Evening walk to the park...

...with my guys!
Seriously, nothing brings me more Joy than being with Bryan and Gabe on such an awesome evening as the sun is setting.

1st Dentist Appt.

Note to self:

Dentist appointments with this boy are not fun.

This is my big boy in the chair just before the crying and screaming began

I don't know why, but I did not prepare myself for the worst in this situation. I SHOULD HAVE! I didn't think that it was going to go as bad as it went. It was horrible. He cried and screamed the whole time. It was sad and embarrassing at the same time. I was hot and sweaty and I know that I'm probably not the only mom who has gone through that, but in the moment that's all that was going through my mind.
Afterwards they give them a little baggy with a new toothbrush, toothpaste, dino floss stick and hour glass thing. They also give you a token to get a prize. Well, it's one of those vending machine type spinny things. You know the kind where you get what you get. You don't get to choose, and of course Gabe didn't like what he got so the screaming continued while I made his next appointment.

Despite all that from what the dentist could see Gabe's teeth are good...no cavities, good spacing etc.

So, I guess it was all worth it.

The dentist and hygienists with their ears still ringing may have a different opinion...

My Spider Man

Gabe wore this ALL day today...
At Grandma and Grandpa's
Outside playing with JadenMan while Gpa washed his truck
Ate lunch in it
Drove home in it
He probably would have worn it to bed if I would have let him!

There are SO many things I love about this picture. I love that the white collar of his shirt is sticking out, I love that he's saying "I'm strong" as I'm taking the picture, I love that he's standing on his chair, I love how he says "Mommy, I have big Muscles!"

OH man I love this kid!

Big Boy Bed

This was the easiest transition EVER! We have had NO issues at all (so far) and it's been a little over a week. Gabe adjusted immediately.
The bed is done and all set up. We love it! Seriously, we couldn't have gotten a better deal. Thanks to my mom and sister, Janell. The bed frame, mattress and down comforter all came from them. Bob painted the frame black for us and all we had to pay for was the paint. We can't express our gratitude enough!

Now if only this could happen with the binky. We shall see...

Gabe's birthday

Look who turned 3 last week:

Oh man, have I mentioned that we adore this boy??

Gabe and I celebrated doing what he wanted to do, play with the JadenMan! I enjoyed spending EVERY minute of this day with my Gabe. We ate a yummy breakfast together, watched a few of his favorite cartoons, had lunch with Grandma and playtime with JadenMan, Aunt Fulie, Aunt Janell and Audrey.
Gabe took a short nap and we all did our annual trip to Red Robin for dinner and a birthday sundae.

Saturday the 10th we had Gabe's Birthday party. It was loads of fun!

The Invitation

The decor, dump truck dirt cake and signs that Daddy drew

The Kiddie table

Kids running a muck and a stop for a short rest and snuggle


Seriously LOVE these boy's!

Happy Birthday to my Gabey baby!

Listening

Definition -

• take notice of and act on what someone says; respond to advice or a request
• make an effort to hear something; be alert and ready to hear something
• used to urge someone to pay attention to what one is going to say

I've been thinking a lot about listening lately. Why? Because we are smack dab in the middle of the listening battle with Gabe. He chooses not to listen to commands, demands, direction, warnings etc etc etc.
Gabe will sometimes ask me "Mommy you listen to me?" and most of the time I would say I WAS listening and had already answered him, but he most likely didn't like what I said. lol

Am I a good listener? I think when I want to be I can be, but other times I am distracted and "multi-tasking" if you will. Which to me isn't REALLY listening. I probably do this more then I really think. For example, if someone is talking to me, I might be looking somewhere else or playing on my phone or doing something and not giving the other person my undivided attention and looking at them making them feel as though they are being listened to. Sometimes they will stop talking and I'll say, "I'm listening" and could totally repeat what they said, but really it's kind of rude now that I'm seeing it from Gabe. Or someone could be talking to me about something and I will completely interrupt them and talk about something else. Seriously, how rude is that and I'm ashamed that I actually do that sometimes.
If I'm not being a good listener how do I expect to listen and hear the voice of God?
Listening to God is probably the most important thing that will ever happen to a person. In fact your entire eternal future is based on you hearing God speaking to you and whether or not you listen to him. And this is because your spiritual life doesn't begin until God speaks to you and you finally decide to listen. This is so beautifully described in John 10:27-28. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand".

