Jay-walking

Justus has been working at walking for a few weeks now.  In the last week he has gotten quite proficient.  His first steps were on Inauguration day while we were watching the parade (on TV), I think he was inspired watching the President and First Lady walk down Pennsylvania Ave. 

Here he is toddling around the house just last week. 

jwalking from Dawn Luecke on Vimeo.

red, pink and everything in between

 

P and I just finished looking through her Valentines. All shades of pink and red surround me here at the table and I am struck by the sweet kindness her classmates have shown one another today. A class made up of 7 boys and 3 girls and still her valentine bag was full of red and pink and lots of "I Love you"s. How lovely it is that 4 and 5 year olds can embrace this sharing of love so easily and tenderly.

Ashes to Ashes

Joel 2:12-17

¹² “Even now,” declares the Lord,
    “return to me with all your heart,
    with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

¹³ Rend your heart
    and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
    and he relents from sending calamity.
¹⁴ Who knows? He may turn and relent
    and leave behind a blessing—
grain offerings and drink offerings
    for the Lord your God.

¹⁵ Blow the trumpet in Zion,
    declare a holy fast,
    call a sacred assembly.
¹⁶ Gather the people,
    consecrate the assembly;
bring together the elders,
    gather the children,
    those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room
    and the bride her chamber.
¹⁷ Let the priests, who minister before the Lord,
    weep between the portico and the altar.
Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.
    Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,
    a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
    ‘Where is their God?’”

Eleven-teen

The learning that is happening in this house is so pure it brings this momma such *joy*. When I hear P say, "A starts with Apple," I just smile because she has no clue that it is the other way around; she doesn't quite get it but she gets it enough to be confident in what she says.  Another one of my favorites is when she counts past 10 on to 11, 12, and 13, somehow eleventeen fits in those upper teens.  That word just makes me giggle, where did she learn it?  Somewhere in her little mind.  It is pure joy to see such pure learning!

Crown

He donned a crown for his big day. King for the day. Justus certainly reigns as a prince in this house, we all wait on him hand and foot, some because he needs it and some because we just can't stand not to.

1 Year

 

This little guy turned 1 at 8:40am, February 3. We had a lovely day of celebration, now I need to find some space to reflect.  Every night, as I lay his little head down, I thank God for this little one He has given us. So Thankful!

Rainbow Connection

In the bleak midwinter it is so lovely to wake up and see a cheerful, color-clad little girl!  This week she brightened our days with some fantastic outfits that I HAVE to document.  I didn't get a picture of all of them, but I came close....and they don't all show off the fantastic nature of the outfit, but you get the idea!  At first I was calling her Rainbow Brite, but as the week went on I realized she was probably a little more like Punky Brewster. (btw, did any of you know her character's name was Penelope?)

Fountain dress with striped leggings...none of the colors match!

More striped leggings with a matching turquoise top

One leg purple one leg green-tights, blue skirt, pink tee

purple shirt, magenta pants

I will admit, I have purchased most of these clothes so it isn't as if she is pulling these outfits out of thin air, but it is quite fun to see what she thinks 'go together'!

Good Night 2012

As I close out 2012, there are so many thoughts that I would like to share, and so many pictures to remember the year.  This one somehow wraps up 2012 for our family.  2012 was about these two littles; our darling babes.  Bringing J into the world, helping P accept that, nurturing them and nurturing their relationship.  

I have been inspired by many "2012 review" posts throughout the blogosphere this month that I would have loved to emulate, but in the end I decided this picture could wrap up our year quite nicely.  Plus if anyone really wants to know what we did the last year, it is mostly all documented here on this blog...just go through the archives! :)

2012

Epiphany

2013....we are well into the year....well, the *New* part of it....11 days in.  But just a few days past the start of Epiphany; the day we celebrate the Magi visiting little Jesus and the season of enlightenment. 

In the book, “All Year Round”, the authors write, “The star that the Wise Men followed led not away into the widths of the heavenly worlds but to a house, an earthly dwelling, and an inevitable part of their journey was their encounter with evil in the person of Herod.  We, too, may be following a star, seeking the abode of our highest aspirations.  This is always to be found on the earth – set firmly in the ground of daily life, earthly tasks and responsibilities.  On the way, we meet unforeseen difficulties, disappointments, even dangers, which may force us to change direction.  But on all this the star shines:  on the success and the failure, on the good and the evil, and in the clear light of its rays we are guided ever forward.”

