Manwich Please

We had a short time before we needed to leave the house, and I had not been in the mood to prepare dinner early that day. I asked Lee what he would like to have for dinner and he suggested Manwich. Easy enough. I started browning the hamburger, got the can of Manwich out and put it on the counter. A few minutes later.....


Hope: Hi mom, whatcha doin?

Me: Cooking dinner. You hungry?

Hope: Is this what we're having for dinner?!
(She says, pointing to the can of Manwich.)

Me: Yep

Hope: ALL RIGHT! I LOVE FLOPPY JONES!!!

A couple of months ago, Lee asked Hope if she wanted to try riding her bike without the training wheels. She quickly responded, "NO Daddy, leave my training wheels on the bike." I encouraged him to wait for her to be ready, as to avoid any drama, injury, or boycotting of the bike all together.

A few weeks ago, Hope went to Lee and boldly stated "Daddy, I'm ready to take my training wheels off- Let's go!" Her determination was just about the cutest thing I've seen- the weather however, was not. That day it was raining, windy, and it was starting to get really chilly out.

Now if it were me being confronted, I honestly think I would have suggested that we wait until the weather cleared up. But without hesitation, Lee went to the garage and quickly took off her training wheels. We dressed her in some warm clothes and her raincoat, and they were off.

I stood in the window and watched them for the longest time. I didn't want to be a distraction to her, and also just loved watching them share this moment together. Lee was the best teacher- it just brought tears to my eyes. He went through a bunch of drills with her - ex: when you start to lean this way, you put this foot down to catch yourself.

After all the prep work was done, he took her on her first training wheel-free ride. I could hear her saying "Daddy, don't let me go!" "Keep holding on Daddy!" He kept assuring her that he wasn't going to let go. He was so patient and supportive (reason #792 why I love my husband).

I just stood there, taking in the moment. Hope was so so excited to be "riding like a big girl", and Lee was having this milestone, proud daddy moment. It was just so sweet.

Since that day (fast forward a couple of weeks),
we have had one spill and a lot of very close calls......

but now she is riding her bike like a champ!

Whenever I think about this, I just get a smile on my face. I am very proud of Hope for being so brave, and extremely honored to have such a wonderful husband that is so dedicated to our family.

I can't help but also think about how similar this story is to our relationship with Jesus. So often we hear the holy spirit encouraging us to further ourselves. Sometimes we hold our hand up and say "Daddy, don't take away my training wheels. Don't take away my crutch - I'm comfortable." Other times, we are scared, but ready to take on the challenge.

Either way we react, He's there to love us unconditionally. I have often found myself, in difficult times, saying the same words that Hope said to Lee. "Daddy, I'm scared- please don't let me go". What an awesome treasure that we have~ that He will NEVER let us go.

Chunky Face

This is part of the conversation we had while driving in the car this week.

Hope: "MOM! I have WART on my FACE!"

Me: "WHAT?!"

Hope: "A Wart!"

Me: "A wart?"

Hope: "NO. WAIT. IT'S a PUMPLE!" (AKA: pimple)

Me: "Really, you have pimple?"

Hope: "Yah, Mom! I have a BIG PUMPLE, right on my FACE!"

Me: "Are you sure?"

Hope: "Yah, It's right here Mom! Oh wait.... never mind. It was food".

Good To Know

Hope: "Momma, I'm glad that we have a Luke like that".

Momma: "Oh yah, why?"

Hope: "Well, if he didn't have a face like that, I'd be sad."

Momma: "Alrighty then."

First Day of Preschool!

Hope had her first day of preschool recently. I meant to post last week, but getting on a schedule again seems to be a little tough on everyone. =0)


We choose to put Hope into a new school this year, and it has been outstanding so far. I can't even begin to tell you how excited she is to be attending with some of her favorite friends!

Political Mumbo Jumbo

I received this email recently and felt compelled to share my thoughts. I usually refrain from jumping into the political arena, but I thought this was really interesting. I'll leave my opinion at the bottom. I would love to hear your opinion as well - please leave me a comment or email me about it.

