Little Mama

I've been waiting for the day that Haven's desire for girl things would kick in. Up until this past weekend she preferred to play with cars and trucks. But, oh on Sunday this little girl inside shone through and out came a little mama. Finally! She's only 1 but I was starting to worry that with an older brother she would only want to play with cars, heaven forbid.

Since Sunday she has carried this one baby around with her everywhere, we even took it to church with us on Sunday night. She holds it up to her and pats it and loves on it. The only time she puts it down is to crawl. Yes, she is still crawling even though she can walk. We've been waiting for almost 2 months for her to give crawling up and go solely to walking.

Probably if you asked her the baby's name it would be "uh", since that is what she calls everything.

She takes her baby for a walk at Nana's house and rocks them at Mema's house. The small baby she is rocking is the one that she has become really attached to and takes everywhere.

VBS Night

Last night was our kick-off for VBS, this year's theme is Game Day. We invited as our speaker the mascot for the Kansas City Chiefs, KC Wolf. He was great, he came out in his costume and played around then he took his costume off and shared his testimony. Afterwards Jadon wanted to go see him and surprising was the fact that Haven liked him, well until she got close to him. Jadon even asked if he could be a wolf, so KC Wolf let him try on the head.

Angels, Puppies and Puppy houses

All of a sudden Jadon has this imagination, it's quite amazing. On Wednesday all evening he was an angel. I'm not really sure how in his mind an angel is a blanket over your head, but that's what he thinks. He walked around the house, bumping into walls and other things, with a blanket over him saying I'm an angel.

On Thursday when I picked him up from Mema's house he informed me he was a puppy and would pant with his tongue sticking out. I find this very endearing. All day on Thursday and actually every day since he has been a puppy. He wakes up every morning and says, "I puppy." And you have to refer to him as puppy, he will correct you if you call him Jadon, "I not Jadon, I puppy."

After his puppy nap on Thursday we made a puppy house. I had orginally planned for it to be a fort, but since he is a puppy it only seemed fitting that it should be a puppy house. We orginally built it in the living room and it has since been moved to his bedroom because he did not want to take it down. He loves the fact that when he goes to bed or takes naps he can sleep in his puppy house.

I wonder what he will be next?

The puppy has a bone in his mouth. He carried it around with him all day, of course in his mouth. Haven had fun crawling around in the puppy house too. And Jadon made sure she had her own bone.

New Job

Todd started his new job on Wednesday. He does maintenance and cleaning at Willard First Baptist. So far, so good. He did have a time on Tuesday night where he got a little misty eyed about leaving his other job. He has worked with his uncle for 8 years doing construction and over the last year has had the opportunity to have Jadon work with him a few times. I don't think there is anything more exciting to Jadon than to go to work with daddy. And he does work! He has an incredible work ethic already and will do anything he is asked to do. He will stand there and wait for Todd to ask him to do something and eagerly do it. He even got to climb the ladder with daddy for the first time last week. It was while they were working on Mema's new sun room.

Jadon had asked daddy if he could climb the ladder with him and it made him realize that this part of them working together was over. Daddy loves working with Jadon as much as Jadon loves working with daddy.

Looking Forward Now

Haven has officially been moved to face forward in her carseat. She has graduated from the infant car seat to a big carseat. The first ride was on Sunday to my parents house for dinner. She showed no emotion about it at all, she just pointed at it and grunted. It is quite nice to turn around and see her beautiful little face looking back at you. Another milestone come and gone in the fast pace of our lives.

She's not the happiest girl in these pictures because she was not feeling good.

My Daddy

Growing up and still to this day I had/have a wonderful loving daddy. Our relationship was that unbreakable, tight father/daughter bond. When I was young my daddy would drink, he tells this story with tears in his eyes, I was probably 5 or 6 years old and my mom and I had gone to church that morning. I don't remember anything about that day or what the preacher said, but I came home and told my daddy that I had prayed for him in church that day. What for, was his response. I told him I prayed he would quit drinking and come to church with us. My daddy did quit drinking and did start going to church with us. He quit cold turkey, never had another drink again and still to this day has not.

