Hi Ho, Hi Ho...

It's back to work I went! After being off for 4 long months I guess it was time. Leaving baby Brody has proven to be one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. While I am, without a doubt, the most blessed person to have my friends caring for him while I am at work, I just can't shake the conviction that it's my job...my calling, and I desperately want to answer it! Anywho...this is a picture of Brody at Kristy's house after he had eaten and napped! He's such a good and happy little guy...I just love him so much! Thank you Kristy for catching his happy moments for me!

Did You Get That From Him Too?

This morning Baylee and I were reflecting on the Hanna Montana concert movie we saw the other night as we dressed for the day. One thing lead to another and I found myself morphing into Hanna...I was dancing like Hanna, singing into the microphone like Hanna, inviting my fans to sing with me...just like Hanna! Did I mention I was dancing like Hanna? Baylee was in it right along with me, correcting my pitiful efforts as though she knew Hanna's moves better than I. After a few minutes into my concert I became somewhat short of breath. My breath breaks in between words became more frequent (and have you ever noticed that the more you breath, the more you need to breath?). Out of love and concern (I'm certain), Baylee asked me why I was breathing so hard and loud. I quickly, as to not take away from the show, said "it's from Brody"(meaning the four months I was horizontal on the couch). I proceded with the concert moving from song to song and DANCING. I noticed her face fell from gleaming to deep thought as she asked me to follow her into my bathroom. Still singing and dancing I follow and she asks me to turn my back to the mirror and look back into it. She asked me to do the dancing part where I tell my fans to join in with me (jumping and dancing with my hands in the air). And,out it came..."did you get that from him too?" as she pointed to my butt. The concert ended.

What a Dad...What a Daughter!

I love this picture so much! It just is Matt and Baylee. It's a super reflection of a super day the two of them had together.

Baylee's softball team, Showtime, played in a tournament one Saturday...all day long! Softball is a big part of our lives during the season and will continue to be as long as she loves it. Matt helps coach her team and has a consistant policy that you don't have to be the best but you better give your best, or don't step out on the field! Baylee (being the very strong willed gal that she is) has a consistant policy of speaking her mind...even to her dad...even on the field! But this day was different. There was no room for bantering between the two of them. For whatever reason, Baylee was on a mission after the first game. They fought hard for a W and against the odds and annoyingly rude fans, they got it! She made the comment more than once that day that she wanted to win the tournament. The passion for a win quickly spread through the team and they took home some beautiful trophies that evening! Matt and I were so proud of the effort Baylee gave that day...she never quit...she gave it her best all day long AND she earned the game ball! Matt believes that kids gain valuable charater traits through sports that will help them along later in life...and after this day I would have to agree! Baylee learned that with a pinch of passion and a load of effort, she can do anything! Softball season is just around the corner and they have their first practice this afternoon. So to Matthew...thank you for the dad that you are to my girl! To Baylee...practice and play like you did on this day, pray, and let's see where He takes you this season!

Snow Many Men...

I LOVE THIS MAN! This is my new, most favorite coffee mug and...it just might be the best Christmas gift ever! This came to me shortly after birthing Baby Brody at a very stressful time...the belly button crisis. My new friend Emily gave this snowman mug to me with the best giftcard (in the way of grub) in it! As wonderful as Papasito's was, I have to say that I have enjoyed this mug more! Even Brody loves this snowman...he watches it every morning as I enjoy a warm mug of joe! THANKS EMILY!!

Decades Apart

For those of you who don't know, I struggled most of my pregnancy with Baylee to keep my blood pressure down to a safe level in order to keep her inside long enough for appropriate development. I spent four months laying on my left side, unable to do much more than read, watch t.v. and pray! The delivery was profoundly frightening for Matt and I, as well as our parents, due to the possibility of seizures or a stroke. It was a long, hard, trial full of fear that, for many years, I was certain I should not and could not bare again.

A few years later someone asked me if I was going to have any more children. I dreaded that question for so many reasons, of which she kindly proceded to mention. When my reply to her was unsatisfactory she said that I should not deprive Baylee of a sibling by making her an "only child" (which by the way, I hate that label). She furthered her wisdom by stating that the next detrimental move I could make would be to have my children "decades apart". I left her presence's and our conversation beat down with a painful feeling of failure that would reside in my heart for many years (this was before I got my backbone). I carried a huge, ugly bag of guilt on my back for so long. I wasn't giving Baylee a sibling, I wasn't giving Matt a shot at a son, and forget about another chance of assisting God in one of His miraculous miracles! I contradicted my faith thinking that by not becoming pregnant I was keeping myself safe and healthy so I could be Baylee's mom and Matt's wife. It was a disturbing struggle that ate at my soul constantly.

As time went on, years went by, and biological clocks ticked, I came to a pivotal point in my walk with Christ. I decided that I would let God make this decision for me (hello, Jenny!) and by doing so I would release all guilt, pain, and fear; however the outcome. Matt and I talked many hours about this decision. We decided that we would allow God a "window of opportunity" to work during the summer months of 2007. This would calculate to a spring baby and a maturnity leave just before summer 2008 (wow...we've been following Him for 10 years now and we really thought that we had a great plan for His next move in our lives). When you are comforted by having control, it's a bit hard to give it up...even to Him! As we prayed our way through the spring months about the upcoming possiblity of conception, I found myself feeling very sick to my stomach. Could this be God's sign that I should not concieve? Had I been right all along about keeping myself safe and healthy? Over the course of a week I mentioned to Matt (more than once) that I just didn't feel right. He patiently(whatever) reminded me that I am a wife, a mother, and a KINDERGARTEN teacher, and that perhaps if it kept up I should go to the doctor! Since I'm not much of a doctor goer I didn't go, just thinking I was "run down". Not long after, Shellee (my irreplaceable partner-in-crime) stopped by needing someone to support her decision to drown the craziness of the day in a route 44 dr. pepper (for her, diet coke for me). Because it is in the code of "torches being put out" that one friend never lets another go to happy hour (sonic's, of course) alone, I said "I'll buy!" There was only one problem, the thought of diet coke made me want to lose my cookies. When I told Shellee that bit of info she gave me that "what in the ---- is wrong with you" look, stared at me for a bit with silence, and then screamed..."YOU"RE PREGNANT!" I immediately dismissed the possibility since Matt and I had not changed any preventatives in the way of love...and besides, it wasn't summer yet! (remember, God's window of opportunity) Later that day I left a positive pregnancy test on the counter for Matt with a few I love you thoughts.

This pregnancy was consistant with the first (that's another blog!), but on December 19, 2007 at 3:37 pm, Brody Matthew Chapman was born! He weighted in at 6lbs. 12oz. and measured 19 in. long. The most interesting part of it all...Baylee will turn 10 years old this month.

Our lives have been richer since Brody arrived, our days brighter and warmer even in the midst of winter. Worship...a little sweeter. Matt has a son. Baylee has a sibling (and a brother at that, who's hair she can spike!). I am living my life like I have never before, free of guilt and fear. To say that God is good doesn't seem rich enough for the joy and peace and contentment that Matt, Baylee and I have been given. So I will boldly praise Him every day for the two incredible gifts He has given me...decades apart!