Wow!

I had a mountain (literally) of laundry to wash and dry and fold this morning. Gabe has a runny nose and is taking a very rare morning nap, so I decided to listen to one of David Platt's sermons while I worked. I looked through the list and choose this one. And I don't think it was an accident. It is so powerful and encouraging and exactly what I needed to hear today. God is good and faithful all the time.

Today's five

I'm thankful for...

1. Gabe's breathing is started to sound a lot better and I have peace that starting him on the daily preventative medicine will be what he needs.

2. Chocolate chip cookies

3. Grant's love of reading. He is flying through the Hank the Cowdog books right now in his spare time. I love that he enjoys reading so much that he still wants to do it after working on homework.

4. The Greek Festival is tomorrow. I've been looking forward to it for weeks.

5. A clean kitchen to wake up to in the morning.

My new favorite mug...

The lid on my trusty Saint's Coffee mug has gone bad, so it was time for a new travel mug. I'd been eyeing these ceramic ones for a while, but I was waiting until I really needed to replace my old one. Today was the day. I'm keeping my Saint's mug for home use (I just can't let it go), but this will be the new travel mug. I really do get sentimental about the strangest things.

Fingerpainting

Whew, we've had a lot of rain lately. I feel like I live in Forks minus the good looking vampires.


I don't really mind rainy days, but they sure hamper playing outside- which is Gabe's favorite thing to do. So, yesterday we did our first painting project.



He had so much fun. It was hilarious. He clapped and cheered for himself after every paint stroke. You can see the evidence of his clapping in the paint dots all over his face.





I had lots of fun, too. There is just something about experiencing simple things through the eyes of a child. It brings joy- pure and simple joy.

Here is his first masterpiece.



And here is my favorite picture...


Of course, after all the painting, came bath time.



And with bath time, comes belly button time. Oh how he loves his belly button.


Grant was disappointed that he missed the first finger painting session, so I have a feeling the paints will be coming out again soon.

The things I'm thankful for today.....

I haven't had a gratitude post in a while, haven't had any posts in a while, but after our Bible study discussion on Hannah and her gratefulness yesterday, I decided to take a little time to be thankful. So, I'm thankful for......


1. Some time away from facebook. As much as I love facebook (and I do love it), it can really eat away at my self-control. I'll plan to just sit there for a minute and read the news feed and walk away 30 minutes later (or 60 minutes sometimes.) Sunday God reminded me that I need to be spending my time more wisely. So, I'm taking some time off, I don't really know how long, but it's been good. My house is cleaner, I've spent more real time with the boys, I've connected with friends in a real life, face to face way and I'm finally not thinking in terms of what my next status update should be. :) It's been hard, but it's not killing me.

2. Friends who will email or call me when they see something on facebook, like Logan being born, that they think I need to know since they know I'm taking a break. That sure does make me feel loved. :)

3. The little baby turtle Rachel and I found at the park. It was so tiny and sweet. Gabe thought it was cool. And yes, that is turtle poop on my hand, but that's the price you pay for holding baby turtles.


4. Iced coffee from my own coffee pot.

5. My new Aaron Shust cd and the downloadable cd liner. The songs are great and I love having the story "behind the music."

6. Gabe's expanding vocabulary. He is trying out new words and sounds daily. Some of his newer ones are "Dordon" for Gordon, "bahbah" for Barney (yes, the big, purple dinosaur), eat, ear, eye, "na" for nose. He is putting few words together now, too. "Hi dada" "Out side" "All done" "Dordon out". I love hearing him try out his voice. He still signs quite a few words, too. My favorite signs are the ones he makes up. I feel like mom of the year when I figure one out and he gives me that sweet, silly smile.

7. Grant is enjoying soccer again. They had a tied game on Saturday. He ran hard, but really had fun.

8. Windsor pilates. They hurt, but they work.

Grant is 10!

We celebrated Grant's 10th birthday yesterday. It was a fun morning despite the fact that he was getting over a stomach bug.



Because of the bug, our menu for the day changed. Rather than the cupcakes we were going to eat from Edgars, Grant got a birthday cookie he wasn't quite up to eating for his candles.


Instead of going out to eat at his favorite restaurant, he ate this...


But he still had a great day. He still smiled a lot, especially when he found out that we would take the trip he really wanted for his milestone birthday.


He was showed lots of love by his friends with surprise treats and phone calls. When he went to bed he said, "I wish this day didn't have to end, it was really good, even with a stomach bug." Sure do love that kid. Happy Birthday, Grant!

Give momma a kiss...

That's what I asked for, this is the face he gave me as he leaned in to kiss me. Of course, I had to go get the camera and unbelievably he did it again.