savoring

I've had a lot of people ask me recently if I am ready for our new baby to be here. Lately, it's been hard to answer. Sometimes I find myself giving a big  "yes" which is what people want or expect to hear. Absolutely, I am ready to meet our new little bundle! And, for a couple of different reasons, I want our baby to be born early (as many of you know I want the "movie scene" experience, rather than being induced). But, there is something different about this baby, or pregnancy or upcoming birth than the others. I think it has to do with savoring.

Right now, I am savoring these moments (and just like that, my eyes start to water up---gotta love the horomones). I will admit that I love being pregnant. Some people are like that, some are not. I truly do love it--even when I hurt, though I probably haven't hurt as much as most women out there. I 100% love every movement, which is A LOT, that each of my babies make. There is nothing like it. I have even found myself sad on occasion when I have the real live sweet baby in my arms, because I no longer feel the kicks and stretches in my tummy. It's selfish. I know that I am the only one who has ever felt this baby and my others kick from the inside--and it's a way I bond with my babies. This may be our last pregnancy, we don't know--only the Lord does. So, I am savoring it.

I am also savoring time with my ALL of my boys. When I was pregnant with Luke, I don't think I did as much savoring. I was so anxious for him to be here--because he was our first to be born, and because we had a prior miscarriage. Chad and I thought we were savoring time with each other, but because we had no idea what to really appreciate, I am not really convinced we did savor each other. So, we have focused on that, on our marriage and each other this time around--savoring each other, because it's going to be a whirlwind soon.

I am also savoring time with Luke. He's growing up, almost 5! The other night we was giving lots of kisses to his favorite lovie Bun-Bun and telling him how much he loved him. I asked Luke if he loved me (pretty pathetic sounding, right?) and he said, "Yes, Mommy! I love you even more than Bun-Bun!" Melt my heart. That's a big ol' deal. Of course I know he loves me--he tells me lots, but for him to express it like that was precious. I want to savor this. He also loves Mommy/Lukey time, when his brother is at Parents Day Out for a few hours longer than Luke is at school. Luke and I get to do things one on one and I am cherishing that time, because our routine will be changing soon.

For another 5 weeks, I have more one on one time with Charlie than I've had before too. Because Luke is in school 5 half days, Charlie and I have more mornings to play and be together. He has turned into such a "joybucket" as we have started affectionately calling him. It is amazing to watch him thrive on the attention he gets when he's by himself. We have had so much fun reading books, playing games, running errands, blowing bubbles, etc. and I love to see him beam! I am savoring this time with Charlie too, because things will be different when October rolls around.

I am very excited about what's and who's to come, we all are! Our new addition has already been a blessing in our lives and we can't wait to see that multiplied in so many ways. But for now, I am content. I am savoring!

beginning JK

Today, our Lukey started Junior Kindergarten! Well actually, it was yesterday--he had an hour orientation. But, today was his first "real" half-day. For those of you who don't live in our PreK, JK, SK world, junior kindergarten is the year before SK, which is the "real" Kindergarten. Got it?

Anyway, just before I started writing this, I looked back to last year's post on his entry into PreK--which was quite a big deal, as he was entering a big boy preschool! So much has changed. He has grown up in many ways. But, he's still our baby, as I always tell him he will always be, and once again I had concerns about whether he would be in a class with a super teacher, would he make new friends, would he be sad that he was leaving at half day, when so many others in his class stayed all day, etc. I guess this is something I need to realize will never change. As parents we will always worry. But, as a Christian family, we should turn our worry into prayer and conversations with the Lord and know that He is in control! Sometimes I want to have control, like choosing his teacher, hand pick which friends he would have in his class, etc. But then if given control, I think---"Wait, why do I want this control when the Lord has everything planned?" Ahhhh!

So, back to his first JK day. Once again we started with blueberry muffins--Luke's request! We had a few tears when he couldn't wear his "marlin" shorts because we no longer have a matching shirt that fits. I told him next summer we will keep our eyes peeled for shark, dolphin, sailfish, any type of sea creature shorts that he can wear and that got him through. And, though he hasn't been feeling well all week, he was super pumped about his day as you can see by his giddy face! We parked today and will start the car line next week. We walked in together, though I let him walk me in. He told me he knew the way and sure enough he did! He ran through his classroom door without a goodbye, but his teacher (who does seem awesome) called him back so I could take a quick picture of them on his first day. He was super excited about starting to play, but I did get a quick goodbye after that! He was on to other things. Charlie and I had a few things to accomplish this morning, but I can tell it's going to be hard on Charlie with Luke gone every morning. He kept asking to go get Lukey---Charlie was the one who was going to make me cry today--not Luke! Sweet thing, missing his big brother!

