Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Nathan


Nate turned 6 last August.  Some things I want to remember about him being 6 1/2:

-He's sensitive. If his feelings are hurt his big eyes fill with tears.
-He's an artist. (he decorated his cake) He can often be found drawing.  I've noticed on many occasions when I've asked him to write a word for school that he will start drawing the picture instead of the word. I am on a mission to find ways for him to use his gift of drawing to help him learn.
- He is also an expert Lego building.
-Nate wants to know how things work and is usually pretty good at figuring it out.
-He's in 1st grade.  He's reading well, but not real fast.  The speed seems to have more to do with his mind wondering to other things that his ability to ready.  When he's reading something he's interested in he reads very well.  He still sticks mostly to reading the books that came with his Phonics program.  I'm looking forward to that light bulb moment when he realizes that he can read the Cheerios box.
-He and Isaiah are best friends, though they probably wouldn't admit it.  I love hearing them talk after they've been tucked into bed or hearing one call the other's name in the morning to see if he is awake.  They enjoy playing games together.
-When Isaiah is busy with something else Nathan also enjoys playing with Callie.  He even does fine playing house until she starts calling him Honey. :)
-Of the three oldest, Nate is the one that will spend the longest amounts of time with Zachary.  He is very good at following Zachary around and keeping him out of trouble and entertained.
-I recently asked Nate what he wants to be when he grows up.  He answered "Well, I guess a doctor or a preacher is best, right?"  I was glad I asked him the question.  I'm not sure where he got his answer, but we had a good discussion about it.
-Nate sees things in a different light.  I love the questions he asks because they almost always force me to look at a situation in a way I never have before. There were times when he was younger that he would asked questions that we had a hard time answering because he just couldn't get out the right words to let us know what was going on in his brain, but the older he gets the better he is at picking the right words to explain what he is wants to say, and I love hearing them.
-He's very good at making weird, crazy noises.  Especially, when very bored or tired.
-Favorite color: Red or blue
-Favorite food: Pizza
-My pray for Nate is that he would become exactly who God has called him to, not what he feels he should be based on others giftings or interests.

Some of Nate's artwork:
If Mommy refuses to buy you a castle to put in your fish tank, you draw one to tape on the wall behind it.  The little white piece of paper taped to the tank says "Cowboy", that's his fish's name. 
This is how Nathan counted down the days until his birthday.  The square with the brightly colored dots represents the big day. This hung on our kitchen wall.  He rarely asks where he is allowed to hang his art work.  It just appears. I don't mind.  
Speaking of hanging art, one morning last fall I was ready to start school, but I could not find Nathan anywhere.  Our house is not very big, so it was rather strange.  Then I glanced outside and this is what I found...
...taped to the fort.   The Lion head is a sticker.  And sitting next to the fort was this:
I should have posted a close up picture of Nate.  He's sitting in his lawn chair wearing shorts and a jacket and his favorite crocs and covered up with his blanket.  There is a bag of something beside him, but I can't remember what was in it, possibly black walnuts he collected from our yard, or maybe some stuffed animals, or a flashlight and pocket knife. With Nate, you just never know.  (you can see the picture hanging on the fort next to the red swing)

I love how this kid rolls.  I sometimes like to imagine what God has planned for him.  I think it will be something rather unique.  Something that requires a brain that thinks outside of the box. And a Mom cheering from the sidelines.  I'll be there, Nate. 


Monday, September 23, 2013

Zachary

These pictures are now old, but still so sweet I'll still post them. 
First swing ride
Brothers:  Isaiah loves to see Zachary doing new things and is often the one calling for us to come look at what Zach is trying to do.  He is currently on a quest to get Zachary to sit by himself.
Brothers: Nathan and Zachary also have a special bond.  Nate is the one that will spend long periods of time with Zachary, talking to him, singing to him and making baby sounds that only Zachary can understand  and that often sound like Zachary's jabber.  The picture above was taken after these two had been "talking" for awhile in Zach's crib. 
Teeth, at 7 1/2 months (he's younger on this picture -I think it was taking in July) Zachary as 2 teeth and 2 just about to pop through.  

