What I have wanted to share with you all…

Let’s see

April ended with a fabulous fun weekend in San Diego with a trip to the Wild Animal Park. Such a great time we had with our dear friends… whom we don’t see nearly as much as we would like!!! (That goes for almost all are friends…. It is amazing what having kids combined with a longer commute does to your social life!! )Dillon was so funny!! Todd took a TON of pictures… he is a little camera happy, and Dillon would feel a bit neglected. So as we were viewing the pictures at home… here is what we saw….

It was so great to hang out and relax… we definitely needed that time before Todd’s trip overseas.

Who knows?

I know I haven't written for FOREVER!!! Life is busy and this is the first thing I end up giving up. Hopefully on Friday....

Anyway, I had to show this picture of Dillon. I don't know what to say.... he has a crib, but has opted to sleep in his frog tent he received for his birthday.... but I guess the novelty of sleeping in a tent has worn off... so his laundry bag was the next new thing??? Who knows??

fun moments to share....

Anna called me into the bathroom.

Look Mom, it is a cool statue!







God took my grumpy day and gave me a special encouragement!! Anna and Dillon wanted to sit and read books at her pre-school today, after Dillon and I came to pick her up. Ususally they want to play on the slides or swings. My friend was picking up her children and stopped and said "Oh, a Kodak moment!" I actually had my camera and so I am able to share this moment with you!!!

***Dillon wanted to bring the books home, and I had to explain that they were the pre-school's books... he was disappointed but reluctantly complied. I love that they love to read books!!! =)


Lately Dillon has really surprised me. He will be quiet for a moment, and then start reciting words from a book we haven't even read in a couple of days or even weeks. He will start singing a song that we may or may not have recently listened to. A few days ago he even quoted a verse they have taught him at church!!
Jesus is the Son of God
He was so proud of himself for remembering!!

I love watching how his brain is working, it is amazing that he can remember so much. I so wonder what he is thinking about as he recites the books and songs. Who knows???

His favorite saying lately is "Be like Anna!" Sometimes it takes us awhile to figure out what this means. Life with him can be a bit of a guessing game at times. Fun, fun fun!!! =) =)

"Trust me"

I was grumpy this morning... I wanted to go running and Anna and Dillon were not very cooperative. So I took Anna to pre-school and then just Dillon and I went running. I was very grumpy and not sure if I should run or do something else... clean or bills... something boring. I also love spending time with just Dillon.

So, I went running, and felt so much better!!! In the quiet of running I was able to release my frustrations, pray, and to once again "enjoy the story". Sometimes I wonder how I can enjoy this story God has written for me today, when I don't really like it a whole lot. I am glad that we serve a God who will listen to my frustrations, and then gently encourage me. Today it was... "Your children struggle with understanding that you love them even though you cannot or will not give them everything they want. You too are struggling right now. Yet that is ok, just like you will still love your children, and hope that they will one day understand, I still love you and know that you will one day understand. Trust me."

Thanks God!!!

one final note....

I am so thankful for Spring Break!!! =) Can you tell I have extra time on my hands!!! While running has been taking a back seat to sleepless nights and sick kids... again.... I hope to begin again. This time my goal is 3 miles, in 30 minutes, four times a week. I will let you know how it works out!!!

Our "Resurrection Day" celebration

Aren't pictures great!!! You can see the delight in Anna's face as she is tickled by her daddy, loving "daddy-time" on the slide, my craziness from having been cooped up with feverish children all week, and Todd's reluctance to be photographed. Though this was different than the traditional egg hunt and dinner with family and friends, we still enjoyed the day. God is good!!!

Happy Resurrection Day!!!

one more birthday story....

Anna picked out Funshine bear for Dillon, though we had suggested a different gift. She insisted that he would like it. We didn't get around to wrapping it, I didn't think it would be a big deal. Anna woke up on Saturday morning and found it unwrapped. She wrapped it and proudly presented it to Dillon when he woke up. His response...

I love it!! Thank you Anna!
...big smiles and a hug for Funshine Bear. =) =)

Our Nemo Party

“Playing Dress up**Ok, so the “costumes don'’t really work on Todd and I, but the plan was to have more children there!!! =)
“Nemo and friends

“Lights out!

“Through the Kelp forest

Nemo-Dory Toss

The bean-bags: a close-up

Planning...

Proper planning prevents poor performance.

