A Belated Birthday Wish

Months ago I was sitting in my bed having a little quiet time before my day (a.k.a. my boys) came roaring to life, and I was praying for my old college roommate.  I can't remember what or why, but I was just thinking about all the things I think are awesome about her.  Her birthday was November 13th, and I fully intended to "sing her a love song" on my blog that day, but well, we all know about good intentions.  After she gave me the precious gift of one of her few days home last week, I wanted to give her some belated birthday affection in return. 

When Catherine and I moved in together my second year at UGA, we were both completely unaware of what we had gotten ourselves into.  I was a type A, stressed out, slightly anal, perfectionist.  I was extremely reserved, never wanting to do ANYTHING to draw attention to myself.  My idea of a good time was hanging out with four or five close friends.  My first memory of Catherine is of her climbing like a wild woman across all the chairs in the middle of worship at Wesley because she saw someone she knew and wanted to say hey.  When I wanted to do something nice for her birthday, I called her friends and family and had them send her birthday cards in the mail.  When she wanted to do something nice for my birthday, she threw me a surprise party with an apartment full of people. 

You get the idea.  We are a bit different from each other.  Which is why we nearly killed each other the first year we lived together.

Then we had a sweet, slow, laid-back summer.  And now we're friends ever after.

There are lots of things I've learned from Catherine.  Lots of gifts she's given me.  Catherine is tenacious!  When the girl sets her mind to something, she will get it done. Catherine lives vicariously through no one. When we lived together she didn't just have a bucket list.  She actually crossed things off her bucket list.  After she graduated, she left the country for six months.  Even more astounding, she later left the South and didn't come back.  If Catherine wants it, she'll make it happen.  So what if nobody understands her dream?  It's her dream.

Catherine is loyal.  She makes deep friendships.  She gives her whole heart, even sometimes when it's not fully appreciated.  She is thoughtful and generous.  She has helped me to be more thoughtful and generous. 

I'm grateful for the time I spent as her roommate.  I'm grateful for all the times she's come to visit me and my family.  I'm grateful for all the ways she's ignored my flaws and loved me anyway.  I'm blessed to call her friend.

Happy birthday, Catherine!

Big Boy Tooth

Luke's big tooth was already coming in before his baby tooth fell out. It freaked me out at first because I was afraid his big tooth would stay far back, but the dentist assured me it would be fine and his tongue would push it forward in time.  Just a future tip for those of you in the same "first time" boat as me.

He's pretty proud of his big boy smile, and it's fun for the rest of us to celebrate too.

 And then he just started having fun in front of the camera.

 But at least I got a sweet smile out of him.

 Eli and Judah snuggle a lot, but this was fun to see.

 And the inevitable. It turned wild quickly.

But such a rare moment! I got all three of them to look at the camera at the same time.  Actually, that may have never happened before.



Joe Cool

Judah came around the corner wearing sunglasses and talking on a "cell phone". I think our wallets might be in trouble for his teen years.  He's definitely going to need a job.

 'Cause, I mean, if he looks even remotely close to this cute as a teenager, I will, inevitably, want to give him everything he wants.

 He's cute, and he knows it.



For My Amusement

A few pictures that make me happy...

These two are always wallowing all over each other and making each other laugh.

 Silly boys!

 Does anyone remember Squiggy from Laverne and Shirley?

 This is what Judah looks like when I let him feed himself.  I asked a friend who had three boys and then a girl if the girl was so different.  She said, "Well, she's definitely neater when she eats." I believe it.

 But it does make him happy.

 Eli loves smoothies. If I had a little girl, what would I take pictures of?

 If only they would fold the clothes too.

 More wallowing. So sweet!

 I couldn't remember if I ever put this on here.  He was so proud of himself!

 Apparently he's part koala.

 And these pictures are totally for my amusement.

 Poor fella, maybe I should help him...

 His brother rescued him so I could keep taking pictures.



Luke's 6th Birthday Party

We had Luke's birthday party the day before Halloween.  He was super easy to please this year and didn't want any particular theme and "just chocolate" for his cake with no decorations on top.  Really, Luke, you're too good to your Mama.  All he wanted was a pinata, which Grandma supplied, along with the candy to go in it. I cooked dinner, made a sheet cake and called it done.

I'm not sure there was sufficient supervision on the pinata because Luke went first and kept swinging until the thing fell apart.  I don't think anyone else got a turn...

  But everyone did get candy, so that helped dry tears.

 I think this was a candy negotiation.

 Luke is in a board game phase. I think he has just about every board game known to man. He had been asking for Battleship for months.

 The Flarp that some friends brought was a hit.  With all the boys at the party, it had to be.

 Even Judah and Aunt Erica thought it was hilarious.

 Make a wish!

 Blow out the candles!

