{Fall} FUN!!!

We've been having lots of fun this fall, and we're enjoying the {slightly} cooler weather. It's Texas so it's still hot, just not fry an egg on the sidewalk kind of hot! ;)

In the last couple of weeks we've enjoyed a trip to the Dallas Arboretum, the great State Fair of Texas, a local Autumn Festival close to our home and of course we've been enjoying all the "normal" crazy fun at our own home.

Here are a few pics of the boys enjoying the new season! (Blogger is being weird and won't delete the duplicate photos it loaded up...so just enjoy the pics...several times in a row, haha!)























































































TGIF,
*Grace*

Autumn...

I've never been particularly fond of Fall, but for some reason this year is different. Maybe it stems from the fact that we had one of the hottest summers on record and I am just ready for a change, or maybe from the fact that our house is just now starting to feel like home and even though Fall isn't my favorite season it does bring with it a sense of home and comfort. Anyhoo, I came across a quote today from Melissa @ the Inspired Room that pretty much sums up my new outlook on Autumn...

"Autumn is the season to find contentment at home by paying attention to what we already have.

The simple daily rituals of homemaking, baking, nesting, decorating and preparing for the winter holidays ahead create a sense of peace with what we have right in front of us."

I thought she said it beautifully and perfectly. Head over to her blog to gain more insight into the glorious season of Autumn!

Happy Monday, Y'all!

*Grace*

Getting Cozy for Fall

With Fall (supposedly) approaching I have been wanting to cozy up our home a bit. Since we're fairly new to this house, and there are a lot of blank walls that I have no clue what to do with, I've been struggling with how to make our house more homey. Enter pillows, my go-to home decor element that seems to instantly adds a statement to any room. I've had these on my agenda to make for a while...I got the burlap coffee sacks off of Etsy a couple months ago...but I never found time (or made the time) to make them 'til today. And no, I certainly did not let Johnathan watch a couple hours worth of his favorite Huckle shows while I made them so that he would stay out of my way, of course not! ;)

I got all my sewing stuff out during Eli's naptime and got them pretty much made before he woke up. I am so happy with how they turned out and I love the warmth and texture they bring to our living room. Tell me what you think!







*Grace*

Silly Sleeper

Last night, during the middle of the night, I was awakened by the sound of Johnathan coughing...just a few little coughs, no biggie. You know how when you're woken up by some kind of noise and you have a hard time recalling what the sound was? Well last night the coughing I heard didn't sound like it had come from the baby monitor that I keep on during the night on my nightstand, but then again, I wasn't fully conscious when I heard the coughs, so who knows.

Anyways, I got up and took a quick trip to the potty and decided to check on the boys before I went back to sleep. Eli was sleeping peacefully in his crib and Johnathan was...he was...where was he???!!! He wasn't anywhere in his room and I hadn't seen him in ours. Sometimes he will sneak in and curl up on some extra throw pillows from our bed that I place on the floor, but nope, he wasn't there. Then, I remembered the cough, how it had sounded like it came from close by but not the baby monitor. And so I looked under our bed, and sure enough, there was Johnathan, all curled up and sleeping like a little cat. Goodness, what a place to sleep! I pulled him out from under the bed and made up a quick pallet for him beside our bed using a throw blanket and those extra pillows. He sort of woke up as I dragged him out of his safe sleeping place, and I suppose I could have just left him there since he was asleep after all, but somehow I just don't think I could have fallen back asleep knowing my child was on the floor under my bed. Although he was no monster, ghost or goblin I still don't want to sleep with anything or anyone under my bed! ;)

These little dudes of mine are always surprising me with their silly little antics, and you can bet from now on when I hear one of them coughing or making strange noises at night I'm going to check under my bed first!

Happy Sunday Night!
*Grace*

My Little Nakey-Nakey

The other day I went in to check on Eli during his nap and found him stark naked, diaper on the floor, in a deep sleep. He was so cute with his little body all curled up, heiny straight up in the air and arms and knees tucked under his belly. I of course took a picture (but for privacy reasons won't share it here) and just laughed at the sight of my little nakey-nakey sleeping like an angel. I thought I'd have a big mess to clean up (poop or at the very least pee) when he decided to wake up, but thankfully he held it until after he woke up and had his diaper on again! ;)

Anyways, just a cute little anecdote about my little dude. I remember finding Johnathan like this too around the same age as Eli...and it was cute then also! ;)

Happy Sunday!

*Grace*

Bb is for Betsy Bee

Yesterday Johnathan came home from school so happy and vocal about what he had learned. When I picked him up he told me that he had had such a fun day and said, "I didn't miss you at all, Mommy!"...haha, I was glad though because that meant that he was kept busy and had a good time...it's hard to miss mommy when you're having so much fun learning...although he did say that he missed Eli...and Dada...and BoBo...haha! ;)

When we get home from school we always take out Johnathan's green folder that all his little papers are in. Yesterday he was so excited to show me and wanted to get them out himself and show them to me one by one. He worked on the letter "B" yesterday and kept singing "Buh, Buh, Buh for Betsy Bee"...and it was the cutest thing. Each letter of the alphabet has a cute little animal or bug to go with it so the kids can learn it easier. "A" was Alexander Alligator and "B" was Betsy Bee. He also worked on cutting with scissors, painted a letter B, practiced gluing little bits of paper to the letter and and did some other fun "B" related activities.

