Choo Choo! It's All About YOU!
Dear Graeme!
Today is your day! Happy Birthday to our Caboose! I can’t even begin to imagine what life would be like without you! You bring our entire family so much love, joy, and FUN! Boy do you bring the fun! You are always doing something to make us laugh!
Sweet “Kulla” (Kayla) and my boys…..
Can you believe that nine years ago today God gave us you? I remember it like it was yesterday and I remember thinking what a miracle you were! You know if it was not for Baby Berry in heaven, I am not sure I would have had you. Have you ever thought about that? That honestly might be a little more than your nine year old brain can wrap its head around, but I swear I firmly believe everything happens for a reason and God knew we needed you. I also believe God has BIG plans for you! I can’t wait to see what they are!
You bring us so much joy and laughter!!!!!
Maybe you will be a famous soccer player, maybe you will be a doctor, maybe you will be a pilot, maybe you will be a business man with a business plan, maybe you will be an inventor……The point is Graeme Berry, you can be whatever you want to be because you are you and you are so unique, so smart, and so amazing! And I am so grateful God gave us YOU!
I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!
So as you celebrate your day today, even though you cannot celebrate with your friends, know that this day is so very special to me and to daddy because this is the day we got the best gift of all! We got our Caboose! And what a ride it has been these last nine years with you, our special baby boy!!!! WE LOVE YOU SO!!!!!
Last year….we will be able to do this again soon buddy! I promise!!!!!!
Happy Birthday!
XO,
Mom and Dad…and your big brothers too!!!!!
Eight is GREAT
Dear Graeme!
I cannot believe you turn 8 today! It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant with you! I still remember the day I found out God was blessing us with you! I will not lie, I was in shock! You see we were told we would not be able to have more babies after we lost our sweet baby bear that is in heaven. So mommy just went on with life. I went on but I have to tell you I was empty. Something was missing. Do you know what was missing? YOU!
Graeme, when I found out God was giving us you I honestly did not believe it. I would go to the doctor darn near EVERY week, true story! You can ask Dr. Bertrand. I would go in and ask for a sonogram just to make sure your heart was still beating. To make sure you were still growing. And to make sure there was no extra fluid around you or your brain. That is what happened to baby bear. Dr. Bertrand and his staff were so patient, understanding, and kind. I needed that because I was so worried about you and I was so scared of losing you.
On December 13, 2010, Daddy and I found out we were having a boy. YOU! I remember that day like it was yesterday. Your big brothers, Daddy, and I went to my special doctor, Dr. Rinehart. He was a funny guy I remember. His humor always put me at ease. That day however, I was very impatient. I had to see him every two weeks and for some reason that morning I was really panicking. Maybe it was because I knew Will and JP would be with us and I could not bear for them to see what happens when the babies heart beat has stopped, like what happened to baby Berry. Who knows really. What I do know, up until that day I did not believe I would have you. I lived in fear of losing you, but something happened the minute Dr. Rinehart told your brothers they would be having a baby brother. Something magical. It was at that moment I knew in my heart you were mine and we would have you. I think the same thing happened to Daddy. Because, after that day, Daddy started singing to you in my belly and talking to you and everything changed. Changed for the better. I can’t explain it.
I remember writing Baby Berry a note that day. If I find it I will share it with you. I thanked her for the 16 short weeks she gave me and thanked her for watching over you until God gave us you. I thanked her for going to Heaven because now we got you. I think it was at that moment I let go and let God have her and realized she would have been very sick on this earth. I realized her going home to God was better. She would not be in pain and we would have you.
This may be a lot for your maginificant 8 year old brain, but the point is I want you to know how lucky I feel to have you. How lucky our family feels. I want you to know we all love you so much and you make our world complete. Before you my heart had a hole and I was very sad. You came into our world and we are complete. You make us complete Graeme Berry!
I love you so much boo! I see big things ahead for you! I believe in you! And I love you sooo!
Happy Birthday Graeme Bear!
Love you mostest!
Mom
Dear Graeme
Dear Graeme,
So you have one day in the books as a first grader! How does it feel? Can you almost taste the guacamole and chips? Second grade will be here before you know it son and you too can order guacamole and chips. I promise!
Until then I want you to know how proud of you Dad and I are! We thank Jesus every day for our caboose as our family would not be complete without you Graemebear! It just would not! So this year I want you to do your best, be a leader, not a follower, listen closely, and have fun! That is one of the most important things! Have fun! Life is too short and you need to know we love you just as you are! Kind, sweet, funny, and smart!
The horseshoe I used to illustrate the story. He is keeping it by his bed now to have a constant reminder. Love this kid!
Remember to always be a horseshoe maker! Always leave an opening for anyone who is alone and ask them into your group of buddies. Don't just be a circle maker that closes your group. Keep it open! Because then you leave room for someone Jesus wants you to love and needs you to love! I know you can do this and I know you will! Your heart is so beautiful and you have such a sweet spirit just like your big brothers! Man did I hit the jackpot from Heaven when God gave me you all!
