The Silly Brothers

I had an hour tonight with nothing pressing to do. So I got out the laptop to write an serious post about Thanksgiving and Hope and God's faithfulness in my life but I wanted some pictures. And I got caught up with editing pictures. And it struck me. I have some silly brothers. Crazy brothers. It is getting harder and harder to get a picture with them both in the same frame. But they sure do love each other. Every afternoon when we walk through the door laden down with backpacks and lunch sacks they take off for cars. And they play. Semi together. Rolling cars all over the house. Making vroom vroom noises that they were born making. Tonight Miller gave Noah a kiss. And my tired worn out mommy heart just about melted. How precious is their brotherhood. I water it with my prayers and praise. I hope I never stomp on it and that I only nurture it. I hope their brotherness brings others closer to God. It sure brings me to His feet :) Love them.

I'll post Thanksgiving posts later. For now I am just going to sleep. More cars to play tomorrow.

The Boy That Baffles Me

This little one is no doubt precious. But he baffles me. He does not seem to register the word "no". He is in to everything. And he expresses frustration by biting. Me. and Noah. All the time. Dinner time is painful. If you don't guess what he wants to eat and when it gets thrown on the floor. Time out and being put out of the high chair and even getting his little hand spank have NO effect. And then he will be so sweet. Giving kisses and snuggling close. He is very affectionate and prefers to play while nestled safely in your lap. I am at a loss. I have no ideas. Neither did our doctor. I am praying for suggestions. Does anyone have any?????

The Thankfuls

Nov 14th- I am thankful for my role as a mother. I love the sweet moments of bedtime and snuggles. And fixing little things with a hug and kiss.

Nov 15th- I am so very thankful for my neighbors and neighborhood. My neighbors are so helpful and loving. Tonight I had a meeting and I also wanted to make cupcakes for Noah's class in the morning. I had decided to buy some. When I got home from my meeting there were homemade cupcakes on my porch. From my neighbor who knows I want to be "that mom". Such a good friend.

Nov 16th- Today I am so very thankful to have the ability to celebrate my sweet Noah and his four years of life! I am thankful to have a job and a boss who understands the importance of family. And for personal days.

Nov 17th- Today I am thankful for Teaching American History Program. I love the professional development and collaboration with peers and the technology the provide. In this day of under funding it is nice to be a part of something that still helps you provide new things in the classroom. Today we got to go to s tiny Civil Rights museum in Greensboro and interviewed foot soldiers in the Civil Rights Movement.

Nov 18th - I am very thankful for my coworkers. Last night a pipe burst in my classroom and it flooded a little bit. I camped out in the library with my kids. I enjoyed the hospitality in the library and my coworkers and administrators who helped my clean up!

Nov 19th- I am thankful for music. I love how that song can change your mood, or remind you of that time in college.... or when the lyrics move you to tears, or help you to offer praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. Music can energize or relax. I am thankful for that.

Nov 20th- I am really thankful for clean. Silly. But true. Today Adam and I took the boys to school and we cleaned the entire house top to bottom. With homemade "green" products thanks to Pinterest and my mom. The house is shiny and amazingly clean. And it smells awesome! I love that feeling!

Nov 21st- Today I am thankful for being safe and comfortable in my clean house with my family while it rains and rains and rains!

The Four Year Old

Four years ago today this little baby made me a mother. In a complicated arrival he made my heart burst with love. Noah has has done so many things for me as a person. He brought me closer to God. He made me more dependent on prayer. He made me fall even more in love with Adam. He made me a better teacher. He made me cherish my time with at home. Because of Noah I found out I was stronger than I ever thought. And more selfish than I realized. Being his mother has been been the best adventure of my life.
Noah has been an absolute delight to every member of his family. We love his adorable face and fun personality. We have countless memories of his funny questions and curiosity.
One of my favorite things about Noah is his joy over the simple things. Trucks on the highway, fall decorations being put up in the house. An extra bedtime story.

Noah's second and first birthday cake.

