After tripping over his friend and falling mouth first into a leather ottoman at a party, his smile suddenly was transformed from this:

to this:

His left front tooth was knocked 1/2 way up into his gums.  After a pretty traumatic several minutes including lots of blood, crying (yes, Grey AND myself), and Craig and I realizing that the tooth was in fact still “in tact” just a lot less visible, we made our way out the door  and started our trek to the ER.  On our way there we talked with three different dentists and our friend who had called her dad who is an ER doc.  The responses were all the same:  there wasn’t much the ER could or would do.  So, we turned around, picked Selah up from the gracious friends who kept her, and came home.  After some motrin, Grey was fine and slept awesome all night.  He woke up asking for pancakes.  This made us so happy.  He’s fine.  He’s swollen, bruised, his smile is rearranged in a way that this mom isn’t thrilled about…but he’s fine.   If the dentist has to pull the tooth at the next visit, so be it…it’s a baby tooth for goodness sake, right?!

We are blessed beyond measure to have our rough and tough Greyson Daane.

So, instead of assuming I’m in the clear, I’ve come to realize that this is just the beginning…I just may not let him leave the house without a helmet and pads covering every inch of his body…oh, and a mouth guard. 

Though I have absolutely loved my job teaching 5th grade at Heritage Elementary, I accepted a new job a couple weeks ago that will allow be to work from home.  I will be writing upper elementary curriculum for a company called Mosaica Education.  My good friends Nick and Bethany have worked for the company for several years and I have always admired the creative and meaningful work that they did, as well as the flexible lifestyle the job allowed them to have.  So, when I received a phone call in October saying that the curriculum design team needed another person, I was excited….but hesitant.  I tried a couple projects for the company and by earlier this month, I realized (and thankfully, so did Mosaica) that the fit was great.  I was asked to start full-time in January.  Ok, so great that this AMAZING opportunity has been offered to me, but now a huge decision was in front of me.

I love the students that I work with every day.  I’ve come to really care about their families too.  I adore the teachers that I work with.  They’ve become some of my dearest friends here (and definitely my closest).  Could I really walk away from that?  Today, I did just that.  It was my last day today.  It was a really hard day.  I cried with my teaching partner.  I cried with some parents.  I tried to hide my crying from my students.  I hugged a lot of 5th graders and their sweet parents really tight. I cleared my room and replaced my name with the new teacher’s name on my class lists and schedules…..did I mention that it was a hard day?!

BUT, through it all, I have a peace.  The flexibility of the job, increase in pay, and unique opportunities (like trips overseas) were all wonderful and played into my decision…but, ultimately, I took the job because I truly felt God’s leading.  I made the decision to take a job that will give me more time with Greyson and Selah, who will be grown before I know it.  I made the decision to take a job that will give me more time with my husband and more opportunity to serve people in other ways….I’m already looking into volunteering with Young Life at the High School that Heritage feeds into.  I want to make time to sing again, to work out, to invest in people here, to travel.  I’ll miss teaching.  I’ll miss my students.  I’ll miss my friends at Heritage.  However, I left today knowing that I’ll still see the people I’ve grown close too.  God is good.  I always meet amazing people in every chapter of my life….this was certainly no exception.

I got home today to these happy flowers (sent by my parents):

These, paired with a relaxing bath, glass of wine, and prayer were just what this heart needed after today.  I was listening to a song that I listened to over and over in college (and beyond):  “refine me” by Jennifer Knapp.  Ah!  At so many points in my life (including tonight) this song has SO been my prayer.  I am reminded tonight that my God is faithful.   He knows what he’s doing with this life of mine.  Here I am at your feet God as I transition to this new place in my life….refine me.  teach me.  use me.

Lyrics to “Refine Me”  by Jennifer Knapp

I come into this place
Burning to receive your peace
I come with my own chains
From wars I’ve fought for my own selfish gain
You’re my God and my Father
I’ve accepted your Son
But my soul feels so empty now
What have I become?

Lord, come with your fire,
Burn my desires; refine me
Lord, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Refine me

My heart can’t see
When I only look at me
My soul can’t hear
When I only think of my own fears
They are gone in a moment
You’re forever the same
Why did I look away from You
How can I speak Your name?

