At the Park

Friends.  They are special aren't they?  I am seeing this more and more as I get older and as I am now staying at home.  I desire for my little guy to be a good friend and to have friends, which is easier said than done when little brother can't move and Mommy is the only one around to play with, but she still has to get things done!  So I have found I need to be intentional about getting my son friends to play with.  The Lord has been so faithful in this area of our lives, especially now that I am back at home.

When Reid stayed at "Nana's" this past school year he was able to make a friend with her grandson, Grant who is two.  Grant's mom Shaina is another stay at home mom and would come up at the end of the day (they live right down the road from Nana's house) and bring Grant.  Sometimes Grant would just come up and play with Reid, which I loved!  The boys got to be pretty good friends, as well as the adults.  Mark and I would spend time talking to Dustin and Shaina when we went to pick Reid up and struck up a pretty good friendship.  After coming home, I knew I couldn't let that die, and so Shaina and I decided to start having play dates with the boys!  It was the best decision ever.  Grant and his brother (born a 3 weeks before Owen) Reese will come over to our house to play or vice versa.  This has been a great way for them to get interaction, learn how to be friends, and give us moms some adult time as well!!!!

We also enjoy meeting at different parks, packing a lunch, and letting the boys loose!  Good nap time insurance in my book!  We have a blast watching the big guys play and run and jump and just be boys! I am so ready for cooler weather so their little faces won't get so red!  We are so grateful for new friends and this sweet time in life.   It is busy, it will get busier, but we are loving it and soaking it all up, because it will be gone so soon.

Eating our peanut butter and jelly lunches

Playing in a fountain!

splashing each other 

The Littles

They got soaked splashing one another. . . Shirts off!

Can't get a good picture. . .

But the big boys tried!

Showin' Owen: 7 Months Old

Once again it is that time.  My sweet baby boy just wont stop growing.  Children are funny that way haha.  7 months have gone by and have truly been some of the very best.  Sadly this week we have our first ear infection ever to deal with, but Owen is such a trooper, still smiling through it all.

Here are some things he is doing at 7 months:

1. He is much more alert and plays really well with toys and things.  Reid was never really a big "toy" kid, he loved balls, but this one likes just about anything.

2.  We still have NO TEETH!  I keep waiting on them to come in and nothing has shown up!  I'm ready to get this show on the road!

 3.  He can sit up really well on his own, no more "oh no!" falling backwards accidents.

4.  He is starting to rock back and forth to get ready to crawl.  I don't want him to crawl because then I know it is on and I will be going two different directions!

5.  He eats more table food than Reid ever did!  Whatever we are having I try to give him a bite of it somehow.  He likes most everything we give him so far.

We are loving his cloth diapers!

6. He can find his paci and put it in his mouth, sadly we are going to be trying to take that away pretty soonish.  Reid let his go around 9 months!

 7.  He is still nursing, but has FINALLY moved to the 4 hour mark!  Hallelujah!  We usually nurse, then eat cereal, the when up from our morning nap nurse again and eat a little something for lunch.  Then we sleep and wake up from our afternoon nap and nurse, eat something around dinner, and possibly go back down for a short evening nap.  We also nurse right before bed:)

8.  His cousin, born 3 weeks before him, just said "Dada" for the first time (and it was oh so cute!!!) so you better believe I have been working on both "Mama" and "Dada"

 9.  He really is just the happiest little guy.  He loves to be held and enjoys being outside the most.

10.  He weighs 17.15 and was in the 61% for height when we went for his last check up. All in all a very healthy boy.

He is playing on a quilt from my great grandmother!

Sitting up tall!!!  

