Summa, Summa, Summer time....

Summa time in this house this last month has been a sweaty mess of all kinds of activites. And it's been HOT HOT HOT!!! Griffy did Vacation Bible School at the church he goes to preschool at and had a great time. He has also been doing a multi-sport class through the park district since June. This Tuesday was the last class so the parents were invited to come and play and check out hands on what the kiddos have been doing.

Naturally, Ryski couldn't stay away. So he took the morning off and joined us at class. Isn't he a little gem??!! He had a great time with us and to our delight the sport featured was basketball, a family favorite at our house!

Even Beanie was loving Basketball day! He had a blast!!!!

Ry & I both got to play in a parent vs. kids scrimmage and it was seriously so fun. Cool to see kids and their parents getting SO MUCH JOY out of running around with a just a ball (NO technology needed!!). It also made me overly thankful that I played basketball & just sports in general since I am a "BOYS MOM"...I mean not only can I relate to their games and play with them as they grow, but I seriously ENJOY it as well! It was a rewarding moment for both Ry & I as we watched Griffy participate and relate to us both over a game! One of those "hours" in your parenting walk where you think, "this is what it's all about"...then back to reality, haha!

Rewarding for Griffin???? YEP!!! The kids each got a medal!

We also started swim lessons. Ry took first shift at the pool the day before.

And Kevin took over for 2 weeks after...

and we concluded that mostly a lot of kick boarding, jumping and playing with the noodles was done. Swimming....hummmmmmm, not exactly. But hey, he's 4 and it was his first time. He is now a lot more comfortable in the pool so well work on conquering floating next summer??!!?!

He went off the diving board for the first time too!

The boys also got some rides in style this weekend. They may or may not love sitting this close to each other belted down and very sweaty depending on the moment you catch them. We finally got out for a bike ride down the river, one of our favorite things to do, but this busy summer hasn't left any time for it. The wagon is a new addition to the fam we found at a garage sale(thanks Erin!!)! I am thrilled over the $15 investment I have been drooling over for a long time!! The boys LOVE riding and pulling it and Griffin is so excited about bringing his lemonade with him because of the cup holders!

Wondering what Beanie has been doing?

He's been busy cleaning??!!

Ha ha! This little boy has a new found love with trying to use objects for there intended purpose (imagine that!) and gets such a kick out of it when he can do something. He adores taking a wash cloth or a wipe he has stole from the box and cleaning the floors or carpet with them. I tell Ryan this must show how cleanly I am, but I know that's probably not true. Ha ha! Either way, I am not complaining. Watching him want to use a spoon, toothbrush, hair brush or wash cloth for their intended purpose is too cute! He is also getting those dreaded 1 year molars and another tooth up front which has caused fever, ear infection and trip to the doc:(! I think he's on the up and up though and it's a small price to pay to eat steak:)!

And last but not least, a shout out to my dad!

He rode his bike all the way across the state of Iowa with RAGBRAI. It's his second time completing the ride and he did it with diabetes on the mind. The first time he rode 5 years ago, his dad, my Grandpa Richard passed away from complications with type 2 diabetes. This year he raised over $40,000 to give to the American Diabetes Association in honor of Grandpa & me of coarse, since I am a type 1. Some of the donations are going towards scholarships for kids to attend diabetes camp. Melts my heart all the way around. So proud of my dad and honored to be his daughter. He does such a good job at showing his love in his own way:)!

Soooooo long, if you're still reading, thanks! Happy dog days of summer! Get a popsicle and go beat the heat!

Motherhood as a MINISTRY??!

`This week I have been thinking about the "JOB" of motherhood...maybe parenting in general as I chat with Ry, but since I am a mother, I'll go with that.

I think it's stemming from the fact that I currently am reading this book:

coupled with a video of an player from the Bulls I watched this week.

(which by the way, to my husband's delight I have become a huge fan!!)

I normally don't really follow sports stars too closely, but this one played in Omaha for college and I met him a few times. I'm not going to lie, I may have been head over heels in love with his tall socks & ability to hit from the three point line like an assassin (so maybe you know who it is:)!) in college...but now I really appreciate him for other reasons. Since he came to Chicago I have started seeing some articles around here & there about him personally, so out of curiosity have followed his story/work. In the video I watched, he was talking about his foundation and helping others and referred back constantly to the way he was raised and watching his parents love God and help others as the source of why he does what he does (which is by the way HELP lots of underprivileged children & their families in several states). It got me wondering about what it would be like to watch Griffin or Sawyer talk like that...live like that...and have a heart invested like that. It most certainly is what I want for their lives but as I was reminded by reading this book, just "thinking" that's how things will be or imagining the picture at the end but no steps in between isn't going to help me see that dream into reality. I am more than aware that I may do everything "right" and not get the results I am seeking either, but I have been thinking lately about a game plan...

