Ellie seems to be growing up by the hour lately! Even friends who see her on a weekly basis have commented recently on how 'grown up' she seems to becoming. They say her face is changing or she's getting so much taller, or marvel how her hair has grown. Its a little funny because being with her every day makes you unaware of the physical changes. But I have noticed lots of changes in her development otherwise. She talks pretty clearly now and almost non-stop. She is so aware of her surroundings and will question me about everything she sees. "Mama.....'sat? 'Sat, mama?" (what's that?) As soon as I answer, she is pacified and will respond a simple. "Oh." Cute. She is becoming more and more mild-mannered (as in, she doesn't throw quite as many fits lately). Even on our errand-running excursions during Luke's preschool hours, she is often found walking happily hand-in-hand with me through the stores, listening well when asked not to touch something or to come closer. (Not being in the cart is quite a big deal for me, since most of you know I like containment (aka control) and a free toddler is quite the opposite of that! But she does great!) She oftentimes catches the attention of the other patrons or store clerks with her 'lil pigtails and she basks in their lavish attention on her! :) She is a happy, sweet litle girl. Oh how I love her!
She also began to show a keen interest in the potty this past week. She has sat on the potty just about every day since she was 19 months old, but only because she sees all of us do it and never once did anything 'happen' while she sat. She just hadn't made the connection about what needed to happen. But one afternoon last week, she 'accidentally' pee'd just a little while sitting on the potty after her nap, and that was all that was needed! She connected the sensation with the action and we've been on the road to potty training ever since! Each day has progressively improved and on Saturday, we were at Meemaw's house when she told me she needed to do the 'big business' before she went. And voila! She has been pretty much poop-trained ever since!
Needless to say, I am simply following her lead. I wasn't exactly planning on potty training her until closer to Christmas (Luke was 2 1/2 when we began) but she is obviously ready now! I'm excited.....especially about the prospect of no more diapers in the near future! :) But I also must admit that I am a teeny-tiny bit sad too. Its just one more step farther away from her babyhood and a confirmation of that era of my life coming to a close. But such is life, and I will embrace and cherish every step of the way!
So that's what is new 'round our place this week! We're just happily pluggin' along and looking for a little R & R this weekend as Ty and I get to steal away to Big Bear for the night on Saturday for the annual Oktoberfest up there! We were blessed by a gracious friend who is allowing up to use their cabin for the night. Should be fun!
Hope you all have a great weekend as well! :)
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
A little encouragement goes a long way....
So I guess I didn't realize how apathetic I had been feeling about the blog until many of you let me know either in person, on the phone, email or here on the blog that you had actually missed me. In a weird sort of analogy, its kinda like how you can cut your finger and not really notice it until you look down and see it. Then, of-course, it starts to hurt. I hadn't realized how just hearing that it mattered to you made me want to come here more often. So....thank you! Your comments and words matter to me!
And before I begin, can you believe that this is my third post for the week! Whoa! Hang on, folks! I'm on a roll! :) Lol!
Today, I spent an hour or so sitting here at the computer with both kids at my side, watching and replaying over and over all those little montages on the sidebar there. Ellie and Luke just could not get enough of them and giggled ferociously at themselves in the video clips. At one point, Luke even laughed so hard tears streamed down his face! Much akin to how his daddy laughs in such a contagious, vivacious kind of way! He had all three of us in stitches!
While I sat here sandwiched by my two little ones, with each of their hands resting lovingly on my lap, I realized something. Life is so short. So precious. So often I waste precious time on superficial, non-essential things. I worry. I fret. I rush. And all the while, time is tick-tick-ticking by me. My kids are growing up before my eyes and hours; even days; can sometimes go by without doing anything truly meaningful...things that will grow their faith, their love for others, their sense of community, or deepen their knowledge of how truly loved they are. And let me just clarify in saying that I know I pour into them every day. I love them, care for them, pray for and with them, and spend countless hours molding their lives! That is my job...I am their mother. But sometimes, don't we all just get that sense that there is always something more we could be doing? That, in our busy day to day lives, we have forgotten to pour ourselves into OTHERS? I dunno....am I even making sense? I guess I am just having a revelation that life is so much more than what exists beyond our four walls, our to-do lists, our computer screens, telephones, cubicles at work, and our television sets. In this crazy world of social networking, emails, texting, blogging and video chatting, we have somehow been mislead. And we have forgotten how important it is to sit together, face to face. To talk...to share meals...have a real conversation outside of cyberspace, to fellowship together. Its ironic to me that this all washed over me as I sat in front of the computer, but I think it was just watching the younger, tinier versions of my children going about their growing up here on the screen that made me realize how FAST time goes. I want to make more of the time we have...I want to make the most of it!