We had lunch with Daddy and heard about Luke's day. Sounded great--especially playing with the tub full of bugs---what could be better (other than a tub full of sea creatures)?? And though it's just Day 1 down, already I am feeling lots less anxious! The Lord always hears our prayers! Cheers to an exciting new school year!

An excited Lukey and Mrs. Patterson!

2010 sunflower patch

Well, our annual sunflower picture tradition did not go as planned this year. Over the past few years we have gone to the patch in the afternoon/evenings so we could avoid squinty eyes, shadows, etc. However, this year with the blazing, scorching, unbearable, suffocating (you get the picture) heat, we opted to head out for photos and play in the morning, when it was only 95 degrees. Additionally, I didn't have either camera battery charged to capacity after returning from Hawaii, so they fizzled quickly. A mistake I swear to never make again!! After getting a few squinty shots, I told Chad I might bring the boys back another day, but the 110 temps and my exhausted body have not had any motivation to do more. And, the sunflowers hit their peak a few days ago, so we have what we have! Enough complaining??!!

I still think they are precious and was happy my family obliged so we could continue our tradition! The boys love running through the sunflowers anyway and we added a Farmers Market trip to the mix---quite fun!

You can revisit the past few years. . .

2009--sunflower montage

2008--pics from previous years too

We held our breath. . .again!

And though we had serious conversations of Chad quitting his current job and moving our entire family to Kauai, we came back home, reality set in, and life goes on. . .

So, in other news. . .our little Charlie is now in a big boy bed! A really big one in fact. We moved him from his crib to a double! Actually, we made this move a week before we left for Hawaii. We sure were holding our breath (you may remember the last time we did this here) again! It could have been disastrous and led to a discipline problem for my mom or Chad's parents while they watched the boys. But. . .so far, an entire month into the process and everything is great!!

Charlie loves his new bed and new room--so much so that he often wants to play in his room so he can play and jump in his bed--which is currently a no-no if we aren't around. We set the same rules for him that we did for Lukey when Luke moved from his crib to a single: No getting in OR out of your bed without Mommy or Daddy! It worked like a charm for Luke. He never really played in his room without us (you know how it is with the firstborn--they get all of your undivided attention). He certainly never got in or out of the crib at bedtime or naptime. Little Angel.

As far as bedtime and naptime have been going, Charlie too, has proven to be an angel. Hold on, let me knock on some wood. Okay, done. He lays right down is his bed that practically swallows him up, surrounded by his lovies and a paci and stays in bed!! Now we just need to work on him when he's playing in his room with his brother. He's climbed in and out of bed several times knowing he's disobeying. But, hey, our main goal was to keep him from getting out at night and in the morning, and he has been a champ!! And, just like with Lukey moving into his big boy bed, I got a little teary with Charlie too. My littlest baby is growing up!! And if one more person tells me "He is looking like a big boy instead of a baby now" my horomonal self might punch them in the face! Just kidding. Maybe.

Daddy reading the boys some books in Charlie's new room, the first night to be in his big boy bed!

Charlie's super comfy bed--his lovies await!!

Kauai Adventures: Wrapping it up--July 22nd-23rd

Thursday was our last full day in Kauai. We decided to relax away and did lots more reading, both finishing another book and lounged by the pool in front of the beach. After a pedicure (my first in a decade at least) we watched our last sunset and grabbed some pizza from the Tiki Man pizza joint to finish out the evening.

The next morning, we set our alarms early so we could enjoy our last morning to the fullest. We got breakfast from the Napali Cafe and headed outside to a private dining cabana. Usually, people have to pay around $600 to enjoy a private dinner in the cabana right on the beach. However, this morning, it was early and no one was around! So, we ate our fresh fruit, yogurt, croissants, Kona coffee and watched the rain come in, followed by the sun, of course making rainbows over Hanalei Bay as we said good-bye! After we checked out of our hotel, we made one last trip to Hanalei for more shave ice and a happy for Luke and Charlie. Then it was off to the airport after exploring a little more of the island.

