B's party

How could we celebrate that the littlest boy in our house is 2? With food, of course!

First request from the birthday boy: Giant Cookie (yes I do think he is part cookie monster)

And my mom came through again:) One giant cookie with a fire truck on top-Perfect!

Getting ready for all his friends to come over and play. Okay so we know that he's really getting ready to make himself a huge pizza:) (which was request #2)

I love the middle of a party when everyone is comfortable, having fun and relaxed...really enjoying themselves.

I think he really likes being able to further support our favorite team.

Thanks Uncle J & Auntie Mary!

And how do you finish off a perfect party? Listening to your favorite story read by your favorite reader...Miss Lori, of course:)

I think this means the party was a sensational success!

And I just couldn't help but get this up here too...we wanted to get B his own bike for when we are outside. One that won't enable his innate ability to bruise every part of his body.

And I think this is definitely kid tested and parent approved!!

Brothers...

I love to watch the bond that the boys are developing. B is all about doing just as N does and that can be very, very good or very, very bad.

My snuggle bugs:)

I love that they want to help me in the kitchen. We were making a pie together. Breven, would you like some crackers with all that cheese!?!?!

Noah loves to play with shaving cream...so we thought we'd let B in on the fun. Yeah...not so much. I think B played for a minute and then he was finished, he did not like that feeling on his fingers:)

As all siblings, they have their moments of sharing and fighting. I love to come around the corner to find them like this-sharing a blanket, toys and some laughs.

And what brothers don't share a love of their Daddy's favorite team?!?!

And this one is just because.

We celebrated Lori's birthday a few weeks ago and I love that Noah is all into blowing out her candles with her. I am so thankful for their shared love of our precious neighbor.

God knew just where he was placing us when we put us so close to Miss Lori. Being so far from family, I wanted someone close by that the boys could go to to escape the crazy Mama:) and Lori is proving to be that person for them. They adore her and she is in turn showing them a Godly example of friendship and love. Thank you, Lori for loving my boys as your own!! We are so thankful for you!!!

Day of love...

Happy Valentines Day!

God has given me a great love. Someone to share my daily life with, to learn from and grow old with...

...and another someone who reminds me that life is for being silly, curious, imaginative and full of hope...

...and He's given me someone who makes me smile and laugh, on a regular basis.

I've been thinking though, that Valentines Day isn't just a day to show your friends and family love. Its also a time to remember God's great love for us. I've been thinking about these verses today and wanted to share them with you.

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."1 John 4:9-10

Pure, true love. God went to the extreme to show me love. He didn't give me a pat on the back, bring me a flower or make me a card. And while those aren't bad things, He went so much further. Even knowing how I would fail Him, hurt Him and possibly reject Him, he chose to show me the ultimate-eternal forgiveness and life with Him.

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made com." 1 John 4:11-12

I want today to be a day that you are reminded, no matter where you are or how you will celebrate today, God has given you an amazing Valentine. Will you accept it? And will you share it with others?

And as I was going through pics today, I came across this. Do you remember making mail boxes to use on Valentines Day? Spending so much time making it your own and then waiting to see who your friends were that would give you fun cards and candy?!?! I loved making those mail boxes and while A and I were dating, we had a contest to make mailboxes. Of course his would have a putting green on top:)

What traditions do you have for Valentines Day?

"Blizzard 2011"

Did you know what a blizzard is? I thought it was just a bunch of yummy ice cream you can get from Dairy Queen (okay, so Mama told me the name) Anyways, I learned this week what a blizzard is...

Its when Daddy gets to stay home from work but spends most of the morning outside with his snowblower.

And when Miss Lori comes over to help us shovel all that snow.

Its when I get all bundled up to build a snow fort and get to look forward to hot chocolate

And when we get to playout there for so long that B's cheeks turn red.

Wanna join us for the next blizzard?

Happy Birthday, Breven

Breven,

As I'm sitting here going through your birthday photos, I can't help but wonder where the time has gone! Wasn't it just Monday that we found out about you? And surely Tuesday was the day we welcomed you into the world. Wendesday was the day you learned to crawl, and Thursday was your first birthday, right?!?!? There's no way your really turning 2, I just know I miscounted somewhere along the way.

Your Mommy and Daddy are so thankful that God gave us you. You have added your own little character and personality into our family that we never knew we always wanted.

Your quick laughter, strong love and protection of your Mama, Daddy and Noah show us a glimpse into the compassionate, sensitive, silly man you will be someday.

We had no idea that when Noah filled you in on all your little brother duties, which included silliness and doing just as he tells you to, this goofy grin would be the daily product that gets us every time.

You have shown us over and over that you are your own unique little person. Being a little brother to Noah is no easy feat. He has such a strong personality, but you have proved that you can hold your own and won't just be his shadow. Please don't ever change that.

Your Daddy and I are praying that we raise you to love the Lord with all your heart, treat others respectfully, act like a gentleman, and prove yourself to be trustworthy, faithful, obedient and hardworking.

That's an awful lot for such a little boy to handle right away. But with God's grace, every day will take us one day closer to our vision for you.

And on those days when I need a little more sunshine than our cloudy state allows us, I am thankful for that little ray of sunshine that God has blessed us with .

We love you!!

Mama, Daddy and Noah