Mikey's Big Boy Bike

About a month ago (give or take a few weeks or days) Mikey started asking for a bike. A real bike for big boys.  Phillip made him a deal that if he learned how to pedal, he would buy him one. Of course- Mikey's always up for a challenge so he started going outside to practice on his tricycle, as a side note, the same tricycle I bought for Ally 4 years ago, man time flies.  Anyway- after about a week- he did it. Of course the first thing he said was, "Mommy call Daddy and tell him we got to go to Wal-Mart to get me a big boy bike".

Off to Wal-Mart we went and here he is- riding his bike.  I guess he's growing up faster than I realize.

oh dear

These past couple of weeks have been extra crazy- and I mean extra crazy.  So I will do a quick update- with not a lot of pictures- well no pictures at all. But here's the run down of what's been happening:

-Michael has learned to ride a big boy bike (I will post pictures of this because it's so stinkin' cute).

-Samuel is now army crawling ALL over the place (this too is adorable so I'll do a separate entry)

- I shot a wedding a couple of weekends ago- you can check out the blog entry on my photog. website: www.kimberlyloyaphotography.com

- Phil is his usual handsome, debonair self. Playing basketball, trying to boss me around ;) teaching Mikey how to ride a bike, hit the baseball, working hard etc.  

- We took a family trip to Disneyland a few weeks ago. Mikey was extra excited to bring Phillip along since he hadn't been with us yet.  They rod the rockets, Buzz lightyear etc.

- Ally turned 7, Zeke turned 4... {sigh}

-I went to our churches Women's Retreat, which was awesome. I have a whole lot I want to share about that-

- Dr's. appointments, playdates.

Last but not least, we slowed down this past weekend to celebrate Easter.  I enjoyed the cold weather on Good Friday and Saturday. How amazing it was that the sun was shining and soooo warm on Resurrection Day. Church was great, worship was great, I was a little overwhelmed by the amazement of what our Lord did on the cross for us. He is good.

We leave for a much needed mommy/daddy vacation on Thursday, we'll be back on Saturday. Next week slows down so hopefully I'll have a chance to sit at the computer for a good couple of hours and blog my little heart out. 

This got me thinking...

The other day a friend of mine asked me what in the world I was gonna do with 3 boys.  At first I just laughed.  But then the Lord really laid it on my heart to be thinking about that.  So here's what I've been thinking:

-When I found out I was pregnant this time- I VERY much wanted a girl.  But about 4 months in, I guess I sort of had a change of heart. I would have been happy either way, but I don't know that I'd be able to handle the challenges girls bring. Not so much at first- but the later years :) I think the Lord knows me better than I know myself. And honestly- deep down inside I was very happy it was a boy.

-I think the world is in need of Godly men. Actually- I KNOW the world is in need of Godly men. Not that we have some magical power to create them, but the Lord really laid it on my heart to be praying over my children every night. I've tried very hard to make it a nightly habit. Sometimes I linger and my prayers linger with me, sometimes it's short and sweet.  I don't know what the future holds for my 3 boys- but I pray they'll have a saving knowledge of Jesus and they'll love and serve Him whole heartedly. 

- I've realized how important it is to make them a part of my day. If I have the attitude of "I can't get anything done with them around"...I'm the one missing out on a huge blessing.  So yes- errands take much longer, but I remind myself they're learning self-control and contentment in their circumstances ;)  Cleaning- well- it takes all day- but they're learning to be good stewards of what God's blessed them with. 

Lastly- as tired as I am, as much as my back aches, as dirty as my house is... one day they'll be gone.  The thought brings tears to my eyes.  I want to enjoy every last minute of it. 

So what am I going to do with 3 boys- I'm going to have a happy heart about them, I'm going to pray for them and I'm going to cherish each one of them. 

