Signing

Luke has been signing lots more lately. He has found bugs and LOVES them. He chases them around and tries to pick them up. I am going to find all kinds of treasures in his pockets, I'm sure. Here is a video of him signing bug. He also says cracker in this one. You can see he knows where we keep them because at the end he points to the pantry door.

He knows 10 words verbally and now 10 signs! He is quite the learner. These really are fun days. He is changing daily.

Precious boys

This is what having boys is for me. Pirates sleeping and Cat trucks. Girls probably do the same things, but my sisters and I never played pirates or had remote control cars/trucks. Aidan is phasing out his nap, so this day he played, quietly, in his room for a while before he fell asleep. I was surprised when I went in to wake him up. I had no idea he had been in there playing and dressing up. Fun stuff, I tell ya.
Luke is growing up so fast. I find him playing all by himself with the big boy toys. Forget the singing ABC's toys. He wants the trains, cars and Batman. Although he is still a snuggler, so I can't be too sad. Both of my boys love to be outside and it is so fun to watch them from the kitchen window playing outside together. I thought we had gotten a big enough sand box, but between two boys, two diggers and shovels, pails and sifters, there isn't much room. They start to fight over space and toys, but isn't that what brothers do?
I assure you they are loving brothers, though. Aidan will pick on Luke, but boy, don't you mess with him. Aidan went right to his defense when someone tried to take a toy from him. "That's my brudder's" I love it. It's why I wanted Aidan to have a sibling. He is perfect for a brother. Although he did just tell me he didn't want a brother because he keeps touching his coloring book. That's life with siblings. Still love it. While these days are going fast, I am enjoying this stage. Luke is a stinker and a ham all in one. Aidan is wild with imagination and so tenderhearted. As Jim says, we have the two cutest boys out there and we are so blessed!

FOUR!

I am two days late, but I wanted to post about our big boy, Aidan. Aidan is now four years old and I can't believe how fast it has gone! Aidan is an easy going, funny, high energy ball of love. He loves anything involving a ball. He is super coordinated and blows me away with his ability to smack a baseball. He has an incredible memory. He is learning new things everyday and trying to incorporate them into life. The other day he told a friend that "God wants us to share our toys." I'm sure it was because his friend had a toy he wanted, but at least I know the message is getting through. He does have a tender heart and is concerned about anyone who is sick or hurt. My most embarrassing moment for this year is probably related to his learning new things...I had to take him with me to my rhumetologist appointment. He asked about the poster describing osteoporosis and the picture of the lady "falling over". I explained that her bones got weak and made her lean over. I told him that was why it was important for him to eat his vegetables. Enter embarrassing moment: We were out shopping and see an elderly woman bent over walking with a walker. He says loudly..."that lady is falling over, she didn't eat her vegetables." This has happened numerous times and I wonder how necessary those teaching moments really are.
He is an amazing big brother and loves Luke like crazy. They are really starting to play together and Aidan is a big helper. I know the fights will come, but for now, I cherish the love they share.
Aidan's arrival changed our lives forever and boy am I glad. Life is so full of excitement and new things with him. He is full of questions and conversation. Most of the time I love it, but some days I have to say, "let's have some quiet time." We are blessed beyond words to have been chosen to be this amazing boy's parents. God has certainly been gracious and I am excited to see what He has in store for Aidan's life. My prayer is that Aidan learns early on how much he is loved by God and accepts his leadership in his life.
Happy Birthday Precious..mommy loves you all the way to the moon... and back!

Our Snow Day


Baseball in the Park


Christmas Eve at Church



Luke enjoyed some mashed potatoes!


They had some stable animals at church. That donkey didn't move
the entire time we were there. I am pretty sure he was alive, though.

Well, this will probably be a long post, but it will catch you up on our December and our Christmas break. I have to say December was not as stressful as it usually is. I think I anticipated a sad, lonely Christmas here at home and was pleasantly surprised how relaxing and enjoyable it was. We began the month by doing Advent. It was a wonderful way to teach Aidan more about Christmas and why it is such a big deal. It was so funny on the day before Christmas eve because Jim and I realized that Aidan had no idea that he would wake up Christmas morning with presents under the tree. He was so excited to read each night's story and blow out the candle. Jim decided we needed to put a few gifts under the tree to build some anticipation. I enjoyed doing some things to get ready, too. I baked several things that I knew I'd be missing...Chex mix and peanut butter kiss cookies..Lisa always makes those. It was fun decorating the tree, too. The boys indulged me for a while as I reminisced over each ornament. Aidan was enthralled by the Star Wars ornaments, of course. When I packed up, they all now have their own box! Next year I'll be hunting for a small tree for the "boys".

