On the eve of Cam's 3rd birthday...

Tomorrow my son turns 3. It is a day that 6 years ago I was told would never happen. I was told I was infertile, that we would need expensive treatments to *hope* we would have a baby, that I was broken (my words not the doctor's). I cried so much I got sick in my front yard. I prayed. I got ANGRY. I prayed some more. I became depressed. I prayed more. I had a hard time going to friends' baby showers, not because I wasn't happy for them but because I was despairing. I continued to pray. 

That process continued from November of 2007 until January of 2010. What changed? Well, I got the flu in January and lost 10 pounds - YUCK! Then I decided I needed to keep working towards losing the weight. Low and behold, shedding some weight and getting my head in a good place seemed to do the trick. We were having our miracle. Throughout the pregnancy I knew our chances that this would be our only baby were pretty high. So I cherished everything. Down to singing the Doxology when I saw the positive pregnancy test! (Yes, really.)

On November 8th, I was induced. Believing thoroughly that it would be that day that Cam was born, my students made a calendar at school saying that was his birthday. Alas, even then Cam was strong-willed. He came at 2:50 pm on the 9th. :) Oh my sweet boy, you can never understand just how much that moment touched my soul. 

So tonight, 3 years later, as we were hanging out before his bedtime, when he brought me books, I read them, even the kid cookbook made by my Granny, where we chose things to make together (hot wassail and fudge)! The second book, also made by Granny who turned 100 this week, was the manger story. Then my husband reread it, as any parent of a preschooler knows is absolutely necessary. My hubby and I then broke out into "Away in a manger". Cam insisted that we stop singing since this book didn't have a button (meaning the VeggieTales book of the same name). We didn't so he joined in. It was one of my most favorite moments of his little life. We continued singing other hymns that are our favorites, though we did stick to Christmas ones (yes I know it's early and Advent comes first!). When we got to "O little town of Bethlehem", Cam wanted so bad to join us but didn't know the words so he chimed in with E-I-E-I-O. This is how we celebrated with our miracle. Tomorrow there will be cake and presents. Today there was an informal worship. 

The Apple Orchard and life lessons

Last week we were in Massachusetts for my sister's wedding so we decided to take the kids to an orchard. Living in a region where they just aren't found, we thought it would be fun, different and educational. 

We, upon my sister's recommendation, headed out to Honey Pot Hill Orchard. If you are up near Boston, you should TOTALLY check them out. My son loved picking the apples and the Spencer apples were the BEST apples I have ever eaten. Cam even found a long stick to "get the apples out of the sky"! After the apple picking, we had fun at the petting zoo area. He got to feed goats and pigs. But his favorite was talking to the chickens. Even better for us was when he saw an egg in the coop and explained where it came from and what it might contain (baby chicken or food). 

Because of the way all the orchards up there price the picking, we had to pick well more than we could possibly eat before heading home. Likewise, taking them home isn't an option because of some law about transporting them across state lines. As a result, we decided to donate them to a food pantry. We called around until we found one that was open and that would take our apples. We had to have them to Saint Brigit's Catholic Church of Framingham by 9:30 the next morning. So Friday morning, after our breakfast of apples, apple cider donuts and fresh apple cider, we talked to Cam (and Bailey) about feeding the needy. We read Matthew 25:31-45 as a family. Cam informed us that they sing about it at school. :D And then we bundled up and headed out. We all went to the church, got out and handed the volunteer our bag of apples. He was appreciative and Cam was excited by the whole process.

From this point forward, we will strive to do something for others with the kids as often as possible. I want my kids to have a servant's heart and to help others as they are able. My fervent prayer is that they grow to love missions as I have but that as they become adults thy do a better job of fitting it in their lives than I have.