Listening is not an innate ability; it’s a skill. And like any skill, it takes lots of practice to perfect.
I want, I desire to be a good listener. I want my children to want to come to me and talk about things and know no matter what they are loved. It's not difficult to weave authentic listening throughout our busy everyday routines, and the benefits, both for us and our kids, are lasting.

When we listen, we bring forth and hold the sacredness of our children. We are reminded to stay in the moment, give from our hearts, go beyond self-imposed limitations, and open ourselves to a more expansive universe. Listening lets our kids know they are valued and gives us treasured insight into their very being. The vital decision to listen can dissolve any distance between us and our kids.

I like this article Easy Steps to Listening Kids. Maybe if I can become a better listener, Gabe will?

25 weeks

Happy Easter

I love Easter baskets, coloring Easter eggs, but most importantly remembering the cross, resurrection and love of our Savior.
I am reminded of a song every Easter by Ray Boltz called "Watch the Lamb". I love this song. I remember one year at a Good Friday service they did a skit to this song and I bawled. It was so moving.

Watch the Lamb

Walking On the Road to Jerusalem
The time had come to sacrifice again
My two small sons they walked beside me down the road
The reason that they came was to watch the lamb

Daddy daddy what will we see there
There's so much that we don't understand
So I told them of Moses and Father Abraham
And then I said dear children watch the lamb

There will be so many in Jerusalem today
We must be sure the lamb doesn't run away
And I told them of Moses and Father Abraham
And I said Dear children Watch the lamb

When we reached the city I knew something must be wrong
There were no joyful worshipers no joyful worship songs
I stood there with my children in the midst of angry men
Then I heard the crowd cry out Crucify Him

We tried to leave the city but we could not get away
Forced to play in this drama a part I did not wish to play
Why upon this day were men condemned to die
Why were we all standing here when soon they would pass by

I looked and said even now they come
The first one cried for mercy the people gave him none
The second one was violent he was arrogant and loud
I can still hear his angry voice screaming at the crowd

Then someone said there's Jesus I scarce believed my eyes
A man so badly beaten He barely looked alive.
Blood poured from His body from the thorns on His brow
Running down the cross falling to the ground

I watched as He struggled I watched Him as He fell
The cross came down upon His back the crowd began to yell
In that moment I felt such agony In that moment I felt such loss
Till the roman soldier grabbed my arm and screamed
"You Carry his cross!"

At first I tried to resist him but his hand reached for his sword
So I knelt and I took the cross from the Lord
I put it on my shoulders and started down the street
The blood that He'd been shedding was running down my cheek

They led us to Golgotha they drove nails deep in His feet and hands
And on the cross I heard him pray "Father, forgive them..."
Never have I seen such love in any other eyes
"Into thy hands I commit my spirit," He prayed and then He died

I stood for what seemed like years I lost all sense of time
Until I felt two tiny hands holding tight to mine
My children stood there weeping and I heard the oldest say
Father please forgive us, The lamb, Ran away

Daddy daddy What've we seen here
There's so much that we don't understand
So I took them in my arms we turned and faced the cross
And I said Dear children Watch the lamb

I love Holiday traditions, especially now that I have my own kids. Coloring eggs was SO much fun. I loved the little pouches that came in the kit I got. Gabe was the creative one this year, he wanted to mix the water colors together. Jaden wanted to pile the eggs in the cups as fast as he could and break open and eat all the eggs. Audrey just made faces and supervised.


Easter Sunday we decided to sleep in a bit (as long as Gabe would let us) and go to 2nd service. We arrived a little early to mingle and eat some of the spread they had. The service was good and we headed to my parents to celebrate. We had a yummy lunch/dinner, the kids looked for their Easter baskets and then we all went to a Hockey game. It was a good day spent together as a family!