Lord, come with Your fire,
burn my desires; refine me
Lord, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Come rescue this child
For I long to be reconciled to You

It’s all I can do
To give my heart and soul to You
And pray, and pray, oh I will pray

Lord, come with Your fire,
burn my desires; refine me
Lord, my will has deceived me
Please come and free me
Come rescue this child
For I long to be reconciled to You

]]> http://theliferearranged.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/what/feed/ 1 lmckown photo(29) http://theliferearranged.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/milestones/ http://theliferearranged.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/milestones/#comments Sun, 14 Aug 2011 02:50:03 +0000 lmckown http://theliferearranged.wordpress.com/?p=1001 ]]> Yes, I haven’t updated this in 3 months.  It’s been quite a summer!  Can’t believe how fast it flew by.  Though Tennessee summers last longer than I’m used to temperature wise, they are MUCH shorter than I’m used to school wise!  The first day of school for our county was Thursday (August 11).  That’s crazy early!

Anyway, LOTS is new with the McKown kids these days. Here’s a quick overview of what’s been going on:

GREYSON:

My big 3 year old took swim lessons for the first time this summer while we were up in Michigan.  He did AWESOME!  I was so impressed at how well he listened to his teacher and how much more confident he became in the water in just 4 days of lessons.  He can now swim independently (with swimmies or a ring).  Before lessons, he clung to us and had little confidence in the water (besides jumping in to us).  We’re excited!

sweet 3 & 4 year olds!

ringin' it up!

Also while in Michigan, Greyson camped out for the first time!  This was a very proud moment for me, because though my outdoorsy side has been suppressed lately, it IS a big part of who I am!    Craig and Grey set up the tent (in my parent’s backyard), we sat around a fire and had s’mores, and the PLAN was for Greyson to spend the night in the tent with Papa (my dad).  He lasted 30 minutes.  I think my dad was disappointed, BUT, it was definitely still fun for them.  The next night, Craig and Greyson lasted the whole night in the tent!  Way to go my two campin’ boys!!

excited!

Though I sound like an idiot, I love this video of Grey before the first campout attempt:

In other VERY exciting news, Greyson is officially potty trained!  Yippeeee!  We have been encouraging him to use the potty since he turned 2, but he just wasn’t havin’ it.  I’d put underwear on him and he’d beg for diapers (even this summer).  I was beginning to wonder if he was going to be able to go to preschool this fall (since they have to be completely potty trained).  I talked to our pediatrician about it at his 3 yr. appointment and he assured me that he’d be ready in his own time and that his own son was 3 1/2 before he was potty trained.  Sure enough, about 3 1/2 weeks ago, he just GOT IT….thank the Lord.  He hasn’t worn a diaper during the day since.  I’m so proud of him.  I was looking at pictures from just this past winter and I feel like he has grown up more in the past 6 months than ever.  He looks looks older, he acts older, he is mistaken for being older, his mom wants him to stop getting older.  Check out this handsome boy:

he did get a brand new haircut in July and I’m IN LOVE.  It suits his active personality much better than his former do!

With potty training down, Greyson about to begin 2 new and significant FIRSTS.  This coming week, he starts preschool!!  He is going two days a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) to the Mother’s Day Out program at First Baptist Church here in Spring Hill.  I’m so excited and I’ve heard great things about this sweet little program.  He’ll be there from 9-2pm.  That’s a long chunk of time to be away from home for him….and I think it will be so great for Greyson.  He is such a social kid and he’s at the point where he is just wanting to learn and learn and learn…and he loves having “teachers” (as we saw with his swim lessons).  Though he doesn’t truly know what to expect, he talks about how excited he is to play with his “new friends” and eat with them every day.  He’s also convinced that he’ll get to play baseball at preschool with these new friends “all the time”. (we’ll see Grey, we’ll see!).

The other first that we’re PUMPED about:  We just signed Grey up for a 3 yr. old soccer league at the Franklin YMCA.  I can’t even tell you how excited I am to see my boy in his little uniform kicking the ball down the field!  Greyson is beyond ready for this.  He’s a little athlete already and talks daily about how he’s on a baseball team, or soccer team, or football team, or basketball team.  So glad it’ll be legit when he says this now.  ha!  We’re really hoping that he’ll learn early how to play as a team and that it’s not all about HIM (though, I know I’ll be cheering for HIM like a maniac on the sidelines!). 

