Eucharisteo!

A couple years ago, I read a book called One Thousand Gifts.  The book starts with a very tragic story, and follows the once lukewarm faith-walk of Ann Voskamp.  As the book unfolds, I began to realize that the struggles that seem so tailored to my life, might in fact be universal.  The best part of the story is when I realized that maybe, like Ann, I struggle with looking at what's missing instead of appreciating what is here.  She gives a word to the thankfulness of living in the moment: Eucharisteo.  Notice the gifts all around you.

This weekend was a not-so-subtle reminder of the most precious gift I've ever been blessed to get.  The birth of my son, John Thomas.  Three years ago today, I was on my way to the hospital and I had no idea all of the love, joy, laughter and adventures that were coming my way.  I also had no idea that it would take three years to potty train, that timeout doesn't work as well as the naughty chair, and that nap time was an essential art form of which I had to learn.

I love this gooey sweet honey and have from the first instant I knew he was coming.  Funny aside:  I think this is the way I have cried at all three of his birthdays.  

John Thomas has been full of personality from the get-go.  I mean...he's probably 10 months old in this pic and he already knows how to live the good life.

 Will you look at these two babes?!  Funny caption possibilities:
1. Shhh, let's try to go play in the water while their distracted.
2. You gonna eat that?

I know that Charlotte and John Thomas will have many more sweet and silly pictures to come!

 John Thomas is an excellent sharer...unless it messes up his coordinated fireman costume :).

I wasn't sure how Chester would take his demotion to normal family dog status after John Thomas arrived.  I would say that Chester has learned the benefits of a toddler, particularly around meal time!

John Thomas at a year and a half.

Here he is again at two and a half.  How long do you think he's gonna let me get his picture while he's waist deep in a pile of leaves?

When it comes to hanging with his girl     friends, (spaces intended) John Thomas also loves to hang out with Kinsley!

His list of buddies would also have to include Brody and Dare.  They have done their part to teach him the ways of boyhood including (but not limited to) digging, exploring, and general toddler silliness. 

Gramma's boy.  

 In case you've ever wondered who his favorite people are, let me clear it up.  He absolutely adores ALL of his grandparents.  He talks about them often and cannot get enough of that special lovins that only grandparents can give.

 John Thomas truly is a special little boy.  He is smart, sweet, silly, curious, energetic, polite, and has the big job of carrying my heart around.  There is a proverb that whoever takes the child by the hand takes the mother by the heart.  So true.

 I know all parents think their kid is amazing.  I am no exception.  It gives me pause to think that God chose me to be his mother.  And for that, I found myself at the altar this morning with a swollen heart.  Filled with love, pride, joy, hopes, dreams, and eucharisteo for a little boy who makes everything around him shine just a little brighter.

 John Thomas may you continue to have an explorer's spirit, a pure heart, and know when it's time to stop, take your socks off and dip your tootsies in the water.

One last shot of my lil honey bear.  If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this boy is worth a thousand eucharisteos--and for that, I am blessed.  Happy birthday honey bear!

Blustery Break

Well our unseasonably blustery Spring Break has already provided some major perks including rest, a trip to the aquarium and time to blog on a weekday!

 I had to grab this pic a few days ago.  So so sweet! Snuggled in with Mr. Owl, his favorite companion.

 John Thomas' first landscape art.  He was practically Bob Rossing it.  "Here is a tree.  And here is a pond.  And a MOUNTAIN!"  He is really creative and even makes up stories and songs.  But sometimes he makes up stuff that isn't so cute.  The other day after work he told me got put in timeout for hitting Ms. Julie!  WHAT?! So I texted his teacher only to find out that he was totally making it up.  Umm...son you shouldn't lie--ever.  But son,...why would you lie to get INTO trouble?

 On one of my rare nights off, I took full advantage to hang with some of my gals.  Great dinner, great company and lots of laughs!  Thanks girls!  Love you guys!

 I cannot believe that John Thomas will be three in just three weeks.  Oh my goodness!  But as he gets older, I'm gonna do my very best to help him learn how to be a real man.  Hard working, honest, well-mannered and knows he way around the outside of the house as well as the inside.  He already volunteers to help mommy wash the car.

 I figure I better take full advantage of the free labor, because one day he's likely to want some compensation for this!

 I love that you can see the edge of his pull-up.  Must be a man thing.

 Whenever he sees me getting ready to do laundry, he runs to his room to get his laundry basket.  As long as I don't want it sorted, he'll load the whole thing!

 The other day his sock got wet and he went and threw it in the dryer!  I mean he didn't turn it on or anything, but still!

 Such a helpful boy!

 He finally got to hang out at Brody and Dare's firehouse.  Loved it!  There is a slide, a bell and a sand box...need I say more?

 Little Miss Kinsley turned 3 just last week!  Those Stooksbury's know how to make the kiddos happy! Bounce House, Pizza, Cupcakes.  Nuff said.  John Thomas hasn't stopped talking about it!

 John Thomas had so much fun, he thought it was his birthday!  Happy birthday sweet Kins!  We love you!  By the way, can you see that he's keeping his eye on the ball?  Thata boy!

 The cleanest elephant ever.

Disclaimer: I know John Thomas isn't flashing a huge grin in these pics--but I assure you he had an amazing time at the aquarium today with Mommy and Grandma.

