Coleman -- my funny boy

Coleman has been such a JOY.  He is witty, chatty, easy, and snuggly.  Year two for him has been full and fun.  Below are a few of his funny things.

Leaving Fujiyama this past Sunday, our chef told us Happy New Year.  Coleman immediately replied, "Happy New Year to all, and to all a good night!"

Eric picked Coleman up when he came in the door after work this evening.  Coleman said, "you cook dinner, so mommy can hold me!"

Before leaving the house for a "boys only" trip to the Garrard's house, Coleman runs back in the front door, looks at Ellie and says, "Ellie, I'm really gonna miss you.  You have fun."

When I ask him to do something for me, he usually replies, "coming right up!"

When he wants something someone else is holding, he always quotes, "you gotta share one another, you know?"

If there is something I want him to wear that he doesn't like, I can ALWAYS convince him by telling him that 'daddy has a shirt just like that' or 'daddy wore his brown shoes today, too'.  He remembers that I've said that and will go look for daddy to point out that they are 'buddies'.

He loves airplanes, "Blaze and the Monster Machines" (he begs to watch this all the time!), loves Toy Story characters, loves balls, wants to be on "daddy's team", and adores his sisters.

Sometimes when driving with him in the backseat, he'll shout out, "Momma, go fasta than you can!"

MAN, I love this boy!

That's Enough With The Names!

On the way home from school this afternoon, I was quizzing the twins to see if they knew how to spell their names.  Ellie has recently learned how to write an E, and L, and an I ... and if she is drawing a picture, those three letters are usually found scattered all over the page.  Clara isn't as interested.

"Ellie, how do you spell your name?"
"E-L-I-E"
"So close!! E-L-L-I-E"
"I can't say that!  I already learned E-L-I-E"

"Clara, how do you spell your name?"
"C-L- ....."
"C-L-A-R-A, you try."
"C-L-R-A"
"C-L-A-R-A"
"C-L-R-A"

we repeated this multiple times.  i even made up a song with the letters of her name, she wasn't getting it.

Coleman pipes up from the backseat, "I can spell my name!'
"Oh yeah, buddy?  How?"
"B-I-N-G-O-monkey-joes"

I needed that laugh!!  :)

Back to Clara --
"Clara, say C'
"C"
"C-L"
"C-L"
"C-L-A"
"C-L-A"
"C-L-A-R"
"C-L-A-R"
"C-L-A-R-A"
"C-L-R-A, now, that's enough with the names!"

I give up.

Cousins

Here is 8 of the 11.

These girls adore each other.  Cute relationship. 

The "Big Five" usually do a great job getting along and playing together -- there are a few feisty ones that could get feelings hurt or hurt feelings, but I am so glad they are growing up together.  

Missing Coleman, Levi, and Titus.  They were in highchairs at the adult table while these pics were being taken -- I'll do better next time!

The Fabulous Four

is there a better name for them??

i love these sleeping pictures of the twins.  Inevitably, they wake up earlier when they sleep together, but it is sweet.

Sharing the ear buds for a song with Poppa's iPod.  Eve has LOVED having her "own".  She plays angry birds, checks the weather, and types on NOTEPAD.  We just found some ear buds for her, so that is her new favorite thing.

Playing outside one afternoon -- while daddy waters the grass (clara's chin is scraped from the side of the pool).

Evearoo loved getting soaked!

Manny is the KING of funny faces in pictures!

Ellie was the water squirter... and did NOT want the favor reciprocated.

These two are a cute pair.  When they talk to each other, it's "buddy, this" or "buddy, that" from Ellie, and "Ellie Belle, this" and "Ellie Hope, that" from Coleman.  Adorable.  They have a special love.

I have three BEAUTIFUL girls.

Failed photo op, but, ya know, gotta try!

Silly faces with dad.

Growing Up

We've got ourselves a 6 year old!  

Some special milestones are taking place around the Lairsey house these days ... Eve is quite the communicator.  Now she can put her LARGE, CONTINUOUS vocabulary to use with writing as well as speaking!!  Eve loves to text.  Her favorite people to text are me, dad, and Mimi.  All of those special texts are ended with SEVERAL emojis with smiley faces, fireworks, hearts, and (her favorite) the envelope sealed with a heart.  

 I love this pic of her curled up listing out our family members.  She does this often.  Good behavior, and she will give you check marks ... but, make her angry and you are "crossed off my list!"

We've also lost a tooth!  She was super nervous to pull it, so i didn't pressure her AT ALL!  She bit into a muffin one afternoon on her way home from school, and out it popped!  She was soooooo excited and couldn't wait to show dad and her siblings.  She has three more loose now ... so this smile will be changing SOON.

