Full steam ahead

So since Aaron has cut his 2nd tooth and they no longer seem to be bothering him, he has decided to take off with his other developmental skills. He has been so close to going from crawling to sitting himself up and yesterday he did it! He just needed to learn how to give that one little push. I'm still trying to catch him in action but no luck yet. Of course it happens every time I put the camera down...boo!

His little personality is just exploding too, and he loves to play bashful with the ladies. He talks and babbles all the time and loves for you to cheer for him so he can clap his hands. He is changing soo fast and I feel like I can't keep up. Slow down little man, your momma's emotions can handle it!

Last Friday, John surprised me with a date night. His mom had volunteered to keep the kids and he took her up on it and we had a nice dinner. It was long overdue. It was cute because when we told Seth he said "So we get to listen to Mema and Papa rules, not mommy and daddy rules?" He was excited about his night out too :)

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Tonight when I got home, I hugged my boys just a little bit tighter and for a little bit longer when saying hello. We stayed up and enjoyed being a family tonight, even past normal bedtime, just because. My "I love you's" were filled with even more love tonight as my precious babies went to sleep. All because life it too precious to be taken for granted.

I came home tonight from a memorial service for a friend who took her own life. I'm sad that she felt her only way out was to do that, but i'm mostly mad that she was selfish enough to not think about what this would do to her precious 3yr old little boy. He only saw his father occasionally, and lived with her full time. How is that helpless little baby suppose to understand why his mommy won't come back for him? I pray he understands the best he can and God heals his hurt soon.

I unfortunately understand depression, because I had pre partum depression with Aaron, and let me tell you it was a POWERFUL monster. BUT, as sad as I was, as much as I didn't care about anything. As much as I wish I could have crawled in a whole and NEVER had to see anyone again, the thought of Seth and little unborn Aaron kept me trying because no matter how bad I felt, I had made a choice and my responsibility was to them!!!

Her actions are something I just can't wrap my mind around so i'm not even going to try anymore. I just pray for peace, love and forgiveness to surround her family.

When I found out Sunday (yes Father's Day of all days) it gave new meaning to the time I had with my family. So yesterday I put the housework to the side and spend the day lovin on my boys. We had such a good time. We played, watched movies, went to Monday Madness which happened to be about Seth's favorite things...dinosaurs!!! He laughed at Dinosaur George so hard that at one point he fell out of his chair :) Then we made up songs and sang at the top of our lungs. We made up a new word for days we had to go to Target and Walmart...Tarmart (Seth likes it) Aaron had a blast with all the kids laughing and got so excited and would clap and do his high pitch squeal, and he tried his hand at singing with us. Precious memories were made that's for sure.

Sometimes life gets crazy and i'd like to run away, but I thank God for every minute nd have a better appreciation for all of it.


No time to do the housework,
cause my babies want to play.
No dishes, sweeping, mopping
or laundry to put away.

Today is another precious gift
that God has given to me
A day to laugh and hug my boys
and be as silly as can be

For we know not what our future holds
there are no guarantees
Our loved ones that we hold so dear
will be there for us to see

John you are my closet friend
I love you more than words can say
Seth you are my precious 'Stink'
and love to watch you laugh and play

Aaron, my handsome slobber monkey
how you fill my heart with joy
Thank you God for blessing me
with my family full of boys!

Aaron

Mr Aaron has quite the personality going on now. He is such a joy to be around and I love his sheepish grin he has. It's so cute to watch him wave at us and say HI and whisper da da when John walks in the room. And every now and then he would say ma ma, but as of yesterday (Father's Day) he says it every time he cries for me...melts my heart. He loves his big brother too and no matter how fussy he is, Seth can always come to the rescue and get a smile or a laugh out of him. He is definitely a stinker :) The last picture is his disapproving look to grass, hahaha

Seth

This video is a little lengthy, but if your interested in hearing a good book it's well worth the watch. Notice how his eyes change when he goes from reading to embellishment! I'm sooo glad he loves to read and learn

Motherhood: My Only Gem

“She came tonight as I sat alone, the girl I used to be…
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye and questioned reproachfully;

Have you forgotten the many plans and hopes that I had for you?
The career, the splendid fame, and all the wonderful things to do?
Where is the mansion of stately height with all of its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you and the jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad for I wanted her please with me…
This slender girl from the shadowy past the girl that I used to be
So gently rising, I took her hand, and guided her up the stair
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay innocent, sweet, and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems, and precious they are to me;
That silken robe is my motherhood of costly simplicity.
And my mansion of stately height is love, and the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls for the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest, she smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw that the woman that I am now, pleased the girl I used to be.

- Author Unknown
Quoted in Womanly Dominion by Mark Chanski

Car Wash

Have you ever watched Shark Tale? We love that movie and especially the music. It's so funny to watch the boys jam out at the end to Car Wash. Seth gets his gangsta face on during the rap, and Aaron squeals sooo loud. I'm trying hard to get it on video. Till then, hope you enjoy the song addition :)

Get your running face on

First, compliments to the photographer lol. Seth does a great job taking pics I think. He's so funny cause he fusses at us to hold still, then wants us to say 'fuzzy pickle'. But here's my red face for proof of my new running goals.



Tonight I went running in the backyard, which is really not a yard, it's more like a field. Anyway it is sooooo much better on me than running on pavement. I walked to get started, stretched, ran, walked to cool down, then came in and stretched some more. Now normally by the end of the night I'd be having leg cramps and shin splints so bad I'd want to kick everyone in sight. Tonight...nothing!

I'm going to keep up running in the evening and in the yard. I think i'll have better success with staying consistent. I never thought i'd enjoy running but I have to admit I do. I'm sooo thankful to my shoes that inspired me. I bought them, came home, wore them and they felt sooo good I had the urge to run. So here we are, running for the first time in my life...like it.

So here's to new things and figuring out life. 30 just keeps getting better and better.

OUCH, that was my toes!!!

About 3 weeks ago, we had a surprise baby shower for a friend that somehow turned into an impromptu karaoke night. When trying to decide to sing or not, the question was asked...What music do you like?

Simple question right...WRONG!

What DO I like? If it doesn't involve some theme song off of PBS, Disney, or Nick then I probably don't know it. Somewhere in the last 3 years of this wonderful journey called parenthood, I am no longer Kristi. I'm mommy, Seth and Aaron's mom or John's wife. These are titles that I wouldn't trade for the world, but are they doing my family, or me for that matter, justice?

Shouldn't I be something more? Isn't there more to me than that?

That one simple question has really got me thinking...If I don't know who "I" am, then who am "I" in the eyes of my husband and children? I can't speak for John, but for my boys right now it isn't much more than "the cook, the maid, kisser of boo boo's, and bed time drill sargeant" >While reading an article today Good Reason's Mom Needs a Vision this statement was made and my toes were instantly crushed. It's exactly my thoughts I hadn't been able to put into words yet in just one simple sentence! *I altered it just a bit to emphasis how it spoke to me.

We Cannot Lead Our Children If We Don’t Know Where We’re Going

WOW, that hit me hard. Do you fully understand the power that is in that statement. Not only is it so important to know who I am for me, but for my family. I can't be the wife or mother I need to be if "I" am lost. I'm not sure where to start exactly, but this article game me some good starting points. It's a good read even if you are not a parent so I recommend checking it out. In the mean time i'm off to find a long lost friend and i'll let you know when I find me!