Minneapolis

I had the wonderful opportunity to fly out last Saturday to see my Younger sister, her new baby, Dominic, and my mother who flew in to help her. I was so thankful for how the trip worked out, how God provided for us, and the timing was perfect. I always hate leaving Richard and it is a lot of work to travel with my 2 boys by myself, but it was all totally worth it! 

Grammie and her newest Grandson

We had a direct flight to MN and I was so thankful for that. The boys did relatively ok but didn't sleep at all. Carson had to go to the bathroom once, but the nice stewardess was helpful and held Landon for me. (boy did not realize how tiny those bathroom are until you try to take a toddler in there with you!). 

Grammie with her 2nd youngest Grandson

Sweet, sweet Dominic!

So while we were there, we had a great time galavanting all around. We went out to eat to my  mom's favorite Olive Garden and a cool French Bakery place. We had Caribou coffee often and really Lived IT UP! :) My sister lives 2 miles from the mall of America and an IKEA. So you guessed it, we spent a lot of time there. :) I could not get over how HUGE the MofA is!!!!  So HUMUNGOUS! We could've walked around there forever it felt like. There was so much to see and do for the boys. it was a lot of fun.

 They had a whole lego place that they boys loved right beside the amusement park. Carson kept going back and forth from playing with legos to looking at the "trains" (rollercoasters) that kept zooming by us.

 

Landon loved all the baby things to cra

Carson's "nap" time :)

The boys got very little sleep the whole trip. And we all know how that aids to toddlerhood "tantrums". But we survived. I was so happy when they fell asleep in the stroller so we could shop longer. Basically the only naps they got was in the car rides or the stroller, so we made sure to take our time walking around IKEA to ensure a good long nap. :)

They flights back weren't as smooth as on the way there. The boys were very tired and mommy was tired. I could go on about how figitey a 1 year old is on your lap and how hard airports are when they are crowded and only snack foods all day for the boys, but when I step back and think about it, overall it went as good as can be expected. I had nice men sitting next to me each plane ride, and the last one (which the boys did the worst on) he was the nicest and most helpful. Carson obeyed through security, and on and off the planes which is when I really needed him to stay with me and pay attention. (since at those times he was not strapped into stroller). And even the delays that seemed annoying, turned out better in the long run. So overall a good trip.

But needless to say I was a tired momma falling into Richard's arms at the airport. I literally brought one sleeping baby inside the house and went straight to bed, while Richard brought the rest of the stuff in. Thank goodness for men. :)
It was wonderful to see my sister and see the new baby, and see her in her new role as a mother. She will be the best mother for Dominic and I'm so happy for her to experience the joys and intense love and emotion of motherhood.

Now tomorrow is my big 10 K race! I was not able to train the last 2 weeks as much as I would've liked. :( Up until last week, i was training well and felt good about the race, but since then it's been up and down. I did run 2 times while in MN for about 4 and half miles at a good pace. So let's hope that keeps me going during the race. I will admit I'm a little burnt out from running and look forward to the break when this race is done. I have high goals set for the race, and I'm nervous about meeting them. But in the end, it's all about enjoyment, so I need to try to keep my focus on enjoying it. Don't worry - I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes. :)
Meanwhile - gotta get the boys taken care of and our lives back in order from the trip. boys need some serious restful activities. (who am I kidding, momma needs that more :) )

Fun Fall Activity

Fall is a lot of People's favorite season! And I will have to also jump on the bandwagon and say that it is mine also. I love this time of year. I get very grumpy in the hot, sweaty weather. And probably the only things I love about summer are less socks to wash and match, and the sun shining more often. 

Fall in CO is proving to be wonderful. So sunny! Little rain (so far anyways) and beautiful fresh air to breathe in. Perfect for jeans and sweatshirts and cuddle time with the family in evenings and early mornings, but good nice "park day" weather during the day. 

As you've probably noticed around here - we've had a busy schedule. (read previous post). But boy was it tons of fun so far! It started out last week, Wednesday. In the evening Richard's parents came to town. I love that they get to see our boys more often, and I really love that Carson especially really recognizes them and responds so well to them. 

On Friday of last week, we all went down to Denver to spend some good time with more family. Richard's brother and his 2 kids and wife live there. And also Richard's sister and her brand new husband. :) (welcome to the family, Chris)  

We went to a beautiful place called Hudson Gardens. It was the perfect warm sunny fall day. So much for the boys to do. Running around in the pretty flowers, watching the train go around the tracks, playing in the pumpkin patch. So much fun! I love fall activities.