Phoebe and I made this craft to celebrate.  While she was out of the house I wrote on the paper with a white crayon "We come to worship" and drew some stars, then along the bottom I drew in black a silhouette of the Magi walking to a small dwelling.  When she came home I had her paints ready and encouraged her to paint the sky, we were both amazed as the paint slipped away from the wax to reveal the scripture and the stars.

May newness be revealed to you on your path in 2013.

craft supplies:
white and black crayon
watercolor paints and brush
water
watercolor paper

Some Christmas Favorites

Post Christmas

We made it....phew....that is how I feel at the end of December, moving into a new year.  I can take a deep breathe and say, we made it.  This year December felt like a race, I love the idea of experiencing Advent, focusing on the waiting but this year it didn't happen, which makes me a bit sad, but the reality is that it is hard to slow down in December and this year I didn't have the energy to put on the breaks.

My grandfather's funeral was at the beginning of December, it was so lovely that our whole family could be there together, and the time we spent remembering our Patriarch was perfect.  But it put a wrench in my plans, so this year I decided to give up my plans and do what I could.  Which is all one can really do.   So after we came home from the funeral (our second time flying as a family in two weeks time, which is a lot for us) we basically ran through the month.  It doesn't seem like a big thing that one little trip, but it was.  And the emotional energy it takes to grieve the loss of a grandfather, these things took a toll on this mama.

So, December felt like a sprint to me.  To do all the things I hoped we could do; a Jesse Tree with the kids everyday, decorating the house for Christmas, gifts wrapped beautifully under the tree, a handmade item for everyone, and in between all of this slowly enjoying the waiting.  Some of these things happened in small portions and they happened as space was made for them, and some didn't. 

Now, we move forward into 2013....

• There is a 1 year old birthday to celebrate....
• A new house next door to celebrate.....
• With new neighbors to welcome to our community....
• A 4 year old who will turn 5 (eek, that is old!).....
• And who knows what other blessing will come in the next year?

Mary

Phoebe played Mary during the Children's Chapel performance at church last week. It was a sweet sight to see all the children reenacting this miraculous story. This was done as a way for the little ones to understand the story more and to engage it in a way other than just hearing about it. The 'performance' wasn't for anyone other than themselves, which was quite lovely. I was able to help with chapel that day and I prayed that these little one's hearts would be touched by the story in a new way. 

Phoebe had her one line down, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord." And she still says it with gusto even now when we mention Jesus or the Nativity.   I hope she will keep those words in her heart, mind, and soul as she grows to understand them more each year.

Here are some pictures from the little play.

The cast listening to the beginning of the story.

Mary and Joseph in the stable

Everyone came to worship the baby Jesus

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for he who is mighty has done great things for me,

He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

as he spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

(Luke 1:46-55 ESV)

8...9...10 Months?!

I had every intention of giving a 9 month update on Justus, but didn't have the perfect picture and never found the time.  Then....he turned 10 months, ack, time is flying!

Our little man is growing, moving, eating and teething; just as he should be.  And I love the long naps he takes, which give me time with Phoebe, and time by myself when she is at school.  Our days have a nice rhythm of awake, eat, play, sleep that we all count our hours by.  Awake time gives all of us free reign on noise level so Phoebe can play, I can do chores, and when the mister is home he can use power tools.  During nap time we choose quiet activities; Phoebe has been enjoying puzzles and creating distant lands for her little people to travel to.  When they are both awake, I take advantage of their alertness and often run errands, they both loving being out and with people so the grocery store is a favorite! :)

Justus update:

• Eating: Most anything, still nursing, loves fruits and veggies and his most favorite is what he can eat with his fingers (all by himself!)
• Teeth: 4 in and another on the way, he has been a champ at teething.
• Mobility: Crawls (super fast!), pulls up on everything and cruises, he also loves climbing the stairs
• Sleep: Mostly through the night (this week), 2 solid naps each day
• Toys: He loves playing with the play kitchen, all the pots and pans make for great sounds
• Books: He doesn't love books as much as P did, he will take anything she is reading and try to rip it apart.  
• Most Common Question about J: Is he always this happy?  Yes, yes he is!
• Stats: (at 9 months) 28.25 inches, 19 lbs 7 oz.  (Phoebe was 20 lbs. 28.25 in. at 1 Year)

j at 9 months

9 months at Yards Park

J at 10 months

DJ Jazzy J

We just pulled out this music table that Phoebe got for her first birthday, it has been the hit of the house for both 4.5 year old P and 9 month old J. They are loving it, spinning some tunes together! I am amazed how well I remember all the tunes that come from this little table; the Jazzy Alphabet, the Bluesy opposite song, and banjo playing frog.

