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Christmas Video

2012-01-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to post this little interview since Christmas but finally got around to it! Here's the little men on Christmas Eve:)

My friend Jimmy

2012-01-27T12:47:00.000-08:00

When you are pregnant there are two kinds of days. The kind where you walk into the doctors office on time, you pee right into the cup to give your “sample” with no drips, they call you back with no waiting, find the baby’s heartbeat right away and then send you on your way. Then there are the days where you bring your 19 month old with you to the docs. You wait in the waiting room for almost an hour, pee directly on your hand instead of in the cup while your child unrolls all the toilet paper, and then the doctor hassles you about your blood sugars. As the day gets closer and closer to baby #3 getting here I find myself living more and more in the chaos and frustration of the 2^nd scenario, pee on my hand and all and to be frank, it isn't always mine. I seem to be living in the tired and challenging and lugging myself plus 2 little boys around in the day to day. How will I manage with one more? Will I manage?? I know I will. Yes is the answer and contrary to what my mind is telling me, people raise 3 children and more everyday and survive. Not that anything is so bad, or I am really struggling, I am just thinking through how my life will look as I prepare for the addition of another one. I have been wondering if it can be more than mere “survival”? I want to enjoy and soak in as much as I can while my babies are just that, babies…but the reality of babies is work and repetition and no time for extras. How will this all look?

Good thing God knew I would need a dose of encouragement. When we started bible study back up this winter they whipped out one on the book of James. I didn’t really know too much about good ole, as Martin Luther refereed to him as, “Jimmy” prior to the study but thanks to the detailed explanations of Beth Moore and other women who are way smarter than me, I am coming to grasp something that I probably would have not really appreciated if I would have just tried to read it on my own in context. James opens like this:

“Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

James 1:2

We talked in our groups about how “joy” in this case isn’t your run of the mill emotion but more of a state of being you find yourself in from knowing, loving and obeying the Lord. The rest of the book is also not really a sweet and smooth read but more of a bold challenge to get up off your tushie and let your actions be a reflection of your faith and of your words. Whew! Convicting? To me, very much. I am not currently in the middle of any big crisis or hardship although I can reflect on plenty of times I have been there. I think what I am in the middle of is just plain ole life. I let the messes, the bugers & snotty noses, the no time for a shower…or me at all, the toys broken and everywhere, the 17^th dirty diaper or load of laundry weigh on me. And then I feel a little trapped in it. And that causes me to feel restless and sorry for myself and my actions towards my kids, who I desperately want to see Jesus in our home, and my husband and my family and friends suffer at the hand of my “everydays”. This week though, Jimmy my friend, you have done more than just encourage the 12 tribes you were writing to, you are encouraging me to figure out how to consider the everydays of my life, the messes and frustrations and giggles and sweet smiles…ALL of it, an opportunity for joy. To be in the state of JOY no matter how sticky and ordinary the day is. And when I think about it as a whole, like as a movie montage, both the good and the bad make me tear up and remember that even I could never have choose a life this precious and perfect for myself. And to take it a step further, I now need let my actions…my patience, how I react, how I show love and compassion to be a reflection of this faith that I constantly tell my kids about and so desperately want them to know too. Can I help them to know Jesus and have faith in their life, yep, and according to Jimmy I just need to WALK in mine.

Snow Day & Daddy

2012-01-27T08:37:00.000-08:00

At this house, we all know the best time of day, and that's when we hear the garage door open and we all know it's daddy. Griffin yells DADDY and Beanie screams with excitement and we all race to the back door to meet our guest of honor! We seriously miss him all day long. We can't wait for daddy's "day off" which is what Griffin labels the weekends as! I not only love his company and help but I also enjoy watching he and the boys play and bond more than just about anything. And on top of that, Daddy is willing to do the jobs I don't really love...like playing in the cold snow 7 month pregnant!:) Griffin has been dying for some action in the white fluffy stuff and since it has been sparse around here this year, we took advantage of the precipitation a few weekends back! Boys had a ball, and love their father, the hero, even more! I felt the same way, watching from the window while I prepared the Hot Coco and marshmallows!

Griffy Bug

2012-01-27T08:05:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to keep up on here with all the monthly milestones for Beanie, sort of my virtual baby book...and someday when I have just gallons of extra time and money I want to get it all printed out of the kids so they have record of some of their daily life kind of stuff. Since Griff is out of that monthly milestone age he's been low on posts dedicatied just to him, but I thought in honor of about 4.5 years old I would bust out a special one just for you little man.

Your Favorites:
*your new bike
*being outside, no matter how cold
*your buddies

With your favorite buddy Charlie!

*going to school

Here's some shots from your Winter Program this year!

You on the bleachers, taking things oh so seriously! You loved to sing the songs this year!

Two of your biggest fans watching you!

Your teachers, Ms. Jones & Mrs. Stable

Showing us your room

*getting done with school and seeing Beanie and I waiting for you

*hot coco

*CARS (STILL!!!!), the movie and all the CARS that go with it,

(but you are a little scared of some spots in Cars 2 which is precious to me)

*playing spies

*reading (YEAH)

*showing me your projects from school

*working on a project or game at home (although usually short lived)

*watching the Chicago Bulls

*family nights

*snuggling with all of us

*OOOOO AHHHHH the monkey and green blankie

*getting tucked in and getting that last drink of water

*chocolate

*your brother, Beanie

*holding hands

*the beach

*being my helper

That's quite a list, but you my sweet, are quite a boy. You have really settled into an age and stage that I LOVE! You are helpful and smart and so very funny. I adore your quirks and your personality and call daddy many times a day to tell retell something you came up with! I will leave you with a short list of some of your classic lines lately, wish I could think of more on the spot! We are having so much fun being your parents Griff. God has and will continue to teach me so much through you and I am learning so much about the way God designs our life with a personalized "perfect" in mind. You are the SPEED to my race track and the SPICE to my life!

When I told Griffin that he and Beanie were my favorite in the whole world this morning he replied, “aw shucks mom!" and then said, "and you're my favorite Abbi in the whole world, oh and mommy too!"

When asked to get something for me, he came back with a, “but my joints hurt!”

When I pinched myself in the car this morning and said OUCH a few times, he caringly asked, “aw mom, is it the heartburn again??”

(can you tell his mother is pregnant??!! Ha ha!!)

18 months....19 months & counting...

2012-01-16T16:49:00.000-08:00

It's so hard to shift my thinking, this little man still seems to be my baby.

He's only 19 months after all, yet time is moving so fast and he's becoming (thankfully for me) more of a BIG guy every day. I still feel like he couldn't have been born more than a few months ago, and yet in a few months I will have another baby, oh dear. Please pray for me, ha ha!

Beanie bug was a hefty almost 27 pounds and 32 inches. The picture above seems to capture him just right. He's at the table, smiling huge because he loves to be pearched right there ready for food and has part of his snack smeared all over his sticky face. The delight in his eye's is most likely from watching some silly stunt Griffin just did. He's crazy about milk, cransins, drinkable yogart...wait, who am I kidding...he loves almost anything edible (and things that are not...like vacuum attachments). When you ask him something and he wants to do it or likes it, he flaps his little "wings" super excited! BUT if he doesn't like something, you don't have to guess, he'll throw out a high pitched schrill scream to which Ryan and I have just decided to ignore and see if this tactic he has used since birth is still part of a phase, ha! He also started doing some signing and his little "MORE" which he signs for just about everything melts my heart. This month he made his first trip to the hospital for the limp arm we noticed one morning. When he wouldn't grab food with it, we knew he was hurting and after a few tries and some x-rays good ole Dr. Ireland popped his elbow back into place. We have no idea how it got that way, but were thankful it was an easy fix!

I can't leave this post with out mentioning a few other "Beanie's FAVORITE pastimes Facts", just so I don't forget what he likes to do and when!! He continues his EXTREME love for all things DOG!! Can't get enough of them:)! He loves to give kisses and makes the smacking sound of a kiss when he does it with his mouth. He kisses his Elmo & animals & us with great enthusiasm! He prays, it is heart melting. When we say it's time he folds his little hands and claps at the end...sigh!! He LOVES to iron. He lays out daddy's shirts from the laundry and pretend to iron them with our iron and plays the whole time at church with the ironing board there, so funny little man:)! He is very sensitive to a stern NO, and immediately gets out the lip, to which I melt. Ryan is worried he may never learn because I fall so quickly to that sweet lip, but he is into EVERYTHING and it is driving me crazy. I can't go to the bathroom or take a shower without him climbing to the highest place he can manage and causing some trouble. And last but not least, he loves to clean up, and dispose of his trash in the garbage. What a kid:)!

Beanie,

We love you more than any of us ever thought possible.

You are just the perfect match for thing #2 in this little family.

Your giggles matched with Griff's are music to our ears.

19 months have flown by, like time does when you are having too much fun!

To a lifetime of months more!

On the fridge...

2012-01-12T07:07:00.000-08:00

I love having things on our fridge. People always display the cutest pictures, invites, cards & art on the fridge and when we have a full one it just makes me feel happy. Every time I walk by and see a smile of one of the boys or a snowman of Griffin's with a hilarious nervous face I feel a little giddy over the hysterics of these kids! And sometimes when you're running to the fridge for the (very tired) 100th time for a sippy cup of milk you need a little pick me up! We've had to keep the fridge pretty clean lately because we are in the process of selling the house, and to me a plain fridge just brings down my whole kitchen, but I digress. I allowed myself just a few items to spread some holiday cheer in the kitchen these last few weeks and I like that it tells kind of where we're at as a family too...

Here are our "perfect" and "actual" photos from Christmas this year and last. The ones from Christmas Eve this year are my favorite and just about tell you everything you need to know about our Griffin:)!

