Balding Bryn

Brinley is losing her hair!  Ok, actually I think she has lost all that she is going to lose but she lost a LOT.  So is she going to be blonde like me or dark brown like Ryan?

Party!

Brody had been asking for a jumper for his birthday for months.  That was all he wanted.  So we invited his CA cousins, their parents, Auntie, Mr. Kevin, Mimi and Papa and had a jumper party.  The train jumper arrived at 8:00 and left at 5:00.  He jumped in the jumper for at least 7 hours of the 9 hours that we had it.  He loved it!  Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us and the MI and IN family...you were missed.

Happy 3rd Birthday Brody!

Happy 3rd Birthday to our Little Man! 

Happiness

Stress.  I'm not overwhelmed.  I'm not lonely.  I'm not angry.  I don't have insomnia.  I'm not overeating/undereating.  I'm simply living.  But I feel blah.  I feel as if I am just going through the motions and faking excitement and happiness.  So I looked up depression on line and ...I don't have it.  Then, I read this last night-

      A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22
Then this is what the commentary said about that verse:

     The adage "Happiness is a choice" could be applied here.  When circumstances threaten to crush people's spirits and sink them in gloom, they need powerful "medicine" of joy more than ever.  Solomon is probably not advocating a superficial "grin and bear it" or"put on a happy face" mentality, but instead, a deep, adbiding faith that all will be well for those who trust God. 

     Life's trials and disappointments can indeed feel crushing at times, but we need not roll over in despair.  Rather, the prescription for happiness is at our fingertips.  We can cultivate our faith in the profoundly good news of the One who encourages us with these words: "I have told you these things, so that in my you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33)

I read it again and again.   I then decided that I am going to apply the verse from Proverbs to my life throughout the day this week and see if it helps me get out of my slump.  I will take joy in the little things of life and in the big things!  I will let you know if it works for me.

3 Months Old

Brinley is 3 months old!  She loves to smile and will give anyone who talks to her a huge bright smile!  She coos and talks back.  Makena loves to hold her and Brody loves to give her kisses!  She is a sweet baby.

It's Hard!

Parenting is hard.  (I know, people say that all the time.)  It is hard to deal with the same discipline issues over and over and over and over again.  It is difficult helping to guide your child into becoming self-disciplined, motivated, productive, kind, compassionate, loving, a good listener, a leader, and more.  There are days when I just want to say,"Ya, know what?  I am over this" and walk away.   But, I don't.  I don't because I have seen what happens to kids whose parents don't discipline them.  I have dealt with kids and ...ahem...adults who do not posess any of the qualities listed above and I don't want my kids to act like that.  So instead, I quietly scream inside my head as I continue to mold them and I try, really try, to patiently deal with the issue. 
Today I had to explain to Makena that because I love her, I am willing to take the time to discipline her.
Because I love her I took time to show her what she did that needs correction and the reason why it was wrong.
Because I have a partnership in parenting, I text my husband and filled him in on everything and, together, we came up with a plan of action.  (Plus I needed some back up!)
Because I discipline my children, I also try to show them lots of love in their love languages.  Together, Ryan and I try to fill up their love tanks because when their love tanks are full, they receive correction easier.
Throughout each day, I pray that the choices I make will teach them to make good choices and they will grow into the wonderful person God intended them to be.

Kindergarten Spring Sing

Makena's kindergarten class sang the cutest songs at the Kindergarten Spring Sing in March.  She was so excited about all of the songs.  Between each song a few children would introduce the next song or say a line about Spring.  Makena's line was, "And just like the little ant, we can make our dreams come true."  OH it was so cute!! 

Brinley, Nana, and Grandad

Sisters

I'll be updating soon!

Chug Chug Choo-Choo

We hopped aboard the Metrolink and headed to the Petting Zoo in SJC!  Brody was exstatic over riding a real train and Makena thought it was great!  The train took about an hour each way and both kids loved the idea that they could walk around and had more room than on the plane.  Brinley was a doll and slept for most of the ride there and back.  We went with John and Linda who were visiting.  Once we got to the zoo, the kids had a blast petting animals, riding a pony and horse, riding a small train, and just running around.  Brinley was content in her stroller until...the biggest blowout in her history.  Yes, at a zoo withoout real restroom, she covered herself.  It was a huge mess!  But with the help of Linda, Brinley was back to her cute self in no time!  The ride home was peaceful for all of us.  Brody did not want to get off the train though!  I think he would rather ride a train, than in the car!  If you live in SoCal, you should take this trip!