Each day I get a little "report card" saying what the class did that day and what Johnathan in particular enjoyed. I love that I feel like I know a little better what he did during the day, and I always love seeing what he liked best about the day. I am saving all his papers in a binder that I purchased yesterday and I know I will treasure looking back through them in the years to come.

I made a cute little "gallery wall" to hang up Johnathan's school papers and special pictures. It also has our calendar and Johnathan's Chore Chart. I love that I did this because it makes it very easy for me to go over with Johnathan what he's learned during school. We practice the alphabet and number(s) that he has recently learned and I really think that this is helping him to retain it. Plus, it's pretty cute! ;)






Happy Friday and Yay for learning!!!

*Grace*

{7} in Heaven

Today marks the 7th "Heaven Birthday" of our sweet, precious Daniel Cole. I can hardly believe that it's been seven years since we last saw and felt our sweet baby boy. Wow, seven years.

This evening we went on a family walk together and saw a snake that had died on the sidewalk. Johnathan said that Jesus was going to make the snake better and "make him alive again"...oh the wonderful gift of a childlike faith, believing that Jesus can make everything better...just as He is able to do.

We told Johnathan that sometimes when things or people die that they go to Heaven, even though Jesus has the power to heal and even raise from the dead. Then we told Johnathan again about his big brothers in Heaven. Sort of odd maybe, to transition from a dead snake to talking about his brothers that sit in the arms of Jesus, but it is something that he understands and it brings it home a little more for him.

So, sweet Daniel, know that you are talked of and loved and very much missed. I can't wait to see you again some day, to shower you with hugs and kisses and to hold you and never let go. You are and always will be my baby, and I love you so much.

Happy 7th Birthday, Sweetheart. Hug Gideon for us and kiss the Angel Babies.

Love, Mama & Dada and your Little Brothers

Asthma - A Great Way to Bond, Haha! ;)

When you're little cousins growing up together there are a lot of fun times and experiences to share...trips to the park, hanging out at each others houses, playing at the grandparents together, wrestling and pretending to Nacho Libre (or Kung Fu Panda or whatever character you are really into at the moment!). However, Gwen and I have found that one of the best ways for our boys to bond is through asthma breathing treatments!...totally kidding of course, we would much rather our boys didn't have to deal with breathing issues, but these poor babies are tainted by our husbands inferior genes, haha! (of the 3 brother-in-laws/son-in-laws that have joined the family all 3 of them have a history of asthma, thus the gene tainting, heehee!).

Miles and Eli were pretty cute doing their nebulizer treatments together. Usually Eli hates them, but he did great since big cousin Miles was doing it along with him...




And, not wanting to miss out on an opportunity to bond themselves, Johnathan and Levi were little mischief makers while their brothers were otherwise engaged...look at them! Too cute!




So that's how we roll with asthma. We don't let it get us down, it's just another opportunity to hang out and bond, ha! ;)

Have a great weekend!
*Grace*

A Day of Firsts

Yesterday two of my favorite people had some big firsts in their life...Aaron (a.k.a. "Favorite" to me, Dr. Aldape to others) started his first day in his new practice, woohoo!!! He is officially now a practicing physician...sorta funny how they call it a practice tho...kind of like they still need to do things a few more times 'til they get it right, haha! ;) I can assure you that Dr. Aldape knows what he's doing and is going to be a great physician to those blessed enough to have him as their doctor!

Also, my sweet Monkey Boy (a.k.a. Johnathan!) started his first day of school yesterday. We enrolled him in a two days a week Mother's Day Out that has a preschool curriculum. It is pretty structured but has a fun environment that I am sure he will love more and more as the weeks go by. He liked his first day, but was more than happy to see me drive up in the carpool line to pick him up...and you know what, I was pretty happy to see him too, his big smile shining at me through the glass doors. I missed my little dude a lot! ;)

So, I guess our "fall" has officially started. New schedules and routines to get down and lots of new fun experiences for everyone!

Happy Middle of the Week to Y'all!
*Grace*

Superhero!

Context: Aaron is out on the couch giving Eli his breathing treatment. Eli is screaming his head off because of said treatment. Johnathan and myself are in our bedroom getting PJs on for the night.

Johnathan: Mommy, what's wrong with Eli?
Me: Oh, he is just crying because he doesn't like his breathing treatment.
Johnathan (donning his hooded towel): I am going to be a superhero and go rescue Eli. I am going to get up on the couch and roar really loud in Daddy's ear and get Eli from him!
Me: Okay, buddy, go be a superhero!
Johnathan: Mommy, do you want to see how loud I'm going to roar?
Me: Sure, bud.
Johnathan: RRROOAAAAARRR!
Me: *laughing my head off!*

Aah, good times with my little dude!

