Olivia the Bug Whisperer

My sweet girl is about as girly as they come.  Most days, if you were to peek in on her, you'd find her dressed in her hot pink "spinny" dress, wearing multiple necklaces and/or rings, and setting up "Bunny's Birthday Party".  Complete with tea and crumpets, of course.  ;)

She doesn't just love ballet, she is a ballerina.  And when I often ask her, "Wow!  You sure look fancy! Are you a princess today?"  I am always corrected, "No, Mommy!  I am a ballerina!." Very matter-of-factly.  ;)

Along with all her girly-ness, comes a love of all things buggy.  This girl LOVES her bugs.  She expresses delight over almost any bug (with spiders being the exception).  Although, on a camping trip this summer, she did get pretty friendly with the daddy long legs hanging around our campsite.  ;)

She seeks out ants, roly poly bugs, and especially butterflies.  No matter where we're at, or who she's playing with.

This one was a little blurry, but she was SO excited to find a Katydid!  Notice the dirt smudges on her face too.  This girl is not bothered one bit by dirt.

Lately, she's taken to catching bugs, playing with them and also asking them "what's your name, bug?  You have a name?"  And then assigning said bug with a name.  Most of them are nonsensical jibberish names, but the past couple of days she's come up with some pretty clever ones.  This morning she took a Boxelder bug to tea, and called "her" Boxy.  :)

Today we spent quite a while at the park, probably for the last time this season.  It has been pretty cold and rainy lately, so to have a warm, sunny day was a delight for all of us.  Imagine her joy at discovering that the caterpillars were out in force today!  She picked up and held not one, but TWO Wooly Bear caterpillars.  It was the highlight of her time there.  She only named one of them, but "she" was called Elissa.

Then she found an extremely lucky grasshopper, who was dubbed "Popcorn".  These names are all her ideas - and I just find them incredibly cute.

She was absolutely elated when "Popcorn" wanted to "go for a ride!" on her pants.  She even took him down the slide!

There is nothing like watching her sweet little face light up when she finds a new "friend."  And I smile, not only because she is SO excited no matter how disgusting the unsuspecting insect is, but because it's part of the humor in my life that she has a Mommy who is very UN-enthusiastic about bugs.  I love this girl!  Maybe she will grow up to be an Entomologist?  :)

Fall Family Memories

We recently got to spend a weekend with my awesome in-laws in Rockford, IL.  They moved into a new house this summer, and it was our first time staying with them in their beautiful new home!  We had such a wonderful time together, and made lots of sweet memories.

I didn't get any pictures of Olivia's time with her Granddad, but she really soaks up all the time he spends spoiling her.  :)  She convinced him to play ring-around-the-rosie with her multiple times, "dance" around the living room, play catch, and one of her favorite things, reading with him in his easy chair.  He even humored her by playing "hide and seek".  It was super cute watching her run around looking for him.  And even funnier when it was her turn to hide . . . :)

She also really enjoyed her time with Nanny - doing puzzles together.

It's so special that she's getting old enough to remember these times with her Grandparents, and really neat for Nate and I to watch her relationships with them develop.

And of course, Levi really enjoyed his time with them too.  He's our little lover, and just likes to do anything with anyone.  :)  He especially enjoyed Nanny's cooking!  Haha!

One of our family traditions since having kids is visiting a local apple orchard with Nanny & Granddad every Fall.  I think Nate and I look forward to it almost as much as the kids!  This year, it was cold and rainy (we even saw snow fly that morning!), but we went anyway, and had a fantastic time.

The kids really love getting to see the farm animals.  This year they had a goat named "Pricklepants"!  Olivia thought that was hilarious!  They also had an area where the kids could feed the goats (through a tube) and Olivia and Levi both got a turn with that.

Edward's Apple Orchard is a really neat place!  They have so much to do and see.  We went on a Saturday, so there was even a live bluegrass band that we got to enjoy!

Levi has recently started talking a whole bunch - and we've learned that one of his favorite things to say (and play with) are "tac-toos" or tractors.  It's the cutest thing!

Daddy is such a kid at heart.  ;)

One of Olivia's favorite things of the day was winding through the maze with Daddy.  He just followed along and let her lead the way.

