Dedicated to Erika!

Updating this blog has been hovering in my peripheral thoughts for weeks now and the Lord has used a great friend to make me face this "task"! (Though it is a great outlet, I always remember, as I begin). So this post is dedicated to Erika!

As a mom to her adorable and perfect newborn second son, she FB'ed me asking for my blog address to catch up on the Rhoden happenings during the late nights. It was great to see that she remembered my blog but then it hit me....I had no clue as to what my blog's address was. Not a good thing for a so called blog writer. I knew I had to face my blog head on and not only look up my website but write something. ;-)

So Erika, Thank you for the sweet and needed encouragement to actually get my "blog" on. You are in my prayers these next months as you transition to from one to two. Give yourself tons of grace, enjoy watching movies with Nolan as you nurse Nielson for what seems like hours, sleep when they sleep, remember you are not alone and above all enjoy! You are a phenomenal mom, married to a great and supportive hubby, with all the resources (physical, emotional, spiritual and heaven sent) that you need! I can not wait to meet your new little man! Blessings on you! I love you my dear friend!

*As for us Rhodens, we are doing great! After my trip to visit Andi, Michael and my ah-may-zing niece, Riley (blog about that to follow) we are ready to stay put for a while and are excited for the holidays and all the fun that brings! We are so thankful for all that God is doing and love this time in our lives. Kellen and Austin continue to bring so much joy. I swear, if we could bottle up Austin's "cuteness" we could be rich. Kellen, almost daily, asks when he can ride the school bus to school, I tell him when he is a little taller (how do you explain a year to kids) and I still don't have the heart to tell him that he won't ride the bus to school, ever. :-) Ok, that is a little extreme, but this mama is having a hard time imagining him at school, let alone on a bus. Oh Jesus, help me.

Yard work day!

Their first car!

Today is memorial day and we have had a nice relaxing day. Ryan has been in Haiti with the Anthem group the last few days so this morning started with my parents heading over for breakfast! Dad made pancakes and Kellen's favorite, egg in a hole. We then decided that with the sun making a rare appearance, to get our "exercise on" and walk up Roxyanne. It was a great walk and the boys loved the hike, picking up rocks and the gorgeous view of Medford. Well, they might of not noticed how gorgeous it was but liked watching the planes fly into Medford.

As I write, the boys are now outside digging for worms and bugs. A regular activity. Yesterday, Kellen brought in a snail. He was so proud, but I promptly told him to go and put him back where he found him. I came outside a few minutes later and found him digging the snail out of his home. He had snail pieces, slime and whatever else they consist of all over his hands. I tried to keep my composer and not scream in disgust. As I walked him into the kitchen and began scrubbing his hands, I asked him why he wanted to do that, and his answer made me smile, calming my nerves. "I just wanted to see what the inside of his house looked like." I think he expected to see bedrooms and a bathroom all tucked in there. :-) This mama is still getting used to the fact that boys like to dig in dirt, carry gobs of worms in their hands and pull snails apart. At least he told me today that he was going to put the worms in his pocket and keep them. I don't have to tell you what my answer was. I know it comes with the territory and there is nothing more sweet then when I am outside and I look over and see the two of them bent over with heads touching, pulling up rocks to discover the treasures that await them.

I love my life.....

Happy Birthday, Kellen!

4 years ago you were placed in my arms for the first time and I was forever changed. I had no idea how much joy and life you would bring to my life, your dad's life and the lives of everyone you meet. You have a way about you that is a gift to many! Not a day goes by that I am not THE proudest to be your mom and I thank Jesus for the opportunity your dad and I have to raise you to become the man of God he has started in you! I love you, Kellen. XOX

One of our donut date mornings!

Birthday boy!!!

"Cruisin" around with Vanessa!

♥ And as we were driving home from our Easter/Birthday celebrations today, you told me that, "Jesus froze from the grave and is alive!" It melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes, you are grasping the deep things of our God....we just need to work on your wording! :-)

Hello friends! Here are a few pictures from the last few months...

