Trip to Arkansas - Part One

Actually that title is deceiving, because our trip to Arkansas started with a trip to Houston to visit Gabe's brother Matt, his wife April, and their precious little girl - Sarabeth. She turned two on Sunday, Nov. 1st, so we were there to help celebrate her birthday. We spent the day with them and watched Sarabeth eat her alligator cake and open presents. That night we went to their church's fall festival. I am not one to go out and by expensive costumes for my kids (plus we don't celebrate Halloween and never go trick or treating) but I love for my kids to dress up. Childhood is just not complete without a good dose of dress up. So before leaving on our trip, the kids and I raided our dress up trunk and I let them come up with their own costumes from stuff we already had. Isaac chose his red super hero cape and face paint. He was "Captain of the Super Powers" with lightning bolts on his cheeks and green wrist bands painted on his arms. Julia dressed up as her own version of a very pinked up Tinker Bell. She enjoyed fluttering around with her wings. It was fun to see their own ideas and creativity come to life. The fall festival was fun and I am glad we got to enjoy that with Matt, April, and Sarabeth.

Sarabeth was a bumblebee! Isn't she absolutely adorable?!

That's all for Part One! I will post Part Two tomorrow - and yes we did actually make it to Arkansas. Stay tuned - more to come!

P.S. I thefted (is thefted a word? if not I just made it up!!) these pictures from April's facebook. :) hee hee! Our camera battery wasn't working while we were there.

Two Months

This post is just a wee bit late. Caleb turned two months old last Wednesday, the 4th. We were in Arkansas at the time so I didn't get pictures and this post put together until now. It always amazes me how fast time flies by. I can't believe it has already been two months. Caleb is doing fantastic and is such an absolute joy. He started sleeping through the night (9 to 10 hours) at 5 weeks old. It is kind of strange (but well appreciated) to have an infant that sleeps so well for naps and at night. The newborn stage with Caleb has been SO different than my past experiences. Not complaining though!!! Caleb has been smiling for a month now and is so very close to his first giggle. He just lights up when he sees someone he recognizes. He loves to be talked to and sung to. He will even start cooing along when you sing to him. Pretty darn cute! He also really loves to stick his tongue out. Almost every picture I have of him he is sticking his tongue out. Silly little boy! Just this past week he discovered his hands. I always think it is pretty funny when babies discover their hands... their eyes go wide in wonder at these fun little things attached to them. Caleb is fascinated with his hands and loves to suck on his knuckles. He also just started to reach and grasp for things. I know this is all mundane details for you but it never gets old for me. I am awed with my babies and how God created them. So just bare with me as I ooh and ahh over my lovely little guy. Happy 2 months my little Caleb Doodle!

Here is a comparison from last month to this month.....

Pappaw

Rejoicing that he is finally HOME, but missing him in the meantime. We love you Pappaw!

Child Labor

Don't get too carried away with that title..... it's just a joke. Starting this last couple of months Isaac and Julia have had their own set of chores to do each day. They have been doing things to help out around the house for awhile, but have not had daily chores until now. I know I should enjoy this age, because they actually want to help and most often (not always) are excited to do their chores. Isaac does things like gathering and taking out the trash, dusting, and feeding Oliver. Julia gets to clean the bathroom mirrors and sinks, dust, and also helps to feed Oliver.


The other day Isaac and I were talking about being humble and doing something for another person that they would rather not do. He asked me what my least favorite chore was..... without hesitation I answered "cleaning the toilet". Isaac immediately wanted to learn to clean the toilet. And who am I to stop him. I taught him the basics and he went to work. I must say he was mighty proud of himself, as was I. And to prove how much my children enjoy doing chores, last week when they were "soooo bored" of playing with their toys, I pulled the... "well if you are so bored I can find you something to do" - totally referring to putting them to work. My little plan backfired (or did it?) and they got excited to be put to work. Isaac went to sweep out the garage and Julia cleaned a toilet (she wanted to be just like big brother!!) I know one day I will only hear moans and groans with the mention of the word chores, so for now I am relishing every minute.


