Boating

On Sunday we went out on the boat with Caleb, Carmen & Cole Coston, Caleb's sister Miriam, Carm's brother Matt, and Good Old Mo, the dog. It was lots of fun and the boys loved it!

I'm in for it...

How do I teach Shiloh that's it's ok to throw a ball, but not his bat? Or that it's ok to play catch with Mommy, but not ok to throw toys at me when he wants to play? How do I teach him that it's ok to wrestle with Daddy, but he has to be gentle with the kids in the nursery? How do I teach him that signing please is good when he wants something, but not when it's accompanied by screaming? How do I teach him that it's ok to climb onto the dining room chairs, but not onto the table, and ok to climb onto the rocker, but not onto the tv stand, and ok to climb onto the couch but not onto the tv?

These are all things that I've experienced today. But when he toddles over to me with that big grin on his face and wraps his arms around my neck, it really doesn't seem to matter that my work is cut out for me. That little hug makes it all worth it.

I think I'm in for it over the next few years... :)

Happy 1st Birthday!

Today Shiloh turned 1 year old! I can't believe how fast time has flown. He seems like such a big boy now. We had a little party for him with Uncle Jordan & Aunt Sue and Uncle Seth & Aunt Bethany, and I made my first attempt at decorating a birthday cake (aside from the disaster I made for Mom when I was about 10...) It was a far from perfect surfboard, but I think it at least resembled what it was supposed to... :) Shiloh - we love you and pray you will grow up to love the Lord with all your heart. We're so excited to see who you'll grow up to be.

Weddings!

On Saturday, Izaak, Shiloh and I attended the wedding of one of the most wonderful people in the whole wide world, Melanie Aynes. Melanie and I were roommates for 3 years at Northland, and I am so thankful for our friendship. She's been like a sister to me, and has been an amazing encourager, entertainer, and shoulder to cry on. I love her so much. She married the man of her dreams, Chad Vradenburgh, and we're so excited for them. The wedding was perfect.

I Can See!

We decided we better trim Shiloh's hair a little; it was pretty much in his eyes all the time. I really didn't want to cut it since it looks so cute shaggy, so I just trimmed the front. Now it's a little dorky - when it's straight down he looks a little like an Amish dude, but I think it will be ok in a week or two... we'll see! Here are the before and after pics.