As the time for Baby Girl approaches, I’ve been feeling more and more reflective. I told AJ that a few days ago, I looked for something in an old purse and found a diaper and wipes and had that wonderful feeling come over me just how blessed I am to have babies in my life. I love it so much.
Late yesterday afternoon I asked Amanda if she and Curtis wanted to have a date because I’d so happily keep that boy of theirs. They took me up on it and by the time Jackson got to Bibby’s house, I’d erected a tent in the middle of the floor (made out of chairs and a big bed spread) and had a home-made track for our Hot Wheels coming out of it like a long tongue. After we played a while, we sat, he and I, at the dinner table and ate supper (macaroni and cheese and the world’s best white cake leftover from Baby Girl’s LPM shower – but we didn’t exactly eat them in that order. Don’t tell mommy.) I took in everything about him last night. Every word he said. Every expression he made. Before we know it, there will be two to share our attentions and we can hardly wait but it’s still so good to have a moment and reflect on this one little dude and the huge impact he’s had on three families.
Lord have mercy. He’s such a boy. Three years ago, he turned our girly Moore-lives upside down and we’ve been drunk on him ever since. I remember when Amanda first began entertaining that she might want to have children but one thing she knew for sure: they’d need to be girls. Only girls. She couldn’t handle…that other kind. Then we found out about four and a half months into her first pregnancy that she was having a man-child. I was ecstatic! It was about time for some more Testosterone around here. She was happy about the prospect by then and Curtis was completely beside himself. I remember Amanda having a dream some days later that a nurse came to her with a baby wrapped in pink and said, “Mrs. Jones, we have your baby now. You can trade back in that baby boy.” And she said what you think she said. Not on your ever loving life. She was hooked.
Tonight my full-term darling firstborn is going with her man and her nearly 3 year-old son to the Monster Truck show. (Yes, with earphones for protection and extra wraps. Please don’t make her more overprotective than she already is!) This will undoubtedly be the best night thus far of Jackson Curtis Jones’ entire life. He could practically say Monster Truck before he could say Mommy. Slight exaggeration but I have never seen a little boy more obsessed with vehicles in my life. I, the slowest driver in the entire Gulf Coast and the leading cause of road rage in America (per my daughters), have been known to break the sound barrier just to catch up with a truck I knew he’d want to see. “Go faster, Bibby! Faster!” So I put the pedal to at least 45 mph of metal just to make that boy squeal.
Of course, the men could go to the Monster Truck show without Amanda but she’ll have nothing of the kind. To be honest, I wish I were going myself. But could you imagine my hair afterward? Don’t you think the noise could do follicle damage?
Amanda, on this eve-season before Baby Girl blesses our lives with every shade of pink, I want you to know that you have been a fabulous boy’s mom. I will treasure for the rest of my life seeing cars in your purse every time you open it to get out your wallet. I know all the times you’ve nearly gotten your hind-end stuck, crawling into the playground equipment to make sure your wild little man wasn’t killing himself. And all the while your friends with girls got to actually finish their conversations. He is an incredible little boy. So full of life. And, yes, I know, such a handful. You’re not imagining things. He is a whole lot of person. A whole lot of delightful person.
Curtis Jones has been one of the best dad’s I’ve ever seen in my life, but, young lady, I want you to hear your mother say this loud and clear: YOU HAVE BEEN A TERRIFIC MOM TO THAT UNSTOPPABLE LITTLE FORCE WE CALL JACKSON JONES. Great job. G-R-E-A-T J-O-B.
Now that I’ve got that off my chest, let’s have us a girl. Feel anything at all?? A single little cramp? Like every five minutes?
PS. Tomorrow’s Scripture memory day, Siestas! Have yours ready and look for that post.
I’m welling-up, Beth. Beautiful.
xoxo
mich b
No! Not until February 13th! FEBRUARY 13th!!!! You hear me!! That’s my birthday. And I hope it doesn’t bother you that it is on a Friday this year. It doesn’t bother me. The only thing that bothers me is my kids don’t have school that day, so my hubby can’t take me out for lunch like he did last year. Actually, the whole day was mine. He took me to the hair salon where I had my hair done and a manicure, which he’d already paid for. Then, he picked me up and took me to my favorite restaurant for lunch and he wasn’t done! He gave me gift cards to 2 of my favorite stores and took me shopping and didn’t complain once! It was awesome! But this year I’m stuck at home with the kids. Oh, well. I’m sure we’ll have fun. The kids are excited because they get to spend time with mom on her birthday for a change. I’m just wondering what Josh is going to do this year. He’s shocked me every year since my 30th birthday when he threw a surprise party for me. His creativity is endless.
