Ky came up to me and saw this picture of Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz while I was using People magazine as my "mistake protection" while painting my toes. He said "Look! That's you, Mommy," pointing to Ashlee. Really?! I guess her hair is red right now... funny -- the things kids say!

This is typical, daily for Kaid and about 10+ times a day! He is gaining weight and filling out.. at in the 75 percentile on his bambino charts. But, this is proof that he is messy! Grama Lisa started to call him "Stinky Pete" but we had to x-nay that, so that nickname didn't stick with him as it's not a "nice" one... even though it's true! Who knew that something so adorable could be so messy! When we put him in his carrier to go "bye bye" we've got to put a bib on him! Right at this moment, he is swinging in his swing, wearing a diaper and a bib -- even if it's well after he's eaten! The doctor is not concerned at all, so neither are we. It is never painful for him.. actually, so many times he has spit-up and is completely silent and content with it.. Craig often calls him "Santa" when he's discovered a white beard of spit up on his face. Kyler is great about keeping us informed of when Kaiden spit up.. either home or it the car! Ky will also tell us and then gently wipe it off for him. When it comes to kissing Santa.. Ky prefers his cheek or head. I think he thinks his mouth is the "scary zone!" I, however, am the only one who got spit up on in my mouth! Yep, that's right! YUCK! haha. Everyone else... every single person we know that has held Kaid... leaves smelling just like.. Kaid! :) We've been doing a lot of tummy time to strengthen his belly muscles and his little flap that allows for his formula to come back up. Spit up and all.... we love our little Santa Claus!!

Kyler gave Kaiden the nickname "Peanut" and Grama Shirley gave Kyler the nickname "Squirt." Kyler is ready to make it official and rename the two of them Peanut and Squirt! After we hung the new photos on the wall the other day, Kyler stood there looking at the two 11x14 black and white photos of his and Kaid's faces and he pointed and said "there's Peanut (pointing at his brother) and there's Squirt (pointing at himself)!"

Yesterday, we went to Costco and a sweet lady came up to us acknowledging Kaiden's adorableness and Kyler was sure to let her know just exactly who they both are. This is how the mini conversation went:

Lady: "Is he your baby brother?"
Kyler: "Yes, his name is Peanut!"
SO CUTE. But it didn't stop there. 
Ky: "And I'm Squirt."
Lady: "Have a very good day, Squirt."
Ky: "Thank you. Bye!"

After spin class last night, I went to meet Tina for coffee and a little Target shopping. As we were browsing, I saw this little onesie for Kaiden and HAD to get it! I am totally in awe of how God orchestrated giving us our boys and I will never be able to fully express how thankful I am to be their mommy! However, every day my breath is taken away at how perfectly created they both are. I pray that I can raise them to know, love and serve our incredible King by being a loving, godly mommy. Teaching them to be a blessing to others. 

Peanut loves eating! Squirt loves his new helicopter $3.00 toy! Peanut spits up. Squirt sometimes wets the bed. Peanut has big brown eyes. Squirt has greenish-blue eyes. Peanut knows very well when Squirt is near and his eyes follow the direction in which his sound effects are coming from. Squirt helps take care of Peanut and speaks on his behalf, telling mommy and daddy what he thinks Peanut is feeling or needing. Both of my little critters are miracles from Jesus Christ, our King!!! Thank you God for choosing ME to be their mommy!!

Happy Thursday!
A

On Sojourn's discussion board, this funny story was shared by one of our friends, Michael:

I was sitting next to Liam during the skit this morning and they mentioned lions.  Isaiah [another little boy in his class] made claw hands and did a little roar.  Liam made claw hands and said, 'Tickle, tickle.'  Hilarious.

We laughed a lot this week as we were trying to decipher Liam's stories of VBS, but he does keep singing the songs, and yesterday I found out they had been memorizing a verse.  With little faith, I asked him to tell me what Hebrews 11:1 says, and he quoted it perfectly!  He also told us his favorite story of the week.  It was about how David hit Goliath in the face with a rock and then took a sword to him.  It's encouraging to know he really is getting some of what we tell him.  :-D

Sweet girl

Celebrating the best five years of my life during our anniversary trip to the lakes

Jared:  O.K. Liam, all cars have tires.  Lightning McQueen is a car.  So, what does Lightning McQueen have?
Liam:  Stickers!

While reviewing memory verses:

I have bad breath (Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6).
Teach me to do your will for you break an egg (Teach me to do your will for you are my God. Psalm 143:10a).

A sweet answer when we were talking about Abraham and Sarah and sometimes having to wait a long time for an answer from God:

Me:  What would you like to ask God to help you with?
Liam: To not disobey.

Besides being humbled through my children, though, the truth is I am more joyful than I have ever been.  Here are some things God has given me that I didn't have before:

• 3 x's the hugs and kisses
• 3 x's the laughter and smiles
• 3 x's the reminders of God's patience with me
• 3 x's the toys that make me smile as I watch my children discover (and 3 x's the toys I get to play with)
• 3 x's the individual talk of God in our household
• 3 x's the stories I get to read
• 3 x's the music and dancing
• 3 x's the games we play
• 3 x's the booboo's I get to kiss
• 3 x's the crying that will go away all too quickly as they grow too fast for my liking
• 3 x's the birthday parties 
• 3 x's the affection I get to see them display to each other
• 3 x's the amount I get to watch Bill play with them (I think he's so hot in those times)
• 3 x's the amount I realize how gracious God is by giving me these little blessings I never deserved