Olivia had been talking about riding a pony for weeks before we went.  I think she's a little cowgirl at heart!  Levi ended up being kind of timid and only wanted to ride for a few minutes, but Olivia would have ridden all afternoon if she'd been allowed - in spite of the temperatures!

And of course, our visit wasn't complete without a yummy sampling of all the Orchard's offerings!

Levi got his first taste of Edward's famous Apple Doughnuts!

We really had such a great trip.  The kids were completely wiped out by the end of the afternoon, but they have lots of great memories to last them until next Fall!

My handsome boys.  <3

I love my family so much that my heart could burst.  I am so grateful for these precious moments we get to share!  I look forward to Fall every year, and this year has been no exception for wonderful opportunities to make memories.  What kinds of things are you doing with your family this Fall?

Until next time,
Grace and Peace,
Amanda

A Walk In October

Anne of Green Gables once sighed, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers . . . " And today, I just have to agree wholeheartedly!

We are so blessed to have this beauty just outside our front door!

The kids and I decided today was a great day for a walk.  (And you probably couldn't tell that they are very enthusiastic football fans . . . *ahem* for Daddy, anyway.  ;)

Olivia is such a little flower child.  I love how all the weeds I don't give a second glance to can bring her such delight.

Then we found this amazing tree that has already shed half of its colorful leaves.  I wanted the kids to be able to enjoy them before the rain hit today.  :)

This one just absolutely melts my heart.  Completely candid.  <3

It's so hard to believe my sweet girl is so big already (3 1/2!).  She is already acting so grown up!

I don't remember what exactly happened here - I think Olivia saw a cricket.  :)

She was telling me about "It's FALL because the leaves FALL!"  It was quite the revelation.

Olivia was trying to show him how to make "leaf angels" and it resulted in many giggles.  :)

Olivia kept asking me if I could "make a pile".  But since we were out on a walk, I told her that I didn't have a rake handy.  She improvised by using her hands, and then wanted to jump in said pile. :)

Levi makes this face a lot.  I wonder about all the things he thinks about.  :)

Then he wanted to try his hand at throwing leaves in the air, like big sister was.

He would hold his little hands above his head for a minute afterward and say "Ohhhhh" like it was the greatest thing ever.  :)

And then it was time for somersaults.

They've recently started playing "Ring around the Rosie" together (I think I have you to thank for that, Jessica) and it's just the most adorable thing.

 ". . . All fall down!"

 Then it was time to head toward home.  Back into the stroller for Mr. Levi.

 His sister was obliging him by giving him "pretty leaves" to hold.

 Apparently he likes the way they smell, too.  :)

Then she found him a dandelion.  He was very excited.

"Hmm.  What do I do with it now?"

 "Bwo, Wevi!  Wike this!"

He decided to see how dandelions taste . . . 

 Not very good, I suppose!

I am embarrassed to say that it has been well over a year since my last post, and that to my shame, these are the first pictures on the blog of my handsome Levi!  In spite of really, really needing to get back into writing, today was just too irresistible to keep to ourselves.  Happy October, everyone!

Grace and Peace,
Amanda

When Your "All" Is Not Enough

It's been a whirlwind here for the past several weeks - with the birth of our sweet little Levi Jeffrey (pictures to come soon!), time seems to scream past at an even more alarming rate than usual.  It's amazing - my whole world is completely different, and yet, it feels as though he's been a part of my heart and our family for the entire time.

Being a Mommy to two little ones has taken some getting used to, and I daresay this learning curve will continue for quite a while!  The last week has been particularly tough, with being in the throes of newborn-dom, and also dealing with a two year old who has had her whole world turned upside down.  While I can hardly believe that my baby is already nearly six weeks old, the days have been achingly long at times.  Trying to figure out how this new little person ticks, as well as nursing nearly every two hours (!) has me exhausted.  Add to that a little girl who is testing (LOTS) of boundaries right now, and it makes for a weary Mama's soul.  I think I've written at least three blog entries in my head on any given day!

