The Reasons

I haven't uploaded pics of my girls, besides the one in my profile, because I figure that the 1-2 people who read this blog know exactly what they look like, but I have decided that my blog wouldn't be complete unless it contained the faces and smiles of the precious little ones that call me mommy! These faces are the reasons I get up at 3 am to feed a growling belly; the reasons I stay at home, some days feeling as if I'm the only adult on the planet, as my conversations have consisted of talk only of things that interest a 2 year old; the reasons I look at my husband and think of how blessed I am to have such a man be such a father to these impressionable, beautiful little girls that will one day be impressionable, beautiful young ladies, hopefully looking to their heavenly father first and foremost for support and much needed, positive, male affirmation, then directly to Joshua, rather than the temporary and insincere musings of certain teenage boys; the reasons that I thank God each day for such a great opportunity to be a mommy and watch my girls grow and change with each passing day.

Thank you, God, for being so great and making our lives brighter by adding such beauties to what we thought was already a wonderful, little family!

We are Family

Jovey has truly gotten used to our expanded family. She has never thought it different or bad that Laney is now getting some of her attention, a perk of adding a little one when your other "little one" is just 2 1/2, I guess! She is totally in love with her sister and smothers her, sometimes literally if we don't watch it, with loads of hugs and kisses.

Since Laney has joined us, Jovey has really started to understand the family unit! So well, in fact, that she is beginning to think that a family of 4 is just the norm, even when it comes to her toys. While we were at the mall the other day, Laney and I walked around a bit to keep her happy in her stroller while Joshua took Jovey into one of her fav stores, the Disney Store. While there, she always loves to visit the huge "mountain o' stuffy animals" (stuffed to you and me, animals with a nasal condition to our Jovey Kay!). Now, instead of just wanting to hold various animals and love on them, she likes to get 4 of a kind (like 4 thumpers or 4 tiggers) and set them up in a line. She told Joshua that they were a family! Now, of course, we will have to go into detail of how families aren't all the same. . . some have 3 members, some are grandmas and grandpas and kiddos, some are just mommies and kiddos, et.c, but for now, it is fine with us for her to know that families stick together and have fun together in everything, even if they are "stuffy!" :-)

Mini Me

So many stories, so little time it seems with 2 kiddos at home, one of which always comes up with new and fun things to do and say. So, I will just pick the ones that stick out in my mind the most.

My Jovey is a super pretender. She is quick to "pretend" to go to the grocery and to have numerous "pretend" conversations on her cell phone with family and friends throughout the day. It really is super cute to watch her sentences continue to grow into major monologues with herself!

Joshua and I have a favorite "pretend" game to watch. She likes to pretend that various friends (like Lillie, Parker and Addison) as well as TV characters (mainly Diego and Alicia), play with her. She takes them outside. all the while talking their invisible ears off, to swing, swim and slide. She also took them along with she and daddy today on a quick trip to Kroger and Best Buy today. She talks with them, asking them questions and answering like they really respond to her out loud. I guess that's what it sounds like in her head. Although this doesn't seem super comical, the comedy comes when you actually see her "play" with these friends, as they all fit in the palm of her hand. Yep, she has little mini friends that ride on her swings and in her car, and she pretends to carry them around in her hand, placing them various places by tapping them down from her thumb and pointer finger that are positioned to carry them so comfortably. If she has pockets, they have also been known to travel that way as well.

Oh, the fun that comes with watching Jovey grow, change, and now, pretend. We don't know the obsession with these "mini" friends of hers, but it sure makes for great laughs around our house. As long as she doesn't try to carry Laney around the same way, we'll all be ok!

Friends

What would we do without friends? Not just those people who you smile at and chat with when you happen to be at an event or get together, but true friends. The ones that in your life, you wonder how you existed without having them around to be your sounding board, the shoulders on which you cry, the people who tell you when you are being silly for being totally stupid about something, and the ones who feel more like family then friends. Now, not only are friends like that super special, but when you have friends like that as adults, then it makes that circle of love larger as not only are they are a part of your life, but so is there family! The spouse, the kiddos, down to the smallest of pets in the house (even down to the slimiest snails!).

Joshua and I are so blessed to have friends just like that perfect ideal. Thank God for our "family friends" that make life more interesting and much more fun. Just in case there is any misconception as to what this type of friendship looks like, then here would be just a sampling from an email of such a friend (who has often been mistaken as my sister, and it is the best case of mistaken identity I could ever imagine) following an afternoon playdate and watching her 4 year old son holding our little Laney Belle.