Cool Fountain

train going around
on train tracks

Afterwards we went out to eat together. Although the boys were super tired from the day's activities we had a great time as a family!  We love being so close to more family members - but we really do miss the 3 families we left behind in PA. Too bad we have to all live so far away! It is a sad part of life. Thankful for technology to make it easier.

Stay tuned for more "stories" of our latest adventures

Busy Busy Busy

This week and next week are choc full of activities.

The week started pretty slow but quickly picked up. Tuesday night we had one of the Pastors and his wife over for dinner. (although that was not hard b/c they brought it to us! How wonderful). WE had a great time chatting with them and getting to know them.

Wednesday I had a mommy park date with a few moms from our church. WE are slowly trying to build up this group of woman and encourage each other. It was perfect weather for it, and we had a great time.
Last night my in laws arrived. What a joy to see Carson now recognizing them and interacting with them since we can see them a little more frequently now that we live only 5 hrs from them. (his age might help with that too) but what a joy to have them in our house.

Today I'm taking a meal to a wonderful new mother in our church, then fixing dinner for us and my in laws, then we have our life group tonight. Full of activity and I love it.

Tomorrow we head down to Denver to spend the day with our other family that lives there and cousins. So happy to be able to see these family members more often (although, boy do we miss the two families out East, and Carson misses those cousins too, I hate that we have to live so far away from someone, and we can't all live close to everyone, in Colorado of course. hehehe)  Richard will meet us down in Denver for dinner and I'm pretty sure we are going to Casa Bonita!!!!! (it's been since childhood I think since I've been to that restaurant, and it is a great experience especially for kids, if you're in the area with kids, try to go there, it's a trademark)
On Saturday I will be flying out to Minneapolis with the boys to see my mother and sister who just had her very first baby!!!!! (Congrats! Juli you're doing great as a new mom)  i cannot wait to spend this time with my sister and mother, although the trip out there does make me a little nervous. Richard will stay home and hold down the fort for us, and be responsible and work. :)

I get back late Wednesday. We are busy on Thursday and Friday night with activities and then Saturday the 22nd is my big 10K race! WOW! I feel ready now, but have no idea how I will keep it up with being gone and being so busy. So let's hope the training I did ahead of time will pay off with a week and half small break. I hope to at least run 3 more times before next weekend, we'll see if I  can pull it off.

So needless to say - I"M BUSY!!!!!!!!!!!!
My boys are sensing it too - they are really off their rockers since they were sick last weekend, and since mommy is a little stressed out. so we'll see how it goes. Lots of fun things, but busy things.
I probably won't be posting much = but I hope to post pictures of all the activities and things as soon as I can!

the last 3 days

Ok - I know rule number one is to not post pictures of poor quality - but sometimes that's all I got - so please ignore the poor phone quality pictures.

So many things wrong with this picture

Note:

1. Flip flops on the table ??????

2. 1 yr old standing on an object with wheels

3. 1 yr old probably eating stale gross food from his high chair

4. literally seconds after this, the blur of a 2 yr odl pulled the object out from underneath him

5. mother standing by taking picture

6. cup on table, probably has gross spoiled milk in it. 

We have had some sickness in this household :(
It makes a mother's heart so sad to see her kids sick. First it started out with Landon on weds late afternoon barfing all over himself in the stroller very unexpectedly. He made it almost 24 hrs before he threw up again and it was so sad. He was a trooper though, and the only thing he really demanded was lots of cuddles - I'm not complaining about that. Friday Carson woke up and shortly after starting barfing. :( poor kid. It's so sad seeing him hate it so much. All you can do is hold him and say "it's ok", "I love you". and hold him as tight as possible. But by evening he was full of energy again.

Richard and I are feeling under the weather last night and today but we hope that's all we experience. So I've been homebound for what feels like a VERY LONG TIME! We all know how that makes me feel. :)
But I can't help but appreciate the fact that I CAN stay home with them, that I can set everything else aside and sit on the couch all day long with them. And all I need to worry about is my 2 boys staying hydrated.

(Tonight my friends is something very special planned! I'll be sure to post it as soon as I can. Just hoping that we all stay healthy enough to enjoy it)

talkative? what an understatement

"I can't wait until Carson can talk to us" Richard would say to me often about 8 months ago.

