Terrific Twos! Happy Birthday, John Ellis!

We celebrated John Ellis and the 2 years of life that God has given him.  We are thankful to have him as part of our family.  What a blessing!  His strong personality brings us both joy and many opportunities for personal growth.  As the youngest brother, he doesn’t let the big boys push him around!  He can stand his ground and has a resilient  spirit that we are believing God will use to bring His Kingdom in even greater measure to this earth! 

We have been on a Haiti Transformed team retreat so we didn’t celebrate too much as we were travelling home all day on his birthday and didn’t get home until late afternoon.  He is the birthday boy with his breakfast at the retreat.  I did  a bit of handy work on his pancakes!

Last night (Jan 20th, his actual birthday) we looked back with our family at pictures of the night of his birth and told the boys the story of John Ellis’ birth.  John Ellis wasn’t feeling well this past weekend, we had been travelling all day and he was exceptionally tired last night so we called an early night and planned to celebrate tonight instead.

Jody picked up pizza from the lone pizza place in Leogane, Haiti (at least that we know about!).  It is fairly new and fairly decent…I wouldn’t pick it as a place to get pizza in the States, but it is pretty good by our standards in Haiti! =)

The boys trying to teach John Ellis to hold up 2 fingers.

After dinner, we invited our neighbors and team leaders over for cake.  It was our first birthday in Haiti and I was glad to have friends to celebrate with us the sweetness of John Ellis.

Opening his gift and celebrating with our team leaders and their kiddos.

Enjoying some cake!  Such a big boy!  And soon to be a big brother any day!

 

We love you John Ellis!

Resurrection Rolls

I want to be a mom who lets my boys explore, learn and do things themselves...it doesn't come natural to me. I am having to be intentional to bring them into things instead of always doing everything myself. Does this cause more messes for me to clean up? You betcha! But I am daily learning to relax and just enjoy and I see the boys thrive when that happens. They are boys, BUT they love to be creative and do crafts, make art, and cook with me.
We made resurrection rolls at Easter last year, too, but this year I let the boys do most of the "baking". They did a great job despite uncontrollable finger licking!

The "Jesus" marshmellow annointed in oils and spices (aka butter, cinammon and sugar) then wrapped in linen (cresent rolls) and put in the oven tomb. After 10 minutes(3 days) the Jesus marshmellow is risen and only the linen is left!

Enjoying the fruits of their labor.

Easter Joy

Our Easter Joy started 12 days before Easter Sunday with an idea I got from Pintrest (ofcourse.)! Each day the boys took turns picking the next egg in our 12 day count down to Easter. Inside was a "clue" and scripture that explained how this clue was part of the Easter story. We really enjoyed this and will include it as part of our Easter traditions because it brought light to some of the small details of Jesus' death and resurrection. I tried to be as detailed (and age appropriate) as possible on what Jesus endured out of His love for us and His Father. Lucas would regularly interrupt with, "that's so sad!". Which is true, but God regularly turns mourning into dancing and His power is perfected in times of weakness. Thank you, Lord.

The boys with our 12 day countdown to Easter eggs.

Josiah with our "Jesus" that was wrapped in white linen (strip of paper towel)...one of the last clues.

Lucas wrapping up Lego Jesus in white linen.

Then the boys put Jesus in the tomb that Lucas made at Highland and put the stone in front. Jesus had risen on Easter morning!

Josiah & Lucas helped boil and dye Easter eggs this year and wanted to stay and watch while the eggs were cooking...I told them it would take a while and to go play. It is true that a watched pot never boils!

The finished products!

Having a Ball!

JohnEllis turned 1 in January. We had a small party with our family at McDonalds in Hillsboro (central location!) and we had a ball. Literally! JohnEllis is crazy about any type of ball and loves to repeat "baw, baw, baw, baw!" over and over! This obsession has been easing off some the past month and we get to hear some of his other precious first words {mama, dada, bubba, bellbell (ClaraBelle, our dog), bye-bye (says this anytime he sees my keys or thinks we are going outside to play).}

I felt it was only fitting to celebrate his love of all balls with a ball theme party. Here are a few pics of the cake and cupcakes I made for him. Thanks Granny Jo for the use of your oven.

1st Birthdays are always special as the babies are growing up and entering a new stage of life...so much learning and discovery has happened and there is so much ahead. I love this stage because they start taking off in understanding and communication. Say a quick prayer that my patience and energy would remain high though because JohnEllis (like most new toddlers!) is super curious and into everything. I can't let him out of my sight for a second which makes it difficult to get anything done such as homeschool with the big boys or normal life requirements.

I Love The Way You Hold Me

Do you ever feel like you are doing it alone? I do. Sometimes I think it is me against the world. Like I have to make life worth living, perform to get the most out of life. I strive to make myself and my family joyful...like I can work hard enough to get to IT. I am still not exactly what IT is yet but I fool myself into thinking that someday I will know when ever we have arrived. Whenever we are THAT family...you know, that family that everyone desires to be part of. I guess a cross between a great movie family and those families at church that seem to "have it all together". =)

It sounds silly in print but if I am honest...I still have those thoughts sometimes. But today, I am resting in the truth of God and not believing the lies of the enemy. I have the perfect family! We are FOR SURE in process and the process is sweetness and exactly what I want and exactly what I need.

I look back over just the past year of my life and the life of my family and wow. wow. wow! We have been held so lovingly by the Lord. I love the way He holds us! He knows the perfect way to love us and like a really good Daddy gives us abundantly more than we could ever ask or need. I am so thankful that He gives us what we REALLY want and need...opposed to what WE think we want. I am learning to trust Him. That He really knows best and really can be trusted to do what is best for us. Without my own interference.

