Growing Up & Growing Old

It's so cliche to say something like my boys are just growing up so fast, but it's so very true. I treasure every day that I have with them and love watching them grow. Caden is almost too big for me to even pick up anymore, and Grady is moving so much he's always in a different position from where I left him. Looking at them makes me want to have a ton of kids (settle your horses down...2 is what the Lord has given us for now and we have no future plans for the moment). A friend/mentor recently encouraged me to remember that my family is part of my ministry. I am to pour love into them as much or more than anyone else. I'm so thankful most of all for my Savior and the salvation I have in him. I cried the other day in Britton's arms not wanting anything or anyone to come between us. Once kids come along and require a lot of your attention, every one (parent or not) knows how hard it is to put your spouse before your children, but I'm determined to do whatever it takes to do so. I'm certainly far from perfect in that area, but I yearn to make Britton my second most important relationship next to the Lord. After all, our family began with the two of us. Putting things in perspective makes me all the more grateful for my two precious sons. Britton and I really have had to work together as a team to make this family work, and I'm forever grateful for his help and love as the leader of our home. It's amazing how the Lord molds us to be more like Him in the midst of just being a family. I titled this post growing up and growing old because my boys are truly growing so fast, but I really look forward to growing old with the man who drives me crazy and fills me with love all at the same time. I know we've only been married 4 1/2 years, but a lot sure has happened in that time. I'm blessed with my crazy family that I adore so much. So, with all that said, here's some random pictures of my sweet family.

I was making dinner one night when Britton called me into the den to look at our 2 babies. Apparently, Caden wanted to be swaddled like the baby, so Britton wrapped him up and gave me this photo opp. I love how sweet Caden is with Grady (and only with Grady...he's rough with everything else), and I love how Grady just stares at Caden as if he were really Superman. It's amazing to watch their sibling dynamics. So far, they've been angels around each other...I'm waiting for the day that all changes and life gets a lot harder (I'm sure good but difficult).

The last few weeks Britton has been working hard to finish a ton of reading and a ton of papers for his last 2 classes of his school career (unless he decides to get a doctorate, which we're pretty sure won't happen!). So, I've been watching the boys a little more than usual. It's been challenging and at times super frustrating, but overall, it's been incredibly rewarding. I've loved my time with both of them, and the ways I've been stretched has really molded my heart in discipline. The more I discipline Caden, the more I see a glimpse of how the Lord feels when I disobey. I've tried making our time fun. I've started letting Caden help me make his sandwich (he holds the knife as I spread the pb&j). I also channeled my inner boyishness and made a homemade tent in our living room while we watched a Christmas movie (I used to love making my own tents when I was little). No, it doesn't look fabulous, but we all had fun (especially getting to eat cookies!...no, Grady did not partake in the sugar eating). Caden thought it was cool, so that's all that mattered. I'll be so happy for Britton to finish, but my 'by myself' time with the boys has been great.

I've mentioned several times now how much Grady is moving around, and I'm so glad he's growing and developing well. I love going into his room and seeing him wiggle and hearing him coo at his mobile. He's starting to be just like Caden with his movements and especially when he kicks through his pj's.

This is actually a picture of Caden right around the same age as he's kicked through the buttons of his pj's...I love seeing the comparison.

Grady has such a sweet smiling face. I need to take a video of him. He's talking (well, cooing) a ton and makes me feel like I'm the greatest thing in the world. He just stares at me and smiles when I hold him. I love it and hope he always looks at me that way. Britton was mentioning today that it'll be interesting to see how our boy's personalities develop like ours. We think Grady might have a happy-go-lucky, glass half-full personality like Britton (although sometimes I think the glass is just always full for Britton) while Caden will have a meticulous, glass half-empty personality like me (not because we're debbie downers; we're just evaluating reality...a meticulous person would say that!). Caden definitely has Britton's energy though, and I have no idea yet how Grady might be like me (but I sure hope he keeps up his cuddliness).

I love his expression here. He's done so great with holding a rattle even since he was just over a month old. He's held a rattle up to 10 or so minutes and seems to like shaking it.

I conveniently took this picture right as he was sneezing. This might be a bit much, but he's still just so cute!

This was actually taken a 1/2 month ago, so he's grown even more, but I love his expression. This isn't a great photo because I was trying to make him smile more than getting his whole body in the shot. That's quite the wing span.