Never Once

This past Sunday Mark was talking to me and said, "Have you ever heard the song 'Never Once'? I think it really describes this past year for us."  I immediately went to spotify to see if I could find it and play it, because I had asked him a while back if there was a particular song we could put our stamp on as the "2012-2013 Year".  He said he didn't really know of any and I only had one or two that kind of did.  I forgot about it until that very moment and when I heard this song, I knew he was absolutely right.  It's as if Matt Redman took my year and wrote a song about it.  I have been playing it non stop since and worshiping the Lord who never once left us.  Here are the lyrics :

Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

I just want to break down this entire song and show how perfectly it fits this entire year.  Mark and I have finally reached the "mountain top" of getting him through a year of school and me through a year of work.  And looking back I can see the hand of God with us the entire process from the fact I even had a job, to helping us through financially when on paper there was NO WAY we should have, to Mark breaking his collar bone at the ONLY TIME he could have broken it and not missed clinicals and been able to hold Owen, those are just a few examples of many more I could recount with you.  Now "kneeling on this battleground" of our home and picking up our lives again we can look confidently and say the victory was His and His alone.  

My favorite part of this entire song is the bridge that says "Scars and struggles on the way, but with joy our hearts can say 'Never once did we ever walk alone.'" This totally personifies this year.  It wasn't easy, in fact it was the hardest thing I have ever done.  I cannot tell you how many times after dropping off a screaming crying child at daycare and walking away crying myself did I beg and pray for a different way, a way out.  How I pleaded with God to help me understand why this was the path we had to follow.  How I doubted His love and His sovereignty after Mark broke his collar bone, all to get really no answer (I felt) in reply.  This was just something we had to do, and it hurt.  There were scars physically and emotionally and boy were there struggles, even inward personal ones all along the way, however there's the refrain. "But with joy our hearts can say."  It is with joy now I can proclaim God's goodness, His faithfulness, His love for His children.  I can knowingly cry out that "Never once did we ever walk alone!"  He didn't leave us to ourselves, He was there in the midst of every tear, doubt, and prayer seeing us through it all.  He is ever faithful, and my faith is stronger now because of it. 

My eyes are opened now to others who may be going through a rough year themselves.  Maybe everything looks ok on the outside, but silently they are wondering how in the world the bills are going to get paid when they are $50 in the hole every month.  Perhaps some teacher with young kids just needs you to bring her a meal because she is so tired when she gets home.  Perhaps a family could use a gift card out to eat so they can go on a date.  Maybe they just need prayer and encouragement that God is in control.  I don't know, but I am now more aware.  I am thankful for this year, this time of struggle, because I know I have grown.  I would never want to go through it again, but I can be singing the praise of He is faithful.  Below are links to the music video and the video explaining the inspiration for the song.  I hope you'll take the time to check them out and allow this song to bless you as it has me.  

Music video 

Story 

Lately

So much has happened since summer began the 2nd week in June that I don't even really know how to begin.  I have so enjoyed this time with my littles, eating up everything they are doing that is new!  Here are a few pictures from my phone of the past few months.

Matching hats and just super cute!

Possibly my favorite picture of us

Making homemade pizza (and eating the cheese)

Mark after graduating from BPCC!  How we are so happy this day has come!

Big boy swimming with no floaties!  

Loving all the imaginative play going on!

This little love is just happy to be here and getting so big.

"Wook Mommy, brown leaves!"

After bath pictures are the best.

Big blue eyes!

Using Pawpaw's snorkel at the lake

Love him and treasuring every moment of his little life.

The biggest news of course is Mark has finally graduated!  We have done the happy dance around our house quite a few times.  He also had his first day (and week!) of paid work since last July this past week!  It has been so amazing how God has sustained us through one of the toughest times emotionally, physically (Mark and his collar bone, me having Owen), and financially.  I am so thankful we are finally on this side of everything.  

The boys are also growing up so much.  Owen will be 7 months old on Sunday!!!  Seriously, my baby is not a baby anymore.  He is about to become mobil and I know it is all downhill after that.  I love how interactive he is, playing with all the toys we (mainly Reid) gives him.  Reid is such a good big brother to him, telling him "Don't worry brother, I'm here" and "Watch this Owen, look at me."  Seriously I love their little relationship and pray I can continue to foster it.  

