Neighborhood project

This past weekend we set off to assemble the swing set my parents got us for Christmas. Stan was looking at the directions- "Takes 2 people 8-10 hours" and we headed into the weekend knowing it would be a large investment of time. But totally worth it!!

Well, the above crew, our lovely neighbors came over and pitched in! What a gift!! What fun! Of course a little vino didn't hurt the progress of the major project!

Here is Stan getting started.

Sam and Porter putting in some awesome neighborly help.

J.D. and Landon took turns rolling down the hill, bringing back so many wonderful childhood memories for me.

Connor made sure the food detail was covered.

He also took time to play with his little buddy, Anna.

Landon and J.D. saying, "Cheesy Potatoes" for a quick picture.

Connor and Anna had a quick outing in the double jogger. Having two 15 month olds helping out with a wooden swing set containing at least 100 screws was a little on the scary side...hence the walk.

As you can see from the following pictures, the swing set is a huge hit! Thanks Mommom and Pop, thanks wonderuful neighbors! Come swing with us any time!!

Love Letters

Dearest Stan,
I couldn't have imagined a more loving, wonderful, faithful, caring spouse. You complete me, you bring me joy, you point me to Christ, you encourage me. You are a wonderful provider and protector of our family. You are a rock through the tough times. You help me keep my perspective. Your priorities are in the right order. You are giving and kind. You have a great sense of humor. You are a fantastic father. You are the love of my life. I am truly humbled at the gift God has given me in you.

Remember this picture? This was our very first anniversary we spent together as a married couple. Things have changed a lot in almost 8 years from this picture, but the love we shared then has only grown stronger. I am so honored to call you my husband.


Dearest Landon,
I just love you to pieces! You, my first baby, have changed my life so much. You have brought me joy, laughter, love like I have never known and a real connection with the love that God has for me. I love the way you giggle, they way you talk with such emotion and really share your feelings with me. I love our craft time. I love to see you play with your friends. I love to hear you pray. I am so proud of the big brother that you are. Connor is a lucky little guy to have you! I love our snuggles at bedtime while reading bedtime stories. I love the look in your eyes when you have a "secret" to tell me. I love your sweet tooth. I love watching you play trains, cars, Lightning McQueen and Toy Story- I love your imagination. I love you, little buddy, you are growing so fast. What a gift it is to be your mommy, I love you to the moon and back!

Dearest Connor,
Look at that sweet face. My how you have brightened our world, coming in as our second born, little buddy to Landon and 4th member of our family. It is amazing the love I have for you, unimaginable before you came, but second nature to me now. Any second born (or third, etc.) should know that a mother's love pours out to each of her children in immense measure, not one more than another. Your smile is absolutely heart-melting, your disposition so cuddly and your hugs simply are the best. I love to watch you read your books, pointing at the pictures and just talking all about it. I love to listen to your words explode, particularly when we are watching animals and making their sounds. I love to watch you melt into my arms, falling asleep with the most adorable peaceful grin. I love how you love me. You are such a precious gift to me, oh how very blessed I am to be your mommy.


More Valentine Fun...

Our dear friend, Kerri, helped Landon make cupcakes...and lick the batter! I am not sure who had more fun with this activity!!

Landon did his own Valentine's this year, writing his name and everything. My how big my little buddy is getting.

Landon got to make cookies with Sophia and our friend at playgroup on Friday. All the kids did a great job creating their own cookies. Landon's were completely done on his own as I was chasing Connor around the house trying to prevent him from getting himself hurt!! That boy is a climber!

"Look mom, a big blob of icing and lots of candy coated toppings!! Yummy!"

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day and feel as loved as I do.

Parties and Perspective

Happy 1st Birthday Zaiya!! It is so hard to believe my nephew was born a year ago and we celebrated his first birthday. Time sure has flown this past year. We went to Karen and Marc's for a wonderful celebration of Zaiya's first year. He was certainly all smiles, giggles and squeals! I think the most wonderful toy was from his mommy and daddy- a race track with lights and sound. All three boys were mezmorized.

Also a huge hit, Landon and Connor's Nanny sent her famous pot with spoons- awesome for some loud banging and perfect for driving parents crazy! Zaiya went wild, he LOVED this gift!! What 1 year old wouldn't?

We gave him this precious book. It is a story about all the people who love him. It has his name in it with all of our family's names as well with the sweetest little rhyme about how much we all love him. It certainly is a lot of fun to be an Auntie.

Landon and Buzz got some special time with Uncle "Mawk", as usual. Landon just loves Marc, it is so sweet to watch. Marc has a special way with Landon- making him smile and giggle with a simple raising of his eye brows or facial expression. And of course, Marc got cool points for including Buzz.

