These Are the Days
11 years ago
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
the sickies and the new computer....
I have not abandoned this blog. While I feel it sounds like a trite excuse, we have been sick for what feels like months and months, and we have a new computer that does not have the software loaded to transfer pictures from camera to computer. I will return, but for now, I hope your family is well and not sick like we are!
Friday, February 4, 2011
The Children
I am constantly amazed on a daily basis at how different my children are. They were born to the same parents, we're basically parenting the same way, but yet, Landon is 100% his own person.
He had his 6 month check up this morning. My main question is, where has the time gone? He's doing great. A little on the small side percentile-wise, but his doctor is very pleased with his growth and he's hitting all his developmental milestones right on target.
He is completely enamored with his big sister. He adores her. If she's not around, he is crankier than when she is. It's really funny that I can tell a difference in his mood just by her presence! So sweet and precious.
The above picture was taken on New Year's Eve. She picked out her own outfit and was very specific about what she wanted wear. *sigh* She's a girl all right! I had to force her to wear the white shirt under that dress. I just didn't feel like spaghetti straps in 40 degree weather were a good idea...even if we were going to be inside. She wanted her hair done like Princess Tiana, and she wore the Tiana socks she got in her stocking. Sweet and creative girl. She's a joy.
Her imagination is wondrous and exciting! She loves to play pretend and makes up songs and story lines for her toys to follow. One of her favorite things to do right now is "cook" and then "eat" on the "white table" (the art table in her room). She will make "cakes" (stackable rings and block creations) and then drink "coffee" from her tea cup. I love listening to her and seeing her line up her toys. It really brings back childhood memories from my own play days.
Landon is loving finding new things around him. He loves to play with his feet and he likes to play with and chew on regular kitchen items like plastic cups and spoons. He enjoys being in the kitchen and Caroline and I will sing and narrate what we're doing for him. I love to hear him squeal and laugh. He still has his difficult and cranky moments, but things with him are getting a lot better as he gets older, which is bittersweet. He's growing. He changes daily and I know before long I'll be looking at a one year old, then a three year old, then five, and so on. Life does fly with rapid speed.
Enjoy your weekend!
He had his 6 month check up this morning. My main question is, where has the time gone? He's doing great. A little on the small side percentile-wise, but his doctor is very pleased with his growth and he's hitting all his developmental milestones right on target.
He is completely enamored with his big sister. He adores her. If she's not around, he is crankier than when she is. It's really funny that I can tell a difference in his mood just by her presence! So sweet and precious.
The above picture was taken on New Year's Eve. She picked out her own outfit and was very specific about what she wanted wear. *sigh* She's a girl all right! I had to force her to wear the white shirt under that dress. I just didn't feel like spaghetti straps in 40 degree weather were a good idea...even if we were going to be inside. She wanted her hair done like Princess Tiana, and she wore the Tiana socks she got in her stocking. Sweet and creative girl. She's a joy.
Her imagination is wondrous and exciting! She loves to play pretend and makes up songs and story lines for her toys to follow. One of her favorite things to do right now is "cook" and then "eat" on the "white table" (the art table in her room). She will make "cakes" (stackable rings and block creations) and then drink "coffee" from her tea cup. I love listening to her and seeing her line up her toys. It really brings back childhood memories from my own play days.
Landon is loving finding new things around him. He loves to play with his feet and he likes to play with and chew on regular kitchen items like plastic cups and spoons. He enjoys being in the kitchen and Caroline and I will sing and narrate what we're doing for him. I love to hear him squeal and laugh. He still has his difficult and cranky moments, but things with him are getting a lot better as he gets older, which is bittersweet. He's growing. He changes daily and I know before long I'll be looking at a one year old, then a three year old, then five, and so on. Life does fly with rapid speed.
Enjoy your weekend!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Christmas
And...one month later...
We had a wonderful Christmas. We spent lots of time baking, singing, wrapping, and just loving seeing the season through the eyes of our children.
Caroline loved everything about the season. She loved the tree, Santa, each and every decoration, all the stockings, wrapping gifts, the food, just everything. She also enjoyed spending a lot of time with family and friends and staying up wwwaaayyy past her bedtime several nights! Landon really liked looking at the lights on the tree and loved watching everything his big sister did. He however, did not enjoy the change in his routine so much, but we made it through.
(opening a gift with Ms Deborah)
(Yes, GrandKev is a KISS fan, and no we will not be encouraging Caroline to be one.)