Case in point: I was still in my pajamas at 4 pm today, and Olivia ate pizza for lunch, and McDonald's for dinner.  The house looks like a bunch of college freshman boys live here, and my poor husband timidly asked me this morning if I knew if he had any clean socks.  I finally made it out grocery shopping this evening at 9:30, and am now sitting here at almost midnight writing this . . . (while nibbling dark chocolate, I might add).  ;)

So yes, these weeks are exhausting, but also incredibly blessed.  I wanted to share with you a few of the things God is teaching me (ever so gently) in this season:

His Grace is Enough.
I know that many times as Christians, we throw this phrase around with stinging triteness - as a "catch all" phrase for every situation.  It occurred to me that I have only barely scratched the surface of even comprehending what God's grace even means to me - and FOR me!  So many times, especially during this season of mothering, I try to do things on my own strength.  I work to earn God's approval, and everyone else's, because of my own selfish pride.  I would rather have the proverbial "gold star" on my record by my own standards, than acknowledge that I am hopelessly incapable of living up to God's, and throwing myself before a messy, despicable cross as a desperate sinner in need of a Savior!  Nothing that I accomplish (or don't!) is of any merit on it's own.  It is only by His grace that I can love my children well, or be a godly wife.  I have already failed, and Christ has done it perfectly in my place - so I can just relax, and trust Him!

My Stubborn, Defiant Two-Year-Old Mirrors My Own Heart!
Have I mentioned that my precious daughter is testing the limits lately??  Every possible scenario I ever imagined with a little girl (even a toddler) never came close to the reality she's created for me the past few months.  I expected some pandemonium with a two year old, but REALLY, people, she's made it interesting!  All my best efforts at disciplining/training her in Christlike love leave me frustrated and feeling like I've failed her.

The other day, I asked her to do something (which she didn't want to do), and she responded by slapping her own leg.  She tried that on Mommy once, with disastrous results, so now she just slaps herself so that she can still get her point across.  ;)  She also informed me with a very stern little face, "I no like it, Mommy!  I mean it, Mommy!"

While these are certainly comical responses (I am SO saving these for when she's a teenager!), in the moment it's frustrating to be attempting to console a fussy baby, and be confronted with such a sassy little attitude.  Nate and I have been very intentional about distinguishing normal, childish behavior (which requires guidance, but not necessarily discipline) from sinful behavior.  We are doing our best to train Olivia to honor Mommy and Daddy, and to obey our voices even when she doesn't want to.  I had a conversation with her about how learning to obey Mommy's voice will help her learn to obey God's voice in her heart to tell right from wrong - so now when I remind her to obey me, she replies with "Obey God!"

We rarely make it through breakfast without dealing with some kind of issue lately.  I remember thinking, "Why won't she just give in and obey me already?  What else can I do to get it through her head??"  Jesus came to me in that moment and reminded me, ever so gently, that I do the same thing.  Outside of his grace, my heart is just as stubborn and defiant - and sinful!  I need him . . . oh, how I need him to fulfill me, and be the source of my happiness rather than acquiring a reputation for having a well behaved child.

Don't Waste This Season.
Many times, my thought process goes something like this:  "I'll just get the dishes done, and then I can bathe Levi, and feed Olivia, and then I can work on getting some laundry done, and then maybe I can eat something . . . " etc.  I re-heat the same cup of coffee about 4 times a day (because at least re-heated coffee, though the bane of my existence, is better than no coffee at all!), and oftentimes am not dressed (let alone showered!) before 10 am.

It's easy to wish away this time and dream of when I have self-sufficient kids on a reliable routine, rather than the messy unpredictability of a newborn and toddler.  The "grass is always greener" mentality is a dangerous one, and certainly not something I want to entertain for long - but nevertheless, it rears its head from time to time.

I have been reminded lately, both through precious godly women in my life, and through scripture, that Motherhood is a high calling, and it is to be treasured!  God is using this as a crucible for my heart right now, and I want to rejoice in that, instead of biding my time.  There is no greater refining fire than your own family.  What a privilege it is for me to have these two tiny souls entrusted to me to shepherd right now!

Being a mother involves huge sacrifice, something our culture is repulsed by.  But what a joy it is to mirror the sacrifice of my Savior on a daily basis!  I am called, every day, to lay down my life for my children.  And lately, by God's grace, I have been learning to take joy in that calling.  He values me as a mother!  He sees my sacrifices, and blesses them.  My work is not in vain.  Such simple truths, but they are balm to my weary spirit!

So . . . that pretty much sums it up for now.  God is so good to me - really, I am overwhelmed by his love for me (and my children!).  What are some ways that God is working in your heart as a Mama right now?  I'd love to hear from you!  Until next time -

Grace and Peace,
Amanda