As I got older and started playing sports my daddy never missed a game. He attended every single one of them and believe me I could hear him above everyone else. I always sought the approval of my daddy, he was the only one whose opinion really mattered. On the games my team lost, which in basketball was a lot, I would wake up the next morning with a note by my mirror saying how proud he was of me and encourage me for next time. Sometimes I would wake up with messages written on my mirror in my lipstick saying he loved me. At the time I remember thinking, this is my lipstick your using to write those messages, but now those memories are very sweet to me. I wish I had cherished those things like I do now.

Even today my dad will send me cards for Mother's Day and my birthday and Valentine's Day; cards just for me. I love getting those cards, I know he spent time to pick out just the right one and gave it to just me.

I love my daddy and appreciate him far more than I show sometimes. What makes this even sweeter is that I can see Haven having this kind of relationship with her daddy.

Happy Father's Day

We have had a sick baby girl in the house for a couple of days, so I haven't had the opportunity to praise my husband.

Jadon and Haven I want you to know how much your daddy loves you.

Jadon, you are his little man and he enjoys working around the house with you and checking on the tomato plants and mowing the yard. I am amazed that you know what a speed square tool is! He also enjoys listening to you pray and reading your Bible stories with you. You have already learned so much from him and I know there is so much more you will continue to learn from him.

Haven, you are his sweet pea. You make him smile when you curl up your nose at him and how busy you are all the time. Your favorite thing to do is dance with daddy while he sings the song he wrote to you. Daddy's goal everyday is to see how many kisses he can get from you. Some days it is a lot(but still never enough) and other days your pretty stingy. You have a daddy that completely adores you!

We are blessed as a family to have a husband and daddy that loves, first and foremost, Jesus and loves his family secondly. Our kids only know what it is like to have a daddy that is very involved with them. That is truly a blessing, thank you Todd for being the best husband and daddy in the world!

Kissing Siblings

Many days in our home we have harmony, Jadon & Haven play and love on each other. Other days, well, can be a bit more difficult. I am so thankful and truly blessed that the harmonious days are greater than the difficult. Jadon's new thing lately is he wants to hold Haven when we say our bedtime prayers. The amazing thing is she sits on his lap and stays there during the prayer time. I will have to get it on video one night and share, he will talk to her and tickle her belly and kiss and hug on her. I just remind myself of those times when I feel like I am losing my mind from hearing screaming and crying.

Please Don't Laugh At Me

Okay, I have been called out by name to post a PDLAM; thanks Erin. I also challenge anyone who reads this to leave a comment on my blog with their PDLAM. My PDLAM is I love my pillow that I have had since I was a little girl. I can't sleep without it, if I'm hanging out on the couch at home I like to curl up with it, and I always take it on trips. I will not share my pillow with anyone, ask Todd. This pillow has pretty much disintegrated, there is very little stuffing left in it, and I know I've been told how bad it is to keep pillows for a long time, but I can't get rid of it. I do change the pillowcase on it, but I think I would cry if I had to get rid of my pillow.

This is probably a very good explanation of why my children are attached to things. Jadon has a string he likes to sleep with and Haven has a blankie. Sorry, Todd not only do you have a weird wife, but your children have been warped too.

There now you all know about my weird fetish with my pillow. Don't forget to share yours with me.

Training for Retirement

Daddy is training Jadon for his retirement from lawn mowing. Jadon loves to go out and watch when daddy mows the lawn, only lately has he been able to ride on the mower with daddy. Jadon took to this mowing thing very easily, daddy might get to retire sooner than he thought. When it was time to quit Jadon came in with big alligator tears and saying he didn't want to stop mowing. He loves to do anything that daddy does. I don't know how many times he has fixed things around the house because he's seen daddy do it. He will go get his tools and hammer and measure and saw till it's fixed.

Look at the face on that little man, this is a serious job!

After mowing it was time to come in and have a sucker. Jadon's reward for going bathroom on the potty all day! Way to go Jadon! He was also nice enough to share with Haven, or allowed her to steal licks.

This is Haven upset with the fact that Jadon decided to save the rest of his sucker for another time. She wanted more, what a sad little face.

Prayers of a Little Man

For several months now Todd and I have been reading a Children's Bible with Jadon before he goes to bed. At the end of each reading is a simple little prayer that we take turns reading with Jadon. We will say a few words and he repeats them after us. This is always a very sweet time for our family. Jadon also likes to pray at dinner time. Starting a few nights ago I heard Jadon talking to himself and started listening, only to find out he was praying. This made me even more interested in what he was saying. I heard the prayer of my little man when he thought no one was listening to him. I can't describe how joyful that made my heart to hear him thank God for Haven and Mommy and Daddy and several other things. My hope is that he always just breaks out into prayer of thanks to our God.

