We’re had a full week. We enjoyed a meal with Stephen and Kirsten Ryland Monday night. Becca loved looking at and hearing their Berenstain Bear books. Tuesday night we had Steve Johnson over for dinner (the rest of his family is away). Wednesday the kids and I went to our Chick-Fil-A for their monthly free breakfast and then headed to the library for Mr. Bob’s storytime. Ah – a full week so far!

Isaiah continues to grow! He’s starting to “talk” a little bit. He continues to be a good napper and usually sleeps over an hour between each feeding. His last feeding is usually around 9:30 and then he typically eats again around 3AM. Thursday we tried giving him a bottle – wow, he gulped it down like he’d never been fed before! Guess I don’t have to worry about that. I’ve been more tired lately (maybe it has something to do with turning 30) and am enjoying a nice nap each afternoon when both kids are down.

Now for Becca news: Becca is waking up from naps without crying. We’ve come up with a good system for nap time (at least for now). I sit in her room until she falls to sleep. Then when she wakes up and “Mommy is not in the pink chair” she can come out, as long as she’s happy. Lately, she’s been coming out and waking me up from my nap! Becca has napped almost 3 weeks wearing underwear with only one accident the first week. We’re now working toward trying underwear for nighttime. Yesterday afternoon Becca asked for some “M-N-O-P’s” as a treat for having dry underwear..translation “M&M’s!”

Last Friday (July 20th) I entered a new decade. I’ve been thinking about all that’s taken place in my 20’s. I’ll name a few. I’ve lived in three different states (PA, SC, & TX). I’ve owned three different used cars (Acura, Grand Prix, & Camry). I’ve been a part of three different churches (COD, CPBC, & NLBC). I’ve earned three degrees (Bachelors in Music Education, Masters in Bible, & Doctorate in Education). I taught in the Dallas public school system. I’ve spent most of the decade (20-28) being a student. I spent the last 4 years being a wife, and the last 2.5 as a mommy.

Some would credit my doctorate as my greatest accomplishment this decade. But for me, my greatest “accomplishment” this past decade is something that was given to me from God. (I’m not saying that earning my degrees was apart from God’s help . . . this is just in a totally different category.) My greatest gain during this past decade is my husband. What a sweet gift from God is my man. My life is radically different because Josh chose me. He has been a wonderful friend, husband, lover, and pointer to Christ. I could not have better.

My second greatest gain this past decade is the sweet (double) gift of Becca and Isaiah. I am truly blessed to be a mommy to these two precious children. God is using them to draw me closer to Himself as I must rely on Him for strength in daily training my children. They bring me so much joy and laughter and are teaching me patience. My life as a stay-at-home wife/mommy is a great gift and I treasure this season of life.

The Lord has truly blessed me the last 10 years. He has carried me through the difficult times and abundantly blessed me with undeserved gifts. I thank Him for His unfailing love and faithfulness to me. I praise Him for always keeping His promises and never giving up on me. I look forward to what He has in store for me this new decade.

Happy 7-week birthday to our precious little man! Bath time has become extra fun as Becca has decided that just helping Isaiah’s bath by standing outside the tub is not good enough. Now I have two little ones in the tub and both seem to enjoy it. Becca’s one request is that I turn Little Brother so he won’t spray her. As for Isaiah, he just enjoys showing off his muscles!

Last Friday was Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A. We enjoyed taking our two little calves to celebrate the event. Becca loved dressing up and was very happy to see the “real” cow instead of the fake one (poster). Isaiah was very content to sit and watch people at Chick-Fil-A.

We enjoyed our free meal with René, Yani, and Amaris. It was our last get-together with them before they moved to Greenville, SC, where René will be teaching math at Hampton Park Christian School. We have truly been blessed by their friendship in Texas these past two years. We’re sad to see them go but are happy they are moving somewhere we’ll eventually end up. I’ve been telling Becca that Amaris would be moving soon. My practical little girl just reminds me that Amaris is going to Greenville and someday we will move there too and she’ll get to see Amaris again. The other day she also told me it was ok, since we had Amaris’ picture!

