{7in7} 7QT: Lo siento

--- 1 ---

Okay, I got nothing. The week has been loooong, and I haven't had enough chocolate or ice-cream to compensate the length. Honestly, thinking back I am amazed that I have managed to put up five posts. Not because I can't ramble or click publish, but because my mush brain really is having trouble recalling it. So, these quick-takes will not only be quick, but they will be mushy-brained random.

My apologies!

--- 2 ---

Ha. After typing the last quick take I really got nothing. Gee-whiz! I'm trying to search my brain in hopes that something will flow but I'm struggling. So, we'll just skip this quick-take and try again.

--- 3 ---

...

...I know! How about a gratitude recap?

I'm still so very thankful for our new home! And, I know I'll be even more excited once we are actually moved in. For now, though, I'm just thankful we have a house to move in to. We're homeowners! That aren't living in the home we own... Haha.

As much as I dislike moving, I'm so happy we are moving in to a home that will be our home for years to come. I'm also thankful that we don't have to rush to move in. After getting hit with mastitis and being on antibiotics for 10 days (yuck!)!! I'm glad that we can take our time to pack, to unpack, and to make our new home, home-y. 

--- 4 ---

Speaking of gratitude, I spoke to Sister Kathleen (You know, Special K, the sweetest, most Christ-like spiritual director I had the privilege to meet with regularly while I lived in Houston.). I always love talking to her but this time just broke my heart. Since last year she has been having some health issues that took a turn for the worse in January. Ultimately she said her back is slowly breaking and even with some PT, she is still very immobile.

I know how much she loved her independence and walking from place to place so I can't imagine how trying this has been for her. I also know that she typically tries to keep a strong front, but the weakness I heard in her voice made me cry. You can tell her strength is failing her. 

So, if you all wouldn't mind, please pray for sweet Sister. Read more about her here and here. 

--- 5 ---

Okay, back to the blah. Still struggling. I have no flow right now. No flow of thoughts. Nothing coherent. It's been a long and busy week that has me physically weary. And, usually if I'm physically tired my brain decides to sleep without me. Any others out there get the same way? No? Yes? Maybe? 

Either way, my apologies!

--- 6 ---

In fact, I need to make up for the majority of this post. If you've read up to this point, God bless you! If not, I definitely don't blame you! But, as an apology I'll share something with you that always makes me laugh. If ever in need for a giggle, this photo is what does it for me. Every. Time.

Before I get to the photo, I'll just ask if you all have kiddos that actually play with the abundance of toys they have in their room or play room? I know mine don't. They tend to find anything and everything that is non-toy and play with it until they get caught or I give up. I'm talking about spoons that they ate a meal with, cups that they are drinking, trash cans, my glasses, piles of clothes that I have folded, laundry bins, cabinets, candle holders, boxes, diapers, vicks tub, socks, the wall, the floor, carpet fuzzies, random leaf that blew in while the door was open, shoes....oh, I could go on with the non-toys that consume the interest of my boys. It amazes me. We have a room full of toys. Toy bins with toys in it. Toys that they seemed to be excited about when they first received it only to forget that it even exists within days. Even with prompting! 

--- 7 ---

Well friends, this photo right here is a gem that I stumbled upon. I connected with it so much that I imagined myself as Russell Crowe standing there. Same pose. Same face. Same words. This is me. Multiple times a day. Everyday.

Maybe I should invest in the sword. Surely the boys would play with that one, right? Or maybe a sword would be asking for too many boy fights that would inevitably result in injury or a need for mama to help keep the peace?

Nah. No more toys. Amazon boxes and random leafs forever. And ever. Amen.

***

Thanks for hanging in there on probably the most blahhhh (minus the requested prayers for Sister!) quick-takes ever. ever. ever.

For more fun and entertaining Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Motherhood at His Feet

During Mass about a month or so ago, I was able to have some quiet moments. They were filled with the kind of quiet that pierces your soul (something that is harder to come by these  noisy days of late). During these little moments I found myself gazing upon His Feet on the Cross. Those moments were precious to me for a number of reasons, but mostly because they reminded me of the many an hour I spent in Mass or Adoration gazing upon these very same Feet during my non-kiddo years.

It is up to you, wretched sinner, to humble yourself as this happy penitent did so that you may be rid of your wretchedness. Prostrate yourself on the ground, take hold of his feet, soothe them with kisses, sprinkle them with your tears and so wash not them but yourself.  

