Updates and random thoughts

So Simon is almost 9 months old. He's standing some by himself. I first caught him standing two weeks ago while holding the remote control in his mouth. He is cruising around some, but sometimes crawling is faster. I often let him crawl around the kitchen, dining room, and living room while I am working on supper or just folding laundry. I have caught him crawling to the laundry room and heard the sound of the cat food bowl. I think I will need to put up the baby gate soon.

Today happens to be my birthday. I had a little time to reflect this morning on my life. It has had its ups and downs. I have had successes and failures. I once was reminded that without failures, we don't appreciate our successes. It does seem that now my successes revolve around my family more than myself. Over the last year, I have had a baby at term who has been a great joy to my life. I never imagined the bond that Simon and Luke would have. Luke has started school, too, and I did not cry that first day of school. We have already adjusted to getting up earlier and getting to school on time. Jeff continues to be a great support with the kids and allowing me to work. At work, we are getting busier and I feel we do a good job. We did get a new boss, so we are all adjusting to that. My church family has changed some, but I am happy where we are - with genuinely loving people whose goals match mine.

Today also marks 40 days until the election. Anyone who knows me already knows my views. All I can say is this country needs some help. We have to pray that God will forgive us and heal us. We need to pray for godly leaders who want the best for all people. We want someone to have morals. We need to pray for vision to protect Israel - God's chosen people.

So what else is on my mind? I was thinking about it the other day that really, truly, I am a kind person. I try to think of others a lot. I always remember birthdays, babies, people's financial and personal situations. I am burdened by my lost patients. Yet, it seems that I often get the "short end of the stick." I have found myself feeling somewhat annoyed about it all, but then I remember how kind and tender-hearted my Jesus has been. And I strive to be more like Him - despite how I am treated, even when I am hurt.

7 month update

Okay, I am a little behind. Simon is actually almost 8 months old. But we've been busy. Really busy.

So Simon continues to amaze me more every day. He is crawling and pulling up. And he eats. VERY WELL.

We went on vacation to the beach and the little tike was caught crawling towards the water like a little sea turtle. Very cute and captured on video too.

Luke is preparing for school which starts Wednesday for him. Yep, my little Luke will be in kindergarten. I'll blog more about that later.

Growing up too fast!

My boys are growing up too fast!

Luke - who has never sang and done motions with ANY program - from church to preschool - has done them... with a smile! It brought tears to my eyes seeing him with all the other kids singing and doing motions to songs about Jesus. Trust me, the pictures and video clips I took don't do it justice. Just a priceless moment. And very proud Mommy.

Simon - now 6 1/2 months old and crawling AND pulling up to stand. Trying to cruise too. And weighing in at 16 lbs 9.6 oz.

Next milestones will probably turn me into a fountain!

1/2 a year already?!!

Today marks our little baby's 1/2 year mark. Wow!! Simon is already 6 months old. He has been doing well with solids. He likes to eat most anything so far, except for bananas. I think he is trying though. He is working on holding his own bottle. And he is TRYING TO CRAWL! He can lift up and move but he is just a bit uncoordinated to master it completely. He reaches for me to pick him up. He still sucks his middle fingers when he is hungry or tired. I'll have his stats in a couple of weeks but I would not be surprised if he was at least 16 lbs. Big boy!!

Luke is enjoying his summer too! He and Jeff have been playing Nintendo - old school kind. Right now, they are working on Super Mario Bros 3 - you know, the one from 1988. It's been entertaining to watch them play and to listen to Luke. He tells Jeff to get the "mushroom," "get the fire seed," and "get the Tanooki." Yep, old school stuff!

Otherwise, we have been busy as usual. We had VBS at church last week. And it has gotten very hot - up to 109 degrees last Friday. Now the humidity has creeped in.

And the Olympics are around the corner! I get so excited about them! I just love the diving, swimming, and my all time fave - gymnastics!! Can't wait until July 27th!!

Firefighters and Puppies

I just can't help myself. I am so in awe of my little boy who is still so little but so grown. Not too long ago, he told me he wanted to be a train driver - not the conductor but the driver. So that's okay.

Well, now Mr. Luke wants to be a firefighter, ambulance driver, policeman, AND a train driver. He's going to be busy I think.

He is planning to dress up as a fireman pretty soon, and he wants a fireman party for his birthday. I also gave him the task of picking out the baby's bedding, and any guesses what we're going with - yep, fire engines, etc.

The bedding set is really adorable but boyish. We can order the optional puppy dog plush, so I splurged and have ordered two of them - one for each of my boys.

So puppies are also a part of our lives. Most days, Luke is barking and begging like a puppy. Last year, he dressed up as Clifford, which was so cute for a homemade costume. And Jeff wakes him up in the morning by being a dog, and at night, Luke wants us to rub his puppy tummy and scratch behind his puppy ears. The funniest thing recently was yesterday when he stubbed his toe or tripped (don't really know for sure). He proceeded to tell me that he had hurt his back paw.

He might be a bit obsessed with this puppy thing, and I am wondering if his little brother will think there is a dog in the house instead of a big brother.

But it's cute, and it makes me smile!