Zaiya was super excited about his cake ball. Karen's talented friend, Jenny, made cake balls (also the food that Karen ate the evening prior to going into labor!!) and Zaiya got the big one with the candle...

Obviously, he loved it!!! Happy Birthday my sweet nephew. Your Tahti loves you so much!!

Next was our first Superbowl party with the kids. We invited our dear friends, Derek, Janise, Sophia and Emelia over for bread bowl dip (made by Janise- totally divine!!), taco dip, and the above, little bug rolls. I must say, I had a blast making them. Little link turkey sausages, wrapped in bread sticks with pretzels for legs and antennae with mustard and ketchup spotting their little backs. It is the little things some times...these are what lead to the perspective with the parties, as this post is labeled. More later.

The daddies with Landon and Sophia. Stan even said, "That went about as well as it could have gone with 4 kids running around!" You know it was a good party!

Connor got to have his second ice cream cone...always a hit and very hard to get him to look at the camera...he was totally engrossed in his ice cream.

Emelia...not shy at all about how much she loved her ice cream cone!!!

Sophia and Landon, also very pleased with our choice of desserts.

"All done!"

And by far may favorite event of the night...Landon and Emelia dancing with the Black Eyed Peas, Usher and Slash for the halftime show. Landon was seriously copying every move Usher was making. We were laughing histerically!!!

Sophia joined in as well and I think they both got the split down in this picture!!

And, as kids will be kids...they got the tools out and went to work on Stan. Sophia with the chain saw in hand, operating, Civil war style.

What a great evening for me and my girl, Janise with our families. What an amazing gift of supportive friendship during this journey of my life...she helps me so much with perspective.

I am trying so hard to live into the truth of taking one day at a time. I am slowly starting to feel the freedom of letting God guide my steps, one at a time. I have gained a lot in the past couple weeks. Stan is an amazing husband, I have wonderful healthy little boys, priceless friendships and family and the God of the Universe loves little ole' me. My perspective is this...life is good, one day at a time and I am going to live and love right where I am, one day at a time, not missing a moment of this percious time in my life with my little boys.

My Messes

Boy it has been a week at the Cole household! We have had a few ups and downs in the adult world that we are trying to keep from our little bundles of joy. Stress of being grown ups really can filter into our children's lives and Stan and I try very hard to keep the adult stress to ourselves. Some times are easier than others.

This week we were able to get some relief from our stress by going on a date night! Stan and I and Janise and Derek are trading off keeping each other's children so that one night a month we can have a date night! What a gift to have such special friends who are willing to share childcare with us AND promote growth in our marriage- Thanks be to God!!

On our date night, we went to eat SUSHI!! Yes, SUSHI!! I never thought I would see the day that Stan Cole ate SUSHI! We had really nice time with some of his buddies from work, then went and had coffee, just the two of us and really got a chance to talk. It was what I needed to come down from a really stressful week at work. Thank you Stan!

Another mess of the week was that I got the stomach bug that has been going around. YUCK! I haven't thrown up like that since I was pregnant and didn't mind quite so much since I knew it was for a special cause. This time it was the PITS! But, Stan rallied, kept the boys occupied and I got caught up on cleaning out my inbox- to the tune of about 4,000 emails! Only 3,000 to go which is just embarrassing. But, I have been dealing with raising two little boys, so oh well.

Now on to my little messes of joy...

Some might call me crazy...finger painting in the house with a 4 year old???

And a 1 year old??? Who by the way, already has it in his mouth!!

Landon showing off his skills.

Connor getting the hang of it!

"All done Mommy, and I loved it!!"

Landon was such a big helper to show Connor how to do it. Landon was making a picture for everyone. He didn't want to stop!!

On to bath time we went and the boys really enjoyed laughing and playing together in the water that turned colors because of all the paint. What a joy! What freedom to just let my kids finger paint in the house without becoming a nervous wreck. I had the bathroom all ready, had Connor strapped in and I was ready for anything! I think I am getting a handle on messes.

Another mess of the week was Connor's first taste of a chocolate covered doughnut, a first that our friend Derek was appalled at! He couldn't believe Connor had to wait 15 whole months!! Here Connor is taking his first big bite and really getting a good taste...

"Oh, now this is goooooood!"

"I can't believe how good this is, I love it!!"

So, after a week of messes, I think I have some to a place where I am OK with messes, especially when the messes I get to come home to every night when I am away look like this!!

God really spoke to me in a devotional time today about being present with me always. It was especially awesome in the wake of an emotional week. I am constantly amazed at how God answers prayers. Today he did so directly, leading to me scripture that really spoke to my heart. God did promise that this life would be hard, and it is, but he goes through all of my messes with me. What a gift.

Saying "No" to Good Things

January sure is a cold and dark month. I have been feeling its sting this year. As I pondered this, I realized that there is likely some associated grief with the 6 month anniversary of losing LD. It is also winter, which is notorious for its negative play on one's mood.

