picture post!

I have a messy house. I, myself, am messy. And by messy I mean: cinnamon roll icing, coffee, spitup, and sweat smeared all over. Corban, the same, plus pizza sauce from the leftover, cold pizza he ate as part of his breakfast. (It was accompanied by blueberries, grapes, and a banana, so my mother of the year award is still in place, right?) I also have two loads of laundry sitting in baskets waiting to be folded, and one folded waiting to be put away. Groceries are piled high on my counter, and here I sit, writing a blog. Sounds reasonable, right? Because afterall, those things can wait.. right?
Okay, maybe they shouldn't wait- but they're going to have to for a minute. Corban's watching Sesame Street, Cate is sleeping, and I have the first quiet moments to myself in days. I'm taking advantage of it. And I'm also sweating. You see, it's June 24th in Indiana, home of the hellacious humidity, and it's full force today. And my air condition has yet to be turned on. This, honestly, is the first (okay, maybe second) day that it's been really really miserable in here, and I'm ready to go crazy. Or take a shower. Or go somewhere in my van just for a little break. I tried to turn th a/c on but it was a failed attempt. I forgot that you have to do something in the garage to switch it from the furnace to the a/c... or something. Something that requires my husbands assistance, which I currently cannot get as he will NOT answer his darn phone.
And so I sit and sweat. And blog and not clean.
So- what have we been up to?! Well, we've had lots of visitors in and out of our home. We've eaten lots of food, had lots of late night conversation, been encouraged, challenged, content. We took a weekend trip to Lexington to see some of our best friends and had an incredible time. Really- it was exactly what we needed. [Do you have those friends, people, where you're just so comfortable in their presence? No masks, no walls... just ease? People, who, no matter where you are, when you're with them, it feels like home? That's the kind of friends these people are to us. It was a refreshing weekend, a great time.] We also spent some time in Cville with our families, which was also an incredible time. We got to see extended family, parents, siblings... I am so incredibly blessed to have the family that I do.
Anyway, I've got lots of pictures I want to put up, but it didn't load the first time (imagine that), my daughter is crying, Corban's tv time is up, and I'm still sweating. I must find a way to remedy this. So- until I find another free moment (which who knows when that will be...), enjoy your day!
(I tried again, and it worked)

PS- I forgot to mention: my son is speaking real, full sentences. My daughter is really really really close to crawling. You read that right- my 5 month old daughter is almost crawling. She gets up on hands and knees and tries to move forward, but hasn't figured out the arm part yet. She also gets up on her toes and hands. It's unbelievable.

And- I just turned the a/c on. Praise the Lord!

sweet baby Cate

Somehow, five months have already passed since your arrival, baby girl.

I love you more and more with each passing day...

I can't make this stuff up!

Well, I had several things I wanted to write about, but was incredibly interrupted by my son coming down the stairs.

It's not that him coming down the stairs is a problem... I love Corban, love his company.
It's just a problem when, you know, he was locked in his bedroom.
When I say locked in, I mean, lock on the outside of the door locked in.
I thought our problems were solved. I thought our naptime/bedtime dilemmas were finished. Since he climbs everything that reaches to the sun and back, this really was our only and safest remaining option. Gates don't hold him. Things blocking the gate don't keep him in. Doors don't remain shut, locks won't stay locked. We figured putting the lock on the side opposite of where he was would finally contain him to his room.


We were wrong.


Can you imagine my shock when I heard him slam his gate and run towards the stairs? Hm. I quickly picked him up mid-stairs, took him back to his room, scratching my head trying to figure out how in the heck he got out. My jaw hit the floor when I entered his room. Naturally, of course... any not yet two year old would think to do this, right?
Ladies and gentlemen, I have have an escape artist on my hands:

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DISCLAIMER: The keys are an old set that he just plays with. I didn't even realize they were in his room. The lock doesn't use keys- it's just one that you turn.

times

Times like these, I need a reminder, like these lyrics provided in the song 'times' by Tenth Avenue North... a band that is quickly becoming a favorite.

Anyway, in case you need a reminder too:

i know i need You
i need to love You
i love to see You, and its been so long
i long to feel You
i feel this need for You
and i need to hear You
is that so wrong?

now you pulled me near You
when we're close i fear You
still im afraid to tell You
all that i've done
are You done forgiving?
or can You look past my pretending?
Lord i'm so tired of defending
what i've become-
what have i become?

i hear you say "My love is over,
its underneath,
its inside,
its in between
the times You doubt me,
when you can't feel
the times that you've questioned 'is this for real?'
the times you've broken,
the times that you mend
the times you hate me and
the times that you bend
well my love is over,
its underneath
its inside, its in between,
these times you're healing
and when your heart breaks
the times that you feel like you've fallen from grace
the times you're hurting
the times that you heal
the times you go hungry and are tempted to steal
in times of confusion and chaos and pain
im there in your sorrow
under the weight of your shame
im there through your heartache
im there in the storm
my love, i will keep you by My power alone
i dont care where you've fallen, where you have been
i'll never forsake you
my love never ends,
it never ends...

