Mason

He turned 1 in May, so he is now 13 months old and caught somewhere between baby and big boy. ESPECIALLY with his new hair cut. Below is a before picture (his hair is wet, so it is hard to tell. I'm looking for a better picture). A picture of about a third of the hair that was shaved off of him and then the final look. What a big boy!!! I still miss the curls, but I know that in the heat of the summer this haircut has got to feel better. He is always sweaty, even after a nap.

Before

Just the hair from the back

Side View

Presenting our Big Boy

• He walks and almost runs VERY well. He is in the phase where he imitates. One thing that he likes to do is use the play kitchen toys. He "drinks" out of the cups and uses a spoon to "eat" out of a bowl. Yes, he holds the spoon and bowl and pretends like he is eating. Yesterday, Ross gave him a fork in his highchair with dinner, he loved trying to be a big kid. 
• He is all boy. I am already seeing so many differences between the girls and Mason. He likes to hit and tackle and then he just smiles his beautiful, dimpled smile and thinks he is forgiven. It is hard to stay mad at the boy.
• He is taking two naps very well, but can act civil with only one.
• He eats, ALOT! He really likes meat (chicken, sausage, hotdogs, ham...), blueberries, fruit, mac'n'cheese, milk, water, ice, goldfish, muffins, pancakes, ... Actually, there isn't much he doesn't like :) He not only isn't all the picky, he can eat a lot!
• He loves being with his sisters and playing with them. Unfortunately, they don't like playing with him as much. He is the typical little brother - he likes to take their crayons, puzzle pieces, light bright pieces, unwrap their baby dolls. He will actually grab the toy they are playing with and run. I can't believe a 1-year old already knows how to annoy his sisters.
• He is definitely a 3rd child. He plays very well by himself and will happily wander around checking out the toys, books, tools, whatever he can find. BUT if given any face time from mom and/or dad, he just lights up.
• Mason definitely completes our family. He is a complete JOY!

Pirate Books

We always get a lot of books at the library and read them often, but now we are taking it even more seriously with "Summer Reading". I explained the concept to Selah about reading books and getting prizes (aka toys), but she didn't really understand until the first day we went to exchange book pages for tickets and tickets for toys. Oh my! It was fun for all! She and Kiera got stamps, rings, card games, things to put on top of your pencil... The stamps are actually pretty great and I'm hoping they get more next week.

Anyway, two of the books are about pirates. She really likes reading those in particular. I asked her if she likes pirate books and she said, "Yes". I asked if she would like more books about pirates and she replied with "Yes. When I grow up I might want to be a pirate, so I need to read books about pirates to learn how to be one."

So, yes. Selah officially has her first "what I want to be when I grow up". A pirate. I love it.

Summertime

The most recent pictures I have of the kids is from today (in the baby pool in the backyard) and from a few weeks ago when the kids and I went to the beach with my parents. So, here are a few pictures to spruce up the new blog :)

Mason loves being wet!

Baby pool in only shade we could find

Kiera walking in Selah's footprints, sweet sisters 

Grandpa and Mason out for a morning stroll on the beach

Selah and God

Selah and I had a great conversation tonight about God.
How does He know when you are sleeping and why doesn't He sleep?
Why would God let His Son die for us? If He loves His Son, why would He let him die?

Very good questions that are a little difficult to explain to a 4-year old who really only wants to know if Captain Hook is real and if he is going to get her while she is sleeping. She was tucked in bed all snug, but I could see in her eyes that she was worried. I prayed for her and assured her that Captain Hook is not real and felt a pang of parental guilt as I left my daughter.

Kiera was in the room too and she was not afraid, her only fear was that she would lose one of her puzzle pieces in the bed. That girl is obsessed, but more on that another day.

Today

I still struggle with how to be content. I could list out many things that cause me to be discontent, but the real issue is that I am not resting in the Lord, who He made me to be and the plan He has set out for me.

With that preface, below is an excerpt of an email I sent earlier. Can anyone relate?

"For a second, I can live vicariously through you, but then someone starts crying and my Calgone moment is over :)

We are doing okay here. It is mostly the daily rut that is the hardest for me. Summer is tough because we don't have much of a routine and I'm as lost as the kids. Mason is getting to that age (almost 13 months) where he still likes to sleep in the morning, but we are tired of being house bound and he can go without a nap, but that means he falls asleep in the car and the afternoon nap is then ruined. You know this phase? Man, I'll be glad to get out of morning naps. Anyway, Mason has been sick the past few days, just a fever, but we've been trying to stay home for him and I'm going crazy! I was not meant to stay home. I was also not meant to have a disorganized house. yes, after almost 5 years of having kids, I still am under the illusion that I can have a neat, orderly house. Something in me feels like I deserve one. I wouldn't change my life, but I do find myself being envious of the single girls who have time to bike, run, swim, play, cook, bake, sew... Anything they want and their house is probably neat too :) "

Post 1

Well, I've been threatening to start a blog for a while now... So here goes!

I want a place to post funny things that the kids do and say, pictures, recipes, what we are up to... It is mainly a way for family and friends to keep up with us and as a place to help me remember in the years to come.

One thing I've been working on is meal planning. I know this doesn't sound exciting, but for someone who thrives on being organized, it is quite a thrill to have my meals planned for the week. One less thing to think about. So, here is our plan for next week:

Monday - Vegetable Lasagna w/ bread
Tuesday - Chicken Tetrazzini (still need to find a recipe for this)
Wednesday - Cheeseburgers w/ side (probably macaroni and cheese)
Thursday - ABLT (avocado, bacon, lettuce, tomato) with sweet potato fries
Friday - Chicken Parmesan w/ veggie
Saturday - leftovers

I've got some baking planned too. I want to try making scones and maybe some cookies with (and for) the girls.