This is still currently on the fridge, and FULL as of this morning might I add. December was a rough month for sleep in our house because G man didn't want to have anything to do with it. He was giving us the worst time about going to bed and then would be up several times a night. Thus, I got desperate and started this chart where he could earn 1 sticker for going to bed with out a fight and another for staying there all night. He had to get 10. It's taken about 2 weeks, but today is the day we get to pick out a new car (as if we could possibly need one more) and bring it home to join the fam! Well start a new one in the morning, but with more squares to fill. It seems to be working!

And, last but not least...my favorite!

All 3 babies at 20 weeks.

Griffin in red, Bean in Green & C in silver. It's so fun to look at them and hunt for similarities or dream about what kind of amazing masterpiece God is going to unwrap for us in C in just a few short months. By looking at the boys "blue prints", I know it will be good, and I am getting so anxious!

We have plenty of room for one more babe's smile, silly notes and darling artwork on here!

What's on your fridge???

Home for the Holidays!

2011-12-25T11:49:00.000-08:00

So it is now 1:45pm.

I am still in my jammies.

I am just thinking about trying to make lunch.

The house is in shambles with boxes, paper and toys scattered everywhere.

And all seems calm & bright for me!

Griff & Ry are outside riding his BRAND NEW RED BIKE!!! & Beanie is taking his snooze for the day. On top of all of that, it's Christmas. The first Christmas I have EVER spent in my own home. And it has been blissful. (and after a call from all my family at Gramee Sapp's house last night, a little sad too) Ry said it best, "a little bitter with a lot of sweet" when "seasons" of life change and staying home this year is definitely a change for Ryan & I as we have both always spent Christmas in Nebraska! We may not do this every year, well just take it one at a time, but we have sure enjoyed the R & R that this year brought and the way we were able to take in the magic of it all instead of scurrying from thing to thing...but we realize that there's magic in that too:)!

I know I have been picture heavy lately, but I guess the pictures tell the story better than I could! We started Christmas off yesterday at our bulletin board with the final sticker on our advent calendar and a survey of all the amazing cards on it! We LOVE seeing all the smiling faces up there of all our loves!! Then we had an awesome service at our church and all 4 us attended the BIG service and loved bopping to the music!

When we got home we tried to get a few Christmas shots, which as you can see turned out, well, not so great...or hilariously well, depending on how you look at it....:)

And here is my Christmas gift...mistletoe & my man!

Our night then started in on a long list of Christmas craziness...starting with these dog houses for Snoopy, which turned out to be a little more sticky (and by that I mean the icing literally could have been used to lay real bricks) than Griffin & I planned. But we mustered through and came up with 3 (although pretty sad) dog houses. Griffin never seemed to notice...so oh well.

Dinner & dessert were delish! Griff set the table...

Bean loved the beans (of course!) and jello the best! And everything else too!

And Ryan & I sprung for beef wellington...melt.in.your.mouth. YUM!

As you would expect, the cake brought nothing but smiles...they are our boys:)!

Next came Christmas jammies, stockings, Cars 2 & popcorn...

In the stockings??? Our new tribe of SUPERS! 2 boys & (1) der.woman!!

And as cheesy as it sounds, the only real bummer of the night was that our little wonder woman wasn't with us (in the flesh at least) to share in our family fun! She did kick the whole time though, as if to say...don't forget about me! Don't worry little girl, we haven't and next year you'll be right in the mix! Can't wait!

Griff & Ry got cookies ready for Santa before bed and I got cookies ready for my 3 favorites!

And the cookies must have done the trick because Santa left some good loot for 2 little boys who made the "nice" list!

We opened & played the rest of the day!

Meet BIG chomp & lil chomp, the newest members of our family. Both boys went to sleep with lil & BIG respectfully tonight.

Last but not least, my favorite gift, hand wrapped & painted by G himself at preschool. So cute!

Love these boys. Love this family. Love spending the day at home with them. LOVE celebrating the reason for every teeny little JOY we have, Jesus, with them!

Christmas with the Richards

2011-12-25T09:40:00.000-08:00

Since I was a little lady my family has always celebrated UN-Christmas Christmas. Not "UN" in meaning we didn't celebrate the Christmas holiday, we just never have celebrated on Christmas because we were always headed to or in Nebraska on the 24th & 25th! This year we celebrated the weekend before starting with an all adults dinner downtown Chicago at the ever so chic "Paris Club". It was a fun experience and we all got to try some new and interesting food. Ryan, Ali & Julie all tried (and didn't particularly enjoy...haha) their first mussel.

Ali trying to recover after swallowing that deliciously slimy morsel!

It was so nice to just have some "adult" time with everyone in the fam as it is rare and precious to Ry & I these days!

My cute parents, happy to hang with their kids! And we did a "cheers" to Wayno, the birthday boy, and all shared our favorite memories of him!

Then the next morning we did what all sane people who have only slept 2 hours (thank you Beanie:)!) do...we headed down to the city to run (walk) a 5K in support of this little Christmas Arthritis Elf, Al! She was the poster child for the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation this year and got to start the race! The whole fam, lots of friends and neighbors made it out to walk and grab some Christmas cheer! She had another great year raising money in support of a great cause! Go Ali!

A taste of the first snow?? Yes, please!!

M & D:)

And to continue on with the fun, we headed home, warmed up, took naps, showered and had a little Christmas celebration at GG & Wayne's house with the little boys (only for one more year...next year they'll be a little lady, and a few pink things already showed up under the tree for her!)

the "kids"

Red TOMS shoes for 3 little boys from their amazingly cool Aunt! Not only did they donate another pair to a child in need, but these boys piggies will be quite in style for Husker games! (Ryan got brown ones from the boys & I!!...and on Baby C's list...the RED ones with sparkles...I can't wait to purchase them!!!!)

Boys & Aunt Al in RED!

ADORABLE cousins, matching jams!!!!

Grandpa time!

And, snuggles with Coop! He always has a smile, isn't he so sweet! It's so fun to see your siblings kids...I can see Julie & Andy in his little face! We all love having a cousin to share the holidays with!!

It was a LOT packed into 2 short days, but that's the way it always is with the holidays. We left feeling so thankful for family who love us no matter what and work hard to make each member of the crew feel special! Ry & I are both lucky to have parents who work so hard to make what little time we all have together memorable and special for everyone!

Meet 'cha back here next year Richards:)...

Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T09:34:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

XOXO,

the ecclestons

What Mary (& baby C) has been teaching me...

2011-12-13T06:50:00.001-08:00

This morning I am up before either of my boys. I can't fall back asleep, so I am just sitting here nestled in bed enjoying the boxing match that's going on inside my tummy. I feel overwhelming bliss (and sometimes a little ouch! too) every time I get knocked. The anticipation of another 3 to 4 months to just hold her and have her in my arms seems way too long, yet I know in a blink of an eye, I'll be laying in this very bed (God willing) nestled in with her.

I SERIOUSLY CAN'T WAIT!!

And that statement is more than true. I am not a really good WAITER. Patience is one of those fruits of the spirit that I need to go pick and eat more of. There seems to be nothing "I" can do to make things go faster, BUT while I am waiting for things I have discovered I can create a lot of fear and worry. I can sit around and concoct detailed scenarios where this pregnancy ends in death and destruction for both of us. I can make myself sick with worry about not feeling kicks at the same time, birth defects that go along with having diabetes or the risks of having a 3rd C-section. It seems to me that part of this lies in just being a mother. It's our instinct from the beginning to protect and want our children to live full and happy lives with us.

I've been thinking and praying through this pregnancy for these feelings to subside though, even if just a little. I have a feeling this could be the last pregnancy for me, the last time I get the outrageous joy of feeling a baby inside of me. And even though I am not a person who just LOVES being pregnant, I do LOVE the privilege of it and behind all the challenges it presents to me, I feel overwhelmed at the fact that I was able to have children at all. I don't want to look back on these *short* months and realize I wasted the whole miracle happening inside of me, by letting fear consume it. I have found in 0 out of the last 3 pregnancies, that none of this worry has come to help me at all or change the outcome of the lives of my children. But old habits die hard I guess.

Christmas this year has landed smack dab in the middle of this pregnancy, right where I needed it (imagine that). Every year since I have been pregnant with Griffin I have found a whole new fascination with the details and amazement of this story. And this morning as I picked up my bible in the quite and started to reread that story over again I am overwhelmed at words and actions I have read thousands of times, yet seem to be new and meant for me in this season. The posture that Mary takes through the whole thing is such a smack in the head for me...

Luke 1:30

"But the angel of the Lord said to her, "Do not be AFRAID"

and then the angel goes on to detail out the plans the Lord has for her, and she responds...

Luke 1:38

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be as you have said."

I am blown away at her ability to just accept. Accept what is. Accept what is put before her. Trust that God has a plan. And I have way more to work with...ultrasound pictures, heart beat checks and the rest of the New Testament which lays out in great detail God's perfect plan for our lives and salvation. She also is a great example of knowing and living the fact that our children aren't ours but on borrow from the Lord, hard as it may be for us mother's to accept that sometimes. Think of the miracle she would have squandered away if she would have sat around analyzing and worrying. Now I am not carrying the son of God, but I just don't think I can afford to waste one of the biggest miracles that will ever happen to me on worry and anxiety either. I am so thankful that Mary's response was recorded in the midst of this huge event going on, and I am going to try and keep her faithful spirit as I journey through the rest of this pregnancy and mother the 3 little darlings I have. I am working on NOT letting fear consume this part of my life...and besides I should as least enjoy my nice thick head of hair, bigger cup size and the fact that I don't have to suck in my belly:)! There's lots of joy in this waiting season and the biggest one is probably RE learning to put my delicate heart in his hands and trusting that it is safe there.

Little Baby C:

Seriously, I CAN NOT wait to hold you. Dress you in pink ruffles & snuggle your newborn days away! The anticipation is killing me. Soon we will get to all this and more. You have already changed my life, and now you are teaching me and reminding me about living a life that isn't full of fear but confidence in God's plan. I hope that I can instill that back to you someday. I love you more than words could ever express already.

mom

Romans 8:15

December this year...

