Adison-ism

Right before I turned off the light in her room tonight:

Mama? When I get a husband I'm gonna tell him how we snuggled together when I was a little girl and I'm gonna ask him if we can get a house close to you after we get married.

Easter 2012

We could not have asked for a more beautiful day to celebrate Easter. Sunny, cool breeze, high of just about 70.  We had a wonderful time at church followed by some delicious pancakes at Courtney's. Easter is always such a great reminder to get some good family pictures and this year I'm just blown away by how old Adison and Cole are getting. When I look at them I feel like I can see the future a little, their faces are starting to take on that big-kid look which is both exciting and sad at the same time.

I love the pictures of the two of them. They really do love each other. They aren't mushy about it. They aren't particularly tender to each other a whole lot but they play together a lot and they laugh together a LOT. Pictures like this remind me of the deep bond they have for one another, no matter how many little disputes or spats they might have during the day. I'm so thankful for that, and so aware that it is God's goodness to me and them, because I'm simply not a good enough parent to create that. I'm enjoying every moment of this time in their lives. Young enough to still want to do things with their parents and old enough to do some really fun things like take them on trips and play games and eat at nice restaurants. Kevin and I have really enjoyed watching them take on some of the things he and I enjoy so much. Every year of parenting has its new set of challenges, but it has double that in rewards.

Adison-ism

"Mama? Do you have to agree to get a husband? (It usually works better that way). Did Daddy ask you or did you ask Daddy to get married? (Daddy asked me). Because he found someone reeeaaaaallly pretty and he wanted to ask you, right?"

Then she turned the conversation to what she calls "getting a baby".

Debut

What better day than Valentine's Day to debut the People Feeder Carine sent. Look at it. Ready to vomit M&M's at a moments notice. Can you think of anything better? Well maybe if you could put fondue in there...

The Way He Thinks..

...is so cute. I don't know what a film book is, but I am 100% sure he does and is going about it in the precise way one should go about making one. I also love that he reminds himself that this is a reminder note. Because you have to label things. Everything, specifically.

Special Time

Adison has preschool Monday through Thursday mornings, so Friday she is home with me all day. We do one special thing every friday -- it usually revolves around eating (like the picture, where we are at the Cupcake Shoppe). I have to admit it's not always easy to stop what I have planned for the day to do whatever 'special' thing Adison has in mind, but when I do I'm always glad that I did. Time passes much too quickly and it's really hard for me to let go of my to-do list but it only takes a moment to realize that after this year my daughter will be in a public school more than she is with me during the week. It's a good reminder to try to keep developing our relationship, teach her what I want her to know, and just enjoy this funny, chatty, crazy, animated little girl that is Adison.

Cole-ism

Yesterday as we drove out of the parking lot at Cole's school, the following dialogue occurred:

Me: Cole, look, there's Katarina from your class.

Cole: (rolls down the window) Hey Katarina!!..... It's just a rental car!!

It is indeed, just a rental car. Ours is in the shop having the transmission worked on. But it just struck me as so funny that of all the things he could shout, that is what he decided to go with. All matter of fact, like perhaps Katarina was really worried about where our other car is, even though she probably has no idea what our car looks like.

Adison-ism

Overheard as I lay in bed listening to them play this morning: "The snake POISONS all the people who don't love God!"

I guess that's one way to do it. Perhaps we should review The Beatitudes this morning.

Making the Most of It.

This winter has been so unbelievably mild. On the one hand, I desperately miss the freezing temperatures, frost, and the tease of a possible snow. But these mild afternoons where the kids spend almost the entire day outside are certainly nice.

Adison is getting better and better on her bike and we've started taking rides around the neighborhood. She is so funny on these rides. First, she has to have something in her basket. HAS to. And if it shifts during a bump she will stop and get everything back in order. She is so obsessed with it she once lost control of her bike and fell off trying to "fix doggy". Second, she talks. And talks. And talks. And if you don't feel like talking to her? Not a problem. She's more than happy to chat to herself in a sing songy little voice. Hills are a problem. She hoofed it up this one pretty well today.

Cole on the other hand is pure speed. He's getting really good about following the rules of the road/sidewalk. I'm more comfortable letting him go farther ahead when Adison is talking/adjusting/peddling. He and I have biked up to the grocery store and that was a lot of fun. I love creating these active family times and just hope that as they get older rides like this will still be something they enjoy doing together.

Letting Go and Starting Fresh

I've struggled to keep up with my blog in 2011. I've consistently been behind, and I often panic thinking I've let some moment or memory or picture fall into the digital storage world somewhere on some disk in some box. It's been hard to always be behind, but I am determined to keep it up. The kids will pull out the blog books every now and then, and look through the pictures or even read the entries and those moments of them discovering and remembering what happened in the past are so special. I love looking through them myself, and in those times of reading them I realize it's precicely why I do it. Because I forget a lot of the "little" things. Those moments in the day, or the details surrounding maybe a bigger memory that's become a little hazy. So it's actually January 7th, 2012 as I type this. I've decided to blog the last few "big" moments I'm behind on. A few trips, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Somewhere on the computer and my phone camera are a lot of pictures and moments that probably should have been recorded. But I can't be behind anymore. I have to cut my losses, and start afresh in 2012, ready to do something every week and let myself be free from what I know I will never fully recapture. A part of me is sad to let those moments go, to let them slide. But there's also such a great and exciting freedom to forgive yourself for what you wish you would have done and just start fresh, and embrace a new start. A fresh slate. Instead of feeling guilty on how much I've missed and fallen behind, it makes me excited to blog again. So here we go.

Christmas 2011

Christmas morning is the best morning. Excitement and pj's and all sitting around on the floor together. We had a wonderful morning together. Here are the snapshots. Cole is constantly asking for his back to be scratched. We decided to put the power in his hands this year.

Kevin is giddy because I got him a gift card to Five Hole to get a nice hockey stick.

It just wouldn't be Christmas without some crazy picture Kevin takes of himself...

Mattix Family Christmas 2011

It was strange having such a small group for Christmas time this year, and we definitely missed having Dean, Micah and their families with us. I was worried it might be a bit of a bummer day, but it was a really fun afternoon over at Mom & Dad's. We had a nice Christmas brunch after church, with enough food to feed our family, Dean & Micah's family (if they decided to attend spur of the moment) and probably 2 more families on top of that. There was a ton. And it was all so good. Everyone arrived in their Church/Christmas finest

Dad & Rocky told the Christmas story, and then the adults took turns reading the scripture.

There was a wild opening of presents

And of course the eating. Mom always does such a cute job of decorating the tables.

Spillman Christmas 2011

As usual, it's always such fun when the whole Spillman Clan gets together. Here are the highlights: Cole, Ryan and Adam reading the Christmas Story from the Bible.

Adison and I singing along to Silent Night

Lots of present opening.

Fletcher/Grandaddy couldn't figure out why he was getting so many Barnes & Noble gift cards. Surprise! Nancy/Nana got him a Nook.

David found and completely refinished this beautiful table for his parents. It was painted and he stripped it and stained it! Turned out beautiful.

It was a wonderful day of time together. Including some amazing desserts David & Christi made and brought. The only thing missing was Scott & family. Julia had come down with a stomach bug. They were missed!

A Moment In The Day

Working Daddy's Soduku puzzle and doing this cute little scratch he does on his head all the time.

50 Years

Fletcher & Nancy celebrated 50 years of marriage to each other and we threw a little party. There just isn't enough space on this blog for me to explain how special these two are to me and our family. I love that these snapshots capture the love and fun they have together. I'm thankful Kevin & I have that example to look to as we work toward our own 50 years together.