Doors & Airplanes

I know this may be a bit crazy, but I am frantically packing so we can get out of town and I wanted to blog about Tennyson's newest accomplishments while it's still fresh in my mind. Because I know after a day in Hershey, PA and then a week in New Jersey there will be so much to catch up on already when we get back.

When Tennyson was a little baby, Tom and I used to talk about what he would be like as he grew. What his voice would sound like. What he would look like. What he would take an interest in, etc. We talked about how cute it would be if Tennyson loved trains because Tom's nephew, David, is a train fanatic. Well, our sweet little boy seems to have taken a liking to another form of transportation......airplanes! When he sees one he gets VERY excited, waving his little finger in the air, and making a funny sort-of engine noise! It's just too much!


The other new thing Tennyson can do, is he learned how to open doors yesterday. He's been trying for a while, but now that he's 33 inches long (yes, you read that right), he's finally got the height he needed to turn the knob and pull at the same time. I can assure you that I will be putting the doorknob protectors on as soon as we get home.

And while I am giving out his stats we took him to the doctor on Monday, as he was way overdue for his 15-month appointment. Tennyson now weighs 25 lbs. 4 oz. So basically, he's tall and skinny! The doctor said his verbal and motor skills are comparable to a 23-month old, so of course his mommy and daddy were proud to hear that! He just seems to be growing up so fast. I wish some days I could stop time and keep him this way forever. But I know there are more wonderful and exciting moments to be had with him in our lives.

Christmas Devotional - Day 5

Silent Night

Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace. A time for the world to stop and reflect on the gift that was given the world that first Christmas morning. No other song quite reflects that mood like Silent Night. It is a simple, elegant song. One whose melody soothes the soul. One who structure steps back from the soaring melodies and complex lyrics of so many other carols. It is not a roaring fire of praise. It is a simple candle of worship. It does not beckon us to come, or go, but to rest.
There is the great narrative of Christmas. Visiting angels, miraculous conceptions, long journeys, crowded inns, stables, shepherds, more angels, wise me, flights to Egypt. . .a dizzying, exhausting narrative. In the midst of all that chaos Josef Mohr has found a moment of peace and has taken a snapshot. The angels have made their announcement, but the shepherds have not yet come. In that stable is just the family. Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus. God the father in the light of that wondrous star. It is pure serenity. Almost any parent knows that time. Those first, precious moments together as a family between the pain of birth and the flood of visitors. That is the moment Mohr has captured. It is a moment of pure love, and one very close to the heart of God.
Psalm 46 urges “Be still and Know that I am God.” I don't know how well Mary and Joseph knew their psalms, or if that came to mind as they gazed with love into the face of their child. But for those few moments they were still and did know he was God. They looked at their Son, God's son the way any loving parents would look at a beloved child, with. Pure unfiltered love. The same way God the father looks at us.
It is hard to hear a still small voice when one is moving and caught up in the chaos of a holiday season. We are never still and the swirling chaos around us seems anything but small. Perhaps that is why Silent Night is so special. Why it was sung by both sides during the Christmas truce of WWI. Why it is usually the last song sung as we leave our services of Christmas eve. Why lights are dimmed and candles are lit. Why it is best sung at night either a Capella or with a single guitar. Much like the Christmas message itself, Silent Night does not fit our busy, worship band, overly lit light holiday world. It is too simple, too profound. That is why it is so needed. Like the peaceful beauty of that contented mother and her child alseep in the manger, it begs us look. Be still. Know He is God. This is Christmas; Christ the savior is born. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.

