To Ezekiel, on your 3rd birthday

Happy Birthday Bear! Today you turn 3. And I love the opportunity to celebrate all that I love about you. You are a gem of a son, Ezekiel. Your dad and I often say that God gave us his very best when he gave us you. There is something so beautiful about you that goes much deeper than your content smile, velvety soft skin, and big brown eyes. It shines through in your laugh that comes easily and often and from the tips of your toes. It radiates from your zest for life and approach to every new adventure with arms wide open. It's oh-so-clear in the way that you love with all your heart. And maybe that it what makes you so lovable in return.

The way you are with your sister gives me a glimpse of the kind and tender heart God's given you. The other day I saw you brush her face with your hand and say "Baby, you're so pretty." What a wonderful big brother you are, bear, and I pray you only continue to protect and care for your "baby". She is your best friend - the one friend that will always be with you.

You are only three but I see your heart softening toward Jesus. You know He is God, and you know He loves you. Your dad and I pray every day that you will grow to know and love Him too. I am thrilled that you love to go to church - that you ask to go to church - and that you want to learn about God. We pray that you will one day soon recognize your need for Jesus as Lord and Savior in your life. Because we all so desperately need him, son.

You know what's neat? I think that God has given you a strong sense of loyalty, just like He's given your mom and dad. It's a character trait we highly value as a family, and it is already evident in your young life. I will never forget our trip up to Lake Almanor this past summer. We started out our marathon car trip by telling you that you'd see cousins at the end of our journey. When you'd get fussy or restless, Aunt Rebekah and I would hear you quietly remind yourself "I see cousins!" and you'd settle back down. Every hour or so, you'd ask for reassurance "Mom, I see cousins?" "Yes, bear, you'll see cousins in a few hours." Your love and loyalty toward your cousins is so strong, you'd do anything just to get to them. These are the makings of a great friend, son, and I'm already praying that God continues to bless you with life long friendships.

If there is one area where dad and I struggle as your parents, bear, it's by over-loving you. We want you to know you are loved deeply and unconditionally. And that you and your sister are God's greatest gifts to us. But, even as I write that, I demonstrate my tendency to over-love you. Because you are the gift, but Jesus is the gift-giver. He alone is the one we worship and adore - and every good and perfect gift comes from Him. So we thank God for you, Ezekiel, and ask Him for the strength to hold you loosely. For the time that He's entrusted you to us, may we mold and shape you to reflect His glory.

Happy Birthday, Ezekiel Sokyra Plumb. Three years ago I become a mother - and you forever changed my life. I love you!

Capturing the Cuteness...

This blog is all about capturing memories for our family. And I so want to remember all the cute and funny things our kids say. So here are a few more stories to share with our friends!

• We took the kids to see a fireworks show on the 4th of July. It was Ezekiel's first time, and he loved it. A couple days later, one of the construction workers at mom and dad's sneezed REALLY loudly. Ezekiel looks up from playing and says "Hey! Was that a firework?!"

• Our son is officially all boy. He found a bug at church and carried it around in a cup for a while. Of course, that little bug got tired of captivity and found a way to escape. Ezekiel was very sad to lose his friend, but later that afternoon we were playing in the pool when he saw another bug floating around. "Oh, there you are!" he said, and happily reclaimed "his" bug!

• Last Wednesday we took the kids and Elway to run around on the church lawn and play on the playground. The church was locked, but Ezekiel had to give it a try anyway. We thought it was so cute - and touching - when Ezekiel knocked on the door and yelled "I want to learn about God!!"

• Yesterday we were the only ones at the park for some time while the kids played. Finally, another little girl and her daddy showed up. Ezekiel saw them coming a long way off from his swing and yelled "Hey wook! Friends are here!" I love that about my son, he wants to be a friend to everyone. (PS: Bekah Jane kept calling the little girl "Abby")

Sometimes, you don't always get what you want.

