GB turned one yesterday. Our last little boy is growing up so fast. He still lives up to his reputation as a Good Baby. He is fun and adventurous and moving at the speed of light. He likes to get into cupboards and find whatever he shouldn't have.
He is a little more of a cuddler and seems to like stuff animals. So for his birthday Brandi found a huge, super soft stuffed dog at Sam's Club and we gave it to him yesterday. I would say that he definitely liked it.
He is such a blessing. It's been a very crazy and sometimes tough year, but Gabe has definitely been a shining light of fun and happiness during all of it. Happy birthday little man.
The weather was perfect. The sun was a little bright, but the fields were in great shape and we were able to find some shade. A bag of sunflower seeds, our camping chairs, some crackers for GB and waters all around. We were ready for some baseball!
Little league anyway.
Hunter and Jacob are on the same team this year (praise God!) which is so nice. Coach Dirk is great! He is very encouraging and positive, and the kids are really learning a lot. Awesome stuff.
The first game was last Saturday. Both of the boys struggled a bit. I think it was just first game jitters. We went down to the park Sunday afternoon and practiced hitting. They were both in the groove last night, Hunter was three for three and Jacob was two for two.
Granny and Papa were able to come out and watch the fun. It is so great to have them both out here now!
Anyway, a good time was had by all. The other team was pretty good. Definitely some good hitters there, but after the pitcher hit one kid and struck out half a dozen others (yes, it is coach pitch :) I think we took home the victory.
I haven't quite worked out the kinks of taking pictures or video with my new phone, but here is Hunter. The very next pitch went into right field.
I am way behind on my family blogging, so I thought I would start with the latest thing that has happened, which also happens to be the best. :)
Last night, my sweet wife and I had the INCREDIBLE privilege of baptizing our son Hunter. He has been asking to be baptized for months now. We've talked with him a lot about it. We went through scriptures. We went to the baptism class.
I really had some concerns because he is so young. But it's really not complicated, even though we always try to make it that way.
It was a great thing. GREAT thing! Praise God!
Today I got to be the storyteller for the K -4th grade classes at the 10:30 and 12 services. We talked about honoring Jesus OUT LOUD.
This is my son, Hunter, honoring Jesus OUT LOUD!
There is something very special about being a parent and having this special moment. I remember my own father baptizing me nearly 20 years ago. Awesome God stuff.
Hunter said when he came out of the water he felt so lite! I picked him up. He was!
God bless you my son. May God guide you throughout your life. I am so proud that you are my son. I love you so much! Thanks for letting mommy and I share this with you.
I woke up last night as Brandi was sitting up. She was in a lot of pain and was holding the side of her head. "It felt like a bug crawled in my ear!" she said and got up, obviously in pain. I got up and checked on her, she said she could hear a popping or gurgling sound and was in a tremendous amount of pain. You know we live in the internet age, because the first thing I did was go to webmd and see what I could find out. Not too much. It sounded like maybe she had a serious ear infection that had caused her ear drum to rupture. She had a little blood in her ear and shooting pains. I finally called our doctor and talked to the "on call doctor" who said that if she couldn't get comfortable and wait until morning that we needed to go to the ER or Urgent Care.
Things seemed to get better but she was having pain off and on all night. Finally this morning we got an appointment with the PA and Brandi went in. On the way there she put in her praise CD and practiced for kids' large group tomorrow where she is supposed to lead worship. The pain came back tremendously and she was very grateful that she was headed to the doctor's office.
When she got there the PA took a look and was quite surprised to find... an earwig. No, not hair in her ear. A bug. We use to call them pincher bugs because they have a pincer on their tail. Brandi always called them earwigs. The PA was able to remove it and get this, it was still alive. Brandi was TOTALLY wigging out (pun intended). They gave her some antibiotic drops and checked the other ear. Everything is fine now. The PA said she had NEVER seen that before.
Yes we get our house sprayed for bugs regularly from a reputable company (although I think I will be switching now).
Brandi stopped by the store and picked up and extra large pack of ear plugs. I guess she isn't taking any chances.
Think about this video as you go to bed tonight, I know I will, I've been thinking of this ever since she came home and told me. Skip ahead to 8:20 if you don't want to wait.. Pleasant dreams. :)
I came home tonight to a quiet house. The kids are all pooped. They were sitting like lumps in front of the T.V. watching cartoons when I got home. They definitely are missing the cousins. I think over the next couple of days they are going to be very sad. B and I will be sad as well because both of the girls were an especially BIG help with the baby. Not to mention the fact that it was really great to see all of the cousins playing together so nicely. They definitely formed some bonds this year.
Check out a couple more pics and a video. Josh is describing a sword fighting game that I let the kids play at AJ's. Good stuff. Memorable moments. A bunch of great kids.
I know the pictures have been getting rave reviews (mainly because of the ADORABLE children in them), but I'm afraid these ones leave a lot to be desired. They were taken from my phone because I forgot the camera. Bummer.
Anyway, round two is a lot like round one. A movie, pools, and of course Amazing Jake's last night. Faith opted out because she had plans with friend of hers. B stayed home with the baby. So it was just me and the four boys! We got their about 4 and left when they closed at 9:30.
Needless to say I'm a little sore this morning.
We are going to another pool this evening for a sunset swim from 6-8.
The kids have been having a really good time playing together. I get the feeling my kids are going to be really bummed when the cousins leave.
