Tuesday, May 31, 2011

This is not the end...

So it's Tuesday and the babies should be in school BUT even Harwood takes a breather and they are off until next week...nonetheless I am missing Michele, their teacher, she is off until the Fall, SIGH.  I am pasting a part of an email I got from her last week, I had a hard time at school last week, it was emotional to think that my two wont be spending their days with her at the JCC next year...ughh I could go on and on...but here is part of her email, the subject line read:
This is not the end...
Suzanne,
 
Life is funny. Always keep a sense of humor it can get you through so much.
God puts people in our lives for reasons. You are so intuitive and spiritual that you realize his plan. I feel like I needed you and your sweet family as much as you needed me. I am honored to have worked with your precious children and their precious parents. I don't believe that we are done with each other. I strongly feel that It is not over but is going to only blossom. Remember you are not in control...God has a plan for each of your children. It is bigger and better then what you can imagine. It's funny you think your children had the most "gifted" teacher but I have grown as a teacher because of your children. They have done so much more for me then I have for them...
 On another note-
This weekend was such a great time to relax and enjoy being with our family and friends.   We met some friends for dinner saturday night and got to go see Uncle Sweet Pea's new house downtown and Sarraaah was there too-could it get any better?!?! Then as the weekend progressed we (with the help of some persuasive big kids) coaxed the babies INTO the pool-wow, what a difference a year makes.  Thankfully, this is not the end...the days seem to get better and better once summer arrives.
For a while she was decked out but if anyone got any closer she was outta there!

Amazing what a difference a day makes

Their happy last day of school gifts were floaties and a bubble maker

melt my heart

joy buckets

in the waiting room at the dr...he acts like he's an old pro

teaching uncle sweet pea his letters

Murphy throwing to Buckley





Happy Memorial Day!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Stuck.

So a couple of weeks ago we took the babies to My Big Back Yard.  One glimpse of the huge tree house and they were off.  They climbed the stairs crossed the wobbly bridge and there they stood in front of the big green slide.  I took off running to the bottom to catch the little daredevils (all the while shouting up to Clay at the top, "I dont think this is a good idea...") and before I knew it Murphy was in position and ready to go, all was well although he somehow came out backwards, which made me a little nervous about what happened in that dark tunnel, but nevertheless one piece=OK.  Next it was Maddens turn she was so eager to be a daredevil just like Murphy...she sat down and was off!  I stood at the bottom and she NEVER came out!   With my camera ready to capture the biggest smile I could imagine, I kept taking pictures of the empty slide, then the screaming.  She was stuck.  She was really stuck, as in several minutes.  Clay was at the top warding off other kids from sliding down on top of her and I was in a skirt at the bottom so I couldnt exactly shimmy up the slide in front of the birthday party going on right behind us....then the rescue.  A man came running from the party hearing all of our screams flipped on his back and went up the slide to retrieve our daredevil.
Needless to say if you see us at the playground, Madden has taken to becoming a master of the swings...thats it no slides in over a week, wont go near them.
This made me think about some things on a bigger scale...One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp is seriously a must read.  Its incredible, an examination of a life lived to the fullest and how to get there.  She writes about how she came to the answer of how to live fully and with the joy that only God can give.  One word "Eucharisteo".  Thanksgiving.  Life moves fast if we let it, we race from one obligation, one problem solved to the next, but what are we racing towards?  She talks about having enough time, enough time to appreciate gifts...some on my list are, getting happy mail, the way Murphy says "no", the beach, holding my babies...
I have three pictures of this empty death trap... :)
 "Eucharisteo is the state of the perfect man. Eucharisteo is the life of paradise.  Eucharisteo is the only full and real response of man to God's creation, redemption, and gift of heaven."  With that said she describes a simple exercise of noting the things around you you are thankful for, everyday, everywhere.  In doing this and living in gratitude we are able to "slow down and see God in the moment."
If I'm not careful he might just drive like I do one day...yikes

those smiles...

off to the slide


touch a truck at the library, and what does he want to drive?  the race car of course.


