4 Weeks, busy

No posts lately because we have a lot going on here. This is a quick run down of what the last few weekends have looked like - in the last four weeks we have made two trips to Orlando (once to see friends, and the second to see family and watch the space shuttle Atlantis launch), had grandparents visit for a few days, and provided respite care (aka babysitting) for another foster family. This weekend we are providing the babysitting for another foster family so they could make a trip over this holiday weekend.

One of our favorite things to do as a family is swim. Both children are great in the water. Jasper has absolutely no fear of nearly anything. And has completely fallen in love with the pool. Here is a quick video of his favorite activity - jumping in the water - he can do it for an hour straight with no breaks. Notice how great of a job he does swimming back up to the top.





On top of this, I'm dreaming up a new blog. So keep a lookout for a new and improved site.

In the meantime, here are some more photos of the children.

Petra loves to hold babies. The only problem is that the baby in our house is as big as she is. It didn't seem to matter much to either of them though.

A few moments of "playa" at Coco Beach, FL.

Gymnastics class - Petra on the beam and both of them working on their handstands.

Shuttle Atlantis launch.

In Kissimmee, Florida with family.

An increasingly not so rare moment, both the children quiet and "reading" to themselves.

Petra graduated to a toddler bed. Oh the thrills of being able to get up on your own.

This is not our toy. Just wanted to be sure everyone knew that. But its the neighbor's contraption and our children do love it. Petra thinks she is hot stuff in this jeep.

And....

Stopping

I am consistently awed by the joy and life our children bring to our home. Even through the tears and whining, which there is more than enough, in no time the sweet soft voice of my daughter quickly pierces my heart. Or the smiles and kisses from my son melt me.

Last night I struggled, tired and achy. The children whined and begged for my undivided attention. Sweet voices declared “hold me mommy” and echoed through our walls. I continuously struggle to find the best way to balance my work in the home, with the constant requests for love and attention. I can’t pour boiling water in the sink and hold a toddler. And I haven’t mastered one handed egg cracking skills. The kitchen needs to be cleaned, the dinner needs to be made, and my children need to be held, loved and instructed.

Do I stop? Do I set everything aside when he sweetly brings me a book to read to him? I find myself throughout the day telling myself to just stop. And I remind myself a few minutes delay in dinner is a small price to pay for the gifts of parenting. What I’ve realized is I’m still learning and will be a life-long leaner. I feel completely unprepared for balancing efficiency in my home with parenting our toddlers. I never seem to know when to stop and when not.

The evening we spent together - resting in chairs outside in the fresh air, reading books, tending plants, and watching a movie with popcorn. I headed to bed tired and exhausted. Rest was all I wanted. A break from the crying, tears and persistent requests a mommy gets. I quietly lay in bed and think about everything I failed to get done. And then in a hushed tone, my husband says “what a wonderful evening,” and I pause and push everything on my to-do list aside to appreciate the evening and gifts from God that I had missed.