Singing...or lack of!

Monday night Collier, Kenley and I returned to biblestudy for the first time since Kenley was born.  It was good to get back into that routine and just to have completed the lesson and be there was very nice.  And the children were singing for the group which is always a great treat.  You can check out the last time that they sang here.  But since Collier hasn't been there for several weeks he wasn't quite up on the songs.  One of the teachers even told me that he didn't want to go in at all and it was only at the last minute that he agreed to go in...Praise the Lord for these sweet and loving teachers who pour out their love and attention on these children each week.  I am so thankful for them!



The children came in wearing little sheep mask and Collier refused to wear his
Collier and the other little girl who was moving around are the two youngest in the class
I have no idea why he kept turning around, not sure who he was looking at or for?
He cracked me up how he was all laid back on the steps at first
His favorite song is Jesus loves me and is the only song that he knows all of the words to

He finally put his sheep mask on as we were leaving...upside down!  

Lake Visit

Mom and I got to spend the past two weeks at the lake with the kids!  Our men came and went but we stayed and we loved it.  It was so hard to pack up and head home on Sunday.  Although I was very ready to be with my husband after a whole week away.  He worked and we played and relaxed.  There is just nothing better than an extended amount of time at the lake where relaxation is priority...even with a busy 3 year old!  We couldn't have asked for better weather, cool in the evenings and mostly sunny during the days and we only had a few rain showers during the two weeks we were there.  The water was a little cold but not too cold for Collier; mom and I would wade in as much as we could stand it but let him and Brinkley jump and bounce around in the water.  Collier has gotten really content with being naked lately,  and requested to 'swim nahed' and did so several times.   Thankfully at this time of year there aren't many people at the lake and so we let him indulge in some naked swimming.  He loved to splash and run with Brinkley and jump over the waves as they came to shore.  He wanted badly to go to the deep water [especially if Brinkley was swimming out deep] and had to be reminded that he doesn't know how to swim.  We are looking forward to swim lessons very soon so that won't be a problem this summer!  We were on constant look out for any boats that would drive by and if they had a skier it was extra exciting.  We didn't have our boat in the water this trip but I am sure we will next time down!

 I have no idea what made him get into this tiny baby stroller but he did!

 Yummy Watermelon and Precious Boy covered in red when he was done!

There were days that we never got out of our PJ's - did I mention that it was relaxing?  I nursed on the front porch with a perfect lake view.  Kenley seemed content and happy with her first ever lake trip!  Mom bought a water/sand table for the lake and Collier broke that in as well.   And then in the middle of the week Collier went to spend a few days with his other grandparents and that left Mom, Kenley and I with some mostly quiet girl time at the lake.  We made a quick trip to Grady's in Graceville, FL [if you are ever in the Florida panhandle, it is worth a quick detour to eat at Grady's...they have the most delicious fried catfish, shrimp and onion rings] It was awesome! My Dad came down for the last weekend that we were there and Collier was his little shadow, helping him in any way that he could.  It just makes me so happy to see and watch Collier with my parents and how strong of a bond that they have.

the weather, the company, the quiet, the relaxing, the special time with my kiddo's and mom...really it couldn't have been any better [well except if maybe Justin was there].  It really was so much fun!  Hopefully we'll get in one more long lake trip before I have to be back to work full time!

 

 Sand and water table! 

Fishing with Daddy one afternoon

 Doing what he does best...helping!  

Ashlyn's T-Ball Game

We got the opportunity to go and see my niece play t-ball.  This was Collier's first time to watch a T-ball game and the fact that his cousin was the one out on the field was loads of fun.  Here is what Collier asked/said while we were there: 'did you bring my glove?', 'I want to go out there, right now', 'Is it my turn now', 'where is my glove and ball?'.  Needless to say it was very hard for him to understand that he could not participate.  It was really fun to see Ash playing and I think that it was good for Collier to see and be there.  Thankfully after the game Uncle Chris let him get out on the field to run a little.  We love our fun and sweet cousins!

 Isn't she so cute with all her red and white polka dot ribbons?  I think so!

 Swing Batta Batta Batta

 Wishing and wanting to be on the field so bad he can just taste it..it is hard to want to and not be able to.  We even told Collier he had to have on the special team black shirt to go on the field and he looked straight at Aunt Amanda and said look I have on my black shirt!  Sorry baby that is blue not black, at least he tried.

 We sent this picture to Justin and he was quick to respond to take that PINK hat off my little boy!  His first question to me when we talked was...why in the world did he have on a pink helmet?

