Playing in the yard...and actually sharing - WOW!
We went to the Annual Fly-In Cruise in that they have every year on the Saturday before Labor Day at the little airport in Marion (yes, Marion has an airport!). We love it because it is FREE and Titus loves seeing all the cars, planes, tractors, helicopters, etc...
These pictures are totally for Stephen...he loves Corvettes and tractors...and these were his favorites there :)
WWII plane...I think. Again, this was all Stephen :)
Some of the people from our church have old cars, so the kids were playing on it...
An old firetruck they enjoyed playing on...Damaris, Hunter, Titus, and Lake
We had Sunday night's church service at our house since it was a holiday weekend, and this is just a cool picture that Dena (our youth pastor's wife) took. She took it without looking, standing on the picnic table, so I thought it turned out pretty good!
One afternoon we took the kids to the Gas City petting zoo...the park is surrounded by a cemetery and sewage plant...but what can I say, it's free!
There were SO many goats - and some baby ones too!...I have no idea what kind of animal this is - I think a llama - but it looked like a big poodle!
Some of the people from our church have old cars, so the kids were playing on it...
An old firetruck they enjoyed playing on...Damaris, Hunter, Titus, and Lake
We had Sunday night's church service at our house since it was a holiday weekend, and this is just a cool picture that Dena (our youth pastor's wife) took. She took it without looking, standing on the picnic table, so I thought it turned out pretty good!
One afternoon we took the kids to the Gas City petting zoo...the park is surrounded by a cemetery and sewage plant...but what can I say, it's free!
There were SO many goats - and some baby ones too!...I have no idea what kind of animal this is - I think a llama - but it looked like a big poodle!
Damaris...
Yes, she is FINALLY walking. WHEW! It felt like she would never get there. Titus was 15 months when he finally took steps, but he walked all over when he did. She started taking steps in June (14 months) and finally got to the point where she was walking more than she was crawling right around 16 months. She still doesn't walk great, but she is getting there!
She also doesn't really say much...at all. She babbles, but no words. I know, I know...kids are different. But I am not sure she even says 5 words: "hi", "uh-oh", "ball", I think "what's that" when she points, and then some noises (roars like a lion, snake (sssss), moo, shhhh - she even puts her finger to her lips - too cute!!!, mmmm when something is good, etc)...she doesn't really even say dadda or mama (at least not directed to us). I am trying to be patient...but how do you know when there really is a concern or not?!? She seems healthy, and I am guessing she will catch up, but it is just hard to know when to be concerned and when to just be patient...being a parent can be so tough in so many areas!!!!!!!
As for Titus, he is quite the little "sass monkey" as we like to say it. He is constantly sassing us and telling us no or arguing. I finally got to the point that I told him that when I tell him to do something he is to say "yes ma'am." We will see if redirecting his words will help... :) He is also getting really creative and imaginative, which is fun! Some of the things he pretends to do or tells us (even changing his voice for stories) is just too cute. He is becoming a little boy, and growing up so fast!! I think I can officially say that he is toilet trained - day and night. We have not really had many accidents (hold my breath). Yesterday we had a new bed given to us for Titus. It is this huge Step2 loft bed with bench and desk underneath the bed. It has sides so he can't fall out, and he LOVES it. I will have to take pictures...it is huge!
Stephen decided to withdraw from his Master's program. He decided that he could read books and teach himself better than how this program was set up. The biggest reason was the professor...too many issues and frustrations to list - and he would have had him for several courses. I was frustrated FOR Stephen! My biggest issue...3 of the 4 books for the class were written by the professor himself. WHAT?!? Who does that? He is going to wait for the seminary to start at IWU - hopefully next fall? Church is going pretty good - I just don't know how Stephen does it. How does ANY pastor do it? Sometimes people are downright nasty, and it is sad. I know it is hard for him to not get discouraged...but we have to keep reminding ourselves to focus on the good, not the bad. It is amazing how Satan likes to bring to mind the bad so that we no longer focus on the amazing things God is doing. Stephen is putting together a flag football league with any church in the area that wants to participate. It is sometimes hard to start something from scratch, so there are only 4-5 teams, but I have a feeling this will grow. A lot of people seemed interested!