More that just the "doing" of saying prayers at night and before meals and going to church. What I/we know I/we need is an attitude to approaching parenthood and I really do think that approaching it as a "ministry" is where I can really make some changes in my parenting that could make some impactful changes. For me, it is so easy to get caught up in the daily messes and blow out diapers and spills and clean-mess up cycle to really value my daily interactions with my kids as ministry...embarrassing to admit, but true. I get weighed down in thinking that I am not really doing anything to better myself, help others or make a difference for anyone by making meals and changing diapers. I have heard and BELIEVED a thousand different people say that motherhood is a ministry and my most important one at that, but I haven't ever stopped to think about what that entails. Here's what I have come up with so far....

God gave me built in people to disciple.

(for my crusade friends: I don't even have to knock on their door and share the 4 spiritual laws with them as I introduce myself, haha!!)

He not only created them, he had me in mind for them while he was doing it. There's a reason that they were placed in my hands for these precious few years I have with them while they are growing, it's because what meager skills I have can be used to minister to them, so they in turn can use their lives to touch others. It's a huge job, it's a full time ministry position where every mistake and weakness and downfall is exposed to them and they will still hopefully come out knowing that they are loved, prayed for, protected and believed in not only by me but also by the God of the universe.

It sounds over whelming. Ry & I sat in silence the other night fathoming the task.

What have we gotten ourselves into??!!??

I have decided to look at it as an adventure. And, pretty much God is going to take me on one whether I have decided that or not, so I am just embracing it, and buckling up! Haha!

It's really exciting to me that meals and changing clothes and driving from thing to thing may one day be looked back on as a lot of love & devotion, a place to jump from if you will...and inspire good things for others. I hope that's the case. And the truth is, even if that's not the outcome, it's still what God is asking me as a mom to do. Practice love, peace, patience, kindness...you know the whole fruit basket, and my kids do show me areas in there that need dusting CONSTANTLY. Crazy that God has looped all of this together, but as I get to know him more and more it doesn't surprise me in the least how all phases on life flow together into this really beautiful story of my life that is a just a small blip in the greatest story ever told, Jesus.

So I am praying about this. And thinking of things I would do if Griffin and Beanie were in my bible study in college to encourage them and build relationships with them. And for now I am going to bet it's going to be playing a lot of Cars but someday I may just be privileged enough to see the eyes of someone who was just shown Jesus by one of them.

#the reason for being a mom

The BIG 1

My red headed little wonder of a Beanie man,

Happy 1^st Birthday! I’ve actually been trying to avoid the fact that this day was so quickly approaching these last few weeks, but here we are. Unbelievable that a whole year has already passed. In so many ways it seems that I could close my eyes and take myself right back to the day, and that’s where we should be right now. As I write this a year ago now I was probably just holding you for the first time and studying your sweet face and marveling over the fact that you came out bright red. What a perfect and sweet little bundle.

What amazes me most so far about having kids is how it draws me closer and takes me deeper with the Lord than I ever thought possible. You and Griffin both have played such a significant role in my walk just merely by the timing of your arrivals, and then so far beyond that. When I got rolled down to see you, Sawyer, and they put you in my arms I immediately felt like God was putting a little band aide on my heart. The year before you arrived will probably always be counted as one of the hardest for me, and when you arrived God helped me to close that chapter and begin a new one. I have just so enjoyed each moment of it too. I LOVED every part of having a baby, even the getting up in the night. As many times as I could in those early morning feedings I just thanked God over and over and over again that I had a healthy baby boy to get up and feed and snuggle and fall in love with. I know that this past year will be one of the biggest treasures of my life and again, I just feel humbled and so very thankful that I had the gift of this experience. I love snuggling and feeding you and singing twinkle, twinkle as I lay you down to bed and seeing your face light up as I walk towards you. I have tried so hard to savor every moment. I hate to close the door on this chapter. I hate to see you off into toddler hood already. You didn’t stay here long enough. I could just live right here with you for a long time and be perfectly happy. But I know that’s not how God built us. I know we both have to keep going because God has so much more ahead for us. I read a quote the other day that said something to the effect of, it kills you to watch your kids grow up but it would kill you even more if you didn’t get to. Ain’t that the truth??!!!

I just want you to know what a gift you are…how much I am praying for your life…how much you have changed my life and heart…how confident I am that you are exactly the person that was supposed to be in our family next. I am so thankful for you.

My prayer for your life is simple. I want God to protect your heart, mind, body & soul for him and for his plan for your life and I want you to walk in it. That alone will produce all the other things that I am dreaming about for you. I can assure you that it is true because I am walking in it myself. Life really is so beautiful, remember that and choose JOY and a lot of it, both things that I am learning from you! Someday we can talk and share and pray through all of these things. For now though, I am just going to keep enjoying each day for the day and each milestone that I am privileged enough to see you through. There are a lot of things about you boys being little I know I will forget, but the way I feel when you settle into my arm is something that won’t ever. You are sewn into the very fabric of my story and pressed on my heart. I love you so much Sawyer Richard Eccleston. Happy first birthday. I hope we will be spending many many many more together. Thank you for being the little blessing that you are, and thank you God for this miracle in my life. I am beyond humbled and thankful to be a mother, even on the hardest of days.