2011-12-11T18:11:00.000-08:00

Christmas has already been so many things this year and we still have 2 weeks to go. It has been magical in a way that I haven't yet experienced with these two!

Decorating the tree in Griffin's room, you would of thought it was the one in Rockefeller Plaza by his face:)!

Griffin has been absolutely delighted by the whole Christmas hoopla this year. From decorating, to Santa, to Crafts at school, to talking about baby Jesus "in the swaddling clothes"

Baby Jesus in SWADDLING clothes made at church & his own "tivity" made at school

...he finds the up most magic in each shiny detail, each lyric of each carol, each sip of Christmas coco. Every year since he has been born this time of year has seemed to get better and better but this year with him taking the reigns on the excitement, it seems like we have hit the top. He's our little holiday CHEERmeister, and we could not love watching the THRILL anymore! Living it yourself doesn't quite seem to compare to watching your child experience joy!

As for little Beanie, don't worry, he's having a great time too. Anything that brings delight to Griffin is sure to summon a laugh from our little red head as well. He also loves de-ornamenting the tree and running around the house with the glitter ribbons that I strung around it, making the vacuum even closer to my heart (which is pretty close already)! One thing he did not really cherish...Santa. The photo below was taken right before he stuck out his lower lip and the tears began to flow...

Beanie mostly just "tolerated" the whole Santa experience this year. Waiting 45 minutes in line and then sitting on some guy with a beards lap wasn't his idea of a good time:)!

Although, he had some moments, like when he tried to escape from us and dart back through the line that he did love!

As for Ry & I, we're enjoying (& trying to stay sane through) all the details and planning that go into making a holiday sweet for your family! This year is our first Christmas to stay in our home and have it be just us. I feel SO GROWN UP all of the sudden. I am on my 3rd child though, so I guess it might be time! I ordered meat from the city meat market yesterday for our meal, and made a meal plan for the 2 days (a la "Grandma Richard") and it just got me so excited to share this year with my boys. We know we will miss our extended family though, so were doing a lot of cooking to keep them close. My Grandma Sapp always makes these little bites of gingerbready goodness, called Peppernuts...

and my Grandma Richard always had these on her cookie tray at Christmas...

home made snickers! YUM! And we are also going to try some carmel rolls of hers, that she made for Christmas morning and a pie recipe of Ryan's Grandma Benne! Don't worry, we are sharing the sweets, not eating them all ourselves! And I just have to say that my dear husband did a lot of the baking so far and plans on tackling the pie himself. At 11 the other night when we were still cutting and baking Peppernuts I asked him how glad he was I was dragging him into these traditions and he told me he really enjoys it. (Sometimes it's the little things that remind you that someone is perfect for you)!

And who knows what other new & silly things will pop up in this little family!

There are presents I can not wait for the boys to open under our tree and play with...hopefully with video camera in hand so I can remember those faces...

Thankful this year for little boys, a mom who taught me the importance of making holidays special, time with my family, the means to do it all, the delight that this time of year brings to everyone, my husband who I seriously adore, a new baby on the way to us and the baby that came all those years ago for us.

We are blessed!

Nebraska Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-30T18:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!

This year we spent it in Nebraska for the first time in a few years! It was really fun to be there for the long weekend and get in lots of good time and celebrating with family and friends at our "home away from home"! Our actual feasting on turkey day was done at the Eccleston's! As you can see, Lori had a beautifully set table and everything was very yummy!!

We played a family football game and then ate 4 to 5 times as many calories as we burned

(and I didn't even play, oh shoot!!)!

That night we walked around downtown Omaha and checked out the city all lit up for Christmas! It was really pretty and not even too cold to stroll around!

The next day we went down to Lincoln for the the Huskers game verses Iowa. Now if you know my family, you know we LOVE the Huskers. In fact, my parents, brother, sister, hubby & I are all graduates of UNL. My parents dear friends and neighbors, the Connells, are huge Iowa fans and for as long as I can remember there has been friendly banter about what would happen if the Hawkeyes ever met up with the Huskers. This year all that taunting came to a head when the Thanksgiving game was set up between these two since Nebraska joined the Big 10, and naturally everyone in the families had to go to the first game between the two. The guys all had tickets and the girls all hung out and chatted in the Champions club.

with Andy and Jules!

Our old stomping grounds!

Loved him when we were students & even more now!

All the Richard/Connell boys (the ones in RED celebrating a Husker WIN!!!)

Big kids:)!

On Saturday we headed out to Ashland to see my mom's side of the family. We had a taco feed...some where between Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner I think:)! We celebrated all the holidays, Aunt Nancy's birthday & the upcoming arrival of 2 babes into our family! My 2nd cousin Emily is due just a few weeks before me in March so the Aunties and Grandmas had a surprise baby shower for us!

Sapp girls

pregnant mommas!

It was so fun to celebrate these babies with the family and for me it was so special as I opened my first "girlie" gifts. I had to keep pinching myself when I opened Mary Jane bow socks and pink onesies and tiny adorable shoes. It made it feel really REAL and I am more than thrilled!

And, last but not least we celebrated Christmas early on the Eccleston side since we are staying here in Illinois for the first time ever this year! It was actually really exciting and wonderful to not be rushing from house to house but to just enjoy a full night of fun with Ryan's side! We ate pizza, opened gifts, made ginger bread houses & even ate Christmas cookies!

Eccleston girls

(I always say that you can tell which one of us is not blood related because I tower over the girls, so Lori stood on her tip toes, haha!)

Eccleston boys

The whole crew

And speaking of babies due just weeks apart, here is the first shot of baby Bebee & baby Eccleston, cousins that will join the family this Spring! We are so excited!

And that was a weekend to be thankful for! I don't think we are recovered still, haha! We are still super tired and getting back in to routine, but we are just so happy to have made it there and back, safe and sound and feel full with great memories of all our family and friends we got to see and spend time with! Now we are officially ready to start the holiday season! Griffin is SO excited this year, I can tell it is going to be magic:)!

Thankful 2011

2011-11-23T09:44:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We have so much to be thankful for at this house...

namely little hands that make little hand turkeys around here!

Sugar & Spice & EVERYTHING...

2011-11-22T17:46:00.000-08:00

If you can't tell by our faces, please read the balloon!

We are thrilled to announce that a sweet little PINK bundle will be joining our family in just about 4 months! AH!

At 15 weeks we had an elective scan (I couldn't stand the wait...and all my friends were doing it...Mary Beth & Jenni!!) and as I lay on the table that Saturday morning I heard words I couldn't quite ever invision until that moment, "You're having a girl!" After 2 boys, it was pretty hard for us to believe them. I laughed/cried for the immediate half an hour following the big reveal and then off and on for the rest of the day. After collecting myself, I made Ryan drive directly to a store entitled, "Hair Bows"! Here's what I purchased first for my petite princess...

Surreal to buy ruffle undies and polka dots tights, yes! I had a little ruffle tushie when I was little too, so I just had to buy them when I saw them.

And when we got back to my moms that afternoon we walked in on some dessert making for dinner that night, so Ry & I popped a few drops of red dye into the cool whip and made the pink reveal at our little family gathering. It was amazing to have people share in our joy in the moment.

BUT as the weeks went on, I started having trouble believing it was true. I kept freaking out that she had maybe sprung some male parts, and Ryan kept shaking his head out my doubts. (Baby C, daddy knew the whole time:)!). Then today we saw this...

...and I'm a believer!

Here I am at (almost) 20 weeks on the day we got confirmation you are a girl, little C!

And we got your "thing 3" patch all fixed to a HOT PINK onsie!!

And here are just a few more shots from the ultrasound! Your tiny toes and sweet profile melted dad & I's hearts but our favorite part of seeing you was your darling little button nose! I can't wait to see it while holding you in my arms!

I shed a lot of tears yesterday, but they were very very happy tears. I have a true peace like I have never really felt before about my life and where God is taking it and how he is shaping my family. This little girl seems like the missing piece to the puzzle and I can't believe how blessed Ryan and I truly are! We haven't gotten to plan when/the order of/sex of our kids and maybe in the moment would have said we would have had things differently, but it's now that we can see the whole picture, that we see what God was doing and how perfectly for us everything fits together! I remember a few times in my life wondering if I would ever be able to even have kids, and now I am about to have 3. I keep counting my blessings and pinching myself! I absolutely CAN NOT wait until this little gets here to join the craziness!

Bring on the Sugar & Spice!

The 3 of you...

2011-11-10T06:19:00.000-08:00

Dear darling babies,

Yesterday morning when Beanie woke up I went to get him out of his crib and sat down in the rocker to ease him into the day. As we were rocking, sleepy Griffy stumbled out of bed and made his way onto my lap as well. I was savoring the quite and sweet sleepy moment with my 2 boys when it occurred to me that I had all 3 of my kids on my lap at the same time. I can't imagine that will happen often too often as you all are insistent on growing at such a rapid rate. As the boys woke up more and we started laughing and talking, baby C made a huge kick right into the center of my belly. Even though the boys didn't know, it was a precious sibling moment and I love that even the babe in my tummy wanted to be a part of it. I imagine listening to the 3 of you for the next "forever" amount of years talking & laughing & fighting & teasing and experiencing one of life's best gifts together...having brothers and/or sisters! I feel so blessed to have mine and I can't wait to watch your relationships, inside jokes & stories unfold.

I love you 3 so so so much,

Mom

Halloween 2011

2011-11-10T05:39:00.000-08:00

Our "one eyed monster" & doggie had quite a Halloween. By the 31st they had been in their costumes 3 days in a row and were ready to get the actual Trick or Treating on the road!!

Beanie's first time really Trick or Treating. He was so curious about what was going in his bag. After checking it out and sampling the treats, he was on board. Not so on board with his doggie hood falling in his face however:)!

