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In early 2001, Lucas was 7 months old, I had just come off of working a long-term substitute position, and Kyle had a new job. We were not planning on having another child for a while when all of a sudden - surprise! We were in shock. But, it didn't take God by surprise. 


Nine years ago today a precious, tiny, 5 pound baby boy came screaming into our lives. We weren't prepared for his arrival. He wasn't supposed to be here for 6 more weeks. He was a Christmas surprise. But, he wasn't a surprise to God.


We were told he'd spend some time in the NICU. "Babies born this early do well, but be prepared for him not to go home with you." I can still hear those words clearly, and feel the anxiety that I had.


Noah entered this world crying loudly and was very alert. He did not spend even a minute in the NICU. Everyone was surprised. But not God.


During his preschool years, we noticed some odd things. Habits, routines, speech patterns. The way he never entered a group of kids to play, but would stand by the fence and pace back and forth during preschool recess.


"He's just shy. He'll catch up. He's just a late bloomer," everyone told us. Over the next few years, though, it didn't get better. 


When Noah was seven, he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome - a high functioning form of Autism. I had long since figured this out through my own research, but hearing it from a "professional"? It rocked my world. It took us by surprise. But, it didn't surprise God.


Noah is the light of our family. He has such a pure heart. Not big on words, but when he does speak, you should probably listen. It's most likely worth listening to. Though he doesn't talk about it much, his understanding of spiritual things is almost deeper than mine. His baptism was a lesson for me straight from God. (you can read about that here)


He is super smart and loves all things computer. He's not big on athletics, but give him Lego Star Wars or Super Hero Squad and he's completely satisfied.


He rarely complains (unless it's at dinner. That's another post for another day) and is very easy going as long as he has his routines and video games.


He has a sense of humor that rivals anyone around. He can twist words to make jokes that I never would have thought of.


God has used this little boy in my life in big ways. He has shown me that my plans? They're not the best. My timing? Not perfect. But God's plans and timing? They are always perfect. He is in control and nothing slips past Him. Nothing.


Noah, As you grow I pray that you will continue to follow after God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Always remember how special you are for you are "fearfully and wonderfully made." I love you more than you will ever comprehend and I thank God for giving me the privilege of being your Mom.


I love you, Mama. 

Just another normal Monday morning......

• Start washing machine for laundry. The sound of water makes me remember that the dishwasher needs to be started. 
• Walk into kitchen and turn on dishwasher. Phone rings. 
• While on phone see that email from husband has come. 
• Read and answer email after phone conversation is over. In the meantime, see 3 different emails that "need" to be read. 
• Child #2, who is almost 9, can't seem to find a pencil and desperately needs help. Help child find said pencil which is on table right in front of him.
• Tell child #1 to help child #4 put together a number puzzle. Take puzzle into living room and see cups on end table that should've gone into dishwasher. 
• Put cups in the sink and see coffee that was made 2 hours before. Decide to warm up a cup.
• While coffee is in microwave, see water bill on computer desk. 
• Walk through laundry room, to get to the car, to get checkbook and see the washing machine full of water and no clothes. 
• Try to push dirty clothes down into machine full of water. Close lid, and hope for the best.
• The sound of water reminds me of the water bill so I retrieve checkbook from car. While in garage, see Christmas presents that are stored in storage room. Remember that something is on sale today that I need to order for hubby. 
• Sit down at computer to order present for hubby and decide the blog needs to be updated.
• While writing blog, remember coffee that was put in microwave that is now cold again.
• Realize how truly miraculous it is that anything is ever accomplished around here!

Merry Christmas!

• It's a little rough around the edges. Guess I should have given them more than 30 minutes of prep time. 
• Jacob seems to have developed a case of performance-based stuttering. Or maybe it's the fact that he's had no solid food in 48 hours due to a case of the nasty, evil stomach bug. Poor guy.
• Could Lucas look any more like a giant in the land of the littles?

Despite my phone's horrible video quality, the kids apparent need for more learning time, and their inability to stand still, I thought it was a success. :)

Seems I've taken an unintentional bloggy break, huh? Life has been crazy lately and by the time I can sit uninterrupted to write something I'm so exhausted that lifting each finger to type a key seems too hard.


What's been going on around here? Well, let's see:


School, weekend company, more school, more weekend company, the launch of weekly services at our new church, spending time with old friends, Thanksgiving, fighting with an eBay buyer and spending hours on "live chat" with eBay customer service reps who have no idea what's going on, Christmas preparations. That last one just kinda snuck up from nowhere. I was still thinking we had at least 6 more months!


*Thanksgiving was fantastic. We head up to Knoxville to spend a week at my grandmother's every year stopping in Chattanooga on the way to see friends. The only picture I have from the whole week is on Kyle's phone. So sad.   Update: found a few pics on Kyle's phone and here they are!

Lookout Mtn. Battlefield - Chattanooga

Had to get 2 new tires on the van while we were there so we hung out at the mall with the minions from Depsicable Me movie.

Had dinner at my aunt's house one night. This is Jacob beating playing the drums.

Hiked House Mtn. in Knoxville with the boys. Noah found a new passion in hiking.

Good times with Lily, Elie, Zoe, & Sam

*Christmas is my most favorite time of the year. Always has been. I've had Grooveshark going with all sorts of Christmas albums I'm too cheap to actually purchase. The house is decorated. Most of the presents bought and wrapped. Baking planned out. Love it all.  


*This time of year, I marvel at the fact that Jesus came down and took on flesh to become our Saviour. My mind is boggled at the fact that he was all God yet all human. "How deep the Father's love for us! How vast beyond all measure"


*I also think about Mary. A few years ago I wrote down my thoughts here.


*While all this is going on around me, I received an email last night about a prayer request for a dear friend. I won't go into details but it devastated me. I truly believe that God is sovereign even in suffering. Though I will never, ever understand why some things happen. Praise God that there is hope through Christ. 


"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. ⁸We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;......... ¹⁶So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 
2 Cor. 4: 7-17