-St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Back in my younger days, when I would gaze and meditate upon the Cross I would always ask our Lord to use me. I wanted to be His Servant. Sharing His Love. His Goodness. The same Love and Goodness I had felt my whole life through all the beautiful vessels He blessed me with. I wanted to be a vessel for Him. So, when I found myself, prostrated or kneeling before Him, I would mostly gaze at His Feet. I felt so much peace there. So much love! And, it truly was sanctifying, as St. Bernard pointed out. The prostration, the kisses, the tears truly did wash me and not anyone else. 

So, for me, being able to kneel or prostrate myself before Him were little lessons in humility. Lessons I always was in need of. And, being before him, gazing at his Feet made me feel like I was his little girl - like a little girl curled up at the foot of her father. His little lovely. This was my little and imperfect way of loving Him best I could with who I was on that day. I also thought, if I were to be a servant, then I must learn to serve Him who first loves and serves all who I will ever meet.

These days were precious to me. And, as seasons in my life have demonstrated, these days were also numbered. Or so I thought, prior to that past weekend.

See, there is a crazy busyness to motherhood. The days seem to melt together. The long hours that seem to never end are the very same hours that disappear. There are highs and lows that are so easy to get lost in. There are good times, tough times, joyful times, sad times, and everything else in between. Now, I know that God has called me to be His servant here in our home. And, for this I am forever grateful. I have shared about how blessed I am to be able to say my daily Fiat to my vocation. But I have, at different times, missed my time with my Lord. The uninterrupted time we would have together. The little times I spent at His blessed Feet.

I say all this because I am finally starting to understand motherhood at His Feet. I am still meeting my Lord. Always have been. It just looks different. His feet are the little feet of my boys and the big feet of my husband. I can't always have this uninterrupted time with him in Adoration or at Mass, but, what I can do is meet him before my children and husband. I can still kneel or prostrate myself before the same Lord I would meet before the sacraments in the very same beautiful souls He has shared with me. He is in them. They are made in His Image.

...‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’

...‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

 -Matthew 25: 34-36, 40

So, I write all this because I needed to be reminded that when I am on my knees building blocks, or prostrated before my sons so that they can crawl all over me, I am meeting Him. When I am kneeling to capture little moments on our family camera, or prostrated to play baby bear with the littles, I am meeting Him there. When I am clothing these little wigglies, I am meeting Him. Every meal I cook, every chore I do, I am meeting Him in the beautiful souls of my husband and two sons. I needed to be reminded that I don't have to be before Him in the sacraments for Him to see me as His little lovely. This is our season. His and mine. I needed to be reminded that the love that I have for Him has grown exponentially through our little family. That He is using me. That I am a vessel. That he has heard the prayers of my heart all these years, I just took a little time to gain the perspective. The perspective that I can know, love, and serve Him daily at the feet of my family.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No man has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.

-1 John 4: 11-12

 ***

I’m writing seven posts in seven days this week (or trying to, anyway). To check out other bloggers who are doing the same, see the list here.

{7in7} Five Favorites: Hot Dog Bar

Linking up with Hallie over at Moxie Wife for some Five Favorite fun! It's been awhile since I joined this link-up so I'm excited!

***

Last week we hosted Bible Study at our apartment for the last time since we hope to be in our new *home sweet home* before we're up to host next! Woohoo! In the past when we've hosted we've made the rounds with fun crock pot ideas and always love a good cold pasta! Hosting is fun for me. Makes me happy at my core. And, even though I am usually beyond exhausted by evening, I couldn't be more happy about the opportunity to share foods with family and friends I love. 

This last round of hosting I'm pretty sure I made my new favorite spread. I got the idea from a good friend who hosted our Girl's Night Dallas group and just had to replicate it because it was such a fun and yummy idea.

So, without further ado, I give you my five favorite hot dogs from the hot dog bar that I served last week.

1. The Steak House Dog

This one was my favorite! I never thought I would have liked it as much as I did! I honestly wouldn't mind a hot dog like this every time I ever have a hot dog for the rest of my life. I mixed the sliced white onion with cherry tomatoes (cut in halves), poured A1 sauce to coat, and left it out so everyone could spoon this yumminess on their hot dog to their delight!

2. The Cuban Dog

This one was good. It wasn't my favorite but I didn't dislike it either. I used cubed ham, Claussen pickles (best pickles ever. ever. ever. ever!), shredded Swiss cheese, and Dijon mustard (because it was what I had). I think next time I would go out of my way to get the spicy mustard and serve it with sliced ham and sliced cheese rather than cubed and shredded. Either way it was good.