Tearing up!! Exactly what a mom needs to hear before she embarks on life with two!
Luv you sweet Beth!
Oh, this is awesome!! I love Amanda so much! And my mama loves me like you love your girlies. What a BLESSING!!
Ok. God has just decided that today I’m to be a blubbering mess of tears. All day. From powerful worship and personal touches from the Lord this morning to reading wonderful bloggy posts all over the place this afternoon. Let’s just hope I don’t end up crying over a Cardinal’s loss tonight. π Seriously… what a beautiful and lovingly crafted post. You’re both blessed π
so sweet…I grew up in an estrogen filled home as well (my poor dad with my mom and his 2 girls!) I had a girl then along came the most testoterone filled little boy EVER! But, he is the most tender, sensitive cuddly little thing (when he wants to be). Aren’t you glad that God make us so unique?
What a sweet post! My first “adopted” grandchild was a boy who is now six and learning Latin. His favorite vehicle was always the big “lello” school bus. Then came his brother who is now three going on twenty-three. My boys have been such a blessing! But we just found out the new baby due in July is a girl! I do love buying frilly little dresses.
Praying for you Amanda as you bring your little princess into the world.
Much love!
Kristi B.
I just have to tell you that my BFF and I are doing the Woman’s Heart study together. This is my second time, her first. The first time I did it was with the original with a group of wonderful ladies at my church at a much needed point of my healing. Amazing. So for her birthday this past year I gave her the workbook and committed to purchasing the video downloads as we go. It has been wonderful AGAIN. As you well know, it was taped right after your Jackson was born. I just want you to know how blessed we are that you even took a second away from them to minister God’s word to us. Amanda, you are a blessed woman and I pray that these final moments with your “only child” will be full of God’s goodness and grace. He has fully equipped you so that you will see his GLORY in the coming years. His grace is sufficient for you. Thank goodness. Be blessed, girls!!
Oh Beth I so agree with your comment that we can take lessons learned and create a loving enviroment for our children. I think that is why I love the phrase… “But God…”!
I came from an abusive background BUT GOD! But God has shown me and changed me and allowed me to be a loving(not perfect!)mama and blessed me to see two of them become godly youg women wholly sold out to God and a even younger one, well on her way bringing joy every where she goes.
But God…can change it all in just one generation!!!
Praise God! Praise God!
Beth, This has nothing to do with Baby Girl, but I wanted to share something with you that my pastor said this morning. I thought you might like it since you are a visual person, and like animals (or at least dogs). He said, “bury your head in the mane of the Lion of Judah”. Can you imagine?! That gets God’s love, protection, and power all in one picture, doesn’t it?
Love this post!
My 7 yr old boy is ready to go to a friends house but finds me with tears rolling down while reading the screen. The question look was priceless: not, what is wrong; but can we go now.
Even though I have 2 boys, you are teaching me not only the relationship with God to be but the relationship I want with them to be too. Yes, I am breaking the free of the past and raising a whole new generation!! Thanks to you.
Amanda, can’t wait to hear the exciting news (and name) when baby girl arrives! You are one brave woman to go to a Monster Truck show this far along. I went last year with my boys- it is loud. Maybe the noise and excitement will hurry things along, maybe.
Oh I am so excited for you all!
My next door neighbor (two doors down) is due at the same time! It is her first girl… she has three boys! So every time I see her I have you on my heart Amanda!
So fun! Praying! Emmy : )
This post is so very dear to my heart. My first born is just a few weeks away from being 2-1/2. He has turned our life upside down. I love being a mommy to a boy – and talk about being totally boy! He too is into ANYTHING with wheels!
He and my precious husband went to Monster Truck Jam last week here in Indianapolis (with earplugs in tow)! I so wanted to go and hear his squeals when he saw in real life all the trucks that are parked in our living room. They even got pit passes so he could stand next to the huge tires!!! It was a Daddy/Son night and Mommy graciously let them go on their way and stayed at home with our 10 month old. Yep, you guessed it – a little girl. Our very own princess!
