Love

I am not sure that any of these are anything but silly, but it will have to do. We do A LOT of silly around this place. 'Hope you enjoy and are having a great week. I am diving in head first into my study of the fruit (see yesterday's post), and as the first is love, I think these shots are good. I have so much love in my life I cant stand it. Has anyone ever met a little man that gives so many hugs and kisses that he has to be asked to stop sometimes just so you can breath?! I could learn so much about giving love from these wee ones. It comes so naturally to them- why is it that somewhere in life we forget that?

The search for lost things and a lesson in learning; Galatians 5:22-25

I had big plans for this space today. I was going to load some weekend pictures that I'm sure would have had everyone oohing and ahhhing over my little darlings, and I was going to get my etsy shop up and running. Then I realized that my camera's USB cable is missing. Strangely the cable somehow resembles a bird to #1 that flies around the apartment and seems to be a teether for #2... so unless I find it's 'nest' soon, that plan is on hold. But having my plans put on hold is a way of life around here, it seems. Perhaps they get in the way of His, and I'm learning to be willing to set them aside.

I am also learning a thing or two about how to talk to a three year old. For example, if I say 'It hurts Halle when you throw the ball at her head.', Remy hears 'throw the ball at her head'. Or 'It scares her when you pile all of your covers on her back as she crawls.', he hears 'pile all of your covers...'. You get the idea. I frequently have to realign my words, and it makes me wonder how many times I look at God's word and see/hear what I want to fit my plans. Hmmm.

Thinking back on my days teaching preschool, I am reminded of training that taught us to tell the children what they can do, rather than what they can't. (As in 'You may paint on the paper', rather than 'Do not paint on the wall!') In a frustrated moment I thought of Galatians 5:22 and the fruit of the Spirit. Verse 23 says 'Against such things there is no law.' God invented this positive reinforcement!

These verses were a big check in my spirit today. I must say 'Be kind and gentle to Halle.' a zillion times every day to Remy, but now as I reflect I think my tone likely doesn't echo the same kindness and gentleness I expect from him. It may take several 'Memory Mondays', but we are going to be working on Galatians 5:22-25.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

P.S. I know that I used to know a song about the fruit... does anyone have a good one? If so, could you send it to me? Remy loves music, and I think he'd be totally into that! Thanks!

3 Year Old thoughts

Before nap time we have a usual routine that of course includes Remy going to potty. Today he turned to me in disgust as he was heading for the bathroom and said, sort of under his breath, 'I don't know what you people think, but peeing is not my favorite thing.'. Well, potty training doesn't top my list either...

Happy Friday!

Today I'm Loving

~ That both little ones took a two hour nap at the same time

~That upon making/serving PB &J for the zillionth time for lunch Remy says sincerely 'Peanut butter & jelly and pretzels and applesauce!? Thank you, mommy, for this delicious lunch!' as though he'd won the lottery.

~This verse: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 1 Timothy 6:17 This came to mind as we were thanking God for our lunch. It may not have been gourmet, but we were full and thankful!

~This cracker recipe. I made them a bit thicker than I would next time, but being thick they are tasty and make great biscuits for Halle to bite on.

~That Halle says 'uh-oh' and 'ha ha' on cue. The ha ha is funny because Remy says it just like his Grandma Becky does (everytime he says it he says 'Ha ha like G-ma', and now Halle is in on it.

I hope you have a wonderful day full of things you love!

A Great Cause

I just wanted to put in a link for y'all to check out. It's for Craft Hope, a wonderful blog connecting crafters who are helping others by making items to donate to kids all over the world. Jade, the creator/organizer of the group first described it as "a faith-based, love inspired project designed to share handmade crafts with those less fortunate. It is our hope to combine our love for crafting and desire to help others into a project to make a difference around the world." I love that! I had wanted to join the first two projects and just didn't make the deadlines. For the third project they are partnering with the Miracle Foundation and sending blankets, hats, and booties to India. I am excited to participate this time and think you should check it out too! It's awesome to see God uniting such talented crafters (and beginners like me...) to do some great work around the world.

Also, while you're bouncing around in cyber-space you should check out this beautiful blog called Garden Mama. Her pictures are absolutely lovely, and she's doing a giveaway this week!

Summertime and random thoughts

Well, I apologize for the lack of posts around here lately. It's not for shortage of things to say, but rather the opposite. I have so much to say that I get overwhelmed and don't say anything. Am I the only one that feels like this? I have about 5 posts that are in the draft phase so hopefully I will get back at it soon. Summer is in full swing, and we are spending every chance we get in the pool or in the sand on the porch. It has been too hot to do much else outside!

I have been doing a lot of crafting for Halle's birthday- I can't believe that is coming up already!! I hope to have some pictures later this week of what I've been up to. I have also been doing some wonderful Bible/book study and hope to eventually get my thoughts straight enough to share some of that with y'all. For now I will leave you with some random pictures of the craziness that is our home. 'Hope you have a wonderful summer day!