It's not been as bad here lately, but he's had a bunch of gas. So, I've found his favorite position is leaning on my leg being burped. His face is always funny. Look at those big blue eyes!

Although he spit up all over himself, he's still happy!

We decided to give Britton a little break from reading and climb on him. Grady liked biting Britton's ear much to my laughter.

May life never slip away without enjoying a day :o)

Britton's Family Visit - Part 8

Well, we've finally made it to the end of Grandy, Mimi, and Nana's visit. It was a great trip and it's always hard to say goodbye, but I like to dwell on the next time I can say hello. It was so wonderful showing someone our lives here and letting them get a glimpse of all we have experienced. It's amazing how life changes and how the Lord enables us to adapt, but I'm grateful most of all for Him sustaining us and for placing us exactly where we need to be even if that involves hard times. Those times are what shape us to be more like Him.

As I said in the last post, Grandy had an extra day here. This picture was actually taken on a different day, but the boys sure had fun together. Here, Grandy and Caden are riding the pony (aka Britton). I'm SO glad Grandy was able to make it in spite of his sickness.

So, I was trying to get a few things done while Britton and Grandy chatted with one another and watched Grady for me. I heard Grady crying a few times, so Britton bundled him up in his blue blanket so he'd be nice and warm. I got several chuckles out of how he looked when I walked in. There was just a little Grady head to be seen along with his 'single' bib showing for all to see.

 Grady got this adorable and super warm overcoat outfit that has been perfect for taking him out. Even the people here approve!

 We went to yet another park that is huge and filled with nature. We knew Grandy would enjoy getting away from the loud sounds of our city and enjoy the sounds of waterfalls. I can't wait to go back when it gets warm and let Caden run free in the big open fields of grass. This was actually the same park we came to over a year ago for our language immersion experience. You can look back to read more.

 And here we are a year later with another kid! A lot sure can happen in a year!

 He had to get a fun picture with the Pepsi sign since that's where he works! Love it!

 We love you Grandy, Mimi, and Nana! Thank you for taking the time and money to come see us. We are forever grateful and can't wait to see you again!

Britton's Family Visit - Part 7

Our last few days we spent hanging out at home and enjoying a day of sun!! I think they all got a glimpse of the constant dreariness we have, but when a sunny day comes along, every one's moods brighten!

sweet smiling boy...i love his little jacket

 And I love love love this hat. My aunt gave it to me for Caden to wear when he was a baby, but it was never cold enough in Wake Forest for him to wear it. It's the perfect hat for Grady with it being so cold and he seems to like it. Since Grandy came a little late,  he brought the stroller we ordered online. I absolutely love it and think anyone with multiple kids should have it! It was a great price for a double stroller. This is a Graco sit and ride stroller. The front seat reclines well, and there's a roomy basket underneath. There's a back bench seat along with an area for your toddler to stand. Each seat holds up to 50 pounds, it's super easy to turn and fold up (that was a must!). I truly absolutely love this stroller. Grady seems to really like it too (as long as he's not hungry). Caden also really enjoys riding on the back...he calls it his motorcycle. Grady often sleeps peacefully in it.

 A side view...the umbrella adjusts back and forth. Caden can't sit down if the front seat is reclined, but once Grady is sitting up better, he can sit down. It also folds up pretty compactly.

 I love it! Oh and this is right outside our apartment.

 Grandy enjoyed teaching Caden how to chest bump. Caden loves it, but is often told he can't chest bump mommy.

 4 generations. 1. Nana 2. Mimi 3. Britton 4. Caden & Grady

 Family shot for Christmas

Unfortunately, Nana and Mimi left just after this. Grandy extended his stay an extra day since he came late. We had such a great time!

Britton's Family Visit - Part 6

So our city has a lot of great parks. Fortunately, when Britton's parents were here it was just starting to get cold...it wasn't the piercing cold that it is now where you think of reasons to stay inside. So we took advantage and went to all the parks we enjoy. This park is huge and beautiful and has all kinds of rides mostly for young kids Caden's age.

Caden loved this little truck that went in circles. It was so cute. He was the only one on the ride, and I'm pretty sure he would have ridden in every car they had if the rides weren't so expensive.



love this picture of them on the swings

We all got to go on a ride with Caden, and this was fun to watch of him and Grandy. It spun in circles while going in a circle. They were a little bobbly when they got off! I love that Grandy said he just didn't want to go on a spinning ride...he got it double-time!