We had a Pop-Up Eric Carle "Christmas Countdown" advent calendar this year that Caroline really liked. This was the first time in my life I've had a Christmas countdown. We didn't do this tradition in my family while I was growing up, but Aaron has fond memories of his, and I got the calendar for free so we decided to do it. Caroline had a good time with it each night and Aaron was diligent about counting each day with her. She was just up to counting to 20, but now she can go to 25. :)
Christmas morning was fun. Caroline had a good time opening her gifts and looking in her stocking. Landon was pretty indifferent, but also had a good morning.
This light-up Santa is from my childhood. Mom and Dad had him out at their house and just like last year, he was a favorite of Caroline's.
We had a wonderful time with Aaron's extended family....we even had a white Christmas!
A truly wonderful holiday was had by our family!
We had a wonderful Christmas. We spent lots of time baking, singing, wrapping, and just loving seeing the season through the eyes of our children.
Caroline loved everything about the season. She loved the tree, Santa, each and every decoration, all the stockings, wrapping gifts, the food, just everything. She also enjoyed spending a lot of time with family and friends and staying up wwwaaayyy past her bedtime several nights! Landon really liked looking at the lights on the tree and loved watching everything his big sister did. He however, did not enjoy the change in his routine so much, but we made it through.
(opening a gift with Ms Deborah)
(Yes, GrandKev is a KISS fan, and no we will not be encouraging Caroline to be one.)
We had a Pop-Up Eric Carle "Christmas Countdown" advent calendar this year that Caroline really liked. This was the first time in my life I've had a Christmas countdown. We didn't do this tradition in my family while I was growing up, but Aaron has fond memories of his, and I got the calendar for free so we decided to do it. Caroline had a good time with it each night and Aaron was diligent about counting each day with her. She was just up to counting to 20, but now she can go to 25. :)
Christmas morning was fun. Caroline had a good time opening her gifts and looking in her stocking. Landon was pretty indifferent, but also had a good morning.
This light-up Santa is from my childhood. Mom and Dad had him out at their house and just like last year, he was a favorite of Caroline's.
We had a wonderful time with Aaron's extended family....we even had a white Christmas!
A truly wonderful holiday was had by our family!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Birthdays
We've had 2 birthdays around here in the past few months. Caroline turned 3 and Aaron turned the big 3-0! We had parties for both. Caroline's was ladybug themed. Aaron's had no theme.
I did not make those adorable cookies, which I gave out instead of goody bags. I did make the cupcakes and they took a lot longer than I was expecting! A definite labor of love, and she loved them, so I loved making them!
I think these pictures say it all. Birthday parties are fun and exciting, but are also tiring and overwhelming. Happy 3rd birthday to my sweet girl!
I plotted and planed Aaron's birthday party for months beforehand. I wanted it to be a surprise and I wanted it on his actual birthday, which is really close to Christmas. I knew some of our friends would be out of town, but I also knew that some wouldn't be, so I planned it for his actual big day.
For the 30 days leading up to his birthday, his sister planned a huge and touching gift for him. She contacted family and friends and asked them to send in pictures, stories, objects...anything that they had that meant something to Aaron. She got so much great stuff! Each day for 30 days he had an envelope to open for that day. Each day was from someone, and held the picture, story, or object from his thirty years. It was so wonderful to read about his life and see it through the eyes of people who have known and loved him. Fun times. I used presentation boards to display each day at the party. (and had Science fair flashbacks while putting it all together!)
He did sniff out the actual party, but he was surprised that his family came. His parents, sister and brother-in-law all came for the surprise, which he absolutely wasn't expecting. So I halfway got him.
Happy Birthday to my amazing husband!
I did not make those adorable cookies, which I gave out instead of goody bags. I did make the cupcakes and they took a lot longer than I was expecting! A definite labor of love, and she loved them, so I loved making them!
I think these pictures say it all. Birthday parties are fun and exciting, but are also tiring and overwhelming. Happy 3rd birthday to my sweet girl!
I plotted and planed Aaron's birthday party for months beforehand. I wanted it to be a surprise and I wanted it on his actual birthday, which is really close to Christmas. I knew some of our friends would be out of town, but I also knew that some wouldn't be, so I planned it for his actual big day.
For the 30 days leading up to his birthday, his sister planned a huge and touching gift for him. She contacted family and friends and asked them to send in pictures, stories, objects...anything that they had that meant something to Aaron. She got so much great stuff! Each day for 30 days he had an envelope to open for that day. Each day was from someone, and held the picture, story, or object from his thirty years. It was so wonderful to read about his life and see it through the eyes of people who have known and loved him. Fun times. I used presentation boards to display each day at the party. (and had Science fair flashbacks while putting it all together!)
