shhhhhh...

I'm whispering this because it is just too good to be true--don't want it to go away! Let me just tell you what has been going on in this house. Well, not everything...we've been busy with just about every single thing, including the house. But here is the good news...

I took Parker in to our pediatrician a few weeks ago because my mama heart just didn't feel right about how things were going with Parker. He just hasn't seemed healthy in forever. Our doc decided to treat him for asthma and x-ray his chest and head just in case. Long story short, turns out Parker has had a severe sinus infection for quite some time. I really don't want to think about how long he has had it...makes me too sad. However, the great news is that Parker has responded so well to antibiotics! He is the old Parker again, the Parker we haven't seen in months and months. He has energy, an appetite, and doesn't cry most of the day anymore. I can't tell you how happy I am about having him back! And since he can taste food again, he is beginning to try some new foods. I've never seen him eat this much in his whole three years.

All of this good stuff may be why I'm not much in the blogging mood--I'm just having too much fun with life here. But I'll get back into it at some point...these days must be documented!

a heart of hope

Our message at church on Easter Sunday was centered on hope. Very moving and poignant. I came across this psalm yesterday and it has really settled in my heart....I love it!

Psalm 131 ~ The Message

God, I'm not trying to rule the roost,
I don't want to be king of the mountain.
I haven't meddled where I have no business
or fantasized grandiose plans.

I've kept my feet on the ground,
I've cultivated a quiet heart.
Like a baby content in its mother's arms,
my soul is a baby content.

Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope.
Hope now; hope always!

Decisions, decisions...

The simplest decisions are sometimes so hard for me....like what brand of raisin bran to buy. A very strange condition. Picking paint colors seemed impossible for me but I finally came to a final decision and the painting process starts today!!

Here they are...

From top to bottom...our bedroom, bathroom, play area/hall, and boy's bedroom.

I can't wait to see the finished product!

maybe if we had talked...

This is what happens when couples don't communicate well enough...

I came home from grocery shopping last night to find out that Joel had given both boys buzz-cuts--the day before their scheduled portraits! Joel didn't know. The picture on the right is a clump of hair I found on Griffin's highchair! Oh well, it is only hair and only a picture. So funny!

Oh, but Griffin totally looks like a super-duper old man in his pictures. No hair and his goofy smile!

meeting sweet caleb

My big boy loving on sweet Caleb...our beautiful nephew.

cuteness

There are some serious perks to parenthood/auntiehood...

Like witnessing the cutest things ever!

Parker and Audrey were mesmerized by the big kids coming out of school. They waved and talked to them for a good 15 minutes. Then they had fun feeling the cold air with their tongues. And Griffin had to get in on the action. Aaaahhhhh, cuteness.

if only we spoke the same language...

Okay, so technically, Parker does speak English but he has selective comprehension and has this inability to pick up on my sarcasm. And Griffin thinks he speaks English but his native tongue resembles a Japanese/Gurgle type of thing. Very interesting. But you know what I mean...we totally don't speak the same language, because if we did, this is what I would say....

To Parker: Just so you know, Parker David, I am the Mom and I am the one who gets to decide who sleeps when. And I am the one who gets to decide when you stop napping. Yes, you will nap until you start school. You don't get to decide to stop napping forever. I AM MOM!!! And then I would stomp my foot and fold my arms for emphasis. :)

To Griffin: Son, I love your loud shrieks and demands for milk in the morning, but when you require a nap before 7 am, you must know that you've gotten up too early. Really, Griffin, make sure we're in the sixes before we start the day. Pleeeease. Thankyouverymuch.

Love, Mama ;)

a day at the park...

It felt so great to be outside. There is just something about fresh air that seems to make us feel ALIVE again!

have you any wolf?

Even the most delightful of two year (almost three) olds can have their sour moments. Yes, this is true; almost three is not a fun age in my book. But to be fair, I do believe it is more the "Feb-March blahs" that are to blame and less of a character flaw. I suppose if I were about to turn three and my parents were making me do all sorts of things I didn't want to do...and for no apparent reason (like eat meals at appointed times and poop in the potty)--I would throw a few fits here and there. But this does not make it fun for the parent in charge. BUT, it is just a stage and Parker has some great moments mixed in along the way. Like this one below...both Parker and Griffin are really into belting out songs. Baa Baa Black Sheep is the current favorite.