Jack 2013

Jack has had quite a year! Our kind-hearted, sensitive, funny 6 year old is beginning to mature and grow right in front of us.

We have made it halfway through the kindergarten year and couldn't be more thrilled with the results so far. The Lord knew exactly what Jack would need to have a successful school experience. More about that later!

Jack currently loves Transformers, Beyblades, his teacher, chocolate milk, Magic Treehouse books, Sonic cherry slushes, Science, playing with Sam and going to Grandma & Grandpa's house.

Our big guy has had a variety of health issues since birth (allergies, asthma, aortic stenosis) but this past year we began really focusing on some of his "quirkiness." Lots of little things began to be bigger issues. He was officially diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder and Aspergers Syndrome.

This information was not necessarily surprising for us but it did come with some challenging days as we processed through lots of information. We still just take one day at a time and are learning to be open to change.

We are looking forward to a great spring with Jack. Hoping to find a sport that he enjoys and gives him some fun physical activity. He has almost mastered shoe-tying and says that his next life goal is to go without training wheels on his bike. Bring on some good weather!!!!

Workout

I only got in one workout last week BUT it's Tuesday and I've already gotten in a workout this week. Yahoo! Progress! Have I mentioned how I loathe Jillian Michaels?? She does give a good workout though!

So many people I know are big supporters of the nutritional supplements/program Advocare. They've seen great results and have more energy. Unfortunately it's just not something I can commit to at this point, but I honestly think I need a more practical option. Something my whole family can benefit from at mealtimes.

I've begun researching the Paleo lifestyle and have read about people reversing all kinds of health issues, including asthma, which our sweet Henry deals with on a daily basis. If anything I've learned that just eating fewer processed foods will help tremendously.

Hopefully in the coming weeks I can post some recipes we've tried. Lord willing, I can get this house full of picky eaters to eat a few fruits & veggies!

Getting in the groove

Life with three little guys has been pure joy but also ultra challenging. The schedule has been out of control some weeks but we are hoping to get in a better routine now that the holidays are over.

Although Sam is the perfect baby (shhh! Don't tell his brothers!), he hasn't been sleeping through the night. Jack & Henry slept through the night at 6 weeks old so going without sleep is a whole different ball game for us.

I actually have gotten used to it but the biggest thing it has affected is getting to work out. I can't stay up late to get in a workout & getting up any earlier just isn't happening. But I'm hoping to change that this week.

My goal is to get in 3 workouts this week. I'll check back in at the end of the week and see how I did. I'd love to also get back to my sweets only on days that start with S rule! Maybe we'll just make one change per week! :)

Henry 2013

Henry Richard is a rambunctious, curious, thoughtful, mischievous, loving little guy. He challenges me almost daily to think before I speak, ask why about my choices and to depend on my Lord.

Henry likes to eat green beans, almond milk, chips, popcorn, hot dogs, bread of any kind, and anything sweet, especially chocolate. He is a solid water drinker which is awesome but might also mean that I buy pull-ups for the next decade! Argh!

If the weather is nice Henry wants to be outside. If the weather is bad Henry wants to be outside. :) He runs, jumps, digs, collects rocks, and rides his bike as often as he can.

His preschool teachers, Mrs Jamie & Ms. Judy, adore him. They often tell us that he makes them laugh, is really smart and generally obedient. He talks about playing with Luke, Jim and the other Henry (who is in the 4 yr old class). He knows his alphabet and can count almost to 20.

He LOVES Transformer Rescue Bots, playing Subway Surfer on the iPad, and all things LEGO. He could play Legos for hours and hours Every. Single. Day.

Although I thought I would only write positive things, its hard to think of Henry and not think of mischief! Often times when I am feeding Sam, my dear Henry is off doing something crazy. Just a few recent gems - pulling all the Christmas tree lights off the front bushes in less than 10 minutes, pouring out a whole container of Nesquik dry mix to make a dirt track on the table with his cars, drawing with marker on the carpet to practice his numbers, and saying as many "bad words" as possible before I can get to him.

Joys of a three year old boy! He melts my heart!

Globetrotters

My super generous brother Nate took us to the Globetrotters Friday night at the UTC arena.

These guys put on an amazing performance. The boys cracked up several times at the various antics on court. It takes a lot to get a good belly laugh out of my boys so I know it was funny!

