Our Happy Little Man

Last week Benson turned 8 months old! I can hardly believe it. It doesn't really seem all that long ago that I was lying in a Moroccan hospital wondering if we'd had a boy or a girl (they didn't tell me right away, I had to find out when Joey finally got to see me again - 3 hours later!!!) Time sure does fly!

Benson is growing up like crazy. He is officially a mover when he sleeps. He fell of the bed yesterday for the first time. I guess that means he'll have to start taking naps in a crib. He is sitting up just great and seems anxious for movement. We got him a good old school walker at goodwill a few days ago. He doesn't quite know what to do with it, but he's figuring it out.

The greatest thing that has happened is he's started to poop regularly, so he is SO much happier!( I know you're thinking - is she really going to talk about poop? Gross. I know, but I'm a mom, its just something you start talking about, and even get excited about! Sad, but true.) So thanks to the help of a fellow blogger -Mck Mamma, and some advice from a good friend - Mel, Benson is just a more regular kid. He isn't nearly as fussy and he is laughing all the time. I could tell you more about his new found regularity, but I'll spare you the gory details :-)

Ya, so that is the story with our little man Benson. We sure do love having him around and are so glad that God blessed us with the little guy. Life would be so boring without him!

Yum, Yum, Yum

Today Becky, Joey's sister, brought over some yummy treats that she and her daughter Esther had made.


Josiah loved them as you can tell!


Thanks for the treats Aunt Becky!

oh, so thats what they look like!

So, I just looked over my past posts and I realized I haven't posted any pictures of the boys in quite awhile. They sure are a changin' and a growin'. So here are a bunch of pictures from the past month. Enjoy!

Cheesy Grin

Bert & "Ernie"

Dramatic pose for Father's Day

All the boys together

Dad and Josiah having lunch

A boy and his dog

Don't be fooled, his face isn't dirty, he just got in a fight with the driveway.

Swinging at the park.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Random Movie Quotes Floating Through My Head

1. "Give us the gate key"
"I have no gate key"
"Fesik tear his arms off"
"Oh, you mean this gate key"
-The Princess Bride

2. "People don't think I know a butt-load of crap about the gospel, but I doooo."
- Nacho Libre

3. "I'm baking like a toasted-cheeser Benny"
- The Sandlot

4. "If you were thinkin' you wouldn't a thought that"
- The Sandlot

5. "Happy Anniversary Wayne"
"Stacy, are you mental, we broke up""
"Aren't you going to open your present?"
"Ok"
(opens large gift)
"You got me a gun rack?"
"do you like it"
"a gun rack? What am I going to do with a gun rack? I don't even own a gun, let alone many guns that would necessitate a gun rack"
"You don't like it?! Fine! If you're not careful Wayne you're going to loose me!"
"I lost you 2 months ago, we broke up, are you mental? get the net!"
-Wayne's World

6. "Would you say I have a plethora of pinatas?"
"A what?"
"A plethora"
"Oh, yes, you have a plethora"
"Do you even know what a plethora is?"
"Why El Guapo?"
"Well, you told me I have a plethora. And I just would like to know if you know what a plethora is. I would not like to think that a person would tell someone he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has *no idea* what it means to have a plethora."
"Forgive me, El Guapo. I know that I, Jefe, do not have your superior intellect and education. But could it be that once again, you are angry at something else, and are looking to take it out on me?"
-The Three Amigos!

7. "If only I had a wheelbarrow then we could do something"
-The Princess Bride

8. "it does me good to see you"
-(I can't remember! Dad where is this from?!)

9. "it was like the worst day of my life, gosh!"
-Napoleon Dynamite

10. "If I'm not back in 5 minutes, just wait longer."
-Ace Ventura

11. "we'll take 3 light beers"
"we don't have beer, just tequila"
"what's tequila?"
"Uh, its like beer"
-The Three Amigos!

12. "I'm like 99.9% parched, can I get a soda?"
-Just like Heaven

13."what are you gonna do, bite me ankles off?"
"its but a flesh wound"
-Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail

Sorry, totally random, but I couldn't resist. The great part is after reading these more and more just keep coming. My mind is overflowing with random movie quotes. Keeps the day interesting :-)

Whew...

after awhile of not writing on the blog you find yourself wondering what to write? Where to begin? How do I tell all that has gone on? Does anyone really care? Well in the words of Inigo Montoya, in The Princess Bride, "let me explain, no wait, there is too much, let me sum up"

It has been a long couple of days, actually maybe its been a week. There have been some really hard things, decisions made that I could not control but that have affected my life. I have been heartbroken and saddened. There have been good things. Time spent with family, laughter, water skiing, God's continual goodness.

I am in awe at how amazing God is. In the midst of life - weather ugly or beautiful - he is faithful and good. He does not change, or get moody. He is my constant, my support and my hope. Sorry, I can't fill you in a bit more on what exactly is going on. There really is too much. I'll do my best though to get on the ball and keep you all posted on things happening around here. Life goes on, and our God is faithful. All praise and glory to him!

