1.  She waited until 42 weeks to be born and even then with the assistance of pitocin.  Pitocin did the trick because she was born five hours later.  Her delivery was by far my easiest.

2.  She has ALWAYS been picky about her clothes.  Even when she was too little to be picky. 

3.  Her smile is so big that her eyes close to make room for it.

4.  She had trouble learning to add and subtract until I put dollar signs in front of all the numbers.  Suddenly it was the easiest thing for her - EVER! 

5.  She is strong.  Seriously, you should see her muscles.

6.  She is really really organized and really really neat.

7.  She gives great pedicures! 

8.  She loves to swim, play basketball, softball, and dance.

9.  She's a baby whisperer.  Babies love her.  

10.  She loves all things coffee.  Coffee, coffee jellybeans, coffee ice cream, coffee candy...

11.  She makes the cutest cakes for her birthday. (The Trent kids like to make their own bday cakes.)

12.  She knows how to run a 5k and finish 2nd in her age division. 

She's pretty much a rock star!  Happy Birthday, Sweet Gracie!

(In honor of her 9th birthday)

1.  She loves to give gifts.  Most days I find a wrapped present* on my pillow. 

(*A piece of candy, an ink pen, a wildflower, a pretty rock... wrapped in her artwork.)

2.  She loves soft clothes.  Comfort before fashion.  Always.

3.  Pretending with her is seriously fun.  Tea parties, barbie dolls, baby dolls, pet shop, restaurant...

4.  She loves her baby brothers.  She is always putting them first.  Thinking of them.  Never too busy to play. 

5.  Dance, softball, and basketball are her extracurriculars now days.

6.  Hugs and kisses are important to Emrie. 

7.  She carries a sweater to the theater and restaurant.  This girl freezes. 

8.  She overwhelms me with the cuteness and sweetness! 

9.  When she sings, she sings with all her heart. 

God blessed us so much when He gave us our Emrie Rose. 

(Photo credit to my friend, Hope Fennell.)

When every stranger we meet tells us how pretty our little girl is, daddy says it is time for Josiah to have a haircut. 

Bye-bye curls. 

Hello little boy.

What they say is true, babies don't keep.

Now, if I can just get him to hold still so all his pictures aren't blurry.  This kid = perpetual motion.

He's very proud.

I love being a mom. It's just who I am. It's just who you are.  Whether a mom by birth, by adoption, or spiritually - it's who we are.  Some of us will mother a tribe, a community, generations, neighborhoods... We mother those placed in our care. 

My oldest daughter, Katie is teased by our student ministry group for being the "mom".  She takes care of everybody.  Sends reminders.  Keeps up with their stuff.  It's just who she is.  Her sisters are following in her footsteps.  They grab up all the little ones everywhere we go and tote them around.  If I could speak into the lives of all young ladies like my daughters I'd say, the Lord has a plan for your life.  The enemy will try to deceive you.  The enemy wants to give you a counterfeit plan.  The enemy wants you to settle.  Don’t be deceived.  God doesn't do things half way.  He doesn't give you a half way future.  He gives you the total package.  Purpose in your heart today to not settle for anything less than the total package.

I have friends who are aching to be mothers.  I want you to know that we feel your longing.  We long with you and we desire to bear your burden to the Lord.  We desire to pray over you and ask that the Lord open your womb.  We have the faith for this.  You have the faith for this.  We ask right now that the Lord raise up intercessors all over the world to pray for you.

My friends with small children, God is with you.  Each day that you face another day of too much to do - God is with you.  You are never alone.  He is your rest, your peace, he will see you through this season.  And someday not so long from now, you will remember these days with joy and even longing to return to them.  We pray that you feel his presence, his rest, his peace, and his joy each day!

My friends with grown children, be at peace.  God carries your children in the palm of his hand.  You don’t have to be the fixer, just be the pray-er.  Bear the burden of prayer.  Lean heavily upon the Lord to lead and guide.  Exercise your authority as the prayer warrior of your family.

My friends and family that are mommas of spiritual children, the privilege of carrying a soul is always yours. Your heart is always open and welcoming another person to find nourishment and comfort.  You are an influencer.  You pour into the lives of others.

Happy Mother's Day weekend, sweet friends!  My gift (prayer) for you:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 

Less baby.  More boy.

I want to be sad.  

Then I call to mind that "less baby more boy" sleeps through the night. 

Takes the edge off my sadness. 

On my mind:  "15 already?"

On her mind:  "What time does the DMV open?"

In South Carolina turning 15 means getting your beginners permit.  That's all she wants for her birthday, to go to the DMV. 

Look out world, this girl has BIG plans. 

If you live with a 15 month old....

There'll be mouth kisses.  Climbing.  Mess making.  Sweet jibber jabbers.  Silly giggles and squeals.  Big brother squishing.  Big sisters' spoiling.  Da-da loving.  "Eeese" (please) sweet talking (works every time).  Baby curls. 

Big boy eating.  Milk with a straw.  Outside exploring.  iPod swiping.  Hide and seek.  Un, doo, eeee (one, two three)!  Fewer naps.  Early bedtimes.  Early good mornings. 

Socks and shoes on.  Socks and shoes off.  Socks and shoes hunting.  Fit throwing (everybody has those days, lol).  Backyard swinging.    Trampoline jumping. 

Bath time loving.  Bath time splashing.  After bath naked run.  Bedtime snuggles.  More mouth kisses. 

Trenttribe.com is a memoir for our kids.  I picture them at 30 and try to write the stories and thoughts I want them to know.  And then some things I just think they'll laugh their tails off about.  Like this one:

Big families don't get invited to dinner very often, for obvious reasons.  A couple months ago some dear sweet friends invited us over for dinner.  And we couldn't eat.  We were in the midst of a fast we do at the start of the New Year.  The Chief privately and humbly explained the situation and they graciously offered to have us over and feed our kids. Sweet!

Fast forward.  A couple weeks ago the same friends invited us over for dinner.  Josiah woke up that morning and threw up.  And dinner was canceled. 

Fast forward again.  One evening last week, we were at home.  Literally doing nothing.  (Nothing = cleaning the kitchen, doing the supper dishes, laundry, changing diapers...) My cel vibrates.  I see that I have a missed call from those same friends. As soon as I utter the names the chief's face turns kinda white and in this "oops" tone he says, "We're suppose to have supper at their house tonight."  And I had no idea and we had just ate and Katie had a friend at our house and we were suppose to be there at 6:00 and it was 6:30 and they live 40 minutes away.  

They will NEVER EVER invite us to dinner again. 

(the guilty parties)

My Friday love?  Recipes with simple ingredients already found in my pantry. 

On this Lowcountry rainy day, I am making these:

For them.  A sweet treat to celebrate the end of the week. 

The Chief and I are sneaking in a lunch date at the coffee shop.  Did you take the date night challenge?  Having a hard time fitting date night in?  Too busy?  Schedule conflicts?  Small children?  No sitter?  I'll be posting next week with tips on making date night work.  I hope those of you who made it through the season of only littles in the house can chime in with your advice.