I am SWAMPED at work...last week I worked a lot of overtime, and I was exhausted. It is just a busy time of the year, and it doesn't help that I am becoming a dump...meaning "if it has a number associated with it, give it to Michelle." :) (seriously, that was a direct quote) Part of the stipulation with going to 32 hours was that I have to get my work done...so I just know that I will have to work more this time of year. I enjoy my work, so that helps!!!!!! If nothing else, just having the freedom to walk away from my job after only 32 hours is AMAZING.
We have our frustrations and problems like anyone else, but life is good - just too busy and going too fast :)
9 comments:
Thanks for the great update! David and Grace were riding together on David's powerwheels today- it is so cute to see them playing together like that. Your kids looked adorable. :)
As for Damaris, if she is happy and healthy, that is what matters. I've heard from many people (doctors included) that most children are caught up by the age of three. If you are really concerned, you can have her evaluated (First Steps is the government program with free evaluations and then pay for therapy is based on income level). It never hurts to have a "professional" to talk to about it- and it is free.
David recently hit the "no" to everything stage. We have David saying "Yes, Mommy/Daddy/Sir/Mam" as well. It really helps.
I hope your job slows down soon! Good luck!
It's nice to know someone is going through the same things. Dennis has also been going through the "no" stage. I hope it is just a stage. He is really starting to have imaginary play too, it is really fun to see them develop. He loves to play birthday.
Sigh. Caleb is practically mute. He doesn't have any words yet, but I know what he "grunts" over half the time. I'm pretty sure they'll ask about it at his 18 month appointment. I'm trying not to be worried, but I have to admit that I am a little.
just to let you know if stephen takes seminary classes at iwu that same prof will be leading the way and the classes he takes now can roll over into the program. i am thinking that is what i will end up doing.
I just love that picture of Damaris in the blue dress! What a little beauty! I never start worrying about he talking thing until at least 2 because my kids have never been big talkers until around 2 and then they start to talk more! Hayden doesn't say too much either but he understands alot! As long as she understands what you are saying I dont' think the words are as a big of a deal!
Dax has been doing the sass thing lately too! It must be their age and a new stage of independence! We have been working on it with him too!!
I totally agree that people can totally stink sometimes especially towards people in leadership! I have such a heart for people in leadership positions and the stuff they deal with on a daily basis! It is definitely not a easy job to be a pastor or a pastor's wife! Just know that you are loved!! I will be keeping you guys in our prayers!! You guys do an amazing job and have such a heart for your congregation!! I see it and I know God sees it because he is the one that gave you that heart!! Be blessed today!!
Well I can totally relate to you about worrying about Damaris' vocabulary (or lack of) as I have the same worries about Allie. You know you're not supposed to compare your child to other children but it's hard when you know other 16 month olds can say all kinds of words and ours can say like 3 words! I know that Allie can understand what we're saying though and she just communicates in ways other than words sometimes so that helps me feel better. I'm sure both our girls are perfectly fine and once they start talking they'll probably never stop!! LOL. Just know you're not alone in your worries!
We really enjoy your pictures and blog.
Aunt Linda Mowat
Hey guys! We're planning on coming down for Homecoming again this year. Are you going to be around? We'd love to catch up--that was so much fun last year!! :)
Yeah, we'd love a place to stay Friday night! :) Do you know of anyone else coming? We should do another get-together. Jonathan has to work til 5:15, so we wouldn't get there til later Friday (8:30-9:00 probably). Also, we'll probably have Peyton, if that's okay??? Let us know if that's a problem. Thanks again so much for your hospitality!!
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