Our One and Only Noni

October 1st is my Noni's birthday and I am so grateful for him. He is the patriarch of our family and we are so blessed to have him. The first thing I should tell you about my Noni is he is Italian.

the sign reads "Parking for Italians Only"

We are all very proud of our Italian heritage mainly because of our Noni. Some of the things I appreciate about him are his sense of humor. He is a funny guy and has a real talent for making people laugh. Some of my most prized possessions are letters and emails that he has written to me or my children, they always make me laugh. Just being around my Noni makes me feel important and loved. My Noni is also extremely talented at woodworking. He's built many things for us over the years. A doll house for me one Christmas, step stools, bird houses, Christmas Angels. I will treasure these things my whole life.

My Noni continues to live a remarkable life, he served our country in the Navy, flew airplanes, married a MOST beautiful lady and raised a loving family, he is an excellent salesman and craftsman.

His children and his grandchildren love him very much. I enjoy hearing my Mom tell stories about when she was a girl. Their family only had one car and they would all go to pick up my Noni from the jewelry store where he worked. When he would drive back, he knew the stop lights were timed, and would hit them just right so that it looked like they were going to go through the red light. My Mom says all the kids would yell for him to stop and then right as they approached the light it would turn green and everyone would laugh. Hearing my Mom tell that story I can picture it so clearly in my head. Because that is the Noni I know, always making us laugh! His humor and love have spread through our family. His commitment to his wife and family have given all of us who know him something to strive for. Happy Birthday Noni, words can't express how much you mean to all of you family!

He's HERE!

Caden James Baxter was born July 16,2010 at 9lbs 6oz and 21 1/2 inches long! We are so blessed to have him in our family. So grateful he's here safe and sound. More photos and birth story to follow :)

Trusting

"Ephesians 3:20-21 'Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.'"

I love this verse and have often been encouraged by it. Reading it this morning I wondered if I really believe it. I've seen God's blessings go way beyond anything I have ever asked for or imagined, so I should. But I am such a forgetful person. I lose sight of who God is. I try to plan out (control) my life instead of trusting God and enjoying all the blessings He has given me. I try to fix things to be just a certain way and at times am plagued by worry thinking I am in control. I want God on the throne, not me. I want to trust His sovereignty and rest in His peace.

Revive's new single "Blink" with words

This song is begging to be put in a photo show! Great song that really speaks to how quickly time does go by. Vince is always reminding me that we are "just passing through" this life and to make the most of the time we have here.

Joshua is 4

This post is a little late. Joshua turned 4 on June 6th!
How did my baby boy get to be 4 years old? Our family is so blessed to have Joshua. At four years old he is very inquisitive and curious. He loves to have Daddy tell him stories about Superman. He is industrious. Joshua likes to create things, building things out of toys or making pictures on paper. Joshua is very loving and kind. He often tells us "You're the best" and "I love you all day long" Sometimes he will add, "even when you are mad at me, I still love you" And how could I ever be mad at that precious face? He likes to teach Kara things and I will overhear him saying, "Kara, can you say.. 1..2..3?" When Kara says it, Joshua happily reports her progress. "Mom, can you believe she said that?" While he is a lover, he can also be a fighter and has a very strong side to him. He stands up for what he wants and is quick to protest when he sees something he thinks is unjust. He's very excited to be "signed up for preschool". He will start the fall semester in a 2 day a week program. I'm excited for all thats ahead, but also trying to savor each moment and it does go by so fast.

image used with permission from photographer www.kendrawatsonphotography.com

Joshua's Song

Photo courtesy of www.Kendrawatsonphotography.com

"Oh Lord, Our Lord how majestic is your name in all the
earth!

You have set your glory above the
heavens.

From the lips of children and infants you have
ordained praise."

Psalms 8:1-2

We recently bought one of those plastic 'microphones', the kind that echo when you talk into them. The kids were playing and I could hear Joshua singing into the microphone. At first I though it was just random singing. But as I listened I heard him singing praises to God. This really blew me away. We don't listen to a lot of worship music at home and unfortunately haven't been to church in several weeks. It amazed me to hear all this coming out of his mouth and I had to write it down. Here are some excerpts from Joshua's song:

"God is always with us, He created everything on the earth,
God is great, God is good,

Yeah, God created everything on the earth, Yes oh yes, He
does that,

He created birds in the sky, Yes oh Yes, He really does
that, Fish in the water,

Yes oh yes He does, God is great, God is good, He created trees.
He is the greatest in the world,

He is everywhere, He is in Heaven with Jesus, He created
everything, Crabs at the beach,

Yes, He does that. You pray to him for your food, 'cause He is
good. God really is good,

He is amazing. He made the best people and animals.

