And Now....For Her Latest Trick

Gaby's finally mastered the sitting thing. Funny....she's a late sitter and went from not being able to do it at all, to having it pretty much completely mastered in less than a week. She sat for the first time last Friday, May 21. Today, she's sitting steady and tall.

Here's a little clip from last Saturday when she was still a little wobbly.

Slow Down

Here are some photos of the last week. Most of them are from Clay's birthday celebration on Wednesday. His party is tomorrow. I'm sure there will be photos to follow after that. We're having a joint party with another family of a boy in his class whose birthday is the day before his. We're doing it at the movie theater and watching Shrek: The Final Chapter. Hope it's a fun day for all.

So the title of this post....slow down. I'm finally taking the time to do that this morning. We have been insanely busy lately. Feel like we're always rushing, rushing, rushing....and it doesn't feel right. Pick up at school here, drop this off there, football practice, doctors appointments....sometimes it feels as if Gaby has spent most of her first year in her car seat. I really feel like God is telling me, telling us to slow down. (Even had an incident with the truck on Tuesday that I think was the billboard "Slow Down!" sign we're always wanting from God. Yeah, got it! Don't ask....not ready to talk about it yet!) Okay, so today I still have to make two more school runs, put together 30ish goodie bags for the party, feed the family a couple more meals and snacks, oh...and my poor house is filthy! I don't know that I've ever really thought that about my house before, but it truly is the worst ever. I hate to admit it, but it stresses me out. Tomorrow....a football game, more errands for the party, the actual party. Hoping to rest well in the moments in between, have some good time with God, my husband and kiddos, and look to really slow down on Sunday (though Ronnie will be back at work already.) Weapons School, hurry up and get out!!

Slow down. Check out these cute faces. Smile. Breathe.

Gaby rubbing banana all over her face and hair! These kinds of messes, I don't mind! She was so happy!


The aftermath!

The birthday boy!


After dinner at Olive Garden. Birthday person always gets to choose their favorite meal or restaurant.


Ice cream cake with a sparkler candle. His choice! A little sad....I've always made their birthday cakes. But ice cream cake is my favorite too (and a whole lot easier!)

7

He's 7 today!! He's excited....only nine more years until he can drive! Yep, that's pretty much Clayton in one sentence. All about the driving, cars, trucks, motorcycles....he has loved vehicles since he was one. People used to ask how we got him into them. We really didn't. He just got one (what boy doesn't get a vehicle of some kind early in life) and the interest just grew like wildfire. Fun kiddo!

Happy Birthday, Clay-man! You are one outstanding human being. We are constantly in awe of your heart, your love for other people (even those you've never even met), and your willingness to put others before yourself. Your faith is amazing and inspiring. Your smile is infectious. You work hard and play harder. You are kind and generous. You take the lead when asked, but know how to be a team player. You are excellent at math. Your engineering mind marvels me. You are so much like your Daddy, but you're your own awesome creation of God. The honor of being your mother is....well, I'm at a loss for words on that one.

We are proud of you. We love the person you are and the person you're becoming. Keep looking to God. May He bless all your days.

One of Those Days

Just having one of those days where I feel overwhelming blessed about the family God has given me. I mean, truly overwhelmed with love for them. Ever have one of those?

I'm so thankful for each of them and I wish this feeling on everyone.

Favorites!

Obviously, we have a ton of photos of each of the kiddos from over the years. But seriously, I really think these are some of my favorites!


Can you see her little hand wrapped around his ear?


Probably why he sat there so still!



And no, we didn't stage any of this!

My Mom

My mom was a really good mom. As I get older, I realize it's the little things that matter. My mom was always there, and as a mom who always wants to be there for my kiddos, I appreciate that. I didn't have to come home to an empty house or spend hours away every afternoon, I got to come home and eat Lucky Charms for a snack. (Told you, it's the little things!) She came to my sporting events, drove me places, cooked lots of yummy food and treats....she did a lot for us. As a kid, you never appreciate those things. She also taught me how to cook, clean, iron, sew (wish I retained even a little bit of that!) She's still the best cook and has the cleanest house of anyone I know!

But most of all, my mom taught me how to love. How do I know? Because I LOVE my kids. Like not just "like having them around when they're quiet" kind of love, but LOVE them. And I don't believe that you just naturally love and do for and give to your kids without that being modeled for you. More than anything, at the end of my life, I want my kids to feel that they were well-loved....always. Not "my mom loved me when..." or "my mom loved me if...", but that no matter the day, no matter the behavior, no matter the difficulties or trials of life that struck from other sides, that they were loved with every inch of my heart each and every moment. Thank you, Mom, that I never had to question your love. It was just always there, just like you.

Love is a gift. It is a choice. It's an action. Love is commitment. Mom, your love was and still is all those things to me and now to my kiddos too. May we love you well in return.

Dinosaur Wars

Thomas has been really into playing "Dinosaur Wars" lately. Yes, it's a game he made up. It's always (of course) the meat-eaters versus the plant-eaters. I'm always the meat-eaters, he's always the plant-eaters. (I certainly figured that one backwards. Definitely thought he would be the meat-eaters.) Also, (again of course), he always wins. Yeah, somehow those plant-eaters always take down the carnivores. Surprising....except that I'm playing with a four year-old!

There are five rules that are always stated prior to commencing the war. The first two have changed since our first few rounds of play. The fifth rule is a very recent addition. They are as follows:

1. "If you see a meat-eater and it's charging right at you, use your weapon." (Formerly, Rule 1, "Don't panic!" I like that one better!)
2. "Do not move unless the coaches flash you a signal." (Formerly, "No whining!") (Oh, there are four coaches. They are Dophiney (a toy Dolphin), Mr. Pteranodon, Tiny (a small glow-in-the-dark Pteranodon), and Mr. Tyrannosaurus (a wind-up robot T-Rex whose one leg is not working well. I was just informed we should pretend he's in a wheelchair. I agreed.)
3. "Try to use your weapons."
4. "If you get hungry or thirsty, we have snacks and drinks." (Thank goodness!)
5. "If you see a big meat-eater, use the weapon that you have." (I just told him that sounds a lot like Rule 1. He doesn't agree. Very long explanation. Not sure I can put it into words. I did just get a demonstration, followed by "See? See the difference?" Sure.

Oh, also important, there are games, practices, and replays. Not sure what the difference is. Can't help you there.

Okay, gotta run. There is a dinosaur war awaiting a worthy opponent.