Life with a Spica Cast

Since I am believing that Coleman will get his cast off THIS FRIDAY at his next appointment, I thought i may need to document some pics of what life has looked like over the past 5 weeks.  

4 kids = lots of funnies

While scratching her arm one night, Eve exclaims, "that baby mosquito did good work on me!"

Coleman and I were sitting in the waiting room at his drs appt recently.  A song came on the speakers and he started dancing in his wagon.  He looked at me and said, "Sing, mama!  You know the words, baby girl!"

Clara told Lauren that "Yesterday, we drive by Monkey Joes and we get a pizza and take it to In Focus Church.  My daddy works at In Focus Church and my daddy is sooooooo handsome."

While at the beach this summer, we were finding all kinds of sand dollars.  Eve thought for a minute, and then asked, "Are sand dollars what sea creatures use to buy things?"

Some of my favorite Coleman-isms:
"Go back asleep in you bed."
"I go unda"
"I gonna go swimmin like a dolphin."
"It's time a wake up?"

"Ellie, do you know that Jesus has a birthday very close to yours?"
Ellie thinks for a second and answers, "God is free?" (three :))

What a Year...

I realize that 2014 is only ALMOST 3/4 of the way over, but the Lairsey's would like to go ahead and put it in the books.  It has been one heck of a year... in not-so-great ways.  I write all of this down so that one day, Eric and I will look back on 2014 as a year that our faith was tested and proved, our dependence on God was increased dramatically, and our relationship with God the father has changed to God our daddy.  I am learning the difference in how I approach God, my daddy.

In February, Eric and I left The Big Show early because Eric's belly was extremely sore, crampy, and painful.  We ended up at the ER around 1am to find out that he needed an emergency appendectomy.  After a 2 day hospital stay, he was home, recovering, and feeling much better.

In April, Ellie had not one, but two ER visits (i previously blogged about that experience).  The last ER visit resulted in a 2 night hospital stay for the two of us over Spring Break.

Around this time, I found out that my part time teaching job at Stallings Island was not going to be available for next year.  We agreed that full time was not an option, and proceeded to walk down the road to "stay-at-home-mommy" preparation.  That caused us to look at our finances and have lots and lots and lots of long conversations about money, what we've done with money, what we will do with money, how we can save money, what can we cut out, what habits need to change, etc.  Lots and lots of long conversations.  Ultimately, Eric and I agree that God is our ultimate provider.  We trust him.  We trust that this job was given from God, and we believe that this job was taken away by God.  We choose to increase our faith by not pursuing another "job".  God made manna fall from the sky for goodness sake!  Certainly, he will provide for the Lairsey's.

On June 11, Coleman had his near-death accident at the pool.  This led to another Lairsey ER visit, and a very scary 24 hour "observation" at MCG.  We checked out of the hospital, went home to unpack, and went right back to the pool.  Everyone played, laughed, and squealed as if nothing had happened the previous day.  This mama needed that.

At bedtime on July 31, Coleman fell in the bathroom.  He screamed pretty good, and was unwilling to move his left leg, but after careful inspection, we found no bruising, no swelling, no bleeding.  Eric and I decided we would put him down for bed and reassess in the morning.  He had a pretty rough night.  I gave him Ibprofen around the clock, and in the morning, we iced his leg.  He still would not put any weight on it, and was crying pretty good when we moved/touched his leg.  On August 1, we set off to the ER AGAIN.  I called my family and some friends on the way to have them praying for him.  Sure enough, Coleman had broken his femur.  Wow.  Several X-rays and an IV later, we were being scheduled in the OR so the dr could completely knock him out so they could set his leg (no surgery needed) and cast him.  The cast.  Ugh.  That is quite a work of art.  After dealing with it for 3 weeks and 6 days so far, it is bulky, heavy, awkward... and it stinks.  Despite my MANY attempts to take the urine smell off of it, it returns.  I have scrubbed the inside of that cast with toothpaste and a toothbrush more times than I can count.  I've also tried baby shampoo and a hairdryer (on cool, of course).  Nothing works.  I just keep telling myself it is almost over.  I mean, I dealt with Ellie's ostomy for a few months, certainly I can do this.  Praying September 5 will be the day that cast comes off.

