Snow Days

We went to my sister's for Christmas and we had snow! It was Miles' and Gavin's first experience with snow. It was so much fun. Miles loved it! We bought a tube and hit the hills(really it was the golf course behind their house). We got so many great photos I decided to post the snow photos first and later I will post Christmas photos. It was so relaxing to get away and to be with our family over Christmas. I thought we would freeze, but it was just so nice to have a change in weather that it didn't bother us that much. Truthfully, I loved being in the cold weather.


Here I come!
Gerald and Miles tubing down the hill.
Miles first snow angel.
Miles loved riding in his tube.
Gavin doesn't know what is going on!! He's use to shorts and t-shirts.

We leave tomorrow to head to Kansas to spend Christmas with my family. We will be staying at my sister's house. We will be going from temperatures of around 80 to the 30's. We are going to freeze!! I can't wait though. One weird thing about living in FL is wearing shorts and flip flops while you decorate your Christmas tree. I will be glad to have more of a "normal" Christmas this year. I am a little bit of a traditional person so I would prefer to be freezing over Christmas. Call me crazy. We also just spent a few weeks celebrating birthday's in our house. Miles turned three and I turned 30. 30 is, in fact, the new 20 so I am safe for another 10 years or so. At least that is what I am telling myself. Gerald just turned 31 and Gavin is about to have his first birthday in January. Anyhow, below are a few random photos.

I don't want to take a photo right now.
Okay, just take the photo.



Miles is playing at the park with his friend Drew.
Hanging out at the park.

Thanks Aunt Carla. I love my gift!!
Who needs toys when you can shred tissues?

Miles turns three!

Miles had a Bob the Builder birthday party last Saturday. His birthday is actually today, but we had to do the party early. I can not believe he is three. He is such a blessing to our lives each day. It is amazing to me to see how much he has grown over the years. When Miles was a little over one I wondered if he would ever talk. Now, most days, I wonder if he will ever stop. He starts talking the second he wakes up and he doesn't stop until he is asleep. Even then(I found out after having him sleep in my room in GA) he doesn't stop. He talks in his sleep!! I think he gets that from his dad(HA). Miles also loves music. He sings all the time. I often wonder where it will take him. Below are some photos of his party. He had about 6 of his little friends over and my mom was in town as well. Miles was so excited. He woke up at seven that morning and began asking for his friends. He had a great time at his party.

Miles and his friend Lexi. They go to church and Mom's Day Out together.
Gavin enjoying Miles birthday party.


What's a party without a little pinata with candy?

Miles and his friends are eating lunch in this photo. They are all so grown up.


I asked Miles what he wanted at his birthday party and he requested "the blow things". This is him trying to blow the noise maker.

We drove home to my mom's for Thanksgiving. It was good to be home! I loved being in the cooler weather and being able to experience a change in scenery. The drive, not so much fun, but worth it to see loved one's. I got to see some of my best friends and my sister flew in for a couple of days. Overall, it was a great trip. Below are a few photos.

A stay at home mom.

I can't tell you how many times people ask me what I do in as a stay at home mom(grant it most people that ask this don't have kids yet). Today I thought I would give all of you that ask a glimpse. This morning I woke up and got the kids breakfast and sat for a few minutes to enjoy some coffee and to try to a glimpse of the news. As a stay at home mom this is your connection or maybe reminder that there is a world outside of your home. Then, I came up stairs to get ready for the day. Miles wanted a snack so we sat down for a snack then I thought I would make banana bread. Miles wanted to color. I got out his art supplies and then I went to the kitchen to start my project. The phone rings as I am talking on it I look up to see Miles empty globs of finger pant onto the paper(not coloring). I get that taken care of and then I am off to make my bread. Gavin wakes up. I go and get him. The phone rings. Okay, back to the bread. Gavin needs lunch. I finally finish the bread get lunch together and then I decide to clean the floors. I get the kids occupied and get busy. Finish that and the buzzer for the bread goes off. As I go to the kitchen to get it Gavin spills my drink. My fault for leaving it out of course. Then it is close to nap time. I decide to let the kids play for a minute while I check my email. Someone falls and I hear crying. Okay, time for nap-no more emails. I go to get new batteries for the swing and Miles says he has to go to the bathroom. Back to the batteries. FINALLY nap time. The most glorious time of the day. I am so excited I have so many things I want to do and so many things I should do. Laundry is calling my name, but what I want to do during this precious time of the day is nothing. Maybe have a complete thought that is not interrupted five times or complete a task. It is only 2p.m. and this is a glimpse of a day in the life of a stay at home mom. What do I do? A little bit of everything and nothing all at once. At the end of the day the laundry will not be done, the house will not be perfect, and I will be exhausted, but I am so thankful that I am able to stay at home. It is a gift and even though some days are mundane and uneventful or maybe too eventful I really wouldn't trade it for anything.

