshirt inside out. And it's true that I had on the same yoga pants that I was wearing the day prior. Hopefully no one was keeping track of my ridiculous outfit. Now, I normally like to look presentable but there are moments that the rush of life and cries of the baby take over and well.............you're left looking........like a mom. It's funny cause just years ago, you could spot me teaching in school and dressed to the hilt! So I am professional and I do have self respect. I'm not some country girl that's been raised by wolves. I like to look nice.

Bottom line is that you finally reach a point that you are okay with who you are and focus on your own strengths given to you by God. I can't sew a stitch but I love to cook, scrapbook (whenever time will allow), race in triathlons and that's about it. I kill all living plants; so gardening might be disastorous! Hair and makeup....ummm.........I read magazines and try and figure that one out cause I have no natural ability to curl, fluff, spray, or rosey up my cheeks. I wing it!

I've learned not to be intimidated by the most attractive moms who seem to have it all together. Once I get to know them, I realize we all share similiar fears, concerns, and joys in parenting. Just hoping you feel normal as you read this blog and see that being an amazing mom doesn't mean being a super-hero. But if you are a super-hero, that's cool too!

Bonding.........Worth It!

Our family started it's first annual overnight trip with mother/daughter. Soon Paul will do this once a year with Lincoln. So we decided to let Mia go first.....since she is the poor middle child and life seems so "unfair to her", in her dear little words.On Spring Break we surprised her with a hotel trip away for one night. She took forever to pack her bags as she shoved everything from baby clothes, beads, bows, books, blankies, babies, more babies, baithing suit, and more babies. She took up an entire suitcase and had a carry-on bag. I squeezed what little I could in with her cool things. To say that she was excited is a definite understatement. I didn't tell her until a day before. We left the house around 3 and checked in at a local, affordable hotel. She wanted to build a penguin at Build A Bear, so headed there, walked around the outside mall, played at park , grabbed Chick-fil-a and took it back to hotel. Played in the pool and snatched more cookies from the check-in clerk at the hotel and layed around in our pjs all evening. We watched t.v. together, read books and conversed. That time was special, for both of us and looking forward to doing this annually with each daughter. So thankful for reading Raising a Trailblazer by Dr Virginia Friesen and reading Spiritual Parenting. Both books inspired me to do such a thing as this! Bonding..............so worth it! You don't have to go away to a hotel to bond with your daughter but this was fun and extra special. Of course the nightly snuggles and tuck-ins before bed are just as vital too!

Springbreak= Family Time

I'm gonna warn you as you read this......I'm listening to the Braveheart movie soundtrack and feeling a bit nostalgic, sentimental, and vulnerable. So writing about my family might turn into a tear fest! Well, Springbreak was a smashing success, as usual. Each year we save up a few dollars and do a "staycation" at home. I think I like it as much as some vacations cause it's so easy! The best part is doing all the creative planning and keeping some of it a surprise. We have 2 weeks for break in AZ and we soak up every moment, soaking in the blue skies, sunrays, and blooming desert. We know that smoldering hot temperatures are around the corner, so we move outside as long as we can.

So each day of break there was some surprise. It was as easy as a rental from Redbox or as elaborate as camping in our own backyard. Paul took one week off and that's when we jumped into the super cool surprises. We saw Star Wars in 3D in the theater (our first 3D experience), went out to eat at P.F. Changs, hiked a 3 mile course up the mountain with a picnic lunch, camped for 2 days in the backyard, went swimming at the local outdoor heated aquatic center, played at the train park, and much more! We might as well have been at Disney! The kids were just as excited and the enthusiasm level was high. The only difference is about $700! I can handle that! Paul and I even squeezed in a date. Not to mention I had my triathlon during this time and that was a blast too. We sure did sandwich in tons of activities. I was feeling a bit forlorn when kids returned to school today. As much as they drove me crazy on the last day of Spring Break, I still wished for more time.

I"m hoping we will all remember these sweet experiences. It's not really about what we did but doing it together as a family; it has been so worthwhile and speaks greatly to my heart.

The Big 4!

I cannot believe that my baby turned 4 this month! Where did time go? Just yesterday, we were bringing that little bundle home from the hospital. I had no idea was I was in for with a boy. Our house has changed dramatically since his arrival, princess dolls replaced with army men, super heroes found fighting Jesus in the manger scenes at Christmas, hard and crusty play-do found hidden in the deep secret places of Lincoln's room, volume increased from quiet to VERY LOUD, Star Wars battles erupting numerous times with numerous weapons, including vacuum hoses, wrapping paper tubes, and eating utensils. I love how our home has evolved over the past 4 years with the male influence.

Lincoln, we love your adorable smile, your 'angry faces', your 'nuggles' that come with great demand in the evenings, your hip hop dance style, your funny laughs. We love watching you run full throttle down the road with your head bobbing back/forth and your hair dancing in the wind. We love waking up in the mornings to find that all the chapsticks have been stolen and concealed in your room. We love listening to you create battle between Buzz Light Year and Iron Man. We love you!!! May God grow you into the man He has designed you to be and use you in an incredible way!

Wherever There Be Water...........