God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food,
yes oh yes, you do that,

Then you eat your food after you pray.

He is God, He makes people and He plants everything on the
earth,

Yes oh yes He does it, God is great, God is good,

I trust You with my heart"

Part of the song was from a prayer I said as a child and now Joshua says before we eat,

"God is Great, God is Good, let us thank Him for our food, AMEN"

Josh was so please when I told him I was writing down his song and wanted to keep singing and singing. I was writing it on some scrap paper I had near by. Long blue strips of paper. After we finished writing his song, he carried those strips of paper around with him for the rest of the day. When I went in to check on him that night, he was sleeping soundly, holding those blue strips of paper. It warmed my heart to see how much it meant to him. I think children feel so valued when their words and ideas are written down. I want to do this more often. I was especially touched by what he sang and will treasure that in my heart!

I remember seeing a commercial for State Farm insurance a while back of a little girl asking her Dad for the car keys. As he gives them to her the little girl switches to a teenager. This picture of Kara made me think of that commercial. She looks like she could be a teenager here, laying on the couch, doing her homework.

Kara is TWO

We just celebrated Kara's 2nd Birthday. In some ways it's hard for me to believe that she is already two, and in some ways it's hard to believe she is only two! She seems so grown up sometimes. She speaks clearly a lot of the time which makes her seem older. In the morning I hear her calling me from her room, "Mommy, where you at?" Some of phrases she uses a lot:

"What chu doin'?"

"What chu got?"

Paaauullleeaaassee" (complete with hands folded together in front of her)

"Owie... Kiss it" (whenever she gets hurt, oh that a kiss would always take the hurt away!)

Kara is very independent and already wants to get dressed by herself, she puts on her own shoes and has started buckling herself in her car seat. She takes so much initiative to do things herself.

Kara brings so much joy to our family and I am in awe of the gift God has given us. I often look at her and wonder how I got so lucky to have such a beautiful, charming, and loving daughter.

This year for her birthday we wanted an intimate celebration with our family. I was trying to keep it simple but then got the idea of having a Matryoshka theme to her birthday. It seemed so perfect for a little girl. I had fun making the decorations with help from some creative people on ETSY! Here is a link: www.etsy.com/listing/45900402/matryoshkas-digital-clip-art-set?ref=vt_related_1 The pictures from her celebration are courtesy of http://www.kendrawatsonphotography.com/

A Sneak Peek!

I've been in for quite a few ultrasounds this pregnancy due to some excess amniotic fluid. While it has been cause for a little extra caution, it's also been a great opportunity for us to get a sneak peek of our baby boy.

So amazing to get to see him before he arrives. I am now 30 weeks pregnant and this boy is a mover and a shaker. We are all amused watching my belly get bumped around from the inside.

Sin

This morning I read a great devotional that really touched on some of the sin in my life. Sometimes I don't think I have a lot of sin in my life. I try to be a good person and think that's enough. But really when I am honest I can see the many areas in my life where I slip into sin daily.

Hurting someone with a sharp tongue - I am quick to get angry and not stop to think of how my sharp words are hurting those around me.

I want to be the kind of person who thinks of others feelings first instead of finding satisfaction in anger.

Worrying- I often fall into this pattern, thinking of the future, worrying about all that could happen and not trusting that God will help me.

I want to be the kind of person who lives in the present moment, aware that God is with me. To be the kind of person who is not anxious about anything but trusting God in ALL things.

Being Judgemental- I find myself judging others and their actions instead of valuing each person as a child of God.

I want to be the kind of person who is able to empathize with people's weaknesses and have an awareness of my own. To be the kind of person who doesn't judge but is constantly thankful for the grace that God gives us all.

Complaining- I complain... ALOT! I feel sorry for my husband who has to listen to most of my complaining.

I want to be the kind of person who is always thankful for what I have instead of complaining about what I don't have. Or how things should be. To be continually aware of all the amazing ways God has blessed me.

I am not able to be the person I want to be in my own strength. I need God to change me and fill me with His spirit. That I would find satisfaction in Him. I spend so much time trying to make things happen on my own. I want to spend more time looking to God and being aware of His presence and His work.