Halloween

We took the boys to a fall festival at our church. There were blow up games, games to win candy (Miles enjoyed the prize of the candy!), and other carnival type activities. Just like Disney, this atmosphere was a little overwhelming to him. He had a good time, but typically enjoys an environment that does not have too many things going on at one time. Miles is very sensitive to loud noises and apparently people dressed in costumes. I am sure he will grow out of this..........I hope. Gavin, on the other hand, just enjoys looking at everything at this point. He is still content to just hang in the stroller. I do know that this will not last much longer. Every day he is getting more and more active!

Disney World

My sister was going to Orlando for a business trip so we thought we would meet her there and take the kids to Magic Kingdom. It sounded like a good idea at the time. Miles was so excited about going to "mickey mouse's clubhouse". That is until we got there. I think the whole deal was a little too much for him. Miles is the kind of kid that likes to take things in and he is reserved in new environments. I thought that he would just love going despite that because it was Disney World. What's not to love, right? He was scared by all the loud noises and the character's. I guess when you are almost three they look huge and a little scary. He did, in his own way, enjoy parts of it(at least that is what I am telling myself after having spent the money to take him!). His favorite part was the parade and It's a Small World. Anyhow, lesson learned. We will return when he is much older! As for Gavin, he loved it. Maybe he isn't old enough to be scared yet or maybe he will be more adventurous. Who knows, time will tell. We did have fun visiting with Carla.

So tired! Will someone let me sleep.

Miles is exploring Mickey Mouse's House. He can't wait to meet him...........he thinks.
He's bigger than I thought he would be!!



Gavin watching the race cars go by. He loved all the activity unlike his big brother!
Miles stood away from Pooh, but still was scared of him. Poor little guy!
Miles braved the Dumbo ride with dad.
Miles enjoyed riding the carousel with his his Aunt Carla and mommy.

Growing and on the Move

Gavin is on the move. He has been doing an army crawl for about two months. Now, he has graduated to a full "normal" crawl. He is pulling up and trying to keep up with his brother.

While I was posting this blog I received a phone call from my very best friend, Chanda. Her dad has been diagnosed with cancer. It is in his lung, spleen, and in the pelvic region. Chanda and I grew up at each other's houses. We went on vacations together and for all practical purposes her home was my second home. My heart is broken for their family right now. For me, this situation is close to my heart as I lost my dad almost 2 years ago. Please pray for their family. I was all prepared to do an update on my own, but I just couldn't find the words in light of the news. I must say at this present moment my family is blessed to be healthy. Every day that we wake up in health is a day of blessing. Today I am reminded of this truth even more.

Reflections

This semester I am taking a precepts class by Kay Author. It is an intensive study of some of the old testament. We have studied 2 Kings, Obadiah, and Joel. I have attempted to study parts of the old testament before and would end up feeling ignorant and discouraged. This experience began the same way, but is ending up completely different. God has opened my eyes to see his word and the old testament in a new way.

1 Peter 4:17 says "For it is time for judgement to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" All through the old testament we see examples of God's people turning from the Lord. God, being the merciful God that he is, gives his people chance after chance to repent. When his people continue to ignore God he eventually pours out judgement or curses on them. Are we so different today? Are we spared judgement? No, 1 Peter 4:7 makes that clear. It is a matter of time. If we continue in disobedience towards God we will experience his judgement. I have wondered many times before taking this study how the old testament relates to me today. I have found it to be completely relevant. I am learning to have a new respect and fear of the Lord. As for myself, I have been thinking of God's blessings in my life and about his judgement. The Lord, ever so clearly, reminded me today that he is a holy God and his word says in 1 Thessalonians 4:7 "For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life." In my own life there are things that grieve the heart of the Lord that are just everyday events for me. Sometimes it is the things I may laugh at, the tv shows I watch(which I so fondly dubbed "guilty pleasures"), my shopping addiction, or my lack of patience with my 2 year old. You get my drift. It is so easy to look at the world around us and to think I'm doing okay. Revelation 3: 15-16 says" I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." The Lord desires more than us being "okay" or the status quo. He desires us to be holy. To live lives that that honor Christ and point people to him.

Gavin is growing so fast. He will be 9 months on Monday. I think I am getting really sentimental with the kids. Gavin pulled up for the first time this week in his crib then he did it again at our friends house last night. He has been doing an army crawl for about 2 months and yesterday he crawled traditionally for the first time. Lots of first in our house lately. We took Miles for his first go kart ride and he loved it. We are working to spend more time doing kid friendly activities on Gerald's day off. We have been having a lot of fun together. One great thing about living in Fort Myers is all the things they have around here to do with the kids. Every weekend we are seeking out new places to go. We are trying to take advantage of the "kids getting in for free under 3" because Miles will 3 in 2 months. I have to admit I am liking living here more and more. Most of you know it has been a bit of a struggle for me, but over the past few months I have made more connections with people here. It has truly been a blessing!