Well don't tell Jovey but there is a new contender for Parker's heart. ALL I heard, and talked about for the past 3 hours was "Laney is so cute mom." "I just love Laney mom" "Mom, do you think laney likes me like I love her?" "Mom, I loved holding Laney." "Do you think Lela will let me hold Laney again if we go on a tuesday?"

Yup, he's smitten... he prayed for her (but forgot about me, his own mother!) and before he fell asleep I told him to have sweet dreams about fishing and rollercoasters and he goes, "and laney too mom!"

God is great and it is no accident when people come together to share their big things in common, they find that it is in the small things that you see just how wonderful life can be with people beside you to help encourage, support and sometimes, even laugh at you, so that you can stay real and experience life to its fullest!

Deep Thoughts by Jovey McFarland

"Mommy, Brionna can hold her OWN bottle all by herself! Yep, she can!"

-Jovey McFarland describing a 9 month old baby at church who is in nursery with her, while I was having to hold Laney's bottle and couldn't do something for Jovey right at that moment!

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Upside Down

Where can you begin to write after entering a new phase of life? There are never the right words to truly express all you feel, all you question, or all you praise God for as you look at where you have been and where you now sit. Joshua and I are now proud parents of not one, but two, beautiful, young, ladies. Laney Belle joined her big sis, Jovey, and us on June 5, 2007. She was a bit early at not quite 38 weeks, but a healthy 7 pounds, 7 ounces and 20 inches long!

Since bringing her home just two short days later, our lives have been turned upside down. Not with the worries that I had before of loving both girls in their unique ways or worrying about humidity or anything I may have previously ventured to conjure up in my worrisome mind, but instead, our lives have been forever changed with visions of Jovey loving on Laney with great joy, all the while saying cute phrases like, "I love her! She loves me!" or "Oh, she's sooooo cuuuuttteee!" Our lives have been turned upside down as I watch my husband who just a short 2 1/2 years ago, was trying to figure out how to put a onesie on a newborn and change her diaper and now, who does it with almost the same speed and ease I have learned! Our lives have been turned upside down as we experience the quiet and peace that comes with watching Laney, who, very different from Jovey as an infant, sleeps all of the time, making cute little sounds and smiling those cute, gassy grins (although I still think God talks with her and makes her smile, no matter what the medical books say!)

In short, we are just filled with joy and awe that God chose us once again to raise yet another one of his precious creations. We aren't anything special, and in fact, mess up tons with the blessings he gives us every day, but as we vowed from the beginning, Joshua and I will forever try to follow His will for our lives, including with the most meaningful and worthwhile task we'll ever do as a couple, to raise a child of His with love and instructions from His word.

Thank you, God, for taking the doubts and the fears away. Life is good and You are so great to allow us to be a part of seeing life through the wide and wonderful eyes of our beautiful children!

And thus it begins!

Jovey got to hang out with the big kids a bit last night, as I was tired from some preliminary, extra treatments that I need before going into labor (in just 2 weeks at the longest now!) and Joshua was putting on his big summer kick-off with bouncy slides, wiffle ball, pizza, popsicles and all sorts of summer fun! Jovey got to go down the slide before anyone else got here, perks of being the pastor's kiddo, but also got time to go down while the teams of kids who were racing times were transitioning. They all love her and think she's their mascot, so it all worked! Of course, she got all the attention from 20 teens and loved each second as she climbed up one side like a big girl and slid down in records speed on the other, accompanied by cheers, yells and claps from them all. She easily gave up after a while, as she was hot, sweaty and tired, and Joshua walked her over to our porch, where I was watching. We went upstairs and had a good shower down and got ready for bed. After I got her gown on, she decided that she wanted to go back outside. I asked her why, to which she replied, "I wanna go and kiss all the big boys!" Now, there were just as many girls in attendance as there were boys, but for some reason, the girls didn't make quite the impression, I guess. It's already started and boy oh boy, Joshua makes sure to remind her more and more every day that he is her only boyfriend until she turns 30! :-)

"Daddy's Home!"

One day, after Jovey had woken up from a great nap (something that doesn't always describe her nap times), I was combing her hair and getting her ready for a little snack. The tree trimmers were cutting on the tree outside our house with a very loud chainsaw. Jovey looks at me, wide-eyed, as usual, and said, "Mommy, shhhh, Daddy's home!" Now I knew Daddy was still at work and wouldn't be home for quite a while. So I inquired, "What do you mean? He's not home yet!" She replied adamently, "Yes, he's home. I can hear him blowing his nose!" referring to the loud chainsaw roaring outside the bedroom window! Now, unless you have heard Joshua blow his nose, this won't be half as comical, but let's just say that the muffled sound of a chainsaw may be the perfect way to describe the sound that his "deviated septim" makes with every nose blow! Gotta love Jovey's big imagination!