Two of the players stood on the basketball goal and played around like a monkey. I'm pretty sure Henry would try it at home if he could figure out how to get up there.

Hated to leave early but about an hour and half into the show, two little heads started bobbing and eyes started closing. I didn't want to be stuck carrying 90 lbs (their combined weight) all the way to the car. We will certainly go to another show if they come to town again!

Creek

Who doesn't love 60 degrees & sunny in January?!?! Just what we needed this weekend.

Jake's parents have a creek bed at the back of their property that is typically dry. With all the rain last week there was a good foot of water running over the rocks.

Some days I'd rather just keep the boys occupied in the house because its easier with Sam. Honestly its selfish and lazy. Thankful the Lord gave us some gloriously enticing weather! I couldn't keep Henry in if I tried!

Sam's Ears January 2013

Having a sweet 8 month old is such a blessing.  Sam is joyful, content and growing like a weed.  He struggled with respiratory issues this fall, which always seemed to lead to ear infections.  With every tooth (6 & counting!!!) he has also had ear infections.  Thankfully our pediatrician is ahhhmazing and she sent us to the ENT for ear tubes before this continued anymore. 

Sam was a terrific patient.  He played with a few toys while we waited but mainly chewed on the blood pressure cuff. In recovery he had his first taste of apple juice, which he guzzled down!

Creative Discovery Museum January 2013

So many things to catch up on but why not just start where we are! My goal with this blog has always been to mainly keep up with what's going on with our little family so we can look back at life. Maybe some things from this past year will make it in but for now we'll just begin.

Even though Jake works most weekends, I try to get out with the boys on Saturdays.  Since we've had TONS of rain this winter it's been difficult to be outside, so any chance for indoor fun is at the top of our list.  Last weekend we went to Creative Discovery Museum with Jake's cousin Amanda and my brother's family. Sam had a rare chance to stay by himself with Grandma.

Just an afternoon sailing the seas!

 

Digging up some bones.

 

Dinosaurs Roar!

 

A too small alien costume didn't stop this show!

 

Always fun to play instruments as loud as possible.

 

Bubbles never get old for this boy.

 

We had tons of fun and are looking forward to the new dinosaur exhibit that started this weekend.  Hoping to go soon! 

The time has come

The time has come to get back to blogging. The jackets, socks/shoes, and no air conditioning make it crystal clear that summer is officially over.  We are getting into our fall routine and enjoying every minute of it.  BUT before we jump into fall, I need to recap some summer events.

Look for some posts in the next few days and if you are reading in Google Reader or one of those other blog reading services, click here to see our new blog header. 

p.s. You can thank my sweet friend Sarah for prompting me to get back into the swing of things!

It's Complicated

Dear all ten blog readers out there,

First, let me say that I've missed you.  Second, in case you didn't know, we are back home in Tennessee.  Our whole family together and loving life in our little corner of the world.  So much has changed since my last post, but most of it isn't really for the blog world, so let's just keep it at - it's complicated. We made some wonderful memories in Hawaii this year, but we are looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us. Jake is working and the Lord is providing all that we need. Thankful for challenging times in life, to reorient priorities & grow our love for the Lord. 

The boys are CRAZY EXCITED about being home and seeing our family and friends.  Unfortunately since our whirlwind return (over 30 hours of travel with two kiddos & two VERY tired parents), we have fought some crazy sicknesses in our house! But I am declaring us officially better & praying that no one ends up with a fever, cough or throwing up before the day ends! We actually made it out of the house today and did some swimming with sweet friends. 

Hoping to get some more posts up this week.  Haven't even posted about Henry's birthday!! This is no excuse, but I've been slacking in my computer usage, since a certain someone decided to remove the "p" & "b" buttons from the laptop.  That same certain someone would be purchasing a new keyboard but he just paid all his quarters & pennies to Mrs. Margaret, our sweet librarian, for an Arthur cassette tape, that somehow "unwound" all by itself.  :) Fun times! I love my life!

Fun with Daddy

Being away from Jake for two months, was so hard for Jack & Henry.  They did enjoy lots of time with grandparents, aunts/uncles, & sweet friends while we were home, but nothing replaces time with daddy!

I have some fun pictures of the boys at the park with Jake, but they are on my phone.  Here are a few from around the house!

