Life in the Burbs

The boys and I got a surprise visit from a cute visitor yesterday morning. We sat and watched him (or her) for a long time before I had the sense to go get the camera. I was hoping to capture Sam saying (repeatedly), “The bunny’s eating yummies!” Maybe next time. For now, you will just have to settle for a shot of the bunny.

I know this has nothing to do with the theme of our blog, but I couldn’t help but share.

Borrowed from http://graphjam.com/2010/04/28/funny-graphs-simple-math/

Ever since our trip to Branson, when Sam and Nate got to see the Chinese Acrobats, they have been obsessed with being acrobats (or, as they say, bebebats). In general, any activity that requires running, jumping, climbing or tumbling is an acrobat move. Nate is giving an example below:

Today they took their skills to another level by performing somersaults. Personally, I was quite impressed. Then again, I think everything they do is amazing and worthy of sharing with the entire world. One thing that worries me about this however, is how many trips to the ER we will take if this acrobat phase persists. Right now it’s pretty harmless, but pretty soon they will want to impress girls and there is no telling what they will do. Anyway, watch and be dazzled.

This is just a preview for a longer, more detailed post coming up later this week.

In case Sam and Nate decide to complain about anything, I will always have this blog post to refer to.

Baby Bike Seats Then

(I just found this on the Web, by the way. I don’t know these people)

Baby Bike Seats Now

Video Games Then

Video Games Now

Jungle Gyms Then

Jungle Gyms Now

Of course, some things will never change.

As the weather turns warmer, the days grow longer and the world turns greener, here’s to the timeless tradition of having fun.

This video shows only Sam singing, but it won’t belong before both boys are singing a duet. Then it will be me accompanying them on the guitar. Then we’ll recruit Mommy and we’ll sing doo-wop to back her up. Then this blog will just become a big advertisement for our smash hit album. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming … But for now, you get Sam singing an a cappella solo.

Don’t let the picture fool you. We’re not even close, but assuming the position on the potty while Daddy reads a story is a step in the right direction. And the reward? One mini marshmallow each. Well worth the effort in a two-year old’s economy.

Well, as of this week, Sam and Nate can both tell you where they were born. This all started because one of their favorite books has a picture of the Virginia monument from the Gettysburg battlefield, and I would always say, “That’s where you were born,” when we got to that page. Eventually, they would say, “Virginia,” (or some variation thereof) when we got to that page. You can hear for yourself in the video below.

I guess this sums up our last couple of months. Thanks, Tagxedo, for the cool word cloud.

This Easter we got to celebrate the risen Lord together at church, which was actually our third Easter together as a family. Our first Easter together was also the boys’ first time to attend church, so it was extra special. This Easter was special, as well, because the boys got to wear their outfits that GiGi made for them.

We invited our friends, the Pease’s, to church and lunch at our house. Ken and I also hid eggs all over the backyard for the kids to hunt for (even though many of the eggs weren’t actually hidden). The boys are still trying to figure out how the whole Easter egg hunt works, so Jordan (the oldest child) got most of the eggs. One thing Nate has figured out is that each egg has candy in it, so he wanted to open each egg the second he found it and eat the candy. This isn’t exactly how it’s supposed to work, but it worked for Nate because he ate a ton of candy before we even sat down for lunch.

We feel so blessed to be able to celebrate Easter with each other and with good friends. More than the candy or hunting for Easter eggs or playing with friends or wearing cute outfits, we love Easter because it’s a time to stop and reflect on our true source of life, Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect life among imperfect people, willingly suffered and died a brutal death to pay the price for our sins, and he rose from the grave to prove that he can not only conquer death but forgive our sins. The life and hope that Jesus showed us on that morning is available to each of us today. I have no idea where Gina and I would be without Jesus, and our deepest desire for Sam and Nate is that they will come to love and trust him for everything. May God’s love, mercy and grace, that was perfectly demonstrated through Jesus, be made real to you on this Easter.