My Favorite Josiah

My baby boy turned 4 years old yesterday. I just can't believe it! He's getting so tall and learning something new every day.

When Josiah was a baby, he was very shy. If a person approached him, he'd bury his face into my neck until they walked away. He didn't give out smiles very often. In fact, one of the first smiles I have on camera is from his first Christmas--9 months old!

Josiah has a big brother that is used to getting attention and a baby sister that still needs a little bit of attention--so he has learned to adapt. I often find him using his imagination in hiding places. Although he loves to be with his siblings, he also really likes his alone time.

"Every family needs a Josiah!" That is what a friend of the family told us when we were naming Josiah--they also have a son named Josiah. We didn't understand what they meant then, but now we do. With our big guy, there is never a dull moment. We constantly laugh at things that he says or does. He knows one volume-- LOUD! It's just not in him to be quiet. He is such a joy in our family.

Josiah is a very quick learner and a quiet learner. In other words, sometimes I don't even realize that he is learning unless I ask him. He just takes it all in and doesn't offer things up unless there is a need or a question.

Clothes bug Josiah, so we often see him running around as "Tarzan". Josiah doesn't like water to get on his clothes either. Not even a drop. :) He changes outfits quite often.

Josiah looks up to his brother so much. He always wants Isaac to be happy and will sacrifice in order to make sure that he is. He also loves to be a big brother to Olivia and see that she is taken care of. He has such a neat relationship (both very unique) with both of his siblings. He seems to be the glue.

I love my prince and I'm so proud of the person he is becoming. He has a heart for God and a love for people. I enjoy watching him grow and change.

Josiah, God has big plans for you! I love you so much, my 4 year old!!!

Cowboys and Cowgirls

The long awaited day finally came--the day of the birthday party!

Watch out for this cowboy.

I love this picture. Josiah busted his lip the day before the party--perfect look!

She thinks her buddy is so funny.

Some of the cowgirls.

Sweet friends.

Happy Birthday, boys!

We thought this caterpillar was cool because its markings look like little penguins. Click on the picture to zoom in, and check it out for yourself. Penguins I tell ya!

Present time!

Josiah thought his Batman sheets were "awesome"!

It was so fun to have Gee there!

The whole gang headed down the path.

Lots of nature to check out.

We love our friends!

It's A Secret

Isaac had a pretty fun day. He picked McDonald's for lunch--to go inside McDonald's. Jay and I are proud to admit that we have never been in our McDonald's...until today.

We kept telling the boys that they were going somewhere special tonight, but that it was a secret. They guessed and guessed and guessed!!! Here are some guesses: the pool, the library (my personal favorite guess-ha!), Wendy's (the restaurant), Texas, Nana's, the park, the movie theater, to get ice cream, to get a "blue drink", to church, Mum-Z's concert, Disney World, Fish World (Josiah's guess--no clue!)...

But first, Isaac wanted a sandwich with a candle in it for dinner. I love his simplicity.

He loved it!

Josiah whispering some of his guesses.

We told the boys where we were while we were in the parking garage. This is Isaac's first reaction.

It took Josiah a little longer to catch on.

Disney on Ice!!

Isaac thinks Donald Duck is so funny--mainly because my dad (aka Buff) talks like Donald Duck when the boys talk to him on the phone. :) We miss you, Buff!

He really took it all in.

We've been anxiously awaiting Cars to come on ice, and they came tonight!!! This was our favorite part and didn't last long enough.

Little Mermaid fish...

Liv really likes fish, so she was hooked. Sorry, I couldn't help it.

Simba and Nala

Thank you, Papa and Nana for tonight. We all had such a great time and have lots of memories stored up!

My Favorite Isaac

I can't believe that 6 years ago (at 2:23 a.m., to be exact) I was blessed with Isaac Joshua. He changed our world completely! We had a rough start with our colicky baby, but he soon proved his name meaning to be true, "laughter". He would smile at anyone and bring us to tears with the funny things he would do.

Isaac says his favorite things are t.v. and food. Hmmm...

His favorite colors are orange (thanks, Dawn :)) and red. He wants to be a doctor and play the drums when he grows up. He says that he loves his mommy and he's thankful that he gets to go to the campground for his birthday (he's right beside me and says, "Love, Isaac").

I love watching Isaac during church. He takes everything in and wants to understand everything that goes on. He has two Bibles that he takes such good care of and he wants to read from them all of the time. He always asks tough questions that would leave a theologian scrambling for words. At three years old, he asked me if Jesus is still dead. I told him that no, Jesus rose from the grave. I explained it all to him, and I saw such a huge light come into his eyes. Isaac always talks about how powerful God is.

I'm so thankful for Isaac's heart. He always makes sure that we are being taken care of and loves each friend that comes into his life. I can't wait to see the man that he will become.

Isaac, God has big plans for you (baseball :))! Happy Birthday, my 6 year old!!

Warning!

I thought about you all today (my fellow bloggers) as I cleaned the kitchen three times, refolded folded laundry, cleaned out dresser drawers that are still too full, ate too much, took a shower at 3 p.m., picked up toys again, stopped fights, listened to screams, refilled drinks for kids, wiped kids, bathed kids, dressed kids, spanked kids, chased kids, played with kids, home schooled kids, read to kids, thought about kids, breathed kids, dreamed of kids--you get the point.

I'm sure I was warned beforehand that becoming a parent is very hard. You don't sleep when you want, eat when you want, or even enjoy the things you want.

I think I just kind of laughed off those warnings.

But I know for a fact I was warned about the love I would feel for my kids. When I heard that warning (numerous times), I didn't really understand it. Now I do.

I seem to be wrapped around kids at this stage in my life, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Each child of mine has such a special place in my heart. Who would I be without them today? I can't even imagine.

So, as I tucked them in bed tonight, I cuddled with Isaac a little bit longer, I listened closely to Josiah's last thought, and I told Olivia how special she is to me and that I hope I can be a good example to her of a godly mother--because I love them all more than I could ever tell them.

I thought about you all, because I'm sure you all feel the same way, if you have kids. If you don't yet have kids, let this be a warning.

Another Beach Day (Post 2 tonight)

Ah, what a beautiful day! Today, we headed out to a beach that we had not yet visited. We had such a great time!

Here, Isaac is jumping, but he and Josiah had been rolling down this sand hill. "Rolling down the sand hills, rolling down the sand hills. Ooh, ah, whee!" Can anyone name the show that that song is from?

My one and only picture of Olivia. This is all she did...played with seashells. She thought it was too cold to hang out in the water. I was excited for her to strut around in the new bathing suit I had bought her, but she just sat around like a cute beach bum in Isaac's old shirt--"My Dad is my Hero."

I wonder how long just splashing around in the shallow water will be fun for them?

Happy guys!

Josiah decided to bury himself (he saw this on t.v. or something, and thought he'd give it a try.)

He didn't get very far.

Thanks Auntie Rachel...

...it flew high this time!!

They can't stand to not be side by side.

Josiah took loads of sand back out to the ocean.

We found a new place to play!

They thought they were really jumping from high up (reminds me of the time the Dietz cousins did flips out of swings).

One last jump!

What a perfect day!

We also had lunch at a terrific Mexican food restaurant! And then we stopped by Fort Mose on the way out of St. Augustine. It was so interesting. Isaac could not stop asking us questions about slavery after we left. Check out the link...HERE and HERE.

Princess Olivia. This is a princess towel from Gee, complete with a golden crown hood. She felt pretty special.