~Tom Bates

Christmas Devotional - Day 4

My husband was floored to learn that this devotional was read at our church's staff meeting earlier this week. His response, "But there were pastors there!" Aside from being a gifted teacher, Tom is also a gifted leader. He was humbled to know that some of the people that lead him were being blessed by something he composed.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Few songs come with a better pedigree than Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Words by Charles Wesley with music by Felix Mendelssohn taken from a cantata he wrote celebrating the 400th anniversary of the creation of Gutenberg's printing press. With a bloodline like that it is no wonder that “Hark” may be the most theologically rich of the Christmas carols. Not to mention my favorite.
In the great buffet of Christmas songs, Hark the Herald Angels sing is the carving station. This is no theological salad bar; healthy but not satisfying. Nor is it the empty caloried, but tasty, dessert tray. It is thick, meaty, rich, and satisfying. Theological Prime Rib. Protein for the soul.
Wesley starts with with standard images of singing angels (never mind the Bible never actually says they sang. We'll assume they did.) By the end of verse three he's in the Gospel of John talking about being born again (born to give them second birth). By verse four he's in Genesis invoking the earliest mention of the coming messiah with seed of woman bruising the serpents head, restoring not only mankind but all of creation. By verse 5 he's in 1 Corinthians talking about Jesus as the second Adam here to remove the curse by becoming cursed. The messiah come to atone for the fall. Through one sin entered the world and through one the world can be saved.
Newborn King, Offspring of a Virgin's Womb, Prince of Peace, Desire of Nations, Everlasting Lord, Emmanuel, Incarnate Deity, Second Adam, Healer, Giver of life. Wesley's Christ is fleshed out, full, and powerful. Pleased to lay aside his heavenly place to come and redeem a fallen creation. The creator of the universe veiled in mortal flesh.
We all have a favorite description of Jesus that directly reflects the Jesus who means most to us: Friend of Sinners, Healer, Savior, Son of God, Son of Man, the Lamb who is Worthy and so forth. The real Jesus, of course, is all of those things and much, much more. Our brains cannot comprehend all he is, so our words cannot express it. That is why Wesley wished for a thousand tongues. Why Watts was humbled before the wondrous cross and Newton wept at His amazing grace. And that is why we sing. Hoping the music will make up for the inadequacy of our words.
God's love is always there, but certain times of the year, it staggers us. Christmas is one of those times. To think that the Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One, Son of God, Son of Man, Creator of the Universe, Alpha & Omega, Savior of Mankind etc, etc.. . . was all contained in that baby born in a stable in Bethlehem. Born that man no more may die. All because he loved us. That is why Wesley asks. us to join with the Angelic hosts in proclaiming Glory to the New Born King.. O' for a thousand tongues. . . . .

~Tom Bates

O Christmas Tree

I started this post last Sunday and realized I need to get it finished before we leave for Jersey tomorrow. We went to get a tree last Saturday (13th) and Tennyson had more fun running around and "helping" us choose the perfect tree. Here are a few photos to document this memory-making day.

I love the look on Tennyson's face

We caught one!

Mommy, this jingles if you shake it!

Tennyson "helping"
The finished tree - in red & silver ornaments

Christmas Devotional - Day 3

We Three Kings

We Three Kings is a manly Christmas song, for it speaks not of virgins, angels, or shepherds, but of a quest. It is Lord of the Rings with gifts and a star. The story of the 3 kings even has several ingredients of a classic Fantasy novel. It has mysterious wise men who read ancient texts and watched for the coming of the chosen one. Then, when the signs were right they set off on their quest, braving great distance, burning deserts, and an evil king. All the time following the trail of a mysterious star. The stuff of epics for sure. There's even an epic sized battle at the end of the book.
Of course they weren't kings. And we don't even know for sure there were three of them. One legend claims there were twelve. And, despite Christmas pageants everywhere, they were definitely NOT there at the manger. He was probably around 2 years old when the arrived. Ironically enough, this song was written for a Christmas pageant in NYC in 1857. History has assigned them names in the middle ages: Melchoir, King of Arabia, who brought gold; Gaspar, King of Tarsus, whom brought myrrh; and Balthasar, King of Ethiopia, whom brought frankincense. But those are probably fictional.
So what can we learn from these unnumbered, unnamed, vaguely titled men? Much. These foreigners recognized the signs of the birth of the Messiah when the Jewish priests did not. Those whose job it was to watch were caught sleeping. They were so busy trying to be God's servants they forgot about serving God. These wise men weren't quite the rocks and stones crying out, but in some Jewish eyes, they might have been close. Jesus would later warn about the importance of watching and waiting.
Their quest also speaks to the preciousness of the Gospel. Those men journeyed as they did not to conquer, but to be conquered, not to gain earthly treasure, but to give treasure. Theirs was a quest to worship the king of kings. Unknown to them, their worship began not when they found the Christ, but when they first began to watch for his coming. Like any good quest, they were drawn, not pushed on their journey. Drawn to find the child. Drawn like the shepherds before them and the countless numbers after them. Drawn not just by the light of a mysterious star in the Bethlehem sky, but by He who is the light of the world. He who is still leading, still proceeding, still guiding to that perfect light..