So tonight, I sign off thinking about the little things that can make a big difference. Tell me, friends...what will you do to make the most of it this week?
As a little side note...
Here are some photos from our trip up to my favorite little picnic spot in Oak Glen yesterday. As we walked to our car after playing a long while and eating our PB&J's, Luke made the best assessment of our day... "Ahhhhhh! (looking up at the trees and the sky) There's nothin' better than a little sunshine and a great picnic in Oak Glen. Aren't we lucky, Mom?" Indeed, we are son....indeed we are!
See...even little girls can play 'warriors'!
Then they become the princess again :) Btw, getting in the tree was her idea!
Pretending she was sleeping in the tree :)
I just can't get enough of her!!!
Ellie lending her Bubba a helping hand. Or maybe a shove?
And my handsome Luke :) Doesn't he look so grown up?!
A happy girl with a full belly!
And that was our morning! Life is good!
And before I begin, can you believe that this is my third post for the week! Whoa! Hang on, folks! I'm on a roll! :) Lol!
Today, I spent an hour or so sitting here at the computer with both kids at my side, watching and replaying over and over all those little montages on the sidebar there. Ellie and Luke just could not get enough of them and giggled ferociously at themselves in the video clips. At one point, Luke even laughed so hard tears streamed down his face! Much akin to how his daddy laughs in such a contagious, vivacious kind of way! He had all three of us in stitches!
While I sat here sandwiched by my two little ones, with each of their hands resting lovingly on my lap, I realized something. Life is so short. So precious. So often I waste precious time on superficial, non-essential things. I worry. I fret. I rush. And all the while, time is tick-tick-ticking by me. My kids are growing up before my eyes and hours; even days; can sometimes go by without doing anything truly meaningful...things that will grow their faith, their love for others, their sense of community, or deepen their knowledge of how truly loved they are. And let me just clarify in saying that I know I pour into them every day. I love them, care for them, pray for and with them, and spend countless hours molding their lives! That is my job...I am their mother. But sometimes, don't we all just get that sense that there is always something more we could be doing? That, in our busy day to day lives, we have forgotten to pour ourselves into OTHERS? I dunno....am I even making sense? I guess I am just having a revelation that life is so much more than what exists beyond our four walls, our to-do lists, our computer screens, telephones, cubicles at work, and our television sets. In this crazy world of social networking, emails, texting, blogging and video chatting, we have somehow been mislead. And we have forgotten how important it is to sit together, face to face. To talk...to share meals...have a real conversation outside of cyberspace, to fellowship together. Its ironic to me that this all washed over me as I sat in front of the computer, but I think it was just watching the younger, tinier versions of my children going about their growing up here on the screen that made me realize how FAST time goes. I want to make more of the time we have...I want to make the most of it!
So tonight, I sign off thinking about the little things that can make a big difference. Tell me, friends...what will you do to make the most of it this week?
As a little side note...
Here are some photos from our trip up to my favorite little picnic spot in Oak Glen yesterday. As we walked to our car after playing a long while and eating our PB&J's, Luke made the best assessment of our day... "Ahhhhhh! (looking up at the trees and the sky) There's nothin' better than a little sunshine and a great picnic in Oak Glen. Aren't we lucky, Mom?" Indeed, we are son....indeed we are!
See...even little girls can play 'warriors'!
Then they become the princess again :) Btw, getting in the tree was her idea!
Pretending she was sleeping in the tree :)
I just can't get enough of her!!!
Ellie lending her Bubba a helping hand. Or maybe a shove?
And my handsome Luke :) Doesn't he look so grown up?!
A happy girl with a full belly!
And that was our morning! Life is good!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Tonight, I saw beauty.
