Heard in Our House tonight....

I was reading a devotion with Holden tonight...it was on a parents love...after a short story it asked the question,

"who loves you more than daddy and mommy?"

Holden: "Grandpa Rick!"

Too fun!

Today...

Today Tom lost his job...It wasn't a total shock, we sort of had warning, I know now that God was preparing us for this.  When we bought our house we had a few talks about what happens if you lose your job, will we lose the house...I wanted reassurance that that could never happen...of course there is no such thing...When we figured that Tom's job was coming to an end these thoughts came back...What if we lose our house?  What if our renters move out?  How will we pay our bills?  I prayed.

When Tom called me and told me he was on his way, early, as he was no longer employed...there was no panic, only calm.  truthfully, only a whisper, "OK God, lead the way", God filled me with peace and I felt a whisper of, "Nothing has changed, I am still the same.  My Kingdom remains, all can fall away"

Now I am not jumping for joy because we have no income, please don't read it that way.  But I know the job had to go, I know it was a good thing, and I trust God to go with us on this journey.

Holden and his books

Remember this?  Well Holden's love for books is still strong...when he gets a present he always thinks its a book, he wants to check the mail with me everyday just in case his magazine comes that day, and the day his magazine comes....we read that thing from cover to cover, at least 5 times!

We go to the library every 3 weeks, and each time we come out with 10-12 books for Holden...I have started asking him ahead of time what kind of books he wants to get so we can have a theme for the trip...I am amazed at what cool books we have found in the non-fiction section...this last time it was sea creatures, whales, sharks, polar bears...it was so fun and I am learning new things too...for instance did you know that hippos sweat a red substance that keeps them from getting sunburned?  me neither!

Just recently I took Holden to the bookstore for a date...OH.MY.GOODNESS!  He was in heaven...we were there to pick out a book for his preschool book exchange...He picked up a million books and wanted to read them/buy them for his friends at school...too cute!  He ended up picking out one of his favorites that we own...I saw a million I wanted to buy him but I restrained myself!  He also picked out a book for Daniel, so he could pretend to be Good Saint Nick and give him a present:-)  I can't explain how much fun I had just being there with him and watching his eyes light up with each book he chose...I love books myself so I am excited to see what adventures he goes on through his books...He currently loves the Magic School Bus series, which is so fun because it is science related and deals with real stuff in a fun way...again I am learning a lot while reading to him...

We read 2 stories at naptime, and 2 stories at bedtime...as well as plenty throughout the day...we are thinking of going down to one story at the bedtimes because he is starting to get into longer books and bedtime is taking over 30 minutes!

I love my son and I love that he loves books!

Big Brother is the best entertainment!

Seriously...Daniel can spend all kinds of time on the floor watching Holden...and lately when he is fussy I have Holden "act crazy"  and that gets Daniel belly laughing every time!  Holden loves the little guy and it is obvious the feeling is mutual...his face lights up when he see his big brother...and when Holden kisses him or nuzzles him he smiles and laughs....my hope is that they will be great friends always...

Preschool Christmas Show...

So...Holden's preschool had a Christmas show/party...They sang 4 songs...Holden told me he wasn't going to sing and he didn't...BUT he did do some hand movements...I guess that's a start...this from a boy who sings, plays his guitar, and sings worship all the time at home...NOT. ONE. WORD. came out of his mouth during the songs though...oh well.

I really didn't know what to expect of him...at first he didn't even want to go...then I wanted him to dress festive...this was a compromise...at least it was red;-)

 

 

His friend Sutter was really into it:-)  His mom and dad said he practiced at home...

 

 

At least he was happy:-)

 

 This was the BIG finish...I had heard about this...

 

 

 Ms. Wendy...I am not sure why he looks so sad...

 

 Ahhh there's the happy boy again...you don't suppose it has anything to do with decorating his own cookie do you?

 

 VERY meticulous about the candy placement...

 

His masterpiece... 

 

Yum!

Daniel found his feet!

What fun!  He still hasn't rolled from his back to his front...close but not quite...He is much more interested in trying to sit up:-)

We have also entered the grabby stage:-)  EVERYTHING now gets grabbed but his favorite is the arm of whoever is near by...he can find the smallest amount of skin and pinch it!  He also watches and grabs for our food...I am guessing he will be ready for food in a few months!

O' Christmas Tree

I feel like we have been decorating the tree for weeks!  Since we had such a big tree...we had to get more lights...and most of our ornaments are not the right scale...I didn't even put the first years ornaments on because they were so tiny I don't think you would see them...Our first year we got a living potted tree...it was small...In fact I think we used that one our second year too...Oh well...here are some new and old ornaments...

 

I bought these last year?  Or maybe the year before I thought Holden would like them...I was right...some look a little worse for wear due to his "liking" them but they are good for him to get one and off and they are real bells...a plus in his world:-)

 

This is a new addition to our tree, but it adorned my trees growing up for as long as I can remember...I had brought some ornaments back last year and this year they got put on:-)  They don't go with my red and white only theme but I decided this might be the year to start letting that go since I anticipated a handmade ornament from Holden made at preschool ...I'm happy I put these all on...I was reminded of my childhood looking at these:-)

 

Speaking of the preschool ornament...this is it...Now I must admit I was kind of dreading the preschool ornament...I mean it sounds terrible, but I just imagined something not so pretty...BUT Ms. Wendy and Ms. Danica strike again!  I ADORE this ornament...they took the kid's hands and made a hand print on the bottom of the ornament and turned the fingers into snowmen!  It is priceless!  LOVE it!