So as you continue on in your first grade endeavors remember this: Be a leader, not a follower, always do your best, AND BERRY'S NEVER QUIT!
Love you big my beautiful Graeme!
Mom
Hello, World!
We are walking the little man to school and encouraging healthy lifestyles! This watch has helped him to see how much he moves or does not move!
Dear Future Kindergartner-A letter from my son Graeme
Even if your Kid did not go to the same school Graeme thinks his advice is sound! Have to say it is not bad advice being he is only a future first grader!
With school about to begin I thought it would be fun to interview my kids on what their experiences were like last year and what they hoped to learn this year. Well, the teens were having no part of it, but the little guy jumped right on it and had a lot to say actually! I so wish I had done this with the first two so I could watch their brains grow. I guess 1 out of the 3 is not bad!
Dear future Kindergartner,
Hi! My name is Graeme and I was in Miss Rumsey's Kindergarten class last year. Here are a few things you should know about Miss Rumsey.
Three things that made Miss Rumsey smile:
Miss Rumsey smiles with all her kids because she was born to be a teacher! What a gift she was to our family and still is!
When I was encouraging to my friends. Miss Rumsey really likes it when you encourage others so always think about that. Especially if someone has a bad day and drops their tray in the lunch line. She likes to see you help pick it up and make them smile.
Being Self Kind-What I mean here is not being selfish. Show others what is the right thing to do especially if something is wrong.
Being Self Respect-Show others how you will treat them and yourself and then they will know how to treat you.
Three classroom rules to remember are:
Whole body listening. Basically sit still and don't move. Don't touch others and keep your eyes on the person speaking.
Be safe. No running in the halls. That can be unsafe.
Be respectful of things you use everyday like glue, books, pencils, notebook, you know stuff you need to learn.
Three things you will learn if you are going into Kindergarten.
Subtraction
How to divide
Respect. That is a big one. One my mom and dad teach too, but you will learn that at school I promise.
My favorite thing about being a Kindergartner.
Head person of the whole school. Meaning first goes last because in my school the Kindergartners always went first and the fourth graders were last.
Gym and Music. They were so fun.
Spanish and art! I don't want to forget art. I created a lot of master pieces and my mom framed them and put them around the house.
My advice to you if you are going in to Kindergarten:
Have fun! Do what you are suppose to do! Be a leader. Not a follower! Because Berry's never quit! That is what my mom and dad say to us everyday before school.
Things I will be looking forward to as a first grader.
The Boy Loves his food so he is so not kidding about the chips and guac!
Getting closer to being able to order chips and guacamole. You get to do that at my school starting in second grade.
Finding out who my teacher is! I really want Mrs. Savage, but my mom says I will be happy with whoever I get! I guess she is right! I have always loved all my teachers! And that is what I will miss most about Kindergarten. My teacher Miss Rumsey! If you are lucky enough to get her please give her a hug from me!
Your friend,
Graeme
Hello, World!
If you have sweaty feet like I do you really need these shoes for school! My mom found them and they are AMAZING! Get your mom to get you a pair and be like me and have dry feet at the end of the day!
We Have a First Grader!
We have an official first grader! Check out my interview with him!
I cannot believe I am typing these words, but I am! Here they go! Graeme has completed kindergarten! My man/child is officially moving on! Yes, so are Will and JP, but there is something tugging at my heart knowing my baby is officially no longer a baby! He is a first grader! Sure he will always be my baby! They all will! However my mind is still trying to wrap it's little pea brain around the fact I am 47 and I am done with babies! I know this sound absurd, but I feel like I am 30 and honestly feel like I could have more! In my heart that is! My brain is fully aware and understands the facts. If you don't know what I mean it is simple. I am OLD and I have three beautiful boys! I am blessed beyond measure.
I thought it would be fun to do a little interview with Graeme and just explore how much he has changed since the beginning of the school year. I did a few questions back in August:
"Graeme what do you want to be when you grow up?"- A policeman
"Graeme, what are your favorites?"-Guns, leggos, and soccer.
Fast forward 9 months and here are the same questions and then some:
"Graeme, what do you want to be when you grow up?" Teacher of Kids and play football
"Graeme, what are some of your favorites?" Sports
"Graeme, what did you love learning about this year?" Oviparous animals! (What the what! Got to say I am impressed!) These are animals that lay eggs in case you are wondering.
"Graeme, who are your best-friends?" Luke, Jonas, Josh, JR, John (Lots of J's)
"Graeme, what is your favorite book?" Magic Tree House Series
"Graeme, what is your favorite color?" Christmas Colors
"Graeme, what is your favorite game?" Soccer
"Graeme what was your favorite lunch?" Taco Tuesday (Ms. Tonia, he is taking after JP!)
