Oh the Bliss!

This is an actual excerpt from a letter my Grandma sent me today from Albany, Kentucky. (Read with thick southern drawl for full affect.) "I saw a big deer below the garden yesterday evening and I got out my riffle and shot over the garden and you should have seen that deer jump clear over the fence with no trouble at all!" Isn't that awesome!!! First, the mental picture of my grandma shooting a rifle is in and of itself - hilarious. But the fact that she can do that and not have 18 squad cars and 5 police helicopters surrounding her house is so great. I think I might have to move there.

Since Ben's b-day is the day after Christmas I've taken a liking to the idea of doing a little something special for him on his half birthday. For the past two half birthdays I've taken him to the toy store to get a new toy. However, since a trip to the toy store is the current incentive to use the potty to it's fullest extent , a trip to our local bakery sufficed and we celebrated there. He HAD to have the cupcake, which I knew he wouldn't take a single bite of (he's his father's son no doubt) and he didn't. Never fear, smart mama that I am bought his favorite little star with sprinkles and he was a happy 2 1/2 year old. Later this evening... the sneak in him broke loose. I sat him down for dinner -at the dinner table- and walked away for 2 minutes to put Addison to bed. When I came back he had decided to make himself a little more comfortable. Now I know what you're thinking (Keri) if my bed had've been made he wouldn't have felt so inclin...

... is she going to break hearts across America or what? We have been having so much fun, borderline too much fun, lately. Mark had nearly two weeks off and we managed to fill up almost every night with friends and family. LOVE IT! This summer's weather is unbelievably beautiful. Nice toasty, but not too hot, days with slightly breezy cool nights. I love California! I am so thankful for so many things right now, really, this sounds so lame and Christian cliche, but my cup is definitely running over with joy. So thankful for... ~ all of our sweet friends, every single one of them. I love that we have dear friends that we love to spend time with, and get to often. Last week we roasted marshmellows and sang songs around our little fire pit in the backyard. We were tempted to throw up a tent and call it a camp out, maybe next time. ~ Mark being the best dad to Ben and Addison. We had a very nice Father's Day and I really am so thankful for the father that Mark is. He is so loving a...

I know it's been awhile, so I'm posting just to say a quick hello. pictures and updates will abound later, but for now... we're all doing great just BUSY!

Happy Birthday Mom!! I don't know if you know this, but my mom is the best mom in the world! It was so fun getting to celebrate with her and most of the family yesterday. I've always thought my mom was a good one... then I had kids and realized she was a GREAT one. Her whole life she's exemplified qualities that I am still trying to emulate. She's a hard worker, and she's really good at what she does. She's smart, because she reads a lot and she listens to people. She believes in prayer and has covered each of her kids, and now grandkids, in prayer since our births. She's a good friend to many and best friends with only a few, she is wise in her friendships. And to top it all off, she is so beautiful! Just look at her! I love, love, love that we've had another year with her, and hope for MANY more. I love you Mom, happy birthday!

Here she is! My life has sort of been revolving around Ben for the past two weeks, as the previous post's pictures show, so I thought I'd post some pics of the little girl who has been so sweet and patient while her brother steals center stage for a bit. Being the gentle mannered, care-free and sweet natured girl that she so beautifully is, Addison has made no fuss about taking a back seat for bit. Although she is turning out to not be quite the sleeper Ben is, and was at her age, her calm demeanor makes up for the fact that she isn't going to bed as early as I'd like. Such the cuddle-bug, I often lose track of time while rocking her, not laying her down until 8:30 or later. This would've been unheard of with Ben. But I love it, I just eat it up and love it.

Only ONE accident all day! (And it was outside, so it doesn't really count... I mean, who can break away from watching the garbage truck to go potty?) I'm really proud of Ben. He had a much better attitude today and really made this so not as hard as I thought it was going to be. So now he's in a big boy bed, wearing boy boy undies and using big boy words, (today I asked him a question and he said "I suppose") is there no stopping my growing boy? He'll be two and a half on the 26th of this month. Somebody please tell me, where does the time go?

Not the most fun I've ever had, but better than I expected. Ben is an interesting case because he doesn't conform to anybodies desires except his own and he doesn't like focused attention. What that means is this; he won't go if you tell him too (so no "set the timer and go every 10 minutes" plan) and he starts crying if you get too excited too soon (so no throwing a party or singing a special song either.) What finally seemed to work pretty well was bare buns and a bit of cookie. Oh, and he did want to call Elmo and tell him, so he did that once, thank you Jason. So here's to day 2!

I got Ben to eat all of his fish for dinner by promising him more SPINACH. That's right, spinach. All Marks doing, folks, all Mark.

I never knew how much one boy could grow in one week until we finished up this last one and thought, wow, who is this big boy? A few times I thought my heart might literally burst with pride and love and joy at everything Ben was saying and doing - he just seemed so BIG to me. At the same time my heart ached a bit. Seeing him lay in his toddler bed, watching him ride a horse, laughing to myself when he told me to "shut the door loud, mom" when he sat on the toilet for the first time and wanted some privacy. I sort of bit my lip in front of Mark the other night after we closed Ben's door, not putting him in a crib for the first time made my throat tighten with a held in cry. It really does feel like just last week we were putting him into his crib for the first time, and now we're taking him out. Mark kept reassuring me that this is good, this is what is supposed to happen. Ben was a baby, now he's not, that's sort of the point of life - to grow. I think Ben f...