"Fishing" (casting into the pool)

Playing ball

A little Wii Sports in the tv room

Three month hiatus and new rental house

By some time next week it will be THREE months since I have blogged!  I have a tiny excuse, but really I could've probably done it if I had made it a priority.  The first week of March, the boys and I headed back to Ooltewah for a couple months to visit family/friends.  It was refreshing and fabulous to be home! BUT, Jake was still here in Hawaii, which cause me to be a solo parent for two months.  Although we had tons of fun while we were home I barely even thought about getting the camera out.  Blogging had to go on the back burner for awhile.  So here we are back in Hawaii again and hoping to keep you guys updated on our lives!

While I was gone, Jake moved rental houses with Art & Becky.  It's still fairly close to the other house, so that has helped me still be familiar with the roads/stores in this area.  Here is a little peek at where we will be staying until the end of June. 

 Our room, bathroom and closet

Overlooking part of the downstairs living area - sorry it's so dark!  I know it's hard to believe but I actually took a little photography class while I was home....guess I should've taken more notes!

This is the boys' play area. 

The boys' room - note Henry is sleeping in a Big boy bed!  He barely made it the first night sleeping in the pack-n-play.  We didn't want to spend every night putting him back in, so we just moved on to the twin! Jack has really liked having a roommate! (Yes I do put sheets on their beds, but this was an impromptu nap one afternoon.  Those are pretty common when you are making a 6 hour time change!)

Kitchen

Part of the patio

Pool

I left out pictures of Will's room, Frank's room, Mr. Miller's room, two laundry rooms, several bathrooms, sitting areas, and the front of the house. I am already tired after looking at these pictures so I didn't think you'd want to see it all in one post!



Miss and love

My sweet friend Kristen is a missionary in PNG and recently posted a list that got me thinking.  Here goes on some thankfulness......

Things I miss at home:

our family and friends

cheap groceries

our house

beloved sewing/embroidery machine

our church community

backyard swingset

Chickfila

kids' consignment sales

Things I've grown to LOVE (and be so thankful for) in Hawaii:

sunny 70s every day

teaming up with Becky for daily chores (dishes, cleaning, laundry, etc...)

coffee with fat free creamer & spray can whipped cream

slow-paced driving (crazy, but I don't mind it at all!)

running...crazy, huh?  (It actually should go on the "like" list, not "love" list.)

fruit smoothies

Watching Art's dad, Mr. Miller with my boys - so sweet

drying clothes on a line outside

Costco

memorizing Scripture

being with my boys

internet access (had this at home, but probably took it for granted most days)

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!  - Psalm 95:2

Backyard Maze

After the shipment came in, Mr. Miller (Art's dad), thoughtfully saved the boxes and stayed up late cutting holes in each one to create a maze/fort for the boys.  The boys have spent a little time in it already, but I know they will be spending hours playing and making memories together.  Thanks Mr. Miller!  We appreciate YOU!

Daddy's work

The security company purchased a shipment of Segways recently and they arrived from the Mainland this week.  Jack was THRILLED that we were going to have "enough segways for everyone on the planet."  Jake and Will stayed up late getting them all put together.  One perk to working in Hawaii - you can always be multi-tasking:  working, getting a tan, enjoying the beautiful weather, etc...

Snips and snails

As we saw with the frog, Hawaii has no shortage of things boys LOVE!  One morning Uncle Will found a huge snail and of course shared it with Jack and Henry.  Jack wanted to keep it as a pet but Henry wanted to use it as a baseball.....he is now back to his comfortable habitat.

Look what has happened AGAIN!

Last night Jack came in the kitchen and said, "Something is missing!"  He had somehow lost his SECOND tooth since Christmas, but didn't even know when or where.  We searched and searched but it was never found.  A short note was left for the tooth fairy, so all is well.

Dole Plantation

Another local tourist attraction here on Oahu is the Dole Plantation, where miles and miles of pineapples are grown to ship all over the world.  A train ride, HUGE maze, and yummy! snacks are all part of the experience! 

The boys, of course, loved the train ride!  When the train returned to the 'station,' Jack immediately said, "This isn't right.  We are at the same station.  The engineer is lost."  He was sure that when you ride a train you should always end at a new destination. 

The Dole Whip (pineapple ice cream/yogurt/goodness in a cup!) was a big hit too!  I wasn't fast enough to get a picture of it before it was consumed by two hungry boys.

We plan to go back at some point and go through the maze.  It looked like a lot of fun but I wasn't up for doing it without Jake.