This year Noah has grown into a little boy. Dropping some of his baby habits and becoming a preschooler. He loves his cars and candy of all kinds. He still loves playing with Brooke outside. At school he has lots of friends and loves telling us all about them. He is sounding out words and spelling some. He is actually quite good at math too. He will add and subtract simple numbers.
Noah has dropped some of his fears and is becoming much more sure of himself.
Noah is still super curious and asks tons of questions about how things work and why. He is so smart and constantly amazes us with his ability to remember EVERYTHNG.
Noah is a great big brother. He always can make Miller laugh and he is quick to help when he can. He has captured Miller's heart with both hands. And is definitely his hero. And even though their love is sometimes (or many times) manifested through wrestling matches, we love watching them be brothers.

Noah has the best imagination. His games are complicated and have lots of twists and turns. He loves to play cars and build neighborhoods. Sometimes tornadoes still come through and destroy things, but it has been interesting to see how Noah has worked through the storm through his play.
This summer Noah loved being at the beach with our family and loved being in the pool and playing in the sand. He wasn't as sure of the ocean. He would have nothing to do with it.
One of Noah's favorite places to go is to church. I love this about him. He is always excited to go and learn about Jesus and play with his church friends. He learns more and more verses. I was looking back at my birthday post last year and this was one of my prayers and hopes about his year. I love the foundation God is busy laying in his heart and I look forward to the day when he gives that heart to our Lord. I never tire of answering his questions about God and heaven. My favorite one recently was "How did God put on our skin?"
Noah has recently turned into quite the artist. He loves coloring and often asks to make things. He is starting to draw people and cars. His art at school is getting to be quite good. He also rarely gets time outs at school. He is always bringing home rewards for being good and not getting any "checks". He is also displaying good manners often saying yes mam and no sir without prompting. He is a sponge.

He is not super fond of taking pictures so I am always pleased when I get a good one.
I am so thankful for Noah. I hope as he grows he recognizing how thankful Adam and I are for him. I hope he can relate to God's love through our love for him. It is my hope and prayer that I can do a good job of demonstrating God's love for him on a small scale so that Noah can fall in love with Jesus too. One of my favorite stories about Noah this year came in the aftermath of the tornado. I was going through the house packing up clothes and dry goods to take to the donation center and Noah started picking out cars and toys for the children who lost theirs. Without prompting and suggestion. He immediately recognized the need and responded to it. I hope there more and more stories like that to share about Noah in the coming years.
Sometimes I look at this little boy and I am just filled with so much joy and love I simply can't describe it. I am blessed by him.
And I am humbled that God saw me fit to be his mother. He teaches me so much about life, love and my Father's love for me.
In this fifth year of Noah's life it is my prayer that he learn more and more about who God is. I pray that he grows closer to committing his life to God. I pray that he continues to thirst for more and more learning. I pray that he continues to make good choices with his friends and with his brother. I pray that he continues to develop an obedient sweet spirit. I pray for Adam and I that we would continue to seek His wisdom on making choices for Noah. And that we not be a hindrance to the plan He has for Noah. I pray that Noah would continue to be a shining light and that others would see God in him and through him like his parents do.

Noah, I love you sweet boy. Happiest of birthdays.

The Fifteen Month Old

Miller turned fifteen months old on Friday! It is so funny to me how different our boys are. Blonde and brunette. 90th percentile and 25th. Miller weighed in at 22lbs and 30 inches. I went back on the blog and checked on Noah's 15 month stats. He was just about 27lbs and almost 33 inches and in the 90th percentile.

Noah at fifteen months.

Miller has a couple of words, kind of. Mammaaaamma and dadadadadada. He has said "high five" a few times. He roars. He stands. But does not walk. He signs "all done" and just tonight "more". He loves to point and grunt at things he wants. He is stubborn and knows what he wants and when he wants it. He is also quick to laugh. And he laughs a lot.

He loves to climb in and over and out of things. And despite the not walking he is very good at getting around. He loves his brother. And his mommy and daddy. He is getting better at sitting and reading.

He has his favorite books including "The Very Busy Spider" and "That's Not My Monkey". He is still taking bottles. I can't help it. He is just a baby ;)

I wish I could say it was just the night night bottle. But he gets one in the morning. And sometimes if he really needs a good nap he'll get one then. I need to get serious about getting finished with the bottle. Our prayer for Miller is for a kind heart and a strong relationship and friendship with his brother. We see those developing in him. And of course that he falls in love with his Savior.