Sawyers squealed with delight each time heading up to the door and by the end of the night he was an old pro at running up to each door and standing there looking pathetically cute and in a few cases trying to take the whole candy basket from the person passing out the treats! We trick or treated with some neighbors of my moms and their kids, who have 2 girls, and they all really felt the magic of this holiday which is just for them!

We tried to get one more set of pictures before we had to say goodbye to Halloween for another year, but the boys (as seen on G mans face) were ready to be done for the night! Griffin did ask me first thing the next morning though if we could do it all again today...when I tried to explain it would be another year, it was a lost cause! We're already brainstorming ideas for 2012's costume! So grateful to share these iconic moments with these little boys, my actual "dreams" coming true right before my eyes...trick or treating with my kids!

Happy Halloween 2011

2011-10-29T19:26:00.001-07:00

A Run in with Noodles

2011-10-29T19:20:00.000-07:00

Beanie met up with with some pasta the other day and at first he seems to not quite know what to think...

But after evaluating these delicious little morsels called noodles, he realized how thankful he is that they "ran into each other"!!!

Just like their momma, these boys love their NOODLES!

Family Feast, Halloween Style

2011-10-29T10:09:00.001-07:00

You know it's a good day when it starts with these...

YUMMY! Pumpkin donuts helped us kick off our first "family night"/hang out day in a long long time. Partly we have just been plain busy and partly we have been sick and tired and worn out. But today, starting with donuts we had the rare and glorious opportunity to spend an entire day just the 4 of us and it was so appreciated. Someday this is what Ry & I will think back on and smile about while the boys are out trick or treating with theirs. I can't tell you how much a day with no real schedule or strict plan or obligation and just us means to me. I am starting to appreciate the little things so much.

Breakfast being enjoyed by boys all around, they are so sweet.

Then we of course settled in to watch a Husker victory over Michigan State which made 1 big boy in the house in particular very happy!

Then we loaded up & headed to the "Monster Mash" at the high school in town. It was a huge gym set up with games, bounce houses & lots of kiddos on a Halloween high. The boys had a BLAST!! Griff saw some friends from preschool and even Beanie hit up the bounce house for a bit and couldn't get enough!!

Beanie working his hockey skills for a Tootsie roll!

Griff playing a disgustingly creative game where you threw a net on a giant rat for some more treats!

My "goggie" & my love:)

After the mash we headed home and got some dinner ready. The boys entertained themselves and watched a Halloween movie called, "Spooky Buddies", which FYI is a very long movie with a much more drawn out plot line than Ry or I thought. Griff loved it though, so it was a win!

Please do not judge, but dinner was pizza (& salad!!!) and dessert was cookie pizza! It's a holiday, come on!!??!! And then it was onto the carving....

Ry was the master carver this year, since he lovingly reminded me that in the past I may or may not have cut very small eyes and a very large crooked nose in G's pumpkin.

TOP: G man scooping the "guts" very hesitantly

BOTTOM: My very own little pumpkin

Boys, your parents love you!

We had many a design suggestion, including an angry vampire (sorry Griffy) but we came up with a Griffin & Sawyer inspired jack-o-lantern, hair and all!

And even though it may be impossible to get a shot of them both smiling, we were all smiling after "the greatest Halloween Day EVER!" -Griffin

And to close this post, I have to share another sweet Griffin thought. Every night since we brought Beanie home, whoever is putting him to bed sings him a version of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" that we have made a few tweaks to. One of the lines of our version says, "You're the apple of my eye" but a few nights ago after reading a Halloween story or two, when we went to sing Beanie his nigh night song Griffin requested a seasonal verse change. So now we have been singing, "You're the pumpkin of my eye!" Hilariously cute and creative.

I love all the pumpkins in my patch!

Preschool Partying!

2011-10-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

Since school's stared Griff has been asking me to come and help in his room & last Wednesday turned out to be the perfect day to come in. They not only learned fire safety from a REAL fireman, but they also had a Halloween party!

And guess who else came...

...Beanie of course! He thought he was quite the big boy when he was allowed to join the class at the snack table!

Griff & Cullen, his preschool buddy/construction site co-worker

These two "struction" workers also took a moment out of hammering together a haunted barn to make a Halloween necklace...

And create these charming little pumpkin friends, Griffin's obviously named Coconut!

It was quite a HOOT to spend a few hours with 7 boys & 2 girls, all 4 years old. Whew! I got asked more questions in 2 hours then I normally do in a month. I also got to read a Halloween story, chosen by Griffin to the class and it brought me right back to my teaching days. I am not actually too rusty, which was reassuring! But at least for now, preschool teacher is not calling my name. I did love getting to see Griff in his room, doing what he does! It was fun to see him answer questions, participate...and even get too excited about something to stay in line:)!

Afterwards I was too tired to make lunch so we headed over for a quick bite at McDonald's. When I asked Griffin what his favorite part of preschool was, totally expecting the fireman or the party, he said "you and Beanie coming to my school with me!"

Be. still. my. beating. heart.

This is what makes even the hardest of days feel more than worth it & like a blessing I can't wrap my mind around.

Jelly Fish, Family & Fun

2011-10-29T08:48:00.000-07:00

When you take

2 boys

1 giant back pack full of supplies, toys, DVD player, change of clothes

1 bag full of snacks

1 stroller

1 large camera to document all the fun you are going to have downtown Chicago...

You don't actually get that many pictures because you are trying to haul all your stuff and kids and not lose or break any of them.

***side note, I did drop and temporarily break the camera while running down the wrong entrance chasing the boys into the dolphin show, but it works now...all's well that ends well!:)

Ry may not agree, haha!

Last weekend we had the super fun chance to spend the weekend with a few of the Sapp family members at my moms house. My cousin Amy & her hubby Adam stayed with us & her mom Mary, Aunt Cindy and our sweet cousin Max stayed at my moms house and we packed in a weekend of fun. On Friday we headed to the Shed Aquarium and although it's a pricey little excursion, to see Griffin's amazement it was worth it!

Some cousin/jelly fish love:)

ALL boys & mommies were amazed by this huge wrap around tank with sting rays, turtles and sharks!

Then we hit up the "Happy Feet" 3D show

And before we headed out to a really delicious dinner at Scozzi's (you made all my dreams come true butternut squash ravioli), God really knocked our socks off at the Jelly Fish display. Aren't these things just amazingly creative & entrancing little creatures. His creation never ceases to amaze me, the detail to even things buried deep beneath the water is astounding.

Loved time to celebrate, play, chat & laugh with family...

just sad I didn't get a group shot, oh well!

Today is 10 years

2011-10-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

I have diabetes.

Ten years ago today I made a phone call to the Health Center at my college in Lincoln Nebraska that changed my life. I have diabetes. 10 years ago today I heard that for the first time and sometimes even when I say it now I think, surely that can't be true. But it is. 10 years ago my first reaction to that phrase was "Oh my gosh, now can I even have kids??". 10 years ago today was the start of a lot of tears, fear, frustration, anger, overwhelming changes & more.

BUT...

Ten years later, I am a better person now because I have diabetes. I am more organized and careful. I get my body more than I used to. I appreciate the master piece that we truly are and the blessing that it is when everything works right. I know more about the amazing creator God is. I am pregnant with my 3rd child. I have grown and stretched, some times by force to accept things in life I cannot change and make the best out of them. I don't eat Twizzlers or drink regular anything. I do still love dessert. I am learning every day that God let's us tackle certain things for a reason. I am starting to see a clearer picture of that reason in my life. I just talked to a room full of medical students about life with diabetes confidently and loved that job. Maybe someday I will get to work more with caring for people like me.

I still hate it. It still sucks. I now have 10 hole poked fingers to show for it. I still wear a pod & worry about everything I put in my mouth. I still have to wake up in the night covered in sweat and shaking and drink 5 juice boxes. I still have anxiety about highs blood sugars. I still have fear about the long term affects of this disease. It's still changing the way I operate, how much energy I have, how I feel about everything. It still costs WAY too much. It still affects my family.

But I see purpose in it. I see God in the after math. I am living and moving forward in spite of it. 10 years later my dreams about family & kids are coming true. I feel blessed for the challenge and struggle because I am result of this being a part of my life.

10 years has seen a lot of growth in me. I couldn't be more thankful for them.

Raising a TRUE fan

2011-10-19T08:35:00.001-07:00

While going through Griffin's ABC flash cards with him the other night, what do you suppose he identified this letter as??

N n

That's right folks, even though he has one in his very name, he is determined that the name of this letter is NEBRASKA! Ha ha! That's our little Husker!

Weekend Warriors

2011-10-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend we were warriors of the weeeknd! We packed in a lot, got little sleep & got to see a lot of people we love. Griffin was a ring bearer in my cousin Jen's wedding in Iowa, so early Saturday morning we flew to Omaha and then drove to Iowa.

And even though things didn't go totally on track, for example the luggage ramp at the airport ate our bag and Ryan's shoes and we couldn't find the church, we all still ended up in the right clothes, in the right place when it counted:)!

Ali & Ryan pose for a fake family shot:)

The Richard girl cousins

It was a beautiful wedding & reception and so fun to see all from the Richard side. Jen even wore my Grandma Richard's wedding ring which I know she would have loved and even the meal side dishes, which were mashed potatoes, green bean casserole & rolls screamed "Richard event":)! They were there in spirit for sure! Griffin danced himself into a tizzy all night long and everyone was tuckered out by the end of the day!

The next morning we started our journey back super early...

Sleepy boys watching Mickey Mouse while mom & dad pack up

and we headed back home to meet up with some more Nebraska friends! Shana & Molly from Lincoln came to visit us for the night and play! I babysat for Molly & her brothers Jake and Parker while I was in college and Molly was a flower girl in my wedding. We share the type 1 diabetes bond. It was so fun to see them and catch up and the boys LOVED playing with them!

And now were back into another week, coming up on another jammed packed weekend of fun!

