Monday, December 15, 2008

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Patience

Ever since Keagan was born Gavin has had to begin learning the meaning of patience. Just yesterday I found myself telling him that he was just going to have to be patient. He has recently started to ask the meaning of words that he doesn't understand so here he was asking me....."Mommy, what's patience?" or else he was whining...saying...."not patience....I don't like patience!!" So, trying to find the right words to explain, I simply told him that patience is waiting without complaining. It was my knee jerk response and I found myself wondering the actual definition of patience.

websters definition: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint.

Well, it struck me....when in my life have I ever waited without complaining. We all go through tough times, persevere, endure, struggle, and come out the other side. Sometimes, regardless of our attitude or behavior through these trials we can't change the circumstances. As I listen to Gavin whine while forced to wait for what he wants, I imagine how I must sound like to God sometimes. I try my best to give Gavin what he needs at the time that he needs it, so how much more should I trust God to give me what I need at the right time.

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."
Colossians 3:12 NLT

As a friend recently stated, it is thankful month, and I certainly have so much to be thankful for. So I want to choose to walk not only in thankfulness, but also with patience.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Life Lessons


I have been given the unbelievable gift of having traveled to many parts of our world. Through this I have had my eyes opened to so many things. Some beautiful and some not so beautiful. Experiencing other cultures, their traditions, their views, their struggles change you. It can make the world seem so immense and so small at the same time. I learned so many lessons about life as I walked alone in places so far from and so unfamiliar to home. In the last few years I haven't really thought about it much. Those lessons are in so many ways just a part of who I am now, how I view the world, and how I live my life. I don't have to think about it all the time, but it is a part of me forever. Lately, I have been pondering ways to pass these lessons on to my children. And more than just saying "eat your vegetables, there are starving children in Africa." I want my kids to value how intensely God loves each human life, to know that God has no borders, to be grateful for every little gift that they are given and to learn to be content with what they have, to have compassion and a heart of generosity, to find anger in their hearts at the injustices and indignities that one human imposes on another...and to then find the passion in their hearts to do something about it, to appreciate the beauty in differences of other people, to wonder at God's creation, to know that you can walk in God's presence in any place, circumstance or struggle. This is just a glimpse of what God spoke to me through my travels, and only the beginning of what I hope to pass on to my babies. I want to live intentionally before my children all that God has blessed me with.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Gavin and the Three Little Bears....


and some other little animals. Got to love little boys and their little friends......

Monday, September 22, 2008

STOP


Why can't my son stay 3 months for a year. Is that too much to ask?

Friday, September 12, 2008

Grandpa and the Beach

Well, on Tuesday, Gavin couldn't have been more excited to know that his Grandpa was coming to town. He kept asking all day, when was Grandpa going to get here.
On Wednesday, we were able to make our way to the beach on the Sound. Gavin was non-stop all day and full of sand by the time we headed home.


Digging and Digging in the sand
And of course, some snuggling time for Keagan.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Mr. Potato Head and Friends

Friendships are really what fill our life. They fill life with laughter....with fun....with great moments. They fill life with comfort....with safety....with courage. They help to fill us with hope...and help us to see through the tough times to the other side. I have been blessed in life with amazing friends. Friends far and away that I miss immensely. Friends near and dear that I treasure greatly.

Last week Gavin had a couple friends over....our sweet Kennedy and Madison. It was so much fun...I hope someday Gavin will look back and say......these are some of my lifetime friends....




Thursday, September 4, 2008

Monday, August 18, 2008

My Kidos

Gavin spending time in the garage with daddy....just breaking out in dance at random moments.

Of course, at this age they don't do much but make some noise...so here is one of this little guy and some of his usual noises.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Brothers





My Keagan was born June 24th, 7:57am, 7 lbs 9oz, and 19 inches long. He is now 12 days old and it feels like he has always been with us. Now when Gavin recites off the list of his little world it always includes Keagan. He loves his baby brother. I just love to see how tender and gentle he is with him. Yesterday Gavin came marching down the stairs and said "my baby brother is so cute" - LOVE IT! I pray all the time that through all their lives these brothers will be the closest of friends. Always be there for eachother.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Big Boy Bed

For a little over 2 weeks now, my little man has been sleeping in his big boy bed. For me, as a parent, with each of these milestones there is both a sense of victory, but also a sense of loss. He will never be my baby in his crib again. How I wish we could sometimes make time just go a little slower. Or maybe once in a while, we could just rewind, and go back to experience precious moments again.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Loving the Snow






Early last week we were surprised with a few beautiful days of snow. I had just mentioned to Aaron that I was bummed that Gavin didn't get to go sledding this year, or really get a good snow play day. This is what I love about Washington....we can get the fun out of a few snow days, but don't really have to put up woth the hastles of those long snowy winters.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Missing Bob





My father in law, Bob, was such a great man. I am missing him so much today. Of course, everyone has their own parts of Bob that they miss, as he was so many things to so many people. I think for me, as a mother, I miss most how he loved Gavin . His delight in Gavin's every milestone. He simple way of loving to just hold him. When I think of how much Gavin has changed in only a little over 2 months since Bob has been gone, it makes me sad to know how much Bob would enjoy him now.