How many times have you heard this, or this idea expressed? I used to think this meant that my planning would result in life working out according to my plan. I am finally getting the hint... that is not how life works!!!

I now am beginning to understand that performance does not always equal my plan. A true performer reacts to and works with their audience. A teacher will respond to the needs of her students. A parent responds to the needs of her children. What does this require? Flexibility, an ability to bend and react to the circumstances. When I am not flexible, I break. Thankfully, I am maturing in this area!!! Praise God!!!

So... what is this all about???

My Plan: A fun little party for Dillon for his third birthday, followed by a relaxing Easter dinner with friends.

Life? Sick and grumpy kids with fevers for a week, reducing Dillon's party to immediate family only (thankfully he has a sister!!), and our Easter dinner began with a trip to the park followed Claim Jumper's frozen dinners!!!

Oh well, the weekend was still fun, and I was able to work on Anna's Easter dress. It was not finished by Sunday... but is now!! Yipee!!! The amazing thing is that, although I was disappointed that we didn't get to really party, the day was still fun and unspoiled by any excessive pouting by the mommy that planned the party. Pictures will be posted soon... hopefully today!!!!

Enjoy!!!

An Appeal to Prayer

Todd leaves for SE Asia in a little over a week. We would covet your prayers. Join with me in praying Psalm 23 for Todd as we engage in this spiritual battle for lost souls.

Psalm 23

Heavenly Father, You are Todd's shepherd, he shall not want. Make him lie down in green pastures; lead him beside quiet waters, restore his soul; guide him in the paths of righteousness For Your name's sake. Even though he walks through the valley of the shadow of death, May he fear no evil, for You are with him; Your rod and Your staff, may they comfort him.

You prepare a table before him in the presence of his enemies; You have anointed his head with oil; His cup overflows. May goodness and lovingkindness follow him all the days of his life,
And he will dwell in Your house forever. Amen

Thank you!!!

My cute obstacles

Anna and Dillon giving the grass a "haircut"

"Stike a pose"

Fun new outfits, thanks Grammy and Poppy!!

Running as a metaphor for life...

So, I have been able to keep up with running... 3 miles on W, F, and M. I didn't get to go today... it was too dark this morning and I only have dark clothes to wear running... I discovered I am rather addicted to running... which is good and frustrating at the same time!!

I have been wanting to blog all week... so many thoughts simmering in my brain, wanting to be let out and expressed. Yet every time I sit down, my thoughts refuse to flow!!! My brain seems to require silence to express itself, and with Anna not really napping anymore... silence is a rare commodity!! Quiet time has not been going well either, in our house... but I refuse to give up!!!

Days like today, when I feel overwhelmed with all I have committed to... make me question my commitments. Life just isn't working today!!! Yet I am reminded of the lesson I am learning as I train my body to run.

When I run, I get to a point where I am out of breath and feel like I can't go on. Yet, if I am ok with this uncomfortable feeling, if I press on, I discover a rhythm in which I feel I could run for hours!! It is the same with life... if I just press on, perhaps needing to walk, but still moving forward, then suddenly life is easier, or at least, do-able, survive-able. It is that hanging on in the difficult times that is important. Maybe that is what I love about running, that feeling of accomplishing something that at times feels impossible. So perseverance is the first lesson.

The second is being ok without a routine. When I run with both Anna and Dillon, I have to stop often, letting one or both out, to keep peace among the ranks. So my run turns into an interval workout. Sometimes I am straining against the weight of two children and a stroller, barely able to keep running up the hill, other times running with ease, down hill, or running slowly waiting for one or both to keep up. (Anna and Dillon are more interested in looking at all the bugs, sticks and pine cones that line our route!!) I would prefer the predictable 3 mile run, I know how long it will take me and can set my own pace!!! Yet that is not always the run I get to run, and running with two is definitely more interesting!!! However, I will never establish a habit of running if I only run on my own terms.

Life works the same way. Sometimes it is hard to find a routine... and that is a struggle for me, one who thrives on routine. I have to be ok with this interval workout, sometimes struggling against obstacles that keep appearing... not always in the form of Anna and Dillon =)... and sometimes living life "down-hill" with everything moving smoothly and without incident.

So, I continue to run, to persevere, and to live life despite the interruptions. Isn't it the interruptions that make life interesting and fun?? :)

Hebrew 12: 1-2
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I love that the passage states "the run that is set before us". God gives each of us a run, a life, that is unique, in which He will equip us to run. I also love that God tells us how to run this race, to "fix our eyes on Jesus".

