Nine Years

Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you...

 

 

...Where you go I will go...

 

...Where you stay I will stay...

 

...Your people will be my people and your God will be my God...

 

 

...Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.

 

 

May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.

Ruth 1:16-17

 

 

 

Mr Shaun Tyler, I said these words to you nine years ago and they continue to ring true today! I would say that this means you're stuck with me but, you did say them back to me. I guess I'm stuck with you, too! And I wouldn't have it any other way!

We love daddy because...

 

We love you daddy!

Happy Father's Day!

Our Little Graduate

 

Isaac just finished his first year of school. Sure it was only three days a week for three hours but, it was still his first experience and I'm glad it went so well! 

 

He gained a love for art... which was non-existent before he started. I always asked him if he wanted to do a craft and he would always say no. Now, he's the one that asks to paint, color, or make something! He wouldn't color in between the lines last summer. Not because he couldn't but because he didn't have the patience or the vision to see what he could create. Now, he can color in fine detail. We even had to buy colored pencils so he could get every little spot!

 

He loved coming home with new, interesting facts. Anything from "only male ladybugs have spots" to "the sun holds still while the earth and other planets orbit around it."

 

Isaac made lots of friends and even played with the girls... But only because they needed an April when playing Ninja Turles and a Princess Leia when playing Star Wars! I'm so proud of him and all that he's learned this year! Such a big boy!   

 End of the year performance

Mrs. Levine and Mrs. Compare

Getting his certificate

Two of Isaac's good friends this year, Jagger and Jack

Smiles all around

He was so excited!

Auntie Kimberly and Ammah got to come and celebrate with us!

Birthday Weekend

Last year I spent my birthday in Kauai... Paradise on earth! 

I was soaking up the sun and snorkeling with a turtle in Poipu. I knew that any birthday to come was going to be hard to top!

 

This June 1st Shaun was scheduled to work and he said there was no way he could take it off. Well, I knew that wasn't true but, because we are still consumed with backyard projects (a month and a half non-stop chaos), we didn't really have time to talk about it! My parents were in town and my dad and Shaun were working four days straight in the backyard. Did I mention it's only been yard talk for a month and a half!? :) I figured that Shaun would go to work on Friday, the 31st but, then come home and try and surprise me Saturday morning. However, he surpassed my expectations...

 

His alarm went off Friday morning and he "left" for work. Blake was up early too so I was bummed to have to deal with him by myself. I finally got him to relax and fall back to sleep in my bed. when we woke up, the big boys came in my room and walking behind them was SHAUN! He thought he was soooo funny! He had already gone to Home Depot (backyard stuff, remember?) and washed his truck! All I cared about was that he was home and left cranky Blake with me! He could have had him the whole time! Hehe! Shaun told me to get ready for the day and pack my bag for an over night adventure. I didn't have much time to think about the details of leaving the boys with my parents. It was also Isaac's last day of school so I was sad about not being there to pick him up. However, those thoughts came and went pretty fast... Shaun and I were getting away!!!!

 

I figured we were either going to the beach or the mountains so I packed a little of everything! We ended up in the mountains at Shaun's captain's rental house. The only thing is that it's nothing like a typical cabin rental house... It's better! It used to be their full time home and they are Hawaii lovers like me sooooo... It was 3,000 square feet of surfing pictures and tropical decor! With the Hawaiian music blasting, it almost felt like I was really there. Well, until I looked outside and saw pine trees instead of palm trees!

Can you guess what was the first thing we did? Yup, took a nap! Ahhh, first solid nap in a long time. Even for the mountains it was quite warm so instead of walking to the lake, we drove. We weren't exactly sure where the path was and I hate walking in circles. Driving was the better choice. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing, talking, and going out to dinner.

We were pretty lazy. We didn't work out in the gym that was down stairs or swim laps in the lake. We just vegged! True parent style of little kids!

My mom called Saturday morning and had the boys sing happy birthday to me! We enjoyed breakfast by the water, checking out the boat show, and doing a little more relaxing. We got home before dinner and while Blake couldn't keep his hands off my hair and was trying so hard to keep my attention on him, the big boys seemed to be doing just fine without me! Shaun's parents showed up and my friend Adriana and her kids came over. I didn't know who or how many were coming so I cornered the boys and Parker spilled the beans! I was glad that it was a small group... Hawaiian Haystack for dinner and my favorite strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting AND Oreo cupcakes for dessert. Plus presents and a clean house (thanks mom)... The older you get, the more you appreciate the little things!

It was an absolutely wonderful birthday! So even if I did have to turn 31 25, it was soooooo worth it!

 

 

All set and ready to go!

Our "little" house.

It's built on a hill so the front is deceiving...

There... That's better!

On our way to dinner

I never get to dress up so I needed a little proof it did actually happen for my birthday!