Back to Civilization

Ok for the 3rd time in our married life, the Cliftons AGAIN have their own internet.  We are so excited (well mainly me) to be connected again.  Seriously I spent all nap time today (so sue me, won't happen again) just purusing the gloriousness that is everything toddler school, decorating, and anything else you can think of.  I have had the best time, and didn't really notice how much I had leaned on the internet for my encouragement, especially in mothering.

Today was a little harder with Reid.  It was the first time Mark had gone back to work since graduating on the last day of July, so our routine went back to normal after being out of whack for a little bit.  I am embarrassed to say I could have handled some situations better than I did.  After a particular instance I was able to get him down for a nap and then went automatically to the Duggar family website (seriously I love them) and was so encouraged to just continue on striving to be the mom God has called me to be.  Michelle Duggar didn't get to be the mom she is or have the personality she does just by coincidence, she practiced, and purposed to do those things to better herself.  I look forward to learning more and attempting to not rise to anger when my toddler refuses to listen, or says no (for the 14th time that day).

There are so many things I want to do, that I feel are calling my name.  I want to memorize more scripture, I want to decorate, I want to get ready for fall, I want to start preschool (kinda) with Reid, I want to do sensory activities with Owen, I want to purge and downsize, and get rid of so much junk, all at the same time that I want to sit on my hiney and stare at this screen.  I realize just how lazy and selfish I am sometimes and actually pray each day that I would be productive the next and desire to accomplish things for my family, instead of just for me.  Sometimes it is hard when your toddler is adjusting and just wants to play with you all day (detoxing from having daddy for all his entertainment needs for a solid week and a half), or your 7 month old is teething, but I know these are the best years, the ones I will so want back one day, so for now I press onward.

Read About Reid: Swim Lessons and Other Things

The last week in June Reid took swim lessons at Cheryl Hardy's house, or as he knows her, Nana's.  Since she was the one Reid and Owen stayed with the 2nd semester while I was working, and he loves to swim, I figured he would have the time of his life.  Boy was I in for a surprise.  He actually should have been in the little baby class that has little guys 6 months to 2 years, but since he will be 3 in October and pretty accustomed to the water, we moved him up. 

 He was ok until he realized we weren't going to be getting in with him, that's when he lost it. He spent most of Monday's lesson screaming, until we took him inside.  However, with the encouragement from "Nana" to just drop him off and go to the house and watch.  So the next day we went, dropped him off crying, then went to watch from her back window.  I'm pretty sure he tried to run at one point too.  However, by the end of the lesson he had calmed down and the next days, though he cried at the beginning we were able to stay out there and watch him and he had the best time.  Here a few pictures from the week. 

This is how I spent most of the first night. . . Wet and holding his hand

Mom has most of the pictures of him going under water, I will have to get them from her.  He did excellent and I am so proud of all he learned.  He really is becoming a big boy.  Honestly, I don't know how we got so blessed with this great guy.  He tries so hard (most of the time) to do the right thing and to be obedient.  He will tell me sometimes "I'm obeying Mommy" and I praise him thoroughly for it.  That isn't to say he's perfect, we still have our days where he will try me, but for the most part he is just enthusiastic about life.  