Where Have I Seen Sarah Palin Before?
by Arash Kamangeer
I grew up in Iran and immigrated to US to avoid living in a theocracy. Lately though, the trajectory of US politics is something to worry about, not only to me, but also to many others in my predicament.
Wednesday night at the Republican convention was an especially poignant moment. I was watching Sarah Palin deliver her acceptance speech. As I was watching her, her family, and her adoring fans in the Republican convention, I could not overcome a feeling that I have seen this scene before...
Right after the Revolution in Iran and the establishment of the Islamic Republic, the Iran-Iraq war was started. To be fair, Iraq started that war, but the new revolutionary leaders of Iran saw the war as a godsend. They milked it for all it was worth. They labeled anyone against the war as a traitor or unpatriotic. Anyone who suggested that there may be a negotiated settlement was ridiculed and purged from power. Even Ayatollah Khomeini once said that this war is a blessing from God himself. You may see the parallels here already, but keep reading.
One of the problems the government faced was opposition from legions of mothers whose sons had been maimed or died in the war. To confront this problem, the government-controlled TV would parade a mother whose son had died in the war in front of the TV on a regular basis. Invariably, this "show mom" would be carrying an infant child and a few other siblings with her. And invariably, she would say something to the effect that "I have given one child to this 'sacred' war, and I am ready to give the next one." Almost always, there would be an adoring crowd who would follow her statements by chants of "Allaho-Akbar" (God is Great). And again invariably, her statements would follow by a not-so-veiled threat from her and the adoring crowd. She would say something like "I and my family would not tolerate traitors and betrayals to the faith and country". Then the crowd would break into several standard chants such as "Death to traitors" or "War, war, until victory."
Sarah Palin was much better dressed than the average show mom paraded on Iranian TV more than 20 years ago. The show moms were typically dressed in a black veil. But that’s about the biggest difference. The rhetoric was eerily familiar. When she was finished, I knew I had seen her before. Only that it wasn’t her. It was her ideological predecessors at a different time in a different country.
Now, I am not a politician. I just cannot understand the need to drag a child afflicted with Down syndrome in front of national TV at 10:00pm. Is that good for him? Or does the need to rally the base trump the needs of a child? Whatever the explanation, I am sure I have seen that child when he was carried in the arms of the Iranian show moms for the cameras. So much for family values.
And then I wake the next morning and read that Sarah Palin is quoted as saying that the Iraq war is a "task that is from God." It’s like déjà-vu all over again.

It seems so silly when I read about people criticizing others, because they have a difference in political opinion. No matter what Sarah Palin does, she will be picked on. If she didn't have her son with her, they would have made rude comments about her passing her child off to someone else to care for him. If it were me running for the vice presidency, you'd better believe I would have my whole family there cheering me on. Down syndrome or not- children are hugely resilient, and are so capable of sleeping soundly in the arms of the people that love them.

Time Flies

I still cannot believe how fast this year is going.

Little man is nine months already!!

Here is a closeup picture showing his cute little teeth,

and also a few funny clips from this month.

Also, for your viewing pleasure.....

this months edition of Hope's self portraits.

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am yours.
I am yours.

Transformation

This post is part of my devotional I had on Friday. It has come to mind daily since then, so I thought I'd post it...

Our Faith: A Matter of Transformation
Christianity isn't just about improvement: it's about transformation. For that reason, we should never be content with just being "better" when our Savior has promised to make everything about us "new". Bruce Thielemann illustrates the idea of transformation:

Imagine a colony of grubs living on bottom of a swamp. And every once in a while, one of these grubs is inclined to climb a leaf stem to the surface. Then he disappears above the surface and never returns. All the grubs wonder why this is so and what it must be like up there, so they counsel among themselves and agree that the next one who goes up will come back and tell the others.
Not long after that, one of the grubs feels that urge and climbs that leaf stem and goes out above the surface onto a lily pad. And there in the warmth of the sun, he falls asleep. While he sleeps, the carapace of the tiny creature breaks open, and out of the inside of the grub comes a magnificent dragonfly with beautiful, wide, rainbow-hued, iridescent wings. And he spreads those wings and flies, soaring out over those waters. But then he remembers the commitment he has made to those behind, yet now he knows he cannot return. They would not recognize him in the first place, and beyond that, he could not live again in such a place. But one thought is his that takes away all the distress: they, too, shall climb the stem, and they, too, shall know the glory.

Just as that grub's transformation into a magnificent dragonfly allowed him to soar, so does God's transformation of us through Jesus Christ allow us to spread our wings and fly. When we meet Jesus, we become someone we weren't before, someone capable of doing great things for Him.

Jesus, thank you that you have transformed me and made me something I could never have been on my own.

Silly Girl

Hope: "Mom, I'm never gonna drive when I'm this age."

Me: "That's probably a good idea."

Hope: "Cause if I ran into someone- that wouldn't be good."

Me: "No, that wouldn't be good at all."

Hope: "So I'm just gonna chill out for now."

I'm 8 Months Old!