3. The Mac n' Cheese Dog

Okay friends, you read that right. Mac n' Cheese dog! So yummy! Not even joking. This was the hot dog that struck me when me friend hosted. I never thought this was a possibility, but friends, it is and it is one you should enjoy! I made mac n' cheese and left Doritos and bacon bits for everyone to have fun with. A lot of people also used chili with this one. Nom nom!

4. The Traditional Dog

Now, in the case of an unadventurous foodie friend present, I added the traditional chili dog with shredded cheddar cheese, and mustard/ketchup. Nothing fancy but always delicious! Happy taste bud parties were definitely had!

5. The Chorizo Dog

I had some chorizo I had been wanting to make sooner than later and decided this might be another fun hot dog combo. I left some of my favorite salsa verde out along with the Chorizo I had made the evening prior. Along with this combo I added some tortilla chips in case they wanted to add some crunch. I was a fan. 

***

So, there you have it. My five favorites from the Hot Dog Bar spread I had last week. Along with the hot dogs we had chips, veggies and dip, my favorite popcorn cake, and a cookie cake for dessert.

I will definitely be making this again in the future and can't wait! I'm thinking Bigfoot's birthday party will for sure be a hot dog bar party, because kids just love their hot dogs and chips! I'm pretty excited about this fun and easy-peasy hosting fun and wanted to share it with all of you! I hope you're able to enjoy it sometime soon too!

Do you have any hosting favorites? If so, please share! I'm always looking for more fun ways to share food and fun.

***

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out other Five Favorites at Hallie's and other 7 in 7 fun over at Jen's.

Also, a quick thank you to Morgan for sharing this fun idea through her awesome hosting skills and to Real Simple for 13 fun and creative ways to enjoy a hot dog!

{7in7} Out of the Mouths of Littles: Pigs & Ogres

Our little Bigfoot is not so little any more. The logic that comes from his little brain does not cease to amaze me. He's growing so fast and learning so much! And as much as logic has been connecting many toddler brain dots, the little one definitely manages to share some fun. Enjoy!

Bigfoot: We're going to friend's house! Go see my Gianna? I want to see my Gianna.

(He pretty much asks to see his friends in this way most every time. He's quite the claimer.)

Bigfoot: Gawd bwess you.

(after his Nana tells him God bless you when hanging up Facetime.)

Bigfoot: Someone popped the corn, Mama. Dey popped the kern.

(translation: Someone honked their horn, Mama. They honked their horn.)

Bigfoot: I wanna watch sumfinnng.
Mama: Please no crying or whining when asking to watch something.

(Deepens voice and holds back crocodile tears) 

Bigfoot: *huff* I wanna watch sumfin.

Bigfoot: Hey! Dats dada's cup, Mama. Dat's dada's!

 or

Hey Dada! Dat's Mama's coffee.

(apparently we can't share)

Bigfoot: I wuv you.

(while holding his little brother. Sweetest. Thing. EVER!).

Bigfoot: I wanna see brother. I want to play with brother.

(this typically happens in the mornings after they haven't seen each other through the night)

Bigfoot: I'm awake! I'm still awake. I'm awake mama!

(After waking up from his nap or in the morning. I guess I don't look very convinced.)

Bigfoot: (After snorting from laughing so hard while playing.) Haha! I'm a pig. Hahahaha. I'm a pig. I'm not Bigfoot (saying his actual name). I'm nawwt Bigfoot. I'm a pig. Hahahaha.

(I laughed so hard with this one.)

Bigfoot: (We let him watch Madagascar.) Mama, I wanna see Gummygascar.

(every. single. day. for longer than I'd like to say).

Bigfoot: After the first time he watched Gummygascar. Runs up behind me and bites my bum! Then proceeds to turn his bum towards me and says:

 Bite. my. butt! Hahaha! Bite. my. Butt. Mama! Hahaha!

(Oh lord! How can you not laugh?? I tried very hard not to, but was unsuccessful, which lead to him asking this very thing for at least a few weeks. Needless to say, Gummygascar has been put on hold.)

Bigfoot: I fahhted!

(We have been going to Mass at the Church nearest our new home. And, this was at the first Mass there. If only the fart itself wasn't loud and not during the quiet part, but alas, why would any toddler wait for that moment or have that sort of control?)

Bigfoot: (All throughout Mass.) All done! Go get don-nuts? All done! Don-nuts, now? We go eat do-nuts?