~Tom Bates

Christmas Devotional - Day 2

What Child is This?

Written to the tune “Greensleeves," What Child is This is not only one of the most melodically beautiful Christmas Carols, but, if some stories are to be believed, it is also historically rich with violent irony involving a betrayed queen and a crucified savior.
Anne Boleyn was a popular queen and the second wife of Henry VIII. He began his affair with her while still married to his first wife Catherine of Aragon (and after having an affair with Anne's sister Mary). Anne at first spurned Henry's advances. It was during that phase of their relationship he allegedly wrote the lyrics for Greensleeves “alas my love you do me wrong to cast me out discourteously," etc. He would put the words to a popular melody of the time. Henry would create his own church, divorce Catherine, marry Anne, then eventually accuse her of adultery and treason. Anne would be executed for her crimes. (The unfortunate second of six in the the divorced, beheaded, etc.)Brought to trial on lies and trumped up charges, she was betrayed by one who claimed to love her and executed as public spectacle.
It would be to that same lovely 16th century melody that William Dix would use for his words in 1865. Aside from the standard Christmas scenes of shepherds, angels and donkeys Dix also jolts the senses. “Swords, nails shall pierce him through the cross be borne for me and you” Swords? Nails? Crosses? Where's my baby Jesus who doesn't cry? No wonder we rarely see these words in our modern hymnals. It runs against the “peace on earth and good will toward men” sterilized Christmas. Crucifixion, at least in my book, does not fall into the peace and good will category.
But of course it does speak to the heart of the issue and the real reason Jesus was born in the first place. He was born to die. Swords, nails, crosses, the whole deal. The Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world. Brought to trial on lies and trumped up charges. Betrayed by one who claimed to love him. Executed as public spectacle. Only to rise 3 days later. All for us. There is no melody sweeter. Hail Hail the word made flesh the babe the son of Mary.

~Tom Bates

Christmas Devotional - Day 1

*My husband was in charge of leading the faculty and staff's morning devotions last week, and appropriately he chose a different Christmas hymn for each day. If you aren't familiar with the lyrics they can be found at cyberhymnal.org. I couldn't make it through one of them without tearing up. He's such a gifted teacher and I'll think you'll see why....*

O' Little Town of Bethlehem

I grow more convinced that much of our view of the events surrounding Christmas come not from Scripture, but from the hymns. “O' little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie above thy deep and dreamless streets the silent stars go by." Still? Dreamless maybe, but not still. This was census time. The streets were probably full of late arrivals, who, like Mary and Joseph were looking for a place to spend the night. Doors were being knocked on, windows shouted to, people and animals moved through the streets.
The night was anything but peaceful and silent for Mary and Joseph. Childbirth never is. Assuming of course that Jesus, in the words of Harry Chaplin “came into the world in the usual way.” No, there was pain, fear, and ultimately cries limitless joy. There was also all the smells and discomforts that came with spending the night, and giving birth in a stable.
The shepherds, who no doubt were hoping for a quiet night free from predators and wandering sheep, were the ones who had their world really shaken. Angels, lights, and heavenly hosts proclaiming messianic births were definitely not on the evenings agenda, but then miraculous doings rarely are.
I think our images of a tranquil evening in a sleepy little town have more to do with the promise of “peace on earth, Good will to men” than is does with Bethlehem being quiet that night. Even more so it has to do with the peace that comes not from Jesus being born in Bethlehem, but with us being born again in Him. When God imparts to Human hearts the wonders of His heaven. It is the peace of a life in Christ that brings to mind those tranquil feelings and images more so than the reality of a still, quiet Bethlehem.

~Tom Bates

A Little Help Eating My Breakfast

Decorations & A Christmas Parade

This is first year ever that I didn't decorate the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I don't know if I just wasn't a Christmasy mood or if I was just procrastinating because we happen to have one active and curious little boy. So.....I finally got around to it last week. I figured I'd do everything but the tree, see how Tennyson does, and amazingly enough he's been very good. Tom and I just love seeing his little face light up when we turn on the lights. He just gets so excited! So I guess we're off to get a tree tomorrow.

