Twin Falls

You can click on any picture to make it bigger. Let us know if you want to go hiking! I'm ready to go again. Yes, we are in 3 different outfits. Grey had a huge fall in the first outfit so we had a wardrobe change. His little mouth was bleeding but he is tough and regained composure for the rest of the photo shoot!

Twin Falls

We spent the morning at Twin Falls hiking and falling! It was wonderful. I love Fall weather.

Grey's 2nd Birthday

Grey had an ice cream birthday party by request. We had cake in a cone, a pinata, and lots and lots of presents! He had a blast. All the kids played on his new swingset and in the sandbox, which is his favorite. He will play in that sandbox for over an hour!

Grey is 2 and wide open. His sentences are 7 and 8 words long! The other day he was playing and was referencing double doors- "those 2 doors are open too Mommy" I am constantly amazed. Yesterday he was helping me cook...really helping. He had to have his own spoon. He whisked the banana pudding and shreaded chicken. He dropped something and said "sorry bout that" ha! He is still a little small but I am not worrying about that too much, because he runs and plays like a champ. We are learning to play with our friends nicely...that is a challenge sometimes. When he realizes he did something wrong, he pats his friend and says "okay?" He has a gentle spirit and is very happy overall. We finally got a couple molars in, but they don't hold him back. He likes to eat leaves (broccoli) and chicken. He loves chocolate! The thing I like most about Grey is his love for music. He hears music in lots of things, like noises outside and spoons turning while I'm cooking. He has drumsticks that are his prize possession. We love to worship together! Life is so sweet! Oh I forgot to say that Grey is potty trained! how exciting.

Westside '98

Saturday night was monumental! Joshua had his 10 year high school reunion! Wow- we were sad but laughing at the fact that we've been looking forward to this and anticipating it for over a year and now it has come and gone. It is hard to believe! It was like a photo shoot- we smiled and took pictures for everyone's cameras all night long. It was a blast! My favorite part was seeing Josh's high school pictures on the big screen! Oh my has he changed!

Panama City Beach '08

We had the best time at the beach! None of us wanted to come home. Joshua and I both expressed that we've never had a more relaxing vacation. Jason and Andrea were extremely hospitable and spoiled us rotten. The weather was incredible and we ate good all week long! Grey absolutely loved the beach. He ran in and out of the water over and over. Joshua was such an amazing dad...he played with Grey for hours. I am so proud of him. He can't contain his love for Grey. Not to mention his love for me...he told me one time that he wanted to be all that God wanted him to be, for me (wordy). Well, he is. He is a reflection of true love to me all the time. I am constantly caught off guard by his generosity and service to me. I am so thankful for a husband who loves the Lord and reflects His goodness. Okay, the pictures:

Out of control

God is convinced he is going to teach me how to live out of control. It is a wonder he hasn't given up on me! I want so much to be able to let the rest of my life fade away and simply live out of control moment by moment as He directs. My flesh, on the other hand, gets tired of being a "christian". It just wants to live out of control too, but you know what I mean... I need rest in Christ. I am always trying to figure everything out for myself. Just when I thought my life was starting to smooth out, I am thrown for another loop, hence God reminding me that I am not in control. I am so thankful that He is, even though that is not something I can feel. It is funny how my life might look the same to the people around me, but so many things in my mind are changing. I don't want to look the same anymore. I want God's glory, however he wants to bring it, to show on my face. I want to be changed. How do you give up all that you have to live for him? I'm ready to know.

Shake the Toddler

Whoo, I am so happy for bedtime some days. Grey dropped to one nap a day but it is all he and I can handle! I consider myself a well informed loving mother...actually I love being a mom and think Grey loves having me as his mom! haha However.....(drum roll) there are moments when I want to shake the toddler! I never had that temptation when Grey was an infant despite all the warnings, etc...I need a warning now. My child tells me what cup he wants to use, what shirt he wants to wear, what chair he wants to sit in, and and (listen to this!) which direction to go on the road...yes from his car seat in the back seat. I did say CAR SEAT, didn't I? My not even 2 year old is telling me how to DRIVE!!!! Can someone tell me I'm normal please? I should be thrilled that he is exploring and branching out- using his personality and curiosity...but I'm not. It is so exhausting. He so sweetly requests with manners that I read him a tory...20 times a day. The s is left off intentionally :) He is absolutely irresistible...why can't he just be content to watch tv like those bad kids! ha The funniest thing to me is wherever we are (church, etc) if we have to sit on the potty, I can recite our potty book by heart and so can he....it works like a charm...He can pee anywhere! Well, this sums up my deep feelings of the day. Despite my selfish, tired impatience, when we are taking a bath and Grey's eyelashes are heavy with water, he looks up at me with a sloppy grin and my heart falls in love all over again. Lord, when I don't get enough sleep please give me a gentle spirit. You are always loving toward us.