Eric has been struggling with back pain for almost a year now.  He has tried chiropractors, injections, muscle spasm meds, and anti-inflammatory meds.  Nothing helped.  After an MRI showed a degenerative disc in his back, we knew we needed to have something surgically fixed.  Eric got 4 different opinions about his MRI, and settled on Dr. Justin Bundy.  Surgery for August 8 had been scheduled since the beginning of the summer.  Eric needed to get through youth camp, the mission trip to Costa Rica, and the Back to School Bash before beginning his 6 month post-surgery recovery.  We discussed postponing his surgery after Coleman's broken leg, but decided to go ahead and have them recovering at the same time.  That has proven to be both the best decision and the worst decision ... is that possible???  lol.  I have loved that Eric is here, and I am not having to take care of everyone all the time by myself.  BUT, I also have 5 people ordering me around almost 24 hours a day.  Everyone is just so needy.  The first two weeks, Coleman had the best attitude during the day - always smiley and happy, but at night, we woke up screaming every time he wanted to roll over or reposition himself.  He would also cry out in pain when he accidentally moved his leg in his sleep, or twitched/jerked in his sleep.  It was pretty pitiful.  Over time, he is growing weary.  Tired of not being able to walk, annoyed with the cast, frustrated that he has to lay around all day.  It is getting old.  For all of us.  Not too much longer.  Eric is recovering well.  He had his post-op follow up after two weeks and a few days, and dr said all is healing well and he was released to go back to work... with his grabber.  :)  He still cannot bend, twist, or lift ... for 6 months.  We miss him laying around the house with us!

What a blessing it has been that my job was not renewed.  I cannot imagine trying to find childcare/taking off work to handle manny and his cast... let alone, eric and his back.  God knows.

I am trying to constantly remind myself that GOD HAS GONE BEFORE.

2015--we are eager for your arrival.  we are expectant for the awesome plans that await us.  we are thankful for 2014, but gladly step into a new season!

Random Prayers

5 year old Eve:

"Jesus, thank you for all of the wonderful things you have given us!  Thank you for giving us three meals a day.  It feels like we are the Israelites in the Promised Land!"  

Sometimes her prayers make us laugh, and sometimes they make me think she is actually processing more than I give her credit for.  Speak to her, Jesus.  Let her always be sensitive to your voice.  

Death and Heaven

I (Erin) grew up with a dad who spoke of death often.  We were reassured that if something ever happened to him, that we should not be sad.  He was going to the place he longed for the most.  He would rather be with Jesus in heaven, than anywhere else on earth.  His dad (Granddaddy Hilley) had a near-death experience at a young age (early 40's), and told Non, my dad, and Faith that if he was presented the chance again, that he wouldn't be coming back to earth.  When he dropped dead of a heart attack at age 47, everyone knew he was where he wanted to be.  Nonny even went through a period of time where she was angry with him for leaving her here with "life" to do on her own.  Later, she realized and admitted that Granddaddy's death resulted in an intimate relationship with Jesus that she may never have had if he had lived.  Because of all of this, my dad doesn't fear death.  Instead, he looks at it peacefully and eagerly.  Not with a death wish, but a longing for home.  He raised me to think and talk about death in a similar way...and I guess I am now passing that along to my children.  

 Eve is mesmerized by death and heaven.  Below are a few of our conversations about the topic.  

1)  I was about to wake the little kids up from their naps, and wanted to spend a few quiet minutes with Eve before the chaos got out of bed.  I walked into the playroom and sat down on a big, comfy chair and asked Eve to come sit in my lap.  She was eager to tell me what she had been doing.  

Eve - "You see that chair over there?" She pointed to the window where she had placed a small folding chair. 

Me - "Yes."

Eve - "Well, before you came in here, I was sitting in that chair looking up in the sky and talking to God.  I told him that if he was ready for me to go to heaven, then I was ready to go."

I was filled with so many emotions.  Shock, worry, joy, and peace ... all wrapped up into one. 

2)  I was holding baby Titus (about 3 weeks old) at the beach house one afternoon.  All of the kids came up talking and cooing at him.  Eve approaches us and says, "Mom, did you know that I will probably be dead by the time Baby Titus is 10?"

3)  On the way to church one morning, Eve announces that she will be the first one of our 4 kids to "die and go to heaven".  She went on to mention that the first one to be born out of my tummy was probably going to be the first one to die.  I took this time to explain that sometimes that is how God works, but sometimes it isn't.  I believe that God has assignments for all of us, and when our assignments have been completed, he allows us to leave earth and go to heaven.  

4)  On our way to the pool one afternoon, I was on the phone with my sister who was telling me about a 3 year old little boy that had died the previous night.  Her husband was called to the scene when the family called 911.  They attempted to resuscitate him multiple times, but there was nothing they could do.  I guess my response to that story had Eve intrigued, because when I hung up the phone, Eve says, "mom, why did you say 'oh my goodness' and 'that is terrible'?" I didn't want to go into the story, so i tried to brush her off by saying, "Yaya was just telling me a story about a little boy."  Eve says, "did he die?"  ... uh ... "Yes," I stutter.  Eve immediately bursts out with "Oh, well that isn't sad!  Those parents should be happy!"  "Why, Eve?"  "Because he went to heaven.  I mean, isn't going to heaven a good thing?  Why would you be sad?  The next time you hear about someone that dies, you need to say, 'oh yay!  now they get to see Jesus in heaven!'"