Grief is a strange thing, ever changing and surprising when it catches up to you. I can remember saying to Stan that our lives would never be the same after losing his dad and knowing that was true...but I didn't exactly know what that would look like.

God's hand in this season of our life is unmistakable, yet, I find it hard to hear His voice when I am clouding my mind with my own thoughts and worries. Lord, let me live into your truths, your promises and your comfort.

Along with the above, my kids are also changing and challenging me in new ways daily. Landon is now 4 and has truly started to really grow up in many ways. He has also really started back talking which has been another parenting curve ball for Stan and I. We are getting a handle on it, but it is sure a hard way to start a day with your precious son.

Connor is totally a toddler now. I cannot believe it. He is throwing temper tantrums and really asserting his independence. I am grateful for these milestones, totally normal developmentally. But, boy are they a change from my sweet baby boy. It is easier with Connor, for many reasons- to just let him get his tantrum out, move on and get him distracted. There is a lot to be said for experience as a parent.

I am constantly thinking and rethinking my decision to work. I truly feel it is a calling in my life which I thoroughly enjoy. I also see God working in my work on a very regular basis. I love what I do and I am so grateful to be able to work part time. I love my colleagues. I love my patients. It is just a really hard balance at times. This is one of those times.

I have had a hard time scheduling a Bible study small group for me. It seems it has just fallen through for a variety of reasons. I really do have a peace that this is where God wants me and that is without a small group right now. It is a hard thing to accept, but I am focusing on my calling to the leadership of our church and Stan's calling to a very important Bible study in his life, BSF. It is so hard to say no to good things. But, in saying no to good things, I am able to be home with my family at night.

I have been blessed by some recent nighttime memories that have affirmed by decision to say no to good things. The better thing is my sweet boys and husband. Time spent with them is of utmost priority to me. I want to be present for my family. I want to take the time to read Bible stories to my kids. I want to watch football as a family and eat nacho dip for dinner. I want to be present to watch Connor eat his first ice cream cone. I want to have the pleasure of watching my boys play together in the bathtub after dinner. I want to treasure this time and that is what I am doing.

Landon enjoying a nighttime bath.

Connor also enjoying a nighttime bath.

Landon and Connor enjoying one another.

Connor saying, "Cheese" after eating an entire chocolate ice cream cone following nacho dip for dinner in the bonus room while watching the NFL playoffs!

Landon somehow giving me the "Peace" sign- I think very fitting.

Here's to enjoying the time I have gained with my boys, by saying no to good things.

Retreat

Stan and I had the opportunity to get away this past weekend with Mike and Allison. What a blessing this weekend was! The has become our annual weekend (sans kiddos) that we go to Massenutten Resort in Northern Virginia. We have even become familiar with some of the local shopping and restaurants and feel quite at home there. My parents have a time share that they are unable to squeeze into their schedule so we are the very grateful recipients!!

Stan and I had lots of time to talk, relax, do our own thing and spend quality couple time together. We enjoyed quiet conversation where we were able to finish sentences and really, I think this weekend was like a second honeymoon for us. What a wonderful gift I have in Stan. He and I had such a wonderful time of connection esp. after having adjusted to life with two children. We are certainly blessed.

Allison and I had a great time shopping, talking and catching up on girlie movies. Even though we only live 2.5 hours apart, time spent in quantity is not so often with 3 kids between the two of us! It was refreshing, rejuvenating and just plain good for my soul to be able to spend such wonderful quality time with such a dear sweet sister as Allison is to me. I am certainly blessed.

Mike and Stan did their guy thing. Here they are pictured on the computer, reading a boy magazine with Sports Center on in the background wearing matching shirts that say, "Proud to be Awesome". What can I say, I think they had a great time too! Who would have ever imagined that Allison and I would marry men who got along so famously, even to dress as twins...

These two munchkins stayed with Mommom for three nights!!! What a trooper my mom was to come and take care of them! I have to hand it to her, she is a wonderful grandmother and it is so evident how very much she loves her grandbabies by the way she plays, reads, gets down on their level and just loves on them. Nanny rescued her on Monday morning and kept them all day so that we could enjoy the three day weekend. Nanny was, as always, a fantastic playmate for the boys and I think she thoroughly enjoyed herself too. Thank goodness for grandmothers who love our babies!!

What a gift a strong marriage is. Stan and I had a chance to really put time and energy into building our relationship and making it stronger. It is such an awesome blessing that we also have such dear friends who also thrive in a marriage that is built on the strength of the Lord. Marriage is not easy, but when time and care, wrapped with prayer, are devoted to it, it can be the strongest bond- just as God created. Here is to marriage, here is to time well spent investing in my marriage, and here is to my loving husband...Thanks be to God!