Slide

Ailia learned how to climb up the slide backwards today (both the twisty AND the regular). She is such a crazy climber. She has absolutely no fear and will follow her brother anywhere. She thinks, "if Jaden can do it - so can I!" except she forgets she's a baby... and he has 3 years on her... She loves to climb on tables and stand, climb on the ledge downstairs, climb on the back of the futon...
The other mother at the park today asked how old Ailia was and said, "17 months? wow, my son's 15 months and he's not even walking." Lucky her. Crazy.

Splash Park

Super fun day at the splash park. We met Liz, Courtland, and Henry in Geneva for a day of fun. The kids loved the water (even though Ailia kept trying to drink it...) We played in the sprinklers, played on the park, had a pizza picnic, and walked by the water. Perfect sunshine weather.

The Hat

One hat - two faces. Ailia 17 months, Jaden 15 months.

All things beautiful...

I've been reflecting a bit lately on the person I've become. Or rather becoming. While some of the sharp edges are being slowly worn down and I'm being squeezed and molded into something much better (the plan He has for me) I get frustrated too. I don't like that I can get so wrapped up in the minutia. The details, the activities, the mundane. The to-do's and to-don'ts, the plans, the lists, the rights, the wrongs, the striving and the desire to be perfect.
And then the reminder.
"There is a time to ever purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."
Remember this is a season.
And most importantly.
"He makes all things beautiful in His time." (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
There is beauty in this - He is making me a thing of beauty.
It is not for me to question. These things will be used.
" He has made everything beautiful in its time."
And He gives me beauty in the everyday.
When I see a smile, or hear a giggle, or experience a rainbow.
Yet another reminder.
"He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. " (Phillipians 1:6)
He is faithful.
"If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for he cannot deny Himself" (2Timothy 2:13)
He will complete the work He has begun in me! and He is working.
To the praise and honor of Him!
In the meantime please give me grace to be able to laugh at the little things.

Another Perfect Summer Day

Follow Your Dreams

"Mom, guess what?
"What?"
"You can follow your dreams!"

Beach Fun

Waterpark

Perfect sunny fun day at the waterpark!

Lunch

"Ailia, what would you like to eat?"

"Pizza."

(17 months)

When I Grow Up (take 2)

When I grow up I'm gonna be a war-fighter, a wrestler, or a boulder-lifter

Open

May you always be open to receiving what I have to offer you. I love you.

When I Grow Up.

I think I'll grow up to be an astronaut. Or maybe something different like a policeman, firefighter, woodshopper or a Christmas Tree giver.

Girl Fun

It is so fun having a girl. We were so used to "boy" toys around here but for Ailia's 1st birthday she got a doll and a stroller. She knew immediately what to do with it and plays with both of them. Jaden thinks it is hilarious what a "bad" mommy she is, when she picks her baby up by the hair, puts her in the stroller upside down, or drops her on the floor, he just laughs and laughs. Actually though, she is quite sweet most of the time and holds her baby and hugs her.

Already Told Me

"Jaden, did I tell you I loved you today"
"You already telled me that."
"I have to keep telling you so you never forget. So if you ever wonder, you will always remember"
"You been telling me that for about a hundred years."

Moment

I had a moment today.
Driving in the car.
Looking in the rearview mirror.
I saw two precious faces.
Sweet and spunky.
And my heart hurt.
Because I love them so much.
And they bring me such joy.
And make me laugh.
I have such high hopes for them.
And the people I want them to become.
And to know their savior. And to love Him.
And to live for Him.
I feel so unworthy.
and yet so blessed.

Just like Jaden

Ailia led me to the bathroom today saying, "pee pee!" "pee pee!"
"you have to go pee pee honey? Do you want to go on the potty?"
(nods her head up and down up and down)
I took off her diaper and sat her on the potty.
"down?"
"you want to get down honey?"
(nods up and down, up and down)
Ailia then proceeds to stand up, put up the toilet seat, and arch her back slightly.
Just like Jaden

Tree Climber

I asked Daddy to take the kids outside so I could vacuum today. As I glanced out the front window I came almost face to face with this view! When I asked him how he got up there Jaden said, "I climbed!" What a little monkey! I must admit I was pretty nervous, and he did scrape up his arm pretty bad, but no major injuries.

First Beach Day

Fun (in) at the Fountain

These two make every day better.

Dead Salmon

Today was another first in my mothering adventure.
Sharing a port-a-potty with an audience.
At first Jaden wanted to use the urinal, but after discovering it was just a little too high, decided to do his business in the regular toilet. He then proceeded to "aim" at a very LARGE floating object. His comment? " I don't think that's a poop, I think it's a dead salmon."

Future Dave Matthews Fan