Grace

It's been a while since I've posted an update on either child.  So here we go...

Grace is now 4 1/2 years old.  She has become such a big girl, in what seems almost overnight.  


Her intelligence continues to amaze me.  Puzzles are a new favorite.  Grace will put together four or five puzzles at one sitting, some even have as many as 50 pieces, all by herself!

Coloring is her passion!  She takes after her Mom.  I still enjoy coloring.  It's therapeutic.  It's fun to sit down at her little table and color with her.  Sometimes we talk.  Sometimes we just quietly enjoy each other's company.

Grace still has a compassionate heart.  She is a gentle soul.  She's sweet to everyone, animals, her toys, and especially her brother.  She will do great things in her lifetime because of this trait.

I couldn't be more proud of this beautiful little person!!

Funny conversation with Grace!

As I'm mopping the kitchen floor, I can hear the kids fighting over something in Grace's room.  I called out to them and asked what they were fighting about.  Grace came into the kitchen and says...

"We were having dinner at our beach house and RJ ate all of his dinner so I gave him some pie.  He finished the pie, so I took his plate away and he wanted more pie."  I said, "You can't find RJ another piece of pie or cake somewhere?  Maybe you could make him a brownie."  She went on and on about not making him more dessert (I can't remember everything), then said "he would keep on freaking out if I made him more!"  With that she turned around and went back to the beach house.

Their beach house, by the way, is a tent I made out of sheets in Grace's room.

I love listening to their imaginations work!!

Happy Father's Day!!

Dear Bryan,

Thank you for being such a wonderful husband and father.  We are truly blessed to have you in our lives.  Your hard work and perseverance have been an inspiration, and we are so very proud of you!

We LOVE you,

Rie, Grace, & RJ

Mother's Day Reflection...

Today, I am so grateful to be called "Mom" by this little girl...

(school portrait by Leonard's)

and this little boy... 

(school portrait by Leonard's)

They are two very different people.  

She likes flowers.  He likes trucks.

She could color for hours.  He jumps from one activity to the next as fast as a gnat.

She is all girl.  He is all boy.

She's a Daddy's girl.  He's a Momma's boy.

She kisses her brother.  He hits his sister.

She loves macaroni and cheese.  He hates macaroni and cheese.

But, they are both MINE!! 

Both call me "Mom".

I am truly honored by this title because this girl and this boy are the two most amazing little people on this Earth!

Thank you, God, for sending them to me!

Gracism

So, we are watching House Hunters this evening.  This episode featured a gay couple searching for a new home in Los Angeles, CA.  Grace asked me "Do those boys have wives?"  I said "No, they don't."  She asks "Because they don't want to be bossed around?"  Yep, that's it!  They don't want to be bossed around!!  What a funny, funny kid!!!

One more Gracism, from a few days ago...

This conversation occurred as we were walking out the door to go to school.

Me:  "Grace, do you have your gippy?"

Grace:  "Yep, I have everything I need.  I have junk in my trunk!"

RJ turns 2!!

Our baby boy turned two years old!  I can't believe it! 

RJ is such a funny little guy.  He's so quirky, going from clown one minute to straight man the next minute.  He is a special part of our family unit.  Grace adores her little brother.  She sneaks kisses and hugs whenever she can.  RJ loves his big sister, but he doesn't always show it.  

Since he's been going through the terrible twos he has been a pest to his sister.  He will hit her, pull her hair, push her, take her toys, etc. all to see what kind of reaction he gets out of her...which, as you guessed, is always negative.  But he really does love her.  For instance, he was sick today with a bad cough and fever, so I kept him home.  Grace still went to school.  RJ asked about "sissy" several times today and was happy to see her when she got home.  I love that my kids love each other.  I pray that they will always be friends and take care of each other.  They are the two best things that Bryan and I have ever done.  We are so proud of them!

RJ is still infatuated with trucks.  All kinds.  Monster trucks, dump trucks, mixers, diggers, garbage trucks, UPS trucks, Tractor trailers, any kind of truck he loves it.  Naturally his birthday had to involve trucks.

 Mommy and Daddy got RJ a wooden train set.  He REALLY likes it!

Getting ready for his party.

The cake wouldn't be complete without a truck.

A workin' man.

This just makes me smile!!  

(got to take the hat off to blow out the candles)

The boy likes his cake!

(hat's back on)

Happy Birthday Arj!!  Mommy and Daddy are so proud of our little Dude!  We are very blessed that God sent you to us.  WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!

Grace turns 4!!

So,life has totally gotten in the way of my blogging.  I'm going to skip Christmas and jump into Grace's birthday, which incidentally falls before St. Patrick's Day, but St. Pat got posted first.  

Grace!!  Our beautiful LOVE!!  She turned 4 this year!  Yikes!!  Where in the world does the time go??  Grace was actually sick on the day of her birthday.  Thankfully she was much better for her weekend celebration, a Butterfly Birthday!

All her little friends got a pair of butterfly wings, a butterfly ring, a butterfly lollipop, and butterfly stickers.  It was really cute seeing them all run around the park in their wings!

Grace had a great day.  Her smile made all the hard work worth it!

Two of my three Loves!!

Butterfly Grace at her birthday party.

 RJ enjoying his cheeseballs.

 My birthday girl!

Celebrating her birthday at school.

Grace you bring Mommy and Daddy such joy.  You are a gentle soul and we are so lucky that God chose us to be your parents.  WE LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF OUR HEARTS!!  

Happy Birthday G-Bug!!