Larger than life

For all the kids we decorate a birthday chair with balloons and celebrate first thing in the morning. This morning our youngest (I'm not counting belly yet!) entered the great and marvelous age of two. Unlike any of the Generous kids before him he has taken an obsession with Elmo. Good or bad it is his passion for the moment so tied to his breakfast chair was a giant Elmo balloon. "Melmo" he screamed with excitement this morning when I brought him upstairs. As soon as he could reach the balloon he began exuberantly swatting his dear friend (we'll coach him on proper treatment of friends later). 

Watching him light up with excitement over something so simple was a great way to start the day. Too often in my own life I don't even notice the little things that offer a smile or a memory. Driven to get things done and pressed by the cultural norms of our society I overlook the numerous joys right in front of me (back to the birthday boy). 

Azariah is our Georgia peach. Two years ago Thiele and I were saddled up in an ATL hospital watching desperate housewives of Atlanta (her choice). A new state and a new son. He came out larger than life (no seriously he was almost 10lbs)! If you have kids you know the moment I'm describing. It's a feeling that cannot be explained; excitement, awe, adoration. Now after two years of real life I'm reminded how many times we're offered the same moments. The first coo, the first poo, the first laugh and the first word. In each of these experiences if we're paying attention we have the opportunity to experience so much joy. I'm so thankful for how Azariah and my other kids keep teaching me these life lessons. Gems of hope and purpose. My kids inspire me each day and this morning I'm reminded of the their influence in my day to day. 

The time warp

It seems everyone tells you but you don't believe them. "Enjoy it now because you'll wake up one day years from now longing for it"! While growing up, time often feels at a stand still. Did high school not seem like the longest four years of your life? Yet as soon as you step foot out of your parents house time passes in a different manner. Life revs up and the moments move faster than we can understand. 

This morning on my daughters 4th birthday I am again sobered by the time warp that is life after high school. It seems like only yesterday Thiele and I stayed up all night to deliver her (alright that part was Thiele) then found ourselves up every twenty minutes the next night with our newbie. Since she was our third we were petrified by her sleep schedule since none of our other kids had been quite so cruel to wake that often. It was at this moment we knew she was sassy.  

Now looking back over what seems like only days there is a spunky little four year old leaping around my house. So many memories and moments, good and bad, that I know it can't have happened in only a matter of days yet I feel that must be true. All I hear ringing in my ears is "Enjoy it now because you'll wake up one day years from now longing for it"...

Today we celebrate the life of our middle child. Her laughter, her smile, her infectious personality and even the countless tales of her mischief. She has delighted us with stories we can tell her kids and their kids if we're lucky! She is both incredibly sassy and incredibly kind. In only four years she has left such a mark on us and helped to shape everyone in our household. 

The momentous events such as birthdays remind me of how great a time warp were doing life in. How one minute you're wondering how you'll function with three kids and no sleep and the next your eating Angeline Ballerina pancakes with a four year old. Life is a beautiful thing, the truest gift. I hope we take those sage words when they're offered and enjoy each fleeting moment because soon enough we'll be rocking on the front porch reminiscing (and definitely laughing) over all the time and memories that have passed. 

Happy Birthday Amelia! 

Shock and awe

For the first time since Saturday this morning had a feeling of normality. My face wasn't glued to the pillow, there weren't any children awake in the six o'clock hour and there was some trace of pep in my step!

I remember the good ole days when fall back meant an extra hour of sleep or an extra hour out on the town. As a father of almost five daylight savings time has morphed from a high to a low. Growing up in Michigan, on the far western edge of the time zone, the patterns of sunrise and sunset are very different than Chicago. Settled in the opposite geographical position of the central time zone the sun rises very early and likewise sets rather early. While papa bear can sleep in almost any condition, it appears my children are not as versatile. 

Until today every morning has begun painfully early, often in the five o'clock hour. Alyvia exclaimed Tuesday "I've been awake in my room since my clock read 5:42. The sun was already coming up"! (If only my son would've got the stay in your room memo) Almost boasting and of course with a smile she was excited to see the sun. Call me the grinch but I'd much rather meet the sun around 7:00 for a casual breakfast. 

Not only have the kiddos been rising at an unpreferable hour but we've also lost our evenings. I must say the sunsets from the west side of the office are breathtaking but notice I said from my office. Leaving work after the sunset and venturing out into a dark abyss is for the birds. The shock (and sleep deprivation) of daylight savings time is a constant reminder that six months of arctic tundra is just around the corner. 

While the shock and awe has been unwelcome to say the least. I'm so thankful for a morning like this. Sleeping kids who wake well rested and seem like themselves. Laughing with them while we eat delicious blueberry waffles (thanks Thiele) and encouraging one another as we go off to seize the day. This morning is a welcome one.