my first autumn

I'd have to say that this was the first year I actually got into autumn.  Usually, as soon as it turns cold I just want it to snow (my Minnesota days), and get to Christmas (seriously the most wonderful time of the year).  But this year, as my kids are getting older and learning about each season and holiday, I decided to get into autumn.  I bought a wreath and some garland on clearance at Target to get the home into season, we made a thankful tree, did a little fall artwork, and played in the leaves.  It was a good first autumn for me.

being good

Yesterday I was having one of "those" moments with Seth.  It started by him disobeying, which ultimately led to a stream of non stop bad decisions and more disobeying.  I have come to learn that Seth is a very sensitive child and yelling or being firm with him often only makes things worse.  But even in that moment, after me trying to correct his behavior, after discipline, Seth was still screaming uncontrollably and would not give up.  I pulled him in, his face to my face, and tried to explain why I am being firm with him and correcting him.  I told him, "Seth I'm doing this to help you stay on the right path!  I want you to be a good boy and make good decisions!"  And Seth, in the midst of tears, says, "But it's too hard to be good!"

I was stunned.

He said what we all learn at his age and deep down carry at the deepest part of our being: It is too hard to be good on our own.  Even if you want to believe that your goodness will bring you to heaven and right-standing with God, you know that you will never, ever, ever be good enough.  

That moment became a gospel teaching lesson between me and Seth.  "Seth, you're right!" I said, "Being good is too hard!  That's why Jesus is here, Seth.  Jesus helps us be good, and Jesus came to be good for us!  The next time you want to make a bad decision, pray and ask Jesus to help you make a good one.  And He will!"  He's a little too young to understand that Jesus, the Perfect One, made it so that even amidst our failures He will make us right before God, but these little baby steps are the foundation for that in his heart and mind.

It was a precious moment.

birthdays!

One month ago was Seth's 3rd birthday and Olivia's 1st birthday.  Since their birthdays are only 11 days apart, we decided to do do a combo party ... well, make that two combo parties:  A playdate party in the morning for their friends and my mommy friends, and a family party in the afternoon for our families.  Seth is at an age now where he has real friends, and I've drawn very closely to a group of ladies that have babies all around Olivia's age.  Our house just isn't big enough for both friends and family, so ... two identical parties with two groups of people we love!  

I decided on a "Bugs & Butterflies" theme party.  Boys love bugs and girls love butterflies.  So I kinda went with an picnic take on the decor: plaid tablecloths, sandwiches and fruit for lunch, sticks as table centerpieces with little plastic bugs crawling everywhere and butterfly nets with butterflies all around.  It was really fun.  We also borrowed a bounce house from Jack's brother and the kids were all over it!  As an activity, I found these cute little bug boxes that I had the kids decorate with stickers to spell their names out and they went to go find bugs (the plastic bugs I had all over the tables).  We had a great time!  And the kids were blessed with so many fantastic gifts.  Olivia downed her cake like nobody's business.  She loves her sweets!  (Well, she loves everything.  She's my great eater!)  

I'm so amazed still at how fast their first year of life goes.  And honestly it goes faster as they get older.  The fact that I can sit down and have a full conversation with Seth blows my mind.  He's in school for goodness sake!  Where did the time go??  So blessed by two healthy, happy, and sweet children. 

The Party

The Playdate Party

The Family Party

New party, new outfit :)

Joel just told Seth that his gift to him was a trip to the SF Zoo.  Seth just walked away.

On Seth's actual birthday ... sprinkle french toast and party hats at breakfast!

our own haven

Quite a few months ago now, we had our backyard re-landscaped.  Well, I should say it was just landscaped ... it was just a plot of weeds before.  We wanted a space for the kids to run around in and a space that we'd actually want to be in.  Our dining room is rather small inside, so we also wanted an area for a dining table and chairs to use during the summer months.  We are so very happy with the results!

Before:

After:

It was a really great process too.  Our landscapers were so kind and hardworking.  It took them 5 days to build everything.  We added a  deck, irrigation and drip system, sod and lots of beautiful plantings.  I found a great flower garden diagram of "Tough as Nails" plants from the Better Homes and Gardens website.  Since I have such a black thumb when it comes to keeping plants alive, I thought this would be a great way to still have flowers, but knowing I couldn't kill them as easily.  The whole family went to the nursery one Saturday and picked out the plants from that plan, as well as a few more that we just really liked.  We are so happy with the outcome!  It's gorgeous.  I would do everything the same all over again.  Now we just want to spruce up the front yard a bit more.  :)

happy 1st birthday, olivia rose!

It is so hard to believe that 1 year ago today, our sweet Olivia Rose was born.  Whew!  I remember that day as if it was yesterday.  Seriously.  Even though we knew she was going to be a girl (the Lord confirmed it in my heart early on, and the ultrasound proved it), God added the cherry on top with her deep red hair.  We were so surprised!  

Praise the Lord for the sweetest, most happy little girl I know.  She has brought so much joy into our lives.  I distinctly remember moments in the last year that I have walked into her room after she woke up from a nap to find this precious little lady standing there, smiling from ear to ear, and I'm thinking, "Wow.  I can't believe she's mine!"  I can honestly say I feel so blessed to be her mom.  I am so proud of her.

We're celebrating both of the kids birthdays in a couple of weeks, so this morning was just a simple birthday breakfast celebration ... party hats, party horn blower thingys, and sprinkle french toast.  

That's her mid-action blowing out her candle!

seth's first day of preschool

Seth is officially in school.  He started this Tuesday and absolutely loves it!  Both days this week when I've come to pick him up, he doesn't want to leave.  I love it.  His favorite time is circle time when they sit and read books and sing songs.  Both of his teachers are so sweet and seem to be great with the children.  My little boy is growing up!

4 years strong ...

This last week Jack and I celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary!  It's crazy how fast time goes - and yet I can barely remember what life was like before marriage and children.  It seems like a dream.

To celebrate, we dropped the kids off at Jack's parents house and we went to be tourists in our own city for a day (how often do you ever do the tourist-y things in your own city?!).  We rented bikes on Fisherman's Wharf, rode them along the water, stopped off at the Palace of Fine Arts, rode up the *extremely* steep hill to the Golden Gate bridge, across and down into the quaint town of Sausalito to have lunch and the rode the ferry back into Pier 39.  It was a wonderful day!  We had an absolute blast.

Here's to many, many more years!  Love you, Jackson!!!

Trying to take a "selfie" and get the Golden Gate in the background ...
eventually someone came up asked if they could help.

That's better :) 

Overlooking the Bay ... made it up the toughest hill!

Took at pit stop at the Palace of Fine Arts

  

Getting closer to the bridge!

Overlooking the Bay ... made it up the toughest hill!

Made it!

Made it!

In Sausalito