Princess

"I am a princess and my father is the king of kings."  1 Peter 2:9

⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Baseball Boy (and a little Bible)

In most situations Tyson is super shy. Once he is familiar with a place, he usually opens up, but sometimes remains scared/reserved. For example, we have been going to church since he was born, but he still hides behind my skirt when an adult speaks to him. In his class, however, he is wild(bless his teachers) and happy. Preschool has helped him a lot. He has made friends and his teacher tells me that he talks and participates in the class. He talks about her all the time, yet when we saw her at a community event, he was too shy to speak.

This shyness is out of my zone. I have never felt shy and do not recall ever being afraid to participate in something.  In fact-I know it is terrible--but it makes me mad! You may remember our Santa visit--waiting for hours--he refuses to speak to him. Mad! He is even this way with family memebers. Embarrased!Not wanting to open birthday presents. Confused! (Don't judge just yet...)I guess it makes me feel upset because I know what a fun and sweet boy he is. I want others to see that in him too...Pride?? I dont want him to miss out on having fun. Assumption?

We try to give him lots of opportunities to interact with other kids. We decided to sign him up for t-ball. He loves throwing balls, running, playing with friends on a well mowed field...it seemed like a perfect idea. He said he wanted to play. But then he went to the first practice. Lord help my nerves. Actually help Travis. He took him to the first practice. Of course he was excited being that he is a coach and loves sports-taking his son to his first ball practice! Well coach daddy was frustrated because our shy little boy refused to participate. He warmed up a bit and began to do a few things with the other children. He even has his favorite preschool friend on his team. I had to take him to the second practice. Oh My Lordy! Maybe I will not make a good baseball mom. I could not believe how paralyzed he is with shyness. He would hit the ball (in fact he was one of the best hitters on the team) but then REFUSE to run the bases. You can't score if you don't run!!! I am not kidding. I almost had to leave. I may or may not have threatened to cancel a trip to the park. Mother of the Year!

Well since this practice we have practiced playing more at home. We bought a set of bases to practice running. Travis has helped him practice catching, throwing and hitting. We have sang "Take me out to the Ballgame" and we even bought some Cracker Jacks for heaven sake!

But also since this practice, God has spoken to me about my sinfulness. Although some of my feelings are motivated by good intentions, I have realized that I am being prideful. I have thought about the truth-the reason the shyness makes me crazy is because I see it as a reflection of me. God created Tyson and gave him his personality. Now although it is my job to nurture him and provide him with guidance and opportunities, it is not my job to make him the same as me. As his parents Travis and I are to teach him to love God above all things. Our job is not to make him the best ball player, the fastest runner, the greatest reader in his class, the smartest mathematician... Deuteronomy 6 says "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." In this chapter Moses is speaking. The commandment that he is refferring to is " ⁵ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." That is my job. I am to teach Tyson to love God...and if he does so shyly from the back pew of the church, that is OK. If he becomes the greatest t-ball player in the history of t-ball--that is ok too! But, not if he does not love God first!

So from now on I will  (try to) be the mom at the t-ball field relaxing and smiling. I will be proud of my boy because he is brave enough to hit the ball--even if he does not run. Because--(I hope that) I will remember that this is not the most important thing. I hope that I will put as much energy, excitement, and practice into teaching him about God as the desire I felt to make him run to first base. One day Tyson may no longer by shy. In fact--considering his genes (think Uncle Mike) he may be center of attention (be it at a party or perhaps behind a pulpit).  No matter what he becomes, however,  I will love and accept him for who he is, without pride or misguided intentions. I pray that I will always remember my most important job is to teach him to follow and serve the Lord who accepts each of us even if we are too shy to run the bases!