Mimi and Caden got to go on the water ride (and not get wet!).

And I got to go with both my boys on the tea cups! Grady was strapped to me.

This park also has this awesome and huge playground inside a tent. I love that Caden slid down into the ball pit and pointed out the one ball that was not in there (he's pointing at it in the picture). He was very concerned that everything wasn't in order...kid after my own heart :o)

The picture is a little blurry, but that blob in the middle is Britton doing a flip on the trampoline. We all turned into kids. Even I crawled around the playground WITH Grady still on me and Caden following me. I'm sure it was quite a sight.

And Grandy was a kid again too! He tried getting Caden to slide down on his back, but he wasn't too sure of that.

After we went to the park, we enjoyed some hot chocolate and cheesecake at an American run coffee shop. The night before that we went to a famous spot in our city. We got some drawings there and enjoyed watching people have tea and paint pictures. I love this picture because it is the epitomy of the men in our city...doing whatever their doing with a cigarette in their mouths.

The drawings we got were of this bridge and building. I love this of Grandy and Mimi.

Britton's Family Visit - Part 5

Christmas has in fact already happened, but this celebration of Christmas took place Decmeber 3rd. We decided since Britton's parents were here, we'd do an early Christmas morning with them. It was so nice and it felt like Christmas. We read the Christmas story then Caden dodged toward the gifts of which he is surprisingly still interested in.

Our stockings

 Gifts all around

happy/excited little boy 

 I think his favorite gift has been his bicycle.

 sweet little boy's first Christmas

 and one last special gift from Grandy and MiMi and us...

 ...his own house!

 He was so excited!

 We, of course, had to come in too. Caden loves loves loves the outside (not so much right now since it's piercingly cold, but I can't wait for him to play in there when it starts to warm up). The benches inside also slide to the outside along with the tray. The doorbell on the outside also has a dog that barks to scare away intruders...just in case you were wondering :o)

 And here's a video of Caden enjoying his new gifts and discovering the house outside. 

 

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
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Britton's Family Visit - Part 4

One thing we wanted Britton's family to experience was dinner with a local family. Fortunately, they spoke (some) English, and we went to Pizza Hut. The man has been Britton's teacher and helped him a ton with language. We had a great time, and they got to see how good Britton's language has gotten.

The lady was so sweet to give each family member a gift. Caden and Grady's gifts were extra special because she made them. She made Caden this sweater that he's trying on (it even has his local name sewn in it).

And she made these cute booties for Grady. He was sacked out in the sling.

He eventually woke up, and they fit him perfectly!

All of us minus Britton. Britton's family loved seeing how swanky Pizza Hut is here. It's fine dining.

Before our dinner, we set up Caden's Christmas present....wonder what it could be?!

Up Next: Christmas!

Britton's Family Visit - Part 3

We packed a lot into Britton's family's time here, but we wanted them to see as much as they could. One of the first places we took them was a place that even we had not been to. Our friends had a birthday party for their son (Caden's best bud), and it was also Nana's birthday that day! The park we went to was beautiful and huge. There was so much there and we tried to experience as much of it as we could.

The entrance was beautiful and a picture doesn't do it justice. I love all the architecture surrounding the water.

Tons of people like going here to dance and exercise. I loved the colorful trees that we got to see too. We don't have many trees around our apartment. 

 Group shot

 We rode a toboggan that was so much fun. I love that the first person to volunteer was Britton's grandmother. Nothing holds her back! The adults have to pay, but the kids were free. So, Caden got to ride with Nana, Britton, AND me...spoiled kid!

 It automatically takes you up the mountain then you can control how fast you come down. It was quite fun!

 The first group that went all sandwiched together because the guy said that it was too big of a group...no fun!

 Fortunately, I got to go by myself and we flew down!

 Next, we let the kids jump off this little area. Now Caden quickly and willingly jumps off things...don't know that that's a good thing!

 I love this of everyone.

 Family shot. Grady's all snug in the sling.

 The last thing we did was climb this mountain in cable cars...

 ...so we could see this! The most amazing view of our city. This was only half the view. It will be interesting to go back when the sun is shining.

That night we went to Grandma's Kitchen for Britton's grandma's birthday. It only seemed fitting to take her there!

Happy Birthday to Nana! Everyone here was so amazed that she could make this trip and thought she must be in the greatest health. We're so glad you could spend this birthday with us! So special!