Sophie's Big Morning

On Sunday Sophie had her big church debut with it being "Children's Sunday!" Her class sang 2 songs up front. Performance video coming soon (The church recorded the performance). I would just like to say, that my little girl looked SO big up on stage. She smiled, she sang, she did motions, she DID NOT run around and scream or run off the stage, she walked down the aisle with her "buddy", and she even waved perfectly at the end. All while being in the front row!

I was so proud that I cried. Yes, I'll admit it. I picked out the perfect dress and spent 20 whole minutes doing her hair. Even contemplating a little lipstick...don't worry, I stopped myself there! It was such a fun morning and she talked about it the rest of the day.





When we got home, I quickly hung the cute dress back up and tucked the "sheep ears" into her baby book!

Before we left for church, I took quite a few pictures because Sophie was smiling. And she never does that when a camera is in the vicinity. So we went overboard. And I will share. And you will be thankful I did. You will.











We're so proud of Sophie and the little lady she is becoming. Yes, some days are slower than others, but we see the light. And it is the light of the Lord in her. She is growing so fast but is getting her solid foundation in the Truth. I'm so thankful for this time that she is learning about Jesus and learning to love her Maker!

Days Like These...

"Oh, what a beautiful, lovely, noisy day" ("I dance in My Red Pajamas" Edith Thacher Hurd)

This is the very last line in one of my favorite children stories. It makes me think of life with young children, my life. My husband and I found out that we were pregnant with our oldest when we had been married for a short 5 and 1/2 months. Life has been filled with beautiful, lovely, noisy days ever since.

We have a little girl who is almost 3 and a little boy who just turned 1. Between Martha the dog talking on TV, sad cries, the laundry rattling in the dryer (which usually means a toy accidentally made it in), dishes, potty training, Sunday school lessons, play dates, wrestling bath time and nap time, etc, I could go crazy for the simple desire for quiet. For peace. For a simple minute of rest. It seems even too much to ask just to get a minute to myself when I use the restroom!

With all of that considered and the fact that I really do love my children, the Lord is teaching me that when the world around me is going crazy and I'm getting carried along with it, my spirit can be at rest. My inner heart can find peace. My soul can have quiet. This is only through my relationship with Him. He will provide these things to me, while He gives me the strength and endurance to take care of my family. All He wants me to do is love the family He gave me and to teach my children the ways of His Word. He will take care of us. He will provide. He will show us true beautiful, lovely, noisy days.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

This song makes me think of my life. maybe. a little. too. much. I want to heed this advice and love these days.



Linking to:

A Wise Momma

I saw the following on a post by Jill from Barnes Yard. It made me realize, this is not my natural bent. It also made me realize, this is what I should be trying for. I hope you're challenged and encouraged too! I lean more towards putting too high of an importance on appearance in my children because that is what I struggle with in my personal heart. As our house is on the market and it is not my job to find the buyer...I will lay it down. As my child will sometimes have accidents in her panties, despite the hours I've sat with her in the bathroom...I will lay it down.

I will unwrap the gift of two healthy children who are growing to be children who walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. May they be following the Lord, as they play with my shoes and take steps after mine.

"If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love, I am a housekeeper - not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not love, my children learn cleanliness - not godliness.
Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
Love is present through the trials.
Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.
Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.
Love is the key that opens salvation's message to a child's heart.
Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in God's perfection of my child.
As a mother, there is much I must teach my child,
but the greatest of all is love."
--Unknown Author, At least to Me.

May you take this to heart today, and unwrap the gift God is giving you.

The Fire Truck

AJ received this fire truck from Josh's parents for his birthday! I wasn't sure if he would figure it out at the beginning (I was pretty sure, he's just never tried one before this) but he's taken off...literally! He LOVES it. Sophie loves it too, so we work on taking turns and learning that it belongs to AJ.

It's been so fun to see him drive everywhere. He is constantly amazing me with what he can do!

A Big Step

I am not going to post pictures :-), but I wanted to document that Sophie is excelling in this time of potty training! She is doing so well in her big girl panties and has overall had very few accidents. She is in panties during nap time, waking up dry, and actually woke up with a dry diaper just this morning after bed time!

