Blizzard 2010

Well...  the strange weather patterns continue.  I feel like we haven't seen much relief since last Spring.  We always are quick to tell others how terrible the weather in NE Ohio is, but we've had to bite our tongues for almost a year.  This past snow storm was the heaviest snowfall on record for the Baltimore/Washington, DC area.

Goals

I've been absent from blogging and posting pictures.  The focus on my life seems to be changing and evolving, not only as a Child of God, but also as a wife, a mother of two boys, a sister, a daughter, and a friend. (I hope to blog more as I am able.) 

I've  been goal-setting since my dear sister introduced me to a concept of "intentional living" and the 8 lanes of life during our last vacation (9/09).  I try to spend a good chunk of time being "intentional" and working towards my goals.  There are 8 areas in which I've set goals for myself: Physical Health, Career, Social Life, Family, Financial Health, Personal Growth and Spiritality. 

I'm actually attaining some of my goals (and still no where near attaining others)!  Since living like this -- I can't imagine how I failed to consistently set goals in the past.  In fact, I'm wondering what would happen if I went back to living without goals -- aimlessly walking around!  Dan and I often talked about our dreams.  You can dream to have more money, more vacations, more this, and more that.  Let's face it, your dreams will just be dreams unless you make concious efforts to work towards them.  Now our talks sound meaningful -- because we are working towards goals (even when we fail).

And that is what drives me these days. Goal setting & intentional living.  Real life!  Sharing what is important to me with others and encouraging them to step out into intentional living with me. 

So - I hope you have a minute or an hour to reflect and think about goal setting.  What are your goals?   Happy Thinking Thursday!

Elijah almost 6 mos

Elijah Philip

Life.is.Good

Elijah's almost 6 mos, has two teeth, and we love his squeals!

He rolls, he quiver laughs, and wants to eat food.

He can touch his toes and flash a flirty smile.

I love his eyes & his determination.

The rolls, oh the rolls!

Tuesday's Trimmings

I'm often reminded to listen by my two boys.

Trust me, I hear them! I hear their little voices telling me what they want or need. I hear Luke in imaginative play. I hear Elijah testing out his voice. All day long I am reminded that I have two kids.

But also, I'm reminded often to not just hear them. I'm often reminded to listen. To hear what they are saying. Our world is so often about hearing and not about listening.

I pray that I'm not only a parent, but a friend who hears and listens. And that when I don't, I pray that I am swiftly corrected!

Happy Listening!!!

Moving Onward

A quick recap. We had a wonderful Christmas. I'm still recovering well into the New Year. Between having two kids and traveling, I don't have it done. I wake up early... then the kids do too, I stay up late... so do they. We are working on getting back to the ideal normal, but it hasn't happened -- yet!

HNY 2010

.... stay tuned for some pics.

We are all adjusting back to a normal schedule. Our family wishes you a Happy New Year full of many blessings! It's always at this time of year I need a "catchup" blog -- and then move on!

Living Legacy

I'll share something kinda embarrassing. I received a check for my birthday and somehow it was sent back to Dan's Grandma. I thought I had cashed it -- but wasn't completely sure, but didn't want to ask if I did since I couldn't find it anywhere. Somehow the check made it to a thrift store in North Carolina. Well -- I often use the donation drops for excess clothes (easier when I'm out to drop in a bin). I guess somehow it got in there and then was returned back to Dan's Grandma. She said, "Isn't that a miracle?!" Well -- I don't know if it's quite a miracle. Super nice of the lady to return it. For the record and my hurt pride in organizing -- I can't remember the last check I lost.

What I do think is a miracle. . .

There is an organization called Living Legacy. This organization helps link donor organs to recipients - but it also acts as a liaison between the donor's family and the recipients (if you should want to contact them). Shortly before Thanksgiving my MIL received a letter from the recipient of her daughter's kidney and pancreas. We'd (as a family) never received correspondence from Living Legacy since the day that my SIL passed (3 years in November). Apparently she helped save 3 people! To me, it's a miracle that we have the technology & doctors who can preform organ transplants. And I'm so thankful that out of such untimely loss -- something good can come from it.

Elijah - 5 months

{will post pic here later}

I can hardly believe that over the last month, my precious second born "go with the flow" babe has two teeth. Yes, two. Amazing. And, no, I'm not going to pry his mouth open and get a picture.

I remember how sad it was to know Luke's gummy smile was going away. This time around I am just astonished that at 4.5 mos you can have actual teeth. It's absolutely amazing.

Elijah loves his brother and Luke is constantly giving him kisses and hugs and makes him laugh. Oh, Elijah's laugh is enough to put a smile on my face any time of the day. Dan and I even got a laugh at 4:45am when after Elijah was stirring and grunting -- I said -- "Is he in labor?!" Seriously, it sounded like he was pushing out a baby! So we laughed and got him and just looked at him and he just was very happy and full of giggles. I hope to get this grunt on video -- it's absolutely HILARIOUS! Beyond smiles and giggles -- we just love Elijah beyond words!

Luke feels this same love towards his brother. If Elijah happens to be sad during a car ride.... Luke looks over and says, "Don't be sad 'lijah." Luke is kind and loves his brother most of the time. Occasionally Luke does take a swat at him, but it's becoming less and less. I'm thinking it's more of an attention thing.... like Oh, Elijah gets to be close to mommy and nurse and I don't.... I'm going to hit him because I know mommy can't really do that much since she's already nursing. We call that jealousy -- and it's all part of having more than one around! I've come to realize that the part of mothering I dislike is the discipline. I'm not really a huge fan.

My original plan was to have Elijah moved into Luke's room -- but for now he's still enjoying life in the pack n play.... in the back of the closet. It works for us and he's close by if he needs a night-time snuggle. Lately if he doesn't settle with a pat on the back, I pick him up and put him next to me in bed. Soon they'll be sharing a room and that will be another adjustment -- but for now we are not in any huge hurry.

Also, he's been wearing a size 4 diaper at night for what seems like forever (2 mos). He's a super soaker and will soak through them. Right now the Target Brand diapers are working better than Huggies (which ALWAYS leave the gel beads on him - gross!) or Pampers. We've had less leaking now that I know that all he wants is to be closer at like 6 -7am and he's not interested in feeding.

The second time around people seem to ask a lot less questions. I was thankful the other night that I wasn't the new mom on the block! I remember those hazy days of trying to explain to people why I didn't agree with them (or try their advice) - based on all the research I did. Why I wasn't bottle feeding -- why I wasn't pumping -- why I wasn't mixing formula and cereal -- why my child didn't take a pacifier -- why I wasn't feeding solids -- why why why. It's enough to drive a new mom to tears, and it did on more than one occasion with Luke! It was fun to sit back and be so very thankful that I wasn't there anymore. It also made me realize and reflect on why I do what I do -- and why I don't have to explain or answer to anyone except my husband and God. And it made me realize that I've grow up a lot since those days a couple years ago.

Fiddle Boy

My Fiddle Boy

(video coming soon)

GG couldn't wait any longer... and I don't blame her!  Luke's reaction to his new fiddle was priceless!  If my musically inclined first born doesn't end up playing an instrument {or five}, I will be quite shocked!!  And for those wondering (or haven't seen on skype).... he picked up the fiddle, stuck it under his chin and started to play.  Whether he's right or left- handed is to be seen, but either way he'll never cease to melt my heart at moments like these.

Technology

Even Luke understands the simple things in life!

(remote shutter release)