Happy 6 week birthday to our little boy! A few ways we’re going to celebrate today: 1.) Mommy can drive again; 2.) Mommy can swim again – though I don’t think we’ll make it to the pool today; 3.) Mommy, Becca, & Isaiah will attempt their first shopping trip without Daddy; 4.) We’re all going to dress up like cows for Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A!

“So, tell me about your day?” This is the question Josh and I asked each other every morning during our prayer time. My answer usually runs along these lines: “Take care of and play with the kids, feed Isaiah, make meals, take a nap.” In addition to these things I usually list a few projects I could get done, but I’m reluctant to commit myself to getting anything done besides the essentials.

When Josh comes home and asks about my day I usually draw a blank: what did I do today? It takes me the rest of the evening to remember things. This week, I decided to keep a little outline of the things I did while Josh was away. Enjoy a small peek into our days.

Monday: Breakfast, cut out & bake cookies with Becca, feed Isaiah, give Isaiah a bath – Becca wanted to get in too – frost cookies with Becca, give Becca another bath (frosting in hair), clean kitchen, cut/freeze peaches in smoothie packets, feed Isaiah, lunch, doctor’s visit, put Becca down for a nap, feed Isaiah, schedule Isaiah’s 4 month doctor’s appointment, nap, and supper prep.

Tuesday: Breakfast, feed Isaiah, take some pictures for the blog, finger paint with Becca (foot paint with Isaiah), apple snack and reading on the couch with Becca, make some phone calls, feed Isaiah,  lunch, put Becca down for a nap – then myself – emails, feed Isaiah, reading with Becca, prepare supper . . . Josh home!

Wednesday: Breakfast, feed Isaiah, give Isaiah a bath, vacuum, work on blog, play games with with Becca, apple snack & reading time with Becca, feed Isaiah, prepare supper & let Becca make a little “treat” for Daddy, feed Isaiah, lunch, naps, feed Isaiah, teach piano lessons.

In case you’re concerned that I never change Isaiah’s diaper . . . these are just the highlights of my days. I left out all the little things.

Children are truly a blessing from the Lord. We continually thank God for the two little gifts He’s given us. Isaiah continues to grow and be a sweet baby. Becca is also growing in her interactions with Isaiah. She’s quick to jump in for picture taking if I’m taking pictures of Isaiah.

I’ve learned three things about myself and taking care of the kids: 1.) Each day I must rely on God’s grace to give me patience as I parent a toddler an infant;  2.) I must have a morning snack and afternoon snack or I become rather cranky and impatient; 3.) As much as I like to have everything neat and tidy, dishes and straightening up can wait when both kids are napping and I can catch a nap too.

 A few last pictures from the 4th of July. We went to see fireworks sponsored by the Arlington Highlands (shopping center). Before lunch, Becca and I spend some time preparing for the event by watching fireworks on youtube. The preparation seemed to help, and Becca not only enjoyed the fireworks but was very anxious for them to begin. We found a great spot to watch and enjoyed the apple juice ice pops and popcorn we brought from home. (Isaiah slept through the fireworks but was pretty mad that his feeding was late due to the time it took to get out of the parking lot!)

On Wednesday we enjoyed the Arlington 4th of July parade. The parade route is really close to our apartment, so we didn’t have to travel too far to get there. Becca enjoyed seeing a real parade and kept asking if she could ride on the floats. Isaiah was hungry!

Tuesday night we got together with the Countryman and Rodriguez families. Heather wanted to have us all over before René, Yani, & Amaris move back to SC. Becca loved swimming in the Countrymans’ pool. She amazed us with she fearlessly jumped into the pool and would “swim” underwater.

Last Friday night we had Josh’s cousin, Christina over for dinner. Christina is down here house sitting and studying for the MCAT. We enjoyed our evening with her.

The collage below is of a project Becca enjoys making: “stained glass.” The big pull for her is using glue. It’s the second one she’s made within a week. The hands on the wall are the Bible verses we’re working on memorizing.

Becca quote of the week: “Daddy – can you stop kissing Mommy so she can read me a book?”