Happy Birthday, Gavin

My dear Gavin,

Today you are 6. I can hardly believe that you aren't a baby anymore. You have grown into a kind-hearted, sweet boy who is full of energy and passionate for life.

Looking back this past year:

You invited Jesus into your heart. What a joyous day, to know that you will be with me for eternity. You still have a lot to learn, but your questions always remind me of what a child-like faith is. I pray that you will experience Jesus' love in a real, tangible way. That you encounter his love like you couldn't imagine.

You started kindergarten. You have a passion for learning and you LOVE going to school. I hope that you keep this passion always. You will never be too old to learn something new.

You have grown into an amazing big brother. I knew you would be a great brother, but you have overly exceeded what I had imagined. You always help me with stinky diapers, feeding Linc, and cleaning up toys (and most of the time without complaining.) Watching you two play is so endearing, and I know you will have a bond that will last forever.

You have grown. A lot. I can hardly pick you up anymore. I knew this day would come, but it is here too soon. Pretty soon you will be bigger than me. But make no mistake- I'm still in charge. :)

Thank you for always making me and Daddy laugh. Your creative mind never stops working, and your facial expressions always make me smile. I love you so, so much.

Encouragement

I do not like to cook. I have never liked to cook. I don't know if it's the obligation of having to cook, or just not having a creative mind to come up with good recipes. I go through spurts of cooking a lot, and then just getting by with a few staple recipes. I don't think I'm a bad cook, it's just not something I would choose to do in my free time. I'd rather be sun bathing on a beach.

The other night, I made beef stroganoff in the Crock-Pot. It was pretty good, and super easy. I have been introducing Lincoln to new foods, and he LOVED it. When he had finished his portion, he started licking his highchair tray!!! How's that for some encouragement?

I guess I won't give up on cooking just yet. I have hungry boys who love my cooking. And I can't complain about that!

Lincoln in his favorite spot...the highchair.

A Little "Sunshine"

This is for all my Washingtonian friends out there:

1. Crank the heaters,
2. Turn on all the lights,
3. Enlarge the picture below REALLY BIG,
4. Pretend that you are here:

The past few weeks, I literally feel like I have been living under water. It has been raining non-stop and I always feel cold and wet. I'm very much looking forward to some nice, WARM weather...but until then... I'll be following the instructions above. ;)

Ready, Set, READ!

I'm reading through the Bible in one year. Yep, you read that right. :)

And I'm feeling overly optimistic about this "resolution" because I have someone doing it with me. So I can't secretly read the first chapter of each book and call it good. Not that I would REALLY do that.

But I have to admit, I have probably read Genesis, Exodus, and half of Leviticus more times than I can remember.

Starting tomorrow, my friend Amy and I will start a reading plan to read the entire Bible in chronological order. Not front to back, but the way the events actually happened. So excited!!

I'll be keeping you updated on my progress. Now I have two accountability partners. ;)

Happy Birthday, Lincoln

1.15.11

Today you are one. You are crawling, talking, waving, playing and wrestling with your brother.

This past year has been exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time. We have grown into a family of four, and I couldn't imagine it any other way. You are funny, playful, ticklish, and have a mind of your own. Watching you play with your brother have been some of my most treasured moments. I pray I won't ever forget them.

Today I celebrate your life. The life that a great God has given you. You are significant, you are a leader, you are going to do great things ahead. I will always support you and always love you, no matter what. NO MATTER WHAT.

I promise to let you make mistakes, for it is in these mistakes, you will learn something significant.

I promise to let go, for when I let go, God has the power to take over.

I promise to teach you all that has been passed on to me, for that is how a legacy begins.

I promise to never, ever let you forget my love for you. You will always be my little boy.

Happy Birthday, Lincoln Joseph.

Waiting

As most of you know, Joe and I have been talking about moving back to California for, oh I don't know...5 YEARS!

At last. I can see the end in sight. We are, indeed, coming home.

We started this journey 5 years ago, moving our family to Las Vegas. What we thought was a good "investment" quickly turned bad, leaving us in lots of debt and no way out. We had an opportunity to move to WA, hoping we would be able to save money, pay off our debt and get the heck out!

Our one year plan, quickly turned into two, three, four, five... Talk about learning patience. At first, I was angry. How did we get ourselves into this mess? Why did I have to be so far from my family? I felt like time was slipping away, that I was missing out and that my hands were completely tied. We had no way out. So we waited.

It was in this waiting period that I learned to listen. It took me a while, but I finally took the focus off me and my situation, and learned to obey. It is not about my timing and what I want. God has a plan for my life. A plan that is perfect. I just have to have faith.

I wouldn't change these past five years for anything. It was in this silence and prayer that I have changed into a different person. I'm by no means perfect, but I have changed. I have learned discipline, to trust in God's plan, and to pray.

And I have learned that He does listen. He comforts. He is faithful.

2011.

This year is going to be different.

I promise to smile more,
To laugh at the little things,
To take time to listen to my kids,
To watch them grow up,
To speak kind words over my children and husband,
To give more than I take,
To love Jesus more,
To cherish my relationships,
And tell those close to me that I love them.

Love this Toy

We didn't do a lot for Christmas this year. We have been working hard to save up our pennies, so we decided to re-gift one of Gavin's old toys for Lincoln.

I bought Gavin this for his second birthday, and he absolutely LOVED IT, so I was really excited to give it to Lincoln.

I cleaned it up and went online to buy replacement parts, so it was like new.

Laugh & Learn Home from Fisher Price

This was seriously the best $30 I ever spent (I got it off Craigslist). :) Not only does Lincoln love it, but Gavin has been playing with it too. Who would of thought?

December Re-Cap

December seemed like a blur to me. (as you can tell from me being MIA)

I love the holidays and Christmas time, but I felt myself constantly reminding myself to enjoy the moment. Remember the reason of Christmas.

It's so easy to get caught up in the baking, presents, wrapping, gifts, lights and before you know it- it's over. Even Gavin reminded me, "It's not about the stuff, Mom. It's all about Jesus." How true that is.

Here's is a brief "re-cap" on our December...

Me & the boys at the "Lights of Christmas" (Joe was there too, but he was the photographer.)

It was absolutely freeeeeeezing!! But we bundled up, and had a great time. There were millions of lights, Santa, and HOT COFFEE! :)

The boys & Santa

Our Tree

Gavin & Gram making the annual "Ice Box Cake" on Christmas Eve

We got home pretty late on Christmas Eve, but Gavin wanted to leave Santa a note. (Notice how nice his writing is...I'm so proud.) :)


Christmas morning!! Gavin was sooooo excited. Santa brought him a custom pair of Bat Wings, and his first skateboard.

And here is Linc, just hanging out. :)

This may have been my favorite Christmas ever. Passing down traditions from when I was a kid, and creating our own. Experiencing Christmas through my children's eyes was amazing. It brings me back to the innocence, the joy, and the true reason of why we celebrate Christmas.

Oh- and did I mention that our family was in a Christmas play at church?? Yes, that's right. Joe was Joseph, I was Mary and Lincoln was (yep you guessed it) Baby Jesus. And what a cute Jesus he was. :)