"October 31st, 2009"

Today, was a very different October 31st than we have ever experienced before.  Most of you dressed your children up in costumes, and took them around the neighborhood or to churches to "trick or treat".  However, today we mourned the death and celebrated the eternal life of Jay's grandfather, "Samuel Martin Morris".  We buried him today in Georgetown, SC, after he spent the last several weeks fighting for his life.  "Poppy" passed from the land of the ever-dying to the land of the ever-living on Oct. 29.  He is now resting peacefully in the arms of our Savior.  As Scripture says, "we do not grieve as those who have no hope" (1 Thess. 4:13).  We know where Poppy is and we rejoice that he is finally home and is not suffering anymore.  Please however, continue to pray for Jay's mother and her siblings, and Poppy's wife, Granny - as they continue to grieve the loss of their husband and father.  

November 1...

Jay and I left their home this morning early and traveled about 4 1/2 hours back home, quickly showered/got dressed, so that we could attend another funeral this afternoon that Jay was also officiating.  If you recall one of my earliest posts (actually, it's my 5th post from last October), about an elderly man who we became quite close to over the past few years, John Knox, he also just passed away this week and his funeral was today.  He and Jay especially were very close, so you can only imagine how difficult this week has been for Jay - helping to officiate in his own grandfather's funeral, and now another close friend.  We rejoice, as we do with Poppy, that Mr. Knox has been ushered to his heavenly mansion and is no longer suffering in this world. 

After Poppy's funeral yesterday, the family gathered once again at Granny's house for food and fellowship.  I was amazed at the strength that Granny showed. She was so beautiful and poised, and showed so much grace the entire weekend.  She was a witness to everyone who saw her. The LORD was truly her rock. We decided to let the great-grandchildren (Elijah Brooks, Makenzie, and Parker (Jay's sister's children), dress up in their costumes after dinner. It had been such a difficult day for everyone that it brought so many smiles to the family to see the kids in their costumes.  Elijah Brooks was a fireman! We didn't get very good pictures of him, but managed a few.  He was too busy squirming around in my arms as usual!   He didn't get to go to the Reformation Party at our home church tonight because we brought him home with a runny nose, and the time change messed his bedtime up alittle bit.  So, I was glad that we at least got a few pictures of him in his costume last night.  

Attending 2 funerals in 24 hours really made me stop and think about my life.  I pray that the LORD would help me to meditate and dwell on Heaven more.  This life is not all there is and this world is not my home.  I know as Christians, we throw that around alot - but if you really stop to think about it, that is very powerful.  We are only here for a little while.  I can only pray that the words that will be read at my funeral one day about how I lived my life, how I treated others, and how committed I was to the Word of God, will be even a fraction of what I heard about these 2 Godly men, who now sit at the feet of their Savior, praising Him forever and ever. 

"Who needs toys".....

When you have a kitchen!  This destruction happened in just a matter of minutes, while I was putting the finishing touches on a chicken lasagna for dinner tonight.  Why don't I have locks on all of the cabinets you may ask?  Well, I think Elijah Brooks needs a few cabinets that are "child friendly" and that he can rummage through without always hearing, "no touch".  Of course the dangerous stuff is locked up, but he has a blast in "his cabinets"!  

"Banned at 11 months??"

I think we may been banned from the beloved horse farm that we like to visit regularly after today's visit.  It was about 6:00 and I needed to kill 30 minutes or so with Elijah Brooks, so I loaded him up in the car and took him to see the horses. It was a beautiful fall evening and I thought what better way to close the day than to let him be outside and see these beautiful and stately animals.  The horses' owners always stop by after work each day and let them out of their stables to gallop around or to ride them.  When I pulled up to the barn, there were only 3 in their stables and about 10 out in the pasture with their owners.  Some of horses were being ridden, others were frolicking in the grass, and others were just grazing by the fence.  As soon as I took Elijah Brooks out of his carseat, he immediately started kicking his legs and squealing with utter delight at the sight of the horses!  If he could walk, I know he would have already been behind the fence in the pasture.  The owners know that we stop by from time to time, and they never mind that we come to visit.  All was going fine for about 10 minutes.  We were petting their noses and their manes and feeding them carrots.  For those of you who have not been graced by my son's ear-piercing and deafening squeal of excitement, I assure you, you are truly missing something you may have never experienced before!  His "trademark" is an eardrum bursting, glass shattering squeal that I swear is louder and more high pitched than a dog whistle.  There are truly no words to describe how loud and shrill his squeal is.  It is not a sad or mad squeal..., he only does it when he gets really excited.  Can I please get a witness here family to back me up???    Anyway, it was such a peaceful scene watching these glorious creatures in the pasture until......, the squeal.   Elijah Brooks let out the loudest squeal that I have ever heard and one of the horses near the fence echoed it and bucked!  He bucked so high I thought he was going to come over the fence and attack us!  He immediately starting running the other way and several other horses followed suit.  I was so thankful that the horse in the other corral did not buck because a little girl about 10 years old was riding that horse...., with her mother looking on.   That could have been a very bad scene.   I received MANY looks of displeasure from the owners after that episode.  I just ducked my head and quietly headed back to my car...., with a child now crying because he didn't want to leave the horses.  

