The Simple Things

Last Friday we had a simple play date with our special little playgroup. The big events for the day were: Number 1) Popsicles. As you can see Connor and Emelia thoroughly enjoyed theirs!!

And so did the rest of the crew!

Number 2) A dump truck delivered mulch into our driveway.

I'd say this was exciting for my little buddy!!

Connor was a little intimidated, I think...

Little Atticus was all smiles. :)

Sophia's amazement almost matched Landon's.

WOW! They were all so impressed.

Number 3) Our first outdoor picnic of the year.

Number 4) Freedom given by the mommies to play around in the mulch pile!!!!!!! Look at my son!! Ecstatic!

Sometimes, it is the simple things in life that can bring so much joy. I am really reflective of this today and hope everyone reading can find something simple to enjoy today.

The Days of My Life

Though the title of the post may be inspired by my favorite Soap of all time, I am so very grateful that my life in no way resembles the loves of the characters on that crazy show! I am feeling thankful today for my blessings, who can help it with the beautiful sun shining? I thought I would take you through some highlights of our past couple weeks

Connor really has gotten to be a big boy. I look at him on this slide and cannot believe how much he looks like a little boy, not a little baby anymore. He is talking a mile a minute, loves anything electronic and is following Landon around like a little puppy (sometimes to his detriment!!).

Here Landon is super excited about the worm that I found for him. You know you are a boy mom when you actively seek out worms when planting flowers to save and share with your little fellas. I would say he was thrilled! Our first worm of the summer. :)

He could not get enough of these worms and was perfectly content for at least an hour digging in the surrounding dirt.

Connor managed to get some digging in too! He was not quite as sure about those worms, but he had fun, none-the-less. I am sure that his worm bragging days are coming.

Connor has really enjoyed trying on hats lately. I really could not resist this picture. He is looking so serious, pacifier and all. What a sweet sweet boy he is!

Oh he's sweet alright...and he is also 16 months old and into everything! This picture was one of those..."Oh, NO, don't do that, No, No, well....wait a minute, let's get a picture for your wedding slideshow one day!" I love that I can laugh at these situations and enjoy my precious children for who they are...even if they make big messes. :)

Landon got shots at his 4 year check up! 4 years, it is so hard to believe! He weighed in at 30 pounds (Connor is 27) putting him at the 3rd percentile. My little peanut. He actually gained 4 inches in height from his last check up and jumped from the 3rd in height to the 20th! Go Landon! He got this donut as a prize for getting his shots and hey, he could use the calories!!

Connor also benefited from Landon's shots...though we have no trouble feeding this kid who falls on the exact opposite side of the growth curve!

Stan took some time out of his day on our trip to celebrate Pa Cole's 86th birthday to play ball with Connor. Stan is really just a phenomenal father. What a blessing that he makes a priority to spend time with both boys...he certainly learned from the best.

Anna and Brandon were also there celebrating with us. We just can't get enough of these two. What a blessing they both are! I actually got the opportunity to spend the day with Anna shopping recently and Stan went to the ACC tournament with Brandon. We are so grateful to have the relationships we do with these two!

Nanny got some time outside with the boys as well, flying a Buzz Lightyear kite she got. They were all having a blast! What fun memories.

Nanny and Landon were playing with Nanny's little hand creature. Kay is absolutely taken with our boys and takes every opportunity to be silly and just relate to the boys on their level. I had to take this picture because it is the epitome of my mother-in-law's relationship with Landon. He still calls Nanny, "his best friend". What a true gift.

Nanny always has time for "Connor-man" as well. Connor has gotten to where he will call her by name. Let's just say that her face lights up for sure. We love our Nanny!

Pa Cole and his two great-grandsons. We did the best we could with two tired little boys and the sun in everyone's eyes. I really try my best to capture every visit with have with Pa Cole on camera and share these pictures with my boys. It is hard that they have lost their grandfather. It is also a blessing that they have a great-grandfather who is as wonderful as Pa Cole.

Getaway!

Just returning from a weekend get-away with some of my best Carolina girls (GO 2011 ACC Champs!!), I am so thankful for life. I am so thankful for time to relax and reflect. I am so thankful for friendships that have lasted through the tests of time.

We slept in until 11:00 (8:30 for me- which is still sleeping in!), got pedicures, went shopping and had a wonderful dinner at the cabin, starting at 10:00pm! We were on "friend time". We shared hearts and tears. Catching up means more as the years go by and less time is available for these type of reconnecting of souls. My friends are truly the sweetest gifts God has blessed me with!

Disconnect

I looked up the definition of disconnect today: not plugged in or connected to a power source. Though there were many different definitions, I felt this one was more closely linked to the title of this post.

As I reflected with a dear friend this morning, I used the above term, more as a noun than a verb. I am not sure if my thirties or being a mother have caused me to be more contemplative on life, my purpose, my varying interactions with people and relationships I hold dear.

I realized that there are many ways to use the word, "disconnect". Most ways are related to a power source being unplugged, a phone call dropped, a computer crashing, etc., etc. You can also use the term as a noun, more as a "disconnect" with another person who may not share your views or beliefs and you recognize that there is an "unbridgeable disparity" between yourself and said person.

What in my life have I disconnected from, where do I feel a "disconnect"?

As I grow in my faith, I am learning that there are some very stark disconnects with some of my "old" ways of thinking. Though, I am not a person who "turned away and rebelled" in college or even experimented with risky things, my way of thinking and processing life has changed as I have grown and hopefully matured in my faith.

I have always been what would be referred to as a person with a "nurtured conversion" in becoming a Christian. Often I have felt as though my lack of big wow has caused a disconnect with some folks who have been through a big life-altering moment.

I am disconnecting myself from that assumption. I have no control over how others perceive my life and my response to it. AND, I don't know that anyone even thinks this! What I do have control over is being connected to the one true power source, Jesus Christ. I know without a doubt that my life has changed because of my relationship with Christ. In this Lenton season, I am going to work on my disconnect with life on this earth- and focus on my connection with Christ.

Sorry for the heaviness in this post. It's life, what can I say?

Random wandering, yet loving thoughts

I love this little face. I love those little teeth. I love the syrup in his hair. I love the giggle that is almost audible even in this photo. I love this life. I love this gift.

Putting into words the way a mother loves is just impossible. I am reflecting tonight on this love and the love that my heavenly father has for me and I am just awestruck that he could love me even more than even a mother could imagine.

I am thankful for that love. Instead of listening to the words of the world crowding in on me, ridiculing me, judging me- for whatever reason they deem necessary, I turn to my heavenly father's arms and let him love me.

I try to find inspiration in the little moments, the quick breaths of fresh air, the precious sayings of my 4 year old. "Daddy, my beard is growing back. I need to shave it again!"

My 4 year old is so impressionable right now. What is he learning from me? Is that little feisty attitude modeled after his mother? Oh, how I yearn for my boys to know the truth that is so rich, the truth that God loves them for who they are.

Lord, let me be a mother who shows the love that I feel and that is showered upon me by you.