opportunities

I know, I know... 2 posts in one day?? Chad and I had an interesting opportunity tonight and I wanted to write about it before I forgot everything. Tonight at about 8:15 we had a knock at the door. Chad was out mowing the lawn and Kian and I were in the living room. I quickly became nervous seeing two young men at the door. I am quite cautious when it comes to opening doors to strangers. However, I opened the door and these two guys were from the University of Georgia going around talking to people about developing their children and preparing them for school etc. They wanted to come in and talk. I first got Chad and he met them on the driveway and then they came in to "chat". It was such a neat experience. First of all, these guys are actually trying to sell books for preschoolers and elementary kids. The books are awesome. Secondly, these guys travel (pay for all their expenses) around house to house, city to city, state to state basically trying to help pay for college. Throughout the conversation, we realized the guys (Leo and Matt) hadn't eaten all day and had hardly had a drink even. We were able to give them food and drink and just really encourage them. It was so neat. In talking we brought up God and Baptist Bible college. It was just so NEAT! I feel as though we listened to the Holy Spirit and even though nothing really happened spiritually, I don't know, I guess I feel as though we ministered to THEM. My heart is very full knowing we took advantage of an opportunity. I wish that I would listen more often! I pray that Leo and Matt would someday come to a saving knowledge of Christ and I hope that we were able to plant a seed tonight!

aidenisms

Aiden seems to be growing up so fast! It's hard to believe that he will be going to preschool in the fall. He is such a fun boy and says some of the funniest things. Here is a sample of some of his more recent comments:
"Mommy, I am not longer a little baby, I am a big man."
"Nothing, that's just what he normally does." (Aiden talking to Grandma on the phone who is hearing Kian cry in the background and asks Aiden what is wrong with Kian)
" Mom, when I turn 5, will you give me 5 pennies?" (after I said "yes"), "seriously, I am so excited." I am hoping he won't quite understand the whole money concept for a while!
"I have been waiting and waiting and waiting and it will never turn 7:00!" (said at 6:54am, he cannot leave his bedroom until 7 in the morning)
"Mom, I DID IT! I wiped all by myself." Aiden yelled this enthusiastically at the place where Chad and I donate plasma after going #2.

There are so many more but I cannot think of them! He just keeps us laughing and on our toes! I love my Aiders!

field day

Yesterday was Field Day for the elementary students at Lakewood. There was plenty of things to do leading up to the day. We decided to have 14 different events for the kids. K-2 went from 8-10:30 in the morning and 3-5th went in the afternoon. Chad and I filled up about 500 water balloons (with some help from some high schoolers) and 400 regular balloons, not to mention setting up each events, typing out groups, descriptions, schedules etc. After about 3 nights of 3 hours of sleep, I was spent! Chad did such a great job and the kids had a blast! It was fun watching them laugh and ran around and compete. The weather was perfect for it too. We are so thankful for the many parents, aides, and teachers who helped make it such a success!

God's protection

Tonight I am thanking God for His protection over Kian this afternoon. We were at my parent's this weekend and today we went to ECA to visit some friends. In one of the classrooms there was a canister of lifesavers. Thinking nothing of it, I gave one of each of the boys. A couple of minutes later, Kian started making some sounds. My friend Beccah told me that he was choking. I grabbed him trying to hit his back to dislodge it. That didn't work and then my friend Tara told me to turn him upside down. That caused him to vomit, but the lifesaver stayed lodged in his throat. He was able to cough a little and was screaming when he had the air to do that. It seemed as though he was able to cry, but not take breaths in. Tara went out to the hallway and the school nurse happened to be walking by. She came in and tried to help. A minute or so later, Kian swallowed it and was fine. I am so thankful for many things: 1. Aiden was not aware anything was going on 2. We all stayed perfectly calm throughout the whole thing (I don't think it really hit me until tonight). 3. The school nurse (who teaches CPR and the heimlech) was walking by even though her office is on the other hallway. 4. I had gotten certified 2 weeks ago in adult and child CPR and heimlech. 5. Kian is totally fine. THANK YOU GOD!

Happy Birthday Kian!

I know that this is a couple of days late, but "Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!!" Kian turned 2 on May 6th. He has been such an awesome addition to our family! When he smiles, he just melts you. He is my mischevious little guy who loves his big brother something fierce! He is talking non stop in sentences. His favorite activities are playing basketball and golf, snuggling with mommy on the couch, tackling his daddy and big brother, and running everywhere. Kian is almost 3 feet tall and weighs 29 pounds.
Kian, I love you so very much! You are so valuable to me and Daddy! We hope that someday you will grow up to be a confident, godly man who stands up for what's right. We pray that you will serve and love others with all of that spunk that God has given you! Happy birthday Kian!

weekly update

It has been a very busy, emotional week for us and I for one am glad it is May! Nothing major really happened, it just was a hard month for me. This month looks to be very fun and fast! We have lots of different activities planned and family and friend outings to enjoy. Not only that, it also is the last month of school which means it will fly by.

It's hard to think that in 2 days, my baby is going to be 2! Where has time gone? I tried to have a couple of photo shoots with the boys this weekend so that we wouldn't spend money going somewhere to have their picture taken. However, I forgot that Kian hates staying in one place and smiling for the camera! It didn't turn out as well as I hoped.

This last week was filled with rain...oh so much rain! We actually had planned to go to the park and that was rained out, so instead, we went puddle jumping in our back yard. The boys had a blast...Aiden especially. All 4 of us went out in the pouring rain and splashed each other and it ended up being so fun.

Last night, we had friends from Elkhart over unexpectedly. It was nice to see them. After they left, we put the boys to bed and soon after Kian started crying (which he has been doing recently). We decided to let him cry it out. After a good 15 minutes, Chad went in and called me in. Kian had puked everywhere (emphasis on the every and the where). I felt so bad! Here I feel like I was being a good mom, by making him fall back asleep on his own and instead he was standing in his vomit. Nice, sigh... The next few hours were spent doing laundry and holding Kian since ALL of his blankets were dirty. Kian acted totally fine and wanted to get down and play. He also then woke up ready for the day at 6 this morning (no I did not let him get up). Needless to say, he had an early nap today!

I have been learning quite a bit recently. God has really taught me a lot and without going into a lot of it, I am SO thankful for Him! Much of it, I don't even know how to put into words, I just feel humbled that God loves me.

Here are some of the pictures of this week:
I would pay good money for my son to look at the camera when he smiles.

Playing in the rain. Kian and Chad mainly golfed while Aiden and I splashed each other.

Kian playing in the planter.

This shot was by accident. Kian didn't know that I was taking the picture.

such a sweetie! He is such a good boy!