the latest from our little lady...

To be quite honest, it's so hard to remember a time when this sweet girl was not a part of our lives... it is so much fun watching her grow and become who she is! She has a most compassionate heart and absolutely adores her little brother. Even though her 'mothering' him can get a little excessive at times, he loves it! She can't WAIT to be a big sister in April and is willing to put off playing T-ball for a year since she really would rather be home and help out with her newest little sibling. (Thank goodness... watching T-ball in the Pacific Northwest in the SPRING with a newborn and an almost 3-year-old sounds less than thrilling to this momma!:) She loves being in Kindergarten and I love the play-by-play updates I get when she comes home from school. I have always thought, "Oh, I don't know if I want her to get any older!" But each stage has been so fun in its own way and I love the conversations we have now that she's a little older. We're truly blessed to have this little girl in our family!:)


She lost 3 teeth in about 2 weeks... we're loving this toothless grin!:)



This is the new pink cowboy hat Papa and Nana gave her... she couldn't wait to bring it to 'Show-n-Tell" today.


She loves her little horse, Boosky, who 'talks' to her every time she goes out to visit him. Now we just need to put some miles on that little guy so he's as nice when she rides him! :)



Here she is... adoring her little brother... (Thanks for this one, as well as the next, Karlene... love them!:)


So Sweet!

the latest from our little guy...

Thanks to my sweet and talented friend Karlene, I have some pictures of our little man's many expressions. There are things about this age that you just want to keep forever! This little guy brings so much laughter. His big expressionate eyes, along with those deep dimples are about irresistible! :)

Currently, he repeats almost everything you tell him back to you in question form.
ME: "We're going out to the car, Bennett."
BENNETT: "We going out to the car, Mom?"

I don't know if it's his age or if it's just a personality thing, but he certainly gets stuck on certain ideas and one-liners as well... His favorite things to tell you are:

"I not like cows..."
"I like cows..."
"I not like that billy goat..."
"I like that billy goat..."
"I like my Easy." (the horse we share)
"I like go on the toe-wee-doe" (aka four-wheeler). Doesn't matter who he's talking to or what they asked him... those are pretty standard responses.

Think he might be up to something?

"I go hunt for 'dirty rats'!" (Thank you, Papa, for that line!)

"I'm TWO!"

His favorite boots

Sweetness!

Thanks so much for the wonderful pictures, Kar!:)

little eyes...

Every morning I wake up and am still happy, after 6 1/2 years, that I don't have to go to work in the morning. I adore my family and am blessed to be here at home with them. And I'm beyond grateful for a husband who values me being at home. However, there are weeks that are downright tough when it comes to parenting. I'm so thankful that God gives us grace for each day and that we can rely on Him to strengthen us where we are the weakest. I received the following e-mail this past week and it was such a good reminder of the little eyes watching us...

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we've been given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's alright to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

"Thanks for all the things you taught me when you thought I wasn't looking."

The examples we set for our kids are so important, and I'm often humbled when I hear my kids immitate or say something that is less than pleasing to the Lord, and they learned it from me!
God is SO good to give us His Word...

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

"Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4

I thank God every day for my family and pray that He gives us wisdom as we raise the children He has given us the priviledge of being 'Dad and Mom' to.