Thursday, October 30, 2014

Halloween Fun - A look back

2014 marks Alex's 4th Halloween, 3rd that he's dressing up.

He is Thomas the Tank Engine this year.  He declared that back in the summer and stood firm in his decision

Here's a look back at the last 3 years of Halloween fun....looking forward to making more memories tomorrow and hopefully some wonderful pictures.

 
2011 - 1st Halloween - 2 1/2 months old



2012 - 2nd Halloween - 1st one Dressing Up - 14 1/2 months
 
Winnie the Pooh


 
 
2013 - 3rd Halloween - 2 years 2 months
 
Jake the Pirate from Jake & The Neverland Pirates
 
This was the first year he had any opinion on what he wanted to be.  He decided Jake months before Halloween and was the one to find it in the Halloween store (Mommy & Daddy couldn't find it!)
 
He insisted on the wig too, couldn't do Jake without his hair.  When the wind would blow, he'd grab it to keep it from blowing away.  He's a "go big or go home" kind of kid - just like his Daddy.
 
 




I can't wait for tomorrow to see him in all his Thomas the Tank Engine glory.  Happy Halloween!

Monday, August 11, 2014

Haircuts

8.9.2014

Alex,

You got your 3rd haircut of your LIFE today.  There was a little boy screaming like a banshee in the chair next to you - which freaked you out - but you didn't cry or act out - you just kept looking at him with a "what's wrong with him?" look.

One part of your haircut routine is that you always wants me to hold your hand, under the cape, while she cuts your hair (the clippers tickle you).  Since you know you have to sit still and can’t turn your head, I think it’s your little way of knowing I’m right there.  And it has to be me, Daddy is not good enough, it’s gotta be Mommy (which makes me feel so special / important / loved).

Thank you for being my little boy and for needing me for the big and little things.  I hope that you will always know that I will ALWAYS be there for you.  I love you peanut.  I can't believe you're going to be 3 years old in a week!



Wednesday, August 6, 2014

August 2014 - Update

It's been quite a while since I've posted anything on here, but it's a new month and I'm hoping to change that.

Life has been all kinds of crazy and hectic lately.  The good kind of busy filled with warm nights at the playground, walks around the neighborhood and weekends filled with celebrations and good quality time with friends.

The next celebration on the horizon is Alex's 3rd Birthday!!!  He is so EXCITED about his birthday this year - so much more aware of the whole situation.  He LOVES singing Happy Birthday at his friends parties - it's his absolute favorite part of the party - he practices singing it (inserting person's name into song) on the way there and eagerly awaits the time to belt it out!

I LOVE planning his party.  It's the only party I get to really do each year so I'm in my happy place deciding all the details (I'm a details person).  The party invitations are out, it took me months of trolling through Etsy and Pintrest to find on that matched the vision in my head.  I have all the decorations planned and goody bag contents decided - now just finding time to get it all done by the 16th!

Year 2 of Alex has been an amazing adventure.  I am daily amazed by the things that come out of his mouth - in a good way - the things, concepts, songs, memories that he recounts astound me.  He's such a little sponge.  I don't want to forget all that he is in this very moment (hence why I'm writing this down).  His love of books makes my heart sing.  I have always loved books, was an English major in college, enjoy writing (can you tell?).  Each night, after bath and pajamas, we read a book before bedtime.  When I finish reading the last page he responses.... "one  more  time" - pausing between each word for more emphasis.  This is followed by "please Mom, one  more  time".  So yes, we usually read the book at least twice that night - and I wouldn't have it any other way!

One last thing for today - I got the most exciting email - my person for 2014 Mug Swap!!!  It's an awesome annual tradition hosted by Cuppa Kim - www.acuppakim.com/ - this is my 1st year participating and I am so excited.  I can't wait to go pick out the mug for my person!!!

And because pictures are just plain fun, here are some recent ones of Alex in all his almost 3 year old glory:


Anna & Elsa from Frozen visited the "At The Movies" series at church


Checking out the 4 wheelers at the motorcycle store


Alex's Heaven - aka sandbox at Memom & Pop Pop's house

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Little hands

He was watching Mickey Mouse, standing next to me as I was sitting on the sofa. Out of nowhere he put his hand on my lap, patted my leg and rested his hand. His eyes never left the TV, in that moment he was just so happy to have Mama there with him, and in that moment I was so thankful for that chubby little hand asking be to stay a while. To be present in the moment, enjoy the weight of that little hand in my leg and marvel at this person my son has become. He's become my teacher, my hope, my reminder to enjoy the little things in life, my biggest fan, my little boy.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Back to School Season & A Walk Down Memory Lane