I stole the title of this post from my 8-year-old self. This was sort of a mantra in my family as I was growing up--a silly thing us kids would say when things didn't go our way. Well, I've been thinking about it a lot lately because it sure is true. Sometimes things just don't happen the way you planned--or even the way you hoped. And that is definitely the case as we continue our adventure in house hunting. Last week, we made our tenth offer on the tenth house we imagined calling "home." It's a weird thing because after, say, offer number 4 or 5, you want to become calloused to making offers (since we do it more often than we shower some weeks), but you have to take each one just as seriously as the first. So every time we go through the process: plotting where we'd put our furniture, listing out the projects, talking through the pros and cons, seeking advice from my parents, and talking to our friends about the possibility that perhaps this could be the one. And every time it's ended in disappointment. A roller coaster, yes. A process MUCH longer, harder, and more exhausting than we ever imagined, yes. A reminder that God is in control of every detail of our lives; a challenge to trust Him completely and not rely on our own understanding--YES. But here's the thing: I really, truly believe that it is in the hardships that we can best glorify him. In our attitudes, in our perspectives, and in our gratitude when he answers long-awaited prayer. Yes, sometimes we don't always get what we want, but that is what gives us an even deeper appreciation for all of the lavish blessings God does choose to pour upon us.

So, in the spirit of thankfulness, here are some things I am grateful for during this season:

• My kids are thriving at grandma and papa's house. They are forming bonds that will last their entire lifetime.
• My parents are so, so gracious to us. We have been here 5 months. They continue to make us feel welcome, to consider our needs ahead of their own often times, and to pray with us as we search for our next house. It's sort of hard to imagine, but I really think they mostly enjoy having us here (even though we have basically taken over their house!).
• Even though my parents' place is under construction, it is really like staying at a resort. We are LOVING the pool, the playground, and all the room to play outside. It's really not such a bad way to spend your day.
• Back to the construction: Miraculously, my daughter can sleep through pounding nails, sledgehammers, and table saws. It's amazing. There are moments when I'm frustrated by the noise or mess, but then I remember that I had plenty of moments of frustration with my old home, and it wasn't even under construction!
• Kevan and I are doing GREAT as a couple through this time of transition. Lots of good things happening there, and I am so thankful for that.
• Kevan is loving the opportunity to glean from my dad. Dinner together every night, late night discussions, Saturday work days...plenty of opportunities to talk and learn.
• And I love hanging with my mom so much. It's like living with your best friend. I know I will miss this A LOT when we are (finally!) gone.

Wow, I am just getting started! But that's good for now. I write this so that, in my moments of discouragement, I am reminded of all that GOOD that is taking place during this season of unknowns.

I leave you with some long overdue pictures of us moving out. I miss you, Southgate house. But, as we moved out our furniture and toys and pictures, I realized that you are just a shell. A cute shell, but no longer our home. We will find a new place and fill it with memories and all the things that make up "us"....and it will be home.

Kevan packing up our "PODS"

The kids hanging on the porch while we packed boxes

One last chance to play in the yard (Vic is on his way to pick up the keys!)


Saying goodbye to their room

Silly family pictures (I love you, french doors)

Bye-bye to our first home! You were so good to us...we look forward to seeing where we will plant our roots next!

Bad Mom/Stupid Dog.

Today Ezekiel got bit by a dog. Yes, it was horrible. And thankfully he is doing just fine. But I am seriously ill thinking about what could have been.

Last night, we found a great house in Placentia that we decided to put an offer on. This morning, I went back to talk with the current owners some more and show the house to Heidi. As we walked into the backyard (without the owners), Heidi asked me several times "Are you sure the dogs are ok?" and I reassured her that the owners told us they were friendly. The kids had even played with them yesterday and they were fine. But I should have listened to Heidi's concern because, sure enough, as Ezekiel was petting one of the little dogs it snarled at him and bit him right on the face. AWFUL. My poor little boy had blood gushing from his eye, forehead and nose. I almost kicked that stupid dog clear across the yard (love dogs, just not the ones that bite my kid!).