15 months

2011-10-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Sweet Beanie Boy:

15 months has FLOWN by, of coarse! Look at that sweet face and irresistible smile. We love you so so much. As of late, you have been kind of a crabby little stinker...I think you are getting more teeth, but mostly you are sweet and happy as long as you aren't too far from me:)! You have truly perfected the high pitched scream and use it often and for ANY reason what so ever. Your brother stole something from you...scream!

You want a drink...let it rip!

You can't see anyone in a 2 foot radius of you...exercise those lungs!

You have also perfected the wave bye bye, the word DOG (which is what you still call EVERYTHING, especially your true love, animals), and climbing up onto our kitchen table all by yourself!

You mystified by your favorite attraction anywhere, the "Gogg"! ie: small pony!

At the doctor today you weighed 26.1 lbs (75%), were 31 inches long (between 50-75%), and of coarse were 95% for head circumference! And, you took your shots like a champ! The nurse said you were the best baby she's had! Go Beanie!

What will 15 more months hold?

I can only imagine!!! We can't wait to share them with you!

xoxo little love bug!

Momma

This Fall...

2011-10-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

This Fall...what can say I'll remember about it?

The strong desire to dry heave about every few hours??

How I wish there was a way to turn off Beanie's super high scream for the next few months/years?

How I wish I had a small robot who could race Griffin for me, thus entertaining him for hours?

Yes, yes & yes!

This Fall has been a bit of a struggle.

Take this morning for example boys.

You'll never remember this boys, but we all 3 went to the doctor for Beanie's 15 month appointment. We were doing fine until they went to go down and get his vaccinations, where I can only assume they actually had to make and mix them by hand, because it literally took forever. All of the sudden the small room and warm stale air started closing in on me and I knew I was going to throw up. As I frantically searched for a trash can to hang over I saw that not one but both of you had climbed up on the bed. Griffin was pulling out the stirrups and just as I started to heave I saw from the corner of my eye Beanie tipping backwards. I had no other choice but to cup my hand under my mouth and run for him...dry heaving all the way. Thankfully I caught him just in time and made it back over to the trash can. Then we got all cleaned up and seated again before the nurse came in with shots.

I am exhausted.

And Yet, we are making it. And living life. And some how in the midst of all of these episodes that seem to occur daily, we are having fun. Mostly, I want to lay on the couch eating rolls of Saltines and watching re-runs of Friends or Arrested Development, napping every 2 hours or so. But boys, I swear to you that's not what I am doing (most of the time). Here's some pics to prove it!

2 weeks ago we got the chance to go to this really cute pumpkin farm with Daddy & GG and chit chat with the animal folk there!

Then we made back to back visits to the arboretum! First with our bible study group...

And then again on a beautiful Fall Saturday with Aunt Kelly & Uncle David who came to visit from Omaha!

We painted pumpkins,

climbed all over with Daddy,

and got all wet in the water!

Then on Columbus Day we headed another really sweet little pumpkin patch/play area and spent another gorgeous Fall afternoon soaking up our bonus days of summer!

See?? I told you I haven't JUST been laying about, although there's been some of that...not as much as I would like, but some:)! It's funny how this Fall is reminding me a LOT of where we are in life right now as a family. Sort of in this ending of one phase and after a long winter we will be ready to start a new and beautiful Spring with a new and beautiful blessing. I just keep reminding myself that "Fall" & the "impending Winter" are always worth getting through once we get to Spring and I have no doubt they will be. And, I want to enjoy...not miss a moment of the time we have together right now! Happy Fall boys, there's much more to come before Spring arrives!

Announcement, Announcement.....ANNNNNOUCEMENT!

2011-09-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

So we have a "little" announcement. Although in our family, that adjective has never been used to describe these!

Our family will be getting a +1 in April, and that's not an invite for a date to a wedding.

It's referring to a BABY.

Meaning our numbers this Spring are now going to look something like this:

newborn baby

more car seat in our van

more sweet baby smile

more diaper to change

more teeny tiny to love and oggle over and kiss

more heart Jesus is entrusting to us

new baby feet & piggies to swoon over

kiddos in diapers

tired and crazy, outnumbered parents

2 BIG boys

(too) little sleep

(too) much chaos

(too) much fun for us ALL!!

our new total

the number of college tuitions we need to save for (no pressure!)

the # of pairs of shoes we need to find for feet other than our own before leaving the house

the number of laughs that are music to our ears

little bodies that could potentially end up in our bed at some point in the night

beautiful blessings to share our lives with

Ry found out from a little + pregnancy test package!

We feel a little crazy & overwhelmed & happy & whew....

but we are starting down a new road, on a new adventure with a family of 5

(God willing of coarse)!!

Our first glimsp

This baby we will lovingly call Baby C (or Dragon Car, the name Griffin has bestowed on you), because we know the babe's name...and although it feels way too official to share it outright on here we're pretty set with it, and have been since Sawyer really. And, it's the same name whether it's another little bundle of blue in there or a pink surprise, just different middle names! I mean, it has to go with Griffin & Sawyer, so it's something along those lines for sure!

To the next subject at hand:

How am I feeling? I get asked this a lot.

The answer is...not good.

This little peanut is like a tiny baby ninja.

He/She is throwing out nausea and heart burn like there is no tomorrow.

What else?

Just look in "What to expect when you are expecting?" and then know I have "expected" all of them in the last 12 weeks.

Morning sickness/dry heaving....check

heart burn....check

up to pee at night....3am baby, check

heightened sense of smell...check (and this one induces MORE dry heaving)

break outs...check!

maternity clothes starting to come out...check!

weight gain in the belly...tushie, thighs...and hey my hips don't lie either....check!

and...the number one complaint from those who live with me...

I am one MOODY little pain in the behind!

Happy to admit it! And ready for these first trimester symptoms to hopefully hit the road!

A note I found on the top of my maternity clothes addressed to myself...must have known this would be a challenge:)! Haha!

Little Baby C, we are so excited to welcome you into our family. We already love you and your little hands and feet and all of the shenanigans you are already putting into motion. Trust me, you're going to fit right in here and you are the missing piece to "US"! Bring on April, we can't wait to see the sweet face that will complete this family!

You already made the fridge!

(and also, for all the grief your throwing out now, I fully expect you'll sleep through the night at about 3 or 4 weeks, earlier if you want!!:) haha!

24 hours: a wedding, a shower & lots of fam!

2011-09-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

This weekend we packed up enough stuff to make it through approximately 24 hours and caught a plane to our "home away from home", Omaha! You may think that this would be just a bag or two but my inability to pack lightly combined with 2 smallish boys and their gear still added up to quite a few things to hull around. We landed in Omaha, drove straight to my Grandma & Grandpa Sapp's in Ashalnd, scarfed down some lunch and hit the showers to prep for the wedding. Cousin Coop & Beanie had a chance to get in a quick catch up while we got ready!

Then we repacked up everything we brought, threw it all into the rental van and hit the road for Waverly, Nebraska where my cousin Alex married his high school sweet heart in the front yard of her families' farm home on a perfect Saturday afternoon! And as fate would have it, proving once again that it really is a small world after all, Ashley, Alex's new wife is the sister of one of my very dear friends from college Kim. Kim & her husband Scott are part of so many memories that make Ryan & I treasure those years at UNL. They were a big part of our wedding day and it was so wonderful to meet up with them at this wedding and see each others little darlings and have some time to chat about life, even though it was short. Another happy memory to tuck away!

Griff, Ry, me, Kim, Emery & Scotty

Some family bonding time before the wedding. And you can sure bet that this swing and play area is the ONLY place Griffin wanted to be. Somehow being a ring bearer didn't actually seem so great when there was a giant sand box and zip line!:)

And speaking of little boys who didn't love sitting still during a wedding, here is another one. After I ran out of fruit snacks, keeping his mouth full and helping him to resist the urge to scream....

Daddy had to take him away...bye bye Beanie! haha!

And this is how Griffy made it through another 5 minutes before he was filled with fruity snacks and sent to the car as well. All I gotta say is, poor daddy!

I wish a picture could portray the sweetness of the day and how perfect the weather was and how intimate the ceremony was, but it can't. It was a great day for this wedding though, that's for certain.

We also got in lovely lady cousin time. I am so blessed to have these adorable girls in my life who are not only my cousins (& sister), but sorority sisters & friends:)!

Sapp girls:

Amy, Abbi, Molly & Ali

When we got to the reception, it was time to cut a rug and the Sapp family did that in style. My husband of coarse was in his glory as another cousin, Emily DJed and he danced the night away. Kim even said, "well it good to see that Ryan hasn't changed!" No, no he hasn't!

The other man in my life delighted?? Griff of coarse! He played, ran & danced the night away with cousin Max and had himself a gay ole time!

My siblings and most adorable nephew, Cooper! His smile is so precious!!

I felt so lucky as I looked out on the dance floor during the night and saw random combinations of family, cousins, friends all out there dancing Alex & Ashley right into their married life. It just made me think about how amazing it is how peoples paths cross and how just 2 people start a family and those families grow out and together and come to include more than just blood relations. Who would have thought my brother would escort my college friend Kim down the isle in a wedding or that my cousins would all be linked arms with her during a round of Cotton Eyed Joe. I love how God works in those mysterious ways, reminding us of his vision for our lives and our families and what celebrating love should look like!

We also got to see Ryan's family & my Richard side of the family the next day at a wedding shower for another cousin of ours Jen, getting married in October! Get ready to sport a tux all over again Griff, you are hired for another job!! We can't wait!

Bye Summer, Hello Fall!

2011-09-12T11:50:00.000-07:00

Well....it's been a month since I last posted. It's just been one of those months I guess! August felt looooooooong. All of our summer stuff ended during the week, so with nothingness for our activity, let's just say it took a toll on all of us. I don't recommend it, haha! I am already looking into some camps for next August:)!! Our weekends however were jam packed with LOTS going on, none of which I brought my camera to. Bummer! Let's just say that August was a jumble of BOYS (isn't it always at this house) and dirt and sunshine and parks and going to Michigan and seeing old friends and parties and walks and brothers and messes and fun and tired mommy and little men.

