Happy Moments

There are so many times (thankfully, much grace here!) that my heart feels full.  I just want to hold onto them.

It is pure joy to watch them together.  Even in this current stage, as tears come from Nate or yells from Abi when the other has taken something or not behaved as the other would have wished – they’re working out their relationship.  It will take work as they get older – and I’m glad that they work through it – even as little bitties.  They have a fierce love already and they bright up each other’s face in such a unique way.

 

It makes this momma happy!

Getting Outnumbered

You know when you should have said something a long time ago – and then you realize that you haven’t?

This is one of those times.  Not that this blog notes every event in our lives, but it tends to capture most of the big ones in the name of future preservation and nostalgia.  My realization?  I have never mentioned that we’re about to be outnumbered.

2 parents.  3 kids.

Baby Wallace #3 will be coming in July!  We’re pretty excited.  And a little overwhelmed too.  But, in the good way.  If that makes sense.  Overwhelmed in the ‘good way’ tends to make us realize our smallness, our humility.  We become infinitely more thankful and reliant on the Lord.

Oh, and there is one more thing.  Because I took so long to mention our new wee one on the blog, two announcements get to come at once.  I’m about to be outnumbered in a different way.

2 girls.  3 boys.

We decided to find out this time what baby would be.  Nate and brother will be 17 months apart.  I imagine our house will be in for some crazy.  Feeling a bit overwhelmed.  But, in the good way.

Sweet baby boy Wallace – we are so pumped that you’re growing to grow our family and make us outnumbered.  We feel so blessed that God gave us another little Wallace to love.

A little Dr. Seuss, a little Zoo, a little bit o’ good times

I was working last week when one of my co-workers busted out “Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss.”  What now?  I laughed and told her I found her funny.  Who knows when Dr. Seuss’ birthday is?!  But, given the spirit of the Lorax, and just some general blog-perusing…it seems as though quite a bit of people knew when his birthday was!  And despite some of his books being a bit strange – he really did have some ideas to put out there and I appreciate the quirkiness!  So, a bit belated…but, Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Just a little zoo for ya:

*The koalas who are awaiting everyone who will flock to the zoo during Spring Break!!  Cuteness indeed.

*Maybe it’s him earlier in the summer?!  Our koalas are from the San Diego Zoo – this guy is from our trip there in the summer…who knows?!?!  His apparent love of sleeping and eucalyptus leaves is undeniable.

“Be who you are and say what you feel, 
because those who mind don't matter, 
and those who matter don't mind” 
― Dr. Seuss

“I’m glad we had the times together just to laugh and sing a song, seems like we just got started and then before you know it, the times we had together were gone.”

― Dr. Seuss

Happy Birthday, dear Nate!

This year of life with you has made us thankful.  We pray these next 365 days of life offer joy, love, and much grace as you grow into a most wonderful little boy.  We love you, Nate the great!

Just celebrate love

Valentine’s Day has turned a bit upside down when you have kiddos.  Really, it’s a day to celebrate romantic love.  However, try explaining that to a 3 year old (who has been excited for Valentine’s Day for weeks, because it is a day that consists of hearts, sweets, and lots of pink, red and purple!) and you don’t have much to go on.  Plus, many of the things that are celebrated or encouraged on Valentine’s Day I find just silly.

But, a day that just celebrates love?  I can totally get on board with that.

Abi too.

We’ve had a lot of fun the past week or so just talking about love.  How much God loves us, how much we love our family, how much I love her daddy, how much I love her & Nate, how much she loves her daddy (and then remembers to add me in for good measure!), how much we love our friends, oh the list goes on and on.  And isn’t that amazing.  Just to celebrate love and the gift that it is.

So to you:

& you:

 

My heart is full.  I love you two with a beautiful intensity that I am so grateful for.  Oh goodness, and the lessons that you teach me.  The fun that is had, the grace that is practiced…love to you.

And to you:

Oh my, did God pour out extravagance on me.  I love you for the man that you are and the man that you are becoming.  I’m so grateful that we journey together and don’t ever arrive; that we get to continue the adventure hand in hand.  You are good, kind, really funny, faithful, an encourager, you love me well.   All my love to you.

‘the energy of the American small boy is astonishing’

From this article

Oh goodness, and my ‘American small boy’ is nowhere near the crazy that will continually come.  But, he does leave me pretty darn tired.  His sister too.  Quite the lovely duo.

(oops – but grab the camera quick, because it’s kind of funny, Nate was in heaven)

Through a blog that I enjoy reading (and getting general encouragement from!); they posted a link to the above article.  Some comments of the great C.S. Lewis that I’d never read before.  And we have a general credo in our house that anything that came out of the mouth of CS Lewis is like gold.

My brother and I have just had the experience of an American lady to stay with us accompanied by her two sons, aged 9 1/2 and 8. Whew! Lovely creatures — couldn’t meet nicer children — but the pace! I realize have never respected young married people enough and never dreamed of the Sabbath calm which descends on the house when the little cyclones have gone to bed and all the grown-ups fling themselves into chairs and the silence of exhaustion.

I am so tired on many days.  The house is crazy, I don’t feel like I accomplished much of real value.  Legitimate feelings, but silly lies that are fed to us women. 

Oh, do not be misled…it is not just one couch:

But, I am reminded that this is a beautiful season.  There will be times that come when the laundry gets totally in done in one day (like washed – dried – folded – AND put away!) – and I will miss “the pace.”  Thankfulness.  It so often boils down that that, doesn’t it?  I was reminded of it yesterday by a wonderful woman, and I am grateful for it.

For those of you who heart reading too…

I just love books.  (Insert plug for book clubs in general, such a great excuse to get together with great girls and have a good reason to be consistent in reading!  I might also add that I have the best book club in the world – just sayin’)

 

(Occasionally while Abi is in school, I’ll try to get some errands done when I’m just a one-kid momma.  Nate usually crashes in the car for about 30 minutes…and I feel obliged to run to the coffee shop and read in the car – a prepared lady never leaves home without her book!)

I want Abi & Nate to love books.  Currently, Abi loves anything “girly” with books.  Fairy tales especially, but I love to see how the classics are just that – classic.  Any kiddo is bound to love them because they are just plain good.  And Nate…well, he loves to throw books and take them off of shelves.  I am trusting that this will change.

(Abi loves to read by her 21st century candlelight…a bulky flashlight)

Great resources are always something that I am on the hunt for during this journey of motherhood…and I’ve found a great one.  And great resources can’t be kept a secret; because that is just plain selfish!  So, as we grow our library, I know that I will continue to check back with this list before I travel to the book store or to amazon.

Happy Reading!