Birthday Girl

Well here I am a big 31 year old! I like it. We started the morning out with breakfast at Denny's and it was delicious! Caeden was so cute before we left home he was looking for candles to put in mommy's pancakes. He was frusturated though and I asked what the problem was and he said he was trying to find as many candles as my number was. I let him know it was ok, we didn't have 31 candles at our house 2 would be just great. :)


We played together at home in the back yard and this is Caleb after he ate "cow's poop" (as Caeden calls it) from the grass. He is looking at Jay like what? I like it. :)



I had 2 helpers for opening my presents tonight, it was fun!

I got a new camera for my birthday from Jay and as you can see from this picture I need a lot of help learning how to use it. :) But we played games to celebrate and ate yummy food-thanks mom and dad for a nice birthday night!



And I needed a picture in here of the newly engaged couple of course. :)

Hmmmm

Yesterday I asked Caeden if he would like for us to do his hair or wear a hat to the gym. He choose hat and came out with this cowboy hat on ready to go. Not quite what I had in mind but not a battle I was going to fight after the 2 previous interactions. As I took this picture he said "I am so cute, huh mom?"
So as we were trying to get ready to leave I asked him to brush his teeth. Exasperated and with a roll of his head he said, "oh Lord." I asked "what did you say?" Again with a roll of his eyes and head he again said, "oh Lord." I said "Caeden we don't say that at our house that hurts God's feelings." Real quick he looked at me and said, "mom it's a song." I asked how the rest of the song went and he said, "oh Lord, oh Lord, I should obey my mom, oh Lord." Knowing that was not his intention but a darn quick response I said "great I love that song, now go brush your teeth." Meanwhile Caleb is propped on a boppy drinking his milk. I went to go brush my teeth and I came back to the family room where Caleb was whining. I got a closer look and Caeden had taken the milk bottle and poured it all over Caleb's hair. I asked what he was doing and he replied, "we are playing the wet game." GOODNESS!!!
With Caleb now getting into everything all day and Caeden's constant quick wit and trying new things, I am in a state of tension and need to learn how to relax and have harmony within. Any suggestions?

Tonight I am thankful

Have you ever found that you are so moved by your circumstances? I have found that I have been in a negative way lately. I am aware that I am able to control how I respond to life and so tonight I choose thankfulness. I have been allowing stuff to get under my skin and my focus is going to change and I will have a thankful spirit. So tonight......
I am grateful for boys that leave toys everywhere all day long. Not because I love always having stuff we need to pick up but because we are so blessed to HAVE things TO pick up.
I am thankful for a monkey that I always need to keep my eye on because I am not sure what he will be doing next. I am grateful God has entrusted this precious life to me and goodness how cute is this little smooch?
I am thankful for laundry that never ends. It means the lives in my home are still living and we are dressing every day. I don't know how I would do life with out these three precious men.

I am thankful for food to clean off the floor everyday because it means we have the money to afford the nutrition our body needs.

I am thankful for dishes that stack in the sink. We have plenty and we aren't with out the tools to prepare and serve this family.

I am thankful for sons that seem to wake all the time because they won't always be in my home with me. I choose to cherish the moments. I will sleep again one day.

I want to complain that I don't get enough time to connect with all my friends. Instead I will be thankful for friends that are ok getting caught up on life through a blog or an email. They know that I love them.

I want to complain about the heat we are still experiencing instead I will focus on the blessing of sunshine and how happy it makes one.

I want to complain about not having enough time in a day but instead I will think about how I spent my moments and be happy about those well spent and consider it a gift that tomorrow I can change the ones I didn't do so well with today.

I want to complain about not getting what I want for whatever reason and instead I will be thankful that Jesus has paid it all and life is not about me. Ouch. That reality is always a great one!

I choose to see that my glass is half full, my life is grand and the choice in how I live it is all up to me.

What about you? Are there things in your life that need a new perspective? Are there hurts or wounds or things you need to give to the Lord today? He loves when we run to Him and he gets excited when we will trust Him with it all. I am reminded of my devotion from this morning. Colossians 4:2. "Devote yourselves to prayer; being watchful and thankful." Thank you Jesus!

Things we have learned this week...

Do you ever look over your weeks and think and process all that you have heard or learned or read? I love intentionally looking back and seeing the growth or change, here are some of ours this week.

Kirstin
One of the biggest things I am working through right now is worry. I know scripture is clear on not worrying and it has all the answers to become free from it, and I am working towards this. Today my chiropractor said 2 things that really helped me and maybe if you ever worry you too will find them helpful.

1. Worrying is assuming responsibility that doesn't belong to me.
2. When you worry you focus on what you don't want or don't have.

I am so thankful for this chance to grow!!

Oh and I learned from a fantastic book sent from my Aunt Sassy in Australia that if you put 3 drops of peroxide in your ear for 5 to 10 minutes and repeat on the other side it will help with your cold or flu. What a great inexpensive natural remedy. Jay and I actually both felt like we were coming down with something and we tried it and it worked. :)

Caeden

My sweet Caeden has been 4 for just over 1 week. It is funny how many new things he has been trying.....
*to buckle himself in the car
*to only suck fingers at nap and bedtime (with a little help from me)
*to skip nap time all together day after day
*to bathe himself and then let the water out of the tub, dry himself and get clothes on with no help
*putting stickers on the hall wall.... do you like the art mom?
*writing with markers ALL over his body (while napping was supposed to be happening)
*he wore his bike helmet to dinner because he had not been making good choices in his chair
*jumping on the couch will get you hurt, probably not a good idea after all.
*much more willing to play by himself for a long period of time, thanks to all of our family and friends who blessed him with new toys!!!
*a big interest in picking Caleb up under the arm pits and moving him wherever he wants him to be
*that getting adjusted feels "lovely"
*that forgiveness is very important

I just love each new stage and the fun that it brings.

Caleb

*had his 9 month "birthday" this week. Where does the time go?
*he is 21 lbs and 10 ozs 29 inches long and has moved from the 90% to the 75th% in both categories.
*he is moving around like crazy. He hauls it through the house on all 4's or in the walker. He has been pulling himself up on everything and trying to walk. He loves to let go and show you he can stand for a few moments. The smile on his face is priceless.
*he had his first family bike ride this week and thinks it's a pretty sweet gig as long as it's light out. He is not a fan of bike rides at night. :)
*he has slept through the night this week a few times, we are all excited about this one!
*he joined Caeden and I for Caeden's library class and loved every time they sang or danced. However each time the librarian went to read a story he started to cry. I was laughing so hard. I will have to work on a love for reading. :)

Jay

*found out this week that he gets to lead worship at our church this Sunday and on the 29th and will also get to lead at another church on the 22nd. I am so excited for him.
*loves to be with his family. It is so wonderful to know that we are the favorite part of his day!
*he too is being proacitve in becoming all that God desires for him. I count myself so blessed to be married to a man that seeks after the Lord and wants the best for his life.

What a fun week to look back on and be grateful for.