Billy

Early morning is basically the only alone time, or quality time, that little Billy gets with Dan or me. We feed him, cuddle him, play for a while before the day begins and he is swept from one location to the next. This morning was a great example of how much he learns from watching the rest of us and how quickly he applies it to himself. It worries me that he may be the biggest stinker butt EVER!

So...Billy is on the couch playing with Dan's phone. He then goes to grab the remote and climbs on the far side of the couch. Dan says...gentle hands Billy and Billy throws the phone across the hardwood floor. Dan says...no Billy, no! And Billy throws the phone across the floor. Dan reaches for his chubby little throwing hand to give him a little no throwing things smack....and Billy takes his other cute chubby hand and smacks Dan really hard across the face....then giggles.

I was shocked at my lil babies behavior, and so was Dan. We exchanged a quick glance like....we know we can not laugh at this AND holy crap this kid is 14 months old, what is in store for us later???

Valentines

Mabel is such a joy. She wakes up happy. She stays happy. She says oh thanks mom, you are the best. Or. This is the best day ever!

Also...our fav...what you said?

I havw sweet big boys that tell me they love me as sincerely as i tell them...everyday.

I have billy...who is a dollbaby. Cute, smart, and determinded to keep me young, busy and not sit still.

I have a husband who loves me no matter what, my fav saying to my fam. NO MATTER WHAT. And forever on top of that. Its amazing!

fathers day

we spent father's day weekend at our friends cabin in pinckneyvill, il together this year. i was not sure how it would work with all of us, instead of just the big kids. but, i am sooooooo happy we all decided to go together. it was perfect. just like my parenting class says...when you are all having fun togther...the discipline issues dissapear. so true. not once did we have a silly argument or argue over turns or toys or who has what and when. we just played, and swam, and kayaked and jumped and floated and laughed and loved. remembering to do this when we are just home, and not at a cabin, is the key.
mini-light saber battles can make a child want to clean his room in order to battle more and what not.

things kids say/do

jack upon winning the pinewood derby...a few days later he says this..."i think the holy spirit helped me win." wow. thinking of it, he thought it was so neat that mnsrg. jack was there and congratulated him...i think he thinks the spirit and priests and God are working together to help him on these things. it was just such a sweet and thoughtful moment.

mabel...after being picked up from vbs says, "mommy, i have beautiful eyes."

mabel...mom...your my BEST friend. and then to the next person closet...billy, your my BEST friend. sweet girl.

sammy...alwasy asks when billy will be old enough to sleep in bed with him. and i always say when he is 2. he can't wait! his love of younger children and sweet natured self just shows when he plays with them.

billy...is starting to crawl after me when i walk away and do the arms up thing. i forgot about those days! even at night sometimes nown he is moaning/crying b/c i think he wants to know where i am! he is def not hungry.

vbs

its amazing what tradition can teach us all.
3rd year of bible school, second at stp. boys did wonderfully with seperating and mabel really showed her strength in attending this first sesssion. we all stayed for an hour monday, i helped on tuesday and mabel made it unitl 11 without me, and today, wednesday, she went into her room, got busy, and i left without incident.
monday she stood frozen as a statue in the corner without her usual smile for a good 20 minutes. tuesday i saw her play games, but secretly felt great that she needed a mommy hug that last hour, all while declaring "mommy i had SOOOOOOO much fun"! and today she has shown me how amazing and wonderful she is all on her own. she has never been away from me in a building or organized activity. i think preschool in the fall is going to have her bloosoming in ways that will amaze us all.

i blinked and its june 2010

i can't believe how long its been. i am starting to write again on the day of my 10 year anniversary. amazing.
william 'billy' benedict is now part of our lives at 6 months old. we are in the start of what looks to be an amazing summer. i have great hopes of becoming a more centered person...wife, mother, friend and enjoying what i have ahead.

christmas vacation

christmas was extra special this year. after a year of no job, new job, old house, new house, and real school transitions, we were happy to stay home and do no traveling for the first time in our marriage. wow. it really felt restful, and made the focus of the christmas season so much easier to focus on.
we played in our pj's, sometimes all day. we baked A LOT. we, ok i, became obsessed with making cake balls. we made an advent wreath, decorated the house, and spent time together.
reality did set in when i went to wake up my kdger for school monday...TEARS!
i felt the same.