Yesterday was the first day that we were away from home but she did very well. She had dry panties the whole day and even told me when she needed to go! I was so impressed that she wasn't scared to go in all the different restrooms!

This is the latest milestone in a long list that shows me how much my baby is growing up. She is an absolute delight and always makes us smile with her cute phrases or stories. She gives big hugs and loves people. She is so smart in her playtime, loving puzzles and matching and counting. She enjoys books very much, yet still has her deep love for running, climbing, and playing outside. She has so much fun when friends come over and delights in her class (Sunday School). She is very good at learning songs, especially the ones with dancing and motions. We still have to remind her sometimes, but she's very good with her brother and is so excited when he's up from his naps. She is a big helper and loves to "do it" herself.

We'll be signing her up for swim lessons this summer and contemplating preschool for fall. It is beyond me how she can already be turning 3 in August! I should realize this since I just had to get her new shoes and clothes. She's petite but very tall!

We are so glad she's in our family and delight in her spirit. We're praying she continues with her love for Bible songs and praying. We are so proud of the little lady she is becoming and are excited to see what God has in store for her life.

A Garden Party for AJ

This past Saturday, we had a garden party for AJ. Complete with a grass table and a garden bug/caterpillars cake! More pictures of the party to come since my sister-in-law had the camera. I so appreciate her artistic eye and willingness to capture the time! These are just the pictures of all the decor right before it started!

It was a perfect time in the morning and we were so thankful to our friends who came to play. The sun even peeked out for a little bit to allow playtime outside! We had sun tea, muffins, fruit, and cake. Of course, AJ loved his birthday cake and had so much fun snuggling with Grandma and crawling over to see each of his friends!










Linking to:

Silly AJ

The Little Man is #1

Our Aaron Joshua (We call him AJ) is one! Officially on Thursday. This just seems like a huge milestone for our family. We're finished having kids and now our baby isn't a baby anymore. I'm so glad that Amy and Dave have Callie now because I can snuggle her and breathe in that sweet, brand-new smell!

AJ is cruising everywhere, standing for longer periods, and getting Sophie every chance he gets. Saying he loves his food is an understatement and he'll tell you what's up! I'm not joking. He is one LOUD child. He is loud happy, loud sad, and loud angry. Sometimes when I'm on the phone, I have to go into the other room just to hear the other person! He has an adorable smile that he's quick to share and he would always prefer to have someone hold him. He loves to wrestle and throw toys. He loves to play with things he's not supposed to have. He is ALL boy and we love it!

I am a girly girl who, at one point before him, thought that I only wanted or only "could" survive with girls. Now, I don't know what I would do without my little man. Maybe I would finish a meal in one sitting or have less back aches or sleep all night long but I would miss out on big hugs, slimy kisses, melting at husky giggles, and being the mom to a little man who is going to grow up too quickly!

We love you AJ and are so glad you completed our family. We're praying that you grow in wisdom and statue, learning to love God your whole life through.

Eagle Crest

Our friends John and Betsey shared a vacation with us! They had been given a week in Eagle Crest and could only use the second half, so they gave us the first part! We were there from a Friday until a Tuesday and we had so much fun!

The condo was beautiful and the perfect size for our family. The master bedroom even had a jacuzzi tub that the kids had so much fun in. We also took them to Bouncing Off the Wall which is an indoor play center. Sophie ran and ran and ran! We took big walks and spent a lot of time at the park. Sophie and AJ played together so well. They do a really good job of laughing and being silly. They even slept in the same room and did so well!

The time was truly refreshing for our family and a great time to make memories!

On Tuesday we had a WONDERFUL time with John and Betsey. They're so much fun and we're so thankful for how they love our kiddos too! Sophie adores "Mr John and Mrs Betsey" and Betsey is training AJ to say she's his favorite, which I don't think will need much convincing! It is such a gift when you have those friends that both you and your husband love and it's so easy to get along with! Everything can become a fun time!