Cuteness overload!

Our handsome boys

God has blessed us!

Squishy face kiss ❤️

Busy Bees

We had a busy weekend! Saturday we had a bunch of our karate friends over for a potluck BBQ party. We really had a nice time. We got to debut Greg's uncle's kabob invention- and it worked really well. Essentially it is a box shaped charcoal grill with slots for kabobs to sit in at the top. On the handle of each metal kabob skewer is a small gear that links into what looks like a bicycle chain, which is attached to an electric motor, on the outside of the grill. Plug the motor in, the bicycle chain beings moving and the skewers rotate! It was great, and cooked our kabobs perfectly! We had a nice visit with our karate friends, the weather was perfect and the food was great, what could be better?

We had a busy day on Sunday too. We got to church early, came home and had some lunch then headed to a party for Greg's department at school. It was nice to see everyone again. We came home to watch the Eagles lose to the Cowboys. Bummer. 

The big excitement of this weekend was that Owen now rides his bike (with training wheels.) For the longest time he refused to petal it and now he won't stop! We are so proud of him and we are excited for this new way to play. We get out there at least once a day, weather permitting. I walk Jase in the stroller and Owen rides next to me. We were out riding on Sunday night and our neighbors invited us in to watch the remainder of the Ravens game. We had a nice time with them. We are blessed with such great neighbors. They have a boy who is in grade school who took to our boys so well. He showed Owen and Jase all of his toys and they were in heaven. 

Jase was doing really great with his sleep! Hooray! But now he is back to his old antics. He’s getting some teeth in right now so hopefully they cut soon. Prayer request for sleep, please! This momma and her hubby could really use it! 

No TV Tuesday!

This morning, for no particular reason, I wanted to watch TV while I drank my coffee. Usually this isn't a problem because I watch PBS kids cartoons along with Owen and Jase. But this morning I didn't feel like watching kids' shows and it was met with much resistance. Owen was just about crying when I wouldn't put an 'Owen show' on and Jase was just confused. Instead of getting upset, I let the boys know that since we couldn't agree on what to watch, there would be no TV for anyone today. Owen was immediately upset (a sign that he really should watch less tv!) and I reassured him that we would have more fun without the TV anyway!

..and mommy was right! We spent the morning coloring, playing playdoh and modeling foam, and playing together in the play room. When it was time for Jase's nap, Owen and I listened to music, danced and read some books. Once Jase woke we had some lunch, ran an errand and then landed at one of our favorite places: Baughers Orchard! We went into the store, got some apples and then played the day away! The boys love playing there and seeing the animals at the petting zoo. Jase loves to swing on the toddler swing as well as climb all around and follow his brother. 

All in all it was a great day- without TV! They were both so well behaved, its amazing how TV really rots their little brains. I've never let them watch too much TV but lately I've been letting them watch more and more so I can get 'stuff done' around the house.  Today reminded me that I should really spend more time with them and less worrying about what chores need to be done. There's always going to be dishes to wash, laundry to fold, and shelves to dust, but these boys won't be little forever. They won't always want to play with me, to color with me, or to hold my hand. At the end of the day (or the beginning) I need to remember that I am here for them, and they are here for me, right now. Those dishes can wait.

R is for Routine

     

       

       TGIS! Thank goodness it’s September! We are all so happy to be back on our ‘normal’ routines! Don’t get me wrong, we had a fantastic summer! We played with friends, we went to the beach several times, went to the aquarium, went to the sprinkler pool and had some great family time around the house.

September is back to school for Greg! He was on research sabbatical last spring so he hasn’t taught since December. He is excited to embark on a new semester. He’s teaching a night class this semester, we’ll see how that goes ;) Maybe it means more time for me to do some blogging!  He is in his 5th year of his tenure track position, which means it’s crunch time. He’s teaching three classes, volunteering on various committees and working on research papers to be published..not to mention being a husband and a daddy! He’s doing a great job and we know he’ll do well! He works so hard for us; we are very blessed!

It’s back to school for Owen too! Owen starts school tomorrow, he’s in pre-k, and he goes three times per week. I can’t believe it! He is very excited. His teacher this year was actually his assistant teacher last year so he feels very comfortable with her. Many of his classmates from last year are in his class again this year, even his favorite buddy! I’ve already looked over his schedule and he will be busy. It looks like they will have about one field trip per month, those lucky kiddos! They are going to Gettysburg, a farm and an orchard all this fall!

Jase is so much fun.  He is running, climbing, jumping, and loves to dance. He and I will be hanging out solo while Owen is in school. I hope to get him into a regular routine of library story times and other adventures. Owen and I used to do that and he loved it! Jase is doing well with his words and his signs, now if we could just get him to sleep through the night! The little stinker still wakes frequently at night…this too shall pass, right?! 

