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Category Archives: Family
No more Mr. Nice-Simon
For most of his little life Simon has been a very patient little guy, putting up with quite a bit from his big sis. Almost from day one Tali’s natural exuberance has been met with Simon’s composed but cheerful responses. “Aggressive” was a word Tali became familiar with when Simon was still very new (“Not so aggressive!” was the phrase, I think).
Well, Simon is finally getting his sea legs, as it were. When Tali’s on the step stool he wishes to occupy, he does his best to push her off. When she has a toy he wants, he doesn’t hesitate to grab at it. But the topper of all these ground-standing antics happened last night at bedtime.
I was reading a story to Tali on the floor and Simon was playing around in her room. Tali climbed onto my lap for a cozy read. Well, as soon as Simon saw that, he came over to push her off. When that didn’t work, he fussed and pushed harder. When that didn’t work, he grabbed her hair at the top of her head and pulled up as if he expected to pull her up like any doll!
There is definitely evidence of brotherly love, or something like it, growing between these two. But for now, I think Simon’s personal summary of 1 Corinthians 13 might be, “Love suffers long, then says, ‘MINE!’”
Way too long
It’s been way too long since we’ve written anything here. Guess we’re too busy watching our two little cuties grow up! And what a lot of growing they’re doing!
Simon had his first birthday (or, rather, second) a couple of weeks ago and is cuter every day, if that’s possible! We call him our Bear so we made him a polar bear cake and had a little family gathering to celebrate him. He’s such a sweet-tempered little guy and loves playing peek-a-boo and chase games and is delightfully ticklish. He took his first steps on Christmas Day and is walking quite well now. He seems rather pleased about this accomplishment, too! At this age he loves to dance with Mommy or Daddy, to play with balls, puzzles, and containers, pots, spatulas and water…And anything else Tali seems interested in! He likes to imitate talking on the phone and writing and LOVES being pulled around by any willing party on his little ride-on truck (or laundry basket, or plastic tub, or…).
I can’t believe Tali’s been four for THREE MONTHS and I still haven’t added a story or picture from her birthday! It was quite a time! We had two parties, one for a couple of little friends and another for extended family. Each party had its own pinata and both were special for the birthday girl. She still talks about that day with grateful memories of the gifts she received. She’ll say things like, “It was so kind of Papa and Grandma to give me this!” She’s full of, or, rather, overflowing with energy. Most days she spontaneously runs up and down the hallway for awhile. Boy, she does so many cute, creative things, I really ought to spend some time sharing them here more regularly!
We’ll see how regularly I can get back here to write updates. If you are reading this and care to know more about life here at Rusty Gates Estates, let me know!
Green Pastures
Since Simon’s birth I’ve been amazed several times at how the Lord’s tender care for Tali and Simon is so clear. Things like a gift from a grandparent, a visit from a friend, a good nap – so many things have come at just the right time, in just the right way.
Today Tali wanted so much to stay at Grandma’s house longer than we were willing to let her. She was pretty unhappy about it, but was glad that she’d get to have some Daddy play time after dinner. She was all geared up to hang out with David when he told her he only had a few minutes to play because he had a meeting at church. It’s no fun to see your little girl missing her dad before he even leaves. But even before she was done enjoying their few minutes together, her friend from down the street called to see if Tali could play. Friend B was here before David was gone and the two girls had a great time with play dough, bikes, and sidewalk chalk.
We have a shepherd who is certainly better at caring for our little ones than we could ever be!
Days Like This
Ah, yes, those days Mama told us about – how wise she was to warn us… Days with a grumpy preschooler, a sleepless newborn, paralyzing back pain. Days with baskets of folded laundry rearranged into something like modern art in the living room. Days of peanut butter and jelly meals – again. Lonely, trying, frustrating, disappointing, seemingly pointless days of all sorts.
But days like those aren’t all bad. After all, every stage needs a dark backdrop or two for the other kind of “days like this.” Days like today when once again I can’t help but see that God really does see me and know me. When I’d be a fool to deny that He cares about me and my little family. Days when that grumpy, bossy preschooler exhibits her manners at a restaurant, sweetly saying, “Excuse me,” rather than interrupting; when a good friend has time to sit and talk; when strangers see me struggling to handle Tali and Simon and offer to help zip a coat and save a helium balloon. And when that sleepless newborn finally crashes for more than a catnap (hooray!!!).