Thursday Thirteen (a day late)

Since it is Fathers day this weekend I thought I'd take a minute to tell you how much I love my hubby. Even though he isn't my father, my kiddos aren't old enough yet to fully express why they love their dad. Alas the task falls to me, but don't worry, I am excited to have the opportunity to tell you all about how absolutely wonderful he is.

Thirteen Reasons Why I Love My Youssef.

1. He is an excellent helper with the kiddos. Never hesitating to change a diaper, ok mostly never. Always willing to help however he can. Taking them places so I can catch my breath, even if it means everyone is going to look at him funny - like they did in Morocco (usually kiddos stay with their mom's there.)

2. He loves me - yep even though he knows the good, the bad and the Oh so ugly. He still loves me just as I am.

3. Even though he loves me he sees who God wants me to be and he does his best to encourage me towards that through the Word, gentle rebuke and kind words. Always striving to help me be all that God intended me to be.

4. He can read books better than anyone I know. I LOVE listening to him read out loud. Kids books, adult books, shoot the phone book even. Did I mention I love listening to him read?

5. He is so handsome. Oh man is he cute! I know you're not suppose to love someone for his looks, but he is just so darn cute I can't help it :-) And lucky me, he just keeps getting more and more handsome!

6. There is not a lazy bone in his body. He works hard to provide for us as a family. Even when he is tired he works to make sure things are done that need to be and even to make sure the unnecessary things can happen too.

7. He takes care of me when I am sick. The past two days while I was out of commission he came home from work, took care of the boys, even cleaned up the kitchen (better than I do I might add!) and just cared for my every need. Never once did he complain and the whole time he had a smile ready to cheer me up.

8. He makes me laugh, daily. Gotta love a man who can make you giggle!

9. He watches girl movies with me. Sometimes even two in a week! They are definitely not up there on the favorite list, but he'll watch them anyway. What a guy!

10. He graciously allows me to blabber on about nothing most of the time. He being a man of few words doesn't need to hear or say much. I on the other hand love to chat away about absolutely nothing. Even after a long day of work he'll smile and nod as I tell him one story after another.

11. He is an incredible father. He loves our boys and enjoys helping them learn and grow as much as I do. He makes them laugh, teaches them about things - climbing lately, and like I said before is alway ready to help out. Josiah and Benson light up just at the mention of his name - if that isn't proof I don't know what is.

12. He is always ready for an adventure. Where ever God leads, thats where he wants to head. Sometimes he doesn't know where that is until moments before, but he's ready to go the moment God opens the doors. Along with this comes an incredible trust. He knows whose he is and isn't afraid of what lies ahead. Thats all the security I really need - a man who knows he is held tightly in the arms of his God. Wow, Dani - good reminder to yourself!

13. He is not content that we should stay as we are, but desires that we draw closer to God and to one another. Wow, does that sound cheesy or what?! But it is true. He is a devoted follower of Christ in all areas of his life and that means his marriage. It is a challenge to me to be more faithful to my walking with the Lord and to continually strive for what is good, pure, noble, etc.

There are so many more reasons, but I'll just have to share those with him myself, cuz this is Thursday Thirteen and as was once said:

"First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then, shalt thou count to thirteen, no more, no less. Thirteen shalt be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shalt be thirteen. Fourteen shalt thou not count, neither count thou twelve, excepting that thou then proceed to thirteen. Fifteen is right out! Once the number thirteen, being the thirteenth number be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thou foe, who, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it."

Sorry I couldn't resist a little Monty Python. Have a great weekend!

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

It seems like I always get to Sunday and I am full of little things I want to share. Nothing overly exciting, but fun things none the less. So here are a few little tidbits about life...

• This weekend we were so blessed to have our friends Nate, Jodi and little Bekah come and visit us. We went to the zoo, watched a movie and chatted a lot. It was great fun, and so nice to hear about what is going on in their lives. The Lord is so good and has allowed our friendship to continue even through time and distance. Thanks for coming guys!
• Spring cleaning continues here at our house. Joey just finished cleaning out the garage. It looks amazing. He is on such a roll too he is at this moment pressure washing the driveway! Do I have a great husband or what?!!
• There are now little birds in the nest outside our dining room window. The mother robin has been attacking us anytime we walk by out there, and now there are babies to show for all her effort. They aren't the cutest, but thats ok, the kids think they are great.
  
• Joey just came in and told me Josiah is officially at the "helping" stage. He has been outside helping carry things like hoses, flashing, etc. A natural born hard worker.
• Benson is sitting up on his own pretty much. Just needs a few pillows for occasional freak out moments. He loves to reach for things and sometimes gets a little stuck bent over. He's pretty cute.
  
• We are talking about heading back overseas in November. Nothing really planned out, just talking right now. We are anxious to get back over there. Not that we don't love America and being around family...our hearts and homes are just divided I guess. Once we get there we'll be anxious to get back here. I'll keep you posted on our actual plans...it will be a while before we decide officially :-)
• I cleaned the oven today it is shinning like a star in heaven. Ok, not really, but it does look pretty good.
• We discovered this weekend that if you hold Benson's ears back to his head or push Josiah's ears out from his head, they look quite a lot alike. Who knew ears were such a dominant feature! I'll have to take some pictures and show you.
  

Well, there are some of the things floating around this head of mine. Scary isn't it! Have a happy new week.