THREE-YEARS-OLD!!

It seems like just yesterday that we found out that we were expecting our first born son. Now, he is T-H-R-E-E! That is so hard to believe. KJ's birthday has been celebrated and celebrated over the last few weeks and he has loved every bit of it. In fact we had a cupcake today at lunch for a special treat and he requested that we sing Happy Birthday to him again then blew out the imaginary candle. I have loved watching how he relished every detail of his special day(s) from the singing to the cake to the presents to the friends to blowing out the candles...he loved it all. That says a lot out how our oldest lives life.


KJ-
I am so proud of you and so thankful to call you my son. The Lord has been so good to mold you, from your earliest days, into the perfect fit for your position as the oldest child in our family. You have a lot of responsibility at such a young age with your brother watching everything you do. I love how seriously you take that responsibility already. Not only do you watch out for your little brother, you are a big helper to Mommy and Daddy, too. I love that you know how to wrestle hard with Daddy and be tender and sweet with Mommy (and baby sister in my belly). Baby sister is also going to be so blessed by all that you can teach her and by how protective you will be of her.

Some of your favorite things right now are playing outside, your race cars, being with friends, wrestling, reading stories to me or Daddy, playing games and any kind of ball! You play HARD at everything you play and are very intense in all things. It makes us laugh to see your tongue between your lips as you concentrate on the task at hand. We pray that you will always be intentional about the things you set your mind to.

Your Daddy and I are praying for your heart. We're working with you on obeying, not arguing, and being respectful. I know these are such hard lessons to learn. As we teach and mold you, it has been good for us to remember that we struggle in some of those same areas and we strive to be obedient to all that the Lord has called us to. You are making us better people through your example! As we pray each night "May KJ and Cbug come to know Jesus as their savior", there is no greater wish that we have for you as we celebrate you and your 3rd birthday. We love you more than we can tell you.

Mommy


Here are some awesome pictures that one of our favorite photographers, Cindi, took just before KJ's 3rd birthday. I think they capture his 3-year-old personality so well. You are amazing, Cindi!

What a fun little man! Happy Birthday big shot!!

ABL

Mothers' Day

While I have always appreciated my mom, I really did not fully grasp all that she sacrificed for me until I was a mom myself. I now realize that I could never say "thank you" or "I'm so sorry" enough times for all that she endured!

I have a new appreciation for the amazing humility she showed as she spent years of selfless service raising 3 children. She never let on that her job was tough and although she claims there were moments she lost her temper, needed a break, or said things she regretted none of those moments are what I remember. They must have been significantly outweighed by the fact that she came to every single sporting event the three of us participated in (rain or shine), cooked countless dinners and knew each of our favorites, spent money she could have used for her dream house or wardrobe on braces, college and a little Ford Probe, and that she always made our home a place I always wanted to bring my friends to.

Over the years our relationship has continued to grow and change. Now she encourages me to be a better Mom to my own boys (and soon to our baby girl). She is a confidant and friend and no one understands me better. She has blazed a little trail, despite the miles, between my house and hers still making it a priority to be so invested in my life. Mom, I'm so thankful you are always only a phone call away and I'm so thankful for the relationship you have with KJ and C-bug. Can't wait for baby sister to meet you, too!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, Momma!!

ABL

Smothered!

We can't wait to meet you, Baby Sister!

You are already SMOTHERED with love,

Mommy

Has it really been one year?

KJ's 3rd birthday is not for a few weeks, but we celebrated this weekend. With baby sister scheduled to arrive so close to KJ's big day, we decided to play it safe. And it made the party a lot more fun for me, too, than I'm sure it would have been if we had waited. He was so excited about BLOWING OUT CANDLES and singing "Happy Birthday" that he could hardly stand it, and I could not stand the thought of him missing out if baby sister arrived early. I'm so glad it worked out.

I'll write more about our special oldest child on his birthday, but for now was just marveling at the difference in these two photos (last year's party and this year's party).

My what a difference a year makes! In some ways time seems to have flown by, but I can also tell that our little man has grown and changed SO MUCH this year. We sure love him!!

State of the Family

The day after the President’s “First 100 days” speech seems like perfect timing to do a little update on our family’s current happenings (no approval ratings will be taken).

THE SWINE FLU- After all of the input lately about how to keep your children safe from the swine flu (and even Mr. President reminding us to cover our mouths when we cough), I’m pretty sure that if this flu is contagious in public places Cbug will be a prime candidate. Just while at church last night he ate (someone else’s) popcorn off of the floor, played peek-a-boo with his bear in and out of the trash can and walked across the church barefoot all the while sucking his thumb. No amount of hand washing can negate his germ-infested life right now.