Thankfully, he didn't need stitches and - once we got the initial mess cleaned up - it really doesn't look as bad as I thought. He's going to have a nice shiner tomorrow and a scar on his eyelid but that's nothing compared to what could have happened. I say all this for the benefit of my fellow moms out there: BEWARE OF DOGS. Seriously, please be so careful around dogs you don't know, regardless of what the owners say. I don't even want to imagine how much worse this could have been if the dog was bigger or if it had been any closer to Ezekiel's eye.

Ezekiel has been a champ throughout this ordeal, though. When we got in the car he said "Mom, the dog pushed Bear." I thought it was cute that he used his nickname to refer to himself and that he was concerned about falling over rather than the bite at first. Then, later on, he turned to Bekah Jane with a look of concern and said "You okay, baby, you okay?" as if he just realized he was hurt and hadn't checked on his sister yet. And Bekah Jane kept pointing to her eye as if she was sympathizing with her brother.

Thank you God for keeping my son safe even when my own supervision fails.

Present For Daddy

For Father's Day this year, I made Kevan another t-shirt with a picture of the kids. I did this last year and it was such a hit I couldn't resist doing it again. It is the cheesiest, coolest present! =) The kids dressed in Orange and Blue for daddy and we had a little photo shoot on the swing. I love their expressions in these pictures!

Father's Day Preview...

My eyes are heavy from a full day with the kids, and I gotta get some sleep before VBS starts in the morning. But in case things are crazy again tomorrow or something comes up and I don't ever write all that I want to about Father's day, I want to at least say this before I hit the hay:

I LOVE MY HUSBAND. A LOT.

I really, truly believe he is the best husband and father ever. But I suppose many a wife feels that way, so I will just say he is the best for ME. I love our past (for all it's ups and downs), I love where we are RIGHT NOW - perfecting the dance of raising our kids together, learning and growing together, and marveling at how God is refining my husband to lead our family - and I am looking forward to our future with excitement and anticipation. What will God do? What opportunities will He give us to glorify Him as a family? I love my husband and I love our life together. It is all blessing. And it is good.

To be continued (I hope!)...

Bit about Bekah Jane

As of last week, my sweet little girl has taken to saying "Hold you?" just like her big brother. It's the first two words she's put together and I think it is the cutest thing, especially since she learned it from Ezekiel. She throws her arms around my neck and squeezes super tight when I pick her up. I can't believe how fast this pretty little girl is growing. She is a complicated girl already, too! Most of the time I think she is the easiest child ever (she is almost always happy, she sleeps great, she entertains herself really well, she is super social and adapts well in most situations...yeah, the bragging list is pretty long!), but some days I just cannot believe the attitude in this little one! She can be so sassy and smug and downright conniving. For instance, she will steal E's froggy and prance around the house likes it's the greatest prize, knowing that is makes him so angry. She's not even 18 months - how can she be so mean? So, my motto lately is "Don't be deceived by her cuteness!"

We absolutely ADORE this baby girl. I am kind of obsessed with her hair lately too. I love how long it's getting! She can do pony tails now and, yeah, it's basically the cutest thing ever. She is a joy and a blessing to me - every day I look at her and wonder how I could be so blessed to call her "daughter."

PS: The past three days she has slept in until 10 o'clock. Is that even sleeping in or did she just go straight into her nap?! Should I be worried? I think she is growing? That is 14 straight hours of sleep!

They say the darndest things...

I've been wanting to share some of the crazy (and sweet!) stuff coming out of the mouth of my wonderful son lately. Here are the highlights:

