Davis says funny things everyday, but sometimes they stick with me, these are a few that did just that:
one~~We were at Panera for breakfast and there were some men who had huge blueprints on a table. Davis, terribly curious, wanted to ask what they were. I gave him permission to go ask, and he did. He thought it was amazing and on our way to the car he told me he wanted to be a worker like them. I assured him he could be whatever he wants to be when he grows up, and designing homes would be very cool. He thought about it for a minute then said, "Umm...no I want to marry a princess."
two~~Davis was playing with Ronin, giving him zerberts on his belly, rolling around with him, and helping him walk. But then, he comes to me and says, "Mommy, I'm gonna grapple him...soft." Kevin will be so proud.
three~~A friend of ours has two dogs that love to play fight (Lily and Pauli). We were at her house when the dogs were in the back doing just that, but it started to rain, so she let them in. To our shock, Lily was bleeding badly from one of her paws. We couldn't figure out what had happened. My friend suggested maybe Pauli did it. In the midst of cleaning the carpet, the kitchen floor, calling for some help, cleaning and bandaging Lily's foot, Davis said, "I think Pauli won."
8.31.2008
8.27.2008
only in the home of a Soldier
This morning Davis asked me to give him directions to where he was supposed to go in Iraq. He puts on a "soldier uniform" and pretends to be one of Daddy's soldiers. Ronin does too (says Davis). He gets in the airplane and flies to Iraq with his poom-poom (gun). Strangely, we could not pretend to go and find Daddy, seems that he knows it's not possible, not even in imaginary land. I haven't heard of many others whose sons pretend to go off to war, but we imitate what we love. Davis loves his Daddy and time has only increased his affection for him. Somehow (by the grace of God) time has not stirred up resentment in him but only an ache to see his Daddy come home.
8.26.2008
that moment
It seems there is a moment when you look at your little one and he doesn't look so little anymore, the baby is nearly gone and all that is left is a toddler. Yesterday that moment happened for Ronin. Look at him in his t-shirt, jeans, and converse!sharpies!!
Today at Hobby Lobby while getting supplies for a friend's birthday present I found a great deal on some Sharpie pens, 16 for $8.99. I'm enjoying them so much I took a picture so you can see them (I'm aware that there are some who will appreciate these more than others).
Freedom is...
I drive past a billboard every Tuesday afternoon that says:
FREEDOM IS: knowing I can afford my "mid-life crisis"
and it has a picture of a man driving a convertible sports car. Each time I pass it I feel sad that the statement on the ad is true for so many Americans. I could talk about how our country knows freedom in a way that few others do and that is a result of so many who have served and even given their lives so that we could claim countless freedoms. I hope that freedom means more to you than being able to purchase the "American Dream." I think everyone defines "Freedom" differently, if you are bold enough to do so, I would love to hear how you define it.
FREEDOM IS: knowing I can afford my "mid-life crisis"
and it has a picture of a man driving a convertible sports car. Each time I pass it I feel sad that the statement on the ad is true for so many Americans. I could talk about how our country knows freedom in a way that few others do and that is a result of so many who have served and even given their lives so that we could claim countless freedoms. I hope that freedom means more to you than being able to purchase the "American Dream." I think everyone defines "Freedom" differently, if you are bold enough to do so, I would love to hear how you define it.
8.25.2008
look how big
Because Davis is squatting next to his "very long roller coaster" you can't really see how big he's getting, but he is all boy now, not an ounce of toddler left in him (except maybe his pant size). Ronin is on the left with his friend, Wesley. Ronin is definitely toddling around. He walks more and more everyday!
I can't take the credit for these great pictures, Wesley's mom took them, Thanks!
some new news
It's been quite a while since I've been able to post anything about Kevin, but I just received a bulletin from their company that I thought I would share:
HHC “Headhunter" TEAM CRO
(Civil Reconstruction Operations)
Headquarters now has another title, TEAM CRO. Their new purpose is to escort and secure the Civil Affairs team and other non-lethal elements as they go out into the city of Mosul and the surrounding areas to help the Iraqi people by securing improvement projects to make the city/ village a better place. This mission allows the Civil Affairs team maximum capability and flexibility to better perform and help the people of Iraq, whether it be by getting a school or market built, repairing and aiding in hospital needs, getting a road repaved, putting in a new drinking water supply source, or even setting up a farmer’s Co-Op.
