Happy Labor Day, Summer Wrap-Up

I know, it's been too long since I've updated and Labor Day has really always kind of marked the end of summer. So, I feel a need to wrap up our summer for you, fill in some gaps and let you in on all the fun that August held. Here's an overview of how our summer has come to an end.

Lots of swimming, that's for sure! Mom's pool, her neighborhood pool, the Y and some good church friends' pool. Our little fish is going to miss this when fall arrives!

Ryan grew to like the water quite a bit too, but he was usually content just being held on someone's lap, watching brother show off his skills.

The Criswell's hosted all the young moms from our church for a playgroup pool party! I got to enjoy this day with just Logan and left Ryan at home with Grana.

Logan, Elijah and LeviMama friends and their kiddos


New York family came into town for Ryan's birthday.
This is just a few of the hundreds of pics taken that week!


Here's a brief look at Ryan's party!
Alison and Logan helped decorate cupcakes...
But enjoyed being the taste testers even more!
Mommy's homemade smash cake!

His invitation and fun little details,
created by Oh My Gluestick

Baby Emily made her first appearance to one of our parties

and all the excitement wore her out...

Lots of love, as friends and family filled the home

Ali and Logan enjoyed helping to open presents!

Especially when there was something in there for Logan too!

New pumas, soccer ball and baseball bat...
a boy's dream come true!

Brother showing how the new car works

And this new ride is lots of fun!

Good food

Time for cake

Ryan's Godparents
Eating cake is lots of fun!
(This was the picture on his thank yous!)
Damage was done... smash cake a success!
Bam Bam had a great time and was ready for bed!

When Great Grandma was here we made a day trip to
the Houston Children's Museum.

Ryan really enjoyed it this time, now that he's old enough and mobile enough to make the rounds!
On Ryan's real birthday, we went to Sweet Tomato for dinner, Great Grandma's last night here.

Singing "Happy Birthday!"

It's so FUN to be ONE!


Our dear triplet friends turned 4 on the 31st
Their party was lots of fun, but one question about it would be, "Who had more fun at Pump It Up, the kids, or the parents!?!?!"

Laurie and Avery
We're still kids at heart!
Ryan really enjoyed getting to put his mobility to use!
Ryan enjoyed the cupcake, but that's no surprise!

We enjoyed a fun pool and lake day at the home of one of our dear church friends, the Criswells. There are three new boys in our life (neighbor boys that like to spend time with us and have started attending church with us) and they got to enjoy their first lake experience of boating and tubing!

Logan was ready as ever
For blogging purposes, and since they're not our kids, we'll refer to the three as J, B and T. B is on the left, T in the middle and J on the right. They are fun kids... drive us a bit crazy sometimes, but a joy for Logan and we enjoy showering them with love!

J tubed first

Then took T along too
Jeff rode with B, taking it a bit slower

Logan thought it was great!

Ryan's first time on a boat
And once we took off, he ended up napping in my lap!



And the last thing I've been meaning to post since July. In preparations for our new baby, we painted the gameroom and moved Logan in there.


The train table is a new addition, played with daily. An early birthday present to complete the moving of rooms!
There is no cable on that tv, but since we only have one other tv in the house, it's nice for him to be able to watch a movie with a friend when we want adult time downstairs.
And now this awaits the call from the agency.

This beautiful painting was an anniversary gift from Jeff's parents and will be hung over the new one's crib when he or she arrives.

"And whoever receives one such child
in my name receives Me."
Matthew 18:5


Happy Labor Day!
Hope your summer wrapped up well!

School days and more

Another school year is upon us and I have to say, sending Logan to preschool again this year has been a very tough decision. He loves it, there's no doubt... but, the thoughts about whether it's necessary, a good use of our finances and the best use of our time are what have been laying on my heart. You see, our family is about to grow, as I wrote about HERE, and I need to know that I'm doing the best for all of us, what makes me the best mother to my children. I could go on and on about my pros and cons list and tell you how scheduled we already are without preschool, and how I liked the flexibility of the summer, but let's just settle with the decision that was made.

FOR NOW, until we get another baby and do some re-evaluating, preschool (only 2 days a week!) is happening!
How funny is that backpack on him? It doesn't look that big when he's walking with it, but when you take the picture, my goodness! It's a good thing they don't have books to carry!

Our wonderful neighbor saw me trying to get a picture of Ryan with Logan and offered to take one of the three of us so that Ryan could be held still! :-)

It can be quite funny when you talk to Logan about his school. I told my neighbor this morning that he went to "preschool" two days a week and he corrected me (or so he thought!)

"Mom, I don't go to preschool! I go to Grace Crossing!"
In his most bossy voice!

Gotta love this kid!


Now, for the "and more" in my subject title...

We have an update (I guess) on our foster to adopt plans!
We completed our home study!!! Yay! So, this means that anytime from now, we can receive a call that a baby needs a home! We've made preparations, made a room for the baby, moved Logan's room (so cool, post to come soon!) and met all the guidelines of being foster parents.

Now, we wait and pray!

Please join us in praying for this new child.

Prayers for us as we prepare to go down this rocky journey of uncertainty.

As we trust in our God that what we are doing is in His plan.

Prayers for the boys as life will take a big adjustment.