Blessed Beyond Measure

Switchfoot - Dare You To Move Lyrics: "Welcome to the planet
Welcome to existence
Everyone's here
Everyone's here
Everybody's watching you now
Everybody waits for you now
What happens next
What happens next

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before

Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here
Tension is here
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened

Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened before"

Dare You To Move

Lala Song Player - Dare You To Move by Switchfoot

Rehearsing Trouble

"A righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad
news, his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord" ~Psalm 112:6-7

"Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way! Instead, come to Me, and relax in My Peace." ~ From the devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

I have spent a lot of my time rehearsing my troubles. I used to think that I was preparing myself for anything that was ahead. "Expect the worst, hope for the best" used to be my motto. This only lead to a whole lot of anxiety. And where did I place my hope? In my own ability to deal with a problem? I take God out of the picture and totally forget to trust Him. That He will provide what I need in any circumstance. I cannot anticipate what He will provide. Only He knows what will comfort my heart when trouble comes. Jesus said we would have trouble in this world, but to take heart because He has overcome the world. Our hope is not to have a trouble free life here. So often I find myself trying to fix everything just right so I can have peace. But really I should seek peace from the only true source. God gives us peace that is real, even in the midst of problems. I want to rest in that peace always.

Moving to a Zone Defense

Man to man defense has been good. I put Kara to bed, Vince puts Joshua to bed. I play with Kara while Josh goes with Vince to the hardware store. Getting out of the car Joshua holds my hand, Vince holds Kara. Eating in a restaurant, Vince keeps Josh busy and I keep Kara's food coming. Being a family of four has been fun, so fun in fact that we thought.. why not add to our joy/craziness? Come mid-July we will do just that! Vince and I have some strategy to work out till then! Looking forward to being through this first trimester of pregnancy and feeling more normal. But really looking forward to meeting the newest member of our family.

Counting it all joy

Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

These days I'm trying to count it all joy when my one year old wakes me up in the middle of the night, or pulls a bowl of Cheerios off the table and it shatters on the ground. It's tough, I try.. but sometimes end up ranting as I go to get the broom. Not sure if these were the kind of trials that James was writing about. But I know the trials of Motherhood have changed me for the better. I am a much more patient person than I used to be. And less of a perfectionist. I still have a long way to go and I want to be thankful for the trials in my life, knowing that it's an opportunity for me to become a better person. Not only that, but how I respond to trials and difficulty has an impact on my children. They are little sponges soaking up everything they see. When they see Mommy flip out over a mess, they learn that's how to deal with their frustrations. This was especially clear to me when I heard my three year old yell, "DANGIT!" as he dropped something on the floor. I'm praying that God will help me respond well to the trials I face, so that my children will have an easier time dealing with their own.

Legos and Chicken Pot Pie

Motherhood has taught me a lot about my relationship with God. A good example of this was yesterday. I was making a chicken pot pie to bring to my sister April. I was very busy with my important work and wouldn't be distracted. I could hear Joshua calling me from upstairs asking me to come look at the cool building he made with legos.

"Just a minute, let me finish this" I say.

A few minutes later I hear him calling again.

"Let me just finish this and I will be right there"

I managed to go up for a moment and oo and ahhh over what he had made. As I came back down stairs I could hear Joshua get frustrated.
"OH NO! It broke!" I hear him yell.
"It's o.k. bud, you can make it again, it's alright!" I say.
He was still frustrated and sad.
In my mind I think, "If he could only see things from my perspective, he would realize that his Lego building can be built again, it's nothing to get upset about"
As I go back to the important work of making my pot pie, it's almost as though I can hear God telling me,

"If only you could see things from MY perspective"

How often I get caught up in all these things I deem important, but are they really? Do I really need to walk around flustered and panicked, irritable because I have so much to do? Is it really worth getting upset about? Is it worth missing out on watching my kids create somthing?

The "best" part of this whole story is that once the pot pie was made and delivered to my sisters, it fell on the floor coming out of the oven. I was heart broken at first, but have been trying to see it from a different perspective.

Secret Path Pictures

There is a path by my Mom's house, a secret path! At least to all our kids. My wonderfully talented sister Kendra took a picture last year as we were walking down the path. It was one of my favorite pictures of our family. So about the same time this year we tried to re-create that one. It's fun to compare them and see how much the kids have grown since then.

Josh-isms

Joshua never fails to make me smile. The way he says things cracks me up. The other day I said something about "being on the safe side" and he asked me, "What does the trouble side look like?" Then today I was telling him to be happy with what I gave him for lunch. I said, "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit" and Joshua said, "Why are you putting your eyes on me, I'm not throwing a fit!" It was cute.