Pretty good news I thought, and it's better than being in mortar fights.
HHC “Headhunter" TEAM CRO
(Civil Reconstruction Operations)
Headquarters now has another title, TEAM CRO. Their new purpose is to escort and secure the Civil Affairs team and other non-lethal elements as they go out into the city of Mosul and the surrounding areas to help the Iraqi people by securing improvement projects to make the city/ village a better place. This mission allows the Civil Affairs team maximum capability and flexibility to better perform and help the people of Iraq, whether it be by getting a school or market built, repairing and aiding in hospital needs, getting a road repaved, putting in a new drinking water supply source, or even setting up a farmer’s Co-Op.
Pretty good news I thought, and it's better than being in mortar fights.
8.22.2008
"I wanna talk more about..."
[Note: If you are reading this blog for the first time our son, Davis, is only 4 years old.]
Davis has a good ear, what I mean is, he listens to everything. Most often it is lyrics, he always wants to know what people are singing about. Some days I won't even listen to music I don't feel like explaining. Today we were listening to "The Church" by Derek Webb and Davis asked what he was singing about. I began with, "He's singing about the church." Davis asked (as we were passing a community college) "That building?" Which led me to talk about exactly what I wanted to talk about, "Well, a lot of people say that church is a building, but the Bible tells us that the Church is really God's people, not the building." I can't remember now what happened, but we got distracted from our conversation, but less than a minute later, Davis said to me, "I wanna talk more about the Church."
And we did. I explained further how because God's people are the Church, the Church is anywhere His people are. Because His people are far more important to Him than any building! Then I asked Davis what he thought was important to God.
"Hmm...I don't know," he said.
"I'll give you a hint, it's the same reason He made everything."
"For His glory!!"
"That's right!" I responded with just as much enthusiasm.
"He is soooo beautiful!" And he went on to talk about how amazing God is because of everything He's made. All I could say in response was "You're so right, Davis. He is."
Three hours later, he had fallen from some steps onto pavement and he was doing better, but he says to me, "God makes ow-ies feel better." I started to refute him, thinking of only the tangible, but then it hit me, and I said, "He makes everything better."
"You know why, Mommy? It's for God's glory."
Davis has a good ear, what I mean is, he listens to everything. Most often it is lyrics, he always wants to know what people are singing about. Some days I won't even listen to music I don't feel like explaining. Today we were listening to "The Church" by Derek Webb and Davis asked what he was singing about. I began with, "He's singing about the church." Davis asked (as we were passing a community college) "That building?" Which led me to talk about exactly what I wanted to talk about, "Well, a lot of people say that church is a building, but the Bible tells us that the Church is really God's people, not the building." I can't remember now what happened, but we got distracted from our conversation, but less than a minute later, Davis said to me, "I wanna talk more about the Church."
And we did. I explained further how because God's people are the Church, the Church is anywhere His people are. Because His people are far more important to Him than any building! Then I asked Davis what he thought was important to God.
"Hmm...I don't know," he said.
"I'll give you a hint, it's the same reason He made everything."
"For His glory!!"
"That's right!" I responded with just as much enthusiasm.
"He is soooo beautiful!" And he went on to talk about how amazing God is because of everything He's made. All I could say in response was "You're so right, Davis. He is."
Three hours later, he had fallen from some steps onto pavement and he was doing better, but he says to me, "God makes ow-ies feel better." I started to refute him, thinking of only the tangible, but then it hit me, and I said, "He makes everything better."
"You know why, Mommy? It's for God's glory."
desperate times
I would bank on nearly every person knowing what follows that phrase...call for desperate measures. We went swimming today and it just knocks Ronin out; he was asleep within 3 minutes of being in the car. As a result, he took his nap early without having lunch, which put his entire routine off a little.
During this past week, Ronin has consistently used the sign "please" correctly, it is not only cute, but very (might I say VERY) helpful and effective. However, it has replaced some other signs that he was using, like "milk" simply because it achieves the same goal. Though I still sign "milk" to him when it is given.
Tonight after our FRG Game Night, where the children doubled the attendance I sat Ronin in his chair for his before-bed milk and snack. Before I even had him buckled he was signing "milk" as if he hadn't had any for days. Are we not the same? When we are feeling really desperate, it's as if all the sudden we can clearly communicate exactly what it is we need.
