Phonics worked for me....

Today we were having lunch with a dear friend and her daughter. After lunch Shiloh elected to color. She was sitting at the small kids table, and I still at the dinner table. She looks at me and says "Mommy will you show me how to draw a B, I want to spell peach." I informed her peach did not have a b in it, but beach did, and we could try and spell that. She thinks she's so big!

3 AM Visitor

I'm sure you could probably make an educated guess as to who this might be, but incase your not privy to Hosea's escape tactics, it's our sweet 2 year old little boy. I'll give some background.....he has had the physical ability to escape from the pack-n-play since Sept. 2009 (his first offense). He waited about 2 months in November to start doing it consistently, as it has become his bed for our temporary stay here in NB. I'll attach a old video so you can view the mastered skill. Since then we've allowed him the choice to sleep in his crib or in his tent, he bounces back and forth between the two for a preferred resting place. Regardless where we put him to bed, he has the ability to let himself out, he is often the alarm clock at 6am pitter patter across the kitchen floor and a stop in our room to report, "mommy out" "play cars", and he's off. More often than not, this is how the day begins. Well 2 nights ago I think he was testing his nocturnal habits, as he stopped by our room for a visit at 3:00am, 3:15am, and 3:30 am, all of which we promptly put him back to bed. I'm not sure what he is up to on his late night wonderings, but I'm guessing it involves cars. It's not his first middle of the morning adventures, and probably won't be his last, but hey at least he reports in.

That's my girl!

This picture just oozes Shiloh, and I love it!!

ROARRRRRRRRRR!

The other day Hosea was acting like he was 2, go figure. Mike would say anything to him and he would reply with "no". It wasn't an obedince issue, so Mike started playing around asking things like...."do you like candy?"....."no"......"do you like cake?"........ no.......... after a series of several "no's" mike asked.................. "Hosea are you a dinosaur?" We rein-acted his response on this video. We got a kick out of it.

It's a........

little girl, no a princess, no a ballerina, it's a ............................ fish!

Shiloh has come so far in overcoming her fear of going under water that I have to take a moment to bask in the joy it makes me feel. For some background she has always been a little uneasy in the pool, the bath was another story, I think from the feeling of no control the pool renders. Last summer she finally worked up the courage to put her head under on her own, and on her own terms. I was proud of her for the step in the right direction. This past fall and winter Mike and I made a tough decision to enroll her in swim lessons. It was tough b/c we knew it would stretch Shiloh out of her comfort zone, and in all likely hood would not be enjoyable for her a least at first. The instructor we knew was a "tough love" kind of woman, and has low tolerance for crying, but has successfully taught many how to swim, she was highly recommended. So we did it knowing that sometimes things that are good for us to do are not always easy. Shiloh ended up doing 2 sessions, the 2nd one by choice, and the result has been amazing, she now enjoys trying to swim, and is close to getting the hang of it. We've been to the pool as a family twice this week and she asks to "swim to the rope" and "swim to the wall" she goes back and forth as long as we will allow her, usually until we see blue lips. Here is an example of her "swimming to the wall". Again a great stride for Shiloh.

My Anniversary Gift

This is what was waiting for me in our living room the morning of our anniversary, so sweet. Mike got me a new hammock! I've been wanting one for a couple of years now, after ours broke, but we decided to wait, as we knew we would be moving soon. We were originally suppose to move the Summer of 2009. He did a lot of research on hammocks and says this type is suppose to be the most comfortable one, plus it can hold up to 750lbs. In case we all want to relax together I guess. Now the interesting part is this.........my darling groom wants to hang it in the sun-room of our new home in FL. I was thinking the back yard would be nice. It should be interesting to see how this turns out.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

