Happy Birthday, Jonah!

Three years ago (almost) I was blessed beyond belief when God entrusted me with the handsomest little boy!  He has brought so much joy to my life as I watch him grow from the little baby to a big three-year old.  He has become one smart, talkative, inquisitive, silly, active, cuddly boy, and I love him sooooo very much!

Since they are inducing on his birthday if the new little one doesn't come before, we celebrated today!  He picked out everything and had very special requests: cake with sprinkles (Funfetti), blue ice cream in a cone, and a dinosaur cake - a "spikeiasaurus" to be exact.  I think he was pleased.

Here is Jonah on his new scooter.  I think the helmet was his favorite part. :D

I also decided that his third birthday would be a great age to start interviewing him each year.  (Thank you Pinterest for the wonderful idea.) So, without further ado . . .

Jonah’s 3^rd Birthday

What is your favorite color? green

What is your favorite toy? My Hot Wheels I got for Christmas.

What is your favorite fruit? grapes

What is your favorite TV show? Bubble Guppies

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? grapes

What is your favorite thing to wear? Curious George shirt

What is your favorite game? Train game

What is your favorite animal? lion

What is your favorite snack? raisins

What is your favorite song? Frosty and Snowman

What is your favorite book? Dinosaur book

What is your favorite cereal? Frosted Flakes

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play soccer

Who is your best friend? Mamzie

What is your favorite drink? Blueberry juice

What is your favorite holiday? Snow!

What do you take to bed with you at night? Glow sticks, Real Teddy, Copper, night light, snowman blank

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? grapes

What do you want to be when you grow up? Strong

What do you want for dinner on your birthday? grapes

What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy? Play soccer

What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy? Cuddle

What do you pray about? Everyone

What do you love about yourself? Jo – N-A-H

What is your favorite thing about your brothers? They are my best friends.

So, there is our little boy in a nutshell!  The next blog will show his "Daddy shirt" pics - unless a baby comes first.  We can only have so much fun in one day :D

Out of the Mouths . . .

We are planning on putting Jonah in soccer once we get to Georgia so he will have something "big boy" to do and something to keep him excited once the missing Daddy sets in.  I found a picture for him to paint of a tiger playing goalie.

While we were painting this conversation occurred:

Me: You know, when you play soccer there is a goalie who tries to keep the ball out of the net.
Jonah: Will it be a tiger or a lion?
Me: Neither, it will be another little kid like you!
(After thinking about this problem . . .)
Jonah: Maybe I could take him some snacks?

This kid will win one way or another :D

Resolution Revelation

As a student I always dreaded the first day back after Christmas break.  It was inevitable.  I was going to be asked to write a journal entry on my New Year's resolutions.  Some how they didn't get the message that I was already perfect and didn't need to work on anything ;)  So, every year I wrote the same one - This year I am going to be nicer to my sister. 

As I have grown, I have given up on being nicer to my sister - just kidding.  But, I have at least made some different resolutions.  I come up with them from several places.

1. I find something I don't like about myself and make a resolution to change it.
2. I find something I like about someone else and make a resolution to develop that character trait/habit/skill.
3. I hear a sermon or read about a great idea and decide that if I can't think of anything better then I will make a resolution to do that.

And so it went every year.  Now, I know some people don't make resolutions because they know they won't keep them.  I have a different view.  Even if I failed I tried.  For example, memorize a Bible verse a week - even if I don't make it but three weeks I know three more than I did.  Or don't eat chocolate - at least I went a few days before I ate all the chocolate I could find :D  Other people don't make resolutions because they think that you could make those changes anytime.  Which you could.

This year I had a revelation.  (I chose the word revelation because it was a alliteration with resolution - like?)  My way of coming up with resolutions was terrible on so many levels.  First, if I was going to succeed at keeping any resolution it would have to be through God's strength and power.  There was no way that I could keep up any routine even on my worst days and also keep a positive, joyful attitude.  Secondly, if I was depending on God to help me become like someone else or fix something I didn't like about myself I was out of luck.  He made me ME, and He wants to help me change to be more like him, not more like Mrs. So-and-So.  This revelation might be a big "duh" to you, but I can be a slow learner. 

I can't say that I was excited to find out what God had for me this up-coming year.  After all, my resolution was going to be survival.  What else could I stack on top of moving, a deployment, and a new baby?  However, God is faithful and he gave me a resolution that I would never have chosen: be a prayer warrior for my family. Thankfully he didn't ask me to write a book or potty train the twins. (He knows that will take a miracle - and lots of patience.)  He asked me to pray.  It is perfect and the most powerful thing I can do for my family this year.  Not only can I do it while changing diapers and playing Mr. Potato Head, but I can also do it during the quiet times when the kiddos are in bed and I would usually be talking to Danny.  I can talk to my Father.  I am sure He will use my time in prayer to help me just as much as He will use it to help others. 

So, here's to 2013!  I am so excited to see what God has in store!

The Boys' Christmas Surprise!

First, I have to say, Danny was a willing volunteer.  He actually loves Pintrest.  He never gets on there, but he does enjoy all the new recipes that I glean.  I think he also likes all the fun things I find for the boys - like this project!

My boys LOVE tents, forts, clubhouses - whatever you want to call them.  They have a cabinet in the kitchen for this purpose but as they have gotten bigger it has become harder to share that small space.  I try, really I do, but I don't have an engineering degree and that is apparently what it takes to construct a fort that doesn't have to be "remodeled" every 5 seconds.  I tried a sheet over the table, but I lose a table.  I tried chairs with a sheet over them, but it falls all - the - time.  So, when I saw this fort on Pintrest I was determined to make it.

Here are the instructions if you are interested: http://www.angryjuliemonday.com/2011/08/01/pvc-pipe-fort-tutorial/

Here is our finished product:

It was very simple and would have been even easier if our saw had been powered.  However, Danny powered it just fine.  Once the poles were cut it took 5 minutes max to assemble.  The directions recommend using a rubber mallet to put it together, but I didn't want the poles to be in so tight that I couldn't get them out.  I like that I can take it down and pull it out again when I want a tent in my living room.  It keeps it from becoming boring.  I am still looking for a bigger piece of fabric, but this one will do for now.  I love that the open top allows for puppet shows!  Danny is great at puppet shows too!

Just one last warning.  If you happen to have a two year old who gets in trouble,  (what two year old doesn't?)  he or she will use it as a hiding place so they can pout and it is not easy to pull him out when you are as big as a hippo :D