Just a quick look back on my past year. This is how the Lord has held me. This is what I'm thankful for.

~Boys. Wiggly, snuggly, toe-lint picking boys.
~Being adored by the 4 most handsome guys I know.
~Travel...with all it's joys and hardships. What a privledge to see God's handiwork first hand.
~Seeing God's provision through the body of Christ.
~Dancing and singing with my family.
~Homeschooling and teaching my boys.
~Listening to Josiah & Lucas count.
~Watching Josiah perfect his coloring skills and the joy he has when he stays in the lines!
~A husband who is courageous.
~A husband who loves me...and ice cream! =)
~Friends. LifeGroup. Teammates.
~Little boys who beg me to make up stories for them before bed.
~3 Brothers.
~To be part of a movement of Christ that is transforming the world.
~Extended family.
~Rodeos...especially the ones in my living room when I get to be the announcer and watch my little cowboys.
~Laundry, dishes, diapers, messy rooms, grocery shopping.
~Hilarious co-workers.
~Reading.
~Watching 3 boys, a daddy and a dog wrestle and play.
~Candles & Fireplaces.
~Training schools & people who push me to go further than I think possible.
~People who forgive me...no matter what.
~God. Who never leaves us alone. Who draws me into relationship with him. Who desires to be with me.

When does it end? Every good and perfect gift is from my God (James 1:17). Can I stop being thankful? Stop counting my blessings? They are as numerous as the stars. You are so good.

Lord, I love the way you hold me.

(Our current fav family song: Hold Me by Jamie Grace)

How Time Flies By When Having Fun!

Happy 1st Birthday, Lucas!!

March 5, 2010
This year has passed by so quickly...I remember the day Lucas was born like yesterday. Time flies--seriously. When did these boys grow up?? I feel so blessed to be the mother of Lucas and get to see his precious personality each day. He is a lover and comes to give us hugs frequently throughout the day.

I loved this picture I caught of Josiah at Lucas' backyard birthday party--he wasn't so sure about eating a hot dog. I don't know why but he doesn't really like 'kid food'.

Lucas eating his birthday car cake. Good thing I made several because the first one ended up dumped on the ground before Lucas even got to try it! Poor Lucas was very sleepy and ready for bed and spent much of the evening crying. He slept through most of the party.

The car cakes I made for Lucas' party...

it was fun and I was pretty proud of how they turned out.

The Great Pumpkin Patch!

We went to the pumpkin patch this morning and tried to get some pictures...but it was very sunny and near impossible to get the boys to cooperate. Most of the pictures were of their eyes closed and I couldn't get either of them to crack a smile. Should have known better!! Oh well...here are a few of the better ones. They are still my favorite little punkin's:

NOT SO TIGHT...PLEASE! A little TOO much brotherly love was caught in this picture!

Autumn...

Autumn weather was back today in Waco and I am very thankful...yesterday I sweated it out but refused to turn the a/c back on...it was so muggy and hot that today's cool breezes were more than welcome...

This is my favorite time of year. The crisp autumn air that sneaks in on summer always refreshes me and puts a bounce back in my step...plus, I really enjoy decorating for the fall season. Jody has been making Josiah come up to me several times everyday asking, "can we decorate a Christmas tree??" (um...a little early!) I love Christmas decor too, but this year I want autumn to linger a little longer.

The mums that I planted last year came back so well...I bought them with expectation of them being annuals and am thankful to get another season out of them.

I spent the afternoon in the front yard with the boys waiting for Jody to get home from work. We spent most of our time playing "LifeGroup" on Josiah's direction. I am so thankful that I am able to stay at home with my boys and see them grow up. I have been amazed at how quickly they are growing up...everyday I see Josiah's imagination exploding. He is so much fun and Lucas just wants to be near him all the time. I can already see Lucas being that little brother who follows big brother around...ofcourse, Josiah loves it and I pray that continues throughout their childhood. Something about today...sitting on the front steps watching the boys play together--I just felt special and thankful to be their mom. They are my favorite little blessings (Jody is my favorite big blessing!). =)

The Good Life

I just can't get enough of these 3 boys...they are a joy, my heart, a gift. Lord, teach me to cherish these times. Thanks Jayme and Sam for a great time in OK. We love your place. What is better than a hammock, family, late summer days...no where to go and nothing better to do??

Watch This Wooocuss!!

Josiah showing Lucas how to play

Brother Kisses

(Josiah 25 months, Lucas almost 3 months)

I'm lovin' my boys. Funny that I am writing that this evening after Josiah threw fits all afternoon BUT even with those fits---I just can't help but love those sweet little men (especially once they have fallen asleep)!

This is night two of them sharing a room. I like the thought of them sleeping in the same room...two of the sweetest little faces resting peacefully together. Even if we had a larger house I would still want them to share a room. It's seems very brotherly. I pray they grow up having a blast together and build fond memories of their childhood (full of mischievous boy stuff I am sure).

Josiah seems to enjoy being a big brother and having little Lucas around. He likes to show off to Lucas and will say things like "Watch this Woocus (how it sounds when he says Lucas)" while he is dancing or "You see it, Woocus?" while proudly wearing his Spiderman "pack-pack" (aka backpack) and strutting back & forth in front of Lucas. It is very cute to see a little 2 year old parading around in nothing but cowboy boots, Cars underwear and a Spiderman backpack stuffed FULL of toys. It brings me joy and I love that Josiah makes Lucas smile. Some of the things Josiah does to Lucas would probably annoy the heck out of me, but Lucas seems not to mind and actually enjoys it.


May it be the beginning of a true and deep brotherhood.