"Repeat" and be Baptized!

My second little girl, Jordan Elisabeth, was baptized in the precious name of Jesus two Sundays ago, January 27th!  Words can't express how proud of her I have been over the past few weeks.  She is only 6 years old, but her understanding of the Scriptures is enough that she comprehends the need for water baptism in Jesus' name.  I believe we all need a little more of that child-like faith Jesus spoke of in the Bible.  We don't need years of study and more degrees than a thermometer to simply understand the need for Salvation.  Jordan has been taught this truth from infancy, and she decided on her own that she needed to "repeat" (as she first called it) and be baptized in Jesus' name.  We asked her a few more questions to gauge her understanding of the subject, because we as parents don't want our children to just mimic and go through the motions.  We want them to comprehend.  There was no doubt that she understood, so we set the date!

During this time, her father and I were in the middle of a Daniel's Fast as part of our church-wide corporate 21 days of fasting and prayer. (see www.ultimatedanielfast.com).  Our girls had been watching us, taking notice of the fact that we were not eating and drinking the same things they were and they had lots of questions.  Rachel, our oldest daughter (8), asked specifically why people fast and pray, and after we had a talk about it at the dinner table she told us that she wanted to fast and pray for her sister to receive the Holy Ghost. (see Acts chapter 2)  Jordan was also listening, and she wanted to participate as well.  So the next day she and Jordan, of their own free will, chose to forgo breakfast with the main purpose of Jordan receiving the Holy Ghost.  I can't tell you how that made me feel.  I don't think I have ever been any prouder as a mother than at that very moment.

 Here are a few more pictures...

   

She was so small, we had to use a metal chair for her to stand on.  :)

 

On a side note, Jordan was baptized in the very same homemade dress that Rachel was baptized in.  It was first intended for a Bible character costume made for Rachel by my husband's grandmother (AKA "Bikkie").  I thought it was sweet.  :)

They had been playing dress-up with it among their other play clothes, but I have now pulled it out of the box and put it away.  Maybe we'll baptize Ellie in it in a few more years.  :)

Jordan is presently seeking the Holy Ghost, and we pray she will be filled with God's Spirit very soon!

The "Thank You" Party

My living room is huge... and very empty.

We use one side of it as a classroom where I home school my pre-schooler and first grader.  In that space we have two school desks, my office desk, a floor lamp, and an electric piano against the wall (thanks, Mom T!)... and it's still an empty cavern.  It's actually a cool place for the kids to run around and burn pent up energy, and I'm very thankful for the space.  I have often walked through it, longing for pretty furniture, but such things are just not practical, or feasible, at this time in our lives.  Maybe one day.

But I needed to preface this blog post with an explanation of this seemingly empty room and why I'm so excited to post pics of it for the world to see.  I do not have expensive, pretty furnishings to grace my home and fill it with elegance.  I never have, and probably never will.  But I do have one thing I want to brag about.  I have two children under the age of 10 who know how to say thank you, of their own volition, of their own free will, and in their own way.  I couldn't be more proud.

I had been busy around the house, cooking, cleaning, all that mommy jazz.  I remember being very tired, stressed out (shocker), and maybe even downright crabby.  (It happens to the best of us, lol.)  I had been in one particular end of the house for a bit, and then Rachel and Jordan come running up to me, all smiles and giggles.  They had something they wanted to "show me".  So, I dropped what I was doing, and was led by the hand to this particular room, with strict instructions to keep my eyes closed.  When I opened them, I cried.

The girls had decorated my empty room.

They had made their own streamers from construction paper.  They had set out my fine dining room chairs (folding, plastic chairs, ha).  They had put up little signs to instruct one where to place socks and shoes.  They had put up little stuffed animals in various places.  And they had covered the floor in rugs and blankets to "jump on".  I asked why.  They told me with bright eyes and smiling faces, "It's a 'thank you' party!".  They quickly explained they wanted to thank mommy and daddy for all that we do for them.  They wanted to have a party just for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I broke on the inside.

I gathered them in my arms and told them how proud I was of them, then I explored the room as they gave me a guided tour of all the things they had done.  Of course, we went and got daddy out of his office right away.  (He works a full-time job at home on top of being a full-time pastor so that I can stay home with my children.)

