Carson's 3rd Birthday!--April 24th

 Carson had looked forward to this birthday for a LONG time and it was fun hearing his ideas of what he wanted for birthday food. We picked the hotdogs but he wanted strawberries and chocolate syrup on his cake! He told us this many times! He also wanted chocolate milk for his birthday dinner.

 Legos!!!!!! What better thing besides some type of toy weapon, of course!

 Uhh, Safeway messed up our smaller cake order and so I decorated half this cake for his birthday with strawberries and chocolate syrup just as requested. The moment to remember of this birthday was Carson and I sitting at the table. His birthday cake was already on the table and everyone in the room is busy doing things and Carson says to me with all the noise of busy people in the background . . . he sweetly said "You sing Happy Birthday to me, Mommy?" It melted my heart and my parents who heard it too.

 Big Brother has to assemble the Lego fire engine!

 Planting a rose bush with Grandpa J and Daddy.

Grandpa had to take pictures of Carson and the strawberries he made sure we 

knew he wanted

on his birthday cake! Thought I'd get a picture too.

Jedidiah at 1 month and about 1 week

 We LOVE that double chin!

He looks like a little man!

Toooo Cute! They change so fast. These pictures were taken about 1 1/2 weeks ago and he probably looks different already!

Memories

Preface to story: "Ooo-Row" means Gabriel. Before Carson could say Gabriel he would call him "Ooo-row" now sometimes Carson and Ross call him "Ooo-row" when they feel like it. I guess it is nick name now that they use occasionally.
The other day Gabriel was making Carnation Instant Breakfast for a snack and Carson wanted him to make some for him too so Gabriel made some for him. Gabriel likes to microwave it and make it warm. While Gabriel and Carson were waiting by the microwave for Carson's drink to come out Carson was tapping his foot and said "Nice time Ooo-Row!" As if to say this is a great time with my brother.

Another thing I want to remember is I noticed that in the morning when Gabriel would put something in the microwave he would run and dive on the couch and get in a fetal position with his arms around his head. He likes to pretend that the microwave is a grenade and he has to dive on the couch and cover his head before the grenade goes off. Boy for you.

Ross told me the other day that he tries to be like Gabriel and that is why he has been telling more jokes. In the same conversation I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up and he said "what Gabriel is going to be." When my parents were visiting my dad, Gabriel, and Ross where doing a game and I kept hearing Ross tell Grandpa that "Gabriel is a genius". The boys fight like brothers do but it is fun to see that they love each other.

Ross and Carson are hilarious to watch. Well, maybe I should say at times they are funny to watch. Yesterday they were a major trial and tribulation to each other and at the next moment they were laughing and screaming happily running and playing together. Tooo funny.  I guess that is what is meant by the "best and worst of friends".

Annalina was putting on Jedidiah's clothes the other day and she was talking to him as she was working . . . she said "I love life lessons and I need to learn how to dress a baby." (Interesting since I never remember saying or using those words). Jedidiah was crying pretty good since he is not crazy about having his clothes changed and I watched her and she said to him "Do you need a break?" and she picked him up and put him on her shoulder to calm before she finished clothing him. It worked and he became calm and happy for the rest of the clothing. What a good big Sis.

Mother's Day

My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.
Mark Twain

I love this quote. I want my kids to grow up knowing I enjoyed the journey of their childhood. That despite all the hard things that come with being a mother that I enjoyed being a mother to them. I am thankful this Mother's Day for the life I live. Never in my best dreams could I have dreamed of the husband and children I have. With homeschooling days can be really stressful with an infant wanting to eat NOW, a toddler that pottied in his pants, a daughter who day dreams and wants to "watch the butterflies", a 5 year old who really has no desire to do school and would rather wrestle with his brother, and an almost 10 year old that needs help on a hard math problem. I feel like I'm at best treading water some days. I need to improve on time management (I could sit and hold my baby all day. I love it) and not sweating the small stuff but there is always something to work on and that is what I tell the kids. I love my life. I am finding I enjoy motherhood more with each passing year but with each year also comes new hardships and challenges. I'm thankful for prayer that I can ask for wisdom and pray for the future of my kids because they and their daddy mean the world to me. I'm thankful for godly parents that I can ask advice of and receive godly wisdom and instruction.

My Prayer

God please help me grow as a mommy and wife this year . . . may I be more selfless, more patient, more longsuffering, and better in managing my time. I have SOOOO much to learn but I know with you all things are possible. Help me not to expect perfection from myself or my children but help me live in your grace and wisdom and show that grace and teach your wisdom to my children. Thank you for loving me and blessing me with the life I have. In Jesus Name AMEN.

More Carson Cuteness

The other night Carson was saying goodnight to Jedidiah and was saying "Good night Jedidiah see you in the morning!" Then he said "Good night, see you when the cows come home!"

Also, the other night Carson asked if he could have some of his birthday cake so I told him he could have a "small piece" and I sent Gabriel off to cut it for him. Gabriel came to me and said when they were sitting at the table Carson said to him "I eat my small birthday cake with my friends" and he pointed to Gabriel. Gabriel thought that was great!

Grandma and Grandpa Visit!

So good to have Grandma and Grandpa here!

Grandma Johnson holding Jedidiah for the first time.

Ross looking like a European school boy in Grandpa J's hat!

Grandpa J taking in Jedidiah.

Annalina wearing a dress Grandpa J got her in Malaysia or Indonesia! She didn't want to take it off and wore it for days.

Peter Rabbit Puppet Show for Grandma and Grandpa! This was Peter Rabbit like you have never seen before!

 Babe worked on this little room for the kids. The interior is completely chalkboard paint and most of it also have magnetic primer. We had some guys come and split the door so they can do puppet shows or close the top and open the bottom door and have a cave, etc!

Weekend Fun

A couple of weekends ago we decided to take a walk in the Garden of the gods park. It is a BEAUTIFUL park fairly near our house. It was a typical perfect Colorado day! The kids really enjoyed climbing around and exploring. Babe and I enjoyed the scenery and fresh air. Have I said "I LOVE COLORADO!?" "I LOVE COLORADO!" Thankful to be here.

We are incredibly strong!