We spent a day at the Wild Animal Park and since I always tell Aidan the Carousel is only for when Daddy joins us, which is usually once a year, this was his chance. Luke was asleep, so he didn't get to ride. Aidan was thrilled and had fun. It was nice to enjoy a day together without Jim stressing about the homework he wasn't doing. We had lots of that in our two weeks home. It was a taste of what life may be in 6 months. Yaaay.

We enjoyed a few movie nights with a fire, since it was fairly cool here. No snow of course, but we were glad it was at least cool enough to pretend it was winter. We did get one morning in the mountains. It had warmed up and melted a bit by the time we got there, but we missed the traffic and crowds by waiting a couple of days. Aidan and Luke had a good time tromping around the icy snow and sledding. Aidan was a trooper about not getting to throw snowballs and building a snowman. He said next time we could do that. I think next year his expectations will be higher, so we may have to brave the crowds for good snow. Again, it was a nice day together.

We also enjoyed a sunny day at the baseball field. Aidan got a real bat with real balls. But daddy's instruction when he opened it was that it was NOT to be used at home...only at the park. This kid can hit a ball! Jim pitched balls to Aidan for an hour and half and he could have gone on all day! Luke enjoyed the snacks in the "dugout". We had to go for a walk after a while, though. We then walked down to feed the ducks.

He's a Walker!

It's official, Luke is a walker! Two days ago he took about 4 or 5 steps. Then later that evening on two different occasions, he was in the middle of the floor and spotted a toy. He stood up without holding onto anything and just walked over to it. Like a pro! Of course I can't get a picture of him doing it, so the picture will have to wait. It is so fun! He is just beside himself with glee. He grins so big because he has figured out that it is a BIG deal. He has also figured out that he will be able to play with the big boys more if he can walk. Oh no! I'm in trouble.

He also has figured out it is cool to make the big boys laugh. I had Seth in the car with us yesterday. Luke started smacking his head and bopping around. Seth and Aidan cracked up and he ate it up! He kept doing it until he was giggling so hard, he could hardly keep his head up. What fun stuff!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Today as I do my normal Mommy stuff, checking some blogs, I came across the Steven Curtis Chapman website. In a year of loss for me, and a mother of two little ones, I was very moved by this family's loss of their 5 year old daughter adopted from China. I can't even imagine and it makes me teary to think about it. But what an amazing story they have! Their faith in God and His plan moves them daily to continue to serve Him and to get up each day.

Today is Veteran's Day. I must admit I don't give much thought to it. I don't give much thought to the fact that I can write on a website about my own faith. I don't give much thought to the fact that I can teach my boys about Jesus and not one fear crosses my mind. It is the bravery and service of these veterans that allows me to move through my day without any real fear. I am thankful, and often list these things in my prayers, but on such a miniscule level. I have grown to expect freedom and forget that it costs many people and families much more than I can imagine. I'm happy to sit in my safe world and take it all for granted. Today I pray for forgiveness and for the heart that is much more grateful.

Back to Steven Curtis Chapman...he wrote a new song while visiting the Bethesda Naval Hospital recently. He met a man who had just returned from Afghanistan a couple of weeks before and had just the day before Steven's visit, had part of his legs removed. You can hear the song on his website, after you sign up for the newsletter. It is called Thomas McBride. Sorry, I haven't figured out how to link stuff yet. It all just reminded me that if I do nothing else, I can have a grateful heart and look for ways (other than at Christmas) to minister to those serving us and protecting our freedom.

Our church is very active with the local military in San Diego and I have absolutely no excuse! One cool thing that they do is send a letter (via volunteers like, hmmmm, me?) to military men and women who have just accepted Jesus as their Savior. Just a note of encouragement and welcome. Ok, that's not that hard to do, but I'm sure it has a great impact. I've got to start small, huh?

So now you know how my heart really looks....is there someone you need to thank today? God bless!