Fall is in the air...

I am so excited that fall is coming. It is my favorite season. I like the coziness, the turning of the leaves and the ease of using a crock pot for my meals. But, most of all this fall I am excited because it means that soon Lukas will be joining our family and that couldn't make me happier.

It took me awhile to get excited for his arrival, and I don't know if that is due to circumstances, being busy with his big brother or what, but a few days ago I began to get REALLY excited, like jump up & down excited. I can't wait to see what he looks like, what he sounds like, what he smells like (is that weird)? But, most of all I just can't wait for him to be here, to be apart of our family & to make us into the foursome we were meant to be.

I'm baaack!

So after a much needed break from blogging I have decided that if I don't have a venue to share my thoughts either I will literally explode or my husband will from me having constant verbal diarrhea. Gross I know, but it illustrates my point quite well.
We have been going through an emotional roller coaster the last 9 months or so and it has been really good for me to process this time with God...however I also feel really lead to have a place to share what we are going through and how God is present in each and every moment so that I don't forget any details when this season comes to an end and another one begins. Our boys will be too young to remember this time and I desperately want them to know and to be encouraged in their own lives as they grow how well we were provided for and how amazing the Lord we serve is! Thus, I see the blog as a perfect way to help this forgetful mama remember details and to have a place for me to process all that is.

The roller coaster began in late December when my husband lost his union carpenter job along with the benefits, pension, and what we thought was life-long stability for our family. Needless to say due to the economy there were no other jobs available regardless that he'd just completed four years of schooling in order to be a journeyman carpenter. Shortly after this loss we had a huge gain (literally) when we found out I was pregnant with our second child. My husband then started a handyman business which has had it's own share of ups and Downs, but thankfully work has tricked in since he started up. We also struggled with making our mortgage payments and maintaining our home so after being denied for a loan modification we put our house on the market and we are no longer able to make our monthly house payments.

BUT,

through it all God has been so incredibly faithful and we are so thankful for His provision and how He has generously worked through those around us who've reached out with love, prayers and groceries. This is a tough season to be in, but we know we aren't alone, we are doing this along side of Him and others who are going through similar situations. The bible never promises that there won't be tough times, but it does promise that when you are in a tough time you don't have to bare the load all on your own.

Dear Levi,

You are a little shy of being two and a half years old. YOu bring your dad and I so much JOY! You are always entertaining us with your wit and imagination that is capable of so many things that usually entail playing some sort of musical insturment, because you enjoy music so much.
You have an astonishing large vocabulary and so carrying on conversations with you is our reality. You don't really care for veggies, but other than that you are a great eater. You love bread, cookies, cake, ice cream and cheese.
You like to play outdoors and are starting to become a good climber. We go on lots of picnics to parks which is one of your favorite things. You also really enjoy playing cars, animals, board games(candyland), watching bob the builder, veggie tales or elmo, playing with your friends, and reading books either with us or by yourself. Y0u also enjoy helping me cook or bake in the kitchen. You are a really great helper.
You still sleep about 12 hours a night for which I am very thankful, but naps are kind of hit or miss...you do "rest" in your room each day reading and playing.
Right now one of my favorite things you are saying to us is " I love you everyday"!
You know your colors, can count to 10, sing the ABC's, Jesus loves Me, Baa Baa BLack sheep, itsy bitsy, and parts of some other songs.
Levi-I love you every day! And, I know you are going to make a wonderful big brother and I can't wait to see you and your little one playing together! Thanks for being you...God made you very special!

Texas

Recently I was blessed to be able to travel to Texas for a long weekend with two of my very best girlfriends and their two itty-bitty babies. We went to surprise/visit another very best girlfriend for her Birthday! We had such a special time full of laughter, CHATTING( it was non-stop. Some of us~no names~ didn't even want to stop to take a shower for fear of missing a good talk), wonderful hospitality, amazing meals, encouragement and lasting memories. It is so WONDERFUl to be able to enjoy the girls without any awkward or dull moments. Thanks to all of our families who pitched it to make it happen!

Giveaway!

The always talented, Ness, of the best nesst is hosting a giveaway of one of her small journals from her etsy shop. I LOVE my journal that she made & use it more often than any journal I've had in the past. I think it is because it's so pretty!

{Here is a sample of one of her small journals.}

I had no idea how kiddos under 2 years old were not actually babies, but tiny people. Even though we have a slew of nephews and nieces I was not around them much as they were this age and since I was the worst baby sitter on Drury Street I kind of feel like someone, anyone should have told me so I would be better prepared to handle this stage I am finding myself in. For instance I never knew that I would need to know multiple nursery rhymes and choreographed moves by memory, or that my knowledge of animal noises would require such diversity, or that I would need to be ready to go from coloring, to puzzles, to cars and back to coloring all within a 5 minute window.
Although I am living in a constantly surprised state I am loving it! Levi is doing so many fun things these days and more and more of his personality is emerging. He is really into driving cars, and hanging out with his pals: Bill, Bill, Bear and Froggie, He loves to dance around the living room and spinning so fast he falls down, He is constantly asking "This"? He wants to know what ever single thing is. When reading a book it usually takes about 3 or 4 times of telling him before we are able to turn the page. This? Flower. This? Flower. This? Flower. When he finally mutters the word under his breath and I know it is safe to move on. He thinks it is hilarious to call daddy by his first name. You'll hear him in his crib saying "Roy" over and over as he falls asleep. He also really likes to point out when his daddy or I get seconds at dinner time which although cute it is a little alarming how often he gets to ask "Moooooooore"?. He likes to count his snacks although he doesn't always get it right I am encouraged that he continues to try. He loves going places, seeing people and playing andI look forward to the many surprises that are certain to come.

Raking leaves is not my favorite way to pass the time, but it is much more bearable in the company of my fellas. We took advantage of some lovely fall weather this weekend and spent some time cleaning up the yard. The downside is that they aren't even our leaves. The trees are all in our neighbor's yard and I counted all but three leaves fall into our yard...and we will have to rake a few more times before winter, but on the bright side we are able to take advantage of their lovely shade in the summer time so all is well.Levi took his role very seriously. He is an awesome helper!

Levi must get his enthusiasm from his daddy.

Did I mention we only did the back yard? Much more raking to be done.