SELAH:

My girl is almost 8 months old.  WHAT?!  Like her brother, she is growing like crazy and amazing me with what she can do lately!  First of all:  we have ourselves a crawler!

Check out her latest move:

like her brother, she is all about being up on her feet!  He never crawled.  Luckily, she’s at least getting the crawling thing a little.  She’s not super fast yet, but she gets where she wants to go using all different creative methods (like the one above).

Selah has also recently transitioned from her baby bath to baths with Grey.  They both LOVE it!  She just laughs and splashes the whole time.  I love that the two of them are at the point where they can actually interact and play more!

Meals have also become more varied for Selah!  She’s been eating baby food (fruits, veggies, and cereal) since about 5 months.  She’s now getting into puffs, yo-baby yogurt, and small finger foods.  She’s been doing great (and she loves that she can eat more of what we’re eating)!

Selah is such a happy baby.  We are so blessed!  She’s a great sleeper and fell into a schedule fast and easily.  In addition to her other milestones, she’s also been “talking” a lot more!  She has said “MaMa” which, of course, makes my heart sing!  We’ve also heard “DaDa”  YAY!  Here are a couple pictures that my great friend Tiffany took 2 weeks ago:  Tiffany is still working on the others and I can’t wait to see them!!

everything is in her mouth lately!

Grey: 3 yrs. Selah: 7 1/2 months

Yup, that’s right, I’ll be teaching again.  After completing my 8 week interim (long-term sub) position on May 6, I was offered a 5th grade Language Arts position (for next school year) at the elementary school right down the street from out house.  This was a definite answer to prayer for me and Craig.  When we first moved here, I said right away that working at THAT school would be so ideal.  With my kids being at the age that I don’t want to miss a single moment, I’ll get a lot more “moments” with them since the school is less than 2 minutes from our house.

Other great things about this job:

–Teaching only 1 subject will also be a welcomed change for me!  I’m excited to focus on Language Arts…especially since it’s a subject area I’m truly passionate about!

–So far, the other 5th grade teachers that I’ve met have been wonderful, and I found out after my interview that my principal moved here from the Cincinnati area the same month that we did….and some of my close friends from Cincinnati worked under him (and really liked him).

————————————————————

God knows what he’s doing.  The whole time we lived in Cincinnati, I was trying so hard to get a job….but never even got an interview.  Then, the second we move here, He’s opening doors like crazy.  I asked “why” so many times during the past couple years.  Now, I can look back and see His faithfulness.

In addition to all the positives, I have no doubt that the transition will be tough for me as I go from being home all day with Grey and Selah to being away from 8-4.  There will be days that I’ll cry, that I’ll wish I was home, that I’ll wonder if I made the right decision.  Through that, I will continue to trust the perfect plan of God and that He’s brought me to this specific place for a reason.  The excitement he’s given me to teach and invest in the 5th graders of my very own community is very real and not in vain.  I can’t wait to see how next year unfolds.  I can’t wait to let God use me and challenge me in new and fresh ways.  I can’t wait to learn to be a better mom to Grey and Selah and wife to Craig than I am now….even if I may have less hours with them each weekday.

Until then…..I’ll be enjoying this summer and cherishing each day more than ever! 

**oh, and just for kicks….I was looking for a picture of my first day of my first paid teaching position  (teaching 5th grade here in inner-city Nashville in 2003), but, after searching for way too long, I couldn’t find the picture.  SOOOO, here is a picture of my last day of student teaching in Ghana, Africa.  I taught 5th grade math and language arts to the sweet Ghanaian kids!  In this picture the students and teachers are presenting me with a farewell gift:  a traditional Ghanaian dress and head wrap….I’m thinking it may be a great choice for my first day of school outfit this August, what do you think??!  ;)  This is from March, 2003….when I was still very much “Miss Griffeth” (though in Ghana they called me “Madam Lindsey”)  :)

But because I DO have school tomorrow, I’m making this short (that’s also why I haven’t been able to post much lately).  Here are a few pictures that show just how much these kids of mine are growing and changing!!

4 1/2 months

sibling love

she's so squeezable...and her cheeks are so darn kissable!!!

Selah's 1st Easter!

the fam!

Daddy and his kids!