I do want to say, however, that I do not feel that paralyzing shyness and fear is God's desire for us. He wants us to enjoy this life he has given. He calls us to be bold in our faith, forthcoming and transparent in our communication with others. He commands that we share the gospel boldly.  He does not want us to live with a spirit of fear, rather with joy. I will seek to instill this in my sweet boy as I love him for who he is.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7

 "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Friends

My former dance teacher and friend Inga has a little girl, Keegan, that Tyson and Juel love. She goes to preschool with Tyson so we asked her to come over to play after school one day. They were all so excited in the car, giggling all the way home. They played so well together, doing a range of things from playing outside on the swings and riding the Gator, to playing with baby dolls and having a tea party, to playing dress up (some in dance attire, others as superheros) and performing! It was fun to watch them play together. We took Keegan to meet her grandmother at the dance studio. Juel wanted to wear "pitty ballerina" clothes to go to "dance school."

(She later ripped this off and changed into her favorite costume- The Hulk!)

First peek at a dance studio (since she was a baby)

 Juel was thrilled to dance and twirl all over the room! Before long she will be in her own leotard with her toes on the line! (or perhaps she will be a superhero?)

You've Got A Friend in Me!

I love having the Moore's visit. The children play great together, Cedric and Travis hang out...so Morgan and I feel free!! It is just perfect! By having the party on Friday night, it gave us the whole weekend to have fun together. Saturday morning we had a lazy time eating breakfast and drinking coffee (we thought of you Jessie and Brianne). Finally Morgan and I had to venture out for some fun. We picked up mom and headed to Chris's Greenhouse. I found an fantastic weeping juniper tree that I had been wanting for 1/2 price and a spiraling willow tree, along with lots of other fun finds. Even better--when I brought it home the boys planted it right away! After the greenhouse we went to buy a sewing machine for Morgan! Mom had a blast teaching her how to sew! It did not take her long to learn and she was soon making pillows all by herself! While they were sewing, I was planting and painting. I painted a new nightstand for Tyson using Annie Sloan Napoleon blue and also worked on a new coat hanger. With help from Travis and Cedric...it was cut, painted, nailed, and mounted to my wall. I LOVE IT!! We worked late into the night talking and laughing (and "sipping" a little wine).  Miss Kim came over to sip and supervise! We were up til 2 in the morning! Meanwhile the kiddos played until they all fell asleep watching a movie. They entertain themselves and barely need any attention when they are all together. It is awesome! The next day Morgan and I snuck out to do a little shopping. When we returned home we continued crafting and playing until supper time. It was just a great time together. Although I wish we lived in the same town, it makes it really fun to stay in each others homes for long weekends of fun!!

Snuggle time with the Moores

Just look at my princess!

Spider Izz! 

Spa Day! 

Aunt Moo! 

 Ced with our girls in their Christmas PJs! Ha! 

Juel has finally decided to love Mr. Shedrick!! 

Sewing 101

Morgan's first pillow! 

Exhausted

I just love this finished product! I had seen some made with door knobs on Pinterest. I found these knobs and hangers at Hobby Lobby when I was visiting Morgan. The piece of wood came from Grandaddy's tobacco barn and was then painted lightly with ASCP Old White. Now when you come you can take off your coat- hang it up- and stay a while!!

Thank God I'm a Country Boy...

Tyson loves nothing more than working outside. His favorite thing to do is cut grass (with a close second being to vacuum). If you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up he will say "a worker man" or "a daddy that cuts grass"! The spring is a great season for him. He loves helping plant new flowers, put out pine straw, trim bushes, etc..This spring has been especially exciting because we have planted a little garden-actually its a pretty big garden. In true Strickland fashion Michael, who I also like to call Mr. McGreggor because he is the garden boss, bought every seed imaginable and an irrigation pump. Tyson loves going to check the garden to see if anything is beginning to sprout. I hope he will maintain his excitement for picking time! I am really excited to see what we are able to produce. Being our first year growing, we are just hoping for a little success! It has been fun spending time together getting it prepared.

First Sprouts...mustard greens! 

Another thing that Tyson loves is big trucks or equipment. He was thrilled this past week because a crew was repaving the road near our house. We drove the golf cart over to see the action. He could have stared for hours. In fact we did watch for over an hour and made friends with several of the "worker men." It was great free entertainment.