The village my parents bought me some years ago

Isn't Tennyson's little stocking adorable?

Tennyson's playing with the lights

I'm sure he was untangling them for me.

At the Christmas parade last Friday (12.5)

The Blue Ridge Christian School float took 2nd place in the Religious category

A reindeer on a motorcycle

The nice lady who offered to take our picture couldn't work the fancy camera. Oh well, at least we have it for memory's sake.

This is pretty much how Tennyson's face looked the entire time. I just wondered what he thought of it all?
The JMU Color Guard

And so it begins.....again

*A few posts ago I mentioned that there was "talk" of expanding our family, but....well... it was more than talk. After some more thought I decided to blog about our fertility issues for those of you that are willing to pray for us.*

Today marks Day One of our possibly long journey to get pregnant again. We've been trying for months, with no luck. It's been a little disappointing, but no where near what I was feeling when we were trying with Tennyson. The fact, that we have our dear, sweet, little boy makes this second "attempt" so much easier. Who has time to be stressed or depressed while chasing him around?!?!

So here's the monthly routine: I take medroxyprogesterone for 10 days, on day 21 I go to my doctor's office to get blood drawn, if/when I get my period I take clomiphene (clomid) from days 5-9. If I don't get my period by day 32 and the test is negative we have to reevaluate the dosages and begin again the next month. This is what we did before to get pregnant, and let me tell you, it was a loooonnnggg six months.

I realize that probably 90% of my friends have no idea what it's like have trouble getting pregnant, and for that they should be thankful. For those of you that can relate to fertility issues, I hope you find comfort in knowing you have options and you are not alone.

Thanks in advance to anyone who is willing to pray for Tom and I as we begin this challenging journey once again. What a longed for and cherished baby he or she will be.

Sister Time

After a good night's sleep and lounging around Friday morning I headed to the spa with my sisters. There was a little mix-up with Courtney's appt so they gave her a gift certificate for a free massage and they still managed to squeeze her in for an express manicure. It was so nice to relax, talk, and not have to keep up with a little one.

(L-R) Lynley, Dawn, Courtney, and me

Unfortunately, the pampering had to end sometime. I had made reservations at Mrs. Hardesty's Tea Room earlier that morning, so off we went to have lunch and, of course, tea and scones! If you're local and have never been you should go, even if it's just for their afternoon tea. My younger sisters and I grew up having tea parties and talking in British accents whenever possible, so the tea room was the perfect place to continue our "girlie time". Dawn couldn't join us, but we still had fun! I just realized that I should have taken a picture of my food to show you! Oh well. Trust me it was good. And while we were there a batch of fresh chocolate chip scones appeared! Oh...my....word! Those are delicious coupled with clotted cream and a pot of vanilla cream tea.

Here is the Christmas tree in the tea room

Part of the Christmas display at the Hardesty-Higgins House

It's great making memories with my sisters. Someday we'll look back and say, "Hey, remember that Thanksgiving we went to the spa and the tea room?" Who knows, maybe we began a tradition?

Giving Thanks

The past three days have been busy, full of quality time with family members. Thursday morning Tom got Tennyson up and fed so I could sleep in before the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade came on. I must watch that every year......no exceptions! Mid-morning my youngest sister, Courtney, showed up for breakfast with a surprise in tow, my sister Lynley, and her husband, Dan, had come in late the night before from PA. So Dan (and amazing cook) got busy in the kitchen making omelets for everyone. After breakfast they went to buy stuff to make 3 pies and came back to our house to use our kitchen since my parent's oven was full of baking bird. Dan and Lynley whipped up the best pumpkin pie I'd ever eaten and 2 apple pies. Yum-my!

After Tennyson's nap we all headed over to my parent's house for dinner. With such a large family to feed things usually take a lot longer than anticipated. We were shooting for a 4 o'clock eating time, but didn't sit down to eat until around 5:30. There are 22 in my immediate family (parents, siblings, in-laws, nephews, and niece), but there were only 16 there for Thanksgiving dinner. Of course everything was chaotic, but the food was delicious! We even managed to squeeze in a game of Cranium before heading back home to put Tennyson to bed. Here are some photos from the day.

