Girltime

This weekend my neighbors surprised me with a shower for Rebekah. We had a great time celebrating her soon to be arrival. Thank you Bowers!


I also decided that it was time for Rachel and I to go on a mother-daughter date. This past summer she got her fingernails painted by her Nanna and absolutely loved it. Since I was selfishly wanting a pedicure, I decided we could go together. She enjoyed it and got to wear a special princess crown when we were there.

Such a sweet little girl! I can't believe we will have TWO of them soon!

Rachel's 3rd Birthday!

Happy 3rd Birthday to our beautiful daughter, Rachel!

We had several celebrations for Rachel's birthday. 1st- with family, with sparklers from her Sunday school teacher, and with friends at her birthday party. Each event was equally fun and we were thankful for them all!

Rachel's 1st Haircut

You would think our daughter would have had a haircut by now, but no. It didn't happen until she was 2.5 years old. Over the Christmas holidays we were visiting my Mom and she was helping with the kids after bath time. She took Rachel into her bathroom and decided to pamper her some by brushing her hair and blow drying it. But then she asked, "Would you mind if I cut Rachel's hair?" First off, this was my Mom's first profession and she had some experience cutting hair especially little girls, me for example. So, I said okay.

I had enjoyed how long Rachel's hair had gotten and the natural layering she had as well as her curls and blond hair. God is so creative and amazing and created such a beautiful Rachel. I never thought I would have a blond girl!

Downtown Atlanta

Last week we enjoyed some sights and eats in downtown Atlanta with our friends Gosia and Ellie. They were very generous and shared some tickets to the Children's Museum with us. Thank you! After about two hours there, we walked through Centennial Park to the CNN Center where we got lunch at the food court. We made it back outside in time to see the fountain music show, get wet, and eat. Then we ran along the park, blew bubbles, played duck-duck-goose, attempted at handstands and finally headed home. It was a wonderful day and we decided we will have to go again while this weather continues.

AWANA

Since the kids are not in preschool this year, I felt like I needed to do a "First Day of School" photo, so here's one from AWANA. We just joined the program at a nearby church. Josh is in Cubbies, ages 3-4, and Rachel is in Puggles, age 2. In case you don't know what this is, the goal and purpose of AWANA is "to reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and to train them to serve Him." In other words, hide God's word in their hearts by scripture memorization, activities, and more. The program has a lot to offer (though I don't agree with everything in it), but I'm thankful they are getting a school feel from it as well as all the other good stuff.

Jason and I have really enjoyed the conversations we've had with Josh such as:

Who made you? -God.
What else did God make? -God made all things.
Why did God make you and all things? -for His own glory.

We've reviewed the first few catechisms with him and he knows them and understands them. AWANA has provided us with a handbook for Josh that includes stories, scriptures, and leading questions for him to understand more. Rachel receives a brochure each week about what she's studying too. Right now it is God's creation and knowing that God created all things. It is such a JOY to see that they recognize this simple fact in everyday life.

The only downfall is that I teach a guitar class on Wednesdays afternoons and then have to book it to AWANA. So, we eat dinner in the car. Not best scenario, but if we can survive by only doing this once a week, then I think we'll be all right : )

Pizza and Potty

So you might be wondering, what type of title or blog post this is? Well, it's about our precious daughter Rachel who decided to start using the potty on a regular basis Labor Day weekend. This picture was taken Sunday night while we were eating outside. She said she had to go potty and wanted to go like her brother off the deck but she realized that didn't work. So we brought the potty to her. She needed some encouragement to stay seated so I we gave her some pizza. Hence, pizza and potty.

On another note, not only did she amaze me with her potty training skills. She would tell me when she had to go! But, she also ate a whole piece of Green Pizza! This stuff had spinach, broccoli, pesto, and cheese on it. Way to go Rachie! We are so proud of you!

Rachel's Birthday 2...

We have a lot more pictures from this special day but here are some favorites that show Rachel's blossoming personality. What a cutie pie she is!

Playing with some of her toys the day after.

Rachel at 2 years

Playing with Mommy's espresso cup and saucer.

Notice the pinkie placement : )

All smiles!

Her favorites pajamas mixed.

Having fun with our neighbor, Miss Anya.

It's amazing how time flies with little ones. We just celebrated Rachel's birthday last weekend. I will post her birthday party photos sometime this week, but these were just some cute ones I found on the camera. What a sweet little girl. Also, her check-up went well. She's 28 lbs. 68%, 34.8 inches 75%, and head is 18.8 inches 57%.