• The other day I asked Ezekiel to share something with Bekah, and he responded "I want to share with Ezekiel."
• Ezekiel saw a squirrel up in the arena with my mom a few weeks back and said "Look! A chipmouse!"
• Similarly, we were at Irvine park last week when he mistakenly called a peacock a "greencock" - common mistake, I'm sure. Trish said "that sounds like something you should see your doctor for." Giggle.
• Ezekiel has a favorite Psalty CD that he always wants to listen to in the car. He absolutely BELTS out the songs and it cracks me and Kevan up. He has certain favorites too, like "I love you, Lord." When that song comes on he says "Touch the circle, mom!" refering to the knob that turns up the volume. Pretty clever, huh?
• From early on, Ezekiel plays really well by himself. He is entertained really easily and will find all kinds of creative things to stay busy. I love this about him...but I also love that now he often stops from his activity, runs over to find me, throws his arms around my neck and plants a kiss on my lips and says "I miss you mom." Then he runs off to play again. Now that just melts my heart.
• This is my favorite: Ezekiel is obsessed with the hill in my parents' backyard and loves to go on adventures. Elway will often go with him and it's just a boy and his dog tromping through the brush. So cute. I'm always nearby and one time I stood out of sight and just listened. Ezekiel was singing as he made his way up the hill and then - oops! - his foot caught and he fell flat on his belly in the dirt. I saw him lay there for a second and then say to himself "Oh, I fell. (Pause) I'm okay. Yes, I'm fine. C'mon Elway!" and he got up and brushed himself off. Then came the trek back down. When he reached the bottom he threw his hands up in the air and yelled "I'm home! We did it Elway!!" Oh, the comedy. I love it!

Not-So-Super-Fun Potty Training Day

Like a lot of people, I had many great ideas about parenting long before I had any actual children. Funny how the introduction of two little people into my world has taken those tidy preconceived notions and thrown them out the window. Yesterday was another opportunity for reality to fly in the face of my well-thought-out plans as I learned, once again, that there is a big ol' gap between book knowledge and real-life application. Especially when it comes to potty training a two year old.

I have said all along that I want potty training to be a pleasant experience...to not force it...to not drag it out by starting too early...to not make it a battle. Because, let's face it, there are enough of those already as we parent. So up to this point I have really not made a big deal of it. Ezekiel will go on the potty if we put him there at just the right time, and of course we talk to him about using the toilet, but that's about it. With that said, I suppose I've always thought that it's only normal to expect that he would be "ready" by the time he's three. I don't know where I came up with that, but it's true that I pretty much assumed three was the cut-off.

With his third birthday looming around the corner, I began studying up on how to go about this business of potty training. I decided for the "training-in-a-day-dive-in-head-first" approach and set aside yesterday for the big day. Trust me when I tell you that I was prepared. I read, I shopped, I had props, I had reminder notes, I had a babysitter for Bekah Jane and Ezekiel primed for our big day together. How could it not be a smashing success? Well, I will tell you how....because I was working with a TWO YEAR OLD and they are just slightly unpredictable!

Let's just say this...Ezekiel basically hated every minute of Potty Training Fun Day (he even said "I don't want treats" when he realized what they were for!). And, three hours later, when I finally threw in the towel and gave in to his pleading for his diaper, he danced around and said "YAY! YAY! Ok, mommy, I wear diaper! YAY!" and it was like the demon was released and my boy had returned to me. Not exactly how I pictured the day would go.

And here's the conclusion we've drawn: Our son is not ready. I don't care if he'll be three in August. I don't care if some kids are potty trained at 18 months. I don't care how much Huggies cost, or if I continue changing two little bottoms - instead of just one - for a little bit longer. It is simply not worth it if he's not even remotely excited about the idea. Don't get me wrong, it would be different if he were 4 or starting school, or if this was an obvious case of defiance. But none of those are true. He is two. TWO. Can't I just let him be two - and let him be Ezekiel?

We had another hour or so before we had to pick up baby after I called off Super Fun Potty Training Day. So Ezekiel snuggled with me on the couch and watched Spunky...happy as a clam in his diapers. He will get it someday, just not today. And that is just fine with me...no matter what the books say.

England!

It's not very often that I am downright pessimistic, but that was undeniably my attitude about two weeks ago. It had nothing to do with our destination (England - a dream come true!) but had everything to do with the journey. I (we!) were scared to death of the 14 hour plane ride with our 1-and-2 year olds! (At one point, anticipating the trip, I'm pretty sure I even referred to it at "parental suicide." Nice.)