During this past week, Ronin has consistently used the sign "please" correctly, it is not only cute, but very (might I say VERY) helpful and effective. However, it has replaced some other signs that he was using, like "milk" simply because it achieves the same goal. Though I still sign "milk" to him when it is given.
Tonight after our FRG Game Night, where the children doubled the attendance I sat Ronin in his chair for his before-bed milk and snack. Before I even had him buckled he was signing "milk" as if he hadn't had any for days. Are we not the same? When we are feeling really desperate, it's as if all the sudden we can clearly communicate exactly what it is we need.
8.19.2008
what's your secret?
Today we were on our way back home and Davis asked if we could go to Black Bear (a favorite coffee shop of ours here in the Springs). I told him I would think about it, when we pulled up, he gasped in excitement. We walked in and he told the lady he wanted a hot chocolate, a spontaneous change from his usual cold chocolate milk. I ordered us a blueberry scone to share, then we sat down at a table. After sitting for a few minutes, Davis asked if he could go tell the ladies thank you for his hot cocoa. He did; they were amazed, and thought he was the sweetest, most precious boy ever. I admit, I think he's pretty great too.
As we were leaving, he accidentally dropped his cocoa (it had a lid, but the landing was too harsh) and it spilled. Most kids, and even Davis on a bad day, would have started crying right then and there. But today Davis said, "Oh no!!" The owner said, "It's okay, we can clean it up and it just means we have to make you another extra special one!" And that's exactly what they did, and he thanked them again, specifically for making him another one. There was a man there and he looked at me and asked, "What's your secret?" I responded with only one word, but could've said more: "Consistency."
As we were leaving, he accidentally dropped his cocoa (it had a lid, but the landing was too harsh) and it spilled. Most kids, and even Davis on a bad day, would have started crying right then and there. But today Davis said, "Oh no!!" The owner said, "It's okay, we can clean it up and it just means we have to make you another extra special one!" And that's exactly what they did, and he thanked them again, specifically for making him another one. There was a man there and he looked at me and asked, "What's your secret?" I responded with only one word, but could've said more: "Consistency."
8.18.2008
dancing through the tears
Yesterday our pastor spoke on Psalm 30 and the message title was, "Dancing with Broken Bones" (eventually you can listen to it here, it's just not up yet). It was powerful, it was needed, and it was gracious. Why is it when we are hurting (in whatever way: physical, emotional, spiritual) our tendency is to back away, sit down, and just try to survive? "For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (30:5) Joy will be deeper, peace more sustaining, love more overwhelming if I will dance. Dance when I'm weeping, because He will be carrying me.
"Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones which You have crushed rejoice" (Ps. 51:8).
"Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones which You have crushed rejoice" (Ps. 51:8).
8.15.2008
a powerful moment
There was a Women's Memorial at Arlington Cemetery and the current presentation is a photographic chronicling of the American Soldier from the Civil War to Iraq war (not women...just The American Soldier).
I cried several times. The similarities are incredible....war is always the same and never the same. Husbands always have to leave their wives, fathers always have to leave their children, sons always have to leave parents. There is always injustice to be fought. The kind of injustice is always different, but it's always against humanity. Maybe of different color maybe of different culture, but always against people. It's always people. I looked at every photograph, every caption, and I was captivated by each one. Certain ones made more of an impression than others: the one of a soldier smelling the first letter he had received from his wife, the one of a woman exclaiming to soldiers that "all Belfront is liberated" during WWII, the one of a soldier cradling another after he's found his battle buddy has died, the one of a wounded medic still caring for another soldier, and this list could go on. Not until the Gulf War photos did color appear, and somehow, it made it more real, touching deeper, the color bringing a life and reality to the event and a connection to where we are now. When I turned the corner to the photos of the Iraq war each step through the hall brought a tear to my eye, dates and places were familiar to me, too familiar.