Found it
Had a blast with daddy at the game
And JadenMan

OH and HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my very kooky sister, Julie!!!

Annual Birthday lunch

Every year my great friend Marcia and I go out to celebrate our birthday's together instead of getting gifts. I love this!
Our guy's willingly and happily stay home with the kids. This year our moms watched the kids cause we went on a Monday.
We went to get pedicure's this year and had lunch afterward.

I definitely look forward to this every year and thank God for a wonderful friendship!

Things I never want to forget #5-#8

5. Gabe woke up from his nap saying that there were crickets in his bed.

6. As I was getting Gabe ready for bed one night he was eating a cracker and he asked me if what he was eating was a sandwich and I said no it's a cracker and he said "ARE YOU sure mommy?"

7. When Gabe wants to sit on my lap he says "I sip or wrap, mommy"

8. Gabe and I were out on a beautiful sunny day and he starts growling and putting his hands over his eyes. I asked him if he was ok and he said "NOOOO, the sun won't stop looking at me!"

Basement Progress

BEFORE
Messy, boring white walls, gross carpet


AFTER
It's still in the works...I would like to get some more decor on the "family room" side, but you need $$ for that. So for now...

Many thanks to Mom and dad who bought us new carpet...it looks awesome!

Office side

Family room side (love the make-shift curtain. Not sure if we're going to do blinds, curtains or both?)

Preggo

I love love love being pregnant!

I can feel my new baby boy moving all the time. Bryan has felt him too, but he usually goes into stealth mode when Bryan puts his hands on my belly.
I can eat whatever I want...and the consequences will all blend in at the end...
I have an excuse for things.. like eating late at night and not exercising.
Everything is itchy and stretchy.
I cry A LOT
My friends would be proud, every time I sneeze or cough I pee a little
I love wearing maternity clothes
My brain has stopped working, but started thinking only of what needs to be done for this little dudes arrival. (We painted and pulled up the rug in the basement this last weekend. New carpet should be in by the end of the week. ((thumbs up))

Gabe was an awesome helper he vacuumed up the nastiness that was under the old carpet.

My favorite things:

These items don't even scratch the surface, but it's a beginning. I think about food A LOT. And it tastes so much better when you're pregnant! Sometimes I lie in bed at night thinking about food, glancing at the clock to double check, "yes, it's definitely too late to go get take-out... and I already ate... hm, yes, it's definitely too late". Having a conversation with myself.. that's always fun. Plump and healthy, that's the look I'm going for..

Any kind of cerealI actually ate a whole box of these in one day

I know I know...BAD, but I have HUGE cravings for Coke when I'm PG. I thought it was bad with Gabe...NO it's worse with this little guy


Sweeeet Tomatoes Salad bar

Up to my knees in paper and office stuff

So, we're in transition. Transition to move the office downstairs, move Gabe into that room and into a big boy bed (was in NO hurry to do this...he loves his crib and therefore I do too ;o).

HOLY MOLY do we have a lot of stuff in our office. I love to organize and throw away stuff, but HELLO when did I start slacking on the filing around here? I don't think I've filed for 3 years. NOT GOOD.

Potty Training update

We had a pretty good week, but he has lost interest and doesn't want to do it anymore. I think we're going to take a break and re-visit it again soon.
Something that my friend Kate said to me in person and in her blog really encouraged me. I tend to get angry when he doesn't tell me he has to go. I don't believe that this experience should be discouraging to Gabe in any way. I want it to be a positive and encouraging experience for all of us. I don't know some might not agree with me and feel like I should push him, but the frustration and anger isn't worth it to me.
SOOOO...to be continued...

I'm officially outnumbered!

Yup, IT'S A...

...Boy! Another boy and a healthy one.
We are so EXCITED and can't wait to meet him.
Now we just need to figure out a name for this little dude.

20 wk pictures