One Day at a Time

So the days grow closer and my belly grows bigger, if that's even possible, as we await the arrival of our new little girl into this world! So many questions flood me at this particular stage: can I get all the stuff organized and ready in time? Will Jovey be able to even halfway grasp that this baby is a part of mommy and daddy, but also a part of her as her sibling? Can I take care of cuddling both of my "babies" in their own, unique ways they need to be cuddled? Will I make it in and out of the van with little mishaps the first time I try it on my own? Will this little girl have mounds of hair like Jovey, or be as bald as a cue ball? Will I be a good mommy to 2 little girls? Will Joshua go crazy with all of our crazy girl ways, even after just the first week of living with us and all of our drama? Will getting out be a ton easier in this weather, or will I worry about UV rays, mosquitoes and high humidity, where last time I worried about RSV, germs and freezing temps?

With all of this, I am compelled to go to the only place I know that these answers, although not immediately, can be answered with full assurance; a place where no matter how many tears I may shed because Jovey needs me to take her potty right in the middle of a nasty newborn diaper change or how badly I want to just lay down with a whimpering jovey during nap time, a screaming newborn needs my loving touch, there is always a feeling of peace; a place where confidence isn't found in how prim and proper my kids look or how pretty my make-up is applied, but how much love is pouring out from the depths of all of our souls through our eyes and our smiles.

This is the place I lay all my problems down and helplessly look up to a Heavely Father who doesn't promise that life will be easy or even fun all of the time, but who promises peace, love and strength when my body, mind and heart are all weak. He says he will never give us more than He knows we can handle (although, I have questioned that many times, finding the answer that I am stronger than I had ever thought possible). Heading into this new stage of raising not one, but 2 young kiddos scares me to death, but I have faith that in my darkest hours, God is there to take over and pick up where I may be lacking, giving me a moment of complete quiet, or a phone call that offers kind words or helping hands. I don't believe in coincidences, as everything in life happens for a purpose, even if it isn't known until years to come.

Thank you, God, for taking care of me and helping me to stay grounded when my mind gets too cluttered with all of the stuff of this world. You created me and know that I am a worrier by nature, but you have placed a lovnig husband in my life to help remind me that worrying doesn't bring about peace, but only through you, do I find the strength and wisdom I need to deal with all the clutter, ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Grass is still grass, no matter who's yard it is in!

It is so funny that you always want what you can't have! I always wanted straight hair, but instead was given wavy hair. I wanted to be naturally skinny, and instead, I'm naturally . . . "not-so-skinny." I wanted a dog growing up, and instead, had hermit crabs! None of the things I had were at anyway bad, but it so funny how what we think we want isn't always what we need!

I never thought I would have huge desires about my children except that I wanted them to be happy and healthy. Then, when Jovey began chattering, which quickly turned into words, which even more quickly turned into sentences, I found myself wanting a quiet child. When those sentences turned into her ways of acting out, I found myself wanting a more compliant child. Then, I talk to friends that have quiet children who wish they had chattier children or children that had a stronger will (although I don't know if that's something to ever wish for! ha ha!)

In the end, I have found that God gives us each what we need, from each of the millions of hairs on our head to the things that make our children so very wonderful, beautiful and unique. It's only human to think the grass is greener in someone else's yard, but we forget all the flowers and old tree stumps and holes that make our yards our own.

I know that there are days when I would love Jovey to follow everything to a tee and just give me a chance to clear my head by playing quietly by herself (yes, even in self play, she talks to herself, her dolls, her books, etc.) but I would never trade the gift that God has given me in her being able to say, "Mommy, I love you so very much!" or when she must know when I'm feeling "less than cute" or just major "preggo" and says "Mommy, you are so cute! I love your eyes!" I am learning to quit "wanting" things and instead, to be more thankful for all the blessings I have been given, even through the constant chattering and challenges that come along with my growing and beautiful 2 year old daughter.

ZZZZZzzzzzzzzz

As a child, nothing seems more horrible as taking time out of your busy play schedule than to take a nap, especially as age 4 or 5 nears. Then, as college draws near, naps become a bit more tangible, and then, there is being pregnant! Nothing is better than to find even 15 minutes to lay down and just rest, just to feel like you can carry on the rest of the day.

