These are a few of my favorite things

I don't know what age kids should be able to use a straw but I was surprised when I gave Isaac the straw at dinner last night....

and he had no trouble getting a big drink of my smoothie.

A few more pictures to hold you through

Putting rings on the tower

Skipping the ring and just pushing the button for the music

I love watching Isaac read books. He can sit for up to 5 minutes with one book. He'll open it, shut it, look at one page and turn to another. He also brings books over when I ask him if he wants to read a book. As a teacher, this is one of the best things to see your child loving literacy right from the start.

"Hey Uncle Tristan....

Do you see my cool 'jamas? They make me think of you, and I am reading the Fireman book that you and Aunt Annie got for me. I am so happy you got your dream job! I have been reading up on how to be a fireman. The dog is my favorite part I think! My mommy says that we will miss seeing you. I just thought you should know that even little guys like me look up to big guys like you."

Love Isaac

Happy Mother's Day (and an update)

We are loving the nice warm weather around here. Unfortunately that means that I have been horrible about snapping pictures. We have been living in the moment and enjoying our kids, not behind the lens of the camera.

Here are a few pictures that were on the camera from the last week.

Chris had his one and only band concert this week. He has improved so much. I love being able to help him learn music. He really put in the time (and I now understand how my mom felt about practicing....Love you Mom!)

This little one has been discovering new territory.

Can you figure out what he finally discovered?

It's our newest pet..... ISAAC

The dog kennel is almost always locked shut because the water dish is too much of a temptation. On this day however, the dish was empty and one of the boys left it open. I initially was freaking out because I could not find Isaac anywhere. He had been behind me just moments before so I knew he had to be close. Shortly thereafter, I turned around and saw.....

this

Silly boy....

Kennels are for dogs!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there!

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom.

Mom, I love you and I appreciate everything you do for me and my family. I am so lucky to have my family close and my kids are blessed to have such wonderful grandparents. I love you very much and am so thankful for the relationship we have always had and the relationship we have now.

So far my Mother's Day has started off relaxing. The littlest and I are enjoying some quality time together. He is hilarious these days and makes the cutest face. He scrunches up his nose and huffs and puffs. This happens when he's being silly or when he is mad about something. Hard to be mad at that silly face. I will try to catch it on camera.

I think we are planning to head to church and then to the Children's Museum. My other plan for the day is a nap when Isaac takes his nap. For some reason I am exhausted today.

Only 9 more days of school left! Summer will be here before we know it

Then I will be soaking up the fun with my little one. (The big boys go to their mom's on Memorial Day.) We are gonna go to the Zoo, Children's Museum, Library story time, Early Childhood Center, and more. I can't wait.... can you tell?

What we've been up to

Well around here we have been busy working outside. We have spent a lot time helping take down our big Maple tree. This tree has officially destroyed our driveway so we are using our tax return to remove the tree and redo the driveway.

We've also been chasing around a super hero!

It's SUPER ISAAC!

Finally caught him..... Hehehe

Won't you say a prayer...

If you have a minute... Would you say a prayer?

A friend of mine from college gave birth to her baby boy late on Friday (April 23) and had to say good-bye to him in the early hours of Saturday morning.

She is grieving along with her husband and her extended family.

They knew that the time with their son would be brief based on the information they learned at their 20 week ultrasound. It does not take away the pain, or hole in their hearts however that comes from the loss of a child.

So...

If you have a minute... Would you say a prayer for my friend Tara and her family. Also include her baby boy Benaiah Darwin as he joins the Lord's house.

If you want to learn more or pray specifically about events for this family, visit their website at

http://benaiahdarwin.blogspot.com

Tara's description of this journey is amazing. She is truly a very strong woman, but at this time has requested all of the prayer and encouragement she can receive.

Thank you for thinking of her today!

Katie

What do you see?

White Belt, White Belt

What do you see?

I see a yellow stripe looking at me!

Yellow Stripe, Yellow Stripe

What do you see?

I see a Yellow Belt looking at me!

Both boys moved up a belt level in Tae Kwon Do last week!

Congratulations boys - We are so proud of you!

This smart cookie....

Here are a few more birthday pics to hold you over....

and a story from tonight.

When we got home tonight, I took off Isaac's shoes. Normally, I set the shoes near the door so they are ready when we leave again. This time, for some reason I set them on top of the dog kennel in the kitchen. We then proceeded to cook and eat dinner. Isaac played in the living room for a bit while I checked in with my online classwork. When I finished, I looked at Isaac and said, "Do you want to go for a walk and play outside? Go get your shoes from the dog kennel and bring them to momma!" I kid you not when I say that Isaac took off immediately and went to the kennel. He grabbed both shoes, one in each hand and walked directly back to me on the couch. I was in shock. He knew exactly what I had said and followed it to a T.

This little boy amazes me. I love him more than I can tell you and I am so unbelievably grateful that God has granted me the gift of motherhood.

He certainly is a smart cookie!

Sorry!

I will apologize in advance.... I am only two weeks away from finishing my Master's program. Things are a little hectic around here. More pics will be on the way I promise.... Please bear with me!!!

Katie