Our sweet Natalee has had a rough few weeks. I don't know if it's personality, age, emotions, or a combination of all of these but things have been hard.
Above all else, we want our children to
1. know Jesus.
2. know we love them more than anything in this world.
Natalee and I needed a time to slip away and chat, mom to growing young lady, so this morning I asked her if she wanted to go with me to the coffee shop in the town neighboring ours and have breakfast before church. Changes to routine, especially surprise changes, are not easy, but she accepted the invite and we quickly got ourselves out the door.
We're so grateful for the local coffee shop that gave us the opportunity to go "out" but stay close to home. Natalee had hot chocolate and pancakes and I had a delicious mint dark chocolate coffee (or something...I trusted the sweet gal to make it and it was so yummy!) and french toast.
I love this girl so much. I pray she is able to really internalize that and never question how precious she is to us.
Babies + bear suits + bare feet = good grief they're adorable...
Hello, friend...
Our mothers are insane...
Ah, our moms put our ear hoods up. Here, let me yank this down...
Want me to get yours, Teddy?
Teddy was being particularly photogenic...
Teddy is making this new face - so hard to catch on camera but I finally did...keep scrolling...
...almost caught it...
Bam! Wrinkly nose, pursed lips, and those eyebrows. He's hilarious.
We also got to keep Teddy on Friday while his parents were away. Such a sweetie boy...
Teddy is a snuggly boy.
Grandma came after work to rock babies, help entertain, and make sure everyone was happy and properly spoiled. Papa also came for supper and Mia said we were having a party! (She put on lipstick for Papa!)
Turns out Teddy is a FISH in the tub...he lays and splashes and seems to be drowning but never actually is. He is a water lover!
Almost bedtime...waiting for Mama and Dada.
It was a joy to be asked to watch such a precious little person. Teddy is getting quite a personality and we love being part of his life!
Xavier had his karate belt test this Saturday. He tested with 2 other classmates, one who was also testing for an intermediate belt, and the other who was testing for an advanced white belt.
I had chatted with his Sensei about what to expect from this test and she was certain that if Xavier could focus his eyes and mind he could pass. We talked a lot at home about this and about how when his eyes and mind aren't focused his kicks and punches are completely off. He also practiced hard at home!
I have to say, I was so proud of him. Twila sat in front and gave an
instruction, sometimes and explanation, and Xavier knew what she was talking about and what to do automatically. I
was nervous that he'd watch the other students to know what to do
but he actually ended up slightly in front of the other two for a
majority of the test and was able to performed very well on his own, focusing his attention completely on his teacher.
I could tell how hard he was working to focus and do his best. Only
once did I ever see his eyes stray to me as I was taking pictures, but
without me shaking my head he collected himself and turned right back
for instruction.
Can I also just say I think he's completely adorable in his karategi? I know he's being all tough, but shoot, he's cute.
When it came time for the bag work portion of the test, Twila gave the boys boxing gloves. The gloves were part of what they earned upon successfully passing their test and earning their belt.
After the test was over Xavier came and had Mike help him take his gloves off and he turned to me and said "I have to give them back. I only earn them if I pass." Sweet boy. So, even though knowing that Twila wouldn't have ever "dangled" them in front of him if he hadn't passed, we told him to give them back, because he was right, he had not been told that he'd earned them yet.
Alas, however, he had passed. He was so excited!
He also got to break a board. This wasn't a requirement to pass his test, but it was awesome.
Daddy is not so secretly jealous that Xavier gets to do these lessons. Mike would love to work toward a black belt. Time...such a scarce thing for my hard working handsome hubby.
Twila does a wonderful job of making Xavier's karate instruction be meaningful as a family. Daddy got to hold his board to break and I got to tighten his new belt.
Xavier, we're so proud of you.
Sensei Twila, thank you so much for the devotion you've poured into our son and family. We're thankful for you.
{And we celebrated with bad fast food...because, kids!}