Thursday, August 08, 2013

Jeremy's Family Vacation Weekend 2013

Another highlight from our summer was a weekend with Jeremy family (missing Alex and Boky :( ) My pictures were rather scarce from the weekend, but here are a few to record that it did happen. 

Zachary (4 months), Joshua (3 months)
 The kids LOVED the tea party Grandma Flo made for them.  This may become a tradition! 








Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Family Life

More pictures from our spring/summer

My strawberry jam helper princess

Nate's sign.  I can't remember what it was for.  Let's just pretend he's sitting in our neighbors flower bed...
Brothers.  Notice the missing teeth.  Nate lost one soon after this pictures was taken.  I think they lost 3 teeth between the two of them in 48 hours.
Because I don't want to forget


Family night at the local state park




May 2013 -Mom and Dad's Visit

We enjoyed a visit from my mom and dad in May.  Dad and my brother Matt flew to OR to surprise Brandon and attended the service at he and Cindy's church when Brandon was licensed as an associate pastor.  Heather and I and our children (we missed Cindy and Anna, Adam and Ashton! :( )took the opportunity to surprise mom with a 60th birthday party.  By the time Dad and Matt got to OR and Mom's party was over I was so tired of keeping surprises!  You know that feeling where you don't even want to answer the phone for fear you'll tell someone something and ruin a surprise?  That was me for about 2 weeks.  It was well worth it. 

We moved to this house almost 8 years ago.  I've often dreamed of serving friends a breakfast on our back porch.  Mom's party was the chance I was looking for.  We invited a few of her close friends & family (from this area) and we enjoyed brunch and fellowship on the porch. 

Did I mention we missed Cindy, Anna, Adam and Ashton? :(
  While Mom was here she helped the kids and I make donuts.  Wow, were they good. Sorry about the weird color on these pictures.  Some day I'll learn how to use this camera! 





When Dad got back from OR he took the boys fishing.  They loved it.  Nate was very interested in cleaning the fish.  He did NOT get his interest from his mom.

This visit was the first time Dad got to meet Zachary (4 months) They liked each other just fine. :)
Saying goodbye. :(
Four generations 

Sunday, July 21, 2013

7 Minutes

I told the kids they had to get ready for bed at 7:30.  That gives me 7 minutes to blog.


  • We just go home from Family Camp at Covey Valley.  We had a great weekend.
  • Todd Wilson (FamilyMan) was the speaker.  He was hilarious and very encouraging. 
  • We stayed at Jeremy's parents house instead of staying at the camp.  We were too lazy to camp in a tent.  It we nice to be in a familiar place to sleep.
  • The kids are EXHAUSTED but had so much fun.  
  • I am sitting on the couch.  Behind me, on top of the couch, are clean and folded clothes I didn't get a chance to put away before we rushed out the door on Friday.  Beside me is a bike helmet with dirty underwear in it?!?
  • I should note here that because we didn't stay at the camp we didn't have a room so the kids changed for swimming in the van.  What a mess!
  • I haven't even opened the suitcase yet. There's always tomorrow
  • Tomorrow night our church starts a week of VBS
  • Neither Angela or Kate had their babies over the weekend. :(  (Angela, I'm much more excited about your baby than Kate's, but I only have 2 minutes left so I didn't want to use up to bullet points:))
  • Zachary is sleeping and can't wake up.  He did great at camp, but didn't get very many long naps. Now he's catching up. 
  • I pulled out our Sonlight instructors guide for this year (instead of unpacking!) I'm excited about this coming school year. 
  • It's now 7:31.  Time for bed.
  • One more, my cousin and her husband just loaned us their treadmill.  Now I have no excuse!
  • Maybe tomorrow. 

Tuesday, July 02, 2013

Can you feel it?

Here is comes!

Ahhcooo!

So much better!
(4 months)