Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Cell Phones and Cottages


With the weather absolutely perfect, there's nothing better than playing in a cottage with your cell phone on a cool day.
Excuse the hard shadow the windows kept giving, but this shows Gavin handing me all of the tiny little leaves that were cluttering his house.
I can't wait for evenings with more daylight and more outside playtime. I think he agrees.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Birthday Wishes


My dear husband,

Today is your birthday. I'm thinking you already knew that. And guess what? You survived not only one but two years past your expiration date (30). You're not even the little tiniest bit sour, but all the more sweeter, funnier, handsome, loving, kinder, creative man I know and I get to be married to you. I hope your day is happy and full of births. Yea, I know, I stole that phrase from you. See how you make me laugh every day? It makes me so grateful God put the two of us together. I think Gavin kind of takes a shining to you too.








Thursday, January 14, 2010

Reaching Out

Today was a good day. Since Mr. Man had a fever (that part wasn't good) most likely due to his back molars trying to come in, I took the day off to be with him. And it was good. We shared a banana; he helped shut the dishwasher with his head; there was one near mishap with a bowl of grits (the reason for the wardrobe change in the following pictures) and we played with his wooden train.

We also had lots of one-sided talks about boundaries. "No Gavin, your toy does not go in the dishwasher. Yes, that is Mommy's eye, but please don't poke it." I enjoyed every minute of it. Even when I looked down to see someone with outstretched arms wanted to be held while I was folding the laundry.

Okay, so this was a little more representative of the situation.

Have you ever tried to fold a queen size sheet with a toddler in your lap? To give him credit, he did later try to help. He surprised me by picking up his folded clothes and not tossing them, but carrying them to the bedroom. (Between you and I, it wasn't the right bedroom, but I'll still give him credit.)And you know what? Laundry can wait. I won't always have those little arms begging to be held.

It's amazing what that little boy does to my heart when he looks up at me and bats his eyelashes as he cocks his head to one side. It must be just part of how God feels when He sees His children being obedient or serving in His name.

In the last couple of months, I have been following several bloggers who have personally gone on trips with the Compassion group. Musician Shaun Groves is one in particular who included detailed information in his blog for those interesting in helping out with Haiti. There are also other organizations like the American Red Cross and World Vision. Quite honestly, it all seems very surreal to me, but I know it doesn't take anything away from the reality of what those people are going through.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Thursday, January 7, 2010

There Will Be Days Like This

Some have it a little harder than others and right now, I think Gavin is having the toughest time transitioning back to everyday routine after a long Christmas break. If you can imagine this boy...
with this look and subsequent sound...

sub planting his face into this chair... then you get the picture.

I'm having a hard time balancing what to do with the two and a half hours between getting home and putting him to bed. Making dinner has been a dance with a partner who's not quite three feet tall and has his arms firmly wrapped around my knees. And the melody we're swaying to isn't all that pretty.

I could sit down and read books to him for that whole time, but neither he nor his daddy will be happy campers without eating. Maybe I can make enough food while we are "frozen" in this weekend to just have leftovers next week. Anyone care for chili served three different ways?

I was at last glad to see a smile creep up on Mr. Man's face when I saw him do something D. wouldn't be paid to do, oh and some have tried to pay him...
eat a banana!

Gavin's at the stage that he wants to hold bigger pieces of food and eat off it. That just causes this mama to hover even more. But you know what? At least the smile was back.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year...or something like that.

The last two weeks have been pure bliss, being at home with the boys. And tomorrow is reality. We must get back in the swing of things, but for now I will ponder the joys of Christmas via pictures.

Merry Christmas Sleepy Head




D. got Gavin a new stocking. He'll grow into it.








This is the first attempt at taking a picture of the boys for Christmas as well as my first attempt at making three shirts in record time.

And the second picture taking experience.


The third was just all down hill.










And my favorite Christmas ornament which actually didn't make it on the tree until after Christmas.

We had a truly enjoyable Christmas. I think simplifying things and trying to focus on the real meaning of Christmas helped a lot. Some of my favorite memories are Christmas Eve service, seeing all of the cousins, hearing Gavin say, "ball" every time he saw an ornament or Christmas lights, D. reading us the Christmas story, family snuggles, reading the advent scriptures and doing some activities especially making the gingerbread barn, watching Gavin try to put on an ornament, and Christmas dinners with our family.