Snuggles

He came last week!  Welcome Snuggles!

Anna's artshow was Friday evening.  She did an AWESOME job and submitted a textured piece of our house.  It looks just like it!  Great job Anna!

In the "new" bedtime routine, Sawyer gets in bed with Anna for his bedtime story.  He requests it every nigh!

Our New Garden

Ron and I have been working with the kids on a vegetable garden the last few years.  This year we decided "to go big or go home" as Ron likes to say.  He built it himself in one week!  We are so excited to see how our veggies turn out this year!

These two melt my heart:

An Early Mother's Day Gift

Ron bought me a raspberry bush to go along with our blueberry bush that we had planted earlier this Spring. He planted it for me this afternoon and had Sawyer help him with the watering duties.

The letter I hope Sawyer writes me someday:

I've been asked to update my blog so here is a letter I came across this afternoon.  I hope to one day receive one from Sawyer just like this:

Dear Mom,

Remember yesterday when I told you I wanted daddy to walk me to school and then refused to kiss you goodbye? I'm sorry. You know I love you.

Remember this morning when I ran into your bedroom at 5am and yelled "Good Morning!" so loud I woke the baby? I'm sorry. I keep forgetting about the baby.

Remember when I asked you to pick all the walnuts out of my muffin and then after you took ten full minutes to make sure you removed every last one of them, I still refused to eat it? I'm sorry. That was really nice of you.

Remember when I screamed "HELP!" from your bedroom with such drama you thought the dresser had fallen on me and came running like the world was about to end, when actually I was screaming because there was a pretend shark swimming in your duvet? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you.

Remember when we were in the car on the way to Grammy's house and I asked you to play "the firetruck song" twenty times in a row and whenever you tried to switch to your music I screamed "FIRETRUCK SONG!!!!" until my screaming became more annoying than the actual firetruck song so you just let it play on repeat? I'm sorry. I can see how that would be irritating. 

Remember when I refused to eat the pizza because the basil had touched it? I'm sorry. I realize the addition of basil doesn't render the pizza completely inedible.

Remember when you said it was time to leave the playground and instead of saying, "OK, let's go mom!", I yelled "Nooooooooooo!!!!!" and ran away so you had to chase me in circles around the jungle gym? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you look bad in front of the playground moms.

Remember when I decided a used straw was my most prized possession and cried like someone killed my puppy when you threw it in the garbage? I'm sorry. I must have lost my mind that day.

Remember when I asked you to cut up an apple and you said "if I cut up this apple, you better eat it" and I said "I'll eat it, I promise" but then once you finished cutting it up I didn't want it anymore? I'm sorry. I misrepresented myself.

Remember the time I lost my shit over putting on a jacket? I'm sorry. I know it was cold outside.

Remember that time you turned the lights off because it was bedtime but then after you left the room, I turned the lights back on? And then this happened five more times until you were so pissed you removed the lightbulb from the ceiling? I'm sorry. In retrospect, that was not a very fun game.

Remember the time you were trying to put my shoes and socks on and I wouldn't keep my legs still and then I accidentally kicked you in the face? I'm sorry. It was an accident.

Remember the time I was running around the room and jumping over Harlow like a hurdle in an obstacle course even though you repeatedly told me to stop? I'm sorry. I should be more careful.

Remember the time I had a total meltdown because my balloon deflated? I'm sorry. I know you have no control over balloons.

Remember my Calliou phase? I'm sorry. Calliou sucks.

Remember the time you stopped for coffee and while we were standing in line, I decided that would be the perfect time to throw a tantrum on the floor? And you were wearing Harlow in the carrier so you couldn't even bend over to pick me up and carry me out? And all the people were looking at you and thinking 'I will never have kids!'? That was hilarious. But also? I'm sorry.  

You know I love you no matter what and I know you love me no matter what, so that's why I feel comfortable testing you.

You know that, right?

I love you,

Mazzy

PS: They should have a special day for you or something.

--------------------------------

Following in his sister's footsteps

I love walking in the family room to see Sawyer sitting on the couch with a book balanced on his little legs reading intently....or should I say looking at the pictures intently.  He can read the story to you though if you ask, he has many of them memorized from Mommy, Daddy and Anna reading them to him over and over and over and over again.  We don't mind though little man.

Thankful

Today I am thankful for my husband, my greatest supporter.  I am thankful that I can always count on him even in life's hardest moments.  He is always encouraging me and showing me how to be more positive.  He loves me unconditionally and will never give up on me despite my many faults.  He is one of my greatest blessings.  I love you Ron and am so glad God gave you to me.

Need to Hear This Today

Loving Jesus

When my children were both crying,

I held them in my arms.

I cuddled them and whispered

That I'd keep them safe from harm.

I told them how their Father saved them

With His perfect Lamb.

When I comforted my children,

I comforted I AM.

Later on that evening,

I put them in the bath.

I washed their little bodies

As they kicked around and splashed.

I dried them in soft towels

And put their jammies on.

When I had washed my children's feet,

I'd washed the Holy One.

I cooked and cleaned and rearranged,

Made beds and taught and played.

I made sure that we had food to eat

And that we often prayed.

I died to self.  I made a home

From ordinary things.

But when I served my children,

I served the King of Kings.

To some, I have done nothing,

But to two, I've done the world.