What are you up too? Probably the same thing we are... getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas!!! Can you believe it's time already? We haven't made Christmas plans yet, but are praying that we will all be able to make it to the beach for Thanksgiving. Please pray for Jason's brother, Russell, that his commanding officer will allow him out of state leave when he returns from Afghanistan. If he does, he will get to come see us for Thanksgiving!

Today we went to Josh's preschool to enjoy a Thanksgiving Feast. We meet in the sanctuary where the kids paraded in wearing their tee-pee stenciled Indian shirts and hats. They were too cute! Then we enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving meal. I think my favorite part about Josh's preschool is all the arts and crafts projects they do. I couldn't nearly do that many at home. I would feel overwhelmed and would get tired of cleaning more things. Needless to say, I am very thankful for this as well as getting to run errands on Thursdays with only one baby, my darling Miss Rachel. I guess I should actually call her a toddler now since she does toddle around very well!

Random tidbits on the kids

• Josh (2 yrs, 8 mns.) is getting better at sharing and showing compassion for others. I'm really amazed at everything her can say to us now. The other day he told Jason everything he had for lunch and it was true! There are some words and phrases that he is confused with. He calls sheep, "baa-baa." He knows they are sheep, but when I ask him, "What's that?" He says,"Baa-baa Mommy. Baa-baa." Also, he says, "Mommy turn the light off," but when asks this, the light is off. He has the off and on parts confused. Oh well. Did I even mention one of his cutest phrases? He calls me honey! I love it! He picked it up from me when I called down to Jason in the basement. I was saying, "Jason, Honey? Can you come up please." Ever since then, he started calling me honey. I haven't asked his school teachers if they have been called honey, but I wouldn't be surprised!

• Rachel (17 mns.) has a growing vocabulary too. A few weeks ago when we were at Oma and Opa's house, she identified a teddy bear on a coffee mug by saying "Bear." I couldn't believe it! She's been successfully going up and down stairs for a while now. She loves to go down slides and climb ladders at playgrounds. She's a bit fearless like her brother., but I would say she's a better listener. She went on her first walk down a big hill in our neighborhood and held my hand the entire way. Although on the way back, she disobeyed and had to go in the stroller. But, I was very happy with how long she walked and obeyed. We are constantly working on obedience with both kids and I'm sure it will never end. Maybe when they are 21? Lastly, she's the best sleeper ever and I am so thankful for this as Josh wavers with being put down for bed (A few weeks ago he was struggling with this, but is doing much better now). The secret is her blanket. Give her the blanket and in her thumb goes. She had her first cold a few weeks ago and this did cause her to wake up in the middle of the night and not put herself back to sleep b/c of her stuffy nose she couldn't suck her thumb. Poor girl. But she's all better now. Praise God for healthy kids in this difficult flu season and more.
  

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Where did you come from, baby dear?

Out of the everywhere into here.

Where did you get your eyes so blue?

Out of the sky as I came through.

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin?

Some of the starry spikes left in.

Where did you get that little tear?

I found it waiting when I got here.

What makes your forehead so smooth and high?

A soft hand stroked it as I went by.

What makes your cheek like a warm white rose?

I saw something better than anyone knows.

Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss?

Three angels gave me at once a kiss.

Where did you get this pearly ear?

God spoke, and it came out to hear.

Where did you get those arms and hands?

Love made itself into hooks and bands.

Feet, whence did you come, you darling things?

From the same box as the cherubs' wings.

How did they all just come to be you?

God thought about me, and so I grew.

But how did you come to us, you dear?

God thought about you, and so I am here.

~George MacDonald

Rachel's Birthday!

It is hard to believe that she's been with us for a year now. It really seems longer. I can barely remember life before her when it was just Josh. I guess that's because Josh was only with us for a few months until we knew that Rachel was coming. Life before Josh was different, but the addition of another child doesn't change life that much. It just adds to our everyday joys.

Rachel has been such a wonderful little girl. As I've said in the past on this blog, I love how she cuddles up with a blanket and will instantly suck her thumb. I love how she squishes up her face and smiles; a classic Rachel face different from Josh. I love how she loves others especially her Daddy and brother. We love you Rachel!

Rachel trying her 1st ever chocolate chip cupcake
when her Nanna and Gee were in town.

It was gone in no time and she was begging for more!

On her actual birthday, we headed to the park.

Rachel in her birthday dress.

She was still a little sleepy from just waking up from her morning nap.

But she soon woke up!
Whee! I love the swings!

At the playground in a dress?

Enjoying cupcakes! Notice the one person who has one already.
I had to stop him from eating three!

Rachel tasting the candle.

Yummy!
This is better!

Playing in the grass. About time for a nap.

What a great 1st birthday!