Right now, our new child is either in the care of someone that is neglecting them, or they are in the womb of a mother that will have to give her child up at birth because she is unfit. These thoughts give me goosebumps and have moved me to tears, but our arms are open and ready for a chance to give this baby a life filled with love.

Until then, our arms are filled with these sweet things...


and thank God for that!!!

Friday Funnies

After me having a "discussion" with Logan, he comes back my way with a bit of a cry going on.

M: Logan, what's the matter?
L: I'm sad because you were talking mad to me.

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Logan has become quite the swimmer this year.
After a pool party, I was on the phone with my mom.

M: You would have been so impressed. He's such a fish!

L: Mom, I'm NOT a fish. Fish have fins and tails and I have hands and feet.

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Logan wants to learn how to whistle... this is how he does it!




and when you ask him why he puts his fingers up to his mouth...

"Because, that's how the big boys do it!"

ONE!

Today, our little man is ONE! I cannot believe it's been a year, but what an awesome time we've had with Ryan added to our family. The joys and the giggles that come with each day are such absolute blessings from God and we are so thankful for all that the last year has brought to our lives! Please enjoy the following sequence of pictures that I took with his bday boy bib on...

So big!
I'm ONE!
See the 1 finger pointing!?!
Showing you my 4 teeth!
This is the face he makes when he "says" that he's ONE!
Sounds more like "oh!"
Coming to get you!
So happy!
Love that belly laugh!


There is a post to come from his party this past Saturday, but most of those pictures are on my mother's camera. Here's one to hold you over!

This kid is awesome! He loves to be where the action is (unfortunately sometimes thinking the action should start at 6am, or sooner!) and is so thrilled to now be walking. You can just see the happiness on his face when he is walking towards you and screaming with joy. Yes, he does a lot of screaming lately, and it's not usually because he's mad or sad. He is definitely finding his voice and realizing that screaming gets everyone's attention. It's gotten a bit better, but for a few weeks there, the volume level in my home was madness. Between myself and Logan, and then you add Ryan, it's a wonder how Jeff still has his hearing. Haha!

Things about Ryan at 1:

-wears 24 month and 2T clothing
-walks and is getting pretty fast
-loves to be outside, preferably swinging
-still thinks his brother hung the moon!
-says mama, "oh" for one, and dada
-signs "more" and sometimes does "all done"
-understands and reacts to simple commands like:
"sit down"
"spit out your paci"
"come here"
"stand up"
"where's your puppy/brother?"
-has learned to love the water,
thanks to more frequent visits to the Y pools
-is taking at least 2 naps a day and sleeping about 11 hours at night
-has become an early riser (which I wouldn't mind changing!)
-LOVES bathtime
-Claps his hands to "If you're happy and you know it"
-LOVES Praise Baby videos
(and will even calm down in the car to the songs on cd)
-Will continue to ride backwards in the carseat, facing big brother
-Would probably tell you that balls were the best toy ever invented!

Has now experienced ice cream from the ice cream man!
How nice of everyone to share!

Stats to follow after doctor appt this Thursday!

Thank you God for sharing this sweet boy with us!

Ryan, we love you so much! Everyone who knows you can't help but smile when you enter a room and just loves those cheeks, thighs and oh that smile! Sometimes it takes a little effort to get you to smile for others, but that belly laugh you have when you are tickled is something we wish we could bottle up and store for a lifetime. Your personality is really starting to shine and we just can't wait to see what kind of little boy you're going to be! We can't believe you're now a one-year-old, but in your brother's words, "It's so exciting that you're turning one!" He says it's because now you're going to walk faster, but we'll have to wait and see on that! :-) I love how easy going you tend to be, how much you light up when daddy gets home from work or brother comes down the stairs from his nap. You love people and that makes life so grand! You're a survivor... let's recap: You've had Swine flu, RSV, Chicken Pox, 1 ear infection and an 11 day viral stint, most likely Rotavirus, in your short life! Only during one of those sicknesses were you really even what we would consider "unhappy" and that has been such a blessing. May this next year be a healthy one for you, filled with joys and memories for all of us together. Looks like it'll be exciting for sure! We love you sweet boy!

Friday Funnies

SILLY CONVERSATIONS:

I asked Debra, "Did you say you went to a wake last weekend?"

D: No, a wedding. Actually, I've never even been to a wake.
Logan: (from the living room, not even a part of this conversation) Yu-huh Grana, you live on the lake.

wake... lake... hmmm...

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He is pretty obsessed right now with how far away each person lives and his request is always for the other person to move closer to us. Grana, Mr. Jack from church, Grandma and Grandpa, Levi, etc...

Talking to my mom...
Grandma: But Logan, if I move closer to you I won't have my pool that you love so much.
L: Uh huh. God can do anything and if you move, He will move your pool with you.

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Ryan is SO BIG!



He will do this over and over and over again, flailing his arms in the air so hard that he sometimes falls backwards! And then of course, he claps for himself!

And please, excuse the diaper... he was SICK for 11 days and every time I dressed him he threw up or blew out diarrhea on his clothes... naked is always easier! And, he was very unhappy, so the fullness of the diaper should simply be noted as us trying to keep him happy. He is not a fan of stopping the fun to have his diaper changed! :-)