My girls.  My wonderful, beautiful girls.  They are already learning as children what a lot of adults never seem to grasp... the gift of thankfulness. 

 

Paper pies

Rachel and I made a pie today... it was a strawberry pie with apples.  We cut the pie to serve the three hungry people waiting to sample our baking skills, and in doing so she learned the concept of 1/3!  It was fun, we laughed together, and she was completely enthralled.

There are those who have frowned on our decision to home school our children, and I will be honest and say that there have been several challenging days thus far, and I'm sure there and plenty more to come.  But days like today remind me of the many benefits of homeschooling.  I taught my daughter a new concept, one that she will use throughout the rest of her life.  And we didn't just learn a math lesson... we made a memory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOcsClsiPgs&feature=related (I used to sing this to Rachel when she was a baby, it's quite fitting.)

The Louvre in my kitchen

"Zommies", by Jordan Tritsch

Rembrandt, Delacroix, da Vinci... none can hold a candle to the works of art I have in my possession. Displayed proudly on my refrigerator is a treasure trove of masterful drawings and paintings that rival the world's best known artists. I have always been one of these moms that insist on immediately showcasing beautiful pieces that are given to me by my babies. In fact, my main problem is space... I need a bigger refrigerator... or maybe just a few more altogether...

"Traffic Light", by Jordan Tritsch

But as I was walking by the other day, I stopped and admired yet again the masterpieces gracing my main kitchen appliance. It occurred to me I have never owned an original work of art by anyone "famous". I'm not even sure my eyes have actually seen any important art form other than in a textbook. But what I do have, (in my biased, motherly opinion... hey, I proudly wear my mom badge and claim the rights that go along with it), what I posses are irreplaceable, priceless, beautiful treasures. They were given to me in love, they were given to me in free will, and they were each carefully created by little hands that will all too soon grow up and leave my home.

"Healthy Lunch", by Rachel Tritsch

"Love Note", by Rachel Tritsch

Say cheese!

If you've never had family pictures taken... outside... with three sleepy, cranky children who have missed their routine naps... you've not lived!! :) It was definitely an experience, and I want to thank Amanda Permenter for doing such a great job with us. She is a young photographer who has just started seriously taking pics. She was infinitely patient with us. Hats off to you, girl! I wanted to post a few of my favorite pics, but if any of you would like to see the complete album, you can check it out on my Facebook page.

This is one of all of us. Here we have Del's mother, Leslie, and his two grandmothers, Lucille Taylor (Leslie's mom) AKA "Bikkie", and Yvonne Meskimen (Terry's mom).


And my girls... ohhhh, my girls...

It's simply amazing to sit and look at pictures of them. I'm with them everyday, and in doing so, I sometimes miss how fast they're growing up, if that makes any sense. What living dolls! (ok, so maybe I'm just a tiny bit biased...)

Rachel was a bit dramatic in her sleepiness, wanting to go to different locations, getting "things" in her eyes from the wind... but she eventually warmed up to the idea and got into the rest of the afternoon shoot.

Their individual personalities really shine through in some of these pics. Especially the "prissy shot" of Jordan, lol. She really got into the posing when it was just her.

Ellie just wanted to be left alone to explore the strange, grassy, muddy world around her... at this very moment I'm trying to get those lovely stains out of the leggings she was wearing... which I'm beginning to believe will be a vain second attempt...

All in all, it was a good afternoon. Thanks so much to Mamoo for setting this up! Too bad Daddy was away at work, involved in some training. That just means we'll have to get some more with him later. :)

"Train up a child..."

Last night, my oldest daughter was baptized! Rachel is 6 years old (she'll be 7 in November), and she was all smiles as she took on the precious name of Jesus. Her daddy performed the baptismal which made it even more special to us. Mom and Dad, as well as his parents and grandmother, were there. Rachel received the Holy Ghost last Sunday night, and she told us she was ready to be baptized and even explained it all to us (in her own way). So we know she understood. As I stood there watching, I was reminded of my own experience as a child of 4 (almost 5). My daddy baptized me, too. How precious these days are to me! To the congregation of WPPC, we were so honored to have shared this special time with you. WPPC will always be special to our family. It was on the back pew of that church that my husband proposed to me on a Christmas morning. We were married there, spent almost 8 years of our married life there, including the baby dedication services of our three girls. Rachel received the Holy Ghost there, as well. So, it was fitting for her to be baptized there. As a mother, I have been overwhelmed with emotions — just about every kind you could imagine. But none can compare to the feelings I have when I watch my children mature in the Lord. For my ever-growing list of mistakes as a new parent, it's nice to know I'm doing some things right every now and then. There is no doubt about it, instilling a love for the Truth is my greatest responsibility as a mother. In this I must not fail.

