T-ball Recap

We just wrapped up Noah's second season of t-ball.  

T-ball is fun for the kids to play and especially fun for us as parents to watch. 

It's a bit of a comic routine sometimes, but it's also great to see improvement from the beginning of the season to the end. 

This season Noah's hitting improved a LOT, and he's faster than ever running around the bases. 

 

He's also starting to be much more aware of what's going on in the field. 

Making his first out was a big deal, and Noah was so proud of himself.

 

 Number 5 is Noah's friend Drew.  He was so excited when he got to second base, looked over, and saw his buddy on the other team.

 He also thought it was pretty great when Nate filled in as a base running coach a time or two.

Being a Nationals fan for a few months sure was fun.  Noah is learning it's o.k. to fail. He's understanding that getting better at something takes practice -- lots of practice.  I love that he's learning to play a sport and be active. 

Two Years Later

A week or so ago as I was cleaning up the house Noah called from the kitchen table, "Mom, how do you spell died?"  I provided the letters and he continued on with his artwork.  A few minutes later he brought me this:

When I asked this sweet, sometimes old soul to explain it he first read the words.  "I wrote Papa died."  He showed me Papa's smile, how he was laying in 'the box' and the beautiful green grass all around.

I couldn't help but ask more:  So why is he smiling?  Noah's answer was simple: because he's in Heaven now with Jesus, and he's going to be resurrected again so he's happy about that.

And what are these beautiful creations all around Papa?  They're fireworks.  Because when Papa comes back it's going to be fun.

I cried.  It was just a moment full of a lot of love from a five year old who sure has a lot of faith combined with his growing knowledge of the Plan of Salvation.

I miss my dad.

I miss him every single day.

Today marks two years since his passing.

In those two years there have been hundreds of times when I just wished he could be here to help me, but mostly I just want him here still to love me and our family.  His six foot, four inch frame enveloped me when we hugged.  I think I miss that the most.

For the first six months or so after his passing Dad would show up in my dreams a lot.  In the beginning I could never see his face.  He was always there walking in the mall with me or we were having a meal together, but I couldn't see him.  Finally, there were a few dreams where I got to see and interact with him, and then it all stopped.  Those dreams were gifts.

I'm thankful that in two years the more recent memories of Dad being horribly debilitated physically by Parkinson's and mentally by Lewy-Body Dementia have been replaced by images of the decades of good times we had together when his body and mind were whole.

 He was good.  He was smart.  He just about always let me 'help' him.

He loved God and his family so, SO fiercely.

And, Noah's right.  When all of that is restored one day it is going to be fun.  

April's Bits

We took advantage of April's awesome spring weather and went on lots of walks, especially on Sunday evenings.

It's amazing how much beauty (and poison oak) there is all around us within just a ten minute drive!

Joy School was close to home for a couple of weeks so we walked to school.

It made me excited for kindergarten next year and taking this walk more regularly...if we can get out the door in time!

 I love these unprompted moments when I can tell how much they love each other as I watch their interactions and listen to conversation.   Well, and there's also Luke screaming because his little legs just can't keep up with Noah's yet, and Noah knows and loves that he's faster.

Noah and Luke are Uno addicts!  They ask to play just about every day.  Thank goodness for grandparents who will play with them too, because I can only lose so many times!  Those boys have some crazy, good luck with this game.

I teamed up with Leah though and we won four games in a row!

 It's also nice that when I've reached Uno burnout, these game obsessed boys will settle for playing on their own.  Or, in this case, they each included their bears in the fun.

Nate got home from work one day, changed, and Noah proudly dressed himself in Dad's clothes.

Luke likes to request that I take pictures at all kinds of random places, including the grocery store and Old Navy.

 So why does he look grumpy in both of these pictures?  Love him, but there sure is a lot of emotion squeezed into that little body.

Here's a smile!  Noah headed off to a birthday party so to soften the jealousy a little he and I (and my always darling accessory Leah) went on an ice cream date.  Luke was so sweet and made sure to hold the door open for me "because we're on a date Mom!"

 We squeezed all of the kids into the tub for bath time.  Leah's little legs just kicked with excitement as she hung out with her two favorites.

