Play date

Here's a glimpse at the fun play date we had today. =)

"Snow" day

Myrick has been praying for snow, so he played outside today, even though there was only a light dusting. He was delighted!

The big chase

Matt spends most of the day following Myrick around the house. I think I enjoy it MUCH more than Myrick!

Blanket time

Story time with papa

Odometer

I love love love catching things like this on my odometer.  You're probably wondering what "this" is...and that's probably because it became apparent that I'd hit the 1313131 mark while driving on a crazy curve on the highway downtown.  Micah and I debated about whether he should snap the shot while I continued to drive.  Or, if he should steer while I capture the moment.

We ended up trying both ways, at 55 mph, for the 1/10th of the mile that we wanted to memorialize.

This is the best we did.  So much pressure!!

Do you do this?  I don't know why it's so exciting to me.  But, I have to admit, I'm already looking forward to 1414141.

Zoe

Zoe and I are on a "mandate" at a local coffee shop this evening.  Micah got home about 5:30pm, and I needed to make it to the post office by 6pm.  I was planning on coming home again before my coffee date with some girlfriends at 8pm, but he told me to pack up my laptop and go relax.  So nice!

"Zoe" is the table marker they gave me so they'd know where to deliver my turkey club wrap.

Just more evidence that I am, indeed, super spoiled! :)

Got Dogs?

I saw this vehicle outside the post office the other day.  As you can see, it was covered in dog-related paraphernalia.  That's totally fine with me.  People are more than welcome to do whatever they'd like with their cars, and their expendable income.  No judgement here.  :)

What struck me as funny, though, is that one of the paw magnets said, "It's all about my dogs."

Really?  I hadn't noticed.  

Empty Car-ers

As I mentioned, Micah and I got away for a couple days without the boys.  We had a great time, and I know they did too (more pics to follow...), but it was a tiny bit sad to look behind us at our empty seat.  We've grown accustomed to them being with us!

Clever

 So, it's only the 21st of January, and I've already missed a couple days of blogging.  But, that's life, and I'm not going to sweat it!  The last week has been kind of crazy because I've been preparing and prepping things.

Prepping for what?!

I'm on a 2 day date with my honey!  Our boys are with their grandparents and we are wining, dining, shopping, and hanging out!  It has been so so nice thus far, and I'm looking forward to the rest of our time together.

I've already packed away all of our Christmas decor, but I thought it'd be fitting to share this one last nativity picture to show you just how clever my date is.

Hehe...or at least he thinks he's clever!  ;-)

Happy 3 day weekend to you.

Hoe-tuctor

"Hue-tuctor" is Micah's best guess at the way Myrick says "helicopter."  He can spot a helicopter in the sky so easily -- it's amazing to me!  He also pretends to have them a lot.  He draws them on his magna-doodle, and builds them with his plates and cups! :)

I cannot believe that in two short months, my sweet little man will be 3 years old.  I thought I'd write down some of his interests here, so I can remember when it comes to gift time! :)
- helicopters :)
- toy food
- telescopes
- roller skates

Ham Cracker

Myrick's current favorite snack.

"Take picture, mom? Take picture?!"

I guess I can consider the Christmas present a success if he's still having fun with the box, weeks later? :)

Brothers

So, this picture is no good at all!  But, I just love it when the boys play happily together.  I didn't wanna get too close with my camera and ruin the moment!  So often, Myrick spends his time trying to get away from Matt's loving adoration.  I gotta capture these moments when they come! :)

Scar face

My little man had a bit of a tumble, and scraped his face with his finger nail.  He handled it like a champ, though!  It was all red and swollen when he woke up from his nap, but I couldn't get a very good picture of it.

Ice Cream Rake

Almost every year, Micah and I get ice scrapers in our Christmas stockings at my parents house.  This year, Myrick was, of course, very interested in the opening of all the stockings. He's also a very curious little boy.

"What dis papa?"  And "but why?" were a couple questions that came along with the ice scrapers we received.  I don't really know what my dad told him.  All I know is that Myrick's been calling them "Ice Cream Rakes" ever since!   

Grandma Sherry

We were blessed by a visit from some very dear friends last night.  It was so fun to get to enjoy a meal with them, and catch up a bit. Myrick's favorite part was that "Papa Ron" brought 3 kinds of pie, and he got to have a piece with "Grandma Sherry."  So fun!

Scrapbooking

One of my (many!) New Year's resolutions is to do a bit more scrapbooking (15 minutes per day, 1 page/spread per week).  This is the page I got done last week.  Nothing fancy, but I'm excited to have started on something.

I may have to figure out how to get better pictures of my pages, if I'm going to continue to post them.

Encouragement for the weary mom...

    So, I'm not going to lie -- the last several weeks have been very tough for me.

    The point of this post is not to complain, so I won't list all the details.  If I had to boil it down, I'd say: sick kids, lots of work, and spiritual battles. (Nothing too hard, huh? ;-))

    The "spiritual battles" is where this blog post came in: http://www.girltalkhome.com/blog/from-one-mom-to-another-dont-grow-weary 

    It was published in mid-December, but I'm just now getting to it, as I'm way behind in my Google Reader (another one of my New Year's resolutions!)  But, I'm glad it worked out that way -- God is so good.  I'm not sure I would have benefited from it as much then as I did this week.  

   I've been so discouraged in our training of sweet Myrick.  He's got such a soft, teachable spirit.  He desires to obey, to please God and us.  But, sometimes he's just flat out selfish.  (I'm so glad I don't have that problem...)

   Truth is, I hate seeing that he's selfish.  I hate correcting and training him to put others first.  I hate being confronted with my own sin in such a real way.

    The writer of the letter referred to in the blog post above pointed the young mom to Galatians 6:9 for encouragement.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

    But, it was her undoubtedly inspired interpretation that got to me.  She said:

"The promise of reaping a good harvest is not dependent upon the perfections of the good we do (we fail so often don’t we?!) but simply in not giving up. And I must depend upon His faithfulness to not give up."

Such a good reminder!  

The post is short, if you have a minute to read the whole thing.  I hope it blesses you, as it did me.

One Man Band

A keyboard, guitar and microphone.  Such a talented boy! :)

My hubby...

thinks he's SO clever on Monday mornings.  :)

Aldi on a Sunday afternoon

This picture doesn't really do it justice.  But, I went to Aldi this afternoon, and it was THE place to be!  I could hardly find a parking spot.

Put that on my list of things to never do again.  :)

O Santa, O Santa

Is it just me, or are the others rejoicing in Santa's calamity?!  :)

It's a candle burning kind of day...

He loves me

"More" Matt

Matthew has had to re-learn the sign for "more."  (Because I've not been very consistent!)  But, he's picked it up, and is VERY delighted each time he gets something else to eat.

Party Animals

     The boys are both sick right now.  So, instead of going to any parties, Micah made me fajitas, and we curled up in bed with Netflix.  I fell asleep by 8pm!


     But, don't worry!  The fireworks at midnight woke me up.  So, we pulled out the sparkling grape juice, and rang in the New Year with another episode of Monk.  Hehe.

Happy New Year!