Currently we are working on two bible verses with him, Philippians 4:4 and Ephesians 6:1.  He has the first part of both verses down pat.  It really helps, being able to talk to him about Eph 6:1(children obey your parents) when I have to correct him.  He is also day time potty trained, and loves to use the potty "all by myself".  In fact a lot of things are "all by myself" lately.  He is still napping REALLY good in the afternoon (praise Jesus.  I am actually afraid to type it out, lest I jinx it) but that could be because he isn't allowed to watch TV until after nap, and we go and "run him" all morning long just about.  When we do come inside he is usually playing with a ball, unless we are doing some other activity or room time.  He will usually tell me after he eats breakfast that he needs to "go run." We try to do some "school" aka, we sit there with a magnadoodle and go through his letters and now his numbers with him, but that doesn't happen everyday.  I have to keep reminding myself he is 2, there will be time for "formal learning" later. He knows all his letters and their sounds, so I think that is pretty good. We read a book every day, and then every once in a while do a fine motor skill activity.  He loves to paint, but I hate cleaning it up.  Some days I just bite the bullet because I know it is good for him.  If you look on the right side of my blog you will see my instagram photos.  That is where a lot of what we do day to day can be found.  

He is also a spectacular big brother to Owen.  Honestly, he loves him so very much, even told his Sunday School teacher this past week "I'm raising Owen."  If Owen drops a toy, Reid is there to pick it up for him.  If Owen is up when I go to get Reid up, he says "Look Owen, brother's here!"  He loves to hold him, and absolutely can't wait for him to be able to chase him around (however I am loving him being stationary at the moment).  I couldn't have prayed for a better start to their relationship, and I pray they will always love each other like they do now and I will be able to foster that relationship. 

I know it is blurry, but he so wanted to hold Owen.

 Some of the things he says crack me up and I never want to forget them.  Things like every morning when I go into get him he says "Oatmeal's here?" meaning "am I having Oatmeal for breakfast?"  He also tells me "I need to go run" and asks me to tell him stories from when I was little only to say "When IIIIIII was a little boy. . ." and tell me a story about him.  He is a constant source of "Look at dat" and when we go on our walks he has to find "find that good shade" from the trees to cool down.  When I need him and call his name he will normally reply "Whaty" back to me.  I try to correct him to say "M'am" but it is just so darn cute.  He is my little sunshine and firecracker, I absolutely adore him and love being his mama!  I can't wait to see what all is in store for my little guy!  

Showin' Owen: 6 Months Old

My goodness, has it been half a year already?  Seriously, Owen's first year seems to be flying right on by, about 10 times faster than Reid's did.  Can I get an amen from Mamas with multiple children out there?  Seriously, I still think of him as my baby boy, and he isn't anymore, he is so big!  Here are some things that are going on in his life right now.

I took Reid's 6 month pictures in this same outfit:)

 1. He is still my little nursling, nursing every 3 hours.  However, I have started him on "solids" and boy is he on board.  He loves to eat and try new things.  The only thing that has made him gag were pears.  However I think it is because I didn't puree them correctly.  **Side note, I used some giftcards to get a baby brezza steamer and blender all in one thing, and it has been awesome!  So much cheaper to make his baby food and really takes NO TIME!**

2.  He is FINALLY sleeping through the night until about 5:30-6:30 when he wakes up, I feed him while laying in bed and he falls back asleep until around 8.  I usually feed him cereal and nurse again at 8:30 or so not matter when the last time he ate was, just so we can stay on brother's schedule.

3.  We are so close to sitting up on our own for long periods of time.  This is a relatively new skill that has developed this week, and I can tell he is loving some of the independence.

4.  He is still taking 3 naps a day (usually, that last nap is always debateable).  I love that he and Reid nap at the same time.  Heck, I love nap time!

5.  He is still more stoic than other babies.  I can make him laugh the hardest, but it is still work.  He is just so cute when he does laugh.

6.  He coos in the car, which Mark and I find super adorable.

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7.  He is still a cuddler, just not as much of one as he was when he was little.  That's ok, there are too many things to explore now.

8.  He loves his walker and the independence he has by being able to manuvere himself around the house.

9.  He is a mama's boy through and through, his eyes light up when he sees me.  I am not complaining in the slightest about this.  

10.  We started cloth diapering him, and we are loving it too.  He does well, and is generally just happy to be a part of life.

We love you sweet baby boy and are so thankful everyday you are a part of our lives!