It took 4 tables to hold all of us

My brother-in-law, Mark, working on the turkey

Keeping the kids busy until the food was ready

One of Dan's awesome apple pies

Dan, tired from all the pie-making

My oldest nephew, Nathan, making a face

Tennyson having his first taste of pumpkin pie. He loved it!

Bethany and Tennyson

It always so good to stop and reflect on everything we have to be thankful for. The ones that top my list: Tom, Tennyson, my family, being able to stay home full-time, and living in a free country. I could go on and on. Along with being thankful comes feeling blessed. And I am SO blessed.

Photo Shoot ~ Kaitlyn

My friend, Cheryl, asked me to take Kaitlyn's 6 month photos, and I was honored to do so. She was so good and we had fun! I haven't gone through all 333 pictures, but here are some of my favorites so far! *Be forewarned she's so cute you may want to squish her!*

Since We're Among Friends

Though most of what I post on my blog is light, fun, and photographic I have been feeling like I need to share more about what's going on in my life. What's really going on. And though I know everyone who reads this I don't necessarily know their life circumstances at any given moment. So I hope someone reading this can find comfort in knowing they are not alone if they are in a similar trial.

Our pastors have been talking a lot about favor (and faithfulness) in church and I don't mind telling you that "favorful" is the last thing Tom and I have been feeling. Every year we have experienced a major, and sometimes devasting, challenge. We've been frustrated because we know we are doing things right, but still can't seem to get ahead. We know without a doubt that I am supposed to be home full-time with Tennyson. We don't want anyone else caring for him day in and day out but his Mommy. We know without a doubt that Tom is supposed to be teaching at Blue Ridge. As the only full-time male teacher, we know there are kids that need him to be that Godly role model, especially those children from broken homes.

Thankfully, we are part of an awesome home group and when we shared with them about how life's been going for us, they offered to come pray for us.....and bring reinforcements! I won't share everything that was prayed for us and over us, but it was all GOOD! Tom, especially, has felt that there's something "bigger" out there but doesn't know what that "bigger" thing is. So we are believing there are bigger and better things ahead for us as husband and wife and as a family. We are also believing these lean times are just a season of learning before God brings His bounty. Tom and I do feel blessed in so many ways, but we know that God has something else for us.

Along that path, there has been talk of expanding our family. We know we may face the same challenges (and expenses) trying to conceive. I do have to confess, since we're among friends, that it's really, really hard for me to be excited for people that can make babies without trying. I guess it would come under that ugly word of "jealousy." (Gasp!) For me, and many of my friends, it's was a long and painful road. One friend in particular just found out she may have problems conceiving. I have cried so many tears for her this past week because I know her pain, confusion, and grief all too well. Listening to her was so surreal. It's exactly where I was 2 years ago. I have told Tom that if Tennyson is the only child we were able to have, though not ideal, I could still be content because we were blessed with him. I am just so thankful for our little boy! For me having Tennyson was God's restoration in the most profound sense. And I await....and pray....and hope to have that again. For me and my dear friend.

Storytime

This is how my husband and our little boy like to spend a lot of their quality time together - reading. Appropriately, the book Daddy Loves Me is a favorite. I just can't get enough of those little feet! Tennyson often wiggles his toes with excitement while Tom reads. My heart is so full of love for my "boys" I am afraid it may burst!

PS - This is my 100th post! It only took me 11 months to get here.

One Year Ago

This is how our little guy looked on November 16, 2007. My how quickly they grow. *sigh*

Sunrises

I had forgotten that I took these photos of two gorgeous sunrises. The first one was taken on October 22 and the others on the 27th, all right from my front porch and looking toward Massanutten peak. I always think about how much fun God must have painting the morning sky.

Notice the dark shadow shooting upward from the peak. And don't the towers on top remind you of the 3 crosses? Maybe it's just me, but it gives me goose bumps to look at it.

I love seeing how quickly the sun comes up and how with each photo the sun and clouds have altered. (I took 10 pictures of this sunrise but thought posting them all might be overkill.)