It's HOT (even in the shade)

Memorial Day Weekend...excuse me VWs birthday weekend was a HOT one! 
On Saturday, it was a 100 in the shade! 

It was time to introduce DG to one of his big brothers favorite summer activity...the sprinkler!!

DG wasn't too sure about getting splashed in the face!

However, VW loved ever minute of it!

DG did like it when VW filled his watering can
and poured the freezing cold water on Mommy's feet!

It wore DG out!

And VW enjoyed every moment!

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

So what four-year-old boy doesn't have an amazing Spider-Man party?
What fun we had celebrating...according to VW, it was his birthday all weekend.

He blew out his candles and missed one!

Great fishing pool from the H family!!

VW was blessed with lots of great gifts & DG even helped!

He had a scavenger hunt to find his bike from
Nana & Papa! He even kept looking when he got to
Daddy's mower AND the bike for the next clue ;-)

VW played on his swing set from Mommy, Daddy,
Grandma, & Papa K.

FOUR

How can a day go so slow, you don't know if it will ever end, but a year (or four years for that matter) go by so fast? How can the daily routine (grind) be so monotonous, yet so rewarding?

So many changes, so many blessing over the past four years!

People say it seems like yesterday their child was born and yet even though VW is four today, it seems like forever...or really that he has always been a part of our life, a part of us, a part of our world we could never imagine it without him in it or what is was actually like when he was envisioned by God, but not yet with us.

At the same time, it can't really be four years already!! Wasn't it just yesterday, I made Daddy wait just a little longer before taking us to the hospital? Only hours later, holding our miracle, God's miracle, in my arms and seeing the love in Daddy's eyes...he has a son!!

Here is to VW, our miracle, God's gift to us.

Thank you for reminding us what life is all about.

We love:

• the twinkle in your brown eyes
• the excitment in your voice
• your joy of tickling, chasing, singing, and cuddling
• your love for the people around you
• your love of cars, games, puzzles, sports, music
• your thoughtfulness and inquisitiveness about life - you are so smart
• your passion/contentedness of being with your family
• that you are strong-willed, a wonderful quality that makes you bold, a leader, determined, yet difficult (one of God's gift that we pray God will mold and build upon for His glory - and one your parents will have to seek guidance and patience for every day to build you up and not tear you down)
• your HUGS, HUGS, HUGS.

We love you so much! You are so amazing to us! We are so grateful to God for you. We pray that you will continue to be courageous - and that you will be a mighty soldier for Jesus Christ. May the Lord give you the desires of your heart and may your heart desire Him.

Happy Birthday, VW! Here is to many more...'cuz "they say its your birthday, so happy birthday to ya!"

Come On In...

...I now have a place to hang your hat!

My amazing, patient, generous, and skilled father-in-law built this gorgeous entryway bench and shelf, based on a picture in my dream book.

It is such a blessing to walk around our home and see Papa's craftmanship.

From the amazing piggy banks to teach the boys stewardship, to the amazing toy chest he made for VWs 2nd birthday...

to the captains bed, to the headboard, to the buffet...

Thank you for sharing your talents and amazing abilities with your family!

Feel the Love

As I was packing my lunch this morning, VW stops at the top of the stairs.

“Where’s Daddy?”

I look up to see him in his gray baseball shirt, brown shorts, and black/gray argyle dress socks pulled past his knees like soccer socks.

He asks me what’s for breakfast and chooses cereal with raisins, then proceeds to hug my leg, telling me that I hug you ‘cuz I didn’t get to hug Daddy. I sneak in my own big, legs and arms wrapped around me hug!

I continue to pack lunch as he eats the raisins from his cereal with a few stray flakes in each bite. He tells me about the orange tummies on the birds outside the window, that he hopes the garden grows, that it is warm out and not winter and that the days are really, really long. He tells me he loves me.

We cuddle on the chair and he plays a game of Angry Birds. I get a chance too and a “good job, Mommy.”

He tells me he loves me, and Daddy, and DG, and Bailey, and Kelty, and Cousin NR, and Aunt M and that we all live in O.

DG wakes up to join in the fun, swaying and laughing to the funny songs I sing. VW tells me he loves his brother.

We pack up the car, VW insisting that he gets himself in his car seat and me fighting with the straps and the toy DG chose this morning to grab onto for life…or until he can find something bigger and more awkward. VW tells me I need to put DGs toy in the house (it is his) and he might not be able to find it later if it is in the car.

We are off to buddies. VW tells me he sees another bird and verifies if I saw it. “That’s ok, Mommy, next time.” He tells me airplanes, Buzz Lightyear and birds fly. He just pretends to fly. And that Buzz’ wings go in and out. At the stoplight, he tells me he loves me.

We go to DGs room first and VW gives him a big hug as DG stuffs his face with pancakes in the cute table he sits at. VW asks to be carried to his room and I get 3 hugs and a big kiss.

The morning routine is done and I tell you what, I feel the love!

May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

Birthday Month

If you didn't know it is VWs birthday month, just ask him.

"It's not my birthday yet, but it IS my birthday month!"

"Grandma and Grandpa are coming to my party, like DGs. Nana and Papa, too!"

