A day with Dad

Eric playing racket ball: no one seemed to be able to capture his face for any photos. He's just that fast! In fact most shots were a suprise!

Here we have Ethan suited up for flag foot ball.

AKA "Unstopable"

Daddy just grappled a worhty aponent. Mom had to turn away for a couple tough moves or holds...painful that I know. Ethan was equally concerned. Yet only one of us walked away wanting to "do" what daddy does.

Here is a good friend we've known since Hawaii. I used to watch his little boy before we had our first baby. A small Marine Corp family has been born.

We love you all and are looking forward to seeing youl soon!

Happy toddlers make happy moms

I have just watched a video by Dr. Karp. Called the happiest toddler on the block. Putting the crazy stuff aside, this toddler technique is incredible and one part was so convicting. I checked it out at the library. Everything is good but the part where he says to meet them where they are at in the "emotional jungle" Even if it means you throw a fit on the floor with them. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm not so much. But connecting with them showing you understand they are sad, mad or scared, is the goal. Every time I have used his method of communicating with Ethan; when he shouts or gets upset with the other kids, I intervene and he's calm even if he doesn't get what he wants. He just wants to know he's been heard. Thus the confidence we want all our children to have. He talked about not using distractions to calm your child. Like when they are crying and you say "look at that! you want this? Have a cookie! " Or even try to make them laugh. He says "that will ultimately tell your child I don't really care about your problem or feelings. And doesn't install a healthy way to deal with emotions." OUCH! He does have wisdom. Proverbs says

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength ~Prov.17:22

Singing cheerful songs to a person whose heart is heavy is as bad as stealing some one's jacket in cold weather or rubbing salt in a wound. ~Proverbs 25:20

A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
~Proverbs 15:13

Laughter can conceal a heavy heart; when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
~Proverbs 14:13

Basically it's not nice to try to change their hearts or moods before you share understanding and concern for their troubles.

There is nothing wrong with trying to give them a different option or cheer them up after you calm them down, but every human needs to know they are really understood and cared about. That's where the true trust and friendship begins. Even with Christ. Knowing He listens even when I'm irrational, completely wrong, or selfish, He's there. To comfort, listen, and correct, redirect, and change my outlook and I can see my own countenance lifted out of despair. He gives three basic steps to communicate with the toddlers, but you will want to watch it, not read it on my email.

Happiest Toddler on the Block

And a child shall lead them

I was having a pretty intense day. You know when you really never stop praying. I was wiping off the table praying to the Lord for comfort, peace, and His truth to speak to me. Then walks in our daughter. Without hesitation she says, "Mom, did you know that God is in this room? right now?" And onward smiling..."Do you believe He's here?" "He is!" I could have fell over. Who knew her words could be so timely and so encouraging. You never know who might be going through what. And our words can bring healing, light, and a tender truth. I would pose the same question to all reading. Do you know God is right there with you? Do you believe? Fear not, fret not, The "I am" is there. He cares for you and He will carry you.

Our love to you all

Welcome to our Bubble

These are my favorite photo shoots nowadays. The boys worked out the exact pose for each shot...there are many , many more. And I would show them to you if I knew how to add more pictures. OOO, Look I found text color. Which leads me to the photo up to the right. What can I say, we have a small bubble. We are for "rights to bare arms", and bellies for that matter. Dancing with daddy was actually done to salsa. If giggling was the measure of talent we could go pro!

I have had really encouraging feedback via emails so I thought it time to share a little more inside our private bubble. The hope was to let everyone feel closer, so I consider this a success! We love you all!

Gymnastics

The trampolines are huge and the boys took to them like fish in water.

Here are the boys working together. Loved it.

Here are some shots from the little tykes gym.

In case anyone wondered how my littlest one was doing. I thought I should give him a little space too. We just sit and watch with a sucker. And of course hydrate.

Clearly I need to learn the in's and out's of a photot page!

Hello All

We started this blog for our family and friends who long to stay connected with our ever-movin' family. We hope all are blessed when they enter. This was our first week of school. No one got hurt. (including mommy)