My growing girls

This has been a week of accomplishments with my girls! Ellie is cruising right along holding furniture and trying to pull herself up on the couch and the bed. She's doing more "monkey walking", as I call it, where she bends herself into an A position with her hands and feet with her little bottom in the air and walks. Surely it won't be much longer before she takes those first steps alone. Her track record has been about 3 months behind her sisters with all things mobile (sitting, crawling, standing, ect.), so hopefully we're about there. According to her Pediatrician and Chiropractor, she's just fine, only taking her time and doing things her way. Along with the added independence has come much protesting and shrieking whenever something doesn't go her way. She is letting the world know her opinion, and learning that the louder one's voice is, the more attention you usually get.

Jordan is a swimmer! I watched yesterday as she called out, "Mama, watch!" and she took off like a little brown fish (she has a gorgeous tan) across Mamoo's pool. When she reached the other side, she said with a huge smile and bright eyes, "I didn't drown!" She can already swim under water and float on her back, too. What a relief it is knowing that two of my three girls can not only keep their head above the water but can also get to where they need to go. Thank you, Mamoo!

And my Rachel... my big girl... she was filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost last Sunday night at West Pontotoc Pentecostal Church! Unfortunately, I wasn't there. But I'm told she began crying and speaking in an Heavenly language with her little hands raised in her Mamoo's arms. Her Daddy will hopefully baptize her very soon. She told him last night at bedtime prayers that she wanted him to baptize her. When we were asking her about baptism and talking about it all, she related the story of the leper "going to the muddy river and his boo boo's getting all clean". Her daddy said that was actually a good comparison. :) Even though she can't fully explain the depths of what all baptism in Jesus' name is about (can any of us, really?), she understands enough to get the Holy Ghost; and she understands the need for it. I look forward to this event greatly and will post pics soon! (Oh, and she can also ride a bike quite well without training wheels!)

What a wonderful feeling to sit back and watch my girls grow. What an even better feeling knowing they will continue to grow in beauty and grace in the light of God's sunshine.

Shall we dance?

Ever get an image etched into your mind, like a fingerprint in clay? You know, one of those moments in life that you will never, ever forget? I was reminded of one the other day. My oldest daughter, Rachel, was a cranky newborn. She was by far the fussiest one we've had. It seems as if the first two weeks of her life she cried more than anything else, no matter what we tried to do. We were having one of those nights where nothing seemed to work. Then Del got up, turned on a song by B. B. Winans called "All of Me" (a beautiful song, by the way), and turned the volume up very loud. Then he picked up our fussy baby, held her gently in his arms, and slowly danced with her in the living room... just a gently rocking, side to side dance. She calmed immediately. I sat back and watched with tears in my eyes how her little face was studied on his then her little arm reach up as if she was trying to touch him. And the thought occurred to me at that very moment, "I'll never forget this". My mind transported to the future, and I saw him walking a beautiful bride down the aisle arm in arm and thought how I would remember their very first dance. A few years later, Rachel became engrossed in Cinderella (much like every little girl). She was thrilled to receive a dress-up Cinderella, ball gown for Christmas one year. And she wanted to try it on right then of course. So she got dolled up complete with gloves, tiara, and "glass" slippers, and she went straight to her Daddy. She wanted to dance. And without music, she danced with her prince yet again. Steven Curtis Chapman came out with a popular song around that time about dancing with Cinderella (his daughter), and one line says, "...for all too soon, the clock will strike midnight, and she'll be gone". Well, all of this came to mind yesterday when he playfully picked her up in his arms yet again. Only this time, her 60-plus-pounds and tall frame filled his arms, and I wondered how many more dances with her daddy she would enjoy. Forgive my sentimental thoughts this morning, but I wanted to share my heart. Perhaps, some of my readers with little girls will think of this post and dance with their Cinderella tonight before the coach turns back into a pumpkin.