I’ll never understand why Mama’s “days like this” are inevitable, but I know that days like those and days like today are only from a loving Father who knows what a good gift is and knows how to give it. Such sweet, wise kindness that blesses us in just the right way, at just the right time.
Sweet Little Simon
Simon Franklin is here! He was born at home, as planned, on January 22 at 12:25am. We were a little surprised at his size – 8lbs, 7oz, 21in. We were also a little surprised at the speed of his arrival – at 10pm we made a “We think maybe you ought to come” call to our midwife. She braved icy roads to arrive about an hour before Simon did. All went well and we’re all so excited to have our little guy in our arms.
Tali’s been a great big sister so far. She literally ran around the house in excitement every day for about a week after Simon’s birth. Some of that new baby rush has worn off, but she’s still full of hugs and kisses for Baby Brother, delighting her parents with her gentleness and affection.
Simon seems to be adjusting bravely to the world. He’s been busy learning the difference between night and day and enduring unpleasant diaper changes.
Simon’s middle name – Franklin (meaning “free man”) – is for his Great Grandpa Harris. We admire Franklin Harris for his wisdom and godliness. He is a man worth emulating in many ways. The name Simon is ultimately from the Hebrew word for hearing and so has the meanings “to hear” or “to be heard.” Our prayer is that Simon will grow into a man who hears and delights to obey God’s Word, and that he’ll be confident in the Lord’s promise to hear all those who call on him.
Thanks for reading and sharing our joy! Be sure to see photos at the “Family Pictures” link!
The Why Phase
Tali: I want to be a man.
Penni: You want to be a man?
Tali: Yeah.
Penni: Little girls can only be a lady.
Tali: (immediately and in all seriousness but happily and cheerfully) Why?
Humble Pie
Mulberries are in season and Tali’s been absolutely crazy for them, even waking up – or sorta waking up – in the middle of the night shouting for berries. For a week or so we were making several forays a day out to our mulberry tree. We ate plenty of fresh berries and also made a pie to share with Grandma and Granddad.
A friend from across town, a man young in the Lord, has a mulberry tree, too, with berries much sweeter than ours. Tali and I went over to pick some with him with the intent of making a pie for him. We got plenty of sweet, juicy berries for a mixed berry pie. When I delivered it to him Monday evening he seemed surprised and delighted, even issuing a “God bless you”!
Wednesday night he went to the prayer meeting at church. I’m told his prayer went something like this: “Dear God, I’ll keep this short. Thank you for this church and for my family and my kids. And thank you for Penni making that pie for me. Amen.”
I sometimes feel quite hidden and useless to the world as a stay at home mom of one, but if a simple pie can mean that much to a new believer… show me the berries!
Sweet Things
Watching Tali play with her cousin Gator – holding hands, laughing, running…
Seeing Grandmother’s clematis vines beginning to flower at what is now Hollie’s house…
Holding Jack Thomas…
Jen’s chocolate cheesecake on Mother’s Day…
Pushing Tali “Higher, higher!” in the swing…
Feeling a cool – not cold - breeze on my arms and face and being sure that spring is finally here…
Finally dismissing hat, gloves, and scarves to their storage box for a season…
Knowing that God’s promises are always true.
Jack Thomas
Jack Thomas is finally here! He switched sides of Cori’s tum on April 30, healthy as could be. We’re all jealous of Uncle David (my bro) who gets to share his birthday with little Jack. Jack Thomas is perfectly beautiful – 7lbs, 10oz, 19.5in – and Mama is doing just fine. We had a small crowd in the waiting room anticipating the birth and got to see Jack about an hour after he arrived. Tali and I went up to the hospital again the next morning and both got to hold him. Crazy how time flew while we looked at him and talked to him and looked at him and admired him. So sweet and handsome, in spite of his resemblance to his dad. (Just kidding, ahem, sorta.)