The Sandlot

We get home today and Mikey isn't feeling real well. He's real quite, has a slight fever, just not acting like his usual cheerful self.  I decide it's time for him to just rest on the couch with a movie and a blanket. He picks out "The Sandlot", hmmmm...I've never seen it before, but it's rated PG. So I read the back- OK- it has scary scenes. Mikey doesn't really get scared about things- he can handle Pirates of the Caribbean ride so I figure I'd ask Phillip who's going to walk through the door at any moment. 

Here's our conversation:

Me: "Honey is this movie OK for Mikey to watch?"

Phillip: (shrugging his shoulders) "Yeah- its fine"

Me: "Are you sure- there's not bad language in it?"

Phillip: "Honey they talk like older boys do- you know calling each other dumb names and stuff"

Me: "So is it ok for Mikey to watch?"

Phillip: "Yeah- it's just about baseball"

So we start it- it's playing- I'm making dinner - listening to the dialogue in the background. OK- so they say crap, kind of a lot. I say crap too, I think I can deal with that. 

Then comes the pool scene...not so into that. Especially when the kid drops an "S" bomb- Phillips dying laughing- "Oh shoot- I forgot about that" he says.

Ok- then comes the scene with the "other" baseball team kids.  Yeah- the one where they boys rattle off LOTS of big-boy words...

Idiot- jerk- Moron- Butt Sniffer- Crap- etc, its going on and on.  

The whole time Mikey's just sitting there staring, he gets a smile when he hears the word butt sniffer.  He really starts laughing when he hears:

"You play ball like a giiiiirrrrrllllll"...  

Lesson learned: don't take movie advice from my husband. Which I should already know since he thinks that "No Country for Old Men" is the greatest movie of all time.  Dumb. 

Pregnancy

It's starting. You know. You lay down after a busy day and the baby wakes up. Not the baby fast asleep in the next room, but the baby in your womb. It actually started a few weeks ago, but now it's a nightly occurrence.  I have to admit, it's both my blessing and my curse. :)

I love the miracle of it, there's a sweet little baby boy growing inside of me. I'm nourishing and caring for him and I don't even have to think about it. He (Joshua) reminds me of this every night. When I lay my head down, am completely exhausted, he decides to remind me about this little miracle.  It's bittersweet. It makes me a little sad that he's my last one. In fact, the ironic part is that I actually got very teary eyed when I thought about that...

So that's what I've been up to lately.  Laughing to crying, nesting to exhausted. That whole "you'll get your energy back during the 2nd trimester" thing... it's a big fat lie. But thats the irony of it right? 

Dear Lord Jesus- forgive my flippant heart. 

A Major Accomplishment

In between the rain storms of the last couple of weeks, Michael has been working very hard to figure out how to ride his bike. He's accomplished it! He asks most everyday to go outside to ride "real fast like Bubba". Thanks to my friend Karlee's little boy "Bubba", Mikey figured it out.

Of course, Daddy told him when he learned how to pedal he could get a big boy bike. So over the last couple of days each time we go run errands he's asking if we're getting his big boy bike... uhhh no. Not yet.  :)  

Valentines Party

This week we kicked off Valentine's Day with an all-day playdate/party with some good friends. Melinda drove up from San Diego, Danelle and Lauren brought their kiddos over for a total of 11. Oh what fun it was!

Danelle brought a cute craft for the kids, Melinda brought cupcakes to decorate and we mostly spent the day eating, talking, laughing and breaking up a few arguments.  Mikey has sort of a love/hate relationship with Kate (who he's seated next to in the 1st picture). Kate is a girl with her own set of rules and opinions- Mikey loves when she comes over- but hates that she won't listen to him :)  He'll one day need a very easy-going, go with the flow kind of girl.  In the meantime- they'll be good friends.

I was completely exhausted by the time everyone left after dinner- just ask Phillip- I crawled in bed around 8pm! I can't wait to have my energy back :)

Kate saying thank-you to Mikey for her Valentine's Cards and candy- Michael saying your welcome:

Gotta love sprinkles and cupcakes- they waited all day to do this.  With no naps all day (each of our children nap) we figured we'd wait till the meltdowns began and we could overload them one final time with sugar!