Monday, April 26, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Evan, his party, and more...
We had a party with several family members here at the house, and it was great. Simple, fun, and beautiful weather that allowed us to be outside much of the time! I only wish I had taken a group picture.
Reflecting on Evan’s first year…Let’s just say that it’s a good thing I took lots of pictures and wrote a lot of things down. Otherwise, his first year would be largely a blur in my mind.
I remember when I was pregnant with Evan, countless people told me that going from two to three kids was WAY easier than going from one to two. Well, that may be the case for most people, but it was definitely NOT the case for me! The first few months were a big adjustment for me. And it didn’t really have anything to do with Evan himself; he was a great baby. It was just the fact that there were now THREE of them! All at different stages, all with different needs, and all with a mom who is way too much of a perfectionist and too hard on herself. In the end, Evan coming along grew me in many ways. It created a greater need AND desire to lean on God. I think I talked about this before…He is sufficient. And I am so lacking. This year has also grown me in the area of patience – something I struggle with. Yes, kids teach patience, better than anything else in the world! And lastly, it taught me that sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself (and/or your family) is lower your expectations and give yourself a break. The house doesn’t have to be perfectly clean, dinner can be super simple, it’s totally okay if other people witness your kids at their less-than-best, and needing a break every once in a while does not make you a bad mom. I’m guessing that this lowering of expectations is a hard thing for many, many moms out there, especially type-A’s like me. But it can be a really good thing. Nothing is more important than spending time with your kids and living an example of love.
Evan is truly such a joy. We have way too many videos of him giggling at the silliest things – I love how easy it is to make him laugh! Evan is also a go-getter, and when he sees something he wants, he goes for it. He’s our snuggler – many times a day when we pick him up, he’ll automatically lay his head down on our shoulder and wriggle his arms between himself and whoever’s holding him. If he wasn’t so heavy, I’d hold him all day! I love those moments. It is so much fun watching their personalities develop and see how each of our kids are so different, yet also the same in other ways.
I can’t wait to see what God has in store for Evan’s life! We love you, buddy, more than we know how to say.
Pretty professional looking cake, eh?
Okay, so I tried to plan the party time around when Evan is usually happy and awake. And he was...until it was cake time. He really started to melt at that point. And that is why A)he looks drunk (he seriously was nodding off as he was eating his cake) and B)the other kids got to open his presents while he sat happily eating cake.
Reflecting on Evan’s first year…Let’s just say that it’s a good thing I took lots of pictures and wrote a lot of things down. Otherwise, his first year would be largely a blur in my mind.
I remember when I was pregnant with Evan, countless people told me that going from two to three kids was WAY easier than going from one to two. Well, that may be the case for most people, but it was definitely NOT the case for me! The first few months were a big adjustment for me. And it didn’t really have anything to do with Evan himself; he was a great baby. It was just the fact that there were now THREE of them! All at different stages, all with different needs, and all with a mom who is way too much of a perfectionist and too hard on herself. In the end, Evan coming along grew me in many ways. It created a greater need AND desire to lean on God. I think I talked about this before…He is sufficient. And I am so lacking. This year has also grown me in the area of patience – something I struggle with. Yes, kids teach patience, better than anything else in the world! And lastly, it taught me that sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself (and/or your family) is lower your expectations and give yourself a break. The house doesn’t have to be perfectly clean, dinner can be super simple, it’s totally okay if other people witness your kids at their less-than-best, and needing a break every once in a while does not make you a bad mom. I’m guessing that this lowering of expectations is a hard thing for many, many moms out there, especially type-A’s like me. But it can be a really good thing. Nothing is more important than spending time with your kids and living an example of love.
Evan is truly such a joy. We have way too many videos of him giggling at the silliest things – I love how easy it is to make him laugh! Evan is also a go-getter, and when he sees something he wants, he goes for it. He’s our snuggler – many times a day when we pick him up, he’ll automatically lay his head down on our shoulder and wriggle his arms between himself and whoever’s holding him. If he wasn’t so heavy, I’d hold him all day! I love those moments. It is so much fun watching their personalities develop and see how each of our kids are so different, yet also the same in other ways.
I can’t wait to see what God has in store for Evan’s life! We love you, buddy, more than we know how to say.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
A year (and two days) old!!
More on Evan's birthday party and thoughts on this last year later; I just wanted to acknowledge Evan's birthday before we're TOO far past the date... I love this kid so very much. I remember his birth so fondly, and am so thankful God gave him to US!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Easter
Once again, this year I opted out of playing on the worship team for Easter services. I just wanted to enjoy the day together as a family. It was fun, too, to remember Easter last year - the day Evan was born!
Travis is definitely to the point where he is understanding more and more about spiritual things and asking lots of questions that just surprise me. We talked a lot about the meaning of Easter, and he also heard a lot about it at preschool, where he just soaks up information and ideas like a sponge. I'm so thankful for other people in our kids' lives who love them and teach them good things. This years' Easter family picture, and others...
Travis is definitely to the point where he is understanding more and more about spiritual things and asking lots of questions that just surprise me. We talked a lot about the meaning of Easter, and he also heard a lot about it at preschool, where he just soaks up information and ideas like a sponge. I'm so thankful for other people in our kids' lives who love them and teach them good things. This years' Easter family picture, and others...
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Schwartz fam in Seattle
A couple of weekends ago, we met up with my family for a much-anticipated weekend of fun in Seattle. It was so much fun! Sam, Michele, and Ada were obviously not able to be there (but we're not letting you guys off the hook for the camping trip:), but we still had 13 people crammed in one house! Fortunately, it was a huge, newly renovated, gorgeous house, and we were more than comfortable. Some highlights...
Playing at a nearby playground (my nephew Hudson is on bottom)...
Playing at a nearby playground (my nephew Hudson is on bottom)...
Jayna's first ever pedicure with all the girls....
Watching movies with Ethan...
The market, of course...
Golden Gardens on a GORGEOUS sunny day (how have I never heard of/been to this place?!)...
...not to mention playing games, eating some great food, keeping up with the 5 kids under 5, and just enjoying each other! The time flew way too quickly for all of us!
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