Grey's first egg hunt!

my monkey boy!

more realistic family pic!

matching cousins!!

and now for a trip down memory lane….Grey’s 3 Easters:

Easter 2009 (11 months)

Easter 2010 (23 months)

Easter 2011 (2 yrs. 11 months)

I love Good Friday.  I love that it reminds me of what my Savior did for me…..he died that I might live.  I love that it represents saying “Yes” to my God AND to my husband!  5 years ago on Good Friday (2006), Craig asked me to be his wife.

So the pairing of earth day and Good Friday today was pretty near perfect in my mind. 

Since Craig and I both had the day off today, we made the most of this special day.  We headed first to our favorite coffee shop (Fidos) where we had a late breakfast and, of course, great coffee.  We then drove to Radnor Lake for a family hike.  Radnor Lake is one of my favorite places ever.  During the 3 years that I lived in Nashville after college, it was my refuge…my place to just “be”….my place to journal, pray, and hear from God.  I haven’t been back since, so it was so different (but good) to hike the trails with my family of 4!  Greyson has been all about hiking since my dad took him on some hikes when they were in town a couple weeks ago.  However, the hike today was Selah’s first.  She and Greyson both did amazing. Greyson’s favorite thing to do on the hike:  collect sticks.  My favorite Greyson line of the day:  after seeing turtles, geese, and birds, Greyson said, “Ok…next.  Where are the neighs?”  Wow.  Nope Greyson, there will be no horses on this hike.  :)

Grey was on a mission gathering these sticks!

nothing like a daddy with his daughter!

testing the waters!

5 years ago on Good Friday, Craig and I grabbed coffee here in Nashville, then drove to the Ocoee River (near Cleveland, TN).  It was on a hike there that he asked me to marry him.  So, that made today’s events even more perfect.

a picture taken on the hike right before Craig proposed. (April 14, 2006...Good Friday)

All that to say:  in the midst of all things baby and all things 2 1/2 year old, I find myself experiencing a deep need just like my kids.  My need isn’t for momma (though I love you mom )….it even goes beyond my need for caffeine (which, by the way, is very real!).  My need is for my God.  Plain and simple.  I need to be connected to my creator in a real way.  Yes, I’m a mother, a wife, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a teacher….and I take those roles very seriously.  BUT, I’m determined and needing (more than ever) to remember my single most important role….I’m a child of God….a follower of Christ.

This Passion song says my prayer best….I remember playing this over and over in my dorm room my freshman year at Lee (when the song came out).  May I know and follow hard after you God…and you alone.

Give me one pure and holy passion
Give me one magnificent obsession
Give me one glorious ambition for my life
To know and follow hard after you
To know and follow hard after you
To grow as your disciple in the truth
This world is empty, pale, and poor
Compared to knowing you my Lord
Lead me on and I will run after you

As we were walking out the door to see Craig at work,  I said, “Greyson, we’re going to meet Daddy!! Aren’t you excited?!!”

He responded back with an enthusiastic, “Cook meat with Daddy?!!”

Guess I need to go over the difference between “meet” and “meat”.  :)

Then, later today, I was holding Selah and said, “You are my sweetie pie!”

Greyson responded with, “Cook pie?  Happy Birthday pie?”

Ahhh!  He cracks me up.  As you may be able to tell from his interpretations of my words today, he is VERY into cooking.  It drives me nuts sometimes when he “cooks” in my kitchen (using my pots, pans, tupperware, silverware, food)….but when he uses his kitchen, it’s pretty darn cute.  :)

Here she is at one month (weighing 7 lbs. 3 oz)

At her two month appointment she weighed 8 lbs. 12 oz. which put her in the 6th percentile.  At two months she is 21.5 inches long which puts her at the 18th percentile.  In short, SHE IS STILL TINY!!!!!!!

Here is her 2 month picture:

Selah started smiling around 7 weeks….and she’s been smiling more and more each day!  We have yet to capture one on camera because we are too busy enjoying the smiles to waste time grabbing our camera!  :)  Soon!

She is sleeping 4-6 hour blocks at night.  She slept for 8 1/2 hours one night last week.  It was pretty amazing.  I’m hoping for more of THOSE.  :)

Selah is way more clingy to me than Greyson was at her age.  She is the most content when held.  She loves the sling and baby bjorn….thank goodness!!!

Though she may still be small, she sure is taking up more space in her car seat.