I don't know if you had ever heard of this book when you were a kid, but I did, and well.....it has stuck with me since 2nd grade. I think of it when things just aren't going well for whomever, usually one of the children, Mike or myself. Really I'm mocking them or myself, and say it out loud, if one is musing in their dumps or throwing a fit, so loving, I know. Well today it was my turn. I won't recount the day, as I don't believe it would be fruitful, but things did not seem to be going as I wanted them to from the git go. Even things I wasn't wanting to do, but rather doing b/c they needed done (ie. house work) weren't going well for one reason or another. Great heart attitude, I know. It started early, as soon as i woke up actually, and just spiraled all day. Why did it spiral? Well........ b/c I have a sinful heart full of selfishness and pride, and so does everyone around me. But we'll focus on mine. My struggle all day was to not respond in frustration or anger at all the random circumstances, and respond rightly in accepting God's sovereignty for that moment and trusting that my creator knows what is best for me. What I re-learned is today is what was best for me b/c my terrible, horrible, no good very bad day reveled sin in my heart that would otherwise continue to take up residence there had I not been put to the test, which I failed by the way. In God's kindness to sinful me, he showed me he loved me by not letting me get my way, and allowing me to see the way I was behaving. Once I realized this I took the opportunity to repent of my sin and run to my savior Christ who bore the punishment for all my sins so that I could be forgiven and made right with God. What a beautiful gift Christ is everyday, but one God allowed me to see more clearly today all because I had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Peeking at Daddy

Mike had an opportunity to teach at church last night. It turns out he is quite the orator. I was proud of how hard he worked, and how well he delivered his message on 1 John. I was not the only one who enjoyed it, as you can see above the children were peeking out the nursery window to check it out also. Thanks Shelly for the pic!

I don't think she understands.....

what Iraq is. Being a military family, or maybe just the age we live in, Iraq has become a common household word, at least in our home. It of course had it's rise in our home when "that's where daddy was".

So Mike has been home from work for a long holiday weekend, this morning I overheard this dialogue between him and Shiloh. Shiloh said, "Daddy, mommy took me to Iraq and gave me candy." Mike's reply, "you haven't been to Iraq". Shiloh responded with a matter-of-fact, "well I got candy".

I know she is remembering when we "went and picked daddy up from Iraq" at the squadron hanger. So the hanger has become Iraq to her. And she was given a goodie bag by some nice ladies while we were waiting to be re-united with Mike. It is funny that she doesn't remember she got to see her father after 6 months of absence, but that candy sure was yummy!

2 weeks from today....

we will be somewhere b/w NC and FL on February 1st.. It's hard to believe, we've been here in NC since July 2005, nearly 4.5 years. I think we could drive any direction for 2 hours and still feel like we are close to home, it has become so familiar to us. My only regret is that I didn't get to meet some of my friends sooner, but I know God's plan is perfect, and all His timing has purpose, so even this I embrace. I had the pleasure to drive to Emerald Isle today to visit a sweet friend, and during my drive, I had time to enjoy the scenery probably for the last time, for at least a while. I've always enjoyed crossing over the intercostal water way from Moorehead City to Atlantic beach. Today it was just like most days I've done it, the sun was bright shining on the water making it glisten quite some distance, as far as I could glance and still keep my eyes on the road, so lovely. It was such a blessing to get to take it in one last time. It caused me to reflect on some of our time here, it is such a beautiful state, we've especially enjoyed the outer banks and the outdoor adventures it has provided. All this to say, we've become very found of it here, the people will with out question be the hardest part of leaving, but even the land will be missed.
We are also very excited to start this new chapter in our life. There is much to anticipate, new friends, new church, new home, new work schedules.......all overwhelming to think on. The only peace these times of change have to offer is that which is stored up in heaven for us, someday we will be with our Savior, and none of this will matter. I often find my self thinking if Christ comes back today, none of this really matters.

5 years of wedded bliss........

