Four

My little Laughter,

I tried hard to slow this year so I could savor the last of your toddler years, but with just a blink I'm here writing to you, my new four year old.

This year you have planted seeds with your toes and learned to ride a bike.
This year you have learned to sign I love you, our family's way of kissing each other good bye.
This year you have started preschool our focus being Romanian and Bible.
This year you have begun the journey of knowing God.

Your imagination runs wild.
You live life with all that you are.
You are full of passion.
You are quick to forgive and quick to throw a punch.
You bring a smile to virtually every one who passes by you.
You lavish love onto those dear to your little heart.

 Here are some of my favorite conversations you and I have had this year...

...At dinner you looked at me and said, "How are you beautiful?"
...I suggested one night that we have chicken, rice, and beets for dinner, you responded with, "NOOOO! Just beets nothing else.  I love beets."
...I told you that you couldn't do something and you said, "Alright but what if.." I interrupted you with, "No buts I don't want you to do that no matter what."  You grabbed your butt and said, "Okay I wont use my butt, but what if I just..."
...You climbed the wrong side of the stairs trying to reach a shelf that had ping pong balls on it.  Then you realized you couldn't get back down so you began yelling, "Help me I'm going to die!  Help me!"  As I helped you down you said, "Thanks Momma you saved my LIFE, I almost died!"

My prayer for you this year is that you will continue to love like there is no tomorrow, and forgive just as quickly as you do now.  I pray you'll hold back your punches long enough to decide if they are well deserved.  I pray that you as you grow you will keep that kind of faith in God that comes so naturally to you.

I love you all the way up to heaven and back.

P.S. I love that you enjoy a good cup 'o joe.

7 years today...ish

Only five days late, I sit to write my memory of this 7th year celebrating us.  As I think back five days I find it quite fitting that I am late in writing...

...Since it wasn't until lunch that we even laid eyes on each other and even then it was just long enough for a quick kiss with "Happy anniversary" as both went in different directions.
...Since our youngest woke up on the WRONG side of the bed.
...Since I had to play catch up from working all weekend.
...Since I had a Christmas party to prep for - a party we knowingly scheduled on our special day as it was the only free day this entire month.

While whole mornings can pass before we see each other.
While parenting is tiring and chores are never ending.
While building relationships don't always fall on the most convenient of days.

The hard work has paid off.

Our oldest has begun reading.
Our youngest is adored by all.
Our friends and coworkers watch us hoping to find our secrets.
Our God is glorified.
Our love is strengthened.

So yes, I do find it quite fitting that I sit here five days late writing out my love.

It's us.
It's life.
It's good.

Seven years have past and I, lover, have no regrets.  With anticipation I look forward to the crazy this next year will bring.  I will say it now and forever:  T.F.A.

 

A day of slowing.

After a week of glorious busy, including a late night into the wee morning hours full of laughing ladies, a relaxing night catching up with a dear friend over dinner and drinks, and a peaceful afternoon getting my first ever message with a Momma to be, it was a glorious week of busy.

Today as I stumbled into my closet struggling to put on the first pair of pants I could find, not even bothering to change out of the shirt I slept in I decided today would be a day of slowing.  And now, as I finish the last of my afternoon coffee and begin preparing for a long night at work I can't help but count the joys of today.

Simple snacks packed into his lunch box.
Smiles and I love yous exchanged as he walks into school
Cozy fires.
Big beds to snuggle in.
Little boy super hero's.
Christmas movies to watch.
Two sleepy Mommas sipping coffee together..
One happy baby girl.

Two boys only 9 weeks apart now dubbed as our twins, now that we walk life together, living in the same house.
Little hands sorting cranberries.
The sent of boiling berries.

Listening to my oldest quote the Bible.
Watching him grow into a man.
Dryers tumbling.
Quiet afternoons for reflecting.

Gifts 40 - 54.

It doesn't take much to fill four hearts with love.

Just...

Brothers making discoveries together.

The smallest of boys with the largest hearts of compassion.

Silly Mommas and fun photos.

Sunny, but crisp fall days.

