Train Tracks, Trains

 We  are  still  getting  lots  of  play  time  out  of  our  train  tracks  and  trains. 

Caitlyn  recently  learned  what  noise  trains  make  and  enjoyed  showing  us  how  she sounds  like a  train  while  Isaac  and I  built a  train  track  from  one  end  of  the  porch  to
the  other.

   Then  the  fun  started.  We  played  trains  on  the  front  porch  for  hours  and  soon  we  even  had  some  neighborhoods  come  play  as well.

 It  was a  great  way  to  spend  the  afternoon. 

Mexico

I  miss  the  beach,  the  drinks,  the  food, I  miss  Mexico. 

 Hands down, a  highlight  of  my  life. 

They love their dog...

 Isaac has fallen in love with his new friend Buckey. We rescued Buckey from a shelter and he has made himself at home. Isaac takes him for runs, walks, bike rides and hikes. 

Regardless of the weather, as soon as we get home from school, the boys are outside for a while. They run, they ride bikes, they play. Isaac seems to think Buckey needs to learn how to run while Isaac scooters, but for some reason, Mama isn't okay with that one yet! 

Isaac has a few responsibilities now that Buckey lives with us. Isaac is in charge of feeding him and picking up after him. :) 

Buckey has come to love Caitlyn, mostly because she feeds him what he isn't suppose to eat. 

Even if it is through the holes in the sides of the pack and play, Buckey isn't far from her when she has any kind of food.

Oh she knows exactly what she is doing, she loves it and so does Buckey! 

There is something so sweet about having a dog. Watching him love on the kids and watching the kids love on him is just one of the sweetest things.

Caitlyn and Jesus

We had the opportunity to dedicate our daughter a few weeks back. It was very special, a lot of our friends from our small group dedicated their children the same night so it was fun to be there with them as well.Papa and Nana came, Uncle Tim and Esther were there too.

I think there is something so powerful about dedicating our children. It is different than infant baptism because the choice to choose Jesus is left completely up to them and the Lord. My prayer is that my children would know Jesus and the freedom He brings not the captivity of religion. I desire them to have a relationship, unique to them, with the one and only Jesus. What ever that relationship looks like, is fine with me, I just want it to meet their needs and be what they want. 

We dedicated Isaac when he was younger as well, so this was Caitlyn's turn. It was a simple night, one done by our church family and led by our dear friend. It was different, as parents of two, Isaac got to participate. He asked me questions about it all week. He asked a lot of why questions and he was excited for his sister. It was fun to watch this moment through his eyes. 

I cannot describe this mama thing all that well, but I sure do enjoy it. I am excited to watch my kids grown up. I am loving the personalities that Lord has given them and it as been fun to discover new things with them. Thank you Jesus for my man and my babies. You are too good to me.

My love

Dear Andrew,

Happy Valentine's Day! I am not the biggest fan of this holiday but I am a big fan of us. I can honestly say that I love you more today than I ever have. I think you are the funniest person I know, I love our inside jokes, I love to watch TV with you, I think your sarcasm is funny, I love that you laugh with our kids and I love that you can make me laugh, even when I am grouchy. You have loved me through some rough stuff and honestly, for the first time in my life I think I know what it feels like to be loved for exactly who I am regardless of if my choices, words or actions are well liked. You have helped me embrace who the Lord has made me to be. You have given me the freedom to explore the things I like and do not like. You have loved me for who I am, day in and day out for 10ish years. Can you believe we have been in love that long? Married for almost 9 years but in love for 10ish... We are getting old...

The way you love me is perfect. You know just what to say or not say, you know when I need a break from the kids and the house work, you know that taking the kids and giving me time to clean is just what I need sometimes. You come home from the grocery store on random occasions with flowers for me, you cuddle with me on the couch and most of all, your love for me is something I have found freedom in.

I am so glad I married you, I would marry you all over again. I am proud to be your wife, I am honored to be the mother of your children and I wouldn't want another man's last name. You are the one I adore, you are the one I am excited to spend my life with and I gotta tell ya, I would choose to marry you all over again!

You are an amazing father. I love that our kids adore you. I love that you play monster trucks with our son. I love that you make time for them, to hang out with them, to build a relationship with them. I love that you pray with them and I love that you pray for them. I have always known that you were a good man, one that works hard, provides well, is honest, loves the Lord and is faithful, but you are an even better father. I cannot describe it, but when I hear you and the kids laughing, when you and Isaac hang out together in the man cave or when you guys read together, it is something so dear to me. Those moments are hot, baby!

I think you are handsome. I think you are sexy and I LOVE you! Thank you for being you. Thank you for loving me and I am excited for what we have coming this year. Thank you for fighting for me, for us and for our family. I love you. Happy Valentine's Day!

I love you!
Mary

Mad

Sweet girl is even sweet when she is mad at me. 

Nothing sweeter...

 There is nothing sweeter than a sweet Sister taking a bath in the kitchen sink! 

She loves the bath! She loves to take a bath in the sink! 

Mama loves it too. I can cook dinner, do the dishes, set the table, clean the kitchen, wash the floor, put away groceries. There is an endless list of things I can get done while she enjoys some bubbles in the sink. 

Such a sweet Sister. 

Christmas in January

Well, a little over a month ago, it was Christmas and it was a fun filled time at our house. Isaac and mama hung lights outside. It was the sweetest time, he did lots of the work and it was simple and yet fabulous! 

We decorated the inside of the house, the tree was perfect, there were touches of Jesus everywhere. The kids loved it. 

Caitlyn decorated and undecorated the tree almost every day. The kids sat on the arm of the couch and looked at the different ornaments. We read some Christmas books, not as many as we might have liked. We watched Christmas movies. We baked cookies and ate them! 

We snuggled, we laughed, we ate great food and we loved it. 

Isaac and mama made a little tree for Caitlyn to decorate and undecorate as often as she wanted. It was a huge hit and will definitely come out again next year. It was a fun craft for Isaac and mama to do together and it was fun to watch Caitlyn love it!  

Of course we saw Santa. Caitlyn was not the biggest fan of Santa, but this is the same Santa Isaac has had every year so far so he is a favorite of ours. It was a fun day, it is one of my favorite things to do with the kids. I took Isaac out of school early, we had a special lunch, we did some shopping, watched movies and relaxed once we told Santa what we wanted this year. Puzzles were big for Isaac this year! 

It was a fabulous celebration.