 Noah is very into creating and art right now.  We're going through scotch tape by the yards and paper by the ream.  But it's so fun seeing what he comes up with.

I came to check on his work and found him making a compass. 

 He's also likes writing his first and last name right now.  Next up, little boy, is lowercase letters.

FIVE Months

Leah is FIVE months old!

Life with you has been sweet from the beginning, but, oh Leah, it's starting to get FUN!

You sure can be smiley, especially first thing in the morning.  You kick with excitement when we come to get you out of your crib.

In fact, your little legs seem to always be kicking: at bath time, when you see your brothers run by, and especially when it's time to eat.   When it comes to playing you keep yourself busy for a little while, but for now, you definitely prefer interaction with someone.

Your brothers have both stepped up to be 'babysitters' a lot this month so I can actually get something done every once in a while.

Noah likes to make up songs to sing to you about how much he loves you.  He specifically requested a picture with you in the rocking chair.  How could I say no?

You are rolling over, rotating around to different directions and enjoying seeing the world from a perspective that is something other than being flat on your back. 

Your hands are always in your mouth.  People often comment that you're teething, but there's no sign of teeth yet.

You have loved having your hands in your mouth literally from the beginning.  But now that your coordination is improving we're quite impressed that you can nearly get a whole hand in there (just like I did at your age).

You found your feet!  Oh, it's one of my most favorite baby steps for a little one. 

It's like you discovered a couple of new toys that are always within reach. 

You love wearing dresses.  I think that has less to do with personal style and more to do with how easily they are to grab and get into your mouth.  Either way, it's fun to finally be putting a little one into dresses for church, especially this one from 1979 when I was a baby.

You have made peace with your car seat.  Thank goodness!  Rides are definitely more pleasant and we've even been able to go on walks together.  Hurray for growing up!

This month the reality of you being the last baby sunk in with greater weight than it has before.   Thank you for indulging me with extra snuggles in the middle of the night after you've been fed.  I really should be heading back to bed sooner, but I just can't help but savor and soak in the quiet, alone moments we have together.

By the way, you are a really good snuggler.  I love how one of your hands likes to always hold on to or gently squeeze me.  And your favorite way to relax right before falling asleep is to press your cheek next to mine.

The last few weeks my thoughts have turned back to a year ago, when you were just a tiny thing growing inside my body.  It was the beginning of so many difficult, disabling weeks.  Never before had my body just come to a halt and been unable to get me through a day.  It was a dark, difficult time that seems so much less so now because of the sunshine YOU bring to our family each day.  What a difference a year makes!  And, oh my, it was so worth it to go through that challenge a year ago to have YOU here with us!

MARCH

May I present our randoms from March:

Nate spent the first two weeks out of town, so there was lots of texting and using FaceTime.

Life IS incredibly busy right now, but Nate has managed to squeeze in a bike ride or two.

He's also doing his very best to squeeze in as much time as possible with his favorite boys.

I was at a Women's Conference so Nate combined two of the boys favorite things for a perfect outing: the park and Panda Express.

The three of them worked ever so diligently to turn our entire family room into a tunneled fort.

 

 Both boys are into adjusting the filters on the camera, so Luke chose black and white.

Is Nate looking particularly svelte to anyone besides me?  He's worked his tail off at work AND at getting in shape.  In fact, he's in the lead to win the busy season weight loss competition at work.

Nate and Noah stepped away from Kate's birthday party for a little while and climbed the steep slope in their backyard for the first time.  I love this sweet boy's proud smile.

Noah is still loving Joy School.  

One day he came home one day with a 'Ferrari' which was complete with a spoiler that he had added to 'customize' his car. 

I loved that he couldn't wait to give Luke a chance to drive it.

A sweet leprechaun in the form of my friend Wendy dropped a box of Lucky Charms on our porch the night before St. Patrick's Day.  This tired mom was so thankful that all it took was a drop of green food coloring in the bottom of the bowl (to magically turn the milk green) and some special cereal to make these boys feel like we had celebrated the day.

Does she look like me at all???  I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "Well, she certainly is a Boyce!" I kind of love it.  I already have a mini-me in the form of Noah, so it's fun seeing a little one in our family having her Dad's features, especially in the eyes.