Florida, Florida, Florida

At the end of July, Jessica come down to Florida to visit for 2 weeks.   The same day she arrive Josh's brother Jon and his wife Merry arrived in Florida. Jon and Merry will now be living in the Niceville/ Crestview area of Florida!!  Jon got out of the Marines and will now be in the Reserves as he goes to school and in just a few months be becoming a daddy to baby Owen!!!  (This will be BIG for me- come November I will be an Aunt for the first time!!!!  I am super excited!!!!!)  

Jon had to check in with his Reserve group in Jacksonville.  On the way back from there, Jon and Merry stopped in Gainesville for the night.  They arrived right before Landon woke up and he was so excited when he got up.  Landon received a awesome fold up play tent with Lightening McQueen on it. Arabella loved meeting her aunt and uncle for the first time.  The next day Jon and Merry played with their niece and nephew while I cleaned and packed.  Josh got off work as nap time was rolling around so it was about time to leave.  Landon rode with Jon and Merry and Josh, Arabella and I were planning on leaving with in the hour after them.  That didn't happen.  Things took longer than planned which seems to happen a lot with a baby around.  Plus as we were ready to go the car battery decided to die.  Josh had just driven to the gas station to get gas and air in the tires  less than an hour beforehand so I don't really know what happened.  Thankfully, our nice neighbor offered us a jump not too long after we realized what happened and the car was fine.  It has been since then too.  So Landon ended up by getting there about 2-3 hours before us.  He didn't mind because Aunt Jessica, Jamiie, Uncle J, Grandma W and Grandpa W were there waiting for everyone to arrive.  I think this was the longest Landon was away from both Josh and I.  I was stressing a little just because I am a little crazy and overprotective.  I was really glad Landon was able to spend lots of time with his family because I think that is SOOO important.(so Jon and Merry don't take offense to this overprotective mommy's worries)  Aunt Merry did a great job at helping me cope with my worries.  She kept me updated every hour with text about Landon and some pictures too.  Thank you Aunt Merry!!

Josh took 2 days off work and we headed up to the panhandle so we could see her for more than just the weekend. So we were in the Panhandle from Friday through Wednesday. 

We stayed with my parents and got to see them in the mornings.  We spent most of the afternoons and evening over at the packed Williams house.  It was great and a little sad.  Josh and I, more than ever, wanted to live back "home"(second home I guess even though we both still call Ft Walton Beach and Niceville "home") so we can be closer to our families.  We got to go to the beach with all the aunts and one uncle plus Grandma W.  Josh and Landon went twice.  Arabella and I came down with a little fever cold thing but thankfully it was short lived.  On the way back to Gainesville we stopped to have dinner with my brother Adam.  He took us to his favorite restaurant which I think has been our favorite so far too!  I only wish we could see Uncle Adam more with or without the yummy food!  ;)


It was a great vacation!  Family is the best!!

Pinterest

Do you know about Pinterest?  I am in LOVE!!! It lets you save websites and pictures.  I already did this and Josh was not too happy about all the space on the computer I was taking up saving all my pictures ideas and things so that I could do things for homeschooling, home decorating, crafting and whatever.  It is a very addiciting site for me and thankfully I can use it on my iTouch while I am nursing Arabella or need to waste some time waiting for an appointment because I might never leave the computer if I couldn't use it then.  Here is my site. Now I am super happy and so is Josh.

http://pinterest.com/krystlew/


  If you want an invite just send me an email.  I LOVE it!!! Wait I think I said that all ready.

Family fun in the Sun time: Our July

Here is a few of the happenings of our July.

Fourth of July was spent having fun with family and friends.  We had a great morning as a family and then headed to the Durrenberger's after nap for dinner and fireworks.   Julie and her kids also were there to join in the fun. 

One Sunday after Sunday school, we headed out to the Ichetucknee Springs with Sally and the Fairrows.  It was so funny.  Arabella wasn't too fond of the 78 degree water, it did feel pretty cold that day.  She and I hung out and watched everyone play in the water and to Arabella's delight there were some kids with balloon that we were able to watch.  Landon hung out on Daddy's shoulders in the water most of the time.  It was a no nap day for Landon but he did awesome! 