I cried several times. The similarities are incredible....war is always the same and never the same. Husbands always have to leave their wives, fathers always have to leave their children, sons always have to leave parents. There is always injustice to be fought. The kind of injustice is always different, but it's always against humanity. Maybe of different color maybe of different culture, but always against people. It's always people. I looked at every photograph, every caption, and I was captivated by each one. Certain ones made more of an impression than others: the one of a soldier smelling the first letter he had received from his wife, the one of a woman exclaiming to soldiers that "all Belfront is liberated" during WWII, the one of a soldier cradling another after he's found his battle buddy has died, the one of a wounded medic still caring for another soldier, and this list could go on. Not until the Gulf War photos did color appear, and somehow, it made it more real, touching deeper, the color bringing a life and reality to the event and a connection to where we are now. When I turned the corner to the photos of the Iraq war each step through the hall brought a tear to my eye, dates and places were familiar to me, too familiar.
8.08.2008
in honor of Kenzi...
I have been doing my best to motivate Ronin to walk, we borrowed a walker-toy from a friend, I cheer for every attempt, I applaud when he just stands on his own. He took three steps last Friday, and has done about that many or less since then.
Last night, he took eight (honoring Kenzi) steps at our friend's house!!! We all cheered. Davis got so excited he gave me a huge hug. Needless to say, we're pretty excited. Probably me most of all--this means I won't have to carry him anymore!!
Last night, he took eight (honoring Kenzi) steps at our friend's house!!! We all cheered. Davis got so excited he gave me a huge hug. Needless to say, we're pretty excited. Probably me most of all--this means I won't have to carry him anymore!!
8.02.2008
it must be a new word
Davis is such a big boy that he does much of his bedtime routine by himself. Particularly, he washes his hands all on his own. Often he'll ask me why he only gets one cookie, or only half a glass of chocolate milk, and often my answer is, "because it's the right amount for a four-year-old."
Lately, he will go into the bathroom to wash his hands, and he'll come back out in 10 seconds holding his hand out, asking, "Is this the right a-mountain?" I haven't even corrected him becauase it cracks me up. It is the foamy soap, so I suppose it actually looks a little like a mountain, but I think he just doesn't know the word "amount" and so he's made it into a word he does know. Either way, I love it!
Lately, he will go into the bathroom to wash his hands, and he'll come back out in 10 seconds holding his hand out, asking, "Is this the right a-mountain?" I haven't even corrected him becauase it cracks me up. It is the foamy soap, so I suppose it actually looks a little like a mountain, but I think he just doesn't know the word "amount" and so he's made it into a word he does know. Either way, I love it!
8.01.2008
five...
Today is our five year anniversary. It is crazy, amazing, and beautiful to look back on the past five years and see everything that has happened. The journey thus far has been pretty adventurous: pregnant within the first month of marriage, joining the Army, two deployments, pregnant within the first week of mid-tour leave, moving and moving and moving, and everything in between. I had the wonderful opporutunity to talk to Kevin a few days ago and I told him that I look back and think, "I wouldn't trade it for anything." And the very next thought is, "Am I crazy?" Then I realize that there is a peace and a satisfaction that comes with knowing you are in the right place, even if you don't understand it at the time.
the best and worst of sprinklers
The last three times that I have let Ronin "play" in the sprinklers, he has cried, almost immediately when the water touches him. We went to the pool a few days ago and he didn't really like that either at first, but by the end of our two hours there, he was loving it and didn't want to leave.
Davis on the other hand, loves sprinklers. Grandpa was watering his lawn (this was back in Oklahoma) and Davis wanted to go play in the sprinkler--one problem, he didn't have a swimsuit. I told him he would have to wear just his undies; he was in! He didn't even care that he couldn't wear undies to go home (because they were wet). Last night, we were taking a short walk around our neighborhood and the sprinklers were on, Davis instantly popped the question, "Can I go play in the sprinklers?" I explained that those weren't really for playing in, but that I would let him walk by them and get a little bit wet. Apparently that was enough. He ran over (but not in the grass) and let the water spray him. He comes running back to me and says, "I got sprink on me!!"
Davis on the other hand, loves sprinklers. Grandpa was watering his lawn (this was back in Oklahoma) and Davis wanted to go play in the sprinkler--one problem, he didn't have a swimsuit. I told him he would have to wear just his undies; he was in! He didn't even care that he couldn't wear undies to go home (because they were wet). Last night, we were taking a short walk around our neighborhood and the sprinklers were on, Davis instantly popped the question, "Can I go play in the sprinklers?" I explained that those weren't really for playing in, but that I would let him walk by them and get a little bit wet. Apparently that was enough. He ran over (but not in the grass) and let the water spray him. He comes running back to me and says, "I got sprink on me!!"
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