Day 59: Rare Disease Day

We are blessed to know two wonderful kids with rare diseases, Abby (with CCMS) and Ryan (with Pitt-Hopkins). So in support of them and their families we all wore blue today! Blue is the color of choice for Rare Disease Day! I can't tell you much about their diseases but I can tell you that both of these kids are a major blessing in the lives of everyone they meet! We love you Abby and Ryan!

Day 58: Time with Daniel

It is such a blessing to have Daniel and Micah at school with me. Not many other working moms have this wonderful opportunity. Today while my class was in music I got D from the nursery while Micah was napping and we took a walk to my classroom (which he asks to do often and we don't always have time to do). I had the water table out since the theme of the week is "animals that live in water." He had a lot of fun playing and was sad when it was time to go back to his "classroom."

I do believe he is saying cheese in this picture.

Day 57: The Chair

It's not very grand and like all of our furniture it was given to us. But in this chair I get to rock my sweet babies. Many nights I let my mom rock Micah to sleep upstairs in her living room and in her chair but tonight I rocked him. There is no picture of that because Davey and I were "too busy" being with our children to take a picture of what was going on.

This is something I need to do more often. Every tender moment does not need to be captured on camera. In fact I am learning that though those tender or even fun moments with our children should be something to be cherished I do not need to rush and get my camera just so I can "get it on film." I need to just be there. And just enjoy. And let them enjoy. Don't get me wrong, I won't stop taking pictures all together because some things are just fun to capture in a picture or video. And it doesn't mean I will stop doing a picture a day. It's just something I've been thinking about. Am I missing out on something because I am trying to catch it in a picture or am I really there engaging with my kids like I should?

Day 56: Reading With Daddy

Reading with daddy in the evenings is becoming a tradition that I simply love to watch. They always read a few books then pray just before bed each night. 

My boys are blessed with a wonderfully loving father.

Day 55: Twin Cousins

Grandma tried all she could to get them to smile and this is all we got but they match! Such cutie pies!

Day 54: Beautiful Day

It was such a nice day out we decided to go for a walk after nap time.

My Boys!

Day 53: Not Yet Ours...

We brought our parents to see the house today! Thanks Cindy (and Chet)!  Though there is still the possibility that God could allow this all to fall through since all paperwork has not been signed and inspection hasn't been done, I am so excited about it. I honestly never saw myself living in a town house but this I can see. And in a weird way, I am also at peace with the possibility of it all falling out from underneath of us. It has happened so many times to us in regard to jobs for Davey that I am learning to better trust God and his sovereign plan over my wants and desires.

Here it is!

Day 52: 10 Month Old

This is few days late but Micah is 10 Months old! I try to take a picture each month on the quilt my grandmother made for him as a way to measure his growth. He did NOT want to cooperate tonight! He kept rolling over and we'd roll him back. After a few times he'd roll over to his knees and just wait for me to roll him back then laugh hysterically. He is such a goof! 

Day 51: Cousin Time

Tonight I had the privilege of watching two of my brother Tim's kids for a little while. At one point Daniel started watching Davey play Mario on the Wii and Charlie would come over and ask him to play with her and he would just look at her like "Can't you see a video game is on?" and she'd walk away head hung low saying sadly  "I guess he doesn't want to play with me..." Then 2 minutes later she'd walk back and ask him the same thing and get the same response.

 Heart. Broken. I'll play with you! The silly boy doesn't know what he's missing!

Day 50: What's this tasty treat?

Mikie found an apple...

I think he likes it. 

Thank you Daniel for leaving your half eaten apple on the floor.

Day 49: Offer Accepted!

Last week we saw a townhouse pop up on the market and decided to go take a look at it. When we walked in almost instantly we both thought, "this is the place." We put an offer on it on Thursday and last night (Monday) we heard from our awesome realtor who told us their counter offer which we accepted. We are so incredibly amazed at this blessing from the Lord and how quickly it all has happened. We are looking at April for settlement with the potential of it being a little earlier. God is good! This whole house hunting process is not for the faint of heart and it has been another lesson in waiting on the Lord. His timing truly is perfect and I am so excited to start this next "chapter" of our lives as homeowners. (For those who don't know, we have lived at my parent's house since we got married 3 years ago. They have been so gracious to us in letting us live there and we will be forever grateful to them for that!)

We're buying a house!

We just want to thank everyone who has been praying for us in this journey of house hunting. I know there were at least a few of you. When I get some pictures of the house I will post them! Until then, here is a picture of my adorable 2 year old wearing one of Davey's shirts.

He picked this shirt out and asked daddy to wear it.

Day 48:Stair Climber!

Look what Micah learned to do today! He was very proud and kept turning around to make sure I was watching. I love his look in the two pictures when he's facing the camera. It's like he's saying, ''I'm going up! Are you going to try and stop me?"

Day 47: My Heart Rejoices in the Lord

Today I stayed home from church with this sweet boy. He has a non-contagious eye infection but I didn't want to worry everyone by putting him in the nursery and he is way too wiggly to keep with me in the service. I was a bit sad to stay home yet another week from my church family as I feel like I have missed being there due to sickness quite a bit lately. In staying home, however, I was blessed with the unique opportunity to read God's Word nearly uninterrupted for a few hours! (Thankfully Micah still takes a morning nap and is pretty content playing and exploring by himself when he is awake...especially when Daniel isn't here to take his toys from him!)

In January I began reading through the bible using a plan that is meant to take you through in 90 days (www.bible.com )but am because I am a slow reader I plan to cut the readings in half and do it in 6 months. This week I got a little behind due to my usual reading time not going as I planned. So I was able to catch up today and read even more than I needed to "catch up." Though it is still early on in my read through the bible (the 2nd time I've done this though the 1st time in such a short time span) I am being so blessed by my readings. So many dismiss the Old Testament as not important but I am learning so much about my God who never changes. It is incredible. I heartily recommend to any follower of Christ to read through the bible. If you can find 30 minutes in your day (or evening after the kids have gone to bed) you can read through the bible in 90 days (or in 6 months if your a slow reader like me!)