(After the first Mass at the Church nearest our new home, the Knights had drinks and donuts after Mass. Now, every Mass since, the little man is on a hunt for donuts. Oye! Haha, he used to be all about finding Jesus everywhere, and now he's all about the donuts.)

Bigfoot: (Now that he's potty-trained.) I haveee to go pottttaayyyyy! Pottayyyy! Mama, I have to go pottaayyyy!

(All the while, running in the direction of the bathroom, sometimes running into his room only to be redirected to the bathroom. He does this almost every time. At the very least, I'm glad that there's a sense of urgency to get it right.)

****

Peek-a-boo!

Linus is still more of an ogre these days. He has grunting, roaring, and squealing down-pat. Aside from this lovely form of communication he has been sharing a few words here and there.

Linus: A-A-A! 

(Translation: Apple. Or rather, Give me apple now!).

Linus: Dadadada

Linus: Mumumumumu 

(always said in a much more whiny tone than when he says Dada.)

Linus: Jjjsssthhjjj

(translation: his brother's name. I know he's saying, it's just a little rough right now. haha.)

Linus: Lllshhslllhjjj

(translation: Lily - our pup's name)

Linus: C-C-C!

(translation: Cutie - as in the little tangerine fruits. He loves them.)

Linus: Haaaaaayyyyyyyyy! (while flailing his little hand)

(translation: Hi!!!!!!)

Linus: B-B-B!

(translation: Book. Or rather, read me a book now!)

These count as words right?

So, there you have it, pigs and ogres! Prayers for a beautiful Tuesday! And, thanks for reading!

Also, head over to Jen's for some more 7 in 7 fun!

{7i7} Weekends with Chesterton: A Proposal

Hi again, Chesterton friends. So, my husband and I were talking a little about Chesterton last weekend. While we were chatting, he started looking around for Chesterton gems and stumbled across Chesterton's proposal to Frances. It made me smile. It made me laugh. I could feel his love for his fiance. You see how he treasured her and how he was quite the funny man. Definitely encourage all of you to head over to this site to read the whole thing. It's kind of wonderful and fun. And, it doesn't hurt  that it gave me a reason to draw from the old archives of my bridals to find a picture to put to fun use. Those pictures are all on our external drive just hanging out with all of our other wedding and engagement pictures. So, when I find a random reason to use one, be sure I will!

I'm trying to be fun and creative with quotes I find but have yet to master the skill of typography; so here's the quote in the photo in plain text in case the one in the picture is hard to read:

‘Hast thou sent the Rain upon the Earth?’ should be inscribed on the Umbrella-Stand: perhaps on the Umbrella. ‘Even the Hairs of your Head are all numbered’ would give a tremendous significance to one’s hairbrushes: the words about ‘living water’ would reveal the music and sanctity of the sink: while ‘Our God is a consuming Fire’ might be written over the kitchen-grate, to assist the mystic musings of the cook – Shall we ever try that experiment, dearest. Perhaps not, for no words would be golden enough for the tools you had to touch: you would be beauty enough for one house…”

-G.K. Chesterton

Also, I'll be linking up with Jen this week for 7 posts in 7 days! A fun and crazy task all at once. See, we closed on our home this past week and are absolutely over the moon about it! Only thing is we will be slowly but surely moving in over this coming month. Thankfully we have time to do so, but will appreciate any prayers that our transition be a smooth one.

Thanks for stopping by!

Because I want to remember...

the little things.

Your sweet little shoes.

That wrap these precious toesies.

The way you love to play with all sports balls under the sun.

I want to remember your squishy cheeks.

The ones I love to kiss.

I want to remember your sweet baby hands that you cling to me with. The ones that you like to stick in my mouth for fun as well as give high-fives with.

Especially love how you watch your brother. Your love for him is precious.

I want to remember your silly baby hair. The hair that grows at different lengths but is so very soft!

I want to remember your little brown eyes. The ones that you see me with. The little eyes that say so much.

 And your little mouth that gives me your little baby kisses.

I want to remember. I want to always remember sweet little you, as you were today. 

Weekends with Chesterton: A Simple Kind of Love

It's Chesterton time! As much as I love him for his amazing gift with words, insight, intellect, and so much more, I find that when I try to write a post on one quote my mind wanders to the oodles of different ways the one line can be expanded on or applied. When I try to write my Chesterton posts, I feel as if I've put together the most discombobulated string of paragraphs because I have such a hard time honing in on just one avenue of thought. So, bear with me while I try to share some tidbits from the various avenues this line sent me to.