Addison was introduced to some fun family members this week : Aunt Pam (yes, her skin is really that beautiful in person. She's gorgeous.) Uncle Darren (who she sort of looks like she belongs too) Auntie Karrie (a cousin on Mark's side really, but Auntie works for us.) and fun-loving cousins Will and Kate!! What a week! It's been so beautiful everyday so we've spent hours and hours outside. Ben had a BLAST with his cousins, especially William who is just a few months older than him. They played so well together. Mark made the comment, as he, Karrie and myself sat on a blanket watching the kids, that it seems like just yesterday it was their parents sitting on a blanket watching them play. Time surely speeds up as we get older, it blows me away how fast it goes by. It was a special treat having Darren and Pam here for a conference conveniently just a few miles from our house. We got to see them, sadly no kids and no Settlers, but they are always so f...

I may have mentioned this before, but I need to jot it down again for myself.... One of my favorite times of the day is just after the kids are down for the night and I go around and collect all the toys Ben missed during his clean-up/play with all the toys you've brought out during the day time. I love these few moments for three reasons: 1.)It's so quiet. Not a lonely quiet, a peaceful quiet. 2.) It reminds me of how much fun Ben's life is and how much fun my life is because of him. 3.) It's evidence that I have kids. Little bits of proof that Mark and I have been blessed in a way that many people long for. I might complain about vacuuming (nothing has changed, mom) and mopping, but picking up toys - I think - will always be done with a little smile on my face. That's all. Just want to remember this.

I feel like I have a lot to be thankful for and I don't want to forget it all, so here it is, a throw back to the "thankful list" ~Pinky Harper and her husband who graciously watch Ben for me 2 Tuesday nights a month so I can help lead a bible study at a shelter for women with unplanned pregnancies (Casa Teresa). I have been praying for this opportunity for over a year but couldn't find a sitter for Ben and now Addison. I can't afford to pay someone that frequently, and an every other week and FREE commitment is seemingly a lot to ask of anyone... but the Lord provided. The really neat thing is this: I went the the study one time last year and although I really wanted to be there I found myself feeling awkward, uncomfortable, inadequate and I had nothing to say. This time around I've felt completely at ease. I've been able to connect with the girls where I didn't think possible and our conversations felt led instead of forced. Just goes to show that Go...

Ben smiled for a picture!! And what a cute smile it is... Love my kids!

The dress that Addison is wearing was made by my mom for me when I was a baby. This is one reason I'm thankful for having a little girl... for moments like this. P.S. Doesn't my mom look beautiful!

We had a very nice Mother's Day up in Simi with Mark's mom. Ben made me a very special card, he actually gave it too me on Saturday because I walked in on him making it and he was too excited to hide it for a day. I feel so blessed to be a mom. My favorite moments are when the four of us are together and I breathe a little easier knowing -for now- we're all under the same roof. Nothing is for certain and having my kids forever isn't guaranteed (or even the plan). But man, when the four of us roll around and wrestle and laugh and play and snuggle and just be together - that fills my heart like nothing this world can ever offer me. I'm so thankful that this is where God wants me in life, in this moment, with these two kids and this husband. As selfish as this is, I pray that God keeps me in this for many years to come. I don't think it can get much better than this.

Sitting pretty in her perch. I love the curly bath hair, wish it stayed like that after it dries. This picture is so funny to me, it doesn't even look like her. I think Ben is looking at her like "who is this crazy girl making the funny face?" Love the dimples though.

There was a triple fatal car accident on the freeway just miles from my house. A woman was driving with her three kids and their grandmother. All three kids died. It wasn't her fault, she was rear-ended by a semi. She was driving a van just like mine. My mom left me a message saying how scared and sad she was because she instantly thought of me. She knew it wasn't me and the kids, but it just hit close to home for her, and probably for every mother of a mother out there. Someone forwarded one of those "thankful for moms" emails which I usually don't read, but this paragraph caught my eye; "What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from ...

So little in that big bed! My sweet friend Amanda made the adorable blanket and pillow for me, and she's in the middle of making the bumper for me too. I love my crafty friends! PS. The garden is officially planted. Wow, this is going to be interesting to say the least.

I gon'dun planted me a garden! That's right folks, Fitzpatrick Farms will soon be up and running. I'd like to note that the truck and rake in this photo were used by Farmer Ben to help Mark with the diggin'. Also notice the luscious pumpkin plants we already have blooming. The plot might not look like much now, but by the end of this weekend we'll have planted all of the following (and I'm not making this up. This is what happens when Mark goes to the nursery for me. I love it!!): Watermelon, strawberries, eggplant, corn, spinach, lettuce, two different types of onion, carrots, three different types of tomato, cucumbers, squash, pepperoncinnis, jalapenos, basil, bananamelon (yes, I said bananamelon), some other kind of melon I can't think of the name of, soybeans, peas, and a pepper Ben picked out called chocolate something or other. I think that's everything. Laugh if you will, but come harvest time you'll be lining up for a salad fresh from our ga...