5 year old in the house!!!

We celebrated our Henry's 5th birthday in June...the 14th....wow! Just like we all say, its flown by. What a remarkable kid he is. Loving, sincere, honest, dependable, fun-loving, silly, INQUSITIVE, and thoughtful are all words I'd use to describe him. I am amazed at the difference a year makes in a child and what they are capable of and are ready for. He's become much more adventurous this year and has really built his confidence in trying new things. He's more thoughtful than one just to jump in and try it...and that's ok! I see him as the voice of reason for his younger brother! God has blessed us with an amazingly, loving little boy that we are doing our best to train into a man who will love Him. I am so grateful that Henry has a heart that is responsive and already has a love for the Lord. When I think of my hopes and dreams for him, there are many, but the greatest is that he have a wonderfully real, exciting, adventurous relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ....all else will be handed to him, if he seeks first the kingdom of God.
How many hours did I rock this sweet tiny baby in my arms? How many times have I kissed his sweet face? How many times have I hugged his precious frame? How many times have I sung to him his special Henry song? The Lord only knows and I have enjoyed every single moment of it.
When I think of my life before him and how it has changed, I am amazed...My Jesus is who has changed me and my Henry was a catalyst for most of it. Children that you love do that to you, don't they? They make me search for what is real and what is lasting. Thank you Jesus for giving up your life, that I may have an abundant life NOW, here on this earth, with my husband, my children and my family and friends. I am so grateful.

In this first pic, I asked him to show me how excited he was for his birthday party that day....pretty excited, I'd say.

We had a rocket ship themed party...with rocket ship shaped invitations, jet packs, rocket shaped birthday cake, alien crafts and even an outer space room! Brent worked so hard on our basement, turning it into outer space. He built a rocket ship, hung stars from the ceiling, hung white streamers and put up black lights everwhere, so that it would all glow in the dark! The kids had a blast!!!!

Jet packs...so cute!

Here he is with many of his friends....

rocketship cake that was DELICIOUS.... Alison helped me make it!

I love having birthday parties...a focused day on each of the kids once a year isn't too indulgent and what great memories it builds. Each of their actual birth days were such a blessing to our family and we want to celebrate that!! HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY HENRY!

our funny man turns 2!

Here he is...the funny guy, the life of the party, the one who can turn any situation into a fun one. He just cracks us up. He knows he's funny too. He tries to make us laugh and I love that about him. I can see him being the one to cheer his friends up, the one who can laugh at himself and make others comfortable...

I am taking a cue from Beth Moore and starting birthday letters to my children. I will keep those private and include them in their baby books. I hope that I can convey all to them that they mean to me at each year in their lives. I pray that it will be a blessing to them in their adult years to know how much they were treasured as children.

We celebrated Harry's 2nd birthday at home with 3 of his friends...Keegan and Caroline Dosek and Steven Joseph. The theme of the party was Mickey Mouse, of course, and they had a blast! We themed the party around a mickey book we have about having a picnic with your friends. We had the same menu as in the book....mouska dogs (nitrate/nitrate fee, of course!) , corn on the cob, fruit salad, cake and ice cream!

We brought all of our mickey mouse toys, books, blankets and stuffed animals down to the party and had fun mickey ears for all the kids to wear. In true fashion, they wore them for about 2minutes and then were on to better things...like chasing each other around with light sabers. I love how boys play!

For his birthday, we gave him a new guitar so that he, henry and daddy all have their own for their sessions of guitar hero. He love it and dances the whole time he's playing it. In fact, Harry dances EVERYTIME he hears music. A commercial, the radio, even the rhythm of the breast pump sends him into a routine. I tell ya, he's a riot! He also got some new books and lots of bubble blowing paraphernalia.

It was a fun, low key easy birthday party. Thanks to Brent for cooking all of the food and even sending plates home with our guests! What a dad. Happy 2nd Birthday Harry! You are truly a blessing to our family and a lover of life! Can't wait to see what God has in store for you!

Ruby's 2nd month

Ha! Well, since Ruby is now 3months old, it seems fitting that I should do her 2month old post! Hey...I am getting it done and I want to have it documented! I so wish I was the blogger like so many of my friends, but hence...I am not. I shall try and do my best.

Ruby is a wonderful baby and she is doing very well in her 2 months of life here on earth. She is definitely into a routine as far as eating goes and still likes to partake every 3 hours or so. Every once in a while she would push it to 4 hours. She started smiling at 6 weeks and she does the cutest thing! When she first sees you and is about to smile, she kind of squeezes her eyes shut and then opens them with the biggest smile. It just melts my heart! It's her own little wink! Her brothers are still captivated by her and I am so blessed by that. I hope it continues.
here, she's just done her wink and smile...
here, holding hands with grammy...
and here, in my arms...I love this picture...and I love you, ruby!