One

Tomorrow my baby boy turns ONE. I can't believe it. This time last year I was in labor, debating whether or not we should go to the hospital yet. Now I am on the couch reminiscing, almost tearfully, as he sleeps right above me. Caleb's first year went by so much faster than Hannah's, I sort of feel like I missed it. And I am already seeing my baby disappear and a very energetic toddler emerging. It's exciting and it's sad at the same time. I miss my snuggly, cuddly infant who would fall asleep on me. Now he squirms to be let down so he can crawl (fast!) and explore. He has the best giggle. He loves to eat, I mean really loves it. He loves his sister, and already likes to wrestle with Chris.

I love you deeply Caleb Samuel, our miracle baby. I can't wait to see what God has in store for your life.

Springtime (Fun With my Camera)

First, as a follow-up to my last post, I passed my test! I'm so excited to be finished taking tests after six years of them (post college). I have already started working on my to-do list, reading my Bible more, planning Caleb's party, and doing some work in the garden. I also cleaned one set of blinds today too, so I'm on my way. That has to be one of my least favorite house chores. 

Enough of that, here are some photos I've been wanting to post for awhile. I took them back at the end of March, right after Easter, so this is long overdue.

A girl and her dog

Survival Mode

I have a very good reason for not blogging for the last month:

I am taking the VERY LAST of my licensing exams on Monday. This is big news, people. Completing the licensing exams has been a 6 year endeavor, and that's not counting the required 5 year degree before exam eligibility. There are seven national exams for licensure, and because California is so special (read: difficult), they have their own supplemental exam. 

So, I have been in survival mode for the last month, using most of my free time to study and putting my to-do list aside until after April 29th. Every one of Caleb's nap times have turned in to my study times. My MIL graciously came down for a few days to play with the kids and help me out. And my sweet husband has been such a support, watching the kids on his days off so I can get some extra study time. That's no small feat considering Caleb wants to spend all his waking hours outside eating dirt or playing in water.

So I am eagerly anticipating April 29. I cannot wait to be done with tests and have my sanity back. I get very stressed out right before one of these exams. It kind of makes me feel like this:

I've been making a mental list of things I want to do once it's done and I have my life back (in no particular order):

Dust

Clean the blinds

Take the kids to a park

Read my Bible

Plan Caleb's birthday party
Work in the garden
Dates with my husband

Blog more

Bake

Play with the kids on the floor 
All the other things I have been neglecting, like scheduling dr. appointments, kindergarten paperwork, etc.

I am so looking forward to summer and enjoying these two

So if you think of it, please pray for me on Monday from 9-12:30. I am REALLY hoping to pass.

Everyday Fun

The newest thing in our house these days is the appearance of Caleb's first tooth, finally! Boy was that a long, drawn out process. So it's working it's way out and I think the second one is about to break through soon too. 

Caleb has also become a very fast crawler. His favorite things to go for are Tucker's food and water dishes, and the backyard if the slider is open. Once he's outside, he finds either the dog's water bowl out there or some dirt. 

Hannah's in the middle of a 6-week soccer class and loves it. She is a fast runner so I think soccer is a good fit for her, as much as I would love to live vicariously and put her in dance. 

 I walked upstairs the other night to find this:

 I think I foiled a jail break

My silly girl and her big, beautiful eyes (and loose tooth, she's very excited for it to fall out soon)

Eating his first aebelskiever

A trip to the zoo last Monday. Caleb was very focused on all the sights, especially whatever Hannah was doing. Hannah's favorite part of the zoo is the play area with the big hill to slide down. Makes me wonder why we bought a membership instead of just taking her to the park...

Shameless Plug

I just realized I haven't said anything on here about Chris' CD, "Still Small Voice". I'm sure the five of you who read this already know about his CD, so I'll just remind you how fantastic it is. The album is all original songs, except for one hymn. I am so proud of Chris for all the hard work he put into making this CD a reality. 
If you haven't already, be sure to check out his website where you can download the album for FREE. It's also on iTunes and various other places. He's also periodically posting in the blog section with the story behind each song and how it came to be. We hope you are blessed by his album!

9 months - New Accomplishments

The big news for Caleb this month is that he is crawling! You may have thought it would be teeth, but no. We're still enjoying those gummy smiles. I think I'm going to have to puree his food until he's 16. 

 

But Caleb is off and crawling and loving this new-found freedom. In the mornings after breakfast, he will happily cruise around the living room for about an hour, just checking everything out. He especially wants to see/eat whatever Hannah is playing with. This has resulted in massive reorganization of her toys. Most of them are now up in her room, which also makes me happy because the play corner no longer looks like tornado wreckage. I would love to do a massive purge, but Hannah would probably disown me. 

It's so fun to watch Caleb's personality come out. He loves to "growl" and shake his head back and forth, then he'll wait for you to do it. Once you do, he'll smile and shake his head again. I'll have to get video of this, it sounds weird in writing.

Super Baby on the go. Notice the backwards bib/cape

*SNOW*

Snow has to be one of my favorite things. That probably seems weird for someone who is cold most of the time, but bundle me up and I am set to go! I am so grateful to my parents for all the trips I had to the snow as a child, at the time I didn't realize how fortunate I was. Living far from the snow and the mountains has made me miss it that much more.

 The last week of January we were blessed to have the opportunity to use a friend's cabin up at Shaver Lake for 3 glorious days. We had never been to Shaver before, other than driving through on our way to camping at Dinkey Creek (another fabulous place). We had such a great time as a family, and the kids were exceptional travelers.

We all enjoyed some sledding behind the cabin

 

 

Love these boys

My two snow bunnies

Getting ready for a snowball fight with Daddy

A highlight of the trip was getting to ski and snowboard again. We were trying to remember the last time we hit the slopes and I think it's been two years. Sigh. I was so excited to be on the mountain again, however my body had lost all confidence in my skiing abilities. I probably looked ridiculous making my way down the run. Thankfully that disappeared on the next one. Whew! I can still ski.

Hannah getting ready for her first ski lesson at China Peak

While Hannah was in her lesson Chris hit the slopes and I got to hang out with this little bear. So thankful for the parent pass lift ticket!

After the lesson I got to go down the hill with Hannah. She LOVED skiing and wanted to go up the chair lifts. I told her we'd have to wait until next time. I'm one proud Mama. :)