She is right, isn't she??  We miss them on earth, but do we really wish they would come back?  do we think they would chose to come back if they could? 

**A note to my children when mommy dies*** please don't be sad for me.  I love each of you immeasurably!  You have changed my life in so many ways, and I am so BLESSED to have been your mommy.  Use what God has given you and give it back to Him.  Whatever you do, do it unto Him.  Choose your spouse wisely.  It is so important that you have a mate that works beside you and with you, and has the same goals and dreams that you have.  I cannot wait to see you, kiss you, hug, you and listen to you again.  I love you, each one of you, with my whole heart.  Lean into Jesus, Mommy.  

Epic, the movie

I thought it might be a good idea to take my kids to a summer movie one morning this week.  It only costs $1 per person to get in, and they get the experience of a movie theater!  Sounds like a good idea, right??  

Well, it started out that way.  But somewhere between the chairs closing up on Ellie and Coleman's little legs, the beggings to go to the potty "before I tee tee in my PANTIES", the one bazillion snacks passed up and down the row-accompanied by Clara screaming, "i spilled some of it on the floor", Coleman peeking his head in between the chairs in front of us and eating all of the M&Ms that have ever fallen on a movie theater floor...I decided it may be best to wait until NEXT year to try this again.  Wow.  I was exhausted.  

Baby Titus

There is a new celebrity in town ... I'm not sure if you've heard of him or not.  His name is Baby Titus.  Eve, Clara, Ellie, and Coleman are completely and utterly SMITTEN.  He was born on May 8.   Kristen (Tay Tay) has been so sweet to let each of the kids have special time with him. 

Boomer

My kids love him.  They talk about him ALL. OF. THE. TIME.  

It is precious and annoying, all at the same time.  

Ellie LOVES the idea of him, but isn't THINKING about getting close enough for a hug.  Eve and Clara won't let go of him, and Coleman just wants to give him high fives and throw the ball to him.  

Ellie's Mysterious Illness

We have one tough Ellie Hope at our house.  We had the stomach bug pass through our house one weekend where mom, Coleman, Ellie and Eve all had a small touch of it.  Pretty miserable.  A week later, Ellie began throwing up pretty violently and frequently.  I took her in to the ER just to get it checked out before we ventured down to Blackshear for the week.  The doctor on duty assured me that she had the stomach bug.  He gave her some anti-nausea medicine and was confident that she'd be ready to travel in a day or two.  On the way home from the ER, she puked the entire way home.  She was miserable all night and all of the following day.  She settled down enough for us to consider driving to Blackshear the next day.  About an hour into our trip, she started vomiting again.  We called the pediatric surgery team again, and they asked us to get her to the nearest ER.  Knowing that I only wanted her to be seen at MCG, we continued on our trip to Blackshear to drop Eric and the other kids off, and Ellie and I packed back up in the van and drove back to Augusta.  I practically forced them to admit us (I just KNEW something was wrong with my baby).  They did an ultrasound, X-rays, urine sample, blood sample, rectal exam.  All came back normal, and pointed back to the stomach bug.  

BUT, I knew that she had been very sick for 4 days at this point, with no fever, and no one else in our family feeling sick.  It didn't add up to me.  They admitted us, and agreed to monitor her over the next 48 hours.  Of course, under drs watch, there was no more vomiting.  :)  That's just how it is when mom is pretty adamant something is wrong!  They discharged us on Wednesday with a diagnosis of a UTI.  I was in shock.  So thankful that it wasn't anything more dangerous with all of Ellie's intestinal issues; but I was definitely not expecting that. 

Softball Games

The kids are pretty much obsessed with "daddy's softball games" ... 

Coleman always brings a bat and a ball to play golf with, Eve always brings her "money purse" so she can spend every last penny she has at the concession stand, and Clara and Ellie run, giggle, and holler to get dad's attention every second they get.  It is a fun and free way to spend our Tuesday and Thursday nights.  

Fripp Island 2014

As always, Fripp is so much fun!  This year, we chose to stay in a home that was oceanfront... although the walk was pretty LONG, the view was awesome.  The accommodations were fantastic!  It was a 6 bdrm, 6 bath home, with a nice deck and big kitchen area.  Great memories were made, and the cousins continue to grow closer and closer.  Here are a few pics from that trip.