Sweet Little Retreat

Jon was able to sneak away for a day or two from work this week and we decided to head to the shore. Thank you to Rick and Janet for allowing us to use your amazing house! It is always nice to take a break from the usual routine and just be us. We played board games, jumped in the ocean, ate ice cream each night, played mini-golf, went to the zoo and walked to the park. Simple and fun. Love it.

"If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging."
~Diane Loomans

Cape May Zoo

shh.... monkeys are sleeping!

All three playing contently... lovely



What to do when the hubbs won't smile for a pic

Tickle attack

That's better

You have a little sand on your face Kev

Thank you Lord for Jon and these little men who make it all worth it!



Pics from Daddy's Phone

I was looking through Jon's phone pics this week and I found some cute ones! Here are some pics from the last month or so.

Three little boys and a sleeping mommy

Matching... as usual

Wearing Daddy's glasses. I feel like this is a window into the future. He looks too old, makes me a little sad... even though he is stinkin' cute.

Kev waving hello to Daddy

Bathing Babies

Jon and Jake went with friends/neighbors of ours to a Riversharks game recently.

Jake has been doing karate for a few months now and he earned his yellow "in training belt". I have a loved watching him and I am super impressed with how focused and obedient he is during karate. Go Jake!

 

Oh boys...

Today we had our driveway re-paved. In typical fashion the boys went crazy for the trucks and all the loud gear that came with the job. They never cease to make me laugh. All three were glued to the window. So adorable.

 I went up to put the little guys down for naps and came down to find Jake outside,"working hard," on the porch. He loves showing off for people he thinks are cool.

It's the little stuff

It has always been the little stuff that gets to me. A little conversation, a little hug or hand hold, a note sent from a friend on my birthday... nothing big, but it's the little things that mean so much. I had one of those moments this week with Jake. We were walking into Nikki's pool club and the sky was just amazing. I am a lover of weather and clouds. Many of you are aware of my nerd tendencies, but I'm a huge science nerd... like took genetics for fun in college kind of nerd. Anyway, as I was looking up I said to Jake, "Look at the sky buddy. How amazing are the clouds? They don't even look real. Those are cumulus clouds. How do you think God made such an amazing sky? Do you think he used a paintbrush?" He looked at me with this very mature "come on mom... you should know better," look. Then, he said," It's because he has special powers." I said," That's very true Jake.. very true." And in typical four year old fashion... the converstion was over. It was a little conversation. Nothing deep or fancy, but it meant so much to me. My little boy stopped me in my tracks with his matter of fact faith. I hope he always maintains it and that long after I am gone... he will look at the sky and be amazed.

Mommy and Will hittin' the slide

Loving solid food

Weekly Visit to the Farm

Sleepy Little Buddies

Little Shorecation

I have been dying to," get away," for some time now. The past eighteen months has been quite busy around here and we have had a lot of adjustment. First with Will being born, then me getting pregnant and being so sick and stuck in bed. Then, Kevin was born when Will was just nine months old and Jake adjusting to two brothers and all that comes with having two babies around... it has been a lot. I wouldn't have it any other way and I know it is God's plan for us, but man is it exhausting sometimes. After the whole moving dilemma, I think we all just needed some fun and relaxation. However, it just hasn't seemed feasible with Will and Kevin being so little and needing so much stuff. They also both take two naps, so the maintaince of all of that just seemed exhausting and the opposite of a vacation.

Last week, Janet and Rick offered their beach house for a few days to Nikki, the kids and I. The shore is close and the boys get so worn out that they sleep well, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. We were thrilled, thankful and the boys couldn't wait. I am happy to report that it was relaxing and we had a great time. Just not being home to worry about laundry, cleaning and cooking dinner took away so much of my daily stress. I could focus in on the kids... laugh with them and just enjoy their company. It was really nice. I really needed it. Nikki and I loved having sister time together too. When the boys went to bed, we stayed up and chatted. Overall, it was awesome and I know we all needed it. Thanks again to Janet and Rick for letting us bring our crazy boys to your beautiful home!

Ice Cream was a treat!

LOVED the carousel ride

Arcade was a hit

 

Will slept in til 8 everyday

Walking to town

Boys got to ride in police vehicles

Jake had fun with his beach paddles

Jake was a proffesional with the hockey stick

Police Demo

Soo happy