May you run with endurance the race that is set before you and fix your eyes on Jesus.

2.9 miles today!! Of course, I didn't get up early so I had to push both children... yikes!! so, 45 minutes later we finished the run at Anna's pre-school... (45 minutes because we had to stop several times... due to a difference of opinion about who was going to play with the bird and who was going to play with the little green man from toy story.) =) We eventually figured it out. Also, mommy made them run up the last hill.... pushing 60+ lbs of children and another 30+ lbs of stroller was a bit too much!!! I wonder what the neighbors thought when they heard our conversation...
"We are running today.... and you need to run. If you stop again, you will have to sit in the stroller... " etc, etc..... =) =)
Of course, I then had to walk/run the 1.8 miles back home to shower and change before picking her back up.... hmm.... definitely motivation to wake up earlier!!! =) =)

My progress and my plan.... am I nuts???

Running is something that must be done on a regular basis... I have always known this... I am just a little more familiar with this experiential knowledge!!

W: 2.3 miles in 25ish, though I had to walk a little... =(
F: 2.3 miles in 27ish... but I was pushing Anna... I need to wake up earlier so I can go alone!! =) =) Especially now when I am establishing consistency....

My plan is to run 3ish miles four times a week for a couple of weeks, and then to start training for a half marathon. I found a 12 week workout schedule online that seems doable. If I complete the first 8 weeks, then I think I might actually sign up for a half marathon!!! What fun!!! I need to be realistic, though... it does take quite a bit of time... but it is fun to think about!!! =) =)

My daughter... the mathematician!

Anna, counting one day...
(mumbling.... I was not paying attention until I heard..)
"one hundred and six, one hundred and seven, one hundred and eight, one hundred and nine...."
(she pauses... and I am not sure what I will hear next...)
"fifty one hundred! Wow... that is a big number... as big as....a cow!!!"

=) =)=)
What is even funnier... is that she has never actually counted to 100... that I have heard... she usually stops around fifty.... but she starts at one hundred occasionally... so maybe fifty one hundred is the biggest number she can think of???

Ok... now that I just wrote this... maybe it is even funnier that I would try to figure out why she thinks fifty one hundred is such a big number???

A "New" Normal

Yikes!! Sorry about my hiatus!! With wanting to be a good wife and mom and friend, and wanting to keep up with my Bible study, Biola prep, housekeeping and exercise... blogging seems to be the last on the list. Thus, it is the first to go when sickness visits our home!!! However, I am encouraged, because I am finally at the point where it feels weird to not be doing these things... they finally are my habit and, while I had to let them go while tending to sick kids, husband and myself, I was able to pick up this "new" normal routine again, and it didn't take so much effort... like it has all the other times that my routine was interrupted. So I am encouraged!! God is good!!!

The Lost Lamb

So, on Thursday night... I found myself driving the 10 minutes to "Auntie" Pat... to retrieve fogotten Lammy... again.... this has happened one or two other times?? This time Dillon came along, on our mission to "rescue" the lost lamb. He was so sweet... I brought Lammy back to the car and Dillon joyfully hugs Lammy and says "I love you!!". How sweet!!! In fact, quite often Dillon has been spontaneously telling those who love him... "I love you!!" mmmmmmm..... good moments to be treasured!!!!

Whenever we are looking for Lammy, especially when we have to take a lot of effort and time to find him, I can't help but recall the passage in Matthew about Christ looking for the lost lamb. The strong desire we have to find Lammy is such a faint shadow of God's desire to find us... It grieves me that so many do not understand this love... that God pursues us with a desire to find and bring home His lost lambs. Beautiful and amazing!!!

Friday and Monday...

F: same time... no children to blame it on... maybe the rain?? I would like to see my time improve... maybe I should start off at a faster pace?? Get more sleep?? =)

M: This time Anna wanted to go... that extra weight really makes a difference... I guess it is strength training and cardio at the same time... yippee!!! =) Still made it in under 25 minutes!! Some day I will try for 3 miles... maybe without A or D!!!

Why is bread so complicated??

My conversation at snack time...
Do you want raisin or regular?
Toasted or cold?
Honey or sugar?
Triangles or squares?

Anna knows what she wants... it is Dillon who takes forever to make up his mind, and then wants to change his order after the honey has been poured!! What happend to a simple piece of toast?? They make life so interesting.... thankfully today it made me laugh!!! =) =)

Wednesday...