Good Game, good game, good game

 Stomping on the bases...One day he'll get his chance on the diamond.  But Daddy says not for a few more years!

Potty Talk

So, it isn't exactly my idea of a great conversation but having a little boy [or maybe it is just children in general but my little boy is especially fond of this conversation] certainly yields itself to discussing potty stuff...specifically gas.

Any time that Collier passes gas he will immediately let you know by either saying.  'I passed gas' or 'that was me'  in case any one was wondering! He will normally will point to his hiney.  We do our best to encourage and reinforce him saying excuse me following his owning up to it.  Here is how our conversation went one day this week:

He passed gas..
CH: 'I passed gas' as he smiles big and laughs
Me: 'you did?  What do you say'
CH: 'shuuu wee'
Me: 'what do you say when you pass gas Collier'


CH: 'that stinks'
Me: 'nice, thank you for clarifying.  what are your good manners for when you pass gas'
CH: still laughing
Me: 'excuse me, lets use our good manners please'
CH: 'sucuse me'

Beautiful!  when he goes poo poo on the potty he makes the shuu wee noise and usually very loudly.  I just wonder if he does this at school and with others or if it is just at home?  I never do know.  Either way, sort of funny but also trying to stick with the good manners!

So, it is little boys or is it just children in general?

Comparison

Who oh who does she look like?  I have no idea and the jury is split on if she looks like Collier as a baby,  There are times that I look at her and think that she looks so much like him and other times I don't think so at all!  Either way she is such a sweet girl and I am so glad that she is mine!

Same Routines

Most of the time I feel that my life is just the same routine over and over again.  When I haven't seen someone in a while I normally don't have anything new to report.  Just life as it is...children, family, work, food, laundry...most of which are just routines.  Obviously, with having Kenley that is new and exciting and it brings change since I have the chance to be off of work for a few weeks.  I love that.  But I know that in a matter of just a few weeks I'll be back to that routine and schedule .  In the routine I often feel as though I am not doing anything above and beyond for God's Kingdom.  What is my purpose in all of these little daily tasks?  I have friends who have gone to be missionaries, or who seem to have grand purpose and impact here in this world.  When I am asked for prayer request and don't have one to share I wonder if that is a reflection of my relationship with God...nothing?

So, last night I was nursing Kenley and some not so peaceful thoughts filled my little head and I decided that I have been out of my daily devotion time for too long.  So, I pulled out my devotion [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young..and if you don't have it please go and get it because it is amazing.  Sarah writes each devotion as if Jesus is speaking directly to you] and was catching up on the past weeks worth of devotions and verses.  The one from April 13th really spoke to me and I wanted to share it:

April 13th devotion from Jesus Calling Devotional:
   'When I give you no special guidance, stay where you are.  Concentrate on doing your everyday tasks in awareness of My Presence with you.  The Joy of My Presence will shine on you, as you do everything for Me. Thus you invite Me into every aspect of your lie.  through collaborating with Me in all things, you allow My Life to merge with yours.  This is the secret not only of joyful living but also of victorious living.  I designed you to depend on Me moment by moment, recognizing that apart from Me you can do nothing.

    Be thankful for quiet days, when nothing special seems to be happening.  Instead of being bored by the lack of action, use times of routine to seek My Face.  Although this is an invisible transaction, it speaks volumes in spiritual realsm.  Moreover, you are richly blessed when you walk trustingly with Me through the routines of your day'
Reference Verses: Colossians 3:23, John 15:5 and Psalm 105:4

So it is more my awareness and focus of God through these routines that will and do make the difference.  I can honestly say that I just go through my routines with little thought or intention...I am doing to get done and get through.  Instead of being aware that I am EXACTLY where God wants me to be and if I will focus on HIM instead of me or just the tasks at hand I might see His Face staring right back at me.  I thought it was so encouraging to be reminded that even in routine and what can seem irrelevant is really for the good and glory of God!  I am thankful for a God who loves me right where I am and that He remains the same yesterday, today and forever even when I do not!  Praise be to God!

Tri-State Cook Off

Last weekend was the annual cook off that the guys participate in in Dothan.  It was not as huge of success as it was last year but it was still lots of fun!  This is serious stuff for the guys that takes months of planning and discussing and practice among all of the guys. 

 It takes this many grills to cook Boston Butt, Brisket, Chicken and Ribs...who knew?

Awaiting the results...sad to walk away with NO Trophies.  Even though they still did really good! 

