Catching Up

So, we've had a lot going on lately with the start of a new school year (for both Matt and "The Bigs"). Here's a small update (mainly to help me remember for future reference).

Summer 2011:

Matt has taken over some new academic responsibilities at school, ridding him of a few disciplinary duties. It's been a nice change so far. He's enjoying the challenge of learning how to navigate a variety of testing and curriculum tasks. We're so proud of him and the hard work he puts in at the high school. He's definitely a 100% kind of guy, whether at work or at home. He's such a blessing to the kids and me. He's doing a new study called "Uncommon" by Tony Dungy. It's a challenge for sure! He still loves running and doing P90X. I'm so proud of him and his healthy lifestyle!! (Now we just need to get me on board:)

Livi just started her 2nd year at the LBC preschool. She's in the 3 year-old class and is loving every minute so far. They've made bracelets and other crafts in the 1st few days. Her favorite aspect has been that she now gets to go on the "big girl" playground (though she lets the boys play, too:) It has a tire swing and apparently she stays on it the entire play time :) She's a bundle of excited information every day when I pick her up! Makes me smile/laugh :) Lately she's really enjoyed a scheduled craft time at home, play dates with friends, her new fav channel is Sprout, she loves playing on Matt's ipad, and she's all about performing (have NO idea where she got that;). Livi's favorite sayings: "Are you kidding me?", "You're special", "Have mercy!", "You're a sweet boy, aren'tcha?!", "I don't want to talk about that", "Brooks, you need to obey Mommy", "We should pray about that", "Is that in the Bible?". She's great at saying the mealtime prayer.

Brooks just started his 2nd year at LBC in the 2 year-old room. With 8 boys and 3 girls, his teachers need all the prayers we can send up! :) They're beyond wonderful and so patient, I know he'll have a great year! He is in to everything...literally...Matt and I joke about wishing they made larger Exersaucers so we could keep him still for just 1 minute while we cook supper. He enjoys building things and, of course, knocking them over, playing with trucks/cars/planes, coloring, jumping off anything over 2 feet tall, wrestling, being read to, playing hide-n-seek, and throwing footballs/baseballs. Brooks' favorite sayings: "Rain storm coming?", "I see you!", "Hippo coming?" (I have no idea:), "C'mon Vivi, let's go jump on bed", "Go time out?", "Dear God Fanks for sun moon stars, Aaaamen". He's such a contradiction of sweet and spice. He has the softest voice and snuggles 1 minute, then the next he's running up the stairs with Hulk-like ferocity and bulldozing Livi! He might be small, but he's tough and scrappy :)

Landon just turned 9 months and is a chunk!! He is close to 25 lbs and is 29 inches long! (He's got Livi and Brooks beat by about 8 lbs and at least 1 1/2 inches when they were his age!) Ayiyi! I haven't found a food he doesn't like yet! He's still having a mad love affair with his bottle...8 oz 4 times/day. He also loves yogurt, any kind of veggie or fruit, spaghetti, turkey and dressing (baby food), Puffs, Cheerios, etc etc etc. He's crawling all over the place and pulling up on everything. He is such a little ball of love, cheer, and drooly sweetness. The only time he EVER is cranky is when he's feeling the pain from teething or when we leave him in the nursery at church (but even that has been better lately). He's just a joy, a pure joy...and SUCH a flirt!!!! Heaven help me! :) We had him dedicated on August 21st with plenty of family in the pews! Of course my parents (Grammy and Gramps) came and my Aunt Carline drove all the way from south GA to see the dedication! She brought her granddaughters, Jessie and Brooke, and also Grandmomma! Matt's parents (Grandma and Pop) and almost everyone else in Matt's family came as well! :) It was a special day!

As for me, I'm just doing my best to juggle it all! I'm still finding our family rhythm since Landon's sleeping habits change weekly (he likes keeping us on our toes:). I'm doing a new study called "Every Woman's Marriage"...it's a nice little kick in the rear to help me be the wife I should be for my amazing hubby :) I just started tutoring a middle school student in MATH...I know right?! Me + math = hmmmmm...but so far it's been great! I also signed on to sell Thirty-One! I've only had a few parties, but so far it's been really fun! Anything to bring in a little extra $$ without taking away from my time with the kiddos :)

The verse I've identified with most lately is Hebrews 3:14 - - "For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God to justify as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ." (NLT) I need to continue to thirst for Christ like a newborn believer, but with a more mature faith. I need to live with the same excitement as I did when I first came to know Him, but also with a deeper understanding of where He has led me and how I can impact this world for Him.