dress-up

One of these two's favorite things to do is play dress-up. I get such a good laugh out of their imagination and creativity in their costumes. The entire trunk they are sitting on is full of dress-up clothes and costumes we've acquired over the years, but they still find ways to come up with their own ensembles, and inform me what each one is called.

Like the one below. It's the Egyptian. Yes, Wyatt is wearing a dishtowel and Anna is topless. That's just what they do in Egypt.

Then there's the Australian I thought this one was pretty good--and the kid hasn't even seen Crocodile Dundee. He's got his dagger (fake!!) ready to slay the crocs. (Anna just had a princess dress on for this shot.)
Then there's the Chinese. If you haven't noticed Wyatt is really into geography right now! An inside out sparkies vest, one of Anna's church dresses, and the doll my dad brought me back from Korea (which they scaled closet shelving to dig out of a box) complete this one. The reason their faces look funny is because they were trying to squint. I made them open their eyes.
But wait, it doesn't stop there! We also have weddings. They of course have to wear coordinating outfits and this time they went with the traditional white. Then they go outside, Wyatt picks a bouquet for his bride and they kiss "standing up". 'Cause that's just what you do at a wedding. Anna calls Wyatt her "lovey prince" and they finish the ceremony dancing away in the backyard.
I love those two! I'm so glad they have each other.

Run boys, run!

Today our town hosted a kids fun run! Wyatt's group of Kindergartners raced 1/4 mile. Here's Wyatt to the right, neck and neck for first place as he approaches the finish line.....

He breaks away and finishes first place!
Will was with the 1st and 2nd graders and raced 1/2 mile. As he was approaching the finish line someone called his name from the bleachers so here he is waving.....
Running hard, despite the untied shoelace.....

And he finishes strong!

This was the second annual Dragon Run and Craig (along with the other Elementary PE teachers and a few key community members) had a big part in organizing it. They worked so hard, and it was a success! It was a lot of fun cheering those kids across the finish line!

a sweet moment

Last night the boys went to bed early and Craig took Anna to the store to pick up something I needed. When they got home I was busy cleaning the kitchen, but I heard their hushed voices in the other room. So I peaked around the corner and saw this:

I had to grab my camera because it was just too cute. Anna absolutely LOVES having her nails painted....and daddy did her fingers AND her toes!
BTW....Craig is an excellent nail painter. I usually pick a light color and quickly brush it on making sure each nail has a little color, but he's a perfectionist and takes his time. He even used hot pink!

What a dad!

Pita Bread

The rising stage

Almost done (hey I think these might actually turn out!)
And they did.....a yummy, soft pita waiting the filling of my choice.

Growing up on of my most favorite sandwiches was tuna on pita with sprouts, sunflower seeds and couple of my Dad's homemade sweet pickles on the side. But I can never seem to find pita bread at the discount grocery store in our neck of the woods, so I have not had it for quite some time. A month or two ago I got to thinking about how yummy pita bread sounded. I looked up a recipe online and printed it off to try sometime. Well, this week over at Home Sanctuary one of our "small things" was to make something from scratch. The first thing I thought of was that pita bread recipe I've had clipped to my fridge for a couple months now. So I decided to give it a go!

I was so pleased (and surprised) with the results! They were soft and delicious. After cooling, Wyatt and I broke one up and ate it on the spot. He commented, "this is good bread, mom". I served them lat night with Picnic Chicken Pita Filling and they were a hit for dinner.

I'll be baking another batch, soon!

something to share

For the past almost 4 weeks I have been struggling with some kind of illness. I was so sick the week Craig went back to school and the kids first week in school, I really don't know how I was making it through my days. I started to become depressed and annoyed that my body wasn't recovering. I was fearful and frustrated at not being able to take care of my family, the way I wanted to. But every time I opened my Bible it was as if there was a word meant just for me. Slowly over the course of two weeks I started letting go of my fears and trusting God to fill in where I wasn't able to. I started focusing on each day, and tried to enjoy each moment as a gift.

So many people were also encouraging to me, and I know there were those praying for me. One day I was talking to my mom in tears and she said, "Lindsay, you are God's personal concern". I kept repeating that to myself over and over. Pretty soon the fear subsided and I was filled with God's peace.

I had and MRI and lab work, last week and everything came back normal! Praise the Lord! Probably the first time in my life I've ever been described as normal, but I'll take it. I am still not feeling 100%, but I'm praying my symptoms will subside and I give the glory to God for my healing.

It is always so hard being a sick mommy (can I hear an amen?) Through this God has taught me to depend on him more, to release my fears and let him take control. I have enjoyed some special moments with my kids. We have been reading the Jesus Storybook Bible (which I highly recommend...thank you Kelly!!) and I cry reading it too! I get Anna all to myself in the morning while the boys are in school. It has been so much fun watching her play by herself and hearing the little conversations she makes up for her babies. One of the first days of school she went to her room called out, "Mom, I'm playin' with my babies" and shut the door!

In the afternoons Anna naps, and Wyatt and I have some one-on-one time. He loves to read books, do art, help me bake, and practice piano. Occasionally we lay on my big comfy bed and he'll fall asleep. All in all it hasn't been the easiest start to a new school year....but at the same time, becasue of God's faithfulness, it's been great!

"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him; with long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." ~Psalm 91:14-16

Football & Soccer

Today marked opening game day for Will and Wyatt. After two years of soccer, Will decided to make the big switch to flag football. Turns out it was a great decision! He absolutely LOVES it. Today he scored three touchdowns and was diving to pull flags left and right. I never knew I could get so excited over football. Actually, I don't fully understand the game even though Craig's explained it to me dozens of times. But, on the first play Will took off running with the football to score and I was screaming, "go, go, go, Will.....keep going....wooohoooo!!!" at the top of my lungs.

And then there was soccer. This is Wyatt's first year at it and I think one of the cutest things is 5 year olds in soccer jerseys and pint sized shin guards. Wyatt probably fell down at least 20 times, and at one point he thought he was the goalie and tried to pick up the ball. But he did manage this:

He dribbles......
He shoots......
He SCORES!!!!! (and then falls down)
It was a fun day of fall sports and I'm so thankful God gave me these boys to cheer on! By the way, Anna has informed me that she will be playing "shoot-ba'' when she's "bigga". Looking forward to that, too!

the blender thing

We recently had a shredder given to us. Craig had to fix some gear on it or something and he got it working great. My kids had never seen a shredder before and they were quite fascinated by it.

Today Wyatt was telling me a story about something that happened at school, that involved a shredder. It went something like this:

w- you know that blender thing mom?
m- what blender thing, the one we make smoothies in?
w- no, mom, the blender thing.....you know the blender thing that cuts up paper?

Just thought it was a funny and creative way to descibe a shrededer.

A new school year

"Making the decision to have a child- it's momentous. It's to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside of your body." -Elisabeth Stone

I have a picture frame with that quote on it on my desk. My sweet friend Darbi gave it to me with a picture of me holding Wyatt as a baby and Will at 2 years old with a fire hat on and chocolate on his mouth. I like that quote, and I don't think it ever rings quite as true as it does on the first day of school!

Sending Wyatt off to kindergarten, today.
He seemed like an old pro and started building with the blocks immediately.
Will started 2nd grade yesterday.
We love you brother, have a good day!
"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us..." -Psalm 67:1