Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Fancy

 

Okay, so I'm interrupting my California posts to share with you a quote from Eleanor, who since she received a certain book from "YiaYia" on her birthday, has become quite enamored with "Fancy Nancy"!

Looking at her soft pink blankie with a satin edge, she said with a grin, "Mom, my blanket is POSH!"

Love my girl!
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Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Beach

So, our trip to California was fantastic! Todd spent his days at MusiCalifornia, but was back with us around dinner time. The kids and I hung out with Polly and Andrew and Dave and Tricia, and were also blessed to see some other friends, including two of my special girlfriends from college, Mindy and Cristy! We hit Zuma Beach, the hotel pool, and a great park. We hung out at the college, let Eleanor and Will experience the caf, sat in on a Majesty rehearsal and had a great little visit with the Plews, who hold a special place in my heart! The kiddos got in some naps and down time at Aunt Polly's and at Dave and Tricia's, which helped with having later nights and a couple of early mornings. *grin* We got to visit a couple of our favorite places to eat, and even made it to Diddy Riese - best ice cream sandwiches EVER! Todd doesn't believe me, because I've never chosen to prove it, but I still maintain that I could eat THREE of those babies in one sitting. Amazing.

Here are a few of the pictures from Zuma. Will's favorite things were the orange cones set up near the lifegaurd station. Eleanor loved laying in the sand - quite the bathing beauty - and flying her kite. I think they thought the ocean itself was a little overrated!


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Monday, April 20, 2009

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Easter

We just returned from sunny southern California! A GREAT week, lots of pictures coming!

Here are just a few shots from Easter. Although we had a great time coloring eggs and doing Easter baskets on Saturday, we tried to make it clear to Eleanor that what we were actually celebrating on Sunday was the Resurrection of Jesus Christ! We enjoyed having my parents here as well as several friends for Easter dinner.

By the way, Will's first tie, isn't it cute?!


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Thursday, April 9, 2009

in the interest of being "real"...














Sometimes I feel overwhelmed…

How many “why” questions can I answer in one day without my head exploding? 23 bzillion? Because I probably answer that many, and somehow my head is still intact. *grin*

How little sleep can I survive on? How to make good decisions and demonstrate infinite patience when I am exhausted and pulled in different directions?

Just when I think I figure something out, something else changes and needs tweaking. Variety is the spice of life, huh?!

I have learned to listen to several voices talking or calling me at once, and somehow feel like I answer multiple questions and respond to multiple needs at the same time. Is this possible, or am I imagining this phenomenon?

How is bedtime 7, but I’m running up and down the stairs until 8? How do I teach a little one about the motives in her heart that cause her to ask for one more drink, a snack, a different blanket, a band-aid, another potty trip, a different stuffed animal…

Does my 18 month old “get it” when I correct him for certain attitudes?

Should I change a nap time? Offer something different at a meal to a picky eater?

Is our trip next week going to be smooth? Sleep issues in a hotel?

And what about when Eleanor and Will begin sharing a room? They will have so much fun…but what about when one takes an hour (a loud hour!) to fall asleep? Or one is teething and up crying in the night? Will any of us sleep?

Am I demonstrating Christ to my children? Am I helping them understand the sin in their hearts? Pointing them to the grace of God in Jesus, to the glorious Gospel? Am I training them biblically? Getting at their hearts or just outward actions?

Is there really enough of me to go around?! For my husband, my 2 children, soon a third? Scripture tells me I am my husband’s helper…why do I at times view it the other way around? God gave me the most amazing and understanding husband EVER.

Am I complaining? Is God going to think me ungrateful? Because, really, I wouldn’t change a thing about my life, my family. I love them. And I want MORE kids!! I am so THANKFUL! Todd has been sweet to remind me that the Lord knows my heart.

Will I ever have enough wisdom?

I have been reminded of my sinfulness, my weakness, my humanness, my selfishness. But I have also been reminded of the grace of Christ! He is my hope not only for eternal life, but for daily life. He can give me the strength and energy I need to take care of my family! And only He can supply my children with what they need more than anything…Himself.

Eleanor and Will are sleeping peacefully upstairs right now. I have a smile on my face already thinking of their sweet faces, and how I will be greeted in the morning with happy calls of “Mama!”, little arms around my neck. This is a sweet life.

I am not discouraged, just recently overwhelmed, and thought I’d share…in the interest of being “real.”

I've got some good posts coming...Eleanor's questions about God, Will's funny antics and new words...

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Tuesday, April 7, 2009

we love our grandparents!

my parents came for a short weekend, todd's stayed over a week. we all had a blessed time together! will has wandered around calling "mimi!" over the past couple of days since they have been gone. eleanor packs her little suitcase and pretends to visit them. they are obviously missed!


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