Momma:)

12 month stats:

In the last month you have started to walk and now you cruise all over the place. I really don’t even see you crawling any more. You are still working on getting out just a few words that we can kind of make out, but momma is a clear one. You have little grunt you use to talk about Griffy and you even squeak out a Dada! You eat like a starving pack of wolves and if we are a little slow on loading up the next bite you are sure to let us know. Your demeanor is so sweet and you are content to just sit and play and smile at all of us as long as someone you know if close for a quick snuggle. BUT you are still a stinker too, lots of screaming, you are SO impatient when you're hungry and when you want something you WANT it!! You’re pretty sensitive and if someone tells you no or you think you might be in trouble you don’t hesitate to pop that bottom lip out and bust out the saddest face we’ve ever seen. You still blow out of way too many diapers and daddy and I are always trying to clean poop off of your legs in a remote corner of some parking lot with miscellaneous napkins because we forgot wipes. You can’t wait until you can go as fast as your brother so you can join him in shenanigans! You were 50% on height & weight at your 1 year appointment and over 95% for head circumference!

A great day to wear purple!

This is my stunning sister in law, Sara Pruch!

And this weekend we road tripped it to Nebraska to watch her marry the love of her life!

And we also participated! Ry and I were in the wedding party and the boys were the ring bearers! Beanie brought his sweet baby smile & Griffy brought his charming personality to the job...

and the bow ties were provided:)!

All my boys were looking sharp...especially that hubs, whew!:)

We were decked out in purple, and even though according to Griffin it is strictly a girl color (he would have hated our wedding:)!!), we all wore it with wedding style!

Brothers looked great in it...

and so did sisters...

and the MOB!!

We arrived Thursday night and got there just in time for bachelor partying and all the last minute things that went into the wedding. My in laws did a great job putting together a God honoring, very real and beautiful celebration.

Sweet sisters, they are amazing friends and women!

One tuckered out little ring bearer! haha!

And two very tired parents after an amazing day spent loving on their baby girl! A well deserved rest!

Someone once told me that when they go to weddings they re-say their vows in their head to their spouse, and I couldn't help but do that on Saturday. The pastor spoke about having a marriage that is know for Joy and kindness and compassion. I know I want to keep working towards that and it made me want to re-marry Ryan all over again! It is amazing to see all the love that it takes to to pull off a wedding. Sometimes all the hub-bub seems like it is over the top and so far from what God meant it to be. But when you are in it and see 2 parents work tirelessly to make something beautiful happen for their daughter and family & friends pitch in to make an amazing day and 2 people willing to toss their hands up and dive in, than I think you have experienced exactly what God intended...all different kinds of love, coming from all different directions which all points back to him to help start a new family and send them off. Isn't that amazing!

Here's to a happy Life Pruch Family!

(so sorry I don't have a picture of the groom:)!! We love you Brian!)

May God surround and protect your marriage and your family all the days of your life!

God Bless America!

Happy 4th of July 2011!

Last year at this time we were waiting on pins and needles for Sawyer's arrival!

This year we celebrated in style with our almost little 1 year old!

It was a great weekend! We snuck in an awesome little reunion with some great high school buddies of mine...

(sorry it's a titch blurry, the hubbies were having too much fun with this photo shoot:)!)

Then onto the 4th of July MADNESS!!!

Every year Grand Beach has a golf cart parade and this year marked year #2 we decorated a cart and the boys cruised in style! This year we went with Americana because it was on sale at the party store, not super creative, but fun none the less!! Our friends the Mick's also have a special family connection to New Buffalo, as part of their family vacations up here every year! They were able to come for the parade and ride with kids and it was an absolute BLAST! Griffy just adores his buddy Charlie, so you can about imagine their enthusiasm!!

Dads with boy #2

All the boys ready to rock and roll!

Me, Beanie, Henry & Erin

The Micks

The Ecclestons

The Richards

Best Friends!

Helping Wayno with the fish boil we had that night!

me & 2 of my favorite people at a little late night function

On the actual 4th we hit up the beach finally! It was a beautiful day!

They had a BLAST playing in the sand together and were covered from head to toe!

My little beach bum!

Beanie toes hitting the water for the first time!

GG & baby Coop!

The first of MANY cousin 4th of Julys at the lake!

How blessed we feel to have friends and family, beaches and the lake house, things to celebrate, freedom and people who serve so we can have it, and a beautiful country for our kids to grow up in. God Bless America!