THE ECONOMY- There are two economical issues in our house this last week. First, our dryer suddenly started taking HOURS to dry even small loads of laundry. Thanks to tips from friends and RRL’s resourcefulness we checked the vent to outside and founds a LARGE bird’s nest nearly blocking the entire vent. Thank you, birds. I can’t wait to see the electricity bill you caused this month.

Also, I decided about a week ago to do my part to help our family economics by getting KJ out of diapers. Really, the bill for 3 in diapers is going to be N-U-T-S. The first day was really rough and even literally brought me to my knees in prayer (beside the toilet). I was so frustrated- not with him, just with trying to know how to explain it to him. However, by the end of the second day, I was ready to write a book on potty-training. I mean, it was awesome. He was all over it, always told me when he needed to go and he was so proud of himself. UNTIL he woke up from his nap on the third day and declared “I’m not big anymore, I need the diapers back” and promptly quit peeing anywhere except on the floor or in a diaper. SERIOUSLY? I just waved the white flag in surrender and let him have the diapers back. At least I know he knows HOW now and hopefully soon he’ll also decide that he’s on board. He’s asked to go off and on since then, but ONLY goes when it is his idea and he initiates. Wonder where he gets that stubborn streak?

HEALTH CARE- It is impossible for me to fathom still that we are 6 weeks or less away from being a family of FIVE. After my next appointment, I’ll start going to the doctor every week so we are really getting close. Her room still needs some work and I’ll admit to having moments when I’m not sure I’m ready to be a momma to three. I pray everyday that I’ll be able to meet their needs, that no one will feel left out, and that the Lord will fill in the massive gaps in what I am able to teach them. I’m so thankful that baby sister seems really healthy and I love feeling her squirming around. What a privilege! The larger my belly gets, though, the more and more we get interesting comments from strangers. You would think no one has ever before been out in public pregnant with small children. I always call us the circus act as people stare at the boys (thinking they are twins) then at my belly.

MARRIAGE- RRL and I got to have a fun overnight trip last weekend when we left the boys with Grammy and traveled to his 3rd ½ marathon. We went with a pretty big group from church who all run together (or cheer together in some cases). We had so much fun having dinner with friends, enjoying the race festivities, just having a break from things at home. We relished the time together, knowing it was probably our last little get-a-way before baby sister’s arrival.

That’s the latest from our home front. My job sounds a lot more fun than Mr. Obama's, don't ya think?

ABL

Sandbox

RRL fixed up the sandbox in our backyard just in time for some spring fun! The boys LOVE it, and I love to watch them play together.

KJ is very intentional about nearly EVERYTHING (wonder where he gets that). I love the tongue hanging out, concentrating while he works on the sand...or as he would say "his job".

Of course, Cbug also loves to eat it and dump it and make QUITE a mess.

Oh, Lord, please bless the paths these little feet will walk. Help them to choose the narrow road you have marked out for them.


ABL

Fake Family??

A few weeks ago, a good friend who works for the local Childrens' Hospital called to ask for a favor. The hospital was doing a photo shoot for advertising and informational purposes and needed some kids to come participate. I was VERY reluctant. I mean, I know my kids are incredibly cute (can't throw things, its MY blog) and who WOULDN'T want to look at them in a brochure, but lets be honest...at this point in our lives trying to pose the two little rascals for decent pictures is one of the most stressful situations you can place us in.

Long story short, though, all of my excuses ran out (my haircut got canceled, the boys took great naps earlier than usual, the weather was perfect, etc) so we decided to go. AND WHAT AN UNEXPECTED BLESSING! We got some FREE professional pictures, by a photographer that was great at working with kids, and I only mildly sweated through my shirt in the process. Here are a few of my favorites...

There were two funny things that happened which I held over our friends' head for awhile for "tricking me" into doing this:

1) When I got out of our van, the lady from the hospital that was in charge said "Oh, GOOD, I was really hoping we would get an expectant mother in some of the shots". UMMMMM, excuse me, didn't you see the two adorable blonds I brought with me. This is really about them, if anything I'll make a nice background. But alas, they did take some photos of my nice round belly.

2) RRL couldn't go with us and apparently there was a "vision" for a complete family in the photos...with an expectant mother. So, they asked if I would mind posing with a fake family- another man and his son. ACKWARD. In fact, so ackward that the photographer kept saying "If you guys want to look like a family, you are going to have to scoot a little closer and quit looking so uncomfortable". Geez, how can you look NOT look uncomfortable "cuddled" up on a picnic blanket with another man. Pretty sure I haven't been on a picnic blanket with anyone besides RRL since maybe highschool. No, not uncomfortable at all.

All of that to say, if you happen to see us in a brochure about the Children's Hospital, just be assured...my marriage (to RRL) is intact, I haven't traded in my kids for older models, and our kids are perfectly healthy, having never actually been admitted to CCHospital (praise the Lord!). But we did get some free pictures out of the deal.

ABL