Voting

Monday, August 29, 2011

Appreciating the Appreciation

It is amazing what a heartfelt "Thank you" can do for one's soul, especially if your love language is words of affirmation like myself. 

Tuesday night Chris had a work dinner to attend so he was not coming home after work.  On his way to the restaurant from his office, Chris called me and said -- "I just wanted to call and tell you 'thank you'"  He proceeded to thank me for taking care of his children, for staying home where he does not have to worry about their care or how they are being influenced. 

It is nice to hear the appreciation.  I would much rather stay home and raise our children full time than go to work outside of the home and leave them in someone else's care.  However, hearing that you are appreciated for such a hard job is GREAT.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

His heart

that is where "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of GOD."  That was the answer I received from Brady when we were reviewing this week's memory verse.  After reciting his verse to me, I said: "Where is that?" - meaning where is that verse located in the Bible?  He answered,in all seriousness, "my heart".  LOVE it!! 

That was not the answer I was looking for (Matthew 5:9) but it sure is THE answer...the whole reason we are doing this...in order to have GOD's word tucked away in our hearts.  Awesome...thank you LORD for this boy and this little moment of clarity with him.

FIRST FAMILY VACATION

as just our little family of five (never even happened as a family of 3 or 4)!  It was a wonderful time and very cherished.  It was just a couple days in Orange Beach, Alabama but it was just what we needed.  Only a 4 hour drive, cute little house, steps from the ocean, 2 nights away, rest and relaxation....exactly what we wanted.  Thankful for this memory of my little family of five! 

highlights:
  • watching Brady crab "hunt" with Daddy 
  • witnessing Evan's expression the first time he walked in the sand (he was 9 weeks old the first and only time he went to the beach before this trip)
  • experiencing my sweet lovey dovey (Maddox) sleeping in my arms on the beach listening to the waves
  • sipping ice cold beers with my hubby while marveling over our sweet little life



    Monday, August 22, 2011

    after school chat

    Brady cracks me up with the way he organizes and expresses his thoughts. 

    He completed his first week of school last Friday.

    We have started a little after school chat time.  We are very blessed that a neighbor is able to bring Brady home from school every afternoon.  This has worked out great for a couple of reasons.  The reason we did it was so that my lil' guys - Evan & Maddox - can get their afternoon naps, instead of spending that precious time in carpool line.

    I have enjoyed this time with Brady where we can sit and talk and read stories, read the Bible....good one on one time.  On Friday Brady and I are chatting about his day and I asked him about making new friends.  He said that when he meets someone new, he "charges them" with do you know Star Wars? If they do, I ask them their name.  Maybe I can ask them for a map to their house and we can go to their house mom to see if they have Star Wars toys at their house?

    He is obsessed with Star Wars now!  Chris decided that this past summer was the perfect time/age for he and Brady to bond over Star Wars...and now Brady is OBSESSED

    Tuesday, August 16, 2011

    HERE WE ARE!

    I have had a lot of "okay they are growing up" moments lately.  Letting go - however small these steps are right now - is always hard.  Brady lost his first tooth last week - total shock to me as he got his first tooth later than average.  He started kindergarten yesterday.   This is BIG stuff....BIG school, all day, every day.


    Evan is wearing big boy underwear and doing better sleeping in his big boy bed...after a short stint of putting him in his pack n play in his bedroom to sleep because he repeatedly got out of his bed...and sometimes climbed the ladder to Brady's bed.


    Maddox is a half of a year old...........NOOOOOOOOOO!  This is so hard for me to swallow.  I don't want him to grow up...he is my caboose and I want him to stay a cute, snuggly little baby for a LONG time or FOREVER!!!  I love having the sweetest baby in the world to cuddle and fall asleep on me and stare at me with an adoration that only a little angel has for his momma!

    So here we are.  I do not have a choice.  Time is going to continue to tick by regardless of how I feel or what I choose to focus on.  I am trying to enjoy the little moments and each little limb on each little tree in the middle of this forest.  I love my boys immensely!