A trip to the pumpkin patch

On a bright sunny morning last week, we loaded the boys up into the car, complete with matching outfits (striped shirts and blue jeans), and made our way to the pumpkin patch for some great family pictures. We had a delightful time! Joshua especially seemed right at home amongst the pumpkins (I'm not drawing any comparisons, of course!) I think we will head out there every year, as the pictures are just too sweet.

Catching up

This last week has been very busy. And, as usual during a busy week, the day to day maintenance of my home has been neglected. Mail, laundry, and general cleanliness piled up until there is nothing left to do but work excessively until everything is back where it should be. At least thats how I handle it. :) I'm an organizer, a tidy-upper, and I never feel quite right unless my house is somewhat orderly. I'm just about at an orderly point now, so I'm breathing a sigh of relief as normalcy (whatever that is) has returned.
Despite the messy house, the week was filled with many exciting happenings that I wouldn't trade for anything: new tires for the car, a visit from Grandma, first tooth for our 7 month old, late nights at work, competitive games of "Snatch" and "Boggle, a trip to the pumpkin patch, new (scratchy) uniforms at work, visits from old (and new) friends, and some great aerobic DVD's from the library.

Isaiah and Grandma reading a new "I Spy" book

Jim tickling Isaiah

Joshua learning how to get up on all fours, he'll take off any day now...

Precious moments with Josh

This afternoon, while Isaiah was having his nap, Joshua and I spent a few precious moments together. Joshua, happy and cheerful, was gurgling and babbling to himself while rolling around on the floor. I just had to stop what I was doing, and get down on the floor with him. I love times like this: when you just soak up the sweetness and beauty of your child.

The Lord's good gift

Joshua 7 months

Isaiah 2 years

Last night as I was singing Isaiah's bedtime song, from Psalm 127, I felt a bit teary as I got to the verse that says "Lo, children are the Lord's good gift, rich payment are mens son's..." My boys are my good gift from the Lord, and what a precious gift they are! Raising them presents many challenges and frustrations, and there are days when I feel ready to give up, but I am reminded of the Lord's promises every evening when I sing with them before bed...

Psalm 127A

Except the Lord shall build the house, the builders lose their pain

Except the Lord the city keep, the watchmen watch in vain

Tis vain for you to rise be times, or late from rest to keep

To eat the bread of toil, for so he gives his loved ones sleep.

Lo, children are the Lord's good gift, rich payment are mens' son's

The sons of youth as arrows are in hands of might ones.

Who has his quiver filled with these, oh happy shall he be!

When foes they greet within the gate, they shall from shame be free.

Shop till I drop

Today Marcie, Isaiah, Joshua and I went to the mall! I officially reached my pre-pregnancy weight and I was able to convince Nick that a shopping spree was in order. :) It wasn't hard to win him over, as he loves for me to do nice things for myself. And I like to do nice things for myself too, only it seems that I just don't do it very often. Especially when it comes to buying new clothes. I do love to have new things, but I'm such a bargain hunter that I typically just buy things off the clearance rack or garage sales or thrift stores. While it is great to shop the sales (and I do LOVE a good sale), today I went shopping just to get what I wanted. No limiting myself to clearance racks. It was great! Kind of scary, but great. When is the last time I bought an article of clothing merely because it fit and I liked it??? I, of course, did keep track of my spending and stayed within the determined budget, but it was very exciting to buy some new things without humming and hawing over the fact that they weren't on sale.
The boys made the shopping trip even more "exciting," although I should say that pushing the double stroller between racks and shelves was an adventure in itself. The boys did cut the trip a little shorter than I would have liked, but oh well, that means we'll have to go again... :)