Several weeks ago, we purchased Luke a new Bible, as his former one was well-loved; having been read from cover to cover more times that I could ever count! This in and of itself was a delight for us....that our son is so fond of his Father's Word! But as he has grown, it became obvious that his toddler Bible, though wonderful, needed to be passed onto his little sister and Luke was in the market for something more age-appropriate. So, after several recommendations from others, we purchased him the Jesus Story Book Bible . We are so fond of it! Its format is so simple, yet portrays God's word in the most beautiful, vibrant kind of way! It is fantastic! And apparently Luke thinks so too, because since it fell into his hands, it is not uncommon for me to find him reclining on the couch or in his bed with it, thumbing through the pages and taking little sneak peaks at what story lies ahead of us that night. He loves it, and you'd be hard pressed to allow a night to go by without reading at-least one, but often two or three stories from its pages.
So...fast forwarding to tonight. Well...last night actually. As our story drew to a close last night, Luke flipped the page and somberly said "Tomorrow we will read about Jesus dying on the cross." Actually, we read about the Jesus washing the disciples feet, the Last Supper and how he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemene. But either way, I knew that the story of Jesus' death was sitting a little heavy on his heart. He has been asking lots of wonderful questions lately too. Mostly about Heaven and what it will be like, or about sin and what it all means. His little mind is working hard to make sense of all that he is learning and, in my opinion, he is doing a fantastic job so far! That child has some GREAT questions!
Anyhow...I'm digressing just a smidge. So tonight, as we read through the stories of the hours before Jesus was betrayed, Luke's eyes were fixed on the pictures in the book and he seemed to hang on every word I read. He was fascinated! But when I got to the part of Jesus' anguish in the Garden of Gethsemene on the night he was betrayed by Judas, I could tell that something shifted in Luke's little heart, and he nuzzled deep into my side and sighed a heavy sigh. I held him a little closer and a little tighter as I continued through the chapter, and as the story drew to a close, Luke abruptly turned onto his side facing away from me and threw the pillow over his head. Sensing that his heart was troubled, I coaxed him back into my arms and the poor, sweet child began to cry big, sad, heavy tears! "I don't want Jesus to have to die on the cross, Mama!" he sobbed. And in some strange way, my heart both broke in two and rejoiced all at once. For my precious child, in his tender heart, is beginning to comprehend the magnitude of Jesus' death!
Ty and I lingered in his room a long while with him tonight, answering his questions and explaining that, though Jesus' death was tremendously sad and awful, it was all part of God's perfectly-laid rescue plan, and the only way in which we can experience Heaven at the end of this life. That is was awful, but also wonderful, all at the same time! And moment by moment there in the dark, as we rubbed his back and spoke God's beautiful truths into his young heart, his anguish began to melt away. His face softened and the tears ceased. His body uncurled as he snuggled peacefully into his pillow. And I would have sworn a gentle smile brushed his lips. It was a perfect picture of peace! Closing his eyes, we watched as he began to drift off into sleep. And tonight, I'm not sure there is anything more beautiful than that!!
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Luke 18:16
So...fast forwarding to tonight. Well...last night actually. As our story drew to a close last night, Luke flipped the page and somberly said "Tomorrow we will read about Jesus dying on the cross." Actually, we read about the Jesus washing the disciples feet, the Last Supper and how he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemene. But either way, I knew that the story of Jesus' death was sitting a little heavy on his heart. He has been asking lots of wonderful questions lately too. Mostly about Heaven and what it will be like, or about sin and what it all means. His little mind is working hard to make sense of all that he is learning and, in my opinion, he is doing a fantastic job so far! That child has some GREAT questions!
Anyhow...I'm digressing just a smidge. So tonight, as we read through the stories of the hours before Jesus was betrayed, Luke's eyes were fixed on the pictures in the book and he seemed to hang on every word I read. He was fascinated! But when I got to the part of Jesus' anguish in the Garden of Gethsemene on the night he was betrayed by Judas, I could tell that something shifted in Luke's little heart, and he nuzzled deep into my side and sighed a heavy sigh. I held him a little closer and a little tighter as I continued through the chapter, and as the story drew to a close, Luke abruptly turned onto his side facing away from me and threw the pillow over his head. Sensing that his heart was troubled, I coaxed him back into my arms and the poor, sweet child began to cry big, sad, heavy tears! "I don't want Jesus to have to die on the cross, Mama!" he sobbed. And in some strange way, my heart both broke in two and rejoiced all at once. For my precious child, in his tender heart, is beginning to comprehend the magnitude of Jesus' death!
