Kellen!

I just finished my most favorite time with you! Bed time. Not because I am ready for a quiet evening, but because we get some one on one time as we rock in the rocking chair, discussing our day, praying for a sweet sleep, and singing songs together. After days where I feel like all I have been saying to you is, "leave your brother alone....walk away from your brother....stop sitting on the cat...."and even with daddy tucking you in and praying for you, you still want me to come in and rock you. A couple months ago, when this "rocking ritual" started, I was a little frustrated that daddy's prayers weren't cutting it, so I went in and told you I would rock you for a few minutes. Well as we began rocking, the "few" minutes turned into "many" and as you were all curled up in my lap, I realized that I needed these times as much as you did! After all the prayers are said and the songs sung, we sit there quietly rocking and I literally breath in your sweet smell and thank our amazing Father for these moments! I know one day you will be too big to curl in my lap (I will try to make you tho :) ) so for now, I look forward to your nightly question, "Mama, will you rock me?" Yes...most definitely yes!

I love you my sweet Kellen!

8 Months!

Austin,

You are now officially mobile. And our lives are once again in a transition. :) Besides making sure we have all the small toys and masses of Legos picked up, I am realizing that vacuuming is a must. Every little leaf is in your mouth! :) Kellen is so excited that you are crawling but when you make your way to him and start playing with his cars, he realizes how this effects him and he becomes a little unhappy. He is learning how to share in so many new ways.

You have your first top tooth and are getting two more in. Now that you have top and bottom teeth you started grinding your teeth together. Such a funny little sound and probably pretty interesting feeling for you.

You LOVE food. Not baby food, you will not eat it, you want the real deal. So what we eat, you eat! So nice not to have to tote around jars of baby food. And you can tell you love food, you weigh around 18 lbs!

Singing songs brings big smiles and laughs. Any song works and when Kellen sings them with me, you love it even more.

Your smiles are still instant and melt everyones hearts!

Oh and last but definitely not least, your first word was "Mama"! So now you crawl around the house saying "mama, mama". Nothing better then that!

Costco Run!

I am taking a few minutes to say hi and that I am still alive and kickin! I do not know how people can blog everyday! I do not have enough discipline. Maybe if someone paid me it would be more of an incentive! :)

We are finishing off the last few days of daddy/hubby being gone on outreach to Haiti! The team has been incredible (never had any doubts) and we back on the "home team" have done exceptionally well!!! Our God is so faithful to fill this time with family, amazing friends and Himself! God's presence and peace has been so thick while we have been apart from Ryan and the rest of our team. But trust me, there has been moments that the enemies lies, doubt, discouragement, loneliness....the list could go on...has tried to envelop me but God's unfailing love, satisfaction, and truth has won over and been almost tangible! If that makes sense.

On one of the early days apart, I was driving around town and having a mini pity party and God spoke so clearly to me. He said, "I didn't carpool with them down to Haiti and leave you alone. I am still here and have things to be done in your life during this time." BAM!! I immediately repented of my "poopy pants" attitude and began to thank Him for this opportunity! My perspective was so off! AND He is SO good!

The boys have been incredible and make everyday worth the sacrifice of staying home! Austin is a growing, babbling, almost crawling, happy baby with a few teeth coming in! He is the smiliest little guy around and it lights up my life! Kellen is still my little entertainer, BUT, he is learning he can push the limits and likes to put all my parenting skills or lack there of, to the test! :) This evening as I was leaving his room from putting him to bed, I was about to close his door and he said, "mom...mom", I thought he was going to ask for water but as I turned and responded, he ever so sweetly, in his cute Kellen voice, said, "I love you! MELT MY HEART!!!! Thank you Jesus for the gift of my boys!!!

Well, I should be off to bed! I am praying for incentive (and money :) ) to write in the next few days! There is so much more to tell! Skyping with Andi and Michael, Kellen's birthday, the transition of my dear, dear, dear friend Stephani (and her incredible family) moving, Letters to Austin, Letters to Kellen....oh dear! Jesus, help! :)

G'night!

My INCREDIBLE husband, fearless leader, AMAZING daddy, and love of my life! So proud to be partnered with this man!!!

I'm here....

You know I haven't blogged enough when I forget my own password and sign in name. Sheesh! :)

I only have a minute, but I wanted to check in and let you all know I am alive and have not been swallowed up by the laundry basket or overtaken by my boys. At least not yet! I have a blog in the works that will fill in the past few weeks of our lives. Don't expect too much, but some fun updates are coming!

