Monday, May 17, 2010

Our Growing Boy

Look mama, I can walk!


Caleb loves being outside with Daddy, and Daddy enjoys it too


He is such a ham! Seriously, seconds before this he wouldn't smile and would just stare at us but....the second the camera came out, CHEESE!!! Big smiles! Love this boy.





Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Epiphany

This has more to do with me than our family, although it is affecting our family. For some of you, after reading this you may say 'well, duh'. but for me it has been a real eye opener.

I've recently realized how much STUFF we have, and how much of it we DON'T need! Now I would like to say my house is fairly neat and I'm a real good organizer, but that doesn't mean we don't accrue...things. So, how did this all come about might you ask? A few factors. I began going through boxes downstairs, trying to organize and make room for Jacob to work on finishing more of the downstairs. I found boxes that we haven't opened or used in the 2 years we've been here! The other thing is, we decided to do a garage sale. So I began going through other places in the house to find things we don't need or use. Like clothes! After going through and pulling out things that don't fit, I don't like, or are old, I had only half my clothes left! We did this also with movies and have narrowed it down to about 200 (and put at least that many in the sale). So...part of my epiphany is that I need to be able to get rid of things when they're old or aren't being used and not get things unless I NEED them. An example- Post-its and other notepads (yes I know, strange, but I have a thing for them), keep some get rid of the rest and then buy as I need them.

This has been such a good feeling!! Knowing that I now don't have to find room for all the junk/stuff/things and that what we have is what we need. And when it really comes down to it, we don't need that much. I don't know how to describe it, but it's like I just realized I'd rather just purge (that's really the best way to describe what's going on in our house) all this stuff and kinda start over.

Well now, hope people aren't picturing a crazed Manda throwing things out the window and that our house is now empty. But it will (meaning there are boxes out and about and things being sorted) eventually have in it just what we need and I will be at peace having fulfilled my wonderful epiphany.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

What a Blast!

Today was full of exciting events, and what a better day than Mother's Day ;)
This first story isn't necessarily one of the exciting events, but was the prelude to one. This Sunday at the church was baby dedication day, something I've been so excited about. I was worried about being late {not because we usually are...uh-hum}, and in all the hussle and bussle this morning I wasn't even thinking about the fact that we were going to be in front of the church, thankfully Caleb was lookin pretty cute...which ended up not mattering anyway {I'll get to why in a bit}. So as we're driving to church {early might I add}, we hear this loud fart in the back. But not just any fart a....juicy fart. I'm thinking "Oh, no"...and it was, oh yes it was. And some of you may be thinking 'well didn't you have extra clothes, you over prepared mama you?' Anyways, 50 wipes later, with a onesie in the garbage {it was beyond help}, borrowed shorts from a boy a year or more older and his polo shirt somehow saved, there we stood on the stage smiling thinking please don't let there be anymore, dedicating our baby boy to the Lord. It really was neat and I really am excited for the task that lays before us. One of the things that the church gave us was a drawing of a pair of hands with Caleb's name and birthday written on them and in the letter it said "This picture is a reminder to you that your child is valuable to God. He remembers them and has chosen you to guide them. They are 'on loan' to you so that you may, in turn, teach them about Him." How neat is that? I love the concept that Jacob and I were chosen to guide Caleb, no one can do a better job than us, we know our child and it is our responsibility. Which can also be a bit overwhelming too.
On to the other events of the day! As Jacob said earlier today, since Caleb can't get you a present, he saved all his 'tricks' for today just for you. This morning he said mama for the first time! *tear, sigh* He's been saying dada for ages! I could tell that lately he's been working up to it, but he officially did today! The other event is...he started walking!! It was crazy! He's been standing for longer and longer periods of time, but just couldn't figure out how to get the feet a movin, unless he was holding a hand. Then today, Jacob was holding his hands and he just let go and walked about three steps to me!! It was like something clicked and he got it. He did it over and over, along with lots of tumbles and spills. Tonight just before bed he walked about 5 feet by himself. I figured he'd be a early walker, but wow...not sure if I'm ready for this. But ready or not, here he comes!