Ty and I lingered in his room a long while with him tonight, answering his questions and explaining that, though Jesus' death was tremendously sad and awful, it was all part of God's perfectly-laid rescue plan, and the only way in which we can experience Heaven at the end of this life. That is was awful, but also wonderful, all at the same time! And moment by moment there in the dark, as we rubbed his back and spoke God's beautiful truths into his young heart, his anguish began to melt away. His face softened and the tears ceased. His body uncurled as he snuggled peacefully into his pillow. And I would have sworn a gentle smile brushed his lips. It was a perfect picture of peace! Closing his eyes, we watched as he began to drift off into sleep. And tonight, I'm not sure there is anything more beautiful than that!!
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Luke 18:16
Sunday, September 13, 2009
M.I.A
Yes....I have been missing in action for nearly a month now. This could be my longest stretch of blog-avoidance to date. Maybe....
But I am here tonight mostly because my nieces miss me. :) Auntie Jenn told me so this weekend. And how could I possibly leave my sweet girls in such a state?! LOL! Honestly, I am flattered to know that someone is still out there reading...or checking in. So, this update is for you, girls! I love you tons!
Though I haven't blogged for a lack of knowing what to write about, I guess quite a few things have been happening 'round here in the last month. Life still goes on and we are, like always, still busy. Its not that there is nothing to report from our neck of the woods, but it seems more like the things we do have to report really aren't that interesting to anyone else but us. LOL!
Anyhoooo.....
August has already come and gone. Ellie's 2nd birthday was great! We planned it to be very low key this year (we decided when Luke was tiny to leave the bigger birthday parties to an every-OTHER-year thing for both kids and this year happened to be both their 'mellow' years.) The actual day of her birthday was a Sunday this year and we did our normal Sunday thing...church and relaxing at home. We sang to her a zillion times that day though and made her feel as special as we could muster. After naps, she got to open a few gifts from us....a new baby stroller 'just like Mommy's' (though mine isn't hot pink! LOL!), a new baby that we affectionately named Belle and some pretty dress up things. She was in heaven. :)
And after dinner, we met Grandma and Grandpa for frozen yogurt as a special birthday treat! Isn't she so sweet!?
Is it just me, or does anyone else see how much Ellie resembles her Grandpa?! I just see so much of him in her little features!
A few days later, we had our family over to celebrate just a little bit more. Ellie LOVED all the attention and, to my surprise, really 'got' the concept that it was her special day. :)
Before everyone arrived...
Here are just a few pics of her enjoying the chocolate cake I made from scratch (which, by the way, wasn't all that great! Bummer!)
And my silly boy too!
Luke went back to school that following Tuesday (Aug. 25th) and officially started pre-K.
He still goes just two mornings a week from 9 to noon, like he did last year. We were so blessed to get the teacher we had hoped for AND to have 6 friends from his class last year with him again this year! They all get along so well (and the same goes for all of us Moms!), so there really was no 'adjusting' to the newness of school. He walked right in, saw his friends and was as happy as a lark! :) Luke was so excited to report that his new teacher even has a few classroom pets....2 rats named Max and Ruby and a fish tank full of fish! He LOVES going to school and I love watching him blossom into such a bright, happy, social little guy!
Over the long holiday weekend, we decided to take one last end-of-summer trip to the beach. With even Tess in tow, we headed down to Huntington's dog beach for the day and had a BLAST! Ellie was much more into the whole scene this trip than she was in July when we went. She let me carry her into the water all the way up to our waists and spent the majority of the day digging in the sand and searching for seashells with Luke. And Luke! That boy LOVES the ocean! Much like his mama when I was little, we could hardly peel him out of the waves! He played for HOURS! It was such a great day! Here are just a couple of shots....
And on the random side of things....we came home from the beach to find the lone tomato plant I planted this year missing all but a few scattered leaves. Upon closer inspection, we found Gordo...the Hungry Little (errr...BIG!) caterpillar and his brother feasting wildly on my precious plant! Seriously people...I have never seen a caterpillar THAT big in my life! He was enormous! So naturally, I had to take his picture! Luke thought he was incredible! He even braved holding him for a few moments. That is, until Gordo tried to roll over in Luke's hand, scaring the poor child and causing him to scream like a girl! LOL! Good times!