Today, Jovey was having a hard time getting settled for her nap time (she's never been a great napper), so I laid beside her and we both fell asleep finally for a little over an hour. Oh, I could have slept so much longer, but her internal alarm rang out loud and clear, "time to go out and play!" So, even though it was one of those naps where you almost feel worse after the extra zzzzz's, I know that Baby Mac and my body were both super thankful for the extra rest!

Chatty Cathy

Jovey and I went up to a local, outdoor ice cream joint (first mistake for a pregnant lady!). As Jovey and I sat there enjoying the weather and of course, the people watching, a nice lady with a sundae sat down at the picnic table next to us. Jovey, without warning, went over, climbed up on the bench, and being the great conversationalist that she can be, began something that sounded like this:

Jovey: "Hello! Do you like my pretty fingernails? And my toenails? My daddy painted them! Do you like my summer shoes! They have princesses on them!"
Lady: "Oh, yes, they are all so pretty. My granddaughter likes nail polish too."
Jovey: "OOOOhhhhhh, she does? That's nice!"

I finally coaxed Jovey over to our table as to leave the nice lady alone. I explained she had never met a stranger, which the lady smiled and just said was a great trait to have, under parental constraint, of course! I'm just glad she was amused and not annoyed by my little chatter box! When I prayed that Jovey would have the outgoing personality of her daddy, never did I imagine it would play out so soon, or so humorously!

Thank you, God, for a little girl who loves people. Please, allow her to be used to make a positive difference in people's lives around her, even now in her young life!

More chatter from my little chatter box!

Some of Jovey's newest things to say:

"I have to (fill in the blank with whatever at the moment, i.e. go outside)! I really, really do!" eyes dancing and opened super big and all the while shaking her hands in rhythm with each word for emphasis, I guess!

"Good thinking, Mommy!" (Thanks, Diego!)

"What did you say here, Mommy?" (Usually in response to the book we read that she is trying hard to memorize so she can read it herself!)

"ooohhhh, can I have a tweat (treat)?" Basically, any hour of the day for any reason under the sun. 90% of the time, the answer is no, but you would think she gets rewarded for breathing!

"Actually, . . . " Used perfectly in context, and drives her daddy nuts! He swears I taught her to say it, but she picks this stuff up without prompting from me!

"I want to do that agaaaiiinnn!" She has a major Kentucky accent. I'm guessing it's environmental, from her daddy of course! ;-)

"I waked up, Mommy! Come and get me!" Just wants to make sure I am aware!

"That's not for me, that's for my Baby sister!" Basically, anything she doesn't want to wear, eat, or do, it is then immediately thrown off as a treat for her baby sister! How thoughtful! ;-)

I could go on for days, but I'll spare you for now! Until next time, always pay attention to what people say! Whether they are 2 years old or 100 years young, I bet that what the say is not only entertaining , but also allows a little glimpse into who that person truly is. Jovey seems to be a sweet, little nut so far, and we love her that way!

Sharing with Stormy

Jovey has a way of expressing her feelings, even as an almost 2 1/2 year old little girl! I have mentioned before how very verbal and expressive she is not only with her mouth, but with her eyes and her whole body. It only continues to get even more amusing.

As she sits and eats her snack even now, our dog, Stormy, is sitting patiently waiting for a goldfish to drop on the floor as to give her a fun and unusual treat! Jovey keeps looking at me saying, "Mommy, Stormy is bothering me. Can you make her move?" Now Stormy is laying well behind her at this point, but Jovey is so protective of her snack, any close proximity is too close for her. I explain that Stormy is just wanting to share with her and she has to say, "not right now, Stormy!"

So, in big girl style, she is asking me to mediate, just like I am sure I will hear a lot once her little sis arrives and is starting to grab at things Jovey may be unsure of sharing. We really encourage sharing around our home and outside with other friends as well, but we pray that it will really sink in as we continue to teach Jovey that nothing belongs to us, but rather, first, belongs to God, and second, to ALL of us, so that maybe we can share a bit more cheerfully. . . or at least be "bothered" a little bit less! Just FYI, Stormy got a couple of treats after all, and Jovey was ok with that, since they were on the floor anyway!