2.3 miles in 25 minutes... but I was pushing Dillon... thus the slower time. oh well... it definately makes it a different work out!!

Monday...

2.3 miles in 21 min. Yippee!!! =)

progress..

2.3 miles in 25 minutes.... slower than yesterday but I ran the whole way.... slow and steady wins the race!! =)

An endearing story.... We met family from out of town at the Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney. When it was time to say goodbye, Anna got pretty emotional. We were trying to help her calm down so Todd says... "that's enough crying now Anna, you can stop."

She replies... "I can't stop the tears, Daddy!"

Saying goodbye to family from out of town, to fun toys at the Rainforest Cafe, and to Disneyland... without getting to go into Disneyland... was just too much for her at 8:30pm!!!

Have a nice weekend!!!

I did it!!!

I finally got up at 6am and ran!! Yay!! I have recently been inspired by my friend to begin running again. Now that waking up at 6 is optional... a recent development if you are familiar with my children's sleeping... or rather... lack of sleeping... habits... it is hard to get up!! Yet I love running in the morning!!! The time to myself to think and pray... mmm... delightful!!! I am hoping to keep up the habit, I will share my attempts here... so I am accountable to someone. (I have yet to find a running partner... maybe someday!! =)

I was going to say I was disappointed that I could not even run two miles... I haven't ran regularly this entire year... yikes!!! Yet, I want to be positive... so... without the commentary, my first attempt was to run/walk 2.3 miles in 23 minutes. My goal is 3 miles in 30... we shall see how long it takes to get there. One of my "100 things to do before I die" is to someday run a marathon... maybe when I am 40.... who knows!!!

So, hopefully this new discipline of running and reporting (MWF) will also encourage me to be disciplined in sharing fun/serious stories as well. To that end... here are a few...

Todd and I are SG1 fans.... and Anna and Dillon seem to enjoy SG1 also !!! Especially Dillon, who joyfully exclaims "Stargate mommy" while pointing to or holding up any circular shaped object. (For all non-SG1 fans... a stargate is a circular device that generates a wormhole capable of instantaneously transporting matter to another planet.) =) His inaugural finding was met with uncontrolled mirth... which encouraged him to continue... resulting in hula hoops, rubber bands and even the hole in his cinnamon bread (you know how sometimes the middle falls out and makes a "circle"?) being proclaimed a "stargate"!! =) =) He loves to make me laugh!!!

Speaking of making me laugh..... here is a picture that is sure to encourage your laughter.... and even funnier.... I had to insist he don an additional article of clothing so I could include his photo in my blog!!!


Anna, of course, had to get into the act... thus an additional photo....


One more cute story..... We were at the park yesterday and a little boy started throwing sand... in the general direction of Dillon. Anna pipes up... "No, that's my brother!" I love it when she is protective of him!!!! =) =) I so enjoy seeing their bond... breathtakingly beautiful... an answer to prayer!!!

Temporary Treasures vs. Eternal Treasures

Temporary Treasures vs. Eternal Treasures

It all started with this new routine I have begun… now my house has been clean and organized for three weeks!!! The kitchen sink is shiny, the bathrooms are cleaned daily, and laundry is all caught up!!! I have even begun slowly “de-cluttering” my house!!! So, I should feel great, right?? Yet I find myself with this strange emotion of anxiety… what if I can’t keep it clean??

So this leaves me to ponder why I can’t simply enjoy this clean house, why does the thought of it getting messy or unorganized produce this anxiety??

Then God, in His Grace, started to teach me a lesson. I found myself beginning to understand that even something simple like a clean house reveals a small part of who God is. That is where the enjoyment comes from. To simply enjoy this clean house, without ultimately enjoying the character of God that it reveals, is to turn it into an idol, in some small, but significant, way. Any treasure on earth, whether big or small, holds the potential danger of idol worship, if viewed incompletely.

I also began to understand that this was about more than just a clean house. In thinking about this idea, I realized that I am too often unable to enjoy good things… simply because I have this fear that it won’t last. I catch myself mourning the shortness of the childhood of my children… and they are still young!!! I am sad and pensive on Sunday, thinking about the work week beginning again. I get a little sad at the end of a fun vacation… wanting it to last longer. I mourn the ending of a good book, sad that it all has to come to an end. I earnestly desire to hold on to these experiences… longing for them to continue. Why????

