- 4 Day Weekends. Did I mention that this weekend was the BEST?!? We had a great mixture of go-time and home time and it was great and stress free.
- Productivity. He's recently started his basement project and loves getting stuff planned and executed down there. He did a lot of home projects when we moved, which he generally likes, but the other day he mentioned it's the first time he's gotten a 'Matt-project' in years.
- 2 year old Henry and 4 year old Claire. Matt loves this stage of Henry and Claire's development. They're independent and FUN to play with. Matt's especially good at building with them, playing football, and the cuddles and "I love yous" that our princess wants from her prince. :)
- I'm sure there are more, but we'll have to see what he says. ;)
Lauren's Favorites:
- Staying at home with the kids! This past month or so, God has given me a newfound appreciation for getting to spend the whole day with Claire and Henry, and getting the opportunity to serve Matt and my family by keeping the house in order. I am SO fortunate that we're able to be a one-income family and so thankful for God's grace.
- Friday morning small group! I look forward to this time every other week when we get together with the mamas of young children and rejuvenate our hearts.
- Friday morning yoga! I have been trying out different workout classes lately in an effort to avoid 5 am wake up calls. I found a wonderfully relaxing, yet challenging, class at the Y on Friday mornings. Claire and Henry love running around the gym and I love the yoga!
- Massages! I almost didn't put this, because it seems pretty selfish. I've had two in the past month at a local salon and loved every minute.
- Henry's language development. In December, he started with two word 'sentences' and by early January, he's saying three and four word phrases together. Lately, he's telling me he has "Angst vor _______" (that he is scared of _______ - which has been Claire when she's in a bad mood).
- "Real" conversations with Claire. I love that she's getting smarter and developing her critical thinking skills more. With Onkel Willi's death and with some other deaths this fall, we have talked about the privilege of getting to be with God after we die, and that "whosoever believes in me, will not die, but have everlasting life." That got her thinking and in the van one day, she asked about the alternative. What happens to people when they die but didn't follow Jesus? I hesitated for a moment, because who really wants to actually talk about the alternative? But, true to how I was brought up (no beating around the bush, sugar coating things), I told her about hell. I tried to keep it simple and not-so-scary (this is a little girl who is so compassionate that she genuinely cries when they take Dumbo's mama away from him, and who wants to close her eyes when the shark attacks Nemo's parents), and told her it was a bad place with a very mean man. I just love that her character is developing and she is wondering about real life problems and decisions!
- Learning! I have lately come to the realization that I can't learn everything I want as quickly as I want. I have so much curiosity in a wide range of disciplines and I just have to start somewhere and use what time I have to learn. Right now, I am really interested in the healing benefits of essential oils. I am going to sign up for an essential oils company just for the discount (no parties or selling of this one!) and to learn more about it. I am excited at the possibilities of more natural ways to stay healthy and reduce stress, among other benefits I'm sure I'll learn about. Did you know that there are lots of essential oils used in the Bible? Why do you think the wise men brought newborn Jesus frankincense and myrrh? :)
Claire's Favorites:
- Climbing. She loves the be a gymnast and climb all over the treadmill.
- Reading! She can spend hours looking at the illustrations and reading with Mama or Daddy.
- Sledding with Daddy. Matt's done a great job of taking the kids outside down by the stream so they can sled. She loves it! Really, though, I think she loves anything with Daddy. This girl craves her quality Daddy-time. Who can blame her?!?
- School! She loves Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings because she gets to go to school at church. She also loves doing school at home and will ask to do schoolwork! Having motivation to finish projects we start is a little different, though. ;)
Henry's Favorites:
- Trains! Anything and everything to do with them. He especially loves his Thomas the Tank Engine books and can read them over, and over, and over, and over, and over. ;)
- Climbing. Once Claire showed him how to climb the treadmill, it was all downhill.
- Ripping. Grrrrrr. Henry loves to rip books. He also really likes to read them, but the last couple months or two, he'll read for a while and then get it in his head that it would be fun to rip the pages. I have gone through a LOT of packing tape trying to repair them…some better than others.
- Firetrucks. He loves them and looks forward to the church nursery each week because Daddy reminds him what he gets to play with there!
Baby's Favorites (AKA Cravings):
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Pita Pit Chicken Provolone Pita
- Carbs in general…I haven't wanted eggs for breakfast for months now even though I tell myself the protein is so good for me. :(
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