I started my list last week and its hard now to stop...dont get me wrong, I struggle with the day to day whining and things going on in our lives, but I feel like there is also an awakening going on, one that forces me to move forward towards something I am thankful for, instead of putting value and time only on things I consider "hinderences".  In doing this I am able to take my focus to something positive instead of being "STUCK".

Friday, May 13, 2011

Mothers Day...but more.

Its official they are 2 and 3. Yep they are growing up no matter what I do...I am posting some pics of Maddens school party, mothers day and a few others...but as I was posting I started thinking...


So today my parents left to go out of town...bummer yes.  Typically this doesnt happen they are usually around, but well, today it did.  However, I handled this so much differently today than I thought I would.  There was a tinge of sadness that we wouldnt get to hang out with them for a few days, and another tinge of sadness that we weren't following them in the car heading somewhere fun, but at around 11 am there was an enormous feeling of gratitude.  I had 2 stir crazy babies that even the cat and the hat couldnt satisfy...but the sun started to shine.
I loaded them in the wagon, much to Murphys chagrin. (clay later informed me Murphy only does wagon solo...hence the attitude).  We turned around I packed up the double stroller and we headed to Ace Hardware and then to Lowes.  Now there was no stroller at Lowes= Madden in my arms as I push Murphy in the basket -not an easy feat for someone who is not an exercise enthusiast per se.
But as I walked around the plants for the 4th time with 2 quiet children I thought, I am so blessed.  I have 2 (momentarily) content children, its a friday morning, and I GET to do this.  It all of the sudden hit me, that this is the hardest (dont get me wrong)...but the BEST job on the planet.  I will one day long for a morning like today, long to push one of them in the cart while the other is clinging to my neck.  Yes, I am a sweaty mess but I am full of gratitude for that.  
Then one of my precious friends just called while driving her three kids out of town for the weekend, SOLO, (yikes) and she said, yep this is the hardest job out there, but its the most important and the biggest praise we will ever know.   Yep, I have to agree.


Yep still taking them and still joy buckets


As outgoing as she is with us, she can be so shy when the show's about her...




To add to her repertoire... tink now does toddlers and tiaras and pretends to be surprised its hilarious-she says "who me?!"

birthday loot






2 year old check up in my dress my mom made when I was little

3 year old check up...such a sweet patient.



"I am SO glad its someones birthday....cake cake cake"


Monday, May 2, 2011

Coincidence...

Not if you ask me.  Madden will turn 2 on Mother's day.  Last year her birthday/party was the day before Mother's day and the year before...well we were bringing home our new little blessing bundle on, you guessed it Mother's day.  Perhaps she will always be my mother's day baby.  She is a reminder of what a gift it is to be a mom. 
It's not at all surprising to me how much we are alike either.  She is strong-willed.  She knows what she wants and she is working on her patience.  She is also working on teaching me patience.  She is teaching me what it means to sit back, take it all in and then just explode with energy for what she has just learned.  My sweet friend and I were talking about our youngest little ones yesterday, she was saying how even when they tell us "no" its hard to find them anything but irresistable.  She is teaching me everyday what it means to love others well and fearlessly.  She is a light in so many ways and to be honest with you I am wrapped around her tiny little finger...and she knows it.  Tink will be 2 in a week...what a wonderful 2 years its been, I love her for everything that she already is and everything I know she is growing up to be. 
This weekend was their combined birthday party, we celebrated with a party with the guest of honor, Mr. Joe.  Here are some pictures from the weekend. The weather almost threw us for a loop but held off just long enough to enjoy our outdoor concert and the very meaning of joy...


"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
mimi and pop came in town and brought a tractor!

all the treats came inside LAST minute because it looked like rain :(



birthday hats, cupcakes and wishes oh my!

Mr. Joes stage



getting comfy for the show



the girl loves shades...

i so hope that cupcake's for me...

sweet friends

aunt BB she spoiled us rotten














waiting for his friends


joy buckets

our precious teacher Mrs Michele

2 candles...my angel baby is growing up

and it's even pink on the inside!