Thoughts on Kade's Birthday....

This perfectly made little boy belongs to one of our close friends, Travis and Jessica Visser. You can read about their story here. They came into our lives suddenly through tragedy. We deeply love and cherish their friendship. They gave their first born son back to the Lord over 3 years ago. Today he turns 4. 

I didn't know Kade. I wish I did. The Vissers came into our lives after Kade was already with the Lord. But I still wish I could have held him. To hold him would have been to know him. To know his smell, his touch, to see his eyes, his smile...so when his Mommy talks about him, I would be able to recall because I had those moments of my own with him.

Even though I haven't had those moments.... he has still taught me so much about our Creator and His sovereignty.  

Kade's Mommy is wonderful. A drop everything for you in a moments notice type of friend. She knows God like I probably never will. She shows me how to praise the Lord because He is good in every circumstance. In ALL circumstance. Everyday.  

Kade, I selfishly wish you and Tyler were here with us and able to play and run around with all these crazy kids. But I know you don't. My eyes have not seen what you have and my understanding is so small in the vastness of the Lord. I am thankful and jealous that you are with Jesus and your eyes have seen. Happy 4th Birthday little boy. Thanks for teaching me so much. 

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Swim Lessons 2011

The kids did swim lessons this year. We are around water so much that Trav and I make teaching our kids how to swim a priority.

Luke (18 months) and I did a Mommy and Me class with my friend Kim. Even though the first week of class was full of tears and screaming, it was a fun Mommy/Son time for us. Luke loves the water. I would definitely not call him a swimmer but he was able to swim underwater while holding his breath. WIN! He also learned how to jump off the step and side of the pool and kick and swim to me. He was so proud of himself. Luke was a hit in the class. Luke had a very "unique" style of swimming. He looked like a crazy man. His head and arms flailed everywhere while kicking. If I hadn't tipped his shoulders while he "swam" he would have done circles. It was truly amazing to watch.

Logan (4 1/2 years old) took 4 lessons at Amy Morris with Ms. Kelsey (which happened to be one of Trav's previous Math students). We originally weren't going to do lessons with Lo but half way through summer decided we should. She really loved it. She asks me almost everyday if she can take more swim lessons. I think we may have a little swimmer on our hands. She loves the water. Logan learned her first strokes this year. (Freestyle and another one I don't remember the name of...opps. She or Trav will remember...I will post later)  She also learned how to dive.  All and all, they loved it, and learned a potentially life saving skill. WIN! WIN!

Mommy and Me Class

Luke watching Logan

Freestyle

 Dive...

 graduation...

 Lo and Ms. Kelsey

My Noni...

I love my Noni. My 89 year old Noni. She is spicy. I think I got that from her. There is nothing better than an 89 year old Italian Grandma. If I ever need to feel loved, I just go see my Noni. There is never a shortage of love and loyalty there. I am (along with all her kids/grandkids/great grandkids) amazing in her eyes. We still go to her house for weekly Sunday dinners. Yep, she still cooks dinner for most of them. I know, amazing. (and yummy)

This particular day, after dinner, before baths, we turned the hose on to cool off. Someone convinced Noni to run with the kids through the hose. Then she decided she wanted to squirt the sweet, innocent little kids with the hose. She loved it. We loved watching it. I grabbed my camera.

I wish everyone could have a Noni. She is precious to me.

Check out her face!!! HA! 

  Her victims. (not really....they LOVED it)

Splash Park...

We have spent a LOT of time in water this summer. In fact, my fingers are permanently wrinkly. We have some great splash parks here in town. Its been a great way to keep us folks without pools cool and busy in this (sometimes) miserable heat. This particular day, I had my camera. My sister and her kids met us at the Park. It was a good day.

I still laugh when I see this picture. Whoever created this particular water attraction had a funny sense of humor. It starts really small and then an innocent child goes and playfully bends over to touch the small sweet trickle of water that is sprouting forth from the ground.... to be suddenly squirt in the face by a big surge of water. Luke got it right in his eye! Mean Mommy for waiting 5 minutes with my camera ready to capture.

 I don't think he minded much. He loved it!

Luke & Little Gym

This Summer we decided to enroll Luke in a Little Gym class. He loved it of course. Highlights for Luke...BALLS, bubbles, bells, BALLS!  Little man LOVES balls. He wasn't a fan of the group time but he loved the "exploring" portion of the class. He is Mr. Independent. Towards the end of the summer all he wanted to do at class was hang from the bar. Money well spent. 

Bells

Exploring...

 Sissy watching...

 BALLS....

bubbles....

Grandma Donna...

This past Tuesday (August 9th) we said goodbye to Trav's grandma Donna. Trav was able to be with his Grandma and his family the weekend before. No words seem to be fitting for this blog to describe the emotion and the void she leaves in our hearts. We all wish for more time with her but also know that the Lord is the determiner of our days. She was wonderful. Witty, funny, laid back, warm and extremely loving.

She also called some of us girls by funny names when she first met us.

Tana: "That Girl" 

Me: "Suzy"

Logan: "Hogan"
In the end, she got all our names right, and captured our hearts. She was the type of Lady that lit up a room. You wanted to be near her. You looked forward to seeing her.
Some of my favorite times with Grandma Donna took place on walks around the park when we were visiting them in Oregon. I enjoyed hearing her stories or whatever she was talking about that day.  She always had a treat for Lady (Trav's parents dog) in her pocket. I will ask Trav and Logan their favorite memory about her tomorrow and post it in the comments. There is so much I don't want to forget.

If you knew Grandma Donna, what is your favorite memory???? Do share and leave a comment below. 

We love and miss you Grandma Donna.

 Grandma Donna meeting Logan

 

Grandma Donna meeting Luke

4th of July 2011

We love the 4th of July. This year we celebrated with Friends and Family. Lake trip in the morning/early afternoon and BBQ with Friends (that feel like family) in the evening  = perfect day.

 

Lolo Dancing (Video)

Logan is currently taking her first dance class this summer. It is a tap/ballet combo class for 3-5 year olds. Her teachers name is Ms. Season. She loves it. Here is a little video that Daddy got.