Swamp

Swamp

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Planes, Trains, Automobiles...and Saddles?

When Charlie does Texas, he does Texas...we now have an official cowboy on our hands. 

As is his habit, he shamed us on all four flights by being an absolute angel and making Jason and me feel guilty for dreading them.  That said, the undying affection of Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Angie, Uncle Bill, and all their various puppies, combined with a 2 hour time change, handsfull of candy and Mommy & Daddy for 6 days straight did have an impact.  Charlie had his share of time outs and spankings on this trip, but hilariously enough his behavior always seemed to improve after using the bathroom...such a boy!

There is absolutely no way to sum up all the fun we had in a post, but all three of us were very sorry to say goodbye yesterday and we're already planning the our next trip to Old El Paso this summer and a family Thanksgiving at the beach in 2012.  We are so blessed!

Texas, here we come!

I wanna' be a cowboy...

...and Bella can be my cowgirl!

Working off the Turkey with Grandpa and Bella

You can never have too many sticks!


Mommy trying to straighten out the kink in her back
with some help from Charlie & Bella

Charlie's Turn 

All Aboooard!

Mom & Dad's mostly futile efforts to get a Christmas picture at White Sands

But even Grandma and Grandpa would rather be playing in the sand

And while sledding didn't turn out as we'd hoped...

it sure was fun...

Muffin Fun with Grandma

Some Dippy-bustin'


and cuddles with Mom.

Getting shiny-clean for new boots!

So he went with the lace-up ropers

Next stop, Santa! 

Naptime 

Time for Macaroni Pizza! 

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Delightful

Charlie and Mommy are rounding the Butternut bend with Charlie laughing and grinning in the backseat.

Mommy:  Charlie-bear, you are my delight.
Charlie: Noooo...I'm Daddy's delight.
Mommy: Well, buddy, you're my delight, too.  Do you know what "delight" means?
Charlie: Yes.
Mommy:  What does it mean?
Charlie: I don't know.
Mommy: It means you bring us amazing joy.
Charlie: Kind of like a hug?
Mommy: Yes, buddy, exactly like a hug.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

So thankful...

In the wake of a  fabulous evening of food and fun with our neighbors, Charlie and I were discussing thankfulness this morning over breakfast. 

To try to help him understand, I said, "Charlie, if God knocked on the door and you could see him, what are some of your favorite things that you'd thank him for?"

And he responded, "Ummm...the Christmas tree...ummmm the palm trees..."

As Charlie took another bite of his breakfast sandwich, I gave a few examples in an attempt to get something deeper, "Well, I would thank God for the Bible, because that's how He talks to us, and I would thank him for Daddy, because he's pretty awesome,"  Then smiling tenderly at my only son, "and I would thank him for you, because you're my heart."

Charlie paused and looked at me, "Can you let me chew?"

So much for poignancy on a Saturday morning...







Friday, November 18, 2011

For Jason...

                      The Echoes of Eden
               by Steven Curtis Chapman

What is it about a kiss that makes me feel like this?
What is it that makes my heart beat fast when I'm in your arms?
What is it about your touch that amazes me so much?
How is it that your sweet smile can get me through the hardest mile?
What's the magic in your eyes that brings the love in me alive?
What is it about this dance the sweetness of our romance
That makes me feel this way?

These are the echoes of Eden,
Reflections of what we were created for
Hints of the passion and freedom,
That waits on the other side of Heaven's door
These are the echoes of Eden.

How is it the sky turns gray anytime you're far away?
What is it that makes me sad anytime you're feeling bad?
What is it about this night the music and the candlelight
That makes me feel this way

These are the echoes of Eden,
Reflections of what we were created for
Hints of the passion and freedom,
That waits on the other side of Heaven's door
These are the echoes of Eden.

What is it about this night the music and the candlelight
That makes me feel this way?
These are the echoes of Eden,
Reflections of what we were created for
Hints of the passion and freedom,
That waits on the other side of Heaven's door
These are the echoes of Eden.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

"Behold, children are a gift from the Lord" - Psalm 127:3

Obviously I pray for Charlie, as do all Moms and Dads who trust in God for their salvation...but to be honest, sometimes my prayers aren't very focused, and often-times they don't go much beyond, "Lord, thank you sooo much!"

Recently though, at Corrisa's baby shower, our friend Jessica gave out the following list of daily prayers as the shower favor, and I have to say it's the very best shower favor I have ever received! 

These short, daily, Bible-based prayers help me to ask for all of the qualities that will help Charlie grow into the man God wants him to be, so I had to share...