Well Folks! HE CAN TALK NOW!!!!!

He talks non stop. His personality is full of energy and he is sometimes CRAZY!!!!
he repeats things like a million times before he moves onto something else. He requires a response to it each time he says it. And he definitely says whatever comes to his mind.
He points out EVERY SINGLE airplane in the sky, or you know those trail of clouds they leave behind? yeah, he notices every single one of those too. Anytime we are outside or in the car - he is not only saying, but YELLING - "mommy see an airplane, mommy see an airplane?" It's always very loud and excited!
he has no sense of "try not to interrupt" when mommy's talking on phone, to a friend or to daddy. I sorta feel bad b/c he requires the same constant responses from other's he meets, and they don't realize it, he just starts getting more animated and louder and repeating more! ha
His biggest thing right now is "mommy, watch this, watch this mommy, mommy watch this"
My response - "ok, I'm watching" (I have to say it EVERY TIME)
then he does something as simple as literally lifting his finger, or moving his foot, or touching something, or doing something so silly! He wants me to watch everything. As frustrating and annoying as that is, I never want to ignore him or not treat him respectfully.
But boy - it gets tiring.

Richard and I laugh sometimes b/c his energy and talking can get very tiring and overwhelming. At dinner we both look at each other and say "boy, this kid is crazy"  He never walks anywhere, it's always running. He never sets anything down gently, he throws it or drops it.

He can be exhausting to me throughout the day, and I'm feel guilty b/c there are some days I'm just dying to put him down for a nap or to bed. he literally is going NON STOP all day long!

But - I wouldn't change him for the world!!!!! He has so much spunk and so much energy it's contagious. He walks into the room and screams something like "I see Noah (his new friend)" or "I want a donut" (at church for fellowship time) or "I went pee on the potty" and the whole room turns and looks at him and laughs. He is already lighting up the room with happiness when he walks into it. Now that is a great trait to have, my friends. What a gift he has to be so easily excited and so easily entertained and so happy all (well most) of the time.

He makes his Friends and people we hang out with feel so welcome b/c he loves them all! he gets so excited when they come to our house or he sees them at church. What a gift! How many people can make you feel so warm and loved? Well, just become Carson's friend and he will for sure!

Sure there are days when I wish he would be calm or be a little quieter, but I can't help but laugh and smile when I see how excited he gets about literally EVERY LITTLE THING!

And you know what?!?! It's contagious! You can't help but smile when you see his excitement. And I think anyone who meets him would say the same!
Sure I can compare him to other calm kids and wonder what did I do differently to make Carson like this. But really he is a GIFT! He is 100% about everything he does, or doesn't do. No medium ground - and I LOVE THIS ABOUT HIM!

P.S. I've already prepared myself for plenty of embarrassing moments in the future in public settings with things he'll say. :)

Porterbrook

Here at our church, The Crossing, we have gotten involved in this leadership training program called Porterbrook Network. Two men from England put it together and it's wonderful curriculum. I'll stop writing about it before I sound too dumb. I actually don't know too much about it, but Richard thought it would be a good way for us to get to know people and learn more things and get involved so I agreed to go through the course. This is also the first time the church has gone through the curriculum, so we're all learning about it together.  It is a little demanding on our time, but not excessive. There is weekly "homework" and things to read and write about. We meet together in small groups to discuss what we've been learning and once a month all meet together to have a formal teaching time through the material. There are parts of it that are "way over my head" or just require more thinking that I've gotten accustomed to, (you know b/c I'm a mom and just blog all day and don't do anything that involves thinking, hahahahahaha please note sarcasm)  but some parts are so encouraging and exciting.  Overall it's been great. The material is very informative and helpful but also very practical. I'm learning how to better understand my bible, how to talk with my community and engage them on what I believe, and also am encouraged in my own relationship with God.

This last week we were looking at "the cross" and what that meant to us."Following Jesus means following the way of the cross" (taken from the text in Luke 9:23) What did Jesus do for us on the cross? He gave up everything for us. We looked at John 13:1-17, the passage of Jesus' washing the disciples feet before he was crucified. We meditated on what that act meant in that culture and what is the equal to it for nowadays, and we contemplated the facts that Jesus had all power, he knew what was going to happen, and yet he chose to do the one thing that in that time frame spoke of utter service to someone. And he even washed the feet of the one who would betray him. (which btw He knew that also) How convicting to me. A quote from  the workbook - "Christ's love for us, in his sacrificial giving of himself, is our model as we seek to live "a life of love".  (I think that pretty much sums up this paragraph) The Cross should affect every aspect of our lives especially with how we deal with people in our daily/weekly lives - Humbly serving, sacrificial.