Not sure if his favorite animals were the sharks, clown fish or the penguins.  But I am sure we'll be going back!  To those of you who are on Spring Break, stay warm.  As Easter nears, I pray that we all bare in mind the hope that this weekend brings to all those who know the love, forgiveness and healing that only Christ can bring.  Hugs!

Like Water for Elephants

You may or may not have been wondering if I gave up blogging for Lent.  No such luck!  I gave up Facebook and Instagram for a week prior to Lent--but we are back online!

 Since the last update, we celebrated Valentine's day, checked out the Circus and stomped right into March (Pun! Ha!).  You can probably guess who my cute lil Valentine was this year :).

 It was just warm and sunny enough to squeeze in an afternoon hike.  Love that he picked up a stick, slung it over his shoulder and pointed the way.  He's a natural explorer.

 "What's dis mommy?"

 Not even intimidated by the biggest hurdle!

 Gramma and Poppy wanted to see John Thomas' bowling skills for themselves.  We even convinced Nana Gay and Tony to tag along.  Although I'm not sure it took much convincing, because Tony has his own shoes and bowling ball!

 Gramma took full advantage of the opportunity to give John Thomas some tips.

 Step one: Pick up the ball and walk ever so cutely towards the lane.  Step two: Approach line with ball in hands.  Step three: throw ball as hard as you can.  Step four: Run back to all your adoring fans.  Repeat.

 Gramma and Poppy even splurged on a family circus outing.  John Thomas thought it was pretty cool, although I think my parents may have enjoyed it the most!  Thanks again Gramma and Poppy for taking us to the circus!!

 Of all the souvenirs, he picked the large rubber elephant.  No complaints from me though, because it was also the cheapest souvenir!  Moreover, it makes an excellent bath time buddy!  "Dumbo" likes to eat bubbles, swim and drink bath water AND Momma likes that he doesn't need to be fed or pottied and doesn't require any batteries.  Like I said, the perfect souvenir!

 Love this face!

We can pack a lot of fun into three weeks!  Me and most of my college girl friends got together in Cleveland for a swanky wine tasting party.  It was a blast and Cara and Andrew are awesome hosts!  So good to see the gals and meet new friends as well!  Thanks again Harrods!!

 I know most parents think their kid is hilarious and I am no exception.  Just this week, he has started assuming a very relaxed position when we head off to school in the morn.  Cracks me up!  Milk, Mr. Owl, and blanket in hand.  Ankles crossed.  He has no idea that Momma is hustling around to make sure we both get to school safely and on time.

 Took him for his third professional haircut yesterday.  He is starting to take this haircutting business pretty serious.

 Until yesterday, I have only seen John Thomas draw a few things that were identifiable.  He can draw a mean snail or snake.  But, yesterday when I was fixing lunch he drew this.  Can you tell what it is?  No?  He told me it was a sea horse!  Now do you see it?  :)

 Lastly, I'll leave you with is a few cute things that John Thomas has said or done lately that shows his sweet spirit.
1.  He said, "That would be perfect!" when I asked him if he wanted a friend to come over.
2.  If he likes what he's eating, he says "It's delicious!"
3.  He wanted to buy his teacher, Ms. Julie, something the last time we went to the store.  I abruptly told him if he was going to buy stuff for his girlfriend, he needed to get a job. :)

4.  Whenever I ask him to take off his shoes, he has starting putting them on my pile of shoes that accumulates at the end of my bed throughout the week.  For some reason, the first time I went to put my shoes on and realized he put his shoes with Momma's shoes, it made me tear up a little.

Kingpin

There are many perks to having these boys as neighbors.  They have awesome toys, awesome parents, and they are always up for a last minute family dinner at the local Mexican cantina!

Since our last post, I have discovered a few more things about my lil bear.

 He LOVES bowling!  Albeit, he is still learning many nuances of the game like, waiting your turn,  avoiding the gutter, and only bowling in the lane your mom paid for.

Bowling is a sport that I have always struggled in.  In fact, if I break 100, it's cause for celebration.  He'll probably be able to beat me by the time he's starting kindergarten.  

After bowling with Maggie, Caroline and Hannah, we came back to our house for some silly time.   Thank you Hayes girls for inviting us to share in your bowling night.  And, thank you for being patient with my lil kingpin as he tried to learn the rules.

 This was the best attempt at getting all three of them in the picture together.  I will admit that there may have been a cookie or three involved in the festivities.

 John Thomas loves to read.  Okay, maybe "read" is a stretch, but he loves books.  One of his favorites has always been the Jesus Storybook Bible.  He requests stories by asking for the story about the ark, the giant, Jesus and the waves, the lions...and he has learned that requesting a Jesus story will usually postpone his bedtime a few more minutes.

 Gramma treated us to Red Lobster this week!  Yummy!  John Thomas adorably calls them "lob monsters".  He loved it, but I'm pretty sure the waitress thought I was cruel to order him asparagus as a side.  Little does she know that he loves it!  Weirdest toddler taste buds ever.

 Thanks Gramma!  We had a great time and are having a super 2013 so far!  Wanted to wish you all a happy Valentine's Day this week and we hope your day is filled with lots of love and chocolate!