Daily Prayers for our Children
1 - SALVATION - "Lord, 'let salvation spring up' within my children, that they 'may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.'" (Isaiah 45:8, II Timothy 2:10)
2 - GROWTH IN GRACE - "I pray that they may 'grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.'" (II Peter 3:18)
3 - LOVE - "Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to 'live a life of love,' through the Spirit who dwells in them." (Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22)
4 - HONESTY & INTEGRITY - "May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection." (Psalm 25:21)
5 - SELF-CONTROL - "Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be 'alert and self-controlled' in all they do." (I Thessalonians 5:6)
6 - A LOVE FOR GOD'S WORD - "May my children grow to find Your Word more 'precious than gold, than much pure gold; and sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb'" (Psalm 19:10)
7 - JUSTICE - "God, help my children to love justice as You do and to 'act justly' in all they do." (Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8)
8 - MERCY - "May my children always 'be merciful, just as their Father is merciful.'" (Luke 6:36, Micah 6:8)
9 - RESPECT - "Father, grant that my children may 'show proper respect to everyone,' as Your Word commands." (I Peter 2:17)
10 - STRONG BIBLICAL SELF-WORTH - "Help my children develop a strong self-worth that is rooted in the realization that they are 'God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.'" (Ephesians 2:10)
11 - FAITHFULNESS - "'Let love and faithfulness never leave [my children],' but bind these twin virtues around their necks and 'write them on the tablet of [their] heart[s].'" (Proverbs 3:3)
12 - COURAGE - "May my children always 'be strong and courageous' in their character and in their actions." (Deuteronomy 31:6)
13 - PURITY - "'Create in [them] a pure heart, O God,' and let their purity of heart be shown in their actions." (Psalm 51:10)
14 - KINDNESS - "Lord, may my children 'always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.'" (I Thessalonians 5:15)
15 - GENEROSITY - "Grant that my children may 'be generous and willing to share[and so]lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.'" (I Timothy 6:18-19)
16 - PEACE, PEACABILITY - "Father, let my children 'make every effort to do what leads to peace.'" (Romans 14:19)
17 - JOY - "May my children be filled 'with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.'" (I Thessalonians 1:6)
18 - PERSEVERANCE - "Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to 'run with perseverance the race marked out for [them].'" (Hebrews 12:1)
19 - HUMILITY - "God, please cultivate in my children the ability to 'show true humility toward all.'" (Titus 3:2)
20 - COMPASSION - "Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion." (Colossians 3:12)
21 - RESPONSIBILITY - "Grant that my children may learn responsibility, 'for each one should carry his own load.'" (Galatians 6:5)
22 - CONTENTMENT - "Father, teach my children 'the secret of being content in any and every situation...through Him who gives [them] strength.'" (Philippians 4;12-13)
23 - FAITH - "I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them." (Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40)
24 - A SERVANT HEART - "God, please help my children develop servants' hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, 'as to the Lord, and not to men.'" (Ephesians 6:7)
25 - HOPE - "'May the God of hope' grant that my children 'may overflow with hope [and hopefulness] by the power of the Holy Spirit.'" (Romans 15:13)
26 - A STRONG WORK ETHIC - "Teach my children, Lord, the value of work and to work hard at everything they do, 'as working for the Lord, not for men.'" (Colossians 3:23)
27 - A PASSION FOR GOD - "Lord, please instill in my children a soul that 'follows hard after You,' a heart that clings passionately to You." (Psalm 63:8)
28 - SELF-DISCIPLINE - "Father I pray that my children may develop self-discipline, that they may acquire 'a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.'" (Proverbs 1:3)
29 - PRAYERFULNESS - "Grant, Lord, that my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to 'pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.'" (Ephesians 6:18)
30 - A Grateful Heart - "Help my children to live lives that are always 'overflowing with thankfulness,' 'always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.'" (Colossians 2:7, Ephesians 5:20)
31 - A HEART FOR MISSIONS - "Lord, please help my children to develop a heart for missions, a desire to see Your 'glory [declared] among the nations,' Your 'marvelous deeds among all peoples.'" (Psalm 96:3)
"Behold, children are a gift from the Lord"  - Psalm 127:3

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner...

It's no secret that I love to read...some (for instance my husband) have even been known to suggest that I am a nerd, and I'm afraid I can't dispute it, so this story should come as no surprise.

Saturday morning Charlie and I made our regular trip to the library -- just in time to not incur fines -- in pursuit of a book about "chocolate".  Each visit he picks a topic, and we try to find at least one related book -- usually it's trucks or dogs or boys, fairly easy stuff, but this week he picked chocolate (a bit of Halloween influence, perhaps?).