I did happen to catch the boys making pancakes one Saturday morning last month, a staple at the Eccleston house. Ry prides himself on making better pancakes this week than he did the last and he has acquired two small but mighty assistants.

Isn't he just a dolly? And a chatty dolly at that! He started saying GOG (translation: Dog or any type of animal or anything really, still we are so proud!) and waving and saying a mix of nigh night or bye bye. Such a precious age and thrill to hear what he will say next!

Then September rolled in with out any warning. The last Friday of August it was sunny and HOT and summer! Then out of no where Labor day turned chilly and cool and Fall, reminding us that all good things come to an end, and now it was summers turn. We were even invited to a pool party but no one was swimming, that's for sure. I of coarse took this as a sure sign it was time to light up my apple spice candles and bust out my pumpkins and autumn decor, which took about 2 weeks...I moved excruciatingly slow, good thing I started early! I've even already made chili for dinner, I love it when this season sweeps in and we were more than ready for it at our house!

Along with Fall starting come schedules and routine and for one little boy in our house...

SCHOOL!

I can't believe he's already starting his 2nd year! He absolutely was thrilled to go, and the more we talked about it, the more excited he got! He's going Monday/Wednesday/Friday this year and he loves his new teacher Mrs. Jones, who is just a sweet heart! On Friday they had to wear there favorite color and of coarse Griffin wore none other than RED!

The school year, for me seems to make time fly! It's like we just did this last year and now we are on to a new year, new teachers, new challenges and new chances to grow! I am sure by May we'll be even more grown up and I'll be amazed again, at how time just slips by us! He is suddenly using all kinds of hilarious phrases and is interested in things that just seem a little more "big boy" to me. Not only that, he LOVES to chat. This kid can just chat your ear off. Ryan and I frequently look at each other and say the line from Finding Nemo, "you're very cute, but I have no idea what you are saying!" Still a lover of Cars, trucks, dirt, racing and anything that involves constantly moving, Griffin is just quite a BOY. I'm so looking forward to watching him learn and grow this year, our first goal is letter recognition!

So, that's about it from us for the moment. We have school and bible study and MOPS and the daily in between. And we have more busy months ahead, so stay tuned!

Terrible Horribles....

2011-08-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

Hello my friends,

Did you all read this little tid bit of delicious bad moodiness when you were in school???

I did.

And I have had a few "terrible horribles", so Alexander and I are kindred spirits.

Aren't we all?

I mean, haven't we all gone to a Cost Cutters in Jr.High, had our sister throw a fit about going first and then when Rinaldo, the...how do I put this delicately??....super odd duck, calls the first back, she graciously allows you to go first. We all know what's coming....getting layers for the first time from someone working at a Cost Co who looks like he may or may not have just left his life as a circus performer to try his hand at cuttin' hair results in a style where your family chips in to buy you a hat. True story, too bad good ole JJHS didn't allow hats. Cue the trail of tears for several days....months....ok it may have taken a solid year or two to get over.

OR...

didn't you ever arrive at gym class in high school only to have them announce you are going to start TAP. Yes, TAP. Annnddddd....they don't have tap shoes big enough for your delicate little tootsies. So they have you go get your shoes so they can pound tappers right into the bottoms. And you were wearing these.....

(cue snickers...they are odd, but in style at the time??? and odd...haha!)

So on this particular "terrible, horrible" I tapped my way into the hearts of my fellow gym mates wearing navy shorts, a grey NNHS t-shirt, and my beloved tappers.

Side note: everyone else was wearing tiny, cute, little, shiny, "eat your heart out from adorableness" tap shoes...with bows.

Then they passed out hats and canes.

First, do not ask where I went to high school. Just don't ask.

Second, please don't ask if I came down with a case of happy feet. I surely did not. I felt clunky and over sized and just, well ODD in a room full of mirrors tap, tap tapping.

In all seriousness, these two are of coarse not the epitome of bad days, just some of the more humorous to me now. And all this to say I am having one, scratch that....because if you ask my hubby or kiddos they might tell you the truth...it's week, one bad week. I am crabby and tired and cranky...and did I mention that I have shingles??? Well, I do. It's painful and the real deal folks. Even though they look like a few little bug bites they feel like you just rolled over on an iron. So please, if your love bug ever gets them, make sure you give them some extra lovin...but don't hug them where they got shingles...cause that would hurt. Just send them a plate of cookies and your sincere condolences.

I really wanna wrap this post up in a nice little package with coordinating bow, but I have to admit I am just a titch cranky still. I am working on it, I swear. And, there are lots of things helping me slowly emerge from my funk....imagining myself tapping, for starters.

And the beautiful cooler weather with open windows at night, I can smell my favorite season coming right through the screens...I love you Fall:)!

And of coarse this man...

My built in little ray of sunshine. He gets me, and loves me and puts up with me. I couldn't be MORE lucky!!! Thanks for helping this little rain cloud get a little bit more white & fluffy!!

I also have 2 toothy grins that follow me around all day exploding with adorableness...exhaustingly adorable:)!

Annnnnnnnddddd....my shingles are getting less painful by the day. PRAISE THE LORD.

God,

Cheers to "Terrible Horribles"!!! Thanks for bad days. They make me realize how in need of your grace & strength I am. They make me appreciate feeling good, when things are running smoothly, when I get a good nights sleep and all the good little details in between. And they make me realize that I can't do this without you. I am totally unequipped. And, if it's not too much trouble...help me ditch my little rain cloud...I am more of a walking on sunshine kind of lady.

Amen

Toe Kiss

2011-08-08T09:24:00.000-07:00

Even my piggies love Ryan!

TOO Hot to Handle

2011-08-08T08:39:00.000-07:00

So, if you live ANYWHERE just about in the United States you have been sweating to the 80s this summer! And all over flowers and grass and kids are wilting in this extreme heat, so we've been trying our best to keep occupied indoors. It's been challenging, but we're making it and every once in a while we get a breeze that feels like heaven itself reaching down and we truck it outside.

But back to the HOTNESS!!!!!

We decided last week to make some play dough on just such a hot and stingy day.

Here's what we used:
2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
1 cup salt
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (optional for improved elasticity)
food coloring (liquid, powder, or unsweetened drink mix)

Then MIX and HEAT!
Easy peasy!

The hardest part is probably mixing in the colors, which I envisioned Griffin loving, but after a few squeezes he just wanted to watch:)!

And we made 10 colors! The only victim??

My hands...but it came off clean in the next few days.

Then, we played! Annnndddd, my cookie cutters got to dust themselves off and get to work after a long stint in the cupboard with no use.
(I am an epic failure at roll out cookies...I should try again sometime!)

Griff's rainbow T-REX! ROAR!!!!

My thoughts exactly:)!
(sorry I can't get this pic flipped)

And to get us back in gear for school to start...

Some G practice!

Watch out 4 year old preschool, here he comes!

There, so now 2 things down...

#1. I now fore filled my desire for a "how to" (which this could very vaguely be considered:)!) and I now I very vaguely feel like all those craft bloggers or like the pioneer woman!

and #2. I've filled you in on life here! Watch out! We're getting crazy! It's supposed to cool down this week though thankfully and hopefully we'll have some opportunities to get out and enjoy the rest of summer!

SUPER G

2011-08-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

What happens to my kids when someone sends me an idea too funny to pass up...

A little side walk chalk, a cape and kid willing (or sort of) to lay on the driveway and you have yourself your very own crime fighting super hero.

What happ

Little Boy

2011-08-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

The last line of this book...

"Little boy, you remind me how

so much depends on days made of now."

If you have a little boy, go find this book. Our friend Erin gave it to me....wait, to the boys for their birthday and along with it a few sweet tears.

Please God help me to love each day made of now, even when I think I am going mad.

Love you my little boys.

Summa, Summa, Summer time....

2011-07-31T13:53:00.000-07:00

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??!

2011-07-31T12:57:00.001-07:00

`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

2011-07-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-07-12T07:47:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-07-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

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!

Big BOY!!

2011-07-05T11:45:00.000-07:00

First time in this seat....

Last time.

Not that you ever had a love affair with it. In fact I would say you cried 90% of the time you road in it. But still, it's a milestone. One more way I know that you are not a baby any more. You graduated to this...

Such a BIG boy. Although you still cry a little while riding. You may not be the gear head in our family since your affinity for riding in cars seems to be very slim. And speaking of crying, I did...just a little when I traded you seats. Just seems impossible, one of those moments it hits you that time isn't going to stop blowing by. On a happy note though, I do LOVE looking back at your smiling face in the mirror my almost birthday boy:)!

Go CUBS Go!

2011-07-04T20:38:00.000-07:00

We have certainly had a summer full of "highlights" but our visitors the last weekend in June were more than just that! We couldn't have been more thrilled that our best friends, who set us up and grew to become our "other half" (self titled the SUPER COUPLE:)!!), came all the way from Africa and spent a few days with us before heading to Nebraska to see their families! It was a blast just to all be together again. Eating & talking were probably our number one activities, so some things never change. We had a great few days just relaxing and hanging out. The boys golfed and Case & I sat in our jammies. Life doesn't get much better! The day before they left we had a mini reunion with several friends from college before hitting up the Cubs bleachers. The perfect way to end our visit!

Em, Case, Milano & I

buddies!!

Finally....Wrigley Field

Love this little chica...on her way to South America to teach for a full year!

A night out just us, yes please!

So happy together!

Delish....seriously, delish!

Best Buddies

i love him

Love how happy they are together too:)

Met up with Al after the game for some drinks and dancin'!

Super Couple LOVE! Meet you back here in a few years??!!

The KA CHOW in my life

2011-07-04T20:25:00.001-07:00

We waited for this day for what has seemed like FOREVER.

FINALLY, Cars 2 came out and we "raced" over to see it.

