Summer calls for it.

As much as I love his beautiful, long locks it is hot here! It is hot and humid and the poor boy only has an oscillating fan in his room that sometimes his big brother stops on himself. It was time to have a cooler do for the summer. He looks like a different kid.

My Birthday!

Celebrating began Saturday night with some of my favorite ladies at one of my favorite restaurants. I LOVE it when I can try something new, and yet sometimes I chicken out (what if it's not good then I've wasted my $?).  However that night I was adventurous and it was heavenly. Really, it was called the Heavenly Roll (sushi roll).

On Sunday we grabbed some Sonic with the kids and they put a candle in my milkshake. The kids also made and hung up a Happy Birthday sign (need to take a pic before we take it down) all on their own.  That night Dennis' mom generously took the kids home with her to stay overnight so Den and I could go out to dinner with some friends. This is my sweet friend Val. Her oldest son Wes is one of Jesse's best pals.

On Monday I got the gift I asked for. A whole day on my own to do whatever I wanted could  squeeze into a day and afford that didn't involve a six hour round trip (also know as the beach).  I slept in, had some breakfast and then.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Went and had my first pedi in 2 yrs
2. Starbucks with my birthday gift card
3. Found a place to go for a hike (this was the beginning. It eventually went downhill very steeply, and that meant I had to come back up...I nearly died....out of shape!)
4. Saw a spring
5. Loved the wooded path
6. Kept going
7. Made it to the tracks
8. Made it to the river
9. Hoped to settle here for some time with my Bible and journal but...
10. People had left their snack there as a hint they were climbing up the waterfall
11. Saw a tunnel
12. Went into the tunnel
13. I see I have 2 14's....I'm not fixing....so 14 on the right: Hiking is for people from all walks of life (as I was taking this the buggy owners showed up and if you live around here you know that taking a pic of the amish makes you look like an ignorant tourist. oops.)
14. From the top...I hike all the way down to the river and back up! I do enjoy this and I can't remember the last time I did.

Since I couldn't find the perfect reflective spot on the hike I went to Panera for an ice tea, a free cookie and some free wifi with my kindle fire.  Was able to reflect over the year, thank the Lord for all that he has done, recognize the hard things, look forward to the future.  This was probably the most refreshing part of my day. I started the day really missing den and the kids. Probably because I knew I was going to have a fun only day and I wanted to share it with them!  It took a while, but I eventually was able to embrace this time and savor the moments of peace. My goal was to relax and be able to listen to Jesus and He was faithful meet those needs.

 Thank you all for your birthday greetings and for the part you play in my life!

Bubbles

Beck is 2!

We started Wednesday with a birthday breakfast so we could include Grandma and Great Grandpa Jim in the festivities. Bacon and eggs and Cinnamon roll cake. (whoa...so good)

Then there was the day spent with sister (who was home w/ a bad case of poison ivy on her eye!) who wrapped up a book we already had as a present.  Also there was some swinging.

Mom Mom and Pop Pop came for an easy dinner of pizza and salad (we had care group at 7!) and there might have been a grumpy birthday boy at dinner. Then we broke out the Chocolate Chip cupcakes. He gently blew out his candles and got a little bummed out when his cupcake flipped and got frosting all over his arm. But as you can see above and below...he got over it.

1. Bubbles? 2. More bubbles! No I don't want your money, open my bubbles! 3.  I said open my bub...wait...is that a singing card? A singing dog card? YES!  4.  This Elmo guitar is top notch.  5. Tuning  6.  I play however I want, don't tell me to turn it around.  7. I'm giving guitar lessons now since I'm a natural.

Beck's favorite things at 2

• Eating
• His Binket (blanket)
• Books - There's a Bear in God's Woods, There's a Cat in God's Tree, First Words (or anything w/ flaps to open, Touch and Feel Puppy Book
• Singing (or being sung too) - Jonah, Jesus Loves Me, David, Pharoah, He Lives, and Beck's song
• Going outside! 
• Playing w/ siblings
• The tunnel
• Wearing shoes
• Bubbles
• banging the drum
• throwing things

Beck is...

• Saying words, and repeats words we ask (and animal sounds too!)
• Starting to count
• Shaking his finger at us when he's mad
• Waiting on the 2 year molars to come through
• Can go down slides by himself (often on his belly)
• Will sit on our low swings by himself
• Holds hands for prayer and says amen

You are a joy in our lives!

Mom's and stuff

Voluntary snuggles caught on film.

Landing from a leap

Good friends

Pretending they found dinosaur bones (they were bovine)

Mother's Day reminder of why we don't do many group shots.

Checking out the neighbors equipment.

Grandpa Jim

My mom brought mini kites.

The neighbors got a pig.

Sketch tips from Grandpa Jim

Browsing Costco coupons with Grandma.

Inspecting the doors

Stairs to Eden's room.

Almost caught a moth.

Mom, Beck, Grandpa

April

We've had some days where we feel inside out and backwards,

but we've still been able to amuse ourselves. (this one's new preference is throwing a variety of balls at a variety of surfaces. Two nights ago he was attempting to play basketball and the basket was the crock pot of chili. Thankfully there was no score.)

Van and I went attended Jesse's class presentation of 'Possum Came a Knockin'.  It was actually pretty funny. The girl behind Jess was a cat and very in tune w/ her character.  Jesse played an orff instrument. (i think!)

Van was too distracted w/ all the kids to be looking at the camera.

With the hope of being more intentional about our holidays we celebrated a Messianic Seder meal on Good Friday.  (For those of you that are experts, do not look too close at the details!) I learned some new things in prepping for this and the kids really  enjoyed it. Everyone participated and even Dennis agrees that this should be a new tradition.

Eggs. I tried something different this year. I hollowed out my eggs first. I didn't blow them, just cracked a small hole when I was using eggs and then rinsed them and let them dry. Then the kids painted and modge podged fabric to them. The fabric was way messier then I expected. But we were able to display our eggs longer.

Resurrection Sunday began with a brunch  at church and then an early dinner at Dennis' parents. Here the wind started to blow and petals from the trees blooms were flying through the air and they thought it was hilarious. Also, this really is the best shot.

 Mom Mom hid some eggs for the little ones and loved it.

We've had unseasonably warm weather and I am not complaining! It's been beautiful and all the kids are loving the outdoors.

This is my daughter's #1 love language. She leaves notes for me. I'll take it.

I noticed that Jesse was sitting still having breakfast so I grabbed my camera. This guy is growing up fast. He can be so helpful. Often he gets Vanden's breakfast and this is a big deal for me!

We have a new clown in the house. And yes, this was before I put my food in the pot. Yes I did rinse it first.

Last night Jesse and Den went to the farm so they could get up early to go turkey hunting. So after Beck went to bed we had mini cones on the stoop at sunset. This was after they both gave me a "show" as they call it. Which is basically unorganized silliness. Then we went inside and watched Pollyanna. It was a lovely way to end the day.

some details...

cedar impressions siding on gable end of garage

siding w/ trim around dining room french door. these doors were free! yay for that but I wouldn't have chosen the grid in the glass or white. Den says we can paint them :)

basement has concrete! now the kids can ride their bikes down there.

more siding on the house (garage)

Front of the house w/ windows, some siding and temporary front doors (don't want to nic up the nice ones)

Days...

He wanders.

"I'll come back, but I don't have to like it!"

"Mommy I have sticks, and I want to put them in water."

sure.