"Aunt K and Uncle C are coming. They couldn't make it for DGs but they can come to MINE."

"Isn't that exciting!?!"

Repeat! Repeat! Repeat! Not just daily, but hourly!

Can't believe you are going to be 4, VW! But so proud of the little man you are becoming! Looking forward to your continued excitment and joy in life!

Reward from the Lord

What a beautiful mother's day weekend! We spent most of the weekend outdoors, where life is always good in God's creation. Plus, VW and DG are in their little piece of heaven on earth while outdoors. 

May I be the mother to our boys that my own mothers example of faith, grace, and discipline is to me. May we always remember that "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him."~ Psalm 127:3

A 1-Year-Olds Simplicty

Anyone that has spent even 5 mintues with us knows that DG is always on the go. He is such a fun, little guy...always exploring, always holding something, and knows no bounds, has no fear! Honestly, it can be exhausting!

So, when it is quiet, except for DGs adorable giggle, you wonder what he is into now. While, this time it was his diaper/wipe shipment!

As I often say, just get him a box...its more fun than what is inside. The joyful, simplicity of a one-year-old (and his older brother)!

We seriously found him in the box. Not too sure
how he got in, but obviously figured it out!

Whatcha doing Daddy?

More fun with your brother along for the ride!

Hangin' Out on the Swings

We decided that it would be fun for the boys to have a swing set. We typically walk to the local elementary school for some fun playground time, but after much discussion (how to get the huge mower around one), it was decided that time on a swing set, fort, pirate ship, or whatever you can imagine would be a blast! Here are a few pictures of the day Daddy (with a little help from Cousin IM) setting it up. DG was napping so lots of pictures of VW!! Happy, imagitive times ahead!

Trying to get on the swing by hisself.
Mission has since been accomplished!
Now working on pumping!

The slide is fun and fast by yourself, but more fun with 2!

Checking out the rock wall!

Hiding under the fort with Bailey,
who is just trying to stay cool!

This is only a TEST

Life is always so interesting to me...everchanging, chaotic, fun, stressful, entertaining. Even when I don't realize it, I truly enjoy each moment of life.
The only thing predicatable about life is that is in unpredicatable.

Then...there seems to be a pattern with me. I don't know if it is God's little "tests" for me to see how I will handle myself in this crazy experience of life.

Three and half years ago, I "discovered" our basement was flooded. I was shocked to say the least! Plus, I was 5 months pregnant with VW and was rather more emotional then I normally would be. BUT, I can proudly say I past the test. With lots of help from family and friends, and amazing work from Daddy things were cleaned up, remodeled, VW was born, and we sold our house! All such great opportunities for our family!

The foot of water in our basement at our N street house.
Water main break in the neighborhood (2008).

Yesterday, I made a rare visit home over the lunch hour to discover our home filled with a rather pungent smell and crazy smokey mist. First, I thought it was a fire, but there was no burning wood smell. Then, gas? No you can't see gas. So I tiptoed in the house to discover this...

I can tell you that you never want to experience the smell of burning, melted plastic.

It appears that our cat jumped on our counter, knocked over a glass of water, which poured down one of the knobs on the cooktop, which short-circuited and turned on the burner, AND melted the microwaveable bottle-sterilizer on the burner.

Similar to the flood, my first call was to Daddy. He had to talk me through what to do (for the flood-turn off the water into the house, for the stove-the breaker). Then after all the windows were open, I went outside and sat on the front step and prayed. So thankful, no one was hurt and that I came home for lunch!

Daddy and I cleaned all afternoon...a layer of moist, burnt plastic on everything. Everything is wiped down and now we are just getting the smell out of the fabrics, so still doing plenty of laundry.

You truly don't know what you are missing in life until you've experienced life crazy stressful test, but it is only test and this to shall pass!

When It Rains...It Pours

Just checking in, although unsure if I am actually here. I tell you life always brings excitment and God never gives you more than you can handle!

Since DGs first birthday we have been to Urgent Care 2x and 1 doctor visit...first ear infection for the little guy so bring on the antibiotics, then 103 temp., throwing up, and discovered anibiotic not working, new antibiotic and then a break-out of blisters...hand, foot, and mouth. YIKES!

Mommy's first business trip since pregnant with VW! Of course, the day after DGs 103 temp and when only Mommy will do when you are sick! Thank goodness Daddy and Nana were "okay" until I got back ;-)

Big Grandma (i.e., Matt's Grandma), the great-grandchildren call her Big Grandma vs. Great-Grandma, she is not big, but she is great...at 94 years-old has decided she is ready to go "home" and given us all a wake up call. She had an infection that caused thrush, which then means you don't eat, which then makes it really hard to live! She has been on IV since Tuesday and family from all walks of life and all over the country have come in. Great to see family, but always crazy at this time. We visited Big Grandma Saturday. She mostly slept, but occasionally peeked her eyes open. Two favorite moments...1) when VW yelled "I love you" and she startled, wide-eyed to sweetly say, "Oh, honey, I love you too!" 2) she peeked and DG gave her the biggest grin, in which she responded with "he is cute!"