As for me, I am settling back into the stay at home mom thing. It’s such a blessing to be able to take care of my hubby, kids and home without the additional stress of having to go to work in the morning. I am looking forward to the fall and the arrival of some new babies! (not mine!) I can't wait to hold those little babies; my heart is overfull with joy for my expecting friends. Other than adore the babies, I have grand plans to organize and clean the house, host a party or two, get back into a church routine and start serving in a ministry, and to do a lot of karate. Phew, that's a lot! I'd better get to work!

Happy fall everyone! 

Down South!

Check out our pictures from our recent trip to see Memaw (my mom) down in Enoree, SC! The boys had a blast riding the horses, feeding the chickens, going to the children's musesum, the orchard, mining rocks and hanging with Memaw and Paw!

 Jase's first flight! 

 Owen, Memaw and AnnaLeigh

 Jase, Memaw and AnnaLeigh

 The boys & Hero

 The boys & hens!

 HUGE marshmallows

 Exploring at the museum  

 Jase Deer ;)

 Cow hugs

 Big helper!

 Loving their boots!

 ..and perhaps each other!?

 Our plane! Bye-bye SC!

Beachy keen!

Enjoy these photos! We've been blessed this year and have been able to get to the beach often. Here are some of the best pictures from our adventures.

Some brotherly love at the Cape May Zoo

   

Playing in a fountain at the Cape May outdoor mall

 Exploring ❤️

 

They're both kind of smiling? 

These trucks and boys are head turners! Jase, Liam, Luke, and Owen! First cousins and best buds :)

 Chillin' in the shade

 Sharing with Grandpop

 Cheese!

 

So long for now, beach house!

Rock on!

I was recently promoted back to full time stay at home mommy-hood! Hooray, and praise the Lord. I was working part time at Starbucks, and although I love Starbucks, my friends at work, and the customers, the time at work was causing too much stress on my family. I am very thankful to be back at home with the boys, this is where I am needed the most, and this is where I feel God wants me to be.

I can’t put into words how much I love being at home with my boys. I have the freedom to pack up and head anywhere we wish. We can run errands, travel to see friends or family, or just stay in our pajamas at home all day! We have fun together, explore new places and I get to be silly and act their age. :) 

While all of this is fantastic for me, I do have my moments when I am overwhelmed by the stress of constantly being ‘on-call.’ Recently, these moments have become more and more frequent and I was turning into ‘monster mommy’ more often than I’d like to admit. It seemed like there was no end to  hearing my name screamed ‘MOMMY!’ over and over until I responded. There’s no privacy (what does that word mean?) and I’m lucky if I can eat half a sandwich that was originally intended for me (not someone’s picked over leftovers from lunch.) The boys are at an age now where they fight over every toy, cup of milk, slice of cheese, and even who’s turn it is to use the toilet (yes, Jase at 15 months wants to use the toilet…don’t get me started.)

Owen just finished vacation bible school last week. I was unsure whether or not he enjoyed his time there until I played the music CD that they sent home with him. I needed ‘some space’ from Owen and Jase towards the end of a particularly difficult day so I decided to play this CD for them. Music has always been a mood lifter for us, we all love to sing and dance. As soon as I pressed play and the first song began, Owen lit up and started to sing and dance. The song that played was ‘My God is Powerful.’ He was so happy and was excited to show me the dance moves that he learned at VBS. He asked me to sing and dance with him. Joy filled my heart and watching him worship renewed my spirit.

It’s funny how God uses everyone in our lives to remind us of Him, even our 4 and 1 year old kids. Owen and Jase reminded me that our lives are all about God. I have a pretty thick head and I often try to be a stay at home mom on my own, instead of asking for help from the Man upstairs. It’s so easy to bow my head and ask for help, and yet I rarely think to do it! Those few minutes of worshipping God reminded me of God’s grace for me, one of his children. God uses grace to forgive me when I turn into ‘monster mommy,’ and I need to remember that. When I was reminded of His grace for me, I felt like God was telling me to mimic His grace with my own children. God has the grace to forgive 7 or 77 times, to love unconditionally and God has the grace to give us new life through the death of his son, Jesus. While I do not have that magnitude of grace, I can have the grace to answer the same question 3,4, or even 5 times. I can have the grace to make 3 separate lunches, I can have the grace to allow my squirming 15 month old boy TRY to use the toilet, I can have the grace to walk a little slower so they can smell every.single.flower. on our walks, I can have the grace to allow them to help me with chores, and I can have the grace to read the same book 15 times in 10 minutes, and lastly, I can have the grace to love (and like!) and serve my children through the power God has given me. God will give to his children what is asked of Him. Over the past few days, I have been praying for God’s grace to be used through me with my children. And when things get a little overwhelming, I play some worship music (praise the Lord for pandora!), and sure enough, God shows up in our hearts and mends our moods. God loves, gives, encourages, teaches and has unconditional grace for His children. Let us look to Him as the ultimate parenting example.

One who loves a pure heart and speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. 

Proverbs 22:11