Growing Up and Having Fun

Just living life each day, trying to slow down and enjoy the moments. Always so much that 'needs' to be done...dinner, laundry, dishes, vacuuming...but trying to remind myself how little those things matter as we stop to pause and watch how quickly VW is growing.

Looking through the pictures I've taken over the past month I'm reminded how important the little things, these precious little men God has entrusted us with, matter. So here is a glimpse of joy amidst the chaos.

VW the artist, concentrating on his masterpieces.

Peeking out to say 'hi'

Wrestling on the floor and making forts.

Pausing for some cuddles with Martie Moose, the pillow pet.

Waiting patiently for Mom to pick out her books at the library.



Enjoying sometime outdoors.

Sad watching his brother playing in the snow, well Mommy and VW had a teaching moment about attitude...

Life is fun when you are cleaning up in the tub with your brother.

I am also reminded of VWs innonence in these glimpses of life. How important it is to not  pursue a life of perfection orfor my dreams to come true exactly as I want them to, but to let go and find balance. May I be less distracted by the "things" that pull me in multiple directions, but focus on what is here with me today, because life is full and good.

And as VW asked me this morning, maybe we can play "policeman and those that don't follow the rules" this afternoon. Oh, buddy life is always an adventure and oh, so innocent with you to keep me grounded in the views of a 4-year-old.

Napping or Changing? That is the Question!

DG is often heard chatting up a storm once his nap is done. He will play, bang on things, flip around, and kick his fish off and on. It is quite entertaining to peak in and watch his solitude enjoyment. While this particular afternoon, I peaked in to find him shirtless.

He giggled at me when he saw I was watching.

Gave me one of his stoic faces...

Then showed me his t-shirt on his legs.

Good try, Bubba! But we will have to practice on where each article of clothing is worn before you completely master this task yourself!

Finally...

VW is pretty excited. We finally got snow that was snowman material!

Here is our family with our first snowmen of the 2012-13 winter!

VW even used all his strength, might, and excitment

to roll the snowman's head all by himself!

VW named the snowmen Jake and Peter Pan.

Good Intentions

Had good intentions of making some cute Valentine cards with the boys surrounded by some of the things they "love" right now! Good intentions get you four okay pictures of a very active four-year-old, who so graciously tries to do as his mother wishes! In reality you get this all too adorable boy, who should really just play with his cars and not smile for the camera! LOVE you VW! Love your imagination and structure of car playing and inja (aka ninja) kicking!

Short & Sweet, But Lots of Fun

Last weekend Mommy went to celebrate with a high school friend her miracle arriving any day now. This made for a perfect opportunity for some much needed Grandma and Papa K time. (No complaining there!) Our visit was short and sweet, with pending storms and possible crazy weather on the horizon, but this didn't stop all the fun the boys got to experience.

Lots of tickling, horsey, and wrestling with Papa!

Cuddling with Grandma!

And bedtime stories with Papa!

Such a fun time with lots of spoiling all around, especially after you eat a bowl of cereal at Grandma and Papa's house you can get a cookie for breakfast. Papa says it doesn't count when it tastes like cardboard (sugar-free), but Mommy just says "only at Grandma and Papas!!!" What great memories for all!

Love Endures Forever

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. ¹¹When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. ¹²Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. ¹³And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  I Corinthians 13:4-13

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.

- Psalm 136

Letting Go

As I typically do in the new year, I’ve been reflecting on our joys and sorrows of the past year, while trying to catch my breath and dwell on purpose and vision for the year ahead. The first month of 2013 has already come and gone and I find myself more reflective than normal with a desire to cry out to my Lord and Savior…breathe for me, carry me…to ’simply’ surrender all.

Not sure if deeper reflection comes with age or the continued growth and appreciation of the sacrifice God has given...how this impacts the various wants, needs and desires of my heart...what I yearn for in my relationship with God, my marriage, and the discipleship of our children.

I really don’t know how to articulate the pull I feel at my heart strings as we’ve discussed plans and dreams for the future. From the ‘simple’ day-to-day routine, activities and meal planning to where our money should go and how to budget to achieve that to long weekend vacation plans to simply reminding myself to find rest and peace in today.

So, I cry out to the Lord to experience more of Him this year. To let go of the control I so hold onto for dear life and be cradle in His arms. To have a renewed discipline. To have the Glory of God’s character be displayed in my thoughts, words, and actions. To submit to the God desires in my heart, that He may have His way in my Life. So, I am letting go and Letting God.

Gorillas and Lions

Mommy and Aunt M had the day off together last week Wednesday. And since our cousins get off school early on Wednesdays...why not head to the zoo.

Of course, DG found it necessary to take a 3 hour nap that day, but it didn't stop us. The sun was not as sunny and the wind had started to pick up and the zoo was "officially" close 2 minutes prior to our arrival, but since we are members they let us in.

They had a blast together and since it was the end of the day, no one was there. DG followed after his cousins...enjoying his freedom from the stroller Mom makes him sit in when she is by herself with the boys! Lots of puddles to stomp in, running, climbing, chatting, cheering, all around good times.

I squeezed VW into between two gorrilas for a photo-op.

This gorrila gave us the eye!

A little bit of reflection, but too cute not to share.

We had quite the show with the baby lion cubs. One was hungry, but the mom kept rolling over and batting him away. He finally cuddle in for a hug. One time the daddy, king of the jungle, lion roared from somewhere. Both females jumped up and stood guard, they paced, got defensive with each other, and then laid back down. Impressive!

Final photo-op as we left...until next time!

Donald Duck and Os

Had a fun day off with the boys and we created some fun memories.

DG tried Spaghetti-Os and meatballs for the first time. VW has yet to try them. I told them what it was, showed him the Cars can, I had to open the can and he peered inside, and then asked for peanut butter!

Prior to this, VW had begged me to go back to Donald Ducks. Donald Ducks, you may ask. I guess his trip thru McDonald's drive-thru last week was memorable?!? Since he has maybe been there once for every year of his life. No Donald Ducks today, buddy!

We Match

DG and VW received the same fun moose jammies from Grandma for Christmas. Obviously, VW hadn't paid attention. So, the night Nana and Papa watched the boys and VW saw DG in his moose jammies, he was adament that Nana put DG in his jammies! 
Nana was pretty sure that Mommy didn't leave VW jammies for DG AND was pretty sure that VWs jammies would be quite large for DG (although there is only 6 lbs difference between the two). 
VWs insistence nearly convinced Nana that there may have been confusion!

But the excitment of having matching jammies wins!!