C.S. Lewis says “we are far too easily pleased”. These great and wonderful gifts are just a shadow of what is to come… for those who choose to believe in the salvation God offers through His Son Jesus, … just a shadow of the Eternal Treasures of the Glory of Heaven, of being with the Lover of our Souls, our Creator! To hold on to these temporary treasures… to mourn their loss… reflects my forgetfulness and misunderstanding of the Glory God has wired me to long for. Yes, God understands that we mourn, especially when the loss of a Temporary Treasure was unexpected, a life or relationship cut unnaturally short by death, moving, or changes in life. Yet, I am beginning to understand that I can be comforted knowing that all these Temporary Treasures, whether small and insignificant or huge and overwhelming… all reveal the Eternal Treasure that God in His Grace offers us to receive as our inheritance.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you…” 1 Peter 1:3-4

Holiday fun

I have so many stories to tell it is hard to choose just a few!!! To record all our fun adventures over the last two months would take all day… time I do not have!!! I will share a few pictures, and then hopefully incorporate updating my blog into my weekly routine!! =)

Painting at Christmas

Making Christmas cookiesAnna pretending to be a kitty…

Impromptu line dancing

Anna pretending to be a chrysalis
We truly enjoyed the holiday season and loved seeing friends and famliy. Thanks to all for the fun times!!! =)

More on beauty....

I also want to share my thankfulness for the beauty of friends!!! We spent Thanksgiving at home, and had our friends over. We had a non-traditional brunch, easier with small children who need naps at the traditional time of feasting. It was wonderful to eat together, hang out and feel so relaxed and loved in the company of friends!! (No pictures of this special time, you will have to use your imagination on this one!!!) =)

Beauty

We all love beauty. I think that is why Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is such a big hit. We all love to see the beauty of the new home and, many of us I hope, love to see the beauty in the people they help. Beauty moves us in a unique way that is often indescribable. I think of the psalmist who records in Psalm 27:4

"One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple."

Beauty can appear in different ways. The beauty of a home is nothing compared to the beauty we see in creation. No picture can capture the beauty of nature. The beauty of Anna's smile when she has shared something with Dillon or her spontaneous words "I love you mommy" is amazing!
Beauty. It inspires, we are drawn to it. Beauty is an attribute of God, imaging the beauty of God is what gives a thing its beauty.

This weekend our friends helped us... or rather... we helped them... design our front room. (We were the movers and financed the project.) We still have to paint and hang curtains and discover pictures to embellish the walls.... yet the hard task of seeing a vision of what this room could look like, and now will look like, is a reality! It is amazing what a difference this vision makes. I regret we have no "before" pictures.... that would have been fun. Here is a "during" picture. I will post more pictures when the job is close to being finished.

Having this room beautiful touches my soul!!! It seems silly, such a little thing... but I feel I have been given this gift of beauty. I am grateful and thankful for the talents of our friends. Those of you who know them will be able to guess who it is.. =) =)

..more on potty training...

We were so thrilled that Dillon used the potty 6 times on Friday that we told him we would buy him a Thomas train at Target. That was definitely a good motivation!! As he was happily enjoying his train, Anna was looking at all the other trains one could buy. She says...

"Dillon, go pee-pee in the potty. I like this one!"

=) Don't you love it??
She has been a big help in all this... though I think by the end of the weekend she was wanting some attention too, and some m&m's, for "keeping her underwear dry"!! =) =) What an experience!!

Anna's Heart

My heart is filled with joy!! Listen to this conversation between Anna and me this morning…

“Mommy, I want to live in heaven!”

“I know, sweetie, everyone wants to be in heaven, but God wants us to live here for a while.”

We talked a little about when we live on earth, we learn to love God, and to choose Him. Then, when we are ready, God takes us to be with Him, if we have chosen Him.

Anna thinks, and then…

“Mommy, I choose Him, I choose Jesus!”

=) =) How precious!! I love seeing her heart turning towards God, learning to love and treasure Him!! We prayed about choosing God and asking Jesus to help us make good choices. She was very serious and thoughtful. I am so thrilled to see her heart and to see these small beginnings of her relationship with the Lover of Her Soul!! Praise God!!! =) Praise God with me!!!

I saved the best for last...

***Don't forget to scroll down and begin at the entry above Oct 1st.***

Dillon is using the potty!!! We are so excited at his new accomplishment!! He is so proud of himself!!! I wish I could capture his grin on camera, when he hears his pee slashing in the potty!!! I can't believe how grown up he seems!!! He is definitely not a baby any more... he is a "big" boy now!!!

