How a 5 Year Old Can Impress You

So, Julia turned 5 yesterday. I can remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. I remember Kelly waking me up in a rush early that morning ... then waiting for her to take a shower, do her hair, put on her makeup (God, I love my wife!!!). I remember seeing Julia's head crown and watching the delivering doctor give her a mohawk in between pushes. I remember hearing that first cry and wanting to shout, out loud, how excited I was and how good God is for this little miracle.

Flash forward 5 years.

God is still good.

Julia is still a miracle to me.

So Julia's 5th birthday was a day with many unexpected things, and I was going to chronicle the craziness of a full house in this posting, but as the day finally wound down, I unpacked the day in my head. Instead of capturing a crazy, spontaneous, at times hectic day, I decided to capture how a 5 year old miracle can impress you (blow your socks off, even).

First, on a day of expecting great presents and activities for herself, in this case a round of black light miniature golf, and then getting disappointed because the place was closed when we got there - Julia impressed me because she did not throw a fit, or cry, or whine, or complain. She was content that she was with her family travelling around town in the mini van. Impressive.

Second, we spontaneously gave Jules the option to get her ears pierced (this is something she has been wanting and patiently awaited for the day for us to let her do it). We explained to her the quick implications of pain and the long implications of care and maintenance, and she readily and happily accepted the proposal. She took the pain like a champ (no tears, no whining, just a little shocked), and now our pretty little princess has earrings!!!

- Impressive.

Third, on a day that was supposed to be 'her' day, Jake slammed his fingers in the door ... again ... but this time it was pretty bad. On 'her' day, as Mommy and Daddy are frantically cooking in the kitchen and entertaining a 4 month old, Julia comes downstairs with a piece of paper and asks me,

"Can you help me write a prayer for Jake so his fingers can feel better?"

My heart melts. I start wondering if there is something magical and mystical about a child turning 5 and them finally getting it. Probably not, but it is rewarding as a parent to see those kinds of fruits and to realize that IT IS SINKING IN! I shake myself out of awe and amazement and help her spell out the bigger words

Most Impressive.

So, I am beaming as a parent the day-after. I'm sure I'll be yelling at her again tonight to get her chores done, but I am revelling in this moment for as long as I can.

And God is still good.

Here's a collage of pics from yesterday:



And here's Julia, our miracle (one of many) from God, telling everyone goodnight.



Until next time ... the Crazy Carlson life goes on and on ....

Annual Enrollment Madness

So those of you who know me and where I work at and what I do know what Annual Enrollment is. I would love to explain, but I am so tired of it that it might make me puke in mouth (again). I'll just put it this way:

This post is on 10/14 (1 hour before Julia's 5th b-day) .... my last post was on 9/12. That is AE in a nutshell

This post is at approximately 11:00 pm. I wish I could tell you that I was up doing something productive for my family or the house or something cool like that. But that would be a lie ... it was just good ole AE.

So here's what we missed in the last month or so (in random order):

- house got painted (and new flooring all over is on the way)
- Kelly's b-day (Man, I love my wife)
- The kids at the Fort Bend County Fair
- More talk of me losing weight (I weighed in at 193.5 today - that's 55.5 lbs down)
- Sarah, my sister, is starting to actually look pregnant!
- Me in a Human Traficking Awareness soccer tournament
- Jansen doing cute baby stuff
- Homeschool is in full swing
- Kelly's 13 year old dog, a dear friend, leaving us :(
- the 1o Pepper Rub - oh momma!
- Jansen getting dedicated at church
- and so much more ...

Some of the above might actually get a post in the days to come (since I've got some cute pics). But for now ... I have recalced and must go to sleep

until next time ...