Landscaping

In the landscape of my life, I am a bush. I am not a flower, such as a rose, that everyone gravitates to and wants to take into their homes, or give to other people. Bushes add interest and beauty to the overall picture, but their individual worth is sometimes overlooked. They are appreciated for being there and contributing, but they aren't given the same attention as and don't see as many close visitors as the roses.  Roses, however, fade and die and have to be replaced. I am just a bush, but I am an evergreen. I am constant and unmoving. I do not change my colors just to go along with the season. I can be counted on to always be there. I am not a perfect bush, I have bare spots and I need to be pruned often.  I have many other imperfections as well, and am well aware of what they are.  To some, I may seem like a prickly bush but to others I may always provide some needed shade or shelter. A bush is important in the landscape of life.
But it can be lonely being a bush.

I Want to Ride my Bicycle

We recently took Jaiden's training wheels off.  I honestly wasn't sure he would be able to do it (I know, how's that for an encouraging mother?!) but didn't ever tell him that.  His bike is too small now, so that definitely helped him not crash too much and we put wrist guards on, so when he wasn't braking and fell, he didn't get hurt.  It made for a much smoother experience.  But even then, the VERY first time Carlos let go, Jaiden kept his balance and went a little ways.  We were so impressed!  He kept doing it over and over and tried turning too.  This video was after he'd been practicing a little while.  I was so pleased that he did it!  We've been practicing, he can get going by himself some of the time and we all rode around the neighborhood the other day.  Austin was on his new bike and Zach was in the bike trailer.  Yay for more independence! 

This is also a cute video of when Austin got his bike, and how Jaiden was helping him.  You can't really hear because there is a lawn mower going, but it's cute.