trying almost twos

It's been one of those days. You know, the ones where your children cry for no reason, are inconsolable, won't listen worth a darn, refuse to take a nap, undo every mess you clean up, climb over every barricade you make, refuse to take a nap, hit, yell, throw, leave, cry, refuse to take a nap...
Which makes me want to: yell, cry, throw, leave, take a nap.
I'm just not very good at days like these. Patience is incredibly lacking. I'm out of ideas to entertain, out of ways to discipline. Nothing I try is seeming at all effective, and we're all cranky and frustrated with eachother. And when I say all, I meant that little (nearly) 2 year old son and myself- Cate's been as sweet as could be. Corban... not so much. He has his moments. Really, really sweet moments. But it's hard to look past the vast majority of those which are not on days like today. Hmph.
I hear quiet- wait- I mean it is quiet, and I just heard little footsteps stomping to the bed. Is my strong-willed, bull-headed little one tossing up the white flag? I sure hope so. And I hope that my sweet other little one doesn't start to cry any time soon. Because that would start the whole cycle over again. The second Corban hears me, he's out of bed and at his gate. And by gate I mean: door and gate blocked in by giant mirror/chair/and book shelf. Yes indeed. It's the only way we can keep him in his room. You take away any of those ingredients and he escapes without a hitch.
What's a Mom to do?
I never bought into that 'terrible twos' bologna... but my mind is quickly changing-haha. Except I think 'trying twos' sounds better, and more appropriate. It's NOT terrible. There are moments that are really really hard, but typically, most days are pretty good. Trying moments, not a terrible year.
Anyway, I guess I'm done complaining now. The kiddos are asleep now, and I'm either going to do the dishes or take a nap. We'll see.

full

First of all, I'm sitting here listening to my husband play guitar (which I love), while my baby girl sits and 'sings' along. The perfect ending to a perfect day.
We had a rather large group of friends and family at our house today for a cookout and to watch the airshow. 24 burgers, 23 hot dogs, a double batch of homemade baked beans, a whole crock pot of rotel dip, 2 lbs of chocolate covered strawberries later, I'd deem the day a success. That wasn't all the food- just the stuff I prepared. There was lots of cornhole and ladder ball playing, cabin playing by the kiddos, squirtguns, ping pong and airplanes. And eating. And nursing. Lots of nursing babies. And a newborn and two babies in the making! I think everyone enjoyed, and I just love having a house full. Not too mention that it was full of people that I love. Family, friends, old and new, even some strangers! I loved it though... I love opening our home, seeing people in every room. Absolutely love it.
My brother and his wife were in for the weekend too- they just moved from PA to Cleveland, and went from 7 hrs away to 4.5!
It was just a really awesome day.
My life seems so full... bursting at the seams... of love and goodness and fun and friends and fellowship. I am so blessed. So so blessed. I love days like this.
And now, just sitting here listening... Cate was crying until Jordan started playing his guitar. Right away she quieted down, just listening and watching her Daddy. But when he sings- she gets really excited, kicks her feet, laughs, and coos along. I'm pretty sure she just wrapped him around that little tiny pinky finger of hers. As if she wasn't already. But now... he's a goner for sure.
Anyway, that's all for now. Just documenting, really. :)

Real quick- I have much too much to do, but wanted to document:
-Corban colored with permanent marker all over the arm of our oversized chair+ottoman. You know, the one piece of furniture we have that I had intentions of keeping.
I cried.
Really.
And then, I went to McDonalds for a Diet Coke. Which turned into a trip to Kohl's, because let's be honest: nothing was getting accomplished following the incident, with two crying children and fuming mom and all, and I was tenser than tense. Which brings me to my next point.
-For the first time in the history of home-ownership, I love my kitchen. Kohl's was very good to me. I had a few ideas in my mind of pieces I was looking for to complete the heart of our home (ha), and I found them and then some. And the most expensive piece was only clearanced 60%. Everything else was 80-90% off. Who's the (wo)man!? Pictures will come, I promise. Just not right now, because like I said- I have too much to do. But I'm sitting here listening to Corban say over and over "I wike this, Mommy, I wike this."
Oh- you're wondering why my nearly 2 year old is still awake at 9:50pm? If you figure it out, let me know. But I'm pretty sure it has something to do with his just discovered ability to climb over his gate.
Ahem.
My life just got way too difficult.
The end.

I'm sitting here, listening to the airplanes fly over our home and I love it. I wish you could've seen Corban's eyes light up, heard that deep belly laugh of utter delight when he saw the duo blue angels swooping overhead. It's a picture in my mind I never want to forget... teeth showing, head thrown back, squeals escaping uncontrollably as he pointed at t he sky. Oh, to just sit and be amazed. Nothing forced, nothing getting in the way- just pure, unbridled excitement. No reservations of what Mama would think of his reaction, no worries of if he was being watched... just feeling deeply, just being.

I love my little boy.

I love that curiousity, that excitement- I want to appreciate that more. He's so full of life. Loves to love. Would do anything to make you smile...

There are many lessons to be learned from my toddler. What a privelidge I've been given, to be a mother Corban Gabriel.

Thank You, Jesus, for this sweet gift You've given me. I love those blue eyes, that curious heart, that deep laugh, that unending energy... What a precious, precious gift. Thank You.

It was fun...

while it lasted, anyway.

glimpses

Our garden:

(Trellis handmade by my awesome husband!)

A baby pepper bloom! Woohoo!

Of our baby girl:

Isn't she sweet? :) You'd love your life too if it was your job to stare at that cute face all day.

Just sayin'!