Although Beanie didn't allow me to watch too much of the movie, you and Daddy had a fantastic time! You loved it! Something that makes you this happy Griffy is so fun for us! I was recently reading you a new Cars 2 book and the author dedicated it to his son, saying "you are the KA CHOW" in my life. There is certainly NO better way to explain what you are to me, the KA CHOW in my life! And I love you for every ounce of your enthusiasm for cars and life!

Happy Birthday Eccleston Boys

2011-06-26T07:19:00.001-07:00

I am going to warn you right now that this post has a lot of pictures! But it's a 2 for the price of 1 kind of post...and party!! Griffy's birthday is June 1st & Beanie boy will turn 1 on July 10th so we met in the middle and threw a party in honor of our summer boys! What started out as just a casual get together of coarse turned into a little more, but I had a great time getting it all together!

Griffin's request for his party will not surprise those of you who know him well...to watch "CARS" so we had a movie/Cars theme and watched the first Cars in our backyard.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...my hubby is a saint! I really thought it would be awesome to do an outside movie, but the cost and logistics of it just seemed like it wasn't going to be an option. Then somehow at the beginning of this week Ry found a projector to borrow from work and rigged up this little set up. I am seriously blessed to have someone who goes above and beyond for my party whims! Love you Ryski:)! The screen was an old blanket with a white sheet nailed up in front of it and our amazing neighbors, the Bennetts, who let us borrow everything from vanilla and eggs to their canopy in a pinch, provided the cherry on top...that canopy was a life saver!

We had a "concessions stand" on our patio out back so kids & parents could get some refreshments while viewing Cars...

"Oh no a crash!" Griffin & buddy since a few months old, Charlie!

Griff & buddy Trevor

and speed around the backyard on the swing set and in and out of the bounce house!

with Aunt Ali

Beanie and Henry

We love the Mick boys!

(Henry was smashing his face into the screen for the pic, it was so cute:)!!)

Brother wrestling....er, love!

And then it was time for cake! I LOVE this little gem, and as sick as it is, I have been fantasising about it since I first saw it in the store! Which delicious bakery did this come from you ask??? It's a small little neighborhood joint called, Walmart! Ha ha! It was yummy and so cute and as long as the boys are little, I am getting cakes with polka dots!

Griffy got help from his buddies with the candles!

And these are my buddies, who without I would be a sad momma:)! I LOVE you all!

Erin, Mary Beth, me, Jenni & Valerie with out most recent additions!

And the rest was just fun! Griffin & I decorated the house all week this week, and had a lot of fun bonding over the errands and projects we had to do for his "race car party"!!

Griffin insisted on those pinwheel things that are hanging from the ceiling. He called them his "gumbrellas" (umbrellas) all week!

Pins we made for the boys to wear at the party which were covered in slime and drool within 5 minutes of putting them on. Good thing I bought them from the $1 isle and spruced them up!

Take home treats: Flags to cheer on Lighting at his races & movie snacks

Griff & what else?? Cars 2 paraphernalia!

Beanie birthday love...he wasn't so sure about a party, but he had fun anyways!

It was such a fun night! Griffy had a big time running and playing with all his buddies and we just felt so blessed to have such sweet friends to celebrate with. 2 Aunties and an Uncle even stopped by the party to say hi as they were passing through this weekend!!

Boys, I feel so humbled just to be your mom. I love getting to plan the party and help cut your cake and watch you open up gifts! All the things that make you guys happy are doubly happy for dad & I! You are both our wish come true!

We made a little birthday video of the last year, I will try and post too!

11 months

2011-06-25T05:48:00.000-07:00

Hey little boy!

It pains me to write your 11 month post...the next time I write one for you, you will officially be a 1 year old boy, and not my baby. Oh, my!

Month 11 has been HUGE for you. You've been calling me Ma Ma, which of coarse is music to my ears! In fact you've been talking up a storm, and none of us can wait to hear what you are going to call Griffy! You started taking your first steps and every day you seem to take one or two more than the day before! It's seriously AMAZING (even though it's my second time...I think it must never get old) to watch you learn these things.

You cuddle and love and smile and steal all of our hearts!

Happy 11 months my little man!

Some Sapp Family fun!

2011-06-21T05:59:00.000-07:00

A first William D. & Lucille Sapp family photo

(by the way, check out that profile....hello Andy!!)

Currant William D. & Lucille Sapp Family photo

Do you think these two could have even imagined all this on that sweet day their family was born? Makes me wonder what my family photo will grow to look like someday??!!! I can't quite see past today at the moment...but someday I pray for this!

Over the years my grandparents on my moms side have tried to do some trips as one big group! They are brave:)! We have been to Disney, Alaska, Arizona and when I was in college we went to Paris and London. That was the last installment of the "Sapp Family Trip" and as everyone started to get married and great grand children it seemed that it might be it. Schedules are crazy...life is crazy. But somehow, by God's grace I imagine, each member of our family was able to hoof it to Grand Beach Michigan, and we had ourselves a good ole fashion family reunion!

My grandpa Sapp is the father of 4 daughters, so when he acquired son in laws and grandsons he jumped right on the "manly" bonding activities when we vacation. The boys have done a few fishing trips, and this time they ventured out to Lake Michigan and had quite a successful day! In fact, my cousin Austin cooked up the fish they caught that night, and we sampled it at dinner! Ryan felt very accomplished and manly:)! They also got in a scramble game of golf in which even the youngest members of the family (aka Griffin) got to play too!

What did the women do you wonder, while the men were out catching fish and playing sports??

Shopped of coarse! And we got some good buys too!

One night we did dinner out and all the grand kids and significant others squeezed in to the same table. So fun!

We topped off the weekend with some father's day frolicking at my sister in law, Julie's parents place! They have an amazing back yard with a BBQ area and pool and they graciously allowed the Sapp clan to descend upon it for lunch.

And no family reunion is complete with a little photo sess. Ali & I of coarse knew that no photo session would be complete without a few props and below are the fruits of that...

Mostly, all I can say is "sorry" for my creepy 'stache and the faces that transpired behind them, but it makes me laugh, so mission accomplished I guess!

I LOVE my sister.

And my hubby. Always the performer.

Gotta love brother in laws,

boy cousins,

girl cousins & Max,

And them. Of coarse.

They have set the foundation for a family rooted in the Lord. And there is good and bad and difficult in this family, just like any family. Thankfully though they have chose to invest their lives in loving the Lord and by doing so, have invested in the generations to come...

Psalm 103:17

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--

Are they not adorable?

Great foundation.

Great Grandparents.

Great God:)!

ready, ready, ready, READY to........

2011-06-19T20:06:00.000-07:00

RUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNN!!!! All I am ready to do is have some fuuuuuuuuuun!

Thanks Dixie Chicks, and also sorry I just quoted that song. It's what is running through my mind as I think of the last few weeks and the few weeks ahead. I am getting a little tired though and instead a sweet and slow country song, life has felt a little more like the scene in Home Alone where they are running through the airport to "Run Run Roudolph" and all I am ready to do right now is take a nap!

Summer has somehow swung into full force. So I haven't been at my computer. I have been on the move. My two big feet shuffling after these two little feet. Our Summer is going like our popsicles these days, quick and yummy and gone in a flash.

We've been on the go! I haven't posted about a family night for the last 2 months I think, but thankfully it's not for lack of family nights, just time to post pics! Seems like we've been eating a lot of our new favorite...

Chicken TACOS & black beans (which beanie man LOVES, of coarse)! We've spent a lot of time outside enjoying the weather and each other!

Last week we spent hot late nights preparing and crazy rainy days having our first garage sale. It was a lot of work. Thank goodness you only have enough stuff to do one of those every so often. We did make a little money though and I LOVE purging things. I feel so much lighter now. Unfortunitly, we moved right on to the next event though, so the basement and garage are still kind of in shambles. Oh well.

Griffin started bug class at the arboretumn and sports class through the park district. He is loving them both. I absolutely adore watching him in sports class. He is not as agressive as I would have imagined, instead he takes each direction from the coach very seriously and consintrates so hard. It is precious and both mornings after class he has skipped out saying, "I did awesome mom!" Oh, Griffin.

This is sadly going going....almost gone....

In Beanie news, he is taking a few steps! AH! My life is about to change. He's loving being along for the ride we are on this summer and for the most part very content as long as I am holding him, oh my little man:)!

In the mix we have also had a family reunion, 2 baby showers for our new nephew Cooper, some play dates, and we are prepping this week for the boys birthday party and our besties coming to visit from Africa! It's gonna be another wild one, so I am going to attempt to gear up and pull myself together with what's left of this week! I can't wait!

Boys, it's already been a crazy summer and we haven't even been through half of it yet! I love doing suits and crocks and sun hats and baby pools and popsciles and nights on the patio with you. Summer is such a sweet time, and even though we are running a bit, I'm so enjoying life with you and all the blessings he is allowing us to celebrate!

4

2011-06-02T07:28:00.000-07:00

6.1.07

I have "self titled" this shot as "love at first sight". It was captured by a nurse who (thankfully) took the camera away from Ryan in the surgery room because he got so excited he forgot to take any pictures, so this sweet nurse came over and grabbed it from him, and now I can see & remember the exact moment I saw my first baby for the first time!

I'm so thankful for this shot!

6.1.11

...and here is that same baby exactly 4 years later. Amazing what 4 years has done, what has changed and stayed the same, what has exceeded and been different in expectations, how God has shaped our lives because of this little curly top...

Dear Griffin,

Today you are 4. That is a BIG boy. We started the day off right with your birthday donut! Last year all you wanted was a pink one, but this year the donut of choice was CHOCOLATE with SPRINKLES! You told me the night before that you just had to order that kind because it's your favorite!