Flowerpot & the Gentlemen

Saturday at Belle's birthday party all the kids got to decorate a flower pot and later plant a flower in it. I was so excited because I love the fact that Jadon is getting old enough to do stuff like that. Once the announcement of what they were going to do was made Jadon quickly ran over and found him a spot. He stood there with all the other kids like a big boy; it made my heart melt. I offered my help, but he could do it all by himself. So, I watched as he grabbed all the baseball, football & soccar ball stickers and started putting them on; all by himself. I know daddy was proud because he didn't pick the pretty gemstones or the pretty ribbon, no he went straight for the sports balls. I know he was saying to himself, "Way to go, son!"

He worked really hard and took it very seriously and when he was done he did let me write his name on it. Our Jadon is growing up so big and so fast. He's almost a little man, no longer a little boy. When we leave the house he runs to open the car door for me and for Haven before he gets in. I am so thankful for a daddy that has displayed that chivalry to our son. I have two wonderful gentlemen in my home and I am blessed!

Weekend in Thayer

This past weekend we went down to Thayer, MO. It's a small town, but it has Gary & Lynette Hirsch and the girls and new Hirsch baby (don't know yet if he/she). So, we try to get down there as often as we can. Also, Belle's 1st birthday party was on Saturday. She was born on June 6, three days after Haven. It was a great time of laughing, talking, eating and just hanging out. For those of you who know us this is a huge deal, we even stayed up until 1:30am on Saturday! We are go to bed by 10:00pm people; you have kids and get old and things change.

Here are pictures of Haven and Belle before the big 1 party. Isn't Belle cute with her little tiara on? I think Haven likes it too, she wants one of her own.

Jadon & Bekah, aren't they cute together?

The crew plus Taylor Igo before everyone started arriving for Belle's party. Do you see Jadon snuggling Bekah's hair?

Orange Flavor Ice Makes Everything Better!

I've been out of town since Friday, so haven't been able to update my blog. Today and probably tomorrow will be catch up.

Last week my sister was so gracious to come and stay with Jadon & Haven on the days I worked. She's so wonderful! Well, on Thursday she brought a flavor ice for her and one for Jadon. (You know those flavored ice in the clear plastic tubes.) While sissy took her morning nap Jadon and Aunt Mal bonded over a flavor ice. I think Jadon has only had one in his life, so this was quite the treat. When I got home all he could talk about was the "blue ice" - the color of his. I assume that Aunt Mal's was orange because later that night he got his feelings hurt and he came over to me and informed me he needed an orange flavor ice. Then he said, "because I am sad." Ahhhh, and what did mommy say back? Sorry, honey I don't have any, but maybe a hug and kiss from me will make it all feel better. It doesn't quite compare to "orange ice".

On Friday knowing that my son "needed" an orange ice Aunt Mal brought some by our house on her way into town. So, Jadon got his orange ice and it made his world a much better place. Here he is enjoying his orange ice.

Little Photographer

Jadon has been asking for a couple of days now to take pictures. Yesterday morning he woke up immediately asking about taking pictures of our flowers. When I got off work yesterday we went outside and let him take pictures all by himself. What's nice about digital cameras is you don't have to worry about all the film that will be used. Jadon can take all the pictures he wants and then we can go through them and delete the ones we don't want to keep. It was quite humorous trying to teach him to look at the screen of the camera. But, I do think he did a wonderful job for his first time. Who knows he may be a world famous photographer one day!

Lately, Haven has been climbing into things and then whines because she can't get out of them. She will whine until one of us goes and helps her out. It was funny at first, but after several times of having to go rescue her a night you start wondering why she continues to do this. Her favorite thing right now to get stuck in is Jadon's dump truck, metal dump truck. Once in she likes to stand up and rock it back and forth, can you say bloody mouth waiting to happen.

Her other favorite toy of late is a singing Eeyore that claps it's ears. She used to hate this thing, to the point of her screaming every time it would sing. We would sit it in front of her and push the button for it to start singing If Your Happy and You Know It Clap Your Ears or Do Your Ears Hang Low and she would scream and shake. Well, now she loves it. When she walks in her room she starts pointing and clapping. It has become a favorite.