 We joined my MOPS group at the UF Museum of Natural History.  The Peines were there too and we walked around the building with them after hanging out in the kids center. 











Here are some pictures from the rest of the month.  Mostly just having fun around the house.  We took Landon and Arabella to see a little local play of Custard the Dragon, which is one of Landon's favorite books.  It was okay but Landon loved getting to hug Custard (see below).  Landon, Bella and I went on a nature walk/ treasure hunt and made a college (top right hand). Landon is getting to be a skilled toothbrusher.  On night Josh walked into the bathroom to go brush his teeth and found Landon already doing so (second row on the right)  Landon has been having fun with exploring his world with chalk drawings, spray bottles and Play-Doh (pictures various places below).  Landon loves cars and trains and Arabella is normally trailing him as fast as she can (See below for train track made of books and a train station on a table )


I went to Chaysen and baby Emma's shower.  Can't wait until we get to meet baby Emma, who should be here any day now. 

 Landon helped Daddy make Mommy a shelf for the bathroom.  Josh later painted it black. 

 Arabella has found the fish tank and loves it.  She will scoot over to it (now she crawls since she is crawling on all fours as of this past week!). She just stares at it for several minutes then pulls up on the ledge and bangs on the glass. 

 Trying to get to the pool as much as possible but this month it just didn't happen that much. 

 Arabella loves music and loves Landon's guitar from his Great Aunt Leah. 

This was one of the strangest thing I have seen Reesie our cat do, which is saying a lot because she is a very strange cat.  She loves Landon's car basket.  Once he dumps the cars out she tends to hop in there and try to stay as long as possible.  This day I couldn't even get her out so I decided she would surely get out if we just started filling up the basket.  As you can see below I was very wrong.  She didn't get out until EVERY car, truck and train was back in the basket and she still waited a few seconds/minutes to get out. 

From God

I had to post this before I forgot. Josh just walked in the room where Landon was playing and scolded at him. Josh said 'Where did you learn to make that face?'. He was thinking he would say mommy or daddy.

Landon's response 'From God!' in a very firm voice.

He cracks me up!


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Needed to share

This story came in my email box from MOPS, which is a group I am apart of for mothers of preschoolers. I feel like I need to be reminded of this often.

Learning to Cherish
by Moyra Jean Stiles, mother of three

Four months ago, my friend was diagnosed with aggressive stomach cancer. And my life has been irrevocably altered by the days I have spent with her during her illness. Days that confine her to her bed or a recliner all day, very heavily medicated for pain, physically unable to do daily tasks as she moves through the letting go of the work that was hers as a woman, a wife and a mother.

"I want to be the one to love
my family in these tangible ways"
In the hours when we sit together and pray, her heart desires remain very clear: “Please, Lord, please, let me be the one that gets to dress my girls. Please, Lord, O please, let my hands be able to once again prepare a meal for the man I love and the children I cherish. I, Lord, I want to be the one to love my family in these tangible ways.” Of all the things she’s lost in this season, this is what she mourns the loss of most: caring for the ones she loves with the energy and creativity of her unique and committed heart.
Oddly enough, those are the very tasks that most often garner grumbles from me. I, who have an abundant amount of health and energy, grow weary of endless meals to prep, laundry to fold and diapers to change. And yes, these tasks can be tiresome. But because of my friend’s beautiful spirit and grace, I’m discovering just how precious they are, just how much they mark me my husband’s wife, my children’s mother. And those are roles I never want to lose.


Dear God, thank you for my family. Show me how to love them through the big and the small, the exciting and the mundane. Remind me to cherish them always. Amen.


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Childhood Doesn’t Wait

I read this and had to share.


Childhood Doesn’t Wait


(Author Unknown)

I was sitting on a bench
while in a nearby mall,
When I noticed a young mother
with two children who were small.

The youngest one was whining,
“Pick me up,” I heard him beg
but the mother’s face grew angry
as the child clung to her leg.

“Don’t hang on to me,” she shouted
as she pushed his hands away,
I wish I’d had the courage
to go up to her and say…

“The time will come too quickly
when those little arms that tug,
Won’t ask for you to hold them
or won’t freely give a hug.

“The day will sneak up subtly
just as it did with me,
When you can’t recall the last time
that your child sat on your knee.