I think we have officially worn out our welcome.   SIGH. 

"More steps...."

And today he took 3. He is definitely getting more brave and confident. You can see it in his eyes. 

(I have to note this for the baby book of his 1st year. I know most of you reading this don't really need to know, or probably even care, about every detail of my child's life)!!  

"First Step"!

Today, Elijah Brooks took his very first step alone!  Granted, it was only 1 step and then he collapsed right into my arms...., but it was his very first step!  Huge milestone!  I had 3 thoughts go through my head all at once: 

1. Elation and excitement over this big accomplishment 

2. Sadness over the fact that my baby is growing up 

3. Maybe this is the start of the road to recovery for my poor wrists :) 

Way to go Elijah Brooks! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you. 

"Happy 11 months Elijah Brooks"!

Yes, 4 weeks from today, Elijah Brooks will be turning 1 years old!  He is pretty much doing much of the same things that he was doing last month, but his vocabulary continues to develop at a very fast rate.  He is saying far more actual words than I thought he could at this age. He repeats nearly everything that I say now and is able to point to things that he wants.  It really is getting so much easier to communicate with him and to understand what he wants/needs.  He has managed to go 11 months and only get sick 1 time!  I am praying that his healthy streak will continue.  He is sleeping consistently 12-13 hours a night now and takes 2 well established naps during the day at the same time every day.  A few times recently, he has exhibited mild "stranger anxiety".  I didn't think it would ever come, but 3 times in the last week someone has reached for him and he has grabbed hold of me and turned his head.  I was actually really surprised, but I know this is normal for his age.  I don't have his exact measurements this month, but I do know that he has just gone through a huge growth spurt and is wearing 18-24 month clothes!  My hands are really having a very hard time holding him right now because he is getting so heavy and my wrists are not healthy.  He is "cruising" along the furniture now and has even stood alone for several seconds, so I am thinking that he might just take off and try to walk by his 1st birthday.  As much as I don't want him to grow up, my hands would welcome the break!  He loves to have his 8 teeth brushed! He laughs every time I brush them. He is eating pretty much everything that we eat now and loving every minute of it. He doesn't seem to be a picky eater for which I am very thankful for.  Oh yes, he is 11 months old and wearing a size 6 shoe!! He is not taking a bottle anymore, just his sippy cup.  He hasn't quite mastered the art of holding it himself and tipping it backward to drink. I have been trying to work with him and teach him how to hold it himself, but he gets very frustrated.  So, we'll keep working.  I think he can do it..., he just doesn't know that he can.  He does not like being strapped in his carseat at all. I can't wait until next month when he can turn around. He continues to love the piano, being outside, and being around other people.  Still plays extremely well by himself and is very creative. I can tell that he is going to be a "deep thinker" and quite analytical. It seems like he is always trying to figure out how and why things operate the way that they do. He will get a very serious look on his face, furrow his little brow, and try to figure something out. 

He continues to be such a happy and joyful child and we have had a wonderful month together. 

Next month...., 1st birthday!!! 

"My little......

Skeleton!  I went to check on him during his nap today and there he was, lying on his back...., glowing in the dark.  Pretty cute stuff! 

"Happy Fall"....

Today, we took Elijah Brooks to his 1st pumpkin patch.  It could not have been a more beautiful fall day here in the Carolina's.  The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, the air crisp, and not a cloud in the sky.  Elijah Brooks enjoyed the pumpkin patch very much and was sad to leave. He loved patting the pumpkins, sitting on hay bales, eating pumpkin ice cream (just a small taste), and making alot of total strangers smile..., including an elderly man who said, "I told my wife I wanted to take your son home with me"!   Do you think that was a threat?  

Anyway, enjoy the pictures! 

"Is it just me...."

Or does it look like he knows what he is doing?