Men rush towards complexity;
but they yearn for simplicity.
-G.K.Chesterton

One thing I've always known about my husband is that he yearns for simplicity. It's something that I loved and still love about him. He would always encourage us to live within our means. To be as smart as we can with our money going forward. To not spend it on a bunch of wants but to discern our needs and go from there. To love each other, our boys, and others simply. A simple kind of love that focuses on the gift of ourselves to each other. Sometimes I'm good at it, but others I'm the one rushing toward the complex. 

Since being married, we've seen how easy it can be to get caught up in the complexities of life. From career to family life and everything in between, complexities can be found. Chesterton was right when he said men rush towards complexity. Complexity is something that just seems to happen when you don't have the time. Or, when you don't give the time deserved to situations, important decisions, or items purchased. It seems through proper discernment are we really able to find the simplicity we yearn for. But how challenging is discernment for the simpler things or simpler answers in a culture that is all about the now, and what's new, and immediate gratification at any cost.

Now with our children, we see how there is just so much going on in the world around them. Not only in our culture but in all the things that they should and shouldn't have. All the latest fads. All the latest toys. All the latest parenting advice. And so much more. Racking our brains into the complex.

I chose this picture because for our boys it is about the simpler things. And they run towards it! Through their innocence we see how they yearn for interaction, fun, and creative play. The outdoors, filled with fresh air and sticks to no abound. Hugs and smiles from the faces and arms of the ones they love (and who love them!). Pick-a-boo and tickle fingers. Eye contact and conversation. Empty boxes and long sheets or blankets. All of God's beautiful and simple gifts that overflow at every corner, at every step, at every sight, with every breath, and more. All to our delight! He meets us. To show us how simply He loves us. And we yearn for that. That simple kind of love.

Now, here's where Chesterton takes me down a different avenue. This quote also takes me back when I was in graduate school, I remember going on a day retreat. We went out to a Benedictine Monastery in Virginia and the grounds were beautiful! Our schedule was very nice. We could wander and spend the day in prayer, decided to meet for Mass midway, and then have a silent meal prior to being on our way.

While wandering, all I wanted to do was find a flower garden. The grounds were all so lush I had such visions of what their flower garden would be like! I crossed paths with a priest and asked him if he knew of where I could find one. He simply told me, "Look around you now!...There are flowers everywhere!" And proceeded to walk past me with a smile.

Ha. Feeling a little sheepish I found the nearest bench and pulled out my journal to sit and pray. I looked around. And, to my delight he was right. There were such beautiful flowers everywhere. And, I forget what month we were in (maybe May?), but the wind started to pick up and brought a shower of dandelions floating through the air. It was so magical! I've never been surrounded by so many little dandelions floating and dancing around me! It was beautiful. I felt so held. So loved in such a kind and simple way. Had I not left this complicated little journey I created for myself to find the most beautiful flower garden, I would never have seen Him in all the little and simple places that surrounded me. I would never have been held the way I was on that bench. I would have been seeking and searching for something that may not have even existed. All the while, He would have continued beckoning me, simply to sit and be still. I left that retreat always trying to remember to look around for the flowers that are everywhere. For the simpler things that are right in front of my nose!

So, I'm glad I stumbled across this quote because it brought me back to such a sweet time and helped me see a little more how sweetly simple our boys are. To see how it is a gift that my husband yearns for it and encourages it in our little family. It also helped me remember the beautiful world that they are trying to bring their complex mama into. The beautiful one that Our God made. The one that abounds with simplicity that we all yearn for.  

Head over to Sarah's for more Chesterton!

7QT: My Boys found their Grooves

Joining Jen for some quicktakes while both kiddos are napping!

--- 1 ---

Well I have, once again been a sporadic blogger. I blog here I blog there. Mostly just trying to keep up with our life posts. The updates. The ones with the photos and moments that I want to treasure forever. And, you would think those blog posts, short and to the point, would be fairly easy to come by, but they have not as of late. For a variety of reasons. 

For starters, we traveled in December, had the flu which knocked us on our butts for a good two weeks in January, and backed out of a house after getting a poor inspection, only to find another one in January that has been a dream!

Lots and lots and lots going on in these parts!

--- 2 ---

Which brings me back to blogging. I really want to blog more consistently. I want to blog more content. Not only my memories but the thoughts and ramblings that go on within. Journaling used to always be my outlet. Creatively, spiritually, and emotionally. Blogging has mostly filled that gap. I say mostly only because I don't go to type as frequently as I previously would pick up a journal and pen.