Austin and his shoe loving little feet. He is always finding shoes and putting them on. Doesn't matter if they are mine, Ryan's, Kellen's, or a visiting friend, if there out, they will be worn. It is pretty cute and always makes us smile as he is scuffling around the house. In this picture he is wearing one dressy shoe and one running shoe, both Kellen's, both on the wrong feet. :-)

We had a visit from my cousin, Aubre and my aunt Carol, last week! It was so great to see them, but of course, the boys brought out toys and books to remind them that THEY had priority. No arguement from us! Carol loved getting in snuggles and love from her little men.

Mama getting in lots of love and hugs from her boys after a week away!

Austin is growing up so fast! He is saying a few words, mostly understood by myself or Ryan, and is wanting to do all the grown up things. He helps me feed Toby, helps me clean up his tray, helps me clean up his toys and LOVES to brush his teeth! He is a joy to our family!

For a week, Ryan and I enjoyed the sun, warm breezes and views like this as we relaxed on the beaches in Oahu! No responsibility, no kids, no schedules. It was incredible!!!!

Kellen and Austin getting into shape! (I think Austin is wearing a random shoe, too)

Our adorable little man!

2010 Christmas card

20 minutes....thats all I need to give to this blog for it to be updated on a regular basis. Why does it not happen? Well, I could go on and on with excuses but who needs those? :)

We are alive, kickin and still loving life in the Rhoden household. Ryan has been gone for a few days up in Portland with the Anthem students, spending time with our great friends the Berryessa's! Drew has been teaching/ministering to the students and we always know and expect great things from this week. As much as I miss going on some of these trips, I do get the chance to watch some girl movies (Julie and Julia :) ) and of course the "little" men in my life make up for it! Today, as I was sitting on the floor hanging out, Kellen sat in my lap and within 30 seconds, Austin was pushing him over, looking for his spot too. Before a fight broke out, I scooted and moved them around til they were both happy, on mama's lap! Melted my heart!!!

Time's up! Until my next free 20 minutes.....

Synchronized napping!

Something is happening at this very moment that rarely ever happens....my boys are sleeping at the SAME time. I am a little giddy and enjoying the moment completely. Yes, I am blogging when there are probably a 100 things I could do to take advantage of this time, but as I blog I am curled up on the couch next to Ryan watching football and pretending like we are in our previous life, without kids. Not that I would trade this season for anything, but every once in a while our old ways of life resurface and we get to enjoy those moments again. :) If someone would have told me that I could feel this "christmas morning happy" feeling to have an hour to myself I would have thought they were crazy and a little depressed. An hour to myself is all a mom gets at times? Yikes! But I enjoy these moments and I really think God does an accelerated work to refresh me during these times. :)

We've been VERY busy with our fall schedule but I think this week we are finally able to get into a "normal" routine. But then as soon as a "normal" takes place, the holidays come flying into view. We are looking forward to this season with two very active boys to entertain and keep us laughing!

I better go. Austin woke up and even though this ends "my time", seeing his face emerge from his room makes my heart skip a beat in joy!

Months have flown by and here we are smack dab in the middle of September, which means our little bundle of joy is now a walking, climbing, babbling little one year old! How in the heck did this happen? No idea, so I will continue to hold on for the ride and enjoy every minute!

We have had a fairly mellow summer. Besides our normal camp routine and a quick trip to Cali for my cousins wedding, we have stayed pretty close to home. Ryan is SO close (Thank you Jesus) to finishing up his schooling, so we have held off on any major vacations until he can enjoy them without papers or book reports vying for his attention.

We are anticipating a great Anthem year and have 13 students arriving in the next few weeks! Yay! What does this year have in store for us as leaders and most importantly for these student leaders? God never ceases to amaze me!

Before it gets any closer to being way past my bedtime, I am going to go take a minute and flip through my Real Simple magazine! It is funny how reading and looking through a magazine is pure joy for this "mama". The simple things in life....

Out for a walk

Cutest ring bear in town!

Helping daddy work

Happy baby