Comfort and Joy

I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will
give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:13

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Happy Birthday Austin

Dear Austin,

Happy Birthday...today you turn 3 years old!  It feels like yesterday that we were driving to the hospital to meet you.  Your daddy and I were so excited about seeing you for the first time.  You were perfect in every way possible.  You had the most beautiful eyes and delicate features.  You gave us a little scare by going to the NICU for 7 days but we knew right away that you were a fighter just like your big brother.
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Being born in September was part of God's perfect plan.  He knew I needed something like your birthday to bring me joy and every year it does.  Seeing you light up whenever we talk about your birthday has been so much fun.  You want everything for your birthday this year!   IMG_1085
We did a plane theme for your going away party so we knew we had to do choo choo for your birthday.  Planes and choo choos are definitely your favorite things.  You have turned into quite the little talker.  Some of my favorite parts of the day are our little conversations.  You are inquisitive and curious.  You ask questions about everything and constantly want to learn.  You remind me of your father in that way.
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You are the best big brother.  You love Miller with everything you have and are always looking out for him.  Since moving to Boston you two have become best friends.  You love being together and spend many hours playing and giggling.  You get into quite a bit of trouble together but I love seeing you laugh and play.
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Your personality is starting to really shine and your passion for life is contagious.  I pray every day for your salvation and that there would never be a day that you didn't remember the Lord as your Savior.  I pray He uses your life to bring glory and honor to Him.  It is often overwhelming knowing He entrusted your daddy and I to raise you to love and serve Him but we pray that we are leading you in that direction.
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I am so proud of you little buddy.  I am so proud to be your mommy.  I love you forever and always...to the moon and back.

Love,
Mommy
 

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Kennebunkport, Maine and Beth's visit

One of my best friends and roommates from college tagged along on her husband's business trip to Boston last weekend.  It was sooo good to see Beth and show her some of our favorite things about Boston.  We met up with her Friday morning at her hotel and started our long walk through the city.  The boys were so good and patient as we walked and talked all through the city.  We made stops here and there to give the boys some time to run around.  We saw the Boston Gardens, Boston Commons, Quincy Market, our church, lots of the Freedom Trail, the Long Wharf, Christopher Columbus Park, and then made stops at the famous Mike's Pastry and a little Italian place for lunch.  After lunch she took the train home with us to see our little apartment.  I really can't express how great it was to see her face, hug her neck, and just have a conversation with someone that knows you so well.  Real...that's what it was...and that is what I needed.  I miss deep friendships up here and it can often get lonely so it was really great seeing an old friend who gets you.  Thank you Beth for spending the day with us.  It was good for my heart and soul!
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If you are reading this and thinking to yourself...I would love to visit Boston and see so many great things...than come on...I'm a really good tour guide and I would love to show you around...and selfishly have visitors to keep me company. =)

We decided very last minute to take a trip to Kennebunkport, Maine this past weekend. IMG_3887
We have been talking about going but when the boys and I got sick we couldn't make up our mind if it was a good idea to go.  I finally called Thursday night at 10:00 and told David if they had a room than that was our sign to go.  Well...they had a room! IMG_1059
We woke up first thing Saturday morning and got on the road.  It's a little less than 2 hours away so we were there by 9:30 am.  We couldn't check into our hotel room so we just walked around the shops and experienced the little town. IMG_3885 IMG_3879 IMG_3875 IMG_3889 IMG_3895 IMG_3897 IMG_3923
We ate lunch at a wonderful little restaurant and then took the scenic route back to our hotel room so we could see George Bush's compound.  I mean...WOW!  It was beautiful.  A beautiful piece of land with incredible views and a gorgeous house.
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We then headed to the hotel with high hopes for the boys to nap...well guess what...they didn't nap.  They had no intentions of settling in for naps when we were all in one room.  David and I tried for a while and then decided that it wasn't worth fighting so we went to the beach instead.
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Austin LOVES the beach. IMG_3941
It doesn't matter that it was cold...he still had the best time playing in the sand, throwing rocks, running away from the waves, exploring everything.  Within 5 minutes of being there Austin was hit by a wave and didn't like being wet.  He pulled his pants down on the beach and kept hollering he wanted another pair.  Thankfully I had some in the car.
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The weather was almost perfect and the beach was precious.  There is nothing that brings me more joy than seeing my boys enjoy life to the fullest.
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We left the beach and headed back into town for an early dinner.  We knew they were tired and at any minute we could have one or both have a breakdown from lack of sleep so we decided to just be ready for it by eating early.
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(This is a famous blueberry pie that George Bush takes a dozen or more home to Texas when he leaves). After dinner we headed back to the hotel where Austin and I swam for a little bit in the indoor pool.  We then put the boys down for bed and David and I sat on the back porch of our hotel room with our pj's and fleece coats on with our comforter from our bed over us and read and talked till time to settle in ourselves.  It really was so nice.  No agenda...no dishes...no laundry...no to do list...just time with my husband.
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The next morning we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel and then drove towards one of the town's lighthouses.  Unfortunately the weather was overcast so we didn't have the best lighting for pictures but it was still nice to see.  We walked down the rocks to get closer to the water.  It was low tide and the water was really low.  There was a group of men who walked across the bay to an island without getting that wet.
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After the lighthouse we headed back into town so David could stop by Kennebunkport Brewing Company.  He had that brand of beer back in our fridge in Boston so it was fun to be at the place it actually was brewed at.

We got on the road around 10:30 because David and Austin had big plans back in Boston...Austin's first Red Sox Game.  It was all Austin talked about for days....the baseball game.  He is still talking about it. =)  He loved going to the game alone with his daddy.  Such a treat.
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When the big boys made it home, the whole clan went on a family bike ride.  We ordered a bike trailer and it arrived while we were in Maine so we were eager to try it out.  The kids love it and so do I.  We have used it almost everyday.

It was a wonderful weekend and one we won't forget.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Swimming lessons

Austin is taking swim lessons at our neighborhood pool. He is loving it!



I think he loves that he has something that is completely his own.



He has been practicing wearing his goggles everywhere but the water :).








- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Forrest's birthday

This is the first year that Austin understands he has a brother named Forrest who is in Heaven with Jesus. He asks about Forrest a lot and tells others about him.  He is always so sweet to make sure that everyone who asks about his brother Miller also knows he has a brother named Forrest.  It makes my heart smile.  So this year I wanted to do something to remember Forrest and help Austin (and Miller) celebrate his birth.  We spent the morning as a family taking a long walk to the Charles River, playing at every park we came across, and eating lunch together.   We talked a lot about Forrest on our walk which meant we also talked a lot about Jesus.  I love that this is one more thing that Forrest's little life has blessed us with, an easy way to talk about Jesus with our boys.
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Video of Austin trying something new at the Playground.

Video he wanted me to take of him going down the slide.
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After naps we made cupcakes for Forrest.  Austin loved the idea and loved helping mommy make (eat) the cupcakes.
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Austin liked the sprinkles the best. He poured them all over the cupcakes and ate a ton while at it.
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That night we had a babysitter and David and I enjoyed a night out remembering our sweet boy.
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It would have only been a better day if our sweet boy had been with us.