Amanda, you will see how different they are right from the get go. It is breathtakingly amazing. Only God could design it!
Loving Him with y’all!
Grandbabies are without a doubt the very best – better than butter!! I remember when my second one was born I was wondering if I had room in my heart for another as it already felt ready to burst. Silly worry – they was plenty of room and now I have one girl and three boys with a fourth boy coming in June!! Praise God!! Such exciting days ahead for you – may God bless each and every minute! Love, DQ Nana
We took the kids down to the beach for a picnic and some time to explore the little coves (CA) after church and I thought of your post as Samuel had a non-stop commentary going about the various vehicles along the highway. We LIVE the movie Cars- no kidding. We live next to Fillmore, Mack brought the toys to CA, Sally lives down the road at the Porsche dealership, we see McQueen racing all of the time, and did you know that Doc is a “fah-vulus race car?!” Of course, I love it, and I, too, have been known to slow down or speed up so we can get closer to a firetruck or monster truck…
Oh how this post did my heart good to read. My Mom sounds like you in her Grandmothering (Nana-ing) style! She had a “cousins” night a few weeks ago, and I believe SHE had more fun than them! π When I came to pick my 3 up, she asked why I was there and told me to go find something else to do, b/c she wasn’t through with them, yet! How truly amazing it is to have such Grandmothers in our children’s lives! What a tremendous blessing.
I have a couple of those delightful, handfulls, too! And, one of them, even has the middle name, Curtis! He can identify ANY truck on the street! And his love for “Munster” Trucks is boundless. It must have something to do with that name. His Daddy is, also, Curtis and a wonderful Dad. Yep, must have something to do with that name. π
I wish you all the very best on the upcoming, life changing experience. And, pray, that the little Princess is blessed with GOOD HAIR!! Don’t get too drunk on all that pink! π
Beth, you are such a sweet mom. I know your girls adore you. I can tell by the way they look at you and talk about you. Amanda has learned from the best.
I am grandma to six and am the same age as you! I started with a boy, who is now a man (well almost) and 14 years later ended with a boy. I have three girls of my own so when I got the first boy I was thrilled, he was so different. Then we had the four girls and of course, I loved every minute of hair, make up and tea parties, still do. But this second little boy is just as you describe Jackson. He is almost two and all boy. He, too, loves cars and trucks and never stops!
Praise God for these precious grandchildren. I love them all the same and different! They are all unique.
I know you will have so much fun with this little girl and she will be the new princess of the Moore house. All pink and frilly! Can’t wait for the pictures.
I am praying for you all.
Forever His,
Lawan Rivera
Phil 4:8
Γ’β¬ΕFor everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope.Γ’β¬Β Romans 15:4 NET
Lori-Anne in CA
I should have known I was going to have a baby boy after I spent the first two years of my married life in a freshman boys dorm with 200 boys..And Loved being “momma” to those guys away from home. Now I have my own baby boy and I love that too. He is going to be all boy I know, and when I read about Jackson it shows me what I have to look forward to!
As a mother to two sons and now Gran Jan to one little boy, this post BLESSED my soul!
Oh Beth – your fort brought back memories – I have made so many forts in my day the same way! And I can’t wait to make one for Zeke.
I love little boys – and I wanted to share this with Amanda:
Little Boys…
love their sweethearts first
their wives the most, but
their mommies the longest…
Jackson will love you and take care of you as he grows into manhood, it is so wonderful!
Mothers of little boys work from “son up” to “son down!”
Georgia “Gran Jan”
I read these posts with envy although I was glad I had girls. I honestly didn’t want to become a mom. My own childhood was filled with a lot of pain. Although I wouldn’t trade my girls or grandbabies for anything I feel kind feel like something is really wrong with me for not embracing my role with all my heart like so many of you have.
Kels
What a wonderful tribute to Amanda, Beth. EVERY mom needs to hear those affirming words from her mama!
Amanda, we are holding you tightly in our prayers here. We can’t wait to hear of Baby Girl Jones’ birth!
God bless y’all!
Love,
Kristen
PS I would love to see a baby pic of Amanda (and Melissa!)