 The weather was perfect, and we all sat outside on the porch and hung out.

Happy Birthday, Luke!

Pumpkin Party 2011

Our church has a Pumpkin Party on Halloween every year. With all the bounce houses, popcorn, games, snow cones and lots and lots of candy we have a great time! 

I was very happy with the fact that both my big boys were totally fine with homemade costumes.  I stole the idea of a ninja from a friend (Thanks, Catherine!). So, along with a tshirt from Kris' closet, we used last year's batman costume, my black winter gloves and a sword from the Dollar Tree to turn Luke into a fierce looking ninja.

At the last minute Eli decided he wanted to be a ghost.  I had a random single white sheet in the linen closet, so after five minutes of snipping here and there he was set.  Of course, the costume lasted about five minutes too because he couldn't see, but he happy with his costume.

  

Judah borrowed a costume from his cousin (Thanks, Tripp!), and he was the cutest tiger ever.  I couldn't get him to face the camera, so this is the best shot I could get.

After the Pumpkin Party we hit a few houses in the neighborhood behind us for a little trick or treating.  Judah, as usual, was not about to be left behind and followed his brothers right up to the front door. 

The only picture of all three of them together...

So, all total, the night cost us a dollar and gas money.  Well worth the fun we had.  I would like to say I'm trying to teach my children that they don't have to have $30 dollar costumes or all the brand new stuff to be happy.  Borrowed and home made is just a fun.  But really, I'm just grateful they don't know any better yet.  We'll keep riding this train as long as we can!

The Moment We've All Been Waiting For

Judah's "Quiet Time"

This is what Judah did this morning while I had my quiet time. 

 "Cheese!"

It's been a while since I've put an update on Judah and what he's up to these days.  He is almost 23 months; I cannot believe he'll be two next month!  What a big boy!

Judah has been trying to talk more and more.  He says way more than we can actually understand, but here are a few words that are pretty accurate:

apple (bapple), berries, book (buu), mama, daddy, MOM!!!!!!, Papa, Grandma (Gamma), ball, drink (din), this, uh-oh, thank you (da du), eyes, nose, and the one that's been around for what seems like most of his life - NO! 

He is still into everything.  Everything.  He has bruises, scratches, knots and skinned knees at all times. He jumps off the back of the furniture, tries to jump out of the back of his daddy's truck, jumps into open arms (and some that don't even know they need to be open!) absolutely fearlessly.  "Hesitation" is never a word I use to describe Judah.  If he had his way, he would already be in school.  I have to chase him out of Eli's classroom and pretty much any other classroom with an open door just about every day at drop off and pick up.   He loves going to the YMCA and does not have a very happy morning on the days that we don't go somewhere.  By the time we have to pick up Eli at lunch he's banging on the door out to the garage. 

Adventurous and fearless.  I love it.  Even if it does give me heart palpitations.  He is the reason that Kris says, "You know, when I'm sitting quietly eating my lunch at a park I think, 'Maybe we could have one more...', and then I come home at night." I don't think our hearts or our house can take it. 

But speaking of our hearts, they are full of Judah.  He is totally fun and totally precious.  Personality galore and the best snuggles ever.  Love, love, love this child!

Six Reasons

Luke, there are a MILLION reasons I love you, but here are six I have chosen for your sixth birthday:

1. You are mine.  Six years ago God gave you to me and your daddy, and we consider that day one of the best days of our lives.  Nobody will EVER love you like we love you. 
2. You love your mama, daddy and brothers.  You instinctively know how to be a part of a family.  You give, you honor, you nurture, you embrace so naturally. 
3. You are a life long learner.  You want to know everything there is to know about everything.  Sometimes I call you "Sid, the Science Kid" because you are curious like him.  No simple answer for you.  You want to know all the details, the why's, the how's. 
4. You are motivated to do your best at everything.  You don't do things halfway.  You do things with your whole heart and almost always with a good attitude.
5. You love life.  Every day is a new adventure.  And you love adventure.  You're not afraid to try new things.  You are going to spend your life leading the way.  Today you asked me what a pilgrim is.  I tried to give you a good definition, but when I looked it up, this is what I found:

pil·grim   /ˈpɪlgrɪm, -grəm/ Show Spelled[pil-grim, -gruhm]
noun
1.a person who journeys, especially a long distance, to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion: pilgrims to the Holy Land.
2.a traveler or wanderer, especially in a foreign place.
3.an original settler in a region.

You are a pilgrim.  You will find new lands, explore new places, settle new regions.  You will spend your life on a journey, going the distance, as an act of devotion to your heavenly Father.  I can't wait to see it!
6. I love that you are learning to listen and obey.  You are learning to listen and obey your mama and daddy, and when you give your heart to Him, you will easily hear and obey God.

Just six reasons.  Out of a million.  Happy birthday, my love!