Friday, July 17, 2009

Wings to Fly . . .


Our sweet little Allie has finally gotten her wings to fly. She has been a cute little crawling caterpillar and an unsteady hand holding walker for 16 long months.

After a few months of physical therapy, lots of daily exercising and

lots of practice she's got her wings and is walking independently. Yeah Allie!!!

We are all very happy !!!


A little slow to talk too (but little ones usually walk before they talk), and yesterday Allie said, "Daddy" as she was walking down the hall looking for him. Yeah Allie!!!


Just had to share our little milestones about our Allie-girl.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Learning to Serve

It is fun to teach your kids new things; learning to pump yourself on the swing, how to say "thank you" to a waitress at the restaurant, how to pray before eating etc . . . I am always looking for the next thing to teach, the next developmental step to take, and the next character building block to build. Yep, I just love to teach and I love the 2-5yr. old stage. Lots of you moms are in the same boat. Isn't it fun!

Last month a neighbor of ours was going to be out of town during the trash pick up day and asked me if we could roll their trash can from the street back to their garage area so that the trash can would not be on the street for several weeks. So . . . a few hours after the garbage trucks left, Cooper and I did as our neighbor had asked and took care of their trash can and before I knew it Cooper ran to the next house and began to roll their trash can to their garage area. My first thought was, "no, no no we don't have to do that one too" but then the Spirit reminded me that he was at the neighbors house where a 45 year bald lady recently diagnosed with breast cancer lives. Wow! Then it dawned on me, let's make Wednesday our trash can service day. What an easy, fun, sneaky service project!!! We don't always do the same neighbors trash cans each week because we can handle about 10 houses before we get too hot and tired. I also let Cooper choose which houses we will serve while we walk the neighborhood. He just loves to do this! Rolling a huge trash can around makes a 2 and 1/2 yr. old feel like a big boy. I also reiterate how we are helping people and that we love our neighbors.



Can it be a little stinky? Yes! (but not to the 2 and a 1/2 year old)

Do I worry about germs? Yes!

Do I only want to serve neighbors I personally know? Yes!
(but the 2 and 1/2 year old is so impartial)

Do I tucker out faster than he does?Yes!
(kids just love to be helpers)

Maybe this is why Jesus told us to become like little children.

All the while I keep reminding myself God's hand of protection is on us
and
they (the neighbors) will know we are christians by our love
and
we are to humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord.


(My intent for this post is not to brag by any means but to give you some insight or inspiration on how God can open doors for you to serve or teach your kids to learn to love serving.)

Sunday, July 5, 2009

4th of July! (Part 1 and Part 2)

We had a very busy 4th of July! I really missed having Daddy home to help me do everything on the adjenda but the three of us had a great, exhausing day!



Part 1 consisted of decorating the yard for America's Birthday . . .



and a mini photo shoot . . .

(just because cousin Raegan's hand-me-down dress was too cute)


(yep! he's really this sweet)

and a fun swim and family visit to Aunti Heidi and Uncle Shaw's house!


Cooper loves to jump in and swim a few feet (by himself)!








During Part 2 of our day we enjoyed a rib dinner, splashing in Papa's pool . . .



and going for a sunset boat ride . . .



and learning about the history of the American Flag by Grandma and her flag pin . . .



and of course watching the beautiful fireworks . . .






What a fun, exhausing day we had!


We are truely thankful to God that we are living in the


United States of America - land that we love!


This quote was inspiring to me today . . .


"As she supplies the affection and care that make a contented home, each mother is strengthening the individuals within her own circle as well as in a nation." - Earl E. Chanley


Happy Birthday America!