Then it moved onto looking to the cross for our acceptance. This was the best part for me because I can tend to feel guilty about what I do or don't do. How much I do or don't do - but none of that affects what the "cross" means for me. "We are accepted by God so that we might be free to follow the way of the cross" and we don't follow the way of the cross to be accepted. We are under "no condemnation" b/c of the cross - Jesus took our place. In talking in our small group, a friend mentioned she had heard that once we are saved we should never think about condemnation - we need to be convicted but never feel condemnation. How Freeing!!!!! "there is no need to earn approval, no need to prove yourself"  C.J. Mahaney states, "God is glorified when we believe with all our hearts that those who trust in Christ can never be condemned". How wonderful and encouraging to read this.
And this love that Jesus had for us - that he died in our place before we had any good in us, when we were at our worst state before we did anything "good" - never changes, he has died and that will not change. He died for me - and that should give me confidence to take up my cross and follow him, to live in service to others and him, to be joyful and to praise him. Even in the mundane things that "us mothers" do daily. Cooking for family, cleaning, laundry, dressing toddlers, correcting/disciplining toddlers, helping neighbors and people we run into regularly - All of it needs to be seen through the lens of "the Cross".

I loved this chapter that we read. It was wonderful to meditate on. I pray that I never stray from the cross. I pray that it will often be in my mind and on my lips, that I will relish in the Cross and what that means for me, and then in turn my actions will also show that.

Linking up with 

Fall???!? I don't think so

Fall is my favorite time of year. (but I think it's a lot of people's favorite). The change of cool air from the hot summer. The colors, the flavors, the smells, the food - everything it's just perfect. I love wearing jeans and sweatshirts. I love being cold at night. I love the fresh air outside. I could literally go on and on with how much I like Fall.

This year has been really weird, even for CO. It's been over 80 for more than week now. It's Oct 3rd and I'm in shorts and t-shirt and it's so hot outside. i cannot believe it. The nights are getting cool, so that helps, but I just can't believe how warm it is. I know it's like over 10 degrees over the norm which is crazy!

So needless to say - I don't feel ready for fall at all. I read other's on FB stating how much they are cozy in their house, what they are cooking and how good it smells, candles, leaves and crafts all revolving around Fall! I have not even started that mind set yet. I'm afraid it will rush right into winter and I won't even get to enjoy all these things that I love.

So despite the temperature - we tried some things. Now don't get all comparing to me and how great of a mom I am (b/c that's exactly what I would do, compare and feel guilty) - this is not normal, I am not crafty nor do I have good ideas.  This is not the norm, although i wish it was. Most days we sit around with me trying to figure out how to entertain these boys. I know Carson needs more "purposeful activities" at his age and this has scared me a lot. I would just as soon play outside at the park every single day - but I know this will help him. So I tried something with leaves, and pine cones and berries from the trees around our neighborhood. I guess it was fine. He more wanted me to draw trains (remember the notsocrafty factor?yeah, not pretty, I can't draw either) and trace his hands. But hey - whatever. Maybe I'll look on pintrest for more things. :)

Another thing this crazy weather has caused is the boy's room to blow up. Some nights are chilly, some days they need pants, other days it's so hot they are in tank tops and shorts. Their dressers are not big enough for everything, so i have piles and piles and piles of the next season and sizes and am just waiting for the weather to mellow out before I put it all away. (does anyone else have this issue? i never know what to do besides have a mess for a long time)

I'm not necessarily complaining at all either! We have taken full advantage of the SUPER sunny days, long mornings at the park and picnics, walks outside and just enjoying tons and tons of sunshing. I LOVE SUNSHINE.  I know come winter in this small apartment I will be longing for days like this. So we are soaking them in fully. But it just makes it seem weird that it's already October

 

yeah - this happens very frequently
Poor Landon

 Happy Happy Boys

Boy, do I have a busy october too! I cannot wait for all the different activities we have on the calendar. Stay posted to hear all about them!