Pleeeeese let us know when baby girl is coming!! We want to be praying for you all, for (we are family!) and we have grown to love you dearly. Rejoice, Amanda … your time is near!
Beth, your letter to Amanda is a beautiful portrait of a mother-daughter relationship. Tears are flowing, for you have touched our hearts. Thanks for sharing yours!
Also … today is a good day to have a baby!! I gave birth to my baby boy 27 years ago on Groundhog’s Day, and he is such a sweetheart! π
You are a wonderful Bibby too! W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L-B-I-B-B-Y! You made me cry with those sweet, tender words.
I loved your story about Jackson. I don’t have my own children, but my sister’s children are as dear to me as if they were my own. Her first son is now 9 years old. We thought he was such a handful when he was little, but that was before his litte sister, now 5, came along. He was an angel compared to this little ball of fire. The only time she is still is when she is asleep. We also couldn’t wait for her to start talking, but now we can’t get her to stop! π We wouldn’t trade her for anything, though. But, just so you know, that curse your Mama puts on you about your kids being just like you or “worse than you ever thought about being” (my Mama’s words), that curse works. So well that my Mama has actually apologized to my sister for it. My niece is the spitting image of her mother. Sometimes it’s like looking at my sister at that age. And her oldest son is just like his dad. My sister just had her third child, a boy. We can hardly wait to see who he is like, though we are enjoying him as much as we can while he is still a baby. The other two are growing so fast, it’s hard to keep up.
Anyway, I said all of that to say, congratulations on the upcoming arrival of you sweet little angel princess, but don’t be surprised if she is a wall-climbing little tomboy. π You’ll still love her so much it hurts.
Selena
So sweet!! There is just nothing in the world like watching your own baby girl be a mommy! We don’t have any man-grandchildren yet-and that would be so nice if God blesses us with at least one-but look out! Miss Dress-me-in-every-shade-of-pink-and-call-me-Princess could be a handful too! I know our 2 are!
Love you like crazy!!
PS: Amanda, darling, my prayers are with you for labor and delivery! May the angels attend you and may it go easy for you!
Dana
We need pictures of the Moore family – immediate and extended! We haven’t seen the lovely Moore ladies in a while and the handsome Jackson either. AND I guess it has been a while since viewing the MEN!
I’m sure there will be pictures when baby girl gets here, but we can’t wait 2 more weeks!
Dearest Beth, as so many others have said, your tender words to your children always make me smile through tears. That’s because I, like others have never had that type of relationship with my own deeply wounded Mother. As I “deal with my stuff”, I try to keep the good and leave the bad behind, as you have suggested. And you know what? The Lord, in His gracious, loving-kindness, has used you (and others like you) to show me how to better parent my own children.
So Thanks, Beth for not only being such a loving example in mothering your children, but for mothering the rest of us as well. The affection I feel for you and your family is great indeed. Why else would I be on the edge of my seat excited and blog checking TWO times a day waiting for a sweet babies arrival!? I am excited with you and praying for you all!
Veronica
After 3 daughters, God decided to turn my world upside down with my little Micah! Having a boy was out of my comfort zone, but he’s a heart-melter since he just started saying “Mama”
I do have concern about BABY GIRL’s wardrobe…wondering if there’s enough PINK! lol!
Beth, I’m lovin’ Esther!
Beth,
I am awaiting the birth of my 2nd grandchild (actually my 3rd but that's another wonderful story I'll share later). We are actually going from North of Atlanta to Macon tomorrow morning to await the birth of this blessed child. I am so excited it's hard to contain it! I tell everyone that ask that I just can't explain how wonderful it is to be a Mimi!
Last summer while we were at the conference at Phillips Arena with you, my daughter told myself and her mother-in-law that she was pregnant but it wasn't a viable pregnancy and they were going to check her the next week and schedule a D & C. We decided not to accept this news and immediately got on the phone and had our husbands on the internet getting the word out that we were desperate for prayer and everyone around us at the arena as well. The next week she went in to schedule the D & C and they did one more ultrasound just to make sure and everything was fine and it has been a wonderful pregnancy up to this point! We don't know if we are having a boy or girl (one last bit of control over the mothers I'm sure) but either way; to be awaiting the birth of a child that the doctors thought wasn't meant to be….how powerful is that! Keep us in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow as Brooke labors to bring this child into the world!