Anyway, after selecting his other five books and having no luck finding anything about chocolate or candy (after all, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is still a bit advanced...at least until he's three...), I broke down and used the library computer system.  Now, I am a fairly computer literate person, but I just hate learning new software -- especially when I don't find it user-friendly and I'm responsible for the two year old running around pulling books off shelves, so I just went for the first non-cookbook I found.

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner sounded like a "Children's" book, but was in fact in the "Youth" section (who knew that even existed?!), so we actually had to use the call number and everything.  Our struggle was worth it though, because Charlie loved the cover -- and isn't that really the most important part?

So, after suffering our first library wound (paper cut with blood and everything), we headed out for a birthday party.  As we drove down Trolley Road I found myself amazed that Jason would rather spend his morning fishing in frigid 30 degree temperatures than corralling a 2 year old at the library -- clearly we are a well-balanced couple.

Anyway, a few hours later Charlie and I sat down to read A Chocolate Moose for Dinner, and as we paged through I found it extremely familiar...and then we turned to the undertoe page and it hit me -- I had checked this very same book out of the Johnson County Public Library some 30 years ago, for the very same reason -- it was about "chocolate"!  And not only that, the illustration of human toes sticking up in the surf still pops into my head whenever I hear someone mention an undertoe at the beach!

I really can't explain why this was so exciting for me...maybe because Charlie's and my minds think alike, maybe because he will have some of the same picture images in his head as I have in mine, maybe just because it made me feel young... I don't know, but it was quite the nerdy delight!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Trouble...

My contribution to this ensemble was the jeans...the rest is what Charlie deemed appropriate for Landon R's birthday party at Jump Indoors today...

His comment?  "Just like Mr. Jimmy"

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Just your average Tuesday...

So the day started off with Charlie learning to cross his fingers at the kitchen table.  He did it once on accident, then couldn't do it again.  For some reason, we discovered that if you spread your hand out in front of you and watch yourself cross them it works!  So, we now have a finger crossing expert...

Then on the way to school he launched into some story or other with, "Apparently..." To be honest, I have no idea what the story was about...I was too amused by his word choice.

Finally, (well I guess I shouldn't say finally, it's only 5:50), anyway then when I picked him up from school, rather than just hug his teachers goodbye, Charlie went around and hugged each and every one of his classmates -- at one point there was even a small line.

Just your average Tuesday...

Friday, November 4, 2011

Turn, turn, turn...

While logic, my education and life, itself, all tell me that as each day passes, we grow older and move forward, I have to admit I'm struggling with the concept -- and I'm not even talking about crows feet here.

My sweet baby boy is moving to a new class at daycare (not to mention the fact that he is adamant that he is "not a baby!").  As of Monday, Charlie will officially be in the "Older Twos". 

The worst part is, it's all my fault.  See, Charlie was actually 2 1/2 back in September, but the class was full.  Finally this week I went to the office and just asked if they knew when he might be moving up, so we could be prepared, and they realized that there is an opening and started transitioning him that day.

Needless to say, Miss Kita yelled at me when I got there for pick-up and Miss Brittany B. was sending me hate-texts...  Apparently we were all hoping to stop Charlie's aging process and keep him at a perfect 2.

Truly, I have nothing against the Older Twos teachers. In fact, I got to know Miss Chelsea and Miss Alisha a bit over the summer when the classes were combined, and really liked them, but...well...I'm just not ready!

Miss Brittany, Miss Brittany, Miss Kita and Miss Linda are like family to us, plus once Charlie is officially an "Older Two," I have to admit he is only months away from being Three! Three! I am so not ready for this...

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

I stand corrected...

Despite his willingness to tell anyone and everyone just how many firetrucks he drove and go on and on about the hose and the buttons, Charlie has assured me in no uncertain terms that his favorite part of Halloween was THE CANDY!

He had an absolute blast trick-or-treating last night with his friends Philip and Sammy...and it is definitely possible that we let him eat too much candy, as breakfast consisted of approximately one bite of bread.  Oh well -- if that's no the goal of Halloween, I don't know what is -- unless it's walking the neighborhood (or at least one block of it) to see all of our adorable neighbor friends dressed up in a myriad of creative disguises, then coming home, bullying Charlie off to bed, turning off the porch light and eating candy and napping to a Chiefs win!

Happy Halloween!

Charlie & His "Fire Dog" Philip

Trick or Treating with "Fire Dog" Beckham

Sorting the Stash

Response to "No More Candy"

Trying to Work the Pout

Pout Becoming Monkey Face when he starts laughing...