I truly cannot believe that 4 years have passed by so quickly. On one hand that picture seems like it could have been taken a few weeks ago. Daddy and I spent our time in the car talking over very vivid memories of those 2 days in the hospital trying to get you to make your grand entrance. Daddy was sick, and mommy was sick and tired of being SO pregnant she could barely move...haha! We remember the nurses and the way the room looked and all the visitors. We will never forget the moment daddy first wheeled me down to the NICU and we both gazed on you together, looking down at our future. And then we got to hold you for the first time. Talk about thrilling kiddo. Know that holding you for the first time will stay with me always, not many things can even come close to comparing to that. And the sweet and sleepless days that followed, although blurry because of the small amounts of sleep we were getting, are precious memories. We had a lot of figuring out how to do this whole thing together, and of coarse comedy and tears and love have followed.

On the other hand, SO much growing and changing and progress has been made in all of our lives. It's hard to remember even a day before you. With all that's happened 4 years doesn't seem long enough to have come as far as we have! You see, you are not the only one who has grown these last 4 years. Daddy and I have done A LOT of growing too. It's just not in the way of upward inches. Having you changed our lives and hearts and we are forever grateful for God's mysterious plan to send you our way. We are different people now, all because we are "MOM" & "DAD"!

But back to you...in inches, you have grown 2 (whole inches....WOW!!) and in other areas you have grown even more. You are just a little boy now. Not a baby, nor a toddler. You have your own ideas about things, your own way of saying and doing things, you are you. It is quite a thing to watch you unfold. I asked you yesterday what you thought about being 4 and you said, "4 is gonna be great!" You find the joy in the little things, and we love that childhood quality that you bring out in all of us too! You bless all of us so much!

We love you Griffin Andrew!

To MANY MANY more!

We spent a relaxing day together yesterday and it's one that daddy and I will certainly remember for a long time. Just the 4 of us, playing and relaxing and enjoying together with no real agenda! The afternoon we spent at the park playing baseball in the field...

and swinging away...

and stopping for a bit of brotherly love...

and toting Beanie around to watch it all...

and then to the cake...

It had lighting on it of coarse!

You are well stocked now on Cars from the new movie, it was a CARS birthday for certain. And you also scored a guitar...haha! I found this at an outlet for under 20 bucks and with you being a rock star and all, I knew you had to have it! This was a little stint in between clothes and jammies where you did a little jam session for us!

All in all, I'd say we had our cake and ate it too!

Mr. 4, it's gonna be GREAT!

COUSINS!

2011-05-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

Isn't he precious???

Sweet baby Cooper Raymond Richard!

He & his momma came for just a few short days to surprise the Naperville family with a quick visit!! Griffy was MORE than excited to meet his new cousin, asking when we got up yesterday if Cooper was here yet!!!

Although, I think he was just a bit underwhelmed when he remembered that babies come out mostly sleeping. We kept reminding him that before he knows it, he will be the crazy ringleader of an all male band of cousins!

and I am sure there will be a lot of (in Griffy's words), "wrestling" in the years to come!!!!

Sawyer loves his new best buddy too, they are only 9 months apart! Such a sweet pic, for only moments after Sawyer going right for his eyes!

and of coarse we had to get the Grandmas (GG & Grammee respectively) in quick pic with all the boys! These are my favorite 2 out of the 100 I took! Haha!

They are going to be quite the Trio, don't you think???

...holding hands:)! I am going to ask for a retake of this when they are teenagers!

Can't wait to see how their relationship grows! xoxo

How else would you celebrate??

2011-05-27T10:37:00.001-07:00

To a bunch of 3 & 4 year olds there is no better way to congratulate themselves on a job well done in their first year of school than to....

thrown bean bags at (or around) the holes in a pirate ship, I mean hey, they did learn to count to 20 this year.

To commemorate the first year of many a school craft?

make a bug jar to catch all kinds of delightful creatures so they can now live in your house with you.

and string yourself a classy robot and plastic bead necklace which will be a welcome accessory to all of your summer attire!

Want to party over your first year of "gym" class?

That's right, plastic egg races!

and fish for the sea creature that says your name (cause hey, you recognize it now)!

Blow your horn, it's SWEET SUMMER TIME!!

Which means a lot of things.

#1. You can check your first year of preschool off the list G-man.

#2. I have to think of a lot of things to occupy your incredibly curious, adventurous and energetic little tush, so we don't drive each other crazy!

#3. I am so proud of you!

Thanks Mrs. Stabb! Griffy LOVES you and we appreciate all the work you poured into him! He's a whole new boy!!

What a fun way to end the preschool year! All the parents loved coming to watch and play with their kiddos at the end of the year Fun Fair!

year 1 and done!

2011-05-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

Griffin Andrew Eccleston.

Here is my little man about 9 months ago. 1st day of preschool.

Look at his teeny little brother, ah!

And here are my front porch shots from this morning. His last day of school. Already. Time flew by, why am I surprised every time? I had a small pit in my stomach when I dropped him off today. I am amazed as a parent how much I relax and settle into the routine of my kids as well. It's not just him who will miss Mrs. Stabb and the art projects! I love seeing him and his goofy little smile walk out from the building when I pick him up, on the tale end of just barely on time. I hate to say goodbye to this sweet moment. It has been so nice for all of us. It was nice for me, in a lot of ways, and for him too. He has gone from a little guy who I was thinking was going to need a lot speech help to a kid who knows his ABC's, talks ALL the time, recognises numbers and can play a very competitive game of duck duck goose. He's grown A LOT. He's figured out, a little more, about getting along and making friends and following rules. He is POTTY TRAINED!

I am so proud of you lovie. You are such a big boy all of the sudden. You worked hard this year. I love the guy you are becoming.

My favorite memory of school happened this morning. Usually on the way to school I reach back and grab your hand and ask if I can pray for you before school, to which you reluctantly agree. This morning we got there super early (AH! I know, crazy right!) and I was distracted with getting your things together as we were waiting in the car line. As I reached back to grab something you grabbed my hand and requested I pray for you today. And it was for me the way that things always do seem to come full circle. I am so thankful for this year for you Griffy. You are on your way. I love the seat I am watching from.

# 6

2011-05-23T07:46:00.001-07:00

How long have we been married you ask?

Well, let me tell you...6 years of wedded bliss (and everything else in between), that's how many.

In 6 years, I clearly haven't figured out how to kick that smile where I clinch my teeth so you can see all of my gums and my extra chin, but hey, I am still smiling, so I consider it a win.

In six years we have moved and changed and fought and cried and been more than irretated and scared and confused and so happy and so excited and so thrilled. We have covered the full spectrum...

In six years we have left behind the "butterflies" phase, we have left behind college days, and all the "firsts" that come with dating, we have left behind the newly wed days and the lazy days of just us. We traded them in for days of working really hard for our goals and dreams together, days where we get each other through stuff no one else even knows we are struggling with, days where we don't know if we'll make it but we do and the way we smile at each other gets deeper and bigger, days that are full of them...

We've done a lot of life in the last 6 (plus) years. But the best part about them is that we are still an US in every sense of the word. We have good, we have bad, we have ugly. But we love each other. We laugh, a lot. We love each other in spite of....you know, all that "spite of" stuff. We still hold hands when our arms aren't full of little boys. We even still flash our secret love sign (ha ha ha) when it's the only way to communicate it and sometimes just because it makes us laugh(this is an advantage to marrying someone you were a "kid" with, you have secret love symbols and when you use them, it takes ya right back).

We feel blessed and thankful for the Lord's protection over our marriage.

And in the words of the great Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros,

"Home is whenever I'm with you"

and we really feel that way...and now you have your daily serving of cheese! You're welcome!

Thanks God for this:)! LOVE him, LOVE our sweet kiddos, LOVE that it's all because of you and your plans!

boys, boys & more boys...

2011-05-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

Well, if you have been following our blog or hang out with us in your free time you know we are surrounded by BOYS. Lots of families with sweet little (aka: crazy and energized) little boys. Since I have 2 of my own, I am actually lucky to have found such great friends with boys that match up with ours. And we have a great, always noisy and inevitably eventful time.

This weekend my sweet friend Mary Beth put together THE most adorable pirate party EVER for her 1 year old, Josiah. There were flags, and polka dot bandannas, and eye patches and pretty much anything else you could think of that coordinated with the theme and colors! At least us mother's are getting our "cutesie" on while the boys are little. Water bottle labels and cupcake toppers aren't going to fly at their sweet 16s! Ha ha! I didn't get too many pictures of all of the great touches from this party, but here are a few of the BOYS.

My boys

Sleepy 1st mate Simon

Henry, adorable in this get up:)

This is our 2nd generation of BOYS...

1st came Griffy, Micah & Charlie and now...

Henry, Josiah (the birthday boy) and Beanie:)

And, the birthday Momma! What a great party, complete with shoulder parrots!

And, please don't alert child services, because I know the 2 of them are well over the weight limit in here, but how can I force them out, they sit and laugh at each other while I am cooking in the afternoons. I love it, for their relationship....and my sanity (try cooking with 2 small boys frolicking around your feet...not too much is accomplished on my end...plenty of destruction on theirs!))! Boys, boys, boys....

10 Marvelous Months Beanie Man

2011-05-16T11:20:00.000-07:00

10 marvelous months of having you sweet Beanie!

You make us laugh, you make us fall in love with you more every time you smile, you have a chipped front tooth....

You are certainly a character and we are learning more and more about you every day now as your personality grows. You aren't walking yet, but you'll stand for a few seconds on your own and you can easily shimmy your way around a table, up the stairs or under a chair. You've been yelling "MAAAAAA" after me...and you still follow me around the house EVERY WHERE. You are my very own little shadow and I am trying to soak that up, knowing it surely can't last long. You take your fair share of tumbles, hence the chipped tooth....so that's why you have a little wedge gone in all of your school pics from now until about 1st grade. I am not sure what fall it happened on, but Aunt Ali discovered it. It adds to the bliss of that little gapped tooth smile though, I can't get enough of it! You are so close to being 1 little Bean, how can that be?

You are so cool:)!

Love you more every day!

Mom

Orange blankie pic, you are so close to spilling off of it:(