This is Halle being loved on by our two favorite boys. It's true that none of us can resist a raspberry or two when that sweet belly is exposed!

Inside looking out... she really wanted to play in the sand!

And here's what happens when a 10 month old plays in the sand... Yum!

And here's a shot of my creative chaos... I mean 'process'. Apartment living is not well-suited for crafting.

Dancing baby

*Warning: there is partial nudity and dancing in this video*

One last thing, I promise!

Okay, I know this is like the 5th post today, but I had to show off my girl in her new bikini. It doesn't get any better than this!

 

In the Creek

Last week Trace's boss went out of town, and he had to go over every day to water the plants and feed the cats. On Saturday we took the little ones and let Remy play in the creek behind the house. The water was freezing cold, but that didn't stop him. Isn't it funny how kids have such different internal thermometers when it comes to being outside? Fun definitely wins out over being cold every time.

Incognito

Have no fear, Larry Boy is here! It makes me sad sometimes that as an adult I have forgotten what it's like to be completely wrapped up in being someone else.  Remy's imagination has really taken off lately, and he spends a lot of time 'saving the day'. 

Trace's mom sent Remy this Bob the Builder suit. Who knew how many things around here needed a good repair man!? He has been wearing it off and on since yesterday. I'm just amazed when he has clothes on at all!

Random...

I'm just trying to get all these pics off my camera... so here they are in no particular order.

This face is Halle's new specialty. Remy tells her that it 'cracks him up', and she keeps doing it because of his laughing. 

And I have been crafting, despite a lack of posts. This dress is the 'Flower Girl Dress' from 'Weekend Sewing'.  It turned out great except for the fact that the size 2 barely fits this 10 month old. Thankfully it's already hot enough and we should get lots of wear in the next month or two.

He did it!

This, my friends, is Froggy. Froggy is a potty, and he is scene of much drama in our home these days.  At one point out of frustration Remy picked up Froggy and marched him to the door saying, 'You can take this back to Target. I will just wear diapers!'.  Fortunately they became friends again, and we were on our way.

This is Remy's potty chart. As we have tackled potty training, we have put stickers onto this chart in anticipation of a party. (We decided early on that cupcakes were in order if the chart was full.) Along with a sticker, Remy requests a happy dance every time he goes... We are thrilled to oblige.

Here is Remy today enjoying cupcakes. This Martha was thoroughly insulted, but they were store-bought cupcakes  because he thought he needed those exact ones with bright green frosting. Since he's such a big boy we splurged. It has seemed such a long time coming that we would've bought most anything!

Here's to many more green-tongued milestones!

One fish, Two fish

The thermometer was predicted to hit 91 today, so we thought it would be a great day to take Halle for her first swim. Trace came home from work a bit early, and as soon as Remy woke up from his nap he was asking to go. Fortunately school isn't out yet, so we had the pool all to ourselves.

Here's the little beauty getting ready to go.

Remy was psyched to try his new water wings. He is doing great learning to kick and paddle.

At first Halle wasn't so sure about her new float, but she loves the water. She kept her little ankles crossed like quite the lady in her seat. She was even splashing and trying to put her face in.

Rambling...

I feel like I have about a million things to say today, so please bear with me. First of all, it was seven years ago today that I somehow convinced a well-established bachelor to become my husband. I know that sounds a bit odd, but if you knew Trace at all back then, it isn't too far off from the truth. I don't think he had any idea what he was getting into with crazy me! I, a girl who was never going to marry a person in ministry, married a guy who was never going to get married. Together we were never going to have kids. We have spent the last seven years doing God's work for us, which has included more ministry opportunities than we ever could have dreamed up, and we have had the two most fantastic children. Never say never to God! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful, albeit completely different from me, man in my life and feel so blessed by God every day for him and our family.  Sorry the pictures aren't better, but I didn't hook up the scanner and just took pics of our framed ones. Don't we look young!?

This next picture shows what happens when I left Remy in charge for two minutes while I dried my hair. He decided that Halle 'wanted' to be covered up by books, and from the looks of it, she did! 
We also had a miss and a hit in the kitchen this weekend. I tried some chicken roll-ups with arugula and goat cheese. Trace wasn't home from a rehearsal yet, so Remy and I braved the meal together. He and I both took the required one bite and then both decided it was pretty yucky. I sent Trace a text that said something like: 'tastes like feet. please bring home food.' It was very pretty on the plate, but did not taste so good. Trace thought it was tolerable, but not delicious. 

The other meal I made was this soup with ground turkey, garbanzo beans, whole wheat pasta, and kale. It turned out to be pretty good. The flavors went well together and I will likely make it again. You win some and lose some I guess.

I am hoping to get back on the Memory Monday track later today, but for now my little princess is up from her nap so I need to run. Have a great Monday!