He has a beautiful and fun spirit. We enjoy watching Miller grow and develop although sometimes he baffles us :)

The November Thankful List Continued

November 5th- Today I am thankful for college football. I know it sounds silly. But I really love the excitement and tradition that comes with college football.

November 6th- I am very thankful for our Church. Calvary has been a great place for our growing family. As a newly married couple Adam and made great godly friends and grew together as a couple. As parents we were welcomed into the preschool ministry and have served there and watched as Noah learned about God and His love for Him all while developing a love for going to church. As Noah got a little older we started going to church on Wednesdays too. Adam and I have come to love our Wednesday night Bible Studies and I have enjoyed teaching this semester. Recently I was asked to be a part of a new mentoring program with Calvary's awesome college ministry. I met with my two girls last week and look forward to growing our relationship together and with God! Calvary is a place where I walk away knowing more about my savior from the teaching and worship. I leave feeling more equipped to love and live out God's story of grace in my life.

November 7th-Today I am thankful for modern technology. From everything to the washing machine, the internet, the calculator.... I am thankful for the ways it makes life easier and helps us all stay connected.

November 8th- Today I am thankful for the ability to read. I am taking an online class about struggling readers. It really opens my eyes to what a gift being a reader is. I think I really take for granted that reading is easy for me. I am thankful that Noah loves to read. Adam is reading him James and the Giant Peach and Noah loves that story time so much. I am thankful that we have the resources and time to invest in reading with him. And my heart breaks for the kids I teach whose parents may have never had the time or opportunity to read bedtime stories.

November 9th- Today I am thankful for time alone. I got the chance to run a few errands for Noah's party alone after church. I love people. Especially my sweet family but there are just some times when you need a little alone time. I am thankful Adam recognizes that and never complains when I ask for it!

November 10th- I am thankful for accountability. Today the central office did walk through at school. This process can be intimating. There are whole check lists of things we have to be doing at any given time and some have nothing to do with teaching our content. But at the same time they hold us accountable. And I think that is good. There are many of us who are working really hard to ensure that our kids are getting the best we can give but our situation can be tiring and frustrating and it can be easy to give in to the old habits of laziness. Accountability helps keep you on track. I need more accountability. Not just at school but with fitness and eating routines, spiritually, and in the area of housekeeping and organization. I am thankful God gave us accountability and each other.

November 11th- Today I am SUPER thankful for our veterans. AND their families. I am so humbled by the sacrifice they make for me and my loved ones. I know it can't be easy. I am grateful for my grandfather who fought in WWII and for my cousins who have served and still serve with the Army and the Navy. What would we do without these brave men and women? Where would we be without their willingness to protect? And have you seen the YouTube clip of the girl in Alabama who is at her schools Veteran's Day program and her Dad turns out to be the special guest?

November 12th- Today I am thankful for celebration. And all that goes with it! I am so happy to celebrate another year of Noah's life.

November 13th- Today I am thankful for medication. Today I am feeling yucky and under the weather with what seems like the never ending sinus infection. It never goes away. For long. But as I rested as much as possible today and took Advil Sinus around the clock I thanked God for medicine! I really appreciate what it does for me and for others.

The Fourth Birthday Party

This morning we celebrated Noah's fourth birthday! (His actual birthday is next Wednesday. ) Noah asked to have his party at the Playhouse (an area daycare with a big indoor playground and jump things) and after much debate Adam and I decided not to invite our friends and their children in Birmingham. We love them all and certainly want them to be a part of Noah's life but we felt we were asking a lot of them to come an hour and a half for two hours of birthday party.

So we invited his class and the neighborhood kids to Noah's race car themed birthday. Since it

was on location I kept the decor low key. I used primary colors and I was planning on making cupcakes but at the last minute Noah asked for a race car cake. So being the crazy mom I am I took that challenge during the busiest week at school in a long time. I have never seen Noah so excited as he was this

morning! Ecstatic. We had a low turnout, it is a busy Saturday (or everyone hates me;) ). But Noah thought everything was perfect and a wonderful time with his family and friends! He had a blast!

Nana and Noah.

Miller has the best seat in the house.

Noah gets a little taste.

Can't believe there are four candles on this cake!!!!

The boys in the bouncy house.

The shabby chic race car cake ;)

Pinterest inspired fruit race cars.

Goody bags with cupcake to go, tattoos, paper yo yo, bracelet and car sucker.