Bottom line is that this is the competition....and as long as the Opossum Trots beat these guys all is well.  And...they did in everything except on category (I can't remember which one it was).

The Kids also had a great time with the activities at the cooking grounds.  We are so thankful to have such sweet and fun cousins to play with:

3 Weeks

***I just realized that I didn't actually post this...I meant to on Saturday***

Kenley was 3 weeks yesterday!  It has flown by way too quickly.  She is growing and changing every day.  I love her deeply.  I love to hold her and just stare at her.  This time passes way too quickly and I am doing my best to enjoy and still balance having two.  She is starting to take to the pasey.  I usually get about 4-5 hours of sleep at night between feedings.  She seems to be wide awake around 10pm every night and stays that way for about 2 hours.  We need to work on getting her to stay awake longer during the afternoon so that maybe she'll be more sleepy at night...especially the time that I am most tired and ready to crawl in the bed.

Last week Justin's Mom came for a quick visit and it was really nice to have the extra hands in the early morning hours as well as with Collier.  I am just really dang lucky to have such great parents to help out in so many ways!

Friday we colored Easter eggs.  This was our first year doing this and it was really fun.  I think that Justin was as excited as Collier when I pulled out the dye's.  Justin got it all set up and then Collier got to drop the eggs in each cup.  Although waiting for them to color is a little hard for an almost 3 year old.  Thankfully my Dad stopped by for a minute which distracted him long enough to not think about the eggs for a few minutes.  By the time Dad left the eggs were just right.  We had fun and are looking forward to our little egg hunt tomorrow!

We have so much to rejoice in through Easter.  Jesus Christ has risen indeed!  Through His resurrection we have access to our Father God.  Happy Easter!

Easter

I wish I had more time to share and go into detail, but I don't!  We had a great Easter and have so much to be thankful for!  So it is a picture post for you on this Monday!

 This is blurry, but the only one I could get of the two of them...this is about as close as Collier will get to Kenley!

He had filled up his basket and decided to use Kenley's basket for the rest of the eggs, which was funny to see him with a girly basket.  The Easter bunny brought him garden gloves and the flip flops and he insisted on wearing both immediately.  

Collier's Adjustment

Has it already been two weeks?  Yes it is true...actually just over two weeks since Kenley arrived.  Collier is still adjusting.  He is getting better but I don't think that he really understands how fragile that she really is.  Most of the time he just tunes her out and acts as if she isn't here...especially if she is in the bassinet or in her bouncy [out of our arms] and quiet.  Most often when I am either feeding or holding Kenley Collier wants me to hold him.  It is a struggle for me to have to tell him no...specifically if I am feeding her.  I battle the desire to give him the attention that he needs/wants and also care fully for Kenley, it is hard and I am learning that it is a balance.  For the first week that we were home the only thing that Collier wanted to be involved in was when I changed her diaper that she wanted to get a wipe and wipe her.  And so, that is what he did....even if he was in the middle of doing something he would insist on being a part of the diaper changing.  In the past few days he hasn't really been as interested in the diaper changes but he has become a little more aware of her in her bouncy and will lean down and talk to her.  It is a slow process but I am thankful that it is getting better.  He still has not held her and hasn't really had any desire to try, he says that 'she too heaby'.  We just don't push the issue and try to just encourage him when he does interact or acknowledge her.  We went to church yesterday and he told me that Kenley should stay at home and not go to his church.  Like I said...slow progress!  He still gets very upset when she is crying.  He grits his teeth and curls up his nose.  Sometimes he'll say through his teeth 'no no kenley, no crying'.  Very ugly.   But today we were headed out the door and she was a little fussy in her car seat and he leaned down to her and said 'its ok momma is right there'.  Very sweet.

As for Kenley..she is doing great.  She is eating good.  Sleeping pretty good [very good during the day and mostly good at night].  For the first 12 days she loved to be swaddled up good and tight, but the past few nights she has really fought being so snug and slept better when I had her out of the swaddle.  Although last night was a long night with lots of crying and fussing...after trying twice to get her to sleep so that I could get in the bed I gave in and just cuddled up on the couch with her and slept there for a few hours before putting her down and me getting into the bed.  She sleeps in the bassinet next to our bed it is just a little easier for me to have her close during the night!  We went to the doctor last Friday and she weighed 8lb 9.5oz.  She is a growing girl!  If we can just keep her awake for a few hours longer during the day instead of at night all would be fabulous.  Thankfully even when she is loud and crying at  night...Collier sleeps through it and doesn't seem to be bothered to bad!