Well, it turns out my fears were unfounded (lesson learned: pessimism is a waste of time). Our trip to England started out on a great note when our kids champed the flight there (in spite of Ezekiel being so sick I'm sure people thought we were spreading the swine flu. We weren't - we checked. But Kevan did catch vomit in a bag when Ezekiel coughed so hard he gagged. Good times.) They slept, they played happily, and Bekah Jane waved and smiled at every person she could bat her eyes at. And Ezekiel kept talking about going to "England's house." Honestly, minus the vomit, it was a great plane ride. We were STOKED to survive. And the fun began!


Arriving at LAX with 2 kids and all their accouterment...

We made it! Our exhaustion gave way to excitement as we pulled into great-grandma and Rick's beautiful house in the country. This place was off-the-charts charming. We loved it!

And then I saw the garden. Yes, this is their backyard and, yes, I was in heaven. Rick is an incredibly talented gardener and I was in awe of the beauty. Right behind that arch is a creek and beyond that is a barley field. And that's what the kitchen window overlooked. AMAZING. We spent so much time out here, and loved every minute. Why, oh why, can't I find this in Orange County?

The main purpose of this long-awaited trip was to introduce Kevan's grandma to her great-grandchildren. We all loved Great-grandma Plumb and Rick right from the start! Bekah Jane especially stole their hearts with her constant flirting and charm. And they, in turn, thought both kids were "brilliant" and everything they did was "lovely". You'll notice Ezekiel is absent from these pics of the first couple of days...that's because he mostly slept while he recovered from his nasty cold and serious jet-lag!

Going for a walk with Grandma Gina (Gina is Kevan's dad, Richard's, wife). This trail behind the house was like nothing I'd seen before. Seriously surreal. I took the kids along this trail early in the mornings and Kevan and I walked it in the evenings. We couldn't get enough of this beautiful countryside.

Looking back at the house...

Kevan's uncle Nick (Richard's brother) and cousin Sam took us to a Manchester City soccer game! My first pro soccer event... we sure had a great time! And, of course, we had fish-n-chips before the game. When in England, do as the English do...

PS: Sam is the cutest 13-year-old EVER. The accent doesn't hurt, either.

Monday began in the garden...

and then we went to the animal shelter with Grandpa and Grandma Gina:

Ok, you have to enlarge this picture and check out what this horse is doing to my daughter's head!

The kids ended the day helping Rick with his garden:

The next day we visited Ely cathedral - the oldest building I've ever been in! It was incredible.

A view from the roof

Bekah Jane is so pious - she knelt on the praying bench all by herself!

Playtime with Grandpa before heading off to bed

Snuggling with baby sister

Bekah Jane wraps herself in a good book!

The next day we are off to visit a real-life castle!

Bekah Jane frollicking in front of the castle

And then we headed to the aquarium by the sea - Richard used to visit this place when he was a kid and hadn't been back in 30 years. He said it had hardly changed. Taking his grandkids there made for a really special day. And the kids loved it!

Kevan and his dad on the boardwalk

There was also a carnival along the boardwalk...ALL of us kids had a great time!

I swear, she wanted to do this! And she asked to do it again!

Our final day we took a lovely walk to the park with Great-grandma and Rick.

Great-grandma is not one to miss out on the fun! I love her spunk!

And, just like that, our 10 days were up and we said our teary goodbyes.

Bekah Jane was conked out before we even got on the plane - and she slept for the first 4 hours of our flight. This picture cracks me up!

Can you tell Ezekiel is just a little tired?

Happy girl even after 14 hours of flying. Oh, how we thank God for our childrens' sweet dispositions. Why did I ever doubt? We were so, so proud of them!

Thank you, Grandma Plumb and Rick for an incredible holiday! Your hospitality and generosity are an example to us - and made us feel so loved! (They had all kinds of baby stuff already at the house for us - and even baby proofed! The thought and effort to make us feel welcome and at home was so touching!) We had an amazing time in your beautiful home and garden and LOVED watching you with our children. Sitting in your garden listening to stories and just getting to know you was a dream come true. It was a trip we will never forget and always hold dear in our hearts.