Here is a passage I was encouraged by today- It is the joyful prayer of a women who was blessed by the gracious hand of God when He gave her the son she had prayed for. If only I prayed more like this!

1 Samuel 2 

Hannah prayed:

My heart rejoices in the Lord;
my horn is lifted up by the Lord.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
because I rejoice in Your salvation.
2 There is no one holy like the Lord.
There is no one besides You!
And there is no rock like our God.
3 Do not boast so proudly,
or let arrogant words come out of your mouth,
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and actions are weighed by Him.
4 The bows of the warriors are broken,
but the feeble are clothed with strength.
5 Those who are full hire themselves out for food,
but those who are starving hunger no more.
The woman who is childless gives birth to seven,
but the woman with many sons pines away.
6 The Lord brings death and gives life;
He sends some to Sheol, and He raises others up.
7 The Lord brings poverty and gives wealth;
He humbles and He exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the garbage pile.
He seats them with noblemen
and gives them a throne of honor.[a]
For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
He has set the world on them.
9 He guards the steps[b] of His faithful ones,
but the wicked perish in darkness,
for a man does not prevail by his own strength.
10 Those who oppose the Lord will be shattered;[c]
He will thunder in the heavens against them.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth.
He will give power to His king;
He will lift up the horn of His anointed.

Day 46: SOUP!

Today after getting back from a baby shower I got busy cooking. I made some baby food for Mikie and broccoli cheddar soup for all of us! I found this super easy recipe on Pinterest and it has quickly become a family favorite. Every time I have made it, I've done a double batch so I can freeze the extra's for a quick and easy dinner in the future. Making it is SO much easier now that I have an immersion blender (my new favorite appliance). Instead of making a mess trying to blend it in batches, I can just pull that baby out and blend away! So Fun!

Day 45: Icy Valentine's Day

I mean, Happy Valentine's Day!

My valentine shoveling an inch thick of ice off our 100 foot driveway before going to work this morning. No worries, he has gloves on so his hands won't be cold.

Day 44: Early Morning Daniel

Supposedly there exists, in the early hours of the morning, a calm, cuddly 2 year old boy. For some unknown reason this boy disappears as soon as his mommy gets up every morning. Davey tells me he is real but I don't believe him. So, this morning he took a picture for me.

Day 43: I Don't Think So!

How DARE you put me down!? 

Day 42:Tunnel Time!

In an effort to make after school time a bit more active for my very active 2 year old, I pulled out and dusted off his tunnel. We jumped across pillows on the floor and crawled through the tunnel like an obstacle course. The game ended when he realized I wasn't going through and he wouldn't do it anymore unless I did. Sorry buddy, not today!

Day 41: 1st Hair Cut!

Davey gave Micah his 1st hair cut tonight! It was getting rather scraggly and needed to be done but I can't believe we are already at this point. He is getting so big!

Day 40: Why My Son Cries

I have seen these posts of the silly things 2 year olds cry over floating around the internet and just had to share this. 

My son cries because he asked to watch Cars and I turned it on for him.

It's tough being 2!

Day 39: A Full Day

Today my lovely sister-in-law Abby came to visit from PA for the day. Davey was gone at a bible quiz rally and Micah and I took a trip to urgent care. I'd say today was sufficiently full!

Daniel was SO excited to have Aunt Abby come visit. If he could keep her from ever leaving I am sure he would! He wore himself out entertaining her all day!

At Urgent Care waiting for the doctor

I thought Micah might still be suffering from an ear infection even though he finished his antibiotics a week ago. So, during Daniel's nap time I took Micah to Urgent Care. It turns out he is pulling at his ear because it most likely itches from the infection healing and the fussiness is due to his cold and teeth coming in. I didn't really need an Urgent Care visit to know his teeth and cold were bothering him but it is a relief to know his infection is gone. It's always nice to be sure!

Day 38: It's Picture Time

I pulled out my camera late this evening after realizing I hadn't taken any pictures today. Daniel saw me with it, grabbed Micah and said "Come here Micah, it's picture time!" So there you have it!

Day 37: Sweet Treat

Daniel has decided his new favorite snack is MY yogurt. So, after dinner tonight Davey let him have some since he ate all of his spaghetti. He put some on Daniel's nose which D got quite a kick out of! He kept saying "Daddy did it!"

Day 36: It's Wednesday

Someone fell asleep on the floor before we even left for school this morning. Clearly he wasn't ready to be up.

Day 35: Doctor Dan

Davey isn't feeling well now so Daniel was being his doctor. He was using things from his tool box and his doctor kit to "help daddy feel better." Though, something tells me that hammering his belly isn't going to help all that much but what do I know?

Day 34: Pearly Whites

Micah has been cutting all 4 top front teeth at once. I think he likes the feel of them now that they've come through because he keeps sticking his tongue out like this and rubbing it against them.

Too. Cute.

I am so very thankful today that Micah's run with the stomach bug (started last night) didn't last long at all and he was eating like a champ by the end of the day! YAY! Praise the Lord!

Day 33: Grandpa's Boots

Why watch the Superbowl when you can walk around in Grandpa's boots? 

Love this boy.

Day 32: Joshua Richard!

We are finally free of sickness (knock on wood) so today we brought lunch up to my brother and his wife and got to meet sweet little Joshua Richard. Here are a few pictures.

adorable.

Daniel giving him kisses

Micah flirting with Aunt Annie

And the boys got a little wrestle time with Uncle Chris