“Like those sacred, pre-dawn feedings
when we cherished time alone
Our babies grow and leave behind
those special times we’ve known.

“So when your child comes to you
with a book that you can share,
Or asks that you would tuck him in
and help him say his prayer…

“When he comes to sit and chat
or would like to take a walk,
Before you answer that you can’t
`cause there’s no time to talk”
Remember what all parents learn
so many times too late,
That years go by too quickly
and that childhood doesn’t wait.

“Take every opportunity,
if one should slip away
Reach hard to get it back again,
don’t wait another day.”
I watched that mother walk away
her children followed near,
I hope she’ll pick them up
before her chances disappear.


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Wanted to let you in on a great deal. I have received a couple of other free "testers" from them.They also typically have coupons for you to buy the product too!

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A thoughtful thought from my sweet boy

A friend of ours recently was killed in a motorcycle accident. I am good friends with his wife. Landon was friends with his 4 year old son. We had just spent a morning and lunch with them less than a week before this happened. Our family was saddened by this tragic event. We were telling Landon that his friend had lost his Daddy and won't be able to see him. His daddy had gone to Heaven to be with Jesus. Although his friend would be very sad, his daddy is in a very great place since he is with Jesus. Landon was so concerned for his friend. I was some what surprised with the emotion that he seemed to have for his friend. He has asked about how his friend is doing almost everyday since then. He also asks to pray for his friend every night at bed time prayers.
Landon: "Help (his friend's name) not be sad. His Daddy love him and he happy cause he with Jesus. Amen." It is really hard for me to not cry when I hear this. Although Josh did pray with us all the day it happened this was not something Josh and I told him to do or what to say. It was something he came up with on his own. I am truly blessed to have such a great example of Christ's heart sleeping in the bedroom next to mine.

Events such as losing a loved one before we think it is time always makes me think about remembering to live everyday to its fullest and to treasure all of our blessings each and every day. I have had several close friends and fmaily members die but this one has been truly hard for me. I know and saw the love a wife had for her husband and the love and admiration a son had for his father. This time I also have a son who reminds me of something very important. Only Jesus can heal these wounds and we need to always be seeking him not just in times like these. Also remember that death is not the end for those who walk with God, just a wonderful beginning to their live in the Kingdom of Heaven. Hope you take the time today to strengthen your walk with God and love on your loves a little extra.

Landon

I still have more post to write about just trying to find the time to get them all written and get the pictures together. I wanted to give a little update on Landon since I have been posting so much about Arabella.

We are so proud of Landon. He is just becoming such a great little man. He makes me laugh and smile everyday!

A couple of months ago Landon figured out how to take off his shirt (undies and shorts have been more like 6-8 months ago which that time everything was kind of a blur with Arabella arriving and feeling awful).He just started being able to fully dress himself. He has been putting on his shoes for a long time, undies and shorts in the last 4-5 month. We never really tried getting him to put on his shirt (mainly because it only has to happen 2 times a day normally so it isn't something that is time consuming for me or hard with Arabella around). About 2.5 weeks ago he just took his shirt from me and put it on. I was shocked. He must have been thinking "Mom, I know how to do this just give me the shirt and I will show you." He loves showing off his new skill so now his shirt comes off a lot but he gets it back on and more often that not it is now correctly.
He comes up with the craziest stories. He has a great imagination. He really LOVES learning about Jesus and His life. He has such a heart for others.

Landon will also be starting preschool this coming week with me. I am so excited. Although we did some "school" last year it was very informal and without any real schedule. I have been spending that last few weeks preparing his curriculum (which I have thoroughly enjoyed). I am praying that all goes well but also prepared to deal with life as it comes. Hopefully by this time next week I will have an update on how our first week went. I know I am super excited!

I love our little man and can not believe that he will be 3 next month!

Arabella Pulling Up

I had intended on posting this in the previous post.

This is of the first time she was pulling up.  This was last week.




Now she thinks she is an expert and is crusing around the fireplace and whatever else she can get her self up with.  She likes the big wicker basket Landon's cars are in she she can push it.  Plus she is letting on and standing for a second before falling.  She really needs to slow down, I can't keep up with her!  My friend Michelle keeps telling me that she is learning so fast to make room for the next one.  That is not in our plans but God has certain shown Josh and I we should make plans because almost nothing in our lives is how we planned it.  We are just holding on for the ride that our Lord is taking us on (it feels like a roller coaster ride most of the time!).

