Nothing else to do so blog...

Okay so I've read all of the blogs I follow, worked out, paid bills, and the boys are still napping so I thought I could do a blog post since its been awhile. I'll try to find something to write about:) The boys have been growing up very quickly its exciting and saddening at the same time. Aiden is on his way to reading. He's been very interested in letters for over a year but now he'll notice something like an apple on the table and say "Apple starts with A" when we'll give him a challenge as he loves to learn new things, like what else starts with A, and he'll quickly say "me, Aiden, does". He also is recognizing all of our names, Evan, Aiden, mommy and daddy. I'm not sure where he gets his brainy powers as both Nathen and I are not dumb we both graduated college but we both had to work really hard in school. I know Aiden isn't yet 3 but he sure seems really smart, and we are getting a little concerned that he will be bored in Kindergarten, but that is a ways off so we'll continue to follow his lead. Evan is also amazing us with his growth and smartness. He's very curious as I've said before but now he is communicating a lot more using his signs and gestures. He continues to be our little cute, button pushing little guy. He knows how be onery and seems to get quite a kick out of it. But he is also our sweet little snuggle bug and becoming daddys little helper more and more. Last week I did nursery after our church service, and Nathen took Evan grocery shopping so I could actually help more in the nursery. Nathen came back in awe of how well behaved Evan was and admitted that he needed to spend more daddy time with just him. So we are both looking forward to watching their relationship grow. It does make me somewhat sad though to see my little babies turning into boys, and moving away from needing me as much, but I'm so thankful that they have such a great daddy. And they all do a good job of trying to include me although I'm not much for tackle football....my boys are already playing football!! I do treasure all the moments I have with them as they do grow up so fast. I'm doing a bible study, The Power of One Thing, and it has really helped me retune my thinking. I'm trying to view things positively no matter what it is. An example, today we went out to lunch with some friends and towards the end Aiden began walking around the resturant without me. Instead of thinking "that little guy is not doing what he's suppose to, we need to leave asap" I thought, "he wants to see all the new faces in this place" and took him by the hand explaining that it was not okay for him to leave the table without me but we could walk around and look at the different faces in the resturant together, he took my hand and we walked around, went to the bathroom and left with no tantrums, fits, or tears. A successful outing!:) I challenge whoever reads this to try it yourself...think of things in a positive way not always jumping to the negative, it really makes a difference in how your day goes, at least it does for me. Another thing I've taken from this Bible study is letting Jesus' light shine through me more, so I've started putting daily bible verses on facebook page. I was initially very nervous about offending people, but now I look forward to it everyday because I know I'm doing what God wants me to (and it hasnt hurt that I've only receive positive comments from my FB buddies) Okay the boys are still napping and I have not much else to say so I guess I'll just snuggle up w/ Evan whose on our bed for a little nap myself.:)

Sweet, Sweet, Boys

We've had such a wonderful day. Nathen has been off all week because of the weather, its TOO COLD to build bridges! And I was off today because of the weather as well. We had so much fun as a family. I must say I usually dread days that we are unable to get out of the house, but today was different. The boys played so well together, and very few spats between the two of them, and both took great naps. It made be reflect a little on what sweet boys I have, all of them, Nathen included. I thought I'd share a few sweet snipits with you all of which happened today. First, Evan is always one that I can count on for a snuggle or hug no matter how our day is going today was no different. And Nathen is always doing little things but today he vaccumed, something that I hate to do and rarely do well because I hate doing it, and since it was a big football game he made special snacks for us to enjoy after the boys went to bed, something about watching college football its just more enjoyable with yummy food (although the team we were rooting for loss, they did put forth a great effort). And finally, our sweet little Aiden, who has seemed to be a bit MIA recently made up for lost time tonight. We decided to start saying prayers before bed tonight, something that we've often talked about doing, and tonight finally did. Anyways, I suggested we pray for people to stay warm and safe tonight as its suppose to get down below zero, and asked Aiden what else he'd like to pray for and he said " that they have food and water". It almost brought tears to my eyes. Yes I do have some Sweet, Sweet boys.

Happy New Year

Okay I know I'm a few days late. But after reading other bloggers posts this weekend I thought I should document some of my accomplishments and challenges of 2009 as well as goals for 2010. And this may sound a bit choppy as it was written over several days. Ironically my accomplishments and challenges are sometimes somewhat the same. 1. I made it another year being a mommy to 2 young children!!! Aiden is now potty trained during the day which to my surprise only took a few days really(Accomplishment!) He is also very independent and becoming quite demanding and learning how to throw some major fits (Definately a challenge, but I know its all part of his normal development). Evan is becoming quite the coureous little guy and doesn't seem to be scared of much of anything (accomplishment as well as challenge, especially when he is so quick to climb on kitchen chairs, tables, changing tables, ect). Again the accomplishment is that he's made it 15 months without a hospital visit or stiches, the challenge is trying to be a step ahead of the little guy as he doesn't like it much when someone tries to redirect him once he's already found his desination:). Aiden and Evan play together a lot more now again both an accomplishment and challenge since sometimes Aiden doesn't want to share, and often there play ends up in being a tackling match--I definately think I have a couple of football players on my hands, although I'm going to do my best to steer them towards cross country:) easier for a mommy watch a son run that get tackled:) But I'll support whatever they choose of course 2. Professionally, 2009 was an up and down year for me. It started out pretty rocky with getting reprimanded for what I thought was doing my job and what was ethical for the clients I served. But again having not had this challenge I may not have learned how much I was really appreciated in the community, and by my clients, as it ended up another agency went to bat for me and got the grant funding so now I continue to do the same job for an agency that respects me. Ironically as the close of the year I received a phone call from the Director of outpatient services about sending referrals my way. I took it as a huge compliment although he was not responsible for any part of my leaving it was reassuring that the agency I left still respected me professionally. 3. Spiritually, 2009 marked the year anniversary of Nathen and I being at home with a Church. We made going to church a prioriority shortly before the arrival of Evan, and its very rare that we don't attend. Its such a blessing that we found a place to call home. If you are ever in the Manhattan area on Saturday evening or Sunday morning I encourage you to check out University Christian Church. With having a church home and the daily devotions from my mom I've made improving my Spiritual health a priority for 2010. Because I feel if I'm healthy in that sense everything else will follow.. Which brings me to my new years resolutions, please God give me the patience and motivation to keep them. Resolution 1: Read my Bible daily 2: Spend quality time with Nathen 3. Be patient with my sons, and not to sweat the little things 4. Accept that I'm not perfect, and that is OKAY, and by the way NORMAL--NO ONE IS PERFECT EXCEPT GOD (I'm not yelling at my fellow blog readers but just making a point to myself:) 5. Be more physically healthy by eating better, and excersising more. I'm really not interested in loosing weight just feeling better. Well that is it for now, again I apologize if this came across as a bit choppy, I started writing it last night, but couldn't finish it until now.