Donna, Cumming, GA
Congratulations to the whole family on the new baby girl/addition!! We too are enjoying our baby girl, Lydia (4.5 months) after seven years of one “ALL BOY” son and 15 years after one very teenage girl! May this new little female in your lives be more of a blessing than you could even imagine from a God as big as ours!
This note is already bringing tears to my eyes, and I’m not even married!!! 3 months and 3 weeks to go π We’ve just been recently talking about when we’d want to have children… and I know (from this note) it is going to be an amazing journey!
But, it will be quite some time π haha!
Now any wowman that will build a tent with a bedspread and hot wheels coming out of a track has got to get the grandmother of the year awayd. It sounded like a boat load of fun. I’ve done simular things with my sons.
Have fun Beth.
Make sure and let us know when this little one gets here.
Becky/Brentwood
Awww man. Just the sweetest post ever.
I gotta go write my daughters-in-law right*this*very*minute! They’re both doing such a great job loving their babies. Their very “busy” babies.
I wonder … have I actually told them that lately?
Thanks Ms Beth for this great reminder!
Oh! And “happy baby to you”!
Oh I loved that post! I always treasure sweet words from my mom! Praying for you, Amanda! I missed the Monster Truck show last year with my 3 precious boys and husband because, like you, I was very ready to deliver our sweet little girl (born on Valentine’s Day- isn’t that sweet!?!).
It is so great to be the mom of a little boy…I have two! What precious joy!
What a wonderful mother you are as well, Beth!! Amanda has learned from a great example!!
…so now that it’s official and Ananda will definitely need a bigger purse i just want to thank you for sharing your joy with us…. i think God must just get so much pleasure from watching you and your family revel in his gifts (and not only the happy ones) that he can’t help himself from passing along another one…I can picture his face while watching you guys….and you keep sharing it with a larger inner and outer “community”…both your biological familyandfriends and your spiritual family keeps growing so that HIS JOY may be complete in All of Us….I am so happy for you, Jackson, Curtis and Amanda and Melissa and Hubby, and Keith….and all…i had to join in the chorus and sing for you today!!!!
p.s. i guess what i’m trying to say is …it is your faithfulness to God that comes through…it isn’t always a Jobtypetest…a time of great joy and fullness can be an easier time to fail a bit…but you keep putting that foot on the path where the lamp shows you to go.. and show us Who is available to all of us…if we will just receive Him
this is the last and no need to post it but i was just thinking about the faithful servant who multipled his gift a hundredfold
..vs the one who buried it … how sad the master must have been to see the gift useless and dead and how Happy to see it’s abundant life brought to fruition in the other (i promise no more words)
Thanks for this post. Sounds like Jackson is a lot like my little boy, although mine is only 19 months! How I wish I had this kind of mother-daughter relationship or even a wise biblical woman to mentor me in this way. Thank you, Beth Moore, for living life out loud for the rest of us to see.
I love this post! We actually got our pink baby first, so when the second was on the way we couldn’t imagine life any other way… and I have to admit it took me a couple months to get used to the idea (I think I remember thinking, “oh God, what have a done to deserve this?”). Now I simply adore my daughter and all of her girly, princess pinkness, But oh how that little man has stolen my heart! A good friend tried to describe to me once the special way a boy loves his mommy. I thought of her comments when God placed this loud, hungry… and loud… and hungry… little person in our lives, and wondered if she might have lost her mind. I really had no idea what she meant until the day that little guy looked at me with his best “oh mommy, the sun rises and sets with you” look, and I was done for him. Done, done, done. It’s been such a blessing to see life and God’s creation through the eyes of both sexes.
Dear Beth, Congratulation on your granddaughter. She is just beautiful. This is a very special request for our daughter Holly. Holly was unable to have children because of a a diagnosis of ovarian cancer four years ago. She is 34 and not doing vary well these days. She is such a fan of yours and has grown so much in the Lord due to many of your bible studies. Is it ever possible for you to call someone? I know that you are a very busy lady and probably get a 1000 request like this. But I thought I would try anyway.By the way I am doing your Esther study and love it. Love Wendy
Rkelly
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in your iwll carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.