I got my picture taken a couple of weeks ago for my 8th month birthday. I got to take my picture with my sister, my mommy and my friend Brynlee. My cousins and my Grandma got in a couple pictures too! Thank you Auntie Steph for taking such cute pictures of me!

A Little Game

I got this from a friend's blog. Here is a fun little game... Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time, or a long time- anything you remember.

Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.

Simply the Best

This is such a funny video of Luke. He did this cute little dance over and over, every time we opened up a singing greeting card. We were only able to capture a small portion of it, but we thought it was so funny.

Good Bye

My grandmother passed away this passed Friday. While I am so glad that she is not hurting anymore, rejoicing that she is a Christian, and so thankful that my kids were able to spend more time with her lately than ever before... I am still sad and will miss her very much.
Good bye Grandma~ I love you.

Happy Father's Day!!

This is for our Daddy!
Thank you for being the BEST Daddy EVER!!
We love you so much!
XOXO Hope & Luke

Minnie Mouse

Hope had her dance recital on Saturday. Her class was dressed up like Minnie Mouse, and they were celebrating Mickey's birthday. They all looked super cute (and so tiny!) up on that stage. I couldn't help but get tears in my eyes watching her first performance. Here are pictures of Hope in her outfit and with friends and family.

What I've Learned...

I'm six months old today!!

Here is what I've learned so far:

When it's time for nigh-night,
I must have something (anything) over my head...

My Mom was convinced (finally!) that I was big enough for my crib last month, and I like it much better in there.

I really like to stretch out...

I can fall asleep just about anywhere...

My Daddy has fun toys too...

If I smile, my mom puts down the camera and picks me up!

My first two teeth didn't hurt that bad.

I'm hoping the next eighteen are as nice to me!

Weekend Getaway

We went to the ocean with good friends of ours for Memorial Day. It was so nice to get away and relax. Hope had a great time playing with the kids and Luke was amazing throughout the entire weekend. He is such a mellow baby, but I was shocked that he stayed on the same schedule- even while sleeping in a tent!

Singing Time

We can't figure out why Luke spits up so much... hmmm.



"Farmer in the dell. Farmer in the dell.

Oh Ha Dilly-O, the Farmer in the dell...." (Poor Luke)



Farmer in the Dell- Take 2.

This version paints the picture of a more aggressive farmer...

and Luke joins in the fun too!



You ever start to feel like your home videos could all be classified as the blooper reel? I love it!

We Did It!!

Inspired from a recent Mops meeting, I decided to give gardening a shot. It is just what I like to call "preschool gardening", but none the less, we actually got something to grow!! This has been just as exciting for me as it has been for Hope. We recently transferred our cute little plants into a large pot outside. Hopefully we'll be able to post some flower shots this summer! I have never grown anything before! Too add to that, I have never kept a plant alive either... so that will be our next challenge! =0) Wish us luck!

Happy Mother's Day

I didn't just have a happy Mother's Day, I feel like I just had a happy Mother's Weekend!

Lee surprised me on Thursday by bringing me a gift card after my Mops meeting. With an appointment already set, I left straight from the church and headed over to Gene Juarez to get my hair highlighted. It was so great! I haven't had my hair colored since before I was pregnant with Luke (I'm sure you're all saying, "I KNOW!" =0) ); it was really needing it.

While I was there getting my hair done, Steph and Jaxon came in and surprised me with a vanilla mocha- my favorite! Thanks Steph!!

We went out to dinner on Saturday with my mom & dad, my brother, sister-n-law and their kids to celebrate an early Mother's Day. We don't get to see them a ton, so it's always great to spend time with them and catch up on what's going on with everyone. After church on Sunday we went to lunch with my Grandma, my Great Aunt Millie, and my Mom & Dad. We took a four generation picture while we were there. It was a lot of fun spending time with my Grandma. To see her with the kids is the best!

This is a card that Hope & Luke gave to me Sunday morning. I thought it was the cutest thing I had ever seen.

Inside the card there were quotes from Hope.

"I love my mommy because....
She plays with me...She buys me lotion for my skin...She gets me ice cream... She gives me love... I just love her!"

AWW, so sweet!
I hope you had a great mother's day too!!

Hope's Photos

I was looking through all the pictures in our digital camera today.

While I was trying to figure just how many I need to go and get developed,

I noticed a few pictures that Hope had taken.

Two funny things about the following pictures....

1. That our four year old was able to take almost the exact same shot from our back slider on totally different days.

2. That these were both taken in the month of April.

Crazy weather even for Washington!

Here are a couple other self portraits I found on the camera as well. She is such a goof ball!