Jack is 20 months old!

 My little Jack.

 Giving 'Scarecrow Sam' a ride on the lawn mower.

Jack and I have been having a lot of fun enjoying our one-on-one time together, when Quinn is at preschool.  Just today, I put him in my 'back pack' carrier device, and he came along for the ride when I mowed the yard. Just like his big brother, Jack is also obsessed with lawn mowers!  Around here, we use lawn mowers in lieu of strollers, to give our dolls scarecrows rides in! Some things are just a tad different when you're in a house with only boys!  

The three guys

Quinn - 3 1/2 & Jack 1 1/2

9/08/13 

Quinn's first day of preschool

 Daddy and Quinn

First day of Preschool - 9/10/13

 Mommy and Quinn

 Quinn is showing me that he's three!

The first day of preschool went fantastic. I am so thrilled for Quinn!

 

My heart was racing as I propped Jack up on my hip, and tightened my grip on Quinn's hand.  We walked into school/church, and I felt like it was my first day instead of his!  (I had butterflies in my stomach!)  We walked into his room and found his 'star picture' that his teacher had taken a few weeks back, during the orientation.  In it, he had a scowl on his face. (Orientation hadn't gone well.) 

 

Quinn put his 'grumpy' picture into the basket for check in.  After that, I wasn't sure how long I should 'linger' around for!  There were some parents hanging around with their kiddos, but not everyone.  As I was trying to figure it out, Quinn looked up at me and very confidently said: 'Mom, It's time for you to go now.' Wow!  How proud am I, of this confident, well adjusted little boy of mine?!  A quick hug and kiss, and out the door I went.  Feeling a little strange leaving without one of my boys.  Two hours later, I was at the school early, to make sure Quinn didn't have to wait around for mommy to pick him up.  I was able to watch him step out of his classroom, and into the hallway to grab his Buzz Light year back pack, and then we went back into his room. (It was fun, because he didn't see me there!)  A little while later, his teacher walked out, with all twelve little students trailing behind her like little ducklings.  Quinn told me later, they were supposed to form a 'choo choo train'!  He was the caboose!  I am so proud of him, and happy for his first day success! 

Five years of marriage... letter to my husband (9/06/2013)

Dear Steve,

Here we are, five years of wedded bliss and two adorable little boys later...  What a fun ride it has been with you, since we both said 'I DO' on September 6, 2008!

I sometimes wonder, what does God have written for us in the next chapters of our lives?  I am so glad that we don't know, as the mystery keeps life fun and exciting!  And that's just how I sum up what life with you is like: fun and exciting! I do know, that I am so thankful for the importance we both place in our relationship with our Savior, Jesus, and all the blessings that shower down on us through our faith in Him. 



We know that through life's ups and downs that accompanies all human existence, we are not an exception, as we live in a fallen and sinful world.  Yet, through the good and the bad, the easy days and the hard days, we will have JOY in our hearts ALWAYS!  Joy, because we place our hope in the Lord, regardless of our circumstances. We have joy in our hearts because we are always there for each other, no matter what circumstances or emotions we might be facing!

 

This joy is reflected in you and I, my love. It is being passed down to our sons, as the legacy we will someday leave behind.  Steve, I am truly honored to be called your wife, and to have the privilege to raise our sons with you!

 

 

I feel that this is right where you and I are meant to be.  We are joyfully, teaching and instructing our sons to respect marriage and families, and to understand the importance of both.  To have a kind and gentle heart.  To respect life and others.  To be courageous and stand firm in their convictions.  To grow in the Christian faith and joyfully look forward to our heavenly reward, when we can see Jesus, face to face.

 

Celebrating two years of marriage. 9/06/2010

Welcoming our second son, Jack Steven on 1/11/2012

I remember that our wedding song we chose for our soloist to sing was called, 'Household of Faith.' Do you vaguely remember it, as I do?  We will have to pull out our old wedding video to remind ourselves of the words!  Yet, what a beautiful foreshadow the title alone is, for our present day lives. Truly, this is not a coincidence as God is the great orchestrator of our lives! 

 

 

I am thrilled to be celebrating five years of marriage with you, Steve! As we say often to each other, it just keeps getting better and better!  I have never been more in love with you then I am right now.

 

All my Love,

Gret

 

Mud Games (6/08/13)

 The group who participated in the 'Mud Games' with us.

The 'before' picture.

And the 'after' picture.

 

I'm a bit late in getting these photos up from the Mud Games, back in early June. But hey...better late than never, eh? We had such a great time doing this. As I was making the list of our fun summer activities, I forgot to add this one, but it was definitely up there on the list as one of our favorites!

 



Update on the boys and summer recap

 Quinn - 3 1/2

 Jack - 19 months

The boys are a growing! They are eating, eating and eating some more! They are also taking daily naps, and often times they wake up bigger then when we put them to bed. (I kid you not!) Steve and I are enjoying the summer with our boys! Yet here we are, gearing up for fall activities now.

Quinn is starting Preschool this fall! On September 10, 2013, I will drop him off for his first day! Although I anticipate a few many tears, from him both of us, I know he will do great once he gets into the routine, and is used to his new schedule! It is two days a week, for two hours a day. It is our church's preschool,  right at our church. For this I am grateful, as I love the Christian curriculum and culture that he will be immersed into, and he will be comfortable at the location since we are there at least once a week already, for church. His teacher is so kind, and patient and loving. I know this is the right fit for him!

Jack is already 19 months old, and becoming more and more adventurous, outspoken and comical as ever!  He loves to cruise down our driveway (which is on a small incline), on one of his 'cars.' He will race his daddy or brother, and when he gets to the very bottom he swerves to the side just in time (so he doesn't go into the street!) Good job, Jack! You know the house rules! Jack sees his big brother jumping off everything, everything. So it comes as no surprise here, that my little Jack also tries (and sometimes succeeds if I don't catch him in time), jumping off steps and rocks. He is loud and he is funny. He is mimicking anything we ask him to say. Some of the words and phrases are spot on, and some aren't even close! Yet, he tries to say everything and it's adorable!

It has been a great summer. Highlights have included two trips to the cabin (one last trip is also scheduled - before summer is officially over!), Maddens Resort, a family get together at my sister and brother in law's house, numerous trips to the beach, visits with friends and siblings,The Lifetime Fitness pool, Steve's softball games, Vacation Bible School, Horse Pull, Zoo, Splash pads near home, picnics, library trips, growing a garden and actually getting some delicious produce from it! ...And the list goes on and on.

Finger paints!

 Jack - 19 months old

8/20/2013

He was not afraid to get dirty! I'm so glad he was using washable paints, as he

mistook the table for paper!