Bath Time

Since she is soon to be outgrowing this tub, I thought I better get some pictures...

Wondering what was so funny to her? This...

Check out those blue eyes...

Daddy's Girl

Oh, the drama we had on Monday when Summer had to stay home from school due to an upset stomach. Both Mommy and Summer were ready for school the next day! I didn't want to make staying home fun, so she spent most of the day on the couch. At one point, this is how I found her entertaining herself...


I have learned to not even ask. :) Daddy, on the other hand, completely understands!

Memories

Hey Jodi...

Anything about this picture ring a bell? :)

What you can't see is she is watching TV...

I believe all she is missing is the chow mein noodles?

Who knew these things were hereditary?!

1st Day of School

After counting down the days all month, the day finally arrived for Summer! She has been nothing but excited about starting kindergarten. I kept watching for nerves as the day approached, but even this morning, she was just bubbling with excitement. Mommy got a little teary-eyed as I watched her and Daddy drive off this morning, but Summer's smile never dimmed. I anxiously awaited Daddy's phone call to see how she did once she was at school. I guess, she did great...Daddy, not so good. He said the only things she didn't like was how long it took to get there and how long it took Daddy to leave. He had to be reassured by her a couple times that she really was going to be okay.

I watched the clock all afternoon, worried that time would slip by and I would be late picking her up. I left 30 minutes early and made it through the crazy pick-up traffic 50 minutes later. She cried half way home...not because her teacher was mean...not because she didn't make any new friends...not because she missed me, or was even happy to see me. She cried because she didn't get to ride a school bus home. Once we got passed that drama, I actually got to hear some details about her day. She loved it, made lots of new friends, met up with some old ones, had a "fabulous" (her new word) time and can't wait to go back tomorrow!

She has grown up over night, it seems. She came home and did all her chores without any complaints. Took her shower and headed to bed, easier than EVER! This is what she looks like right now...

(Yes, my 5 year old has an IPOD. It was her birthday present from her techy Daddy. They are two peas in a pod - no pun intended. :) ) She is sound alseep, resting all up for day 2 tomorrow!

Happy Anniversary, Shawny!

I thank God everyday for you and all that we have been through together...

1 set of wedding rings,
2 pets (although they didn't make it "through" very long...one ended up home with Jesus and one in another home...somewhere),
3 kids, 3 moves,
4 cars,
5 churches
6 jobs
7 wonderful years of marriage!

From the good to the...not so good :)...I wouldn't trade any of it for a moment without you! I love you bunches!!!

A Tired Boy

It must have been a long day for my little man. He couldn't even muster the energy to get into bed.

Chloe's New Look

I am guessing her new, top tooth feels funny on her tongue? I don't know for sure, but every time we look at her this is what we see...

Have You Ever...

...seen THIS before?
It at least doesn't happen very often, so I figured I'd better get a pic! :) :)

Love you, Daddy!

In Chloe News...

...tooth number three just arrived!

Connor's Jeep Adventure

Connor had his own adventure on Summer's birthday! Uncle Greg arrived at the birthday party in his cool, new, bright yellow jeep.

A little bit of background info...

Right after Greg got the jeep, Connor spotted it in his driveway as we were going by to Grandma and Grandpa's house and exclaimed, "Josh, got new car! That a cool car!" When we got to Grandma and Grandpa's, Josh was there and right away Connor started talking to him about his cool, new car. Greg heard about this conversation...

So they came in it to the party with full intentions of whisking Connor away for a ride. And oh, he got a ride alright. Greg took him for two long rides around the neighborhood...but it didn't end there. Somehow when it was time for Greg and Deb to go home, Connor finagled his way back into the jeep. :) He went on his first trip to Uncle Greg's house all by himself! He had SO much fun!!

We went later that evening to pick him up and found Connor and Josh playing on his skateboard. Connor was covered in dirt (literally!) from head to toe. He had been jumping on the trampoline, riding with Josh in the Gator, and obviously playing in the dirt. We borrowed their tub for a quick bath before heading home with a very, tired boy!

Thank you, Uncle Greg, Auntie Debbie and Cousins Nicole, Michaela, and Josh! Connor had the time of his little life!

Leaving in the jeep...

Oh, and Connor came home with only one boo boo - which is pretty good for Connor! I guess a little fall on the skateboard landed him right on his nose...