*Grace*

"I want Jesus to snuggle me"

Snuggle time. Without fail this is the one time of the day where Johnathan is the most peaceful, shows endearing affection and is also very spiritually tuned in. Each night, after book-reading and prayer time with Dada, Johnathan and I snuggle in his bed. This started after he finished nursing (almost 2 years ago now) as a way for us to still connect at the end of our busy (sometimes chaotic) day. Johnathan is a very affectionate boy (one of his love languages) and I love our time together. I sing to him, scratch his back and listen to his sleepy little boy ramblings. We have had some of our most spiritual talks during this nighttime ritual. I remember one time where out of the blue he asked me "how come Jesus died?" I went on to explain why in terms he could understand and you should have seen the amazement on his face when I told him that after Jesus died he came back to life! It was thrilling to see him so excited that "now He not dead, He's ALIVE!" After that conversation anytime we talked about something being alive he would say "like Jesus!"

Tonight was another one of those nights where his concept of Jesus/God blessed me. Usually I will let Johnathan know that I am going to sing him his songs and then we'll have "one snuggle"...which he promptly tries to negotiate into "lots of snuggles", "no" I say, "just one"..."how 'bout two" he says...he is quite the negotiator! Anyways, after our snuggle I told him it was time for bed and he says "but I want Jesus to snuggle me"...I let him know that Jesus is always with him, always there to snuggle..."and God too" he says..."yes" I tell him, "God is always with you too."

Sweet dreams,
*Grace*

A Summer of Reflection

This summer has been wonderful. A time meeting new friends and connecting with old ones, a beginning of new ventures and the continuation of our family routine. And, for me personally, a time of introspection. A time of self-reflection which if I am honest I really do not like to do, haha. However, for whatever reason I found myself frequently looking into my own motives this summer, was made aware of some character traits which aren't that pretty that I want to change and overall I feel like I know myself a little better after this summer.

I think that some of this self-reflection time came because of my big b-day...I am now 30 years old, and by goodness I do feel as if I am more mature and know more of what I want out of life now. I am sure some of this looking-inward time also came because of some "discussions" that Aaron and I had during the course of the summer. Husbands (and children for that matter) have this unique way of making you see that you're not all you're cracked up to be...IF you allow them to show you...IF you allow yourself to see beyond the pretty exterior you put on for people...IF you allow yourself the possibility to want to change. Otherwise husbands (and children) just make you angry because you think you're in the right and think that they have to change. Obviously we all have areas where we can grow and mature, but often you have to squelch your pride in order to see what areas YOU need to change in. At least that is how it is for me.

Another thing that has helped me is the wonderful book by Ann Voskamp...One Thousand Gifts...I have been reading it slowly, on purpose, because there is so much to gain from it. I don't want to miss what I could learn by reading quickly through it. I am only on chapter 3, and the thing that has stood out so far is learning to live a thankful life. Thanks. We say it a lot, but do we really live out thankful lives? I know that I don't. I'm anxious to see what the rest of the book holds. It's pretty intense, at least for me it is because it is so relevant to my life right now.

Anyhoo, it's been a good summer all around and next week our "fall" schedule starts up more or less. Johnathan starts school at a wonderful little program we found for him so we will officially transition from our carefree summer days to a little more structure. And, the week after Aaron starts work. I think it will be good for all of us to get into more of a routine. I am looking forward to it, and looking forward to all this fall will bring for us!

A few images of our summer...























*Grace*

Hmm, where to start???.....

Well, since the last time I "really" posted a lot has happened. We moved across state and have started settling in to our new neighborhood. That in itself has been a huge transition and we are really loving our new place...lots of room for the boys to play and plenty of space to host gatherings which we have already enjoyed doing!

Also, on July 22nd I turned the big 3-0...yikes! My sweet sister Gail and loving husband, along with lots of my other wonderful family helped to pull one over on me...a surprise party that (almost) totally caught me off guard...it's hard to surprise me, but they did an awesome job and the party was beautiful! (To read more about it click the photo source below and you will be taken to Gail's blog where she posted about all her efforts to make my party so special!)

My beautiful sister, Gail!

(Photo source here)



My wonderful, ever loving husband, Aaron! xoxoxoxo

(Photo source here)

Also this summer we made a trip down to Corpus Christi, our old home, and spent some wonderful time with our dear Whitehurst family. We had already started to really miss them, so a trip down there was the perfect way to cure the We Miss the Whitehurst Blues! ;)

Now we are trying to really get settled in our new community...trying to find a good church, a good (convenient and low price) grocery store and we are continuing to meet and get to know our new neighbors. Aaron starts real-life working in a few weeks and so we are also very much enjoying some extra time with him before life gets back to "normal" around here.

Hope y'all are all enjoying the last dog days of summer.

Love,
*Grace*