the little things

We have lots of great pictures of Cora. I am so thankful for each one of them. Those pictures really are treasures. But as I look back at the pictures I took of Cora, I think I was often too worried about everything looking perfect. I probably passed up taking pictures of the cute little things she did because the house was too messy or I hadn't gotten her dressed yet or I didn't like how I looked. And now that she is in heaven, I so wish I had taken more pictures of the little things she did; her funny habits and the little things that made up our everyday...even if everything wasn't perfect.

I think about that a lot more as I take pictures of Levi. What are the things I want to remember about him as a one year old? What are the everyday things that make up his day? Like those little chubby feet.

When Levi is playing by himself, I'll often walk back into the room and find him sitting with his feet crossed. I love how he plays and plays and those little feet stay crossed the whole time.

It is a little thing. But something that will always remind of Levi as a one year old. 

Chubby crossed feet.

some time with my hubby

So, this week was supposed to be more exciting...I know.

I decided to take a little trip with my hubby 

instead of staying home to write blog posts. :)

He had to go to Manhattan (Kansas not New York) 

for a class and I decided to go along.

It was just us...not even Levi this time.

When we got to Manhattan on Tuesday we met my brother 

for lunch at our favorite lunch spot.

We used to eat here all the time.

It was just as good as I remembered.

Owen gave us a tour of his fraternity before heading back to his classes.

I tried to get him to skip class to hang out with me, 

but he is too much like his sister and said he had to go.

Joel tried to remind him that the difference between 

an A and a B in college is a whole lot of fun.

He always tried to tell me that in college too.

I got the A's. He had a lot of fun. :)

How did my baby brother get big enough to be in college?

Joel had to go to his class too.

Which is funny because I'm pretty sure Joel skipped 

more classes in college than he went to.

So, the rest of the day I spent checking out Manhattan and shopping a little.

Manhattan has changed so much since we were in college.

After I got tired of shopping I went to our hotel until Joel was done with his class.

I sat on the comfy bed, watched TV and ate Chipotle all by myself.

It was lovely.

The next morning Joel had to go back for class.

I stayed in the hotel and just relaxed and caught up on my Bible study.

Can you tell that this trip was all about class for Joel...

and all about relaxing and eating for me??

When Joel was done with his class we went to another favorite lunch spot.

They have the yummiest burgers and fries.

I was glad to have some company again too!

Before going home we drove by our first apartment.

It was a one bedroom teeny-tiny apartment.

We both couldn't even fit in the kitchen at the same time.

But we thought it was great!

This was our little balcony.

So many memories.

We were talking about how much we miss those first two years we were newly married and finishing college. Life was so simple back then. We hadn't really faced anything difficult. We spend tons of time just hanging out and talking. Our schedules were so flexible. We didn't have very much money and our apartment was nothing special, but we didn't care. Some days I would do anything to go back to those days of no worries.

Tonight in our small group we are talking about growth in our life as a Christian. Growth is a process. Our book says becoming a Christian begins a lifelong adventure of knowing God better and loving Him more. I love that. And while those college days seem so easy and carefree, I see now how they were just part of our journey. God was using those days to ground us for what was ahead. I had no idea back then that He would choose to allow heartache and tragedy in my life to mold me and change me. Romans 5:3 says, "we glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." The suffering I have faced doesn't compare to what Paul was facing when he wrote these words. It doesn't compare to what many are facing around the world today. And I can't honestly say that I am at the point where I can say I glory in my suffering. But I do know that God has used and continues to use Cora's death to produce perseverance and character and hope in my life. He is changing me. And for that I am thankful.    

So, today I am thankful for time away with my hubby.

I am thankful to be home playing blocks with Levi this morning.

I am thankful for the reminder of God's work in my life.

And I am thankful that Joel and I are not the same people we once were.

He is changing us.

I pray that I would always be open to His changing work in my life.

mondays are always better...

...following a Sunday afternoon nap.

I woke up from my Sunday afternoon nap to find Joel like this. Poor guy. I had to laugh because Joel hates this chair. It doesn't recline and he says it is the worst chair for napping. You can't get comfy and you always wake up with a crook in your neck.

I like it because it is pretty but apparently I didn't take napping into consideration when making this purchase. We do have a really comfy couch that is perfect for napping...but I was hogging it. I let Joel have it after I finished taking his picture. :)

Happy Monday!

