A New Leaf

This week Lincoln has turned a new leaf...he LOVES to read. I used to always read other's blogs/FB posts about how their baby would constantly bring books and could sit in mommy's lap to end end reading, reading, reading...then reading some more.
Then I would look down at my "go-go-go!!" tot and wonder how ever in the WORLD mom's got their kids to sit still in their laps for 5 seconds!!
When Lincoln turned 2, he was able to sit through more books (and enjoy them) but still, always at my initiative.

Fast forward  to 5 days ago.

It started with one book in particular that Lincoln wanted to read over and over and over for an entire day. This continued to day 2 (by which I happily obliged) and by day 3, he can now read me the book. And this book was the only one he was interested in. So the other day I moved all his books to the book shelf in the living room and it was like Christmas when he saw it. And since then, the books are constantly scattered in the floor, him looking for ones he has not yet read to bring to me.

Now, scattered through all those "new books" we still read the one that started it all about 5 times a day - at least.

So this is super fun for us and I'm glad to announce I can now join the "My toddler can sit still and enjoy book after book" Club. :)

Happy You Day!

Lincoln gets super excited on holidays and birthdays. To him it means 3 things: parties, presents, and cake. So when he found out yesterday was "Daddy's Day", he - of course - assumed the above three things were in order for that day, which meant crazy excitement from my little man.
He ran to daddy when he woke up and goes "Happy Daddy Day!!" followed quickly by "Lets party!!!!".

He understood it was a man's day from the start, and when he saw my dad and Nathan at church later, he ran to them with a big hug and excited eyes to exclaim: "Happy you Day!!!"

Pretty sweet.

We celebrated at my parents that night, and his sweet Mimi knows the path to his heart - she had cupcakes made just for him. :)

On a serious note, we studied Psalm 112 in church that morning and I am so grateful both my dad and my husband exemplify the Psalm 112 man in my life and in my kids' lives. Behind God saving me from utter sin and destruction and choosing to love me, I am most grateful in life for my husband and his dedication to fearing the Lord and following His commandments.

Almost Here!

Since 2007, my parents have taken all of us to Destin every other year. The trip total lasts about 10 days with 7 of them reserved for the beach alone. The first year we went, my sister and I had just gotten back from the Ukraine (literally) and were at my parents having dinner the night before they were to leave (alone) for Destin. They said, "we have a really big condo if y'all wanna come" and we took them up on it - with about 10 hours notice. Jason and I had just gotten married a few months ago, and Amy and Nathan weren't even dating, but it was us four that tagged along.

It then became tradition (planned tradition - not last minute!) from then on...

Only the last trip, Lincoln was the new, distinguished guest at 8 months old...

And this trip, we add two more toddlers to the bunch: Tucker & Noah.

(Mom and Dad, I hope these trips don't stop if we continue having kids!!!!)

The trips have marked some significant milestones for us:

                         - 1st trip: We had just gotten married

                         - 2nd trip: We had a baby with us,

                                          Jason had just gotten a big new job

                                          We had also just found out we were pregnant with Noah

                                          Amy & Nate had just gotten engaged

                         - 3rd trip:  We just sold our house!

Yeah so looks like the even number trips have the most news...I should be geering up for 2013 apparently. :)

                        

The trip isn't just Destin, however. We all meet in Biloxi at the Beau Rivage for one/two nights prior to rolling in to Destin. The first trip, Jason, Amy, and I (Nate stayed in his parents room...remember? not even dating yet?) crashed in my parents room at Biloxi (though Jason and I went to bed at 6:00am); the trip 2 years ago, us + Lincoln crashed my parents room (Amy & Nate were actually engaged on this trip!), and this year, we've pondered this crash scenario: Me, Jason, Amy, Nate, 3 babies, Kristen, Devin, and my parents - all in one hotel room in Biloxi...

Then we decided it's worth it for us and my sister's fam to split our own room this year. Sorry mom and dad - I know you're devastated. :)

Jason and I are extending this year even further though as we are stopping in Crossett before Biloxi (before Destin) to spend 2 days with his family!

So fun times coming up ahead! Lincoln has been praying for the beach in his prayers for the past 2 weeks now. Here are a few pics from our last trip...It's hard for me to even recognize Lincoln! So funny. And you can bet I won't be shy in the picture taking department with my new camera this year.

Buds

I just love this picture. It makes me smile every time I see it, but probably because of the back story more than the actual photo. On this morning, when I got Noah out of bed, he pointed out toward the hallway and goes "Lincoln. Lincoln." Those were his first words to me that morning. So I sat him down and he waddled in to the living room and plopped down on the couch next to his brother...and then I snapped the shot. Precious. This is a re-occurring prayer of mine (usually as I'm putting them to bed) that they will be thick in love, thick in compassion, and thick in spiritual bonded-ness with each other.

While Dad's Away...

June marks "team camp" month which means we don't get to see as much of Jason as we'd like (though he does a great job using all he can with us!)...and that leaves lots of time with me and the rascals, and - of course (I know you'll be thrilled) - more pictures!!!Thrilled...right?

Tonight we exercised on the Crystal Bridges trail, played at the park afterward, ate some dinner, then played in the front yard (a normal ritual now before bed).

Lincoln worked on his golf game a little...

And then I got some shots of them that I'm just loving! :)

There Will Be Blood

Here's one for the baby books:

At dinner tonight we were all enjoying some healthy grilled chicken and veggies when I looked over and saw Noah toppling backwards in his chair. He was about 50% to the floor when - with my awesome mom reflexes - I swung my arm over real quick to catch him and keep him from falling to the floor.

Only he was one my right side.

And I eat with my right hand.

And we were eating, which meant I had a fork in my hand at the same moment I swung it over to catch him.

Bad combo.

Not only did he end up falling to the floor anyway, but my fork caught the top of his head and scraped a good portion down the side of his head as he continued to fall to the ground.

People - there was blood and lots of it. My hands were covered in bright red blood and my mind racing to figure out where I had last put my phone cause we were headed to the ER and someone needed to come stay with Lincoln.

But we got him settled down, stopped the bleeding, and realized he probably didn't need to go to the ER after all (my husband's determination - who is very good at this sort of thing thank goodness).

Noah actually stopped crying and was laughing within about 7 minutes (I was not so much).

And sweet Lincoln turned into a little mommy comforter. He kept coming over to me with his arm on me going "Mommy, Noah's okay. He gonna be okay mommy." So sweet. And the he looked in my eyes all serious and goes "Mommy, I think Noah should probably go eat his dinner now...he okay mommy."

Melt my heart.

Lincoln continued to tell me this throughout the rest of dinner.

So yeah, how many of you can say you've ever stabbed your child with a fork??

Tuesday Funday

We love friends!!! :) Now I was going to ask yall's opinion on a good book (non-fiction, of course for me!) to take with me to the beach, but then I quickly realized my foolishness and that, with a 1 & 2 year old at the beach, there probably won't be much down time to read. :) But now any good podcasts you have recently listened to, I'm all up for enjoying that with Jason on the long drive!