Blessings on you, my few but faithful followers!

Here's something to make you smile....

My sweet Austin!

You are technically 5 months and 4 weeks per Baby Center emails! Time goes even faster with the second child. :) And having you as our second makes it wonderful! It is amazing to watch how everyday a new concept is taken into your brilliant little mind.

You are taking after your brother and have a pretty relaxed attitude about life. The only thing that can alter your sweet deposition are growing teeth. Yikes! You have two on the bottom so far. You love to chew on anything you can get your hands on, but normally you have a couple of your fingers or your whole hand in your mouth.

I am finally getting in the habit of feeding you "real" food. You have had rice cereal and bananas so far and you love your high chair, sitting up so high and adult like. :)

Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy….this is your favorite past time! The Tigger jumper that I bought for Kellen (in which he only used maybe twice) is paying off. You love to jump! Your legs are going to be the nicest looking legs for a 6 month old. :) My mom, your dee dee, said that when Aubre was a baby she loved her jumper. After one particularly long jumping session, Aunt Carol took her out and the next day whenever she moved her legs, she would whimper in pain her little muscles were so sore. :) So, you have time limits! :) Oh, and now Kellen watches you and has to have a turn jumping. You have inspired him to finally use his Tigger jumper!

You made it through Bronchiolitis! It was a little scary when every breath you took sounded raspy and congested but after a round of steroids and breathing treatments you are good as new.

Your smile is so adorable and contagious! When someone talks to you, your smile is immediate and melts hearts. :)

You adore your brother. You watch his every move and are so ready to be playing with him. I know that there will be fights and brawls in the future that I will have to referee but you boys will have so much fun together.

Coming up next month....

New food adventures

The possibility of your first words. Hoping for Mama! :)

and

Skyping with Auntie Auntie and Michael

Your brother reading to you

Loving life

Kellen's story...

My favorite Kellen!!!

Less then a month and you will be 3! How did that happen? :) The last three years have been so incredible, and you have brought so much joy to your dad and I. You show us what life is really about.

Today I was asking you to do something and you looked at me so seriously and using your hand as emphasis, said, "Mom, this is the real deal...." I never found out what the "real deal" was because I immediately started laughing. Where do you get these things? But somewhere, someone said that and you picked it up. You have the best ears! Even when we are driving around, you hear planes, motorcycles, birds, ect faster then anyone I have been around.

You LOVE our Anthem students and they love you! When ever we head to the church you always go through the list of students to make sure we will see each one! The other day I was able to skype with Jessica (Anthem alumni) and the moment you saw her you said "Hi!", then "where have you been?" It was so cute and she loved it!

Almost every morning you wake up and always ask for two things: 1)crackers, which half the time I give you until I am coherent enough to make a wise breakfast choice and 2) your foot ball shirt! You love to wear football shirts. You now have a wide variety of football shirts and in order for you to wear anything else, we have to tell you that a "stripped shirt" is what football players wear before a game. :) Usually once a day, you ask your dad to play football with you, which brings a huge smile to his face!

You are still not potty trained. We have tried EVERYTHING and you still are content to wear your diaper. You have gone a couple times in the toilet, received a yummy candy and still...nothing. I have read that when the child is ready, the child will go. I am hoping this is true.

You are an amazing "big brother"! Out of everyone, you make Austin laugh the most! You love to push him in the swing (he is getting ready for the roller coasters at the speed you push him) , read to him, sing to him and give him kisses. You have a life long friend!

Coming up next month.....

Skyping with Auntie Auntie and Michael

3rd Birthday party

and

daily conversations!

We love you! ♥

Working away on the computer! :)

The ickies...

....made their first (of many, I am guessing) stop at our home last week. As Austin's first tooth was making a grand appearance, he was also diagnosed with Bronchiolitis. We made a quick trip to the doctors, had a breathing treatment and came home to pack up daddy for a trip to L.A. We sent daddy off bright and early the next morning and hunkered down as the "ickies" stayed for a visit. Two days later we went back for a follow-up appointment and, of course, found out Kellen had the unpleasant guest. So....breathing treatment #2. A few days later we are now over the worst and thankful for bodies that are recovering. Now just praying that mommy stays healthy. :)

By the way, I am trying to dedicate at least one post each month to journal what the boys have accomplished, so that IF one day, I get organized and put together a book for each of them, they will have an idea of "the happenings" in their life. :) We will see....