Hope you had a restful weekend.

saturday randomness

I know it has been quiet around here. I feel like I should apologize, but that is just part of real life...right? Levi and I have been busy. There was lots of catching up to do after being snowed in and confined to the house because of RSV. So, just a few random pictures today and some answers to your questions from the Valentine Party post...

* * * * * * * 

Levi is loving spaghetti lately. It is so funny to watch him gobble it down. 

The mess he makes in the process is not so fun.

I'm pretty sure this spaghetti eating baby went straight to the bathtub. 

* * * * * * * 

Uncle James (Joel's brother) was visiting from China over his break for Chinese New Year. It was so great to have him home and spend some time with him.

Levi loved playing with Uncle James and leading him all around the house. James is back in China teaching now...we miss him already! Thank goodness for iChat!

* * * * * * *

Levi and I spent lots of time on this chair last week during his breathing treatments.

I loaded him up with his favorite books and toys. It is hard to keep a one year old busy and those breathing treatments seem SO long.

But by the end of the week it was funny how he seemed to know the routine. He didn't even seem to mind the breathing treatments too much except for the silly fish mask. He didn't want any part of that thing being on his face...he only wanted to play with it.

Four times a day I spent some quality time with my little man. We read, we sang, and we played with his toys. And we were so thankful that those breathing treatments worked. We were praying for a healthy baby boy with no trips to the hospital!

* * * * * * *

A few answers to your questions...

Table & Chairs

The table is actually two tables pushed together from Walmart. They are 4-foot Fold-in-Half Tables by Mainstays. I couldn't find them online, but I just recently got them at Walmart. The three colorful chairs I have collected from several different local antique stores. The rest of the wooden chairs were borrowed from my mom.

Chalkboard

The chalkboard is a 4 x 8 masonite board that I painted with magnetic paint and chalkboard paint. My very handy brother framed it for me. Here is a great tutorial for a DIY ginormous chalkboard.

Levi's Clothes

I get a ton of his clothes from Old Navy, some from Gap, and some from Target. I usually find the best deals at Old Navy though.

Have a Ball Valentines

I found the balls at Dollar Tree. They were three for a dollar. I pretty much copied everything from here.

My Camera

I have a Canon 50D. I use both a Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens and a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 lens. I have had my Canon since last May and love it. I have no photographer advice for you because I am not one! :) I love taking pictures to capture the everyday moments with my family. 

If you have sent me an e-mail in the last month I am SO sorry for my slow response. I am going to work on answering e-mails this weekend, so hopefully you will hear from me soon! :)

Next week should be much more exciting around here. See you Monday!

cousin love {a valentine party}

Between facing some hard anniversaries again 

and Levi having RSV last week {yuck, I know} 

we thought we needed to start this week off with a party.

Yesterday we invited all of Levi's cousins over for a Valentine Party.

We set up a little table for the eight cousins who are all five and under.

Most of the decorations I re-used from Joel's party this summer.

I made my own version of the heart strings garland.

The cute mailboxes were in the dollar bin at Target.

They were definitely the hit of the party.

And Levi passed out the cute have a ball valentines to his cousins.

The moms and grandmas sat leisurely for hours 

sat for five seconds at the grown-up table.

Excuse the wrinkly tablecloth...I am not a fan of ironing. :)

Before the party Levi opened up his valentine from his daddy and mama.

Red Converse shoes...I found them on clearance at Target.

He is loving shoes right now. It is so cute.

Levi was very stylin' for the party in his red shoes...at least his mama thought so.

My sister-in-law made cocoa pancakes with whipped cream for the kids.

What more do you need when you have chocolate pancakes?

There was lots of yummy food for the grown-ups too.

After the grown-ups sat for a few minutes and tried to enjoy our food...

it was FINALLY time to pass out valentines.

The best part.

Even Levi liked putting his valentines in his mailbox.

He thought he was such a big boy with all his cousins.

Levi and his sweet cousins...only Cora is missing!

The big cousins made Megan's heart craft.

I cut out all the big hearts.

Then we punched the little hearts out with a Creative Memories heart punch.

The kids thought it was great!

And they all turned out so pretty.

The girls' hearts were very girly of course...only pink and purple!

After the party Levi and I spent some much needed time outside.

We hadn't been out at all last week because of all the snow and Levi being sick.

It was beautiful...and the snow is finally melting.

{Levi, don't put rocks in your mouth!}

Levi broke in his new valentine shoes.

When dad got home Levi even got a wagon ride.

What a fun day.

Hope your Valentine's Day was just as great!