My organized offspring...

Matt said, I think Jack will be organized like you. I said why? Look at the farm- 1 animal in front of each fence all lined up. I couldn't have been prouder! I don't think it's been like that since though...

Jack-isms

There are so many funny things (in my opinion) that Jack says that I thought I should write them down somewhere, and here is as good a place as any. Of course being the mom, I may not be a good judge. But please indulge me for a bit....

Me: "Jack, say thank you to the ladies." (in the nursery)
Jack: "Thank you, a ladies." yelling

Driving in traffic: "Mommy, look! Cars!"

Matt says "Hey Baby" to me every now and then, so Jack gets his manly voice out, "HEY BABA!" (long As)

Sitting with Matt in choir practice: "Daddy, you good songer!"

Playing ball with me: "Good job, Mommy!" or "Almot!" (That means almost. Sometimes Imiss the ball, I guess.) It's a little humiliating when your 2 year old tries to console you for missing the ball!

He's practicing his "Ls" since I have been known to laugh about it to other people. For instance a little girl I babysit whose name is Hailey- he calls her Katie. He heard me telling her mom that yesterday morning, and he tried very hard all day to say Hailey, so now it comes out "Kelly". Oh well. I thought it was cute though that that made him start practicing. See? Smart! HA

Last night while holding him before bed, I went over our day saying, "Didn't we have a great day? We played outside, and...." I was going on and on. His face started mimicking mine getting more and more animated and copying my tone of voice, he said, "I get down!" I laughed hard at that one.

So potty training started this week. No potty going quite yet. At least, he doesn't cry anymore when I sit him on the potty. He likes diapers. So now he gets M&Ms if he sits on the potty, and I read a Bible story. He is learning them, too! I think we've told Noah and Creation several times this week. Oh well, I guess he's not quite ready yet, but any little bit helps.

Trying to break him of saying, "That's my (fill in the blank)!" Slow going!

Matt also decided we should do family devotions every night, and it is so much fun! We read a story and sing songs and then we pray. I really love this time together. Jack always wants one more story. I'm glad he's excited.

We have a good life. I'm grateful for Matt's leadership and for Jack just being Jack.

Well that's about it- busy painting my parent's house this week and last, church stuff, and Mother's Day coming up! Whoo-hoo! I just want the refrigerator to give me filtered water again (and ice)! That's what I asked for.

Easter 2009

This will be saved for a possible future wedding....

our Easter bunny

the Hanks girls

The Hanks boys

Back from Florida!

It's so nice to be back home. A couple of weeks ago I didn't think I would be saying that since who doesn't love to be a tourist in Florida for a week or so? But after 25 hours in the car and hearing "Mommy" about 1000 times an hour, it's nice to be back in our bed and to have Jack back in his bed!! And who would have thought that we would be having 60 degree weather this week! YAY. We had a great time though. The weather was sunny and 85ish every day! And so much green! And the oranges are in season, so the trees are so beautiful. It's very intoxicating! And it's easy to understand why people retire there especially after the winter we just had.
We had a great time traveling down there, too, with stops along the way to see friends. Nice to visit my old church in Georgia. It was such a special place for me spiritually. And so now onto spring and Matt's birthday and our anniversary -6 years!! - and then Easter. I'm so looking forward to all of this.
So we went to two Disney parks, the beach, and then had a golfing/shopping day or two. Nice to stay at my uncle's and aunt's beautiful home and to spend some time with them! So here are some pictures....

Back in MN - splashing in puddles!

Random thoughts...

I haven't blogged in a while. And I didn't feel that I had much of interest to contribute lately. We are busy, and it is fun for us; but maybe it wouldn't be of as much interest to anyone else. Well, today I had to sit and write this pretty much right when it happened. I do not allow Jack to wander around the house whining. (Shock! He's not perfect!) That's for the grandparents! HA! Anyway, I will say "Guess it's time for bed if you're whining." So today I went into a more lengthy explanation on how I wanted him to be happy; and if he wasn't happy, then he would be going to bed until he got happy. So not much later, I hear him whining yet again. I said, "Come here, Jack, time for bed." He promptly replied from the other room, "I happy, Mommy!" Of course, immediately after that, he asked for a pop tart, I said no, and he is now in bed! HA!

We are so looking forward to our trip. We are leaving in two days. I just want to see green and wear short sleeves! That's usually my goal this time of year. We will be driving to Florida and so will be stopping to see some friends along the way. Should be a fun trip. People ask, "How will Jack handle the trip?" But I just say, "Fine, I guess." Didn't we all just adapt to whatever our parents had us do when we were kids? It may take longer, but I'm confident we will make it with a two year old!!! Or if not, we will just leave him at one of our stops along the way! HA JUST KIDDING!

So that is our life right now although it seems we are so busy these days. I couldn't even tell you with what specifically except that it all adds up when you try to just do a few things here and there. So the vacation is looming very brightly right now. Maybe we will get some pictures to add. Here is one of my Valentine on Valentine's. AAWW! I think we will make it permanent! He took me to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

Funny new phrases...

I am just enjoying Jack so much in this phase. Everything is fun, and he comes up with some good comments! My favorite one was last week. I came out all dressed up and he said, "Mommy! look handsome!" I guess he hears that word a lot. My brother said to tell him that's a good way to get candy! He will learn fast with that incentive! If mommy's happy, everyone else is! He also says, "I 'cited" for excited, and "I tidered" for tired. I am babysitting a new little girl named Hayley whom he calls Katie. I guess he can't quite get everything out properly, but it's fun to hear him try.

It was fun to find out there's a Stride Rite outlet in Albertville! We had a good time there the other day when it was above 40. We have so enjoyed the nicer weather and are looking forward to green and sunny Florida in a few weeks!

So we are staying pretty busy! Matt working, my babysitting and editing my brother Chris's devotionals, the gym, hosting some church activities at our house, and of course spending time with family (each other and extended) are what we do! Looking forward to Valentine's for some time together! Hope you all have a great holiday weekend!

Praying

These were taken in the nursery of the kids in the little house praying. It's never too early!