Today Was the Day

VW has been practicing and singing for weeks for his Easter Program and today was the day! He was so excited! 

He was instructed to wear the color brown...to go with his amazing brown eyes! :)
After arriving home from buddies last night he ran to his room. Later he informed me that he had already selected his clothes for tomorrow (today)...brown underwear, brown pants, brown shirt and he needed help finding his brown socks! 

He got dressed this morning, only to discover his brown pants were way to short and his brown socks too small, so khaki's and baseball socks it is.

We arrived early so we could get the front row. 

All the anticipation! Finally, the spring butterfly's came 'flying' in for the program.

 

 

Posing afterwards with Miss Sarah

Can't forget a picture with Mom, too!

 

Nana and Papa even joined in today! VW was so
excited for his audience (no pix with Aunt M).

 

Introducing...

the new member of our animal family...

Red-Bright

He is quite the gorgeous betta when he swims. But he mainly likes to hang out in the upper left hand corner behind the pump. I captured him on one of his rare explorations.

Did you know that's betta's only need to be fed twice a week?
And the little two cup container you purchase them in is double the size of their normal habitat.
Little trivia for ya!

Red-Bright's life is pretty indulgent then, in his large new home.

First question VW asked the morning after he carefully selected his new fish...can I feed him?

Welcome Red-Bright to our family!

We Are Being Watched

DG is constantly watching us and then doing his very best to mimic our behavior. This is the most prevalent at the dinner table.

First we pray...we all grab hands...and it begins...VW starts...

"Thank You God for Happy Hearts,

For Rain and Sunny Weather,

Thank You God for this Our Food,

And that We're ALL Together!"

The whole time DG also talks with the same intonation as his big brother and the last words of phrase drawn out in only the way DG can. Finished with a big hand raise and drop with a shout of "AMEN."

We let go of our cherished family's hands, only to see DG passionately and earnestly slam his fingerstips together saying "more-more." We all hold hands again and it is now Daddy's turn with a big AMEN, then Mommy's turn with a big AMEN and then...mind you, this would continue on and on if we didn't insist that is time to eat.

DG will relunctantly end, then watch...

oh, VW picked up his fork...where's my fork...found it...food stab and in mouth

he streaches his neck out peering across the table over the food to see what's his brother will do next...

drink...got it...fork down...grab milk...

napkin...wipe face...

and don't forget the talking!

On it continues...and Daddy and I peer across the table and smile. It is too precious to watch the interactions occuring each day. And then are reminded that we are being watched carefully with sincere innocence and joy in learning new things...may our actions and words reflect the character we wish to instill in both our boys!

Yarn Easter Eggs

VW was in desparate need of some Mommy time. It does not take much for this momma to agree, so Mommy Day it was. Seen a really cure idea on Pinterest for an egg garland, so I thought this was the perfect activity for us to spend time together, chat, and decorate the house for Easter.

VW was all set and really excited to play with the balloons.

Good thing Mom has a lot of hot air.

I am not quite sure how I could forget...but VW does not like to get dirty, so the startch part became my sticky, messy job. Nothing like a craft project with your little guy by yourself!

However, he was really good detangling the string across the room.

Waiting for the startch to dry (note to self...use less starch next time).

Final result...

Next time Mom wants to do a messy project, she will do it when the boys go to bed and save the clean projects for Mommy Days.

Talking With God

Mommy is putting the finishing touches to the evening meal,
that is, warming up last nights leftovers in the microwave. 

Daddy is cutting bite-size pieces for DG who is screaming
because he wanted to eat a half-hour ago.

VW is setting the table and everyone is talking
about the experiences of the day.

Not sure if anyone is completely heard
but no one seems to mind.

When VW inquisitively asks:
"Daddy, how do you know that?"

"I know a lot more than you think, buddy!"

"Yeah, but you don't know everything!"

"Really? How do you know?"

"Cuz I talked to God and he told me...

 you don't know everything!"

(put in your place by a 4-year-old...hmmm)

Pooped

The boys had a fun weekend relaxing, playing, reading, cuddling,
racing, pretending, puzzling, gaming and simply hanging out
this weekend when Grandma and Papa came for a visit.

During a particular fun game of riding Papa, "the Horsie", the giggling,
crashing, wimpering, full-on belly laughing could be heard across the house.
Then the horsie informed the wrangling cowboys that he was pooped.

VW paused and looked around bewildered...he didn't see any poop.

Try explaining that one! :)

(no pictues...just memories of the fun and a small rug burn on the cheek)

My Provider

When I know who I am in my Lord Jesus Christ,
I will know what to do.

May I have a faith, that even though tested,
is confident in my God,
my Jehovah Jireh,
my Provider.

Another Year Older & Wiser

Today was the birthday of an amazing man...devoted husband and dad...

I am so humbly blessed to have such an amazing husband in my life...

one who loves to spend time with me and the boys,

who puts God and his family first,

and even thought he isn't perfect,
nor does he pretend to be,

he strives to learn, grow, and provide,

and he is perfectly made for me.

Happy Birthday!

I love you with all my heart

and so proud of all we've

experienced together

this past year!

Our boys beam with pride

and admiration of you!

So thankful that our boys get to enjoy and

experience life with you!

All the tickling, webbing, wrestling...

is priceless.

"For I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice; in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him." ~Genesis 18-19

Thank you for commanding our household,

for seeking justice and righteousness,

for keeping the way of the Lord present

in our home.

Happy Birthday!

Love you Always!

Little Guy With Few Words...

but has lots of screams, tuggling, pulling, and 'uhs!' to always get your attention even if inappropraitely.

Around our house this past month we have been working hard on labeling everything. This little man needs to learn more words!! We can tell this is working and we know there is so much more to come. Maybe its the constant talking of his older brother ;-)

We ask DG to say "please" and he says "yes". (sometimes with a tummy rub)

We ask if he wants milk or water. "yes"

We ask him to say Papa and he says "bye bye"

He constantly says "ella"

So as you can see we have some work to do as this is getting frustrating!! On the bright side he has the most fun personality and knows he is entertaining.

He toots or hears the noises from the ketchup bottle and mimics the sound. Laughing and laughing to himself. Repeat.

He loves the outdoors and the sandbox. Waiting for it to thaw...

He gives you the most precious eyes...so hard to resist...

Always the movie star...dancing and performing.

He does say "snow" and then shivers and says "cold," but loves every minute he gets to play in it.



I can't even begin to describe his performance in the tub. However, his new game is to say he has to go potty...in and out, in and out...appropriately his older brother flips out when it ends up in the tub!

Thanks for all the laughs, jubliant dancing in circles and the snuggles you provide on a daily basis, DG! You are too precious...someday you will tell us in your own words, but for now we will patiently grow with you and experience life wide open!