Creative shadows

Yesterday, Xander woke up from his afternoon nap in a very determined mood. He wanted to go outside and play- right away! Unfortunately, it took him about 10 minutes to communicate that to me with a mix of his broken english, sign-language & foot stomping! Once I realized what he was asking for, I quickly put on his shoes (against his better judgement) and let him run wild outside in the newly found sun. It was such a beautiful day to explore. Xander quickly found all the things he shouldn't be playing with, like Malachi's dog food and Brandon's tools. He is such a boy! He loves to examine everything & analyze every inch of his surroundings. It was so entertaining to watch him fully enjoy our backyard. I am so looking forward to this summer!


Now I lay me down to sleep...

Lazy Days

Today was a pajama day. Xander and I went to the gym this morning with Brandon and when we got back, Xander took a nap and I got ready for the day- by putting on my comfy clothes! We decided to lay low today because Xander is still teething and just not on his best behavior. He still has a great spirit and is actually very happy, but he has been more fussy than usual and a little more ornery. Actually, a better way to say it is that he has just been more needy. He wants to be held, then he wants down, he wants to play now he wants the a bottle, then he throws it away in the trash, literally just to get a reaction. He stares at me the whole time he is dropping it into the trash with this sly little smug look on his face. So in an effort to relieve any temptations from his life, we stayed in and gave him less to whine about or be distracted by or see things he needs or wants. Yes, it does already start at this age!
So he is down for the night now. We just got back from church. We had training for our spring break missions trip. THings are going really well and we are really looking forward to going to World Impact. This will be our first major event with Big Valley Grace and it will be interesting to see how everything flows together. We are praying for a smooth and uneventful trip, with plenty of opportunities to get to know the students and staff better. It brings back so many wonderful memories of all of our awesome trips with Focal Point. I love looking at our pictures and remembering all the crazy kids (and staff) we have had go on our trips over the years! I am so thankful for my scrapbooks that preserve all those interesting and precious memories for us! (Contact your local Creative Memories consultant on how you TOO can preserve your precious memories) ;) That's a little shot out for my girl, Kim Faires..she rocks the scrapbooking world like none other!

Molars & Creepers

Xander has been a little less exhuberant this weekend and we were chalking it up to an unusual schedule & irregular sleep habits over the past few days. He has still been extremely hilarious and entertaining but I could tell something else was going on with him. I started to think that he might be getting an ear infection or something until this afternoon when my mom suggested I check to see if his gums were swollen. I checked and they weren't just swollen...but he had actually already broken through one of his back molars! I couldn't believe it! It was already through and he hadn't even gotten any tylenol or anything. Poor little man had to go through it all on his own.
Later this evening Xander was sleeping and Brandon & I went in to check on him. I was going in to tuck him in and I knew he would be sound asleep because he had been asleep for about 2 1/2 hours. When I leaned over his crib I realized he was staring straight at me! I was shocked because he was not moving or talking or anything! I freaked out and started to back out of the room before he cried for me and then I realized he was actually sleeping with his eyes OPEN! Not like barely squinted open but staring open right at me! Creepers! I went in and checked on him again later and he had rolled over but his eyes were still slitted open a little. It looks very creepy...
BUt he's fine, mom! ;) I checked and he is still breathing. And his affect is much better today, although I have been giving him motrin now that I know he is teething ;)

Fire & Pee

Brandon,Xander and I enjoyed a wonderful day with Aleah today. We had a great lunch at the Elephant Bar (mmm...Sweet Potato Fries) and got in a little more shopping before Aleah had to drive home. We then attended the Saturday night service at our church. Afterwards, we got to stop by and see our friends (Brandon & Abby) new house. Finally, we got home around 8:15 and I decided to make pasta for dinner. While i was boiling the pasta, I reached over the stove to stir the noodles & my arm caught on fire! Seriously! The sleeve of my (Really pretty black sweater that I just decided today that i really love) got charred and my arm was a little sore. Thankfully, I am not actually burnt. Somehow, the fire put itself out but there is a section about the size of a fist on my sleeve that actually caught fire and had flames shooting off of it. Brandon shouted, "Your arm was on fire!" and I responded, "I'm glad you saw that or you never would have believed me when you saw that I was actually not hurt!"
After dinner, I took Xander upstairs for our evening ritual of potty, books & bath. He strips down and sits on his potty while the bath is filling up and we read several books together. Tonight was very exciting, as he finally peed in his potty! It was so cute...he was so shocked and surprised that he was just trying to figure out what was going on and kept trying to grab the pee. Xander was so excited and grinned with his award winning smile when I congratulated him and he enthusiastically clapped for himself. "yeeeeaaaahhh Xander!!!" What a full day!

i have really missed aleah

it is amazing how much more you miss someone when you get a little sample of what you have been living without. we have been totally blessed to have a very fun house guest this weekend. although, i really shouldn't call her a guest since she is actually family. aleah came down on thursday to hang out with us for the weekend and it has been really great talking and catching up. just like the good 'ole days. she is such a valuable friend to me, and has grown to be my "redding sister." i love talking, laughing and being silly with her. she understands my silly moods and occassional dramatic personality and loves me just the same! we are having a great time and i don't want her to leave! she is such fun to have around and such an awesome aunt to xander! we love her!!!

Brandon & I are in love

The blog below had nothing to do with Brandon. He and i are very much in love, for which i am very thankful. He is a great husband and wonderful Daddy to our beautiful son. I am so thankful for him and all the other incredible people in my life. God has truly blessed me with many amazing friends and family. I love friends. I love community. I love relationships.

My house is complete

I got to meet the Pringles in Sacramento this weekend to pick up my "babies" and bring them back to our house for the weekend. It is so much fun having them here again. It feels like my house is complete and full, now that they are here. It is amazing how quiet it seems when they are gone. Xander is loving having the extra attention, love & competition in the house. Elijah adores Xander, but still likes to be that baby at times, which is really funny to watch. Emma is the little mother at all times and carries Xander around, feeds him & is my little side-kick. Simon is a great big-brother like always & enjoys doting on Xander and playing games with him. Tonight we were giving Xander a bath & Simon kept making up new games to entertain Xander. We just enjoyed some late-night smoothies, you-tube & a game of cards before I tuck us all into bed for the night. I love them so much! It is so nice to have their joy & laughter fill my house once again.

Good Intentions

Recently, I feel like my life has been very cluttered with good intentions left unmet. Good intentions to write thank you cards from Xander's birthday (thank you to all of you who came or sent gifts, cards & well wishes)***Good intentions to clean my house, deep clean my house, organize my desk & actually "move into" my closet***Good intentions to plan a date for Brandon***Good intentions to send care packages to my friends who are expecting (I have all the stuff, just sitting on my counter in the laundry room...it's been there for 6 weeks)***Good intentions to call a few of my friends/family who I love & miss so much (especially my not-so-little-anymore Pringle kids)***Good intentions to write thank you cards for Christmas, & dinner invitations, sweet gestures & kind words***Good intentions to send cards to my sisters...
The list goes on, and as I pour over it and realize how many I have failed at. To those of you who feel I have failed you, I am sorry. I already feel like I have let people down. All i can focus on is being a good mom right now. And thankfully, that is the one thing in my life that I am not failing at right now. SO, for that, I am not sorry!

Good times