Marriage isn't what I thought it would be, but what I had imagined isn't what God had intended it to be. I wish someone would have told me that, but then again, i probably wouldn't have listened, some things we just have to experience to know it's true. As many of you know, Gods plan in marriage is to reflect His relationship with the church here on earth. I suppose if we keep that in mind from the get go, we wouldn't be so shocked by our sinful nature as time unfolds. If you look at the bible and see God's bride behaving in it's rebellious sinful state, time and time again even after given 2nd, 3rd, 4th........ well lots of chances, and His unending kindness and grace, commitment and love to His adulterous bride........ well then we start to get an accurate picture of marriage. Because that is what the last 5 years have been for us, sweet in that "......where sin increased, grace abounded all the more" Ro 5:20. It's not that we became more sinful the longer we were married, but rather more aware of our existing sin, as God reveled it to us. God has been so kind to give us the grace to forgive each other and love each other time and time again, and I know will continue to give us each the opportunity the remainder of our time here as husband and wife. But the encouraging part is this....... God presents to himself a perfect, spotless, sinless bride as we place our faith in Christ whom bore the punishment for my sin, we may stand before Him, not as the wretch we are, but as his beautiful forgiven sons and daughters, all because of the work he did for us on the cross.

Mike showed me this video a couple of months ago. It really seemed to impact him. I thought it was a sweet example of the service opportunity marriage renders. This was Robert McQuilken's retirement speech, once you view it, the reason for his retirement is very clear. I hope it blesses you.

Something I don't love to see.

Hosea has liberally applied destin to his cheek. He tells on himself by walking up to me saying "mommy wash hands",........ well little buddy that's not your only problem, I'm thinking. He started doing this yesterday, he has now had 4 repeat offenses. This is providing me an excellent opportunity to show him I love him by being consistent in my expectation and instruction in his behavior and training. Something I know pleases the Lord.

New Hair

I know some people would like to see my new do, and well I want them to see it before my roots are visible. I'm enjoying the new look.

Something I love to see.

I love it when I'm in the kitchen cooking or doing dishes, something kitchen like....and i turn around and i see this coming down the hall..... the jumping posse.

I especially love it when giggles are included, they are such a gift and joy!

Words have meaning

Lately there have been two common used phrases in our home. We'll start with Shiloh's. One of her newer favorite things to do is bounce on the big ball with a handle that Mema and Papa gave the kids for Christmas. Hosea has one also and enjoys it equally. But one time when Shiloh was bouncing down the hallway, Mike got stuck behind her en-route to the kitchen, so he decided to speed up the hop.. hop....hop with a little turbo boost with his foot in a forward motion. Shiloh grew to enjoy the extra boost, and will now say "daddy will you kick me down the hall?", we've been getting such a kick out of this.
Now for Hosea...our kids have developed some very elaborate good night routines, we tuck them in, pray, each kid has routine, we'll call it a special hand shake of sorts....any how, Hosea likes a high five, a good high five and then wants to touch his pointer finger to ours and goes in a quiet but high pitch voice "eek". I'm not sure how this started, but it did, and we are mostly amused by it, so we keep it. Last night Mike was away studying when I put the kids down for bed, I tucked Hosea in last, we did the "hand shake" and I told the both good night and Hosea says, "give daddy finger". I reminded him his father wasn't available to receive "the finger" and told him good night again, but it was a little amusing we thought.

Wellness

After our 3 week stint of illness, I was getting groceries at Wal-Mart, a store I detest, thinking how thankful I am for our health today, that we can with clear conscious venture out without putting the rest of society at risk for whatever random aliment we are carrying around. It made wal-mart seem, not so bad. And how can one beat the one-stop-shopping experience provided there, esp. with little ones, who by the way, were very well behaved today, another blessing, God has just been so kind to us.

For Christy........

.....well and a few other people. It's been a thought in process for a while joining the world of blogs, face-book, twitter, etc... I've decided this is more my style. Esp. with the ability to know who is viewing it. I'm not sure how faithful of a blogger I'll be, but I thought I'd give it a try, and hey if people want to know what we are up to then I suppose they can check it out.