He did sniff out the actual party, but he was surprised that his family came. His parents, sister and brother-in-law all came for the surprise, which he absolutely wasn't expecting. So I halfway got him.
Happy Birthday to my amazing husband!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Little Eyes
When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I 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 there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
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 give of your time and money to help people who had nothing; I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
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 are 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 all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything 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.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."
Little eyes see a lot.
Written by: Unknown Former Child
My New Year's Resolution? That the little eyes in our home will see a mother who is dedicated to her Lord, her husband, and her children.
Happy New Year!
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I 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 there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
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 give of your time and money to help people who had nothing; I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
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 are 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 all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything 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.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."
Little eyes see a lot.
Written by: Unknown Former Child
My New Year's Resolution? That the little eyes in our home will see a mother who is dedicated to her Lord, her husband, and her children.
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Life, Life, Life!
Life is...wonderful, exhausting, fantastic, difficult, and ever changing. Caroline isn't that much older than Landon, but I definitely forgot that once a routine is established and things get going good...BOOM! Something else changes and everything is haphazard again. I love my husband and the life we've built together. I love our children. In our wedding vows we promised to love one another, in fortune and trial, and to always walk a Godly path. I just recently watched our video and was reminded of what we vowed in front of our Lord. I cried and was awestruck at how this life is trying and tiring, but we are keeping those promises daily, even when times are tough. Seasons of life can be hard and we're in a hard season right now. Rewarding, but hard.
We've been busy, as always, but enjoying life as much as we can. Our sweet baby boy is a crier. Bless his heart, sometimes I have done everything in my power to help him and he still cries. For a long time, most days felt like bad days, but things are looking up. I am prayerful that he will continue to cry less and smile more. He won't be a baby forever, and I try and remind myself that I will miss the baby stage.
Caroline is growing and changing everyday. She's become a huge help around the house. She loves "5 minute pickup." I play the song of her choice and we spend 5 minutes picking up toys, plates, trash...anything in our main living area that doesn't belong. She will sing and work. It's enjoyable and then I have a clean space during nap time, which I appreciate so much!
We went up to Aunt KK and Uncle Judd's house 2 months ago (which is where all the pics are coming from...sorry they're so old!) and met up with Opa, Oma, Uncle Bryan, Aunt Stephanie, and Annalise at a pumpkin patch. The girls had a blast.
I have no pictures from Thanksgiving, other that one Aaron's cousin took. It's a good one though...if I do say so myself!
Have a great weekend!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The Zoo
While we were in St. Louis, we also made a trip to the zoo. Caroline had never been before and I knew she would love it because she really likes to look at animals. She's not much of an animal lover...she's still afraid of dogs and cats, but she enjoys looking at them. So, the zoo was perfect for her!
Uncle Micah and Isaiah riding the carousel...Uncle Micah rode an animal, but I think technically he wasn't supposed to. This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip.
I stood beside Caroline, and she loved it. She is really into riding Carousels...we cannot go to the mall without riding. I guess I could say no, but we're rarely there so I always let her.
Can't remember the exact name of this "monkey" but she adored standing there looking at him. He was right there too, had it not been for the glass she could have plopped on his lap.
If I'm remembering correctly, they weren't actually looking at an animal, but I love this shot. I think it's adorable.
According to Caroline, this is Aubie.
Caroline thought the Ostrich was absolutely hilarious. She just giggled and laughed at it. She said we were "so silly" because we told her it was a bird. We stood here for a long time too, while a bathroom break was going on. Aaron stated he was pretty sure the Ostrich could jump that fence if he got a running start. I moved Caroline at that point.
Another one of my favorites.
Aren't they precious?
Uncle Micah and Isaiah riding the carousel...Uncle Micah rode an animal, but I think technically he wasn't supposed to. This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip.
I stood beside Caroline, and she loved it. She is really into riding Carousels...we cannot go to the mall without riding. I guess I could say no, but we're rarely there so I always let her.
Can't remember the exact name of this "monkey" but she adored standing there looking at him. He was right there too, had it not been for the glass she could have plopped on his lap.
If I'm remembering correctly, they weren't actually looking at an animal, but I love this shot. I think it's adorable.
According to Caroline, this is Aubie.
Caroline thought the Ostrich was absolutely hilarious. She just giggled and laughed at it. She said we were "so silly" because we told her it was a bird. We stood here for a long time too, while a bathroom break was going on. Aaron stated he was pretty sure the Ostrich could jump that fence if he got a running start. I moved Caroline at that point.
Another one of my favorites.
Aren't they precious?
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