Another favorite thing is TRACTORS! This weekend the dance girls were performing at the local Antique Farm Show. Juel, Mom and I went to watch the girls dance. She was in love...smiling (and I think dreaming of when it would be her turn LOL). After going to football practice with Travis, Tyson joined us for fun playing with friends and to check out the tractors! 

Watching the girls dance

 Yay!

All loaded up with Mommy's friends kids and Mr. Steve!! SO FUN

Great playground! 

I love this sweet picture of Emerson and her cousin Lacey

Of course Gee had to try the slide! 

And Steve! 

Tommi Shae was a great kid entertainer! 

Sweet Mitchell

Headed to the Bounce House and then home (so I thought...hours later we were still exploring the tractors)

I was so happy to see the parents of one of my dear friends Charles and Sue Floyd. We had a great time talking and my kids loved playing with all of their fun "toys"! (Charles is a tractor/truck collector!!)

My little country girl! 

What a perfect day!!!

Party Fun

When the party starts I always feel like a crazy person (ha ha no jokes!) I never manage to get very good pictures because I am running wild and having fun. This year it was especially hard to get pictures ofTyson because he was having so much fun playing. He had several friends from preschool and church come, along with Gabriel and Elizabeth and Emerson and Mitchell. I enjoyed having lots of little ones playing everywhere. The kids had fun playing on the swing set, in the bounce house (one of our greatest consignment sale finds ever), in the rocket ship and riding the power-wheels. The adults seem to enjoy good conversation and nice weather. Now here are LOTS of pictures from the fun (for the book).

Sissy dressed in her "Jessie" dress mom made for her (the day of the party)...

Buzz Lightyear also made an appearance....

Later Gabriel came to the party...

With Izzy! 

Soon Pizza Planet made a delivery...

Uncle Mike came with a load of pizza 

(Sometimes Stricklands tend to go overboard...my daddy lived on as I ordered lots of pizzas! At the last minute Morgan overheard me call to add 5 more--purely ridiculous!!!)

Let the fun begin...

Party friends...

Brett and Hudson from Preschool,

 Tyson's buddy Lucas,

Addie from Preschool,

Mitchell and Emerson (Emerson is too funny. She packed a bag of tools to bring in case Tyson needed them for the party, along with various other essentials. She also wore her hair in pigtails because Tyson would like it. She held her hands over the pigtails in the car all the way to the party so they would not get messed up. Ha!)

Food time...

Cake time...

Tyson did not want to stop playing long enough to eat cake or open presents. He also does not like to be the center of attention. This is Mr. "Shedrick" giving him a pep talk about blowing out the candles. 

Gee lighting candles

Aunt Karen always cuts the cake! 

I could tell that my sweet boy did not feel 100 percent great :(

Crystal (the only adult that can fit in the kid chairs) 

Miss Irene was also at the party.

Allen the baby expert, 

Anna and Stephen from church

The Moglnickis from church,

Lu Lu and Hunter, 

Morgan,

Uncle Myron and Aunt Barbara, 

Aunt Karen and Uncle David,

Mom and Aunt Karen

It meant so much to me that Aunt Karen and Uncle David made the effort to be at the party. She was scheduled for a lumpectomy the following Monday. (She is doing great. Please continue to pray for her.)

Jackson and Carlie,

Scuba Steve,

My sweet Emerson,

Will...the cool teenager (along with his mom and Elaine),

Aunt Pat, Anna, and Grandma Raye

Kim and Shannon (look how cute Shannon is!)

Fun fun fun!

Sweet sister! 

Crazy Daddy! 

Love him! (And Morgan who is hiding behind me. This is the only picture I have of her at the party!)

Yay!!

(This is why we do crazy things like make rocket ships at the last minute!)

Present Time...

Gabriel finally convinced Tyson that he should open presents after almost everyone had gone home. 

Fun Party!!