As many students head back to school this week and next, I think of my own school memories.  I don’t remember to many specifics about kindergarten or elementary school.  I remember enjoying it, the images of the school hallways and some of my childhood friends.  My years in middle school and high school are easier for me to remember.  I remember certain people, events, class projects and trips.  There are things that marked that time in my life.  A time when I was very uncertain of who I was.  When it came time to go to college I had great aspirations and dreams of what it would be.  These dreams collided with reality upon my arrival and the sheltered world I had grown up in was shattered.  My parents were older when they had me and my sister – older in the sense of my Dad was 44 and my Mom was 42.  This is not so uncommon today, but in the 1980’s it made for a very different upbringing. 

When I went away to college I was not stylish; I wore baggy clothes, my hair pulled back in the proverbial pony tail and didn’t know how to do makeup.  I had gone to private school my whole life in which you wore a uniform every single day.  I didn’t know what was “hip” or flattering.  At this point in my life, I didn’t put much stock in my appearance nor did I realize that the whole world was judging every detail of my physical appearance.  I had no real social skills and was oblivious to this fact as well.  My college experience was a culture shock.  I went to a liberal college after being in a private Christian school my whole life.  My roommate was so incredibly different from me that I had no idea how to relate to her.  My conservative Christian values did not mix well with her world view.  I had a “not in Kansas anymore” moment at least once a week.  Sometimes I wish that me that I am now, someone who knows who she is, what she stands for (you know, the older wiser version of 17 year old me) could go back and tell myself 2 things:

 
1.       Tell my 17 year old self that it gets better and that life is amazing at age 29 1/2 and that this experience is going to teach you more then you realize in of this moment.

 

2.       PRAY.  Pray for her.  That roommate.  The one that was an only child who had no concept of shared space.  Pray for the anger that seemed to rage inside her.  Pray for peace in the midst of conflict.  Pray for wisdom and guidance.   

 
Looking back now I realize there was serious spiritual warfare going on in that dorm room.  As much as I want to just hate her, for not being kind, for making such snap judgments of me, for not including me – I know that God allowed her to be in my life for that season for a purpose.  Perhaps to help me see the peace that he brings to my soul.  Perhaps it was to teach me about others, ones from different upbringings and that not everyone in the world is going to agree / like / understand you.

My entire experience at college was not all bad.   I learned a lot about people, personalities, myself – my sheltered world was shattered, but it allowed me to see what was out there.  To see the hurt that was in the world.  To help me understand more fully the mighty power and sovereign grace of God.  Through my darkest days there, He was with me.  He allowed me to walk through difficulties in life so that I may learn.  Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t learn or realize these things in and of any of the moments in that dorm.  In that dorm I was hurt and angry and confused.  Some days now when I think back to that time in my life I am still hurt and angry.  Things did not go the way they were “supposed” to.  My plans did not pan out.  Silly me, God’s plans are better than ANYTHING I could have every dreamed of.  Here I am now with a good job, a nice home, an amazing husband, an awesome son, friends and family who actually care about me, my day, my life.  I am surrounded by people who encourage me, lift me up in prayer, help me focus on God and what’s truly important.  For this, I say Thank You.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

PJ's & a Fedora Hat

7.30.2013

Alex,

You know what you want.

You want what you want.

You don't want what you don't want.

This decisive opinion about things is something that I think has always be intertwined into the fabric of your being. 

You specifically want your blue shoes, not your black ones. 

You want a particular car or train - not some random one - you search with purpose until you find the object of your desire and then beam a radiant smile upon finding it.

The other morning, you had one of these moments.  A hat on your head has become a standard part of your attire.  You have 4 baseball hats that we rotate depending on which somewhat matches what you are wearing.  You also have a collection of fedora style hats, but you haven't been into letting me put them on you when your dressed more "fancy".

This morning in particular, I brought your motorcycle hat up with me to get you up in the morning and dressed for the day.  Your love of bikes is great so I figured you would be happy.  I was wrong.  You weren't sad, but you were insistant that you were not wearing that hat today.  You were wearing the burlap fedora that has been sitting atop your dresser for months that you have refused (up until today) to entertain.  The tags were still on it from when I happily picked it up for you at Target months ago.

Once the tags were removed, I placed it on your head and you grinned.  You were the happiest little boy with your crab footed pajamas and your fedora hat.  I went with it.  It wasn't going to hurt anything and I've learned to choose my battles.  This wasn't worth fighting.

So here you are, in all your pajamas and fedora hat glory - happy as can be!






Wednesday, June 26, 2013