Fighting Hunger with Hairnets

Meals from the Heartland is a fabulous organization where thousands of volunteers come together to package meals that are then sent to countries that need help. On Sat. I was supposed to meet with a group of spouses from our school spouse club, but there were too many people and we didn't meet up. Luckily I went with Megan and Jessica and we had a blast packaging meals and rocking our awesome hairnets.

First the food is measured into the bags...

Then the food is weighed, the bags are sealed...

And wa-la, the final product...

We then packed 36 meals into a box and they are ready to go. An entire family is fed from one meal bag for a couple of days. In 4 days over 4,000,000 meals were packaged. I think it is amazing what people can do when they come together.

Going this weekend made me think a lot about how blessed I am. I have never been truly hungry, or have ever had to wonder where my next meal will come from. I can't even comprehend what it would be like to literally have nothing. I am so blessed to live in a nation of abundance. I also believe that where much is given much is required and I hope I can always be looking for ways to serve and share.

Because I Have Been Given Much is one of my favorite church hymns. I loved that when I was on a mission it was one of the few hymns translated into Romanian. It is a great reminder to acknowledge that truly everything we have comes from a loving Heavenly Father, and when we feel that love it makes us want to serve others.

Because I have been given much, I too must give

Because of they great bounty Lord each day I live

I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see,

who has the need of help from me...

Because I have been sheltered fed, by thy good care,

I cannot see another's lack and I not share,

My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof safe's shelter overhead

That he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love dear Lord,

I'll share that love again according to thy word,

I shall give love to those in need, and show that love by word and deed,

Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

Are you ready for the game tonight?

Caden is.

Go Cougs!

Kidnapping Daddy

Having a baby makes it a little tricky to be spontaneous! But this afternoon after Ethan woke up from his nap I just felt like we needed to get out of the house. So we put on our shoes and drove to Clark's school, we snuck in and kidnapped him from the parking lot right before he got in his car to come home. After a long day of clinic and a test, I think he was happy to see us.

We went for a little treat at Nan's Nummies (the amazing cupcake place that my friend Margaret just showed me was already closed).

I love that above Ethan's head the window says, "delightful." He was delighted by his Spongebob cookie!

Our attempt at a family picture.

Then we headed to the park for a little more fun.

Duckboy take me away...

This looks like fun right? All 3 boys sliding down at the same time...

But we quickly discovered that slides just aren't very slippery when it is humid outside and your skin is sticky. If you listen closely you can hear all 3 boys yell "ow" at the end.

A Boy and His Disciplined Dog

Today while I was cleaning the kitchen, I could hear Ethan playing with his animals in the living room. All of the sudden I heard him yell, "no Josephina, no! You have to sit in the chair for 2 minutes." He then waited a second and made a beep sound like our kitchen timer. Then Josephina could join the rest of the animals and play again.

Oh dear, maybe we are doing too many time-outs around here?!

This cute brown dog is actually Clark's childhood stuffed animal named Joseph. One night Clark was still at school when it was time to tuck Ethan into bed, and he was rather sad that his Dad wasn't home to say good-night. I told him that since Joseph was his dad's dog, if he hugged Joseph it would be just like hugging Daddy. Ever since then Joseph has become a favorite and has to be in Ethan's bed everynight.

Poor Joseph, he has been through the washer a few too many times, and Clark was quite dismayed to find out his soft brown nose is peeling away to be a hard plastic pink! We tried to take Joseph away from the bedtime routine to protect him through this next generation...but NO WAY! He is loved too much. And in case you are wondering why Ethan calls him Josephina (or Josapina as he says it)...one day I accidentally called him Josephina, it just came out...and it stuck. Ethan now adds "phina" to the end of many names...Mommaphina, Cadenphina, etc. Poor Clark felt like I was trying to feminize his childhood.

BUMBO

My mom asked the other day if Caden could sit in his Bumbo chair yet...

And the answer is yes, he quite enjoys watching me do the dishes from his little seat.

He was fascinated with the little monkeys on the feet of his cute jammies.

Freezing Time

If I could freeze time right now I would. I love Ethan's 2 year old spunk, and I love Caden's 3 month old grins.

I think this little photo shoot of the brothers captured my boys pretty well:

First Shot: Both boys a little confused.

Second Shot: Ethan hamming it up for the camera and Caden saying, "really mom?"

Third Shot: Ethan goes in for the kiss, Caden is not amused.

Fourth Shot: Brotherly love.

Ever since Caden was born I feel like my time just flies. Both Ethan and Caden have changed so much in the last 3 months. It's fun to watch them learn new things and develop, but I love them just the way they are right now and want them to just stay there a minute so I can enjoy it longer.

I love watching Ethan learn how to use his language skills. The way he constructs sentences is pretty creative. I love that Caden will burst into a full body grin any time I say his name and smile at him. It is just so fun being a mom to these cute brothers.

3 Months

A few pictures that Grammy Tammy requested of a cute 3 month old. Definitely a growing, happy boy!

Accentuates his mohawk.

All pictured out...

Until...

Daddy comes home!