Anna's Pre-school Parade

The annual parade was a much anticipated event at Anna's school. It even made the announcements at back to school night!! The children make their own costumes, each class has their own part to play in the chosen theme... which was never revealed to the parents, but I am assuming was something like "In the Garden".
Here are the pumpkins...
apples...
leaves...
crows...
and peppers!!! =)

Each class had learned a song. I loved hearing all the children sing their songs!!! Anna was so serious in concentrating to get all the motions and words right! She loves to preform, it was fun to see her with all her new friends, enjoying her new school. After the parade there was a big Halloween feast!!! In the chaotic feast with so many children and parents and other family members, we barely were able to get a bite to eat!!!The day's festivities were finished off with a Halloween picture... and then we went home for naptime!!

Halloween Fun

Costumes were a bit of a dilemma this year. Anna could not make up her mind what she wanted, and I didn’t have a ton of time. I would love to make cute costumes, matching of course, but definitely did not have the time this year. Anna came up with a plan… but mine was a little easier. Easier won out… but Anna’s plan was so hysterical I have to share it…

“Mommy, maybe I can be Baby Jaguar, you can be Diego, Daddy can be Dora…” At this point I start laughing so hard… I can barely breathe…she pauses as if thinking about Dillon…
“…and Dillon can be Backpack!!”
She laughs at her solution… gleefully relishing my laughter… thinking that Dillon being Backpack is the punchline… not knowing that I am picturing Todd as Dora!!!! =) Anna loves laugher... and willingly repeated that story several times over the next few days! =) =)

Anyway, Anna and Dillon… after much debate, ended up being chili peppers!!! Anna’s costume was already finished, because that is what she had been working on at pre-school for the past two weeks. Why should I make another?? So, I duplicated the pepper in a smaller scale, and Dillon loved it!!! This picture is the best I could get… they are not very cooperative. Maybe I will get a better one this week…

"You can see me on the computer"

Anna: "Look Mom, Auntie Becca is on the computer!!"
I rush to the computer and see my sister is online!! I love Yahoo Instant Messenger!! I chat with my sister for a few minutes, and then longer, knowing I have to go, yet loving the instant communication… for free!!! Knowing she will not have internet access for over two weeks… I regretfully say goodbye and our chat session is over.

In the days to follow…
“Mommy, why isn’t Auntie Becca on the computer anymore”
“She is visiting in ________ , and can’t be on the computer for a while.”
“I miss her.”
“I know, honey, I miss her too!”

A few days later…
“Mommy, when I grow up, maybe I will be in (the country my sister is in), or in ______ …”
…she pauses… and thinks…
“…what was that name”
I tell her the name and she continues…
“Maybe when I grow up I will be in _____, or in _____ and you can see me on the computer!!” =)
I love it!!!

Anna at the "Pumpkin Patch"

"Pumpkin Patch", part two... So when we, with Grammy and Poppy, took Anna and Dillon to the "pumpkin patch" together, Dillon, at least, went with Anna into the petting zoo. We still could not get him to go in the bouncer, however. My cautious son!!! =)

Anna, however, is the opposite of cautious. I wish I had a picture, though it would not do the story justice. Without even considering her options, she asked to go on the first inflatable slide she saw. It was a shark slide, with steps that ascended to a dizzing height.

This is the story... She scrambles up the stairs, it takes what seems like a few minutes, then pauses momentarily.
"Anna, come on!"
As she zooms down the slide with a terrified look on her face, she tumbles over at the last instant. "That was a little scary".
"Do you want to go again??"
Anna lookes a little hesitant.
The ride operator looks at me... "You can go with her".
"OK", I think, "how bad can it be? Two trips down were already paid for... we have to go again!!"
So I climb up with her. As we reach the top, and sit down, my heart is beating fast.
"I do not want to do this!!"
I am amazed Anna actually went down the first time!!! So, we go down together, faster than I am comfortable with. I will not be on something like this for a very long time!!!

Anna loved the ponies, too, see her delight!!! Thanks Grammy and Poppy!!!

Dillon at the "Pumpkin Patch"

...I know the pictures tell the story... but you will want to observe what was left out. This "pumpkin patch", was an "city" version, complete with bounce houses and a petting zoo. Notice, however, that you do not see any pictures of Dillon actually in a bounce house, let alone the petting zoo. And I paid $8 for him to enjoy the zoo and bouncer!!! I guees the small pumpkin that was included with the price was now an $8 pumpkin!