New goal: Blog more frequently. I'm going to try and hone in on this goal during Lent and make it part of my Lenten journey. I'm excited about the fruits that will come and the challenge.

--- 3 ---

Speaking of blogging more, I will be missing out on the amazing Edel Gathering this year. I was so wanting to go. I had stars in my eyes. Hopes of amazing relaxation alongside amazingly wonderful and inspiring women. But, since it has coincided with our new home purchase, you can imagine that our pockets aren't exactly overflowing right now.

I'm praying I'll be able to attend next year. Pregnant or not (I'm not preggo, just saying there may be a chance the following summer. God-willing). I'm sad to miss this Edel Gathering only because this one is hosted in my home state! How great would that be!?? And, I imagine next year it will be in a different state as I know all these wonderful women are traveling from all over the states to attend. Maybe I'll just have to start saving for ticket purchase and a flight ticket now?

Either way, I'm praying for all you attendees that do get to attend this year. I know it will be rejuvenating and magical. The speaker line-up is amazing and I hope that they will be posted online at some point. 

Excited to see all the pictures and goodies that will be shared online after you all have had all the fun that is to be had this year!

--- 4 ---

So getting back to random. I was finally starting to feel like we were finding our routine and jive to our day-to-day a few weeks ago. We were making it out to playdates and doing fairly well at home. We had a lovely time celebrating our little Linus' one year birthday this past weekend and soaked up all the family time we could get with our parents and in-laws.

But then, out of no-where, it was decided that I would get mastitis. Boo! Really? The little sweet and I have been nursing for a year now. And, although I have had my fair share of nursing trials in the early months, I have never had mastitis nor a plugged duct. Well, now I have. I have pretty much run the gamut of nursing problems. I started taking antibiotics a day and a half ago and haven't seen too much progress. Praying that we caught it in time and that it all gets resolved sooner than later. The flu-like symptoms that accompany mastitis have been no party.

Needless to say, I've been thrown off my groove yet again.

--- 5 ---

But, just because I'm off my groove doesn't mean Bigfoot is! That little toddler man is potty-trained! Something clicked. And it's amazing. He stays dry all day (even through naps!!!) and is able to stay dry on outings too! It all happened this past weekend. We were celebrating his little brother's first year and we left him in undies the whole time. He did great! We traveled a good 45 min to meet my parents for breakfast the next morning and he did amazing to and from! 

The boy is on a roll and it's awesome! Now I just need to work up the courage to let him give night time a try. I have a feeling it would be good but this mama is just not ready for that endeavor. Going to let him keep having his daytime potty parties and we'll tackle night time parties in due time.

--- 6 ---

Keeping on with fun grooves, sweet Linus has found one of his own. In the sleep and personality department. Mind you, this little boy has always had personality. I mean lots of it. The kind that likes to give a little (a lot) of shout/cry whenever he's in need - of anything. I guess I can't fault him for it this past year since that's been his only form of communication to get his needs met asap. He's an asap type of baby, I decided. But lately, the personality has been so silly, and fun, and giggly, and joking. The kid has jokes. He has roarversations. He has laughs. He has speed. He has a sweet sociability to him. And, he has lots and lots of love. 

It's been a great past two months seeing him shine just a little bit more with each day.

And, remember how he used to like to make his personality known throughout the night, well he turned a corner there too! Little man has been solid at night the past month or so. It's been glorious. We're still bed-sharing which has been a sweet blessing. And, we'll cross that bridge once we get him into his own room (preferably with his brother). But for now, we are both enjoying it. There are some logistics that I've had to learn along the way (and still am), but I'm grateful we went this route with him. It has been a gift for sure! 

I guess now that he's one he just wants us to know he knows a little more than we think he does. That he's got a handle of these little things called life, growing, teething, relating, learning, and loving, more than he lead on.

We're enjoying every bit of it (especially since he's allowed sleep and I to be friends again!).

--- 7 ---

Well, at the last quick-take. I'll just say that, looking for a home has had it's ups and downs. But, I truly feel Holy Spirit has guided us along with some very sweet saints who have definitely been praying for us during this process. I'm going to have to share the story of it all because it is quite the story. At this point, it seems all is going well and we should be homeowners at some point next week. It's been so very surreal and I can't wait to experience home life. We've been in apartments since we married and I've lived in apartments and dorms prior to that. This will be a new chapter for us all in many ways and I'm excited and beyond grateful.


So, on that note, It's been random and cathartic. Happy St. Valentine's Day and thanks for stopping by!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Photo Party: A Year of Linus

Looking forward to celebrating all that you are my little love!