A husband and father who makes sure his family knows we are of the up most importance to him.

Gifts 34 - 39.

What I see...

Dragon flies and yellow flowers.

Boys smiles.

Silly faces.

Purity.

Brothers.

Strength.

Color.

 Nature at peaceful rest.

 Excitement.

Leaf cover moss paths.

Endlessness.

...Gifts 22-33...

We met in May, I said yes in September.

For four years I had heard about you.
For four years I had told my Momma-roo I wasn't interested.

Our second outing together.  The one where you sliced your foot "real good", and we played, would you rather, for at least 4 miles.

Then that Friday before Memorial weekend I arrived home after a full day of flying to find she had volunteered me to help out at your camp.  Little did I know how grateful I would soon be for her meddling.

Even though I told you I wouldn't be your girlfriend, and later said you could not hold my hand, and even though you wouldn't hear a peep from me after every single visit we had, you still waited for me.  Although in all honesty I didn't keep you waiting long.  Or rather God didn't keep us waiting long.  I said no and kept silent because I really liked you, but wanted to make sure I heard God through my emotions.

On September 29th He said you could put that ring on my finger.  We are after all a match made in heaven.

I can never say it enough, TFA.

Science Friday

For three years my Freckle faced boy and I worked our way through preschool programs.  And now it's little brothers turn.  Starting with the same program I did with my first we are embarking on a new journey the two of us.

While it's bringing back many memories, it's also completely new as I try to focus on his strengths making learning fun.  I have two goals this year: 1.  To get him to sit for about 15 minutes a day following directions and 2.  To give him and unquenchable hunger for learning.

Every morning as we begin we sip coffee and/or tea together.

My first time through this reading based program we would sit and read for hours.  Each day we would read a little bit about science, a little bit about animals, a little bit about society, and some imagination stories. He loved it and I loved it.  But when we would do some kind of hands on project he would quickly become frustrated.  He is my logical, rational, get-'er-done boy.

However, this time around, Captain Imagination and I do a project every day, with snippets of reading here and there, as he cannot learn without using all of his senses.  Each day is a new subject with the exception of our Bible reading which is by far his favorite part of school anyway.

On Friday's I'm three days into my work week with one left, and we volunteer in his brothers class running a cute little store together making our morning is shorter then the rest.  And so we do a quick read from our science book and then cuddle up in my big bed to watch the Magic school bus.

A chill, but fun way to end the school week.

Family worship 9.13

One of the most amazing things on earth is to hear my boys sing to there Maker.

Meet Mrs. What-cha-ma-call-its

Every Friday I get to dress up as a gypsy named Mrs. What-cha-ma-call-its who runs a store in my Freckled faced boy's classroom.  The kindergartens each day are able to earn "what-cha-ma-call-its" for the different tasks required of them or attitudes that should be rewarded.  Some examples; just for showing up they earn three or if they do something or treat somebody noticeably well then they can earn more.  On the flip side they can also loose them, or rather they have to pay the "teacher's bank" for something disrespectful that they did.  When the store is opened the kids are able to use whatever what-cha-ma-call-its they have to buy little trinkets.  Each trinket worth a different price.  They have to figure out if they have enough to buy the toy they want making to store not only a reward but also a math lesson.

Laughter and I set up the store, take down the store, and run the register.  My Freckle faced boy beams with joy as his love tank is filled to over flowing.  I get to watch him grow up and get to know his peers, while Laughter is overjoyed to be my helper and serve his brother.  Even though it's only for a few minutes each week Mrs. What-cha-ma-call-it is a highlight of our week.

A much needed vacation

After a full summer of transition...
When promotions have happened and odd jobs were picked up.
When relationships have grown and where some have not.
When a half full house becomes full with five boys, one adorable girl, and two sets of parents.
When gardens don't grow quite the way they should have.
When five year old boys start kindergarten and little brother feels lonely.
When family time looked more different then ever before.

When fall began to encroach we packed our bags and quietly slipped away into a world of imagination...

 

Filling our love tanks to the tippy top.

A bed made for our two newest dragons.