 

 

These snowflakes were a new purchase...they are felt...I love felt:-)  And they are big...so they worked with the scale of our tree best...And they are red with glitter:-)

 

 

Daniel loves to sit under the tree and admire the colors and lights...it's fun to watch the kids experience the decorations of the season:-)

 

 

LOVE to catch Holden admiring the tree...pulling ornaments on and off...having a good time:-)

 

Brothers...

Pictures...

So I have been trying to get the "first Christmas" ornament shot of Daniel and the "2009" shot of the brothers...It seems nearly impossible these days to get them both awake, in good moods and with good lighting!  Oh and Christmasy, or festively dressed...so since we were working on the tree I made an attempt...a SAD attempt...BUT I LOVE that Daniel is reaching up to big brother...his favorite person in the world right now...I have no idea what Holden is doing...

 

I wish the lighting of these had been better!

 

What ARE you doing mom?  I realized when I photographed Holden in the early days I was still using a flash (YUCK)  but apparently that thing popping up signaled him to smile...Daniel doesn't have that signal and getting a smile on camera proves hard...

 

AND this is when you know you are done...

Preschool Polar Express

Umm, so have I mentioned that Holden has the BEST preschool teacher?  Ms. Wendy is AWESOME!  I am so glad my friend talked me into transferring him into this class!  She takes pictures of the kiddos during preschool and hosts awesome preschool parties, and just for Christmas she set up a Polar Express day!

The kids came in their PJs and she had made them a ticket..."santa" had left each of them a bell under their seats, I mean come on!  And they had a hot chocolate and donut snack!  You would think Holden was in heaven! 

He was SO looking forward to it...

But OH my little guy...not sure if he is just so attached to routine or what...the day was overwhelming for him...first, he didn't want me to leave...then he had a moment where he "needed me"  luckily Ms. Wendy's lap makes a good second for mommy...he was fine when I picked him up, if they hadn't told me when I picked him up, I never would have known...

I am so thankful for Ms. Wendy and Ms. Danica!  They have made the transition to preschool pretty easy for my little guy...what fun!

Visit Down South

This holiday season we tried something new...I REALLY wanted to start having Christmas in my own house with my own agenda:-)  So we ended the every other year to different families tradition...But then what to do about Thanksgiving?  And I wanted to trek down south to see my family:-)  Tom said he would rather not travel on Thanksgiving...so we went the weekend after...Travel was smooth, we enjoyed the beautiful "winter" weather in the desert...AND we went to the Children's museum...which we have not heard the end of!  Lots of wanting to go back:-)

 The pizza parlor was a BIG hit...Holden loves pepperoni pizza and he has his own felt pizza at home that Tante Beth made him, so he is a pro...here he is asking what you would like on the pizza...

 

 creating his masterpiece:-)

 

 Oops!  Almost forgot the chef's hat!

 

Serving to grandpa, and having a little taste himself:-)

 

 Grandpa was interested in this...SO Holden had to check it out too...My dad is such the Architect:-)

 

Driving Daniel and Grandma around:-)  I believe he was being a crazy driver like Grandpa...

 

Rock climbing like daddy...What's that?  Where is daddy?  He is back at my parents in bed...Poor Tom, got sick and spent most of his vacation feeling yuck-o...

 

 Daniel was NOT impressed...

 

One of the great things about this museum is the outdoor area...they have rings, balls, sand, chalk, and more to play with:-)  Holden and I were chasing the hoops...

 

Daniel hung out with Grandma in the Peanut Shell...LOVE that she chose to wear him:-)

Daniel @ 4 months...

Mr. Daniel, you are 4 months now...today we had your appointment...

You now weigh in at 15lbs 13 oz...you are a whopping 27.25" long, and your head is above average too...you are our big boy...

Some things I hope I never forget about this stage are:

::The way you nurse with your arm over your eyes when you want to go to sleep::

::The times when you act like you want to eat, but instead it is obvious minutes in that you simply want to snuggle and be close::

::Your crazy laugh::

::your smile that is your whole face...its not the easiest to get but always well worth it!::

::Your crazy kicking!::

::The first time you reached for me when in someone else's arms::

::The way you pull me close, even when it is a little painful (your nails are sharp! and I am terrible about trimming them!)::

I love you...you are such a joy, I can't believe that I have been blessed with two such awesome boys!

Look at the previous post to see Holden at same age...

Then and Now

November 2006

December 2009

Daniel 4 months

My Daniel is 4 months today...WOW  it has gone by fast...He rolls over now...but not a lot...he would much rather sit up than lay, so he is upright a lot not giving a lot of time for rolling...he loves watching Holden do anything...it truly is the best entertainment!  The other night Holden was being his regular crazy self and Daniel was belly laughing while watching him:-)  And today I layed Daniel on the floor in Holden's room while I got ready and he was content to watch/listen to Holden go about cleaning his room...at one point I walked in and Holden was making a Daniel sandwich....He was laying on Daniel...and Daniel was smiling, crazy boy!    So I am sure they will be good friends;-P

Daniel loves to grab on to things!  He likes his toys, but especially LOVES grabbing onto his own head and ears, and mommy's neck!  And they all have the scratches to prove it!

Like his brother he is trying to get his first two teeth right now...and for him it means trouble sleeping during the day and night, and fussy times...I have a feeling we will earn every one of Daniel's teeth too! ugh...

I love my boys so much, and have a great time being their mom!  I am enjoying seeing who Daniel is becoming, and waiting to get a good glimpse of his personality...the jury is out on how much he looks like Holden...they have a lot of similarities and just as many differences...it's Fun!  I am sure there is more but that is all I have right now...I will update after his appointment next week!