My poor tomatos!
Oh! And scanning through my pictures, I came across this cute shot of Luke I took after one of my photo shoots in August to coordinate with the one I have of Ellie from her birthday. I'm thinking they'll end up printed BIG in the playroom. :) Isn't he a cutie?!
So that pretty much wraps up the last month or so. The highlights anyway. I'm sure it won't be another month until I'm back again, but certainly don't hold your breathe either! 'Til then....
But I am here tonight mostly because my nieces miss me. :) Auntie Jenn told me so this weekend. And how could I possibly leave my sweet girls in such a state?! LOL! Honestly, I am flattered to know that someone is still out there reading...or checking in. So, this update is for you, girls! I love you tons!
Though I haven't blogged for a lack of knowing what to write about, I guess quite a few things have been happening 'round here in the last month. Life still goes on and we are, like always, still busy. Its not that there is nothing to report from our neck of the woods, but it seems more like the things we do have to report really aren't that interesting to anyone else but us. LOL!
Anyhoooo.....
August has already come and gone. Ellie's 2nd birthday was great! We planned it to be very low key this year (we decided when Luke was tiny to leave the bigger birthday parties to an every-OTHER-year thing for both kids and this year happened to be both their 'mellow' years.) The actual day of her birthday was a Sunday this year and we did our normal Sunday thing...church and relaxing at home. We sang to her a zillion times that day though and made her feel as special as we could muster. After naps, she got to open a few gifts from us....a new baby stroller 'just like Mommy's' (though mine isn't hot pink! LOL!), a new baby that we affectionately named Belle and some pretty dress up things. She was in heaven. :)
And after dinner, we met Grandma and Grandpa for frozen yogurt as a special birthday treat! Isn't she so sweet!?
Is it just me, or does anyone else see how much Ellie resembles her Grandpa?! I just see so much of him in her little features!
A few days later, we had our family over to celebrate just a little bit more. Ellie LOVED all the attention and, to my surprise, really 'got' the concept that it was her special day. :)
Before everyone arrived...
Here are just a few pics of her enjoying the chocolate cake I made from scratch (which, by the way, wasn't all that great! Bummer!)
And my silly boy too!
Luke went back to school that following Tuesday (Aug. 25th) and officially started pre-K.
He still goes just two mornings a week from 9 to noon, like he did last year. We were so blessed to get the teacher we had hoped for AND to have 6 friends from his class last year with him again this year! They all get along so well (and the same goes for all of us Moms!), so there really was no 'adjusting' to the newness of school. He walked right in, saw his friends and was as happy as a lark! :) Luke was so excited to report that his new teacher even has a few classroom pets....2 rats named Max and Ruby and a fish tank full of fish! He LOVES going to school and I love watching him blossom into such a bright, happy, social little guy!
Over the long holiday weekend, we decided to take one last end-of-summer trip to the beach. With even Tess in tow, we headed down to Huntington's dog beach for the day and had a BLAST! Ellie was much more into the whole scene this trip than she was in July when we went. She let me carry her into the water all the way up to our waists and spent the majority of the day digging in the sand and searching for seashells with Luke. And Luke! That boy LOVES the ocean! Much like his mama when I was little, we could hardly peel him out of the waves! He played for HOURS! It was such a great day! Here are just a couple of shots....
And on the random side of things....we came home from the beach to find the lone tomato plant I planted this year missing all but a few scattered leaves. Upon closer inspection, we found Gordo...the Hungry Little (errr...BIG!) caterpillar and his brother feasting wildly on my precious plant! Seriously people...I have never seen a caterpillar THAT big in my life! He was enormous! So naturally, I had to take his picture! Luke thought he was incredible! He even braved holding him for a few moments. That is, until Gordo tried to roll over in Luke's hand, scaring the poor child and causing him to scream like a girl! LOL! Good times!
My poor tomatos!
Oh! And scanning through my pictures, I came across this cute shot of Luke I took after one of my photo shoots in August to coordinate with the one I have of Ellie from her birthday. I'm thinking they'll end up printed BIG in the playroom. :) Isn't he a cutie?!
So that pretty much wraps up the last month or so. The highlights anyway. I'm sure it won't be another month until I'm back again, but certainly don't hold your breathe either! 'Til then....
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