** If I remember correctly, this isn't Gregy's first jeep... Greg took Connor for a ride this time, but I remember taking Greg for a ride in a jeep about 14 years ago! Connor's ride wasn't as eventful as mine either...there was no almost hitting a tree...no pushing dirt with the front end. And another big difference, Greg drove this time and had his licence...I drove last time and didn't have mine! :) But somebody had to be brave enough to teach me! **

Princess Party!

Here are some pictures from Summer's princess party!

Summer, not so patiently waiting for everyone to arrive...
Daddy, patiently waiting for everyone to arrive... :) Uncle Greg and Chloe - she is not really sure about the hair on his face... :)

Opening presents, with commentary from Kayla... :)

The cake...

The wish...

The mess makers...

The Birthday Princess, so happy everyone came!

Still Little

Summer woke up this morning rather disappointed that she was still so little. I guess she was expecting quite the growth spurt overnight. Kayla stopped by for a visit and still stands a head taller than her. Connor is still barely a fingertip shorter than her. I guess, this 5 thing isn't all she had hoped it would be.

However, what she lacks in stature she more than makes up for in personality. You can neither overlook her or push her around. I think both Kayla and Connor can attest to that!

And now that she is 5, she knows school will be starting soon. A brand new adventure that is sure to hold ups and downs for our drama princess. Many of which will keep us all entertained, I almost guarantee it!

**I didn't forget! Birthday pictures are coming...**

Happy Birthday, Summer!

She had such a big day...rather weekend. It actually started last weekend when G.G. and Aunt Kim came for a visit bearing birthday gifts. This weekend started with an overnight visit from Uncle Michael and Aunt Alysa and ended with a Princess party and a last minute visit to Uncle Greg and Auntie Deb's house. (I will explain the details of that later!) We just arrived home about an hour ago. Our house is still decorated in pink and presents are scattered on the floor. However, I think I am heading to bed...

I know I promised some family members pictures of the party tonight, but there are so many cute stories to be told...and I am struggling to make any coherent thoughts at the moment. It will have to wait until tomorrow...just like the decorations, presents, laundry...

Thanks for your patience!

Funny Faces

Worn Out

These are delayed pictures from our busy weekend last weekend. One picture was taken on Saturday and one on Sunday. Both days, Chloe either missed her nap(s) or was woke up early to rush out the door. When we returned home, full belly and content in the highchair, this is what happened...

Time

Our timeless, eternal God created time. He created time and then set us in it. He organized the days and nights, weeks and months, seasons and years all from outside time. But then He did something even more amazing.

From His everlasting throne, He gazed down unto our timeline and found the perfect point for Him to make His appearance. The stage was set and He stepped down from infinity and became finite. He entered into the world He created; He entered into time. His endless heavenly dwelling place was traded for a tiny womb of a woman He made. Through the quietness of the Holy Spirit, He was placed inside her and in that moment, for the very first time, He experienced time.

He grew. He aged. He had days where 24 hours were just not enough and days where that was too many. He felt tired and He slept for the first time. Our limitless God understood the limits of time. Why?

Did it have to be so dramatic? Couldn’t He have come to our world, redeemed us and still held on to His timelessness? Did He have to begin as a baby? Grow in a womb, experience birth, childhood, adolescence and finally adulthood. Was it necessary that He grow weary from a long day, dread a certain hour coming, or even feel the rush of arriving on time?

It truly is “God with us.” He came not only to save us, as needed at that was, He came to understand. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses…” (Hebrews 4:15)

He came and walked with us, accomplished more than saving us and then returned to His eternal kingdom. But our timeline was not untouched by His presence. It shook and split beneath Him as evidence that He has been here. It serves as a reminder that He is aware of our limits. He knows our deadlines, our due dates and our every appointment. He is familiar with days that feel unending. He knows the patience required in waiting…waiting on the Lord. He has been there….He has been here.

With as much care as He chose His time on earth, He chose ours as well. Each minute has a purpose. Things that take but a moment on earth matter in eternity forever. Walk through the day with certainty that our inexhaustible God knows what is needed to make it through this time and more than able to provide. Find rest in the truth that our times are held in the hands of One who has been here.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:28-31

Little Mommy

Summer walked in the room and declared, "Chloe stinks."

I replied, "Change her." She laughed and I walked out of the room for a minute, never thinking she would take me up on it.

I come back in to see Chloe's diaper off, her legs in the air and Summer struggling with a diaper.

Once I safely helped Chloe get a diaper back on, I grabbed the camera...

Pirate Chloe

...or I thought we were raising her right? :)

Packer Chloe

I thought you Northerners would appreciate this...

Yes, we are raising her right. :)