Daddy - Pedicurist

So, I have a wonderful husband who is very willing to do almost anything, at least once, to please the women in his life (he is a daddy to one, soon to be 2 beautiful, little girls)! As I was preparing to co-host a house warming/retirement party for my parents with my older sis, Sara, I was bemoaning the fact that I hate wearing flip flops without some toenail polish perking up my dull, wintery feet! I flashed Joshua my best "little girl grin" and he grabbed some newspaper, so he wouldn't ruin his khakis, told me to sit down, propped my foot up in his lap and proceeded to use a fun hot pink color my mom had at her house to paint my toenails. He even did a great job for a first timer! What a guy!

My daughter was unaware of all of this, as she was peacefully taking a nap in the other room before all of the festivities were to begin. After she got up, she came out to see what might be happening and immediately spied my brightly painted toenails, to which she shouted in her cute, little voice, "I want paint on my toenails too. . . like mommy's toenails!" And with that same "little girl grin" that had persuaded Joshua to take up his new profession as my personal pedicurist (at least until I can bend over and touch my feet again), Jovey wrapped up Joshua's heart as she wrapped her hand around his finger. He smiled and took her into the other room where she too got to experience her first "daddy pedicure!"

Now, everywhere she goes, she has to tell everyone the same thing, "My daddy painted my toenails! Do you like my them?" Then, she proceeds to show them off through her sandals, or the best, sit down to strip off her shoes and socks to let you peak at her prized possessions!

Thank you God for a man that tries to please the women in his life, right down to their cute, little toenails!

"Not right now, Mommy"

Mommy: "Jovey, would you please bring mommy a tissue?"
Jovey: "I can't. I'm still poopin' behind here, mommy!"
Mommy: "Oh, by all means, please finish!"

Don't wanna stop a work in process. Now, if we can just be so honest as to get to the potty! :-)

Not feelin' it now, Dad!

Conversation over breakfast this morning:

Daddy: "Jovey, would you like to taste some of daddy's cereal? It's called Cap'n Crunch and is good and sweet!" You'll like it!"
Jovey: "No thank you. I don't want to try it, Daddy! I just want my cheerios!"
Daddy: "OK, no biggie! Just thought you might like it!"

5 minutes later after other random conversation

Jovey: with great enthusiasm "I'm gonna try your cereal, Daddy!"
(He had left it on the table in front of her booster.)
Daddy: smirking at mommy "OK, you do that!"
Jovey: "Ooohhh, that's good! May I have some more!? Please?"

And thus begins our life with Jovey and doing things on her own time and in her own way!

Princess Dresses All Around!

There are many times in a mom's life that her heart just swells; full of pride, full of love and full of joy at the beauty, the sweetness and the characteristics that make up their small child! I had a couple such occasions over the weekend, but one in particular sticks out to me.

Joshua and I were busy running around for a youth Disciple-Now event, so my parents lovingly came up to watch Jovey for us, so that she could stay close to routine and I could be free to help my hubby out in an aspect of our ministry together. As usual, Nana and Granddad took Jovey out to get a happy meal at McDonald's and to let her play. The next stop, or course, would need to be a place to look at dresses for our little princess (whenever we see a dress, Jovey calls it a princess dress and would wear one everyday if I allowed her to!). Nana, found 3 to let her choose from and she chose the "pretty purple princess dress and pretty blue princess dress." Nana and Granddad were looking to leave the children's clothing area at Kohl's, when Jovey said, "Wait, Nana! We gotta get a pretty princess dress for my little sister!" As I have said before in previous posts, we are expecting our 2nd little girl in June, so not wanting her to be left out, Jovey quickly reminded them that she needed to have a new princess dress as well. Nana and Granddad looked at each other with surprise at the thoughtfulness of their not even 2 1/2 year old granddaughter and went back to pick out a pretty, yellow princess dress for her little sister!

There are many times I worry about having mulitiple children. How can I be a good mommy to more than one child? Won't Jovey feel left out when I have to share time with our new, helpless, little one? Will Jovey accept her? Will she stay sweet and kind, or be jealous and mean? God tells me again and again that things will all work out, and even in moments that I'm not there, He's preparing her to be a great big sister!

"It's OK, Addison!"

This is an excerpt from one of our youth blogs. It's fun to see that other people get a kick out of how caring and sweet Jovey can be!

The other day my friend Kaylee and I were watching the kiddos while my parents and thier friends were having a bible study. My little brother Addison (2) started getting cranky and he wanted his mamma. So when he started to scream this is what his best friend Jovey (also 2) said:

Addison: Mommy!!!Mommy!!!

Jovey: Its ok Addison I'm here!

Then she gave him a hug. I just thought it was so cute of what little kids can say to each other!