Well, girls were extremely excited to get baptized after much waiting and anticipation over the last year. They had previously requested to be baptized over a year ago but they had been feeling under the weather and we just didn't want to push it. So we waited and they asked again. Baptism is a public statement of our girl's faith and their earlier decision to follow Christ; so it's a big deal in our family. We invited any and all who could attend. Pappa came to help with the baptism and even Uncle Jeremy and cousin Maddie were able to come. We were so excited that family was coming! Seeing the faces of much loved friends and family there in church that day was very encouraging for all of us, especially the girls.

As the girls dipped into the water with daddy and pappa, they were greeted with a cool surprise; the water was NOT heated. There was no way that these warm blooded, Phoenix creatures were going under those cold waters. To be honest, I was a bit taken back at first and probably displayed a bit of a disappointed demeanor. So many family and friends had come and we had planned for over a year and...............I was being plain selfish! So we walked the girls back to the dressing room and gently explained that we were not disappointed with them and still very proud of them and understood why they didn't want to be dunked in freezing cold water. This was not the end of the world. We wanted them to have a positive experience with baptism not a forced one. So we asked if they'd like to finish that evening at home in the hot tub and they were more than excited to do so. Hot tub baptism..........why not?! Thank goodness for hot tubs! So some amazing friends from our small group hopped over that evening, as well as one of our pastors from church and we started all over. Pappa and daddy slipped into the warm waters of the hot tub and the girls were officially baptized. It was a unique and memorealbe experience. I think we will all enjoy that memory and maybe even laugh a little about the cool waters at church :-)

Weekend of Glee

Giggles, glitter, and glee!!!! Lots of that took place over a short-lived and fully packed weekend with 3 little girls in one house. Kennedy and Mia were estatic, to say the least, when they heard the good news about Maddie. Cousin Maddie from Boston was coming for their baptism and there would be lots of play for the 3 of them. Of course, Nanna and I were equally excited to spoil the three girls and enjoy our sacred moments together. Because we live on opposite end of the country, we hardly ever get to see eachother and this was a very special treat. It wasn't so much the activities that we did that made the trip memorable, but just being together was truly the best part. So, we hobbled around town doing ordinary things like: visiting the pet store and gawking at every cute creature, crawling all over the playground and exploring every imaginable spot, playing around the pool in the backyard, picnicing on blankets, sitting in the hot tub in the middle of the day, building campfires and roasting marshmallows, sitting in Starbucks and playing silly coin games at the table, watching movies, making crafts that require large quantities of glitter, adopting stuffed animals from the Build a Bear, and eating tons of homemade sweets. I feel quite assured that our kids will always remember this visit. I will too! Thank you Pappa and Nanna for helping make this all possible. It was truly a gift!

8 Years Ago. . .

Pure joy, jumping up and down, throwing the pea stick at Paul, shrieks of exuberation, endless smiling..........shall I say more?! A woman reading her positive pregnancy test! It was the 4th of July and early in the morning. But before we left, I took, yet, another pregnancy test. This time it was positive and I was beyond...........Jump ahead 9 months and I was ready to pop and just finished celebrating a surprise baby shower at work. Thank you Kineka Hardin! That evening my clock was ticking down to countdown, 3 weeks early, and I had no idea what lye ahead. Paul had a speaking engagement with a room full of teenagers at church and I drove by to say hello. I was not feeling well and was 'strongly encouraged' to go home and rest. To make sure the 'resting' took place, my dear friend, Jaine Banks, sent her daughter home with me. And thank goodness she did! Just as we had unloaded my truck, I grabbed a piece of leftover cake from my baby shower and started across the floor when........yep, you guessed it....my water broke. Called Paul, took a shower, got dressed, packed a bag and headed to the hospital. Shanna and I got to talking and missed the exit for the hospital and soon received a call from my husband. How could he beat us to the hospital?! No surprise if you really know us!

No need to share details of labor/delivery. It was painful until i received the needle. I was sure I could endure without drugs but after 6 hours of sharp pains, I hoisted up the white flag. Kennedy was born 8ish in the morning and she was perfect! She is perfect!! Beautiful shaped head, quiet nature, adorable nose, kissable lips. Kennedy Berlynn Alexander: chief helmet, bright and illustrious! Eight years later and she lives up to her name. So much fun having 3 chief helmets/first borns in the Alexander home! LOL! She is a true blessing and is teaching me so much! Not sure if the world will ever be ready for such a lady as KK. Yep, we call her KK. Some things you should know about KK:

- she loves to eat, as much as I do
- she loves to read, almost as much as her parents (read 1 million words half way through 2nd grade)
- enjoys hunting for bugs(even has a bug collection)
- favorite food is spaghetti, steak, and anything chocolate (spoken like a true
woman)
- would agree that 'she knows everything about everything'......so much to learn :-)
- loves to snuggle in the early mornings

and her famous quotes....

"Mommy is my superhero"

"Mommy, you need pants on your legs cause the freckles on your legs itch me"

"When my ears are dirty, I talk loud"

"When I was a baby, I wanted to come out and see your eyes, mom."

"Mom, you smell like a nice, cozy worm."

"I need my hat on so I don't burn my hair off in the sun."

"You're making my eyes embarrassed, Mia! Stop chewing with your mouth open!"

"I'm always hungry for chocolate, unless I"m filled up with steak."

"Daddy, you are great! You catch great bugs for me."