We are so incredibly thankful to our parents, who stayed with our boys for us while we were gone! Chad and I know they had a wonderful time--such a treasure of time for them! We love you Moms and Dads!

And for any of you thinking of a honeymoon, a babymoon, a special anniversary or ANY trip for that matter, come talk to us----we will talk you into going to Kauai!! Thank you Beth and Peter for talking us into it---we had such a fabulous 10th anniversary!

Our Hawaiian sunsets

As the sun is setting on our last days in Hawaii (boy am I cheesy or what?) I thought I'd share some of the beautiful sunsets we were able to enjoy! Chad and I were in awe every single day and night of just how awesome the Lord is--especially as the Creator and painter of the ending to our days in Kauai! Enjoy and double click on any of them! And--if you aren't utterly sick of all of our stories and pics, stayed tuned for one more post as we wrap up our trip!

Amen!!

Kauai Adventures: Days 4&5--July 20th, 21st

On Tuesday we woke up and had breakfast on the 4th floor lanai. Chad read us the newspaper and updated me on current-ish events. We then lounged by the pool/beach and read the rest of the morning and early afternoon before heading back up for our massages at 3pm. Definitely the favorite pregnancy massage I've ever had--so comfy! We met in the relaxation room, complete with waterfall walls surrounding us and read some more! We then showered up to get ready for our special dinner night at the world famous Kauai Grill! Can I just say Melt. In. Your. Mouth? It was absolutely delicious. Hearts of palm and coconut salad, bacon wrapped shrimp, Ono (fish) sweet and sour and Scezhuan encrusted Ahi--one of the best dinners we've ever had!!! Oh, and I had a mint pineapple drink to go along with my meal--yummy too!

The next morning we woke up and drove in to Hanalei to grab some snorkel gear and get breakfast from Java Kai--a delicious and funky coffee/breakfast joint in town. So good. We then made our way to Ke'e Beach for our big hike up the Kalaui Trail---a grueling 11 mile hike, intended for some serious hikers. There are several other enticing points on the trail like Hanapali Beach and some waterfalls down the trail, but we only made it to the beach. Actually I only made it just 20 minutes short of the beach. I was feeling fine and hanging in on the hike, but it was the people returning from the beach up a steep and in the middle of sun part of the trail that started scaring me. I asked a couple of people their thoughts on me returning, and they thought I should just turn around. Completely bummed that Chad and I decided I might need to wait until our next trip, I turned back and let Chad head to the beach to see the views, etc. Anyway, when all was said and done, it was a 4 mile hike that took several hours. AND--it was completely worth it---just for the sweat and exercise alone, but the sheer beauty of seeing the Napali Coast was amazing!! No one can drive on the Napali Coast--it can only be seen by foot, air or boat, so we were so happy we hiked it!

During our hike and after it, we fueled up with bananas, beef jerky and water--normally not a great combo, but perfect to give us the energy to survive! Chad was amazing because not only did he do the hike, but he carried my big camera, our bags of food and water (since we didn't have a backpack) and our snorkel gear because we thought we might snorkel at the end of the hike at Ke'e Beach. All of it on him, up and down the steep, rocky trail! My hero!! It turns out we were told that the snorkeling would be much better at Tunnels Beach. So, we drove back to Tunnels Beach. I was pretty ragged after the hike, not thinking I could walk another step, so I chilled on a towel while Chad went out to snorkel. After a little bit he came back in and I thought we were going to head back to the hotel. However, he mentioned that he swam with a sea turtle!!! That completely changed my mind and I could not leave without trying to snorkel with sea turtles! So I mustered up some energy and we headed back in the water! How we wish we had underwater cameras! The fish were beautiful--all different colors and patters AND we saw a whole family of sea turtles---right in front of us. We could have touched them if we wanted to! It was awesome!!! I'm SO thankful Chad came back telling me what he saw and convinced me to go in---it was one of the highlights of our trip!

Finally, completely tuckered out and not having had lunch, we drove back through Hanalei and ate our lunch at 5, grabbing some Bubba Burgers and Hawaiian shave ice---something I HAD to do on our trip! Delicious and refreshing. And I'm wondering as I'm writing this how we even had the energy, but after we got back to our room, we still managed to shower and go back down for yet another, beautiful sunset---what would be the prettiest of our trip (a sunset post to come too)!