Breakfast by the water

 

~~~~~

Our welcoming crew!

A Perfect Day @ the Zoo

 

Ahhh! Blogs are backing up... I need to get going!

We spent the day at the zoo (a few weeks ago) with the Gradias family. Shaun went to high school with Ben and Krista and because of facebook/blogs/instagram, I've gotten to know them. Their oldest daughter, Madison, is a few days younger than Isaac and their other daughter, Malia, is two. Shaun hadn't seen them since high school and I had yet to meet them in person. We decided that that was absolutely crazy and planned a day to get together. I was a little nervous with how my boys would do with little girls but, it was perfect! Isaac, Parker, and Madison got along great and Malia and Blake just hopped along everywhere! It was relaxing because there is usually non-stop physical action when Isaac is with "boy" friends but, because he was with "girl" friends he had to be a little more reserved. Don't get me wrong... They did get silly and act like monkeys! However, they didn't lose control and take each other down like lions! It was greeeeaaaaat!

a close up...

My twin Isaac... And of course my sweet Parker and Blake!

These two monkeys hit it off!

Isaac is only six days older than Madison!

The snake exhibit was a highlight!  

Spider Malia is moving in on Blake the Fly!

this little guy climbed, showed his muscles, and climbed!

Half Birthdays, Stats, Quotes, and Words of the Week

I have separated my life into two categories... Life before kids and life after kids. It's funny how the 5 1/2 years with kids feels the same length of time as my 25 years without kids. I can't remember what life was like before I became a mommy and took on so much worry and responsibility. One thing both stages have in common though is they seem to be a blur. My high school memories seem just as long ago as when I held Isaac in my arms for the first time.

Mother's Day marked 5 1/2 years of chaos motherhood for me. The hardest best years of my life! On Saturday I was reminded of my continued role in life when Parker turned 3 1/2 years old and Blake turned 21 months! It was a big week of recognizing half birthdays and getting that much closer to celebrating Blake's 2nd birthday! I don't miss having all the bulky baby contraptions that take up way too much space. However, I do miss onesies, baby breath, diapers that don't stink, tiny fingers, and itty bitty coos. The fact that everyone sleeps through the night is probably my favorite part!

I'm thankful that God gave me three (relatively) easy pregnancies, three six-hour labors (that seemed way shorter than that thanks to the epidural), and three healthy, energetic, and happy boys! I pray that they live up to the meaning of their names. Isaac- laughter. Parker- protector. Blake- powerful. Today Isaac's teacher told me that he was such a joy to have in class. Parker's Bible study teacher told me that when Blake's in class with him, Parker follows him around and protects him from other kids. And I have observed that Blake's growl is quite fierce when he shows is strong muscles! There are still days that I wonder what it would be like to have a little girl but, then I'm reminded of one of Isaac's class sayings... you get what you get and you don't throw a fit! These boys have filled my love tank to the point of overflow!

26 pounds of pure love!

Not sure why he chose a pink helmet but, this kid doesn't need Toys R Us... Just take him to Sports Authority and it's like a day at Disneyland for him!

Blake is now saying shoot the ball.
Well... Kinda...
I guess it sounds more like sh** ball! :/ 

How in the world does he do that!?!

 

I made the mistake of leaving my scrapbook stuff out and then going and taking a shower. When I got out Blake had 12 buttons in his mouth. He seemed to choke on each one as I tried to fish hook them out of his mouth!

 

48 pounds of solid muscle!

Not much tree to climb but, he'll still try!

 

Isaac's word of the week is process. Not sure why but, when my boys pick up a new word, they try to use it as much as they can. At dinner, Parker was having a hard time eating and Isaac asked if it was a process to get Parker to eat food. Another time they were all in the trampoline and Isaac told Blake not to come near him and Parker because they were having a process (aka: wrestling/tackling).

37 pounds of... I don't know... he leaves me speechless...

 

Parker's word of the week was disrespectful. Parker and Isaac were playing in their room and I guess there was a problem because Parker came out and told me that Isaac was being disrespectful and trying to get him to sin. "And I don't want to sin, Mommy" he assured me!

 

Parker also gets confused as to when he needs to say, I forgive you.

Example:

Parker: Isaac, can I please have that Ninja Turtle.

(Isaac passes over the turtle)

Parker: Thank you

Isaac: You're welcome

Parker: I forgive you!

 

 

Five minutes of watching my boys play Wii Sports and you'll be able to nail down their personalities:

Parker was calm, quiet, and focused while trying to learn new skills. Isaac was loud, got super mad when he couldn't do something great the first time, and there wasn't a cushion on either couch that he didn't jump on. Oh, and Blake, he stood in the front (wearing my head band) and cheered anytime something good happened!

 

These boys mean business when they ask if they can play in shaving cream!

And no, we didn't count them. Isaac said there were too many to count!

The Ugly Truth

This is my family.

 

I'm proud of them.

 

They all try so hard to do their part in this family. 

 

When we go out I tell them to act normal and smile.

 

I tell them to say hello and be polite.

 

I tell them not to act goofy or to make a scene.

 

 

 

And usually they listen.

 

However, I feel as though I'm making them be something they're not.

 

Like they're having to act in a play...

 

Take on different characters... 

 

Lie.

 

Don't we tell our kids that we'll love them no matter what they do?!

 

Don't we tell them that they just need to be themselves.

 

So, because I have felt convicted, I would like to introduce you to my real family...

 

This is "Safety First" Isaac.

This is "you can Never be too Prepared for Battle" Parker.

And this is "Everything is Better with a Mask" Blake.

 

~~~~~~

 

This is my family.

 

And even with their crazy, psycho, full of non-sense, what in the world were you thinking actions...

 

I love them to the moon and back! 

 

Hehe!