"Graeme, what was your favorite thing about UP?" It was HUGE! And Tall!
"Graeme, what are you excited about next year?" Ummmm...getting to have P.E. early and all my specials
"Graeme, what teacher do you want and why?" Ms. Grant or Ms. Savage just because.
"Graeme, if you could say anything to Ms. Rumsey today on the day before your last day of school what would it be?" Thanks for helping me learn and I will miss you.
So there we have it folks! Graeme Berry is officially a first grader and Trey and I are so very proud of him! We cannot wait to see what God has in store for him and his bright, beautiful future!
“For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
PS. To See Graeme's interview Live click here.
Our Beautiful, Messy, Caboose
May 5, 2011 is one that will go down in the Berry books as a day of true miracles. Our little man/child Graeme made his appearance and our lives were forever changed. Shoot who am I kidding! They were forever changed in September of 2010 when a pregnancy test confirmed why I was so sick and emotional.
My first view of Graeme! Yes, I was that pregnant when I found out! SHOCKER for sure!
May 5, 2011 is one that will go down in the Berry books as a day of true miracles. Our little man/child Graeme made his appearance and our lives were forever changed. Shoot who am I kidding! They were forever changed in September of 2010 when a pregnancy test confirmed why I was so sick and emotional. I was pregnant and I was 40! Now that will change your life! It will change your life for the good!
I remember to this day calling Trey and asking, "Where are you?" He said he was at Home Depot. Most people at that point would just say, "Great, I will see you when you get home." Ya...not me, I blurted out through tears, "We are pregnant!" Dead silence! Then Trey said, "How?" Silence. "Are you sure?" Sniffling and Silence. "We will talk about this when I get home." More silence...."It will be o.k. I love you and will be home in a minute." Deep exhale and sniffles.
Of course by the time Trey got home he was calm and breathing and truly amazing with me! I am sure he and God had an amazing conversation on the drive home from the store and the Holy Spirit filled him with a peace that was just what I needed. To be 40, think you are done having babies, but not really wanting to be done, then told, "Guess what, you are not done!" Well that was a roller coaster ride I had never expected to jump on, but one I am so glad I did.
Back story: Trey and I have a baby in heaven. We lost Baby Berry June 2, 2009 to chromosomal conditions. It was a loss that rocked me at my core and one that came with many medical complications. 5 surgeries later we were told there would be no more babies. This was a tough one for me to swallow as I had always had dreams of having four kids. That dream did come true, just not how I imagined. On May 5, 2011 my fourth child was born and our family was forever changed and my dream had come true. I am a mother of four beautiful children and Graeme is our caboose. Our beautiful, messy, caboose!
To be 47 years old with a 7, 15, and a 16 old can be difficult and has it's own layer of challenges like any family of multiples. Having one that is 9 years younger than your oldest provides wisdom I did not have the first go around. I am much calmer about things I use to get all worked up about and I have this realization of what we feel is important and what really is not. Good, bad, or indifferent, I don't know, but what I do know is we tend to enjoy the little things more because we are not missing them getting caught up in the rat race of stuff, to- do's, and whatever everybody else is doing. I have learned the beautiful word, "NO". I have learned that kids really don't get to be kids these days so you have to fight for that. I have learned that, "God made dirt, so dirt don't hurt." I have learned play is the highest form of research for a kid. I have learned that all my kids need is to know I believe in them and in turn they will believe in themselves, and that time is not refundable with my kids-I need to use it with intention. And most importantly I have learned that Graeme Thomas Berry is a gift that God gave us. A gift we are so grateful for and one that we cannot wait to see the plans God has for this beautiful mess of a boy.
7 years ago today I was blessed with our third son Graeme and what a gift he is. He is growing into such an amazing and joyful kid with such a bright future ahead of him! Ever since the day he was born I have tried to be the best parent I can be. Having three boys REALLY changes everything! Priorities shift and realities of what is really important come into play... the day Graeme was born my priorities were changed once again.
Priorities of helping them feel important, empowering them, teaching them about Jesus, finding time for the things that matter to each of them. Laughing with them, crying with them, growing with them, listening to them, and all the moments in between. Sure we disagree and my biggest fear when this happens is do they know that even in disappointments I love them? Do they know that I will make mistakes or they will make mistakes, but, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE THEM. No matter what, I love them! Do they know this? That is the priority! Love! Unconditional love.
So, as I reflect back on the last 7 years, I sit here in awe and at peace knowing my family is complete. I am in awe of the little man/child Graeme has become and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for him. I know my boy is a miracle with such a beautiful future ahead of him. The world is his and I pray every day he realizes how loved he is, how amazing he is, how he can be and do anything he wants to, and how grateful I am to have him as our caboose!
Happy Birthday my little Pig Pen/Chub-a-lub!
All my love,
Mom
Hello, World!
For all the little joyous pig pens in our lives.....any kind of toy a boy would like! click the link above!
Hello, World!