Half a year... What?! My baby girl is 6 months!

Yes, I can't believe it.  For whatever reason this is has been hard on me.  I love my babies but I do enjoy toddler and older years more than the baby months.  I just have a hard time thinking of her as something other than a little bundle of sweetness that needs to stay warm in my arms. 

Biggest News...
A day short of Arabella turning 6 months is she started pulling up and STANDING UP!  I wouldn't believe it unless I was sitting right there.  Even more amazing is a caught it (or some of it) on video.  Even better is Daddy was right there with us. 

She is also sitting up for minutes at a time now.  She can almost put herself in a sitting position.  She is at a 60-70 degree angle and then she can't get up the rest of the way.  As I said in an earlier post she is scooting around like crazy.  If I put her in the living room, by the time I throw a load of clothes in the washer she is already can be in Landon's room.  I am thankful that Landon is a huge joyful (at least most of the time) helper and watches her since she is known for putting anything she thinks is interesting in her mouth.  She loves to bang things.  She seems to prefer the colors red and yellow. 

We have started feeding her.  Man, does this girl like to eat!  She actually yells at us almost every meal time if she isn't being feed which is part of the reason we started feeding her sooner that the 6 month mark.  She would like to eat solid food at least 2 times a day.  This is a night and day difference from Landon who basically refused food until he was 9-10 months old and he never would eat anything pureed.  She also loves to drink water.  She can already drink out of Landon's sippy cups and my sport water bottle lid but she typically gets a baby bottle of water. 


We are also pretty sure she is saying "hi."  Josh and I are both skeptical when it comes to speech just because sometimes it is easy to here what you want to hear. But we both thought she is saying hi.  Either way she is making a specific noise that sounds almost like hi when she sees someone or someone says hi to her. 


I had to take her to the doc. because of a diaper rash that won't go away, actually the ONLY diaper rash she has gotten ever.  It turned out to be just a yeast infection which cleared up within a day or two after the ointment superscribed.  She was 16.8lbs and 26inches. 

Landon still is going a great job sharing his toys and always gets her one when he wants me to play.  She goes to her when she is sad and when he is sad.  I love that they comfort each other so well.  I love being a sister and glad to see my children embracing the God's gift of siblings. 

She is a super happy baby and such a personality.  We all love her and can't imagine life without her now. 

Our little smiley sunshine!

Almost sitting

Loves music

First trip to the springs- Too cold for this little lady

First bite of food

First ride in the double stroller (despite Landon's look we all had fun)

Arabella at 5 months old (July)

Well this has come and gone but I still wanted to write a little something. 

Some first for Arabella...
-First cold (she just slept a lot and was a great little trooper)
-She loves to stand but June 22nd she took her first steps while holding mommy's hands
-Lunch and dinner out with friends (She did great such an easy baby!)
-June 28th started sitting up for a few seconds without any support
-July 4th First time seeing fireworks and first Independence Day (Again she did great, she was asleep on the walk over to the fire works but woke up and was happy as a lark)

My silly monkeys (I didn't even realize I matched them, Landon noticed it and said we needed a picture)

Other News...

Still no teeth but she is teething!
ADORES her brother. He can make her smile no matter how she is feeling.  I LOVE it!
She is such a Daddy's girl (and Daddy is eating it up!).  As soon as she sees him she wants nothing to do with me.  Landon was not like that, he loved his Daddy but he would typically want me.

Exersaucer fun

Arabella plays in the exersaucer when we are eating or I am making a meal but she almost always loves it.

Monsters

Landon: there are monsters that live all over some little ones live in the trees outside. Sometimes they come inside and give Arabella little hugs.Big hugs for Daddy and Landon not Arabella.

Mom: Arabella doesn't get big hugs?

L: No because she is a baby! Only little monsters live in the trees. Probably because God wanted them like that. God makes all the monsters live lots of places big and small monsters. God makes all the things around.

M: Laughing and giving L a big hug and telling him him he is cute.

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