Gabe and I don't give our children an allowance for doing chores. We want them to help as part of this family without expecting to get paid for it. Doing things to keep our household in order is just what we do as a family. Everybody pitches in! On the flip side of that, we want our children to start learning from an early stage the value of money. So my question is, what do you do? Do you give an allowance for chores? How do you handle teaching your children about the value of work and the value of money?

Love Creek Orchards Pumpkin Patch

This was our 5th consecutive trip to Love Creek Orchards in Medina. Our first trip was when Isaac was a few months shy of turning 2 and I was a few months pregnant with Julia. Now here we are with Isaac nearing his 6th birthday, Julia is 3 1/2, and Caleb has joined our family. Lots of memories made at Love Creek.

Isaac's first trip to Love Creek

Oh, how he has grown!

The weather was gorgeous on Saturday. Little too windy and sunny for Caleb's liking, but for the rest of us it was quite pleasant. We enjoyed hay mazes, hay rides, pumpkin patches, ponies, petting zoo, music, picnics, pumpkin painting...... let's just say it was a fun filled day for all.

Julia's first trip to Love Creek

Oh, how she has grown!

We had to get the annual pumpkin pictures of the kids. Isaac and Julia hammed it up for the camera. Caleb, on the other hand, was not too fond of being laid out in the bright sun and blustery wind. He was none too happy about our pursuit of a cute pumpkin picture of our newest little pumpkin. Oh well, there is always next year!!!

Caleb's first trip to Love Creek

Here are some of the pictures from this years trip to Love Creek Orchards....

If you hover over the pictures, there are captions on some of them. Enjoy!

One on One Time

Just hanging out with Mommy .....

and Papa

Everyone needs a little one on one time!

6 Weeks and Very Blessed

Caleb is 6 weeks old today. It is at this point with each of my babies that I really count my blessings. Most Moms are going back to work, handing off their baby to a caregiver. Before Gabe and I were even engaged, we talked about our expectations and desires for when we had children. From the very beginning we both agreed wholeheartedly that I would not work , but instead stay home with our children. One of the best decisions we have ever made. It hasn't always been easy living on one income. In fact there were years when Gabe worked for a different school district that I wonder how we even made it. But I know how. God. He provides for all of our needs and then some. For years I barely had to buy clothes for the kids because we had so many hand-me-downs given to us. We are just now getting to the end of that supply and Isaac is almost 6 years old!!! We always had enough food to eat and enough money for the bills. It has been tight and probably always will be. We are comfortable knowing that we will never be rich or have a large excess of money. We are okay with that. The alternative for us is not worth it. I would give up all the riches of the world to spend my days with our children, loving on them and watching them grow, learn and change. They are my riches. And in my opinion, my riches far outweigh any amount of money.

So with all of that said, my baby is 6 weeks old today and I am blessed beyond measure to be at home holding him and loving on him. Caleb is growing very fast. He is smiling and cooing, sleeping through the night (3 nights now), and loves to look around at his world. He is becoming very observant and gets a kick out of his mobile. He recognizes our voices and turns to look at us when we talk to him. Isaac is still so fascinated with him. It warms my heart that Isaac is already so protective and loving towards him. Julia (when she takes time out from playing) is so sweet and gentle with Caleb. Such a little Mommy!! But I can see that Julia still needs to be Momma's "baby" sometimes. She needs me to hold and cuddle her too. But once she gets her fill, she is off to explore and play like a big girl.

I wonder sometimes what I did to deserve such beautiful and precious gifts. And of course the answer is... I did absolutely nothing to deserve them. They are gifts from God. Gifts that I cherish and thank God for everyday. Can you tell I love being Isaac, Julia, and Caleb's Mommy?!!!

Big Smiles

Proud Big Brother

Proud Big Sister

Oh and one last thing.....