All Dillon wanted to do was to play with the pumpkins... at a pumpkin patch, how ironic!!!
I think our time and money would have been better spent driving to a real pumpkin patch!!!

He enjoyed himself, I didn't really mind.... Isn't he cute!!! =)

...more on the mantis

Listen to what she said a few weeks after letting the mantis go...
Anna: "I miss him... the bug with the green leaves? What was his name mommy?"
me: "The praying mantis?"
Anna: "Yes, the praying mantis, he was my friend, I miss him..."
I love her!!! =)

Anna's delight!

I was thrilled!! I had just returned from jogging to Anna's pre-school, and Dillon had fallen asleep in the stroller. So... I went around back to leave the stroller in the backyard, allowing my son a few more minutes of rest. I found a praying mantis!! Knowing Anna would love this... she loves bugs... I captured it in jar so I could show her when she came home.

After we picked up Anna from school, we had lunch, and then I remembered... the praying mantis!! I showed Anna and she loved it!!! She decided to let it go after a while, and it stayed in the backyard. She picked it up and even let it crawl up her arm!! She didn't like it crawling in her hair, however, I guess there is a limit to her love of bugs.

I am so thankful that God has created such unique creatures to enjoy!!!

...it has been so long...

So much time has gone by since I last "blogged"... Yikes!! What a busy 6 weeks!!!

I will fill you in on some of the fun events that have happpened this month...or rather, last month...

More fun tidbits....

"Hide and Seek"
Dillon was riding in his car seat, and I hear him saying... where are you?? Then he starts counting... one... two... three... and I realize, he is playing hide and seek with his toy Buzz!!! =) They both think it is so funny to play hide and seek in the car.... what imagination!!!

"Two brothers"
We were at the park yesterday, and a little two year old boy wanted to play with Anna. Much to her delight, he wanted to chase her!! Dillon joined in and the three of them were running around the playset, up the stairs, across the bridge, and down the slide. Anna calls out... "Look mom, I have two brothers!" =)

"Not a very good artist"
Anna was drawing in the other room, and she shows me her paper. "Mom, I am not a very good artist, they look a little weird, look at the nose, it looks like a pig." Trying to remain serious, I tried to figure out where she would have heard that from! "Edwin is a good artist", she says, and repeats, "I am not a good artist". After trying to encourage her that she was just learning, and it was ok that they look a little weird, I was still puzzled... I guess Todd told her that Edwin was a good artist. =) but why does she think she is "not a very good artist"?? I figured it out a few days later, while she was watching "Harold and the Purple Crayon". In one of the episodes Harold is frustrated that he cannot draw a circle, and says he is "not a very good artist". It is funny to see the connections that she makes... she does pay attention, more than I realize!!

The storm

Two weeks ago, LA was quite stormy.. a full blown thunder and lightening storm. The thunder was so loud, it sounded like it was over our house! At two am, it started up again. After an amazingly loud roar of thunder, we heard Anna scream... not just an "I am afraid" scream, this was the most terrified scream I had ever heard. A powerful maternal instinct gripped me... the two seconds it took to leap out of bed and across the hall to her room were too long!!! I was amazed at how strong that emotion was!!! I wanted to be with her immediately, to let her know everything was alright, that I was here. It is hard to put in words.... Anna recovered... I am not sure I have yet. =) She kept talking about how the storm was scary... My Anna, afraid, who usually is not afraid of anything? She is growing up!

"A" is for AWANA

Anna has been involved in AWANA now for three weeks. She loves it!! We are so thankful that it is going so well. She loves memorizing the verses, and Dillon even wants his turn to try to say them!! I love that they memorize simple, but vital verses.
"God loves us and sent His Son"
"All have sinned"
"While we were sinners, Christ died for us."
"God is love"
Such simple but powerful truths!!! I was concerned because Anna struggles with structured environments, and starting school, plus AWANA, I thought it would be too much. It wasn't!! She loves it!!

"B" is for butterfly!

Life is busy... but fun!!! Our recent adventure was watching catapillar change from larva to butterfly!! Amazing!! Anna and Dillon loved watching the process. The timing could not have been more perfect... Anna's preschool was studying the letter B the same week that the butterflys emerged!!! So we brought them to school and released them, for all the kids to see. What fun!!!


(Don't forget to click on the image to see a larger picture!!) =)