J at 9 months

P at 1 year

I Voted

It is strange to go to sleep and have no idea who your next president will be for the next 4 years. This morning we were thrilled with the news! Obama 303, Romney 206, at least according to this.  I don't want to get all political, on this here my OWN blog where I voice my OWN opinions, because there is no reason to gloat at a time like this.  There are people who are sad, even distraught that Obama won, but I think right now this is the best option for our country.  And I am even more hopeful that the GOP is taking a look at who they are and what they stand for, maybe they can start caring for the life and success of ALL people.

I love this Facebook post from a republican friend, his perspective is so encouraging when there are so many nasty and disrespectful things written and said about our country's President/ President-elect:

"Congratulations to my friends who were rooting for the President's victory! My unhappiness with the result is mitigated by knowing that you are happy. It's also hard to despair knowing that so many smart and thoughtful people believe he is leading us on the right path."

Now on to the cuteness factor:

Did you vote the best Momma?  So you are going to be President?

GOBAMA!!!

Phoebe didn't actually make it to the polls with me (between school and tumbling class and nap time she had a full day).  Justus was there with me both times I went (the line was too long the first time) and the second time we met up with the Mister so J actually voted with him.  I hope we can instill in them the pride that comes with this civic duty.

I can't believe just 4 years ago I took this little baby to the polls with me where we took part in History.

Happy Hopping

Frog and Pumpkin

Hop Phoebe Phrog

 

Crawling Pumpkin

P wanted to be a Frog this year, I love that she didn't choose to be a princess or fairy or something full on girl, I love that she picked to be a green hopping frog- so much more her style!  This costume was easy to put together; a few years ago I picked up this green suit and a green sweatshirt from the thrift store with hope that it would make its way into a costume of sorts.  The green suit has been part of the dress up closet ever since, but this year P found inspiration in it, she wanted to be a frog because we had this suit already! (so thrifty!)  I found the green XL sweatshirt that had been in my sewing stash and went to work.  It was so easy; I cut the hood off and gave it a jagged edge (Kermit the frog style) and glued on the eyes (which we had more balls left over from last years costume), then cut the end of the sleeves of for the hands, utilizing the cuff, and cut the feet from the bottom edge of the sweatshirt and put a little elastic at the back so they can be pulled on over shoes and voila!  A frog. 

J's costume has a shorter tale; he was a pumpkin because someone gave us this pumpkin costume, and he didn't know what he wanted to be.  One of his favorite words is 'D'oh' so we thought maybe he wanted to be Homer Simpson, but the pumpkin was just so cute. 

We made a loop around the neighborhood to see our favorite peeps.  It was a sweet night continuing our simple tradition.

We Survived!

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Alexandra on Pinterest

We survived Sandy without much damage here on S Street.  For us it was the "Perfect Storm"; not much damage and days off of work and school.  I think a stir crazy husband and child are the extent of the storm damage in this house.  The mister kept busy checking on our exterior drainage systems.

I on the other hand spent some time surfing the internet inside with a cup of tea nursing my sore throat.  Some of the places I stopped along the way....

Appreciating a friend's home.

Dreaming of my future master suite.

Thinking of meals. (Because eating is the best way to wait out a storm!)

Starting a new sweater for J.

All while.....

Wishing for a fireplace!

Kitty Cat Halloween

P finally gets a cat!, originally uploaded by 207 Living.

Click on the Picture for more pumpkin photos.

Enjoying Fall

A few weekends ago we visited the Mister's sister and two of her kids (the rest of the family was off on another adventure). It was a beautiful fall weekend and Justus and Phoebe got to play with their sweet cousins.  We spent one afternoon walking around the lake, keeping up with these two 4 year olds was a task!  

Phoebe and Danny...catch them if you can

Phoebe and Danny 'fishing'

Lydia and Justus reaching for one another

Collecting leaves

Where's Danny?

let the children come

For years, the Mister and I have been praying for more children on S Street. And this summer the Lord provided in a big way!  This little one was given to our neighbors in the perfect timing that only the Lord has. We have loved having more babies on our quiet little street and patiently wait for the next one. 

dad and daughter

family pumpkin picture....why not?