Some of pictures Jadon took:

This one Jadon wanted to take a picture of the grass and his foot.

Haven stuck in Jadon's dump truck and clapping with Eeyore.

Goodbye Bottles

I was standing at the sink last night doing the dinner dishes and I looked over at the full rack of bottles sitting by the sink. It made me sad thinking how quickly time has gone by and that my baby girl is now a little girl. She is now drinking regular milk out of a sippy cup instead of a bottle. Well, most times. I'm still not ready to give up that evening feeding where I give her a bottle and we snuggle on the couch. I've been telling people it's because I want to transition her slowly, but to be honest I think it is all to do with me. The day she can say, "Mom I think I'm ready to quit the bottle" I may consider it.

One thing I will say is I will be glad to have the bottle rack off my counter. For something somewhat small it takes up a lot of space on my counter. So, I will be glad to get that space back.

Update on Job Interview

I almost forgot to update everyone on our job interview Saturday night, I say everyone like there are just an abundance of people that read my blog. Who knows maybe one day. Anyway, the job interview lasted 2 1/2 hours. I told Todd the part of the whole interview that made me the most nervous was knowing when we left they were going to stay and talk about us. Todd and I pray that this church calls the man that God wants, whether that be us or someone else. We dearly love this church and want the very best for them and to see them grow in Christ and change their community.

My Sweet Haven

Dear Haven,
I have been truly blessed this past year with you. I have enjoyed watching you learn new things and grow into a beautiful little girl. You have done and accomplished so much in your first year. From rolling over, crawling to now walking, blowing kisses to waving bye-bye. You love to dance with your daddy and he is writing a song just for the two of you. Jadon calls you his little princess and he can make you laugh harder than anyone else. I love the way your eyes sparkle when you smile. You are a girl constantly on the go, you slow down just long enough to eat and give a good snuggle to mommy. Blankie, what can I say about blankie; it was the bed sheet that came with the bedding and had lasted through Bubby (barely). I tried to throw it out, but you wouldn't let me. So, now it is cut up into little squares and you sleep with it always.

I am so excited to see all the things God has in store for you as you grow into a lovely lady. My dear daughter this is what we pray for you,

The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, Announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners.....—and to comfort all who mourn, To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness" planted by God to display his glory.

Love,
Mommy

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea

Today is Haven Elizabeth's 1st Birthday. Wow, how this past year has flown by. We had her party yesterday with family. We got her a tiara that said Birthday Girl to wear for her party and to church today. I wish I had the camera on her when she first saw the tiara, she got so excited. What a girl she is! She also got a little bracelet from the Hirsch family and wore it to church; she held out her arm to show it off to everyone that passed by. I don't know if that is a good thing or if that means we're in trouble! She is our princess. That is until the food comes, or chocolate cake!

On Jadon's first birthday he enjoyed having everyone looking at him more than he did the cake. He was quite the ham. With Haven everyone could have left the room and she would have been perfectly fine with that, she had her cake. She got enough chocolate on her to make up for the lack of cake Jadon got on him.

She's already tired of pictures. Just a few 100 more to go Sweet Pea, then you're done.
Daddy and his princess.

Before the party we told Jadon that his jobs would be to help Sissy open her presents and blow out her candle on the cake. He was very helpful and did his job perfectly, except he did take a break in opening presents to try on a few things. Stunning, Jadon, absolutely stunning.

The most important part of the first birthday celebration, the cake. Drum roll please:
The cake in all its glory. It was a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and cookies crumbled on top of the icing that mommy made with love and a rose put on top.

I'm all done Mom and ready for the bath.

First Swim of the Year

Thursday was the first swim of the year for the Wallaces. It's been a while since we've been swimming in a pool; last summer I turned a sprinkler on and let Jadon run through it naked. So, when I told him we were going swimming he wanted to take all his clothes off. Don't worry, he does have swimming trunks and he did not go nude. He had a blast, especially since in the shallow end he could touch. Thanks Auntie Karla for filling up your pool and we look forward to many more swim dates.

By the way Haven(aka: Bathing Beauty) was not much into the swimming thing. I think she didn't want to get her hair wet. She enjoyed hanging out by the pool side catching some rays. She did look quite amazing in her swim suit.