I made eternal difference

To my precious boy and girl,

And to the One who watches over

Every pathway that I've trod.

For when I've loved my precious children,

I've loved Almighty God.

 - Megan Breedlove (www.MannaForMoms.com)

I started my day early,

Before the room was light.

I lifted my son from his crib

And wished it was still night.

But as I held him close and said,

"Hi, Kenneth, precious one,"

I knew that as I greeted him,

I greeted too God's Son.

When my daughter woke up later,

Calling, "Mommy!  Mommy!  Down!"

I picked her up and hugged her

In her worn Elmo nightgown.

I know she felt the closeness

That a mother's touch affords.

I welcomed not just Ellie,

But so, too, the Lord of Lords.

That day, I mixed some formula

And opened jars of peas.

I fixed some "pizza butter" bread

When she grinned and said, "Pleeeeease."

I heated up some leftovers;

I had to nuke them twice.

And when I fed my children,

I was feeding Jesus Christ.

I made some funny faces,

And "played puzzles" on the floor.

I dressed kitties, ran around outside,

And played with them some more.

We laughed and jumped and tickled,

Making memories to be stored.

When I spent time with my children,

I spent time with my Lord.

I wiped up sticky cereal

And washed the dishes clean.

I straightened, picked up, put away,

And dusted in between.

I did six loads of laundry

And folded it like new.

When I cleaned for my children,

I cleaned for my Savior, too.

When my children were both crying,

I held them in my arms.

I cuddled them and whispered

That I'd keep them safe from harm.

I told them how their Father saved them

With His perfect Lamb.

When I comforted my children,

I comforted I AM.

Later on that evening,

I put them in the bath.

I washed their little bodies

As they kicked around and splashed.

I dried them in soft towels

And put their jammies on.

When I had washed my children's feet,

I'd washed the Holy One.

I cooked and cleaned and rearranged,

Made beds and taught and played.

I made sure that we had food to eat

And that we often prayed.

I died to self.  I made a home

From ordinary things.

But when I served my children,

I served the King of Kings.

To some, I have done nothing,

But to two, I've done the world.

I made eternal difference

To my precious boy and girl,

And to the One who watches over

Every pathway that I've trod.

For when I've loved my precious children,

I've loved Almighty God.

 - Megan Breedlove (www.MannaForMoms.com)

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 2012

October Fun

The season is changing and as we say goodbye to summer, we welcome cooler weather with open arms.  Sawyer is enjoying hayrides, pumpkin patches, apple picking and our first fire in our wood burning stove.  It's neat to see him in his little footed pajamas and Anna has been helping me come up with ideas for his little scarecrow costume.  What a difference between this year and last year....he really takes part in things now!  Anna and I bought them both 'trick or threat' buckets yesterday from Target and we all laugh out loud when he yells "TREAT!"  instead of "trick or treat".  I'll leave you with an awesome picture Ron took today at Muscoot Farm.

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

This past weekend we took a trip an hour north to the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.  My grandfather and dad  had taken me there several times when I was a kid and we wanted Anna to experience it.  Ron offered to stay home with the little man since he's not a friendly traveler (putting it mildly).  We enjoyed seeing planes and cars from the World War I and II era.  Anna's favorite part was when the threw toilet paper rolls out of the cockpit and then circled around to cut it with their propellers.  Here are some pictures of the day:

Uncle Ricky

This past Sunday, Ricky and Glara took Anna to NYC to the American Girl Doll store.  Anna had an amazing time and was treated to her first taxi ride, a rickshaw ride, pizza, candy, cupcakes and several items from the American Girl Doll store.  She came home very excited and can't wait to go back again!

2nd Grade

Oh the excitement!  2nd grade began today and Anna could. not. wait!  Up at 6:21...no need for any alarm clocks in this house!  New backpack, sneakers (did I mention they light up?), lunchbag, etc.....2nd grade, here we come!

History Repeats Itself

My dad sent me this picture last night with the following caption:

History really repeats, you at 7, Rick 1+, and Mom at 35.

Very true...

Growing Up

Anna celebrated her 7th birthday earlier this week and we enjoyed seeing family and friends for her special day.  She had been wanting Molly, one of the American Girl Dolls for a very long time and as you can see below, she was overjoyed to receive her!

We tried our hand at a rainbow birthday cake this year with cream cheese "cloud" frosting and were pretty happy with how it turned out.  

Here is a picture Ron took as the party was winding down.  I like looking at it as I see glimpses of what she will look like as a young woman.

Don't be fooled

Don't let this sweet, innocent picture of me fool you....I've made it my goal in life to drive my Mommy crazy! And guess what...it's working!

First Haircut!

And he did an awesome job, no tears....laughing and interested in what was going on.  I think it helped that we watched Elmo get a haircut before we went!

The Little Monkey

Aaahhhh, a post about Sawyer is in order.  The little monkey has been in the best of moods lately making us smile and laugh out loud.  We're not sure why he's been so happy but no one here is complaining about it.  Its so refreshing to walk into his bedroom each morning as his little head pops up and he says "Hug, Hug".  He's understanding so much lately, sitting down when asked so you can put his shoes on.  It's adorable to hear him say "Please" and "Thank-you".  Our favorite though is when he takes ordinary objects (usually food) and puts them on his head and says "Hat" in such a delightful little way.  He's so proud of himself too when he does this.  Quite the little monkey!