Being brave takes practice...

Driving in the car is such an insightful time between parent and child. The other day we were driving along when Anasten informed me that she did not want her bike, she wasn't going to ride it, and we could sell it. When asked why she informed me that she was too afraid. She didn't want to fall, and she was too afraid of her bike, thus the following:

Mom: This reminds me of Daniel in the bible. Remember when he was put in the lions den, how do you think he felt?

Anasten: Very afraid..horrified!

We continued to work through the story and the outcome...

Mom: what does that story tell us about God and Daniel?

Anasten: God always is in charge, He is all powerful, He protects us. Daniel had great faith and was very brave.

a little impressed with her answer (bragging:)

Mom: So what does that story teach us about our bike...

Anasten: That I should be brave and faithful, don't worry I will when I get bigger, Daniel was almost 100, being brave takes practice!

Yeah that didn't go as planned!

Promise

Anasten Holbrook

3/25/05

You probably look at this picture and see a precious new baby. While I do see that, I see so much more. I see the moment I knew my life would never be the same. I see the perfection of God's creation. I see the promise of a love that can never be broken.

That moment I met my perfect baby I wondered how God thought I would be able to take care of her, and honestly I didn't think I could. Now I look at my little girl and wonder how I ever could have not had her in my life.

Today is a bitter sweet day for a mom. 5 years old is very much a new phase to me. It's leaving the baby and toddler and preschool years behind. Those years that everybody always tells you to cherish because they go so fast! Yes it's true....they do go so fast! While part of me feels like holding baby pictures and crying, the other part remembers the perfection of God's plan and my purpose as a mother. I once heard a saying....the past is part of history, the future is a mystery, and present is a gift.

So today instead of falling into sin of my human nature I am going to celebrate this gift. This gift that God created and promised to me. I am excited to see the "mystery" of the future, and I will always treasure the "history."

Thankyou God my father for my beautiful baby girl!

woo what a blur!

It is amazing when you look at your little baby that is walking, talking (babbling at least) and wondering how so much has changed in only 18 months.
Luke is one busy little blessing.

We love him so much and can't wait to see his next move.
Sneak peak of his "skills"
Talking: mama, dada, dat (cat), dat (that), more, done, no, ruf ruf (dog), fau (flower), nunu (bunny), moou (mouse), ba (ball), bye-bye, Ana, papa, gupa, nana, bu (book)
signs: more, help, milk, bye-bye, blow kisses, high five bump in the hole (thanks to dad)
Going: going going going! He mostly runs (forget walking), climbing (everything), Throwing balls, driving cars, pushing everything in sight, and the unfortunate ones hitting, tantrums:(
Likes: every kind of food...including dog food:), OUTSIDE, OUTSIDE, OUTSIDE, Signing Time movie, books, computer (banging on anyway), cars, trains, animals, balls.....and the list goes on.
Am I a proud mama or what! That is my little man...oh and did I mention, he wears us out!
Love you Lukey Buns!

Clothes are not a pre-requisite when it comes to driving.
Did I mention that we do have a bit of a "stubborn" streak

A man must wear his train hat when riding in a train!

Little Dude!

What a handsome boy!

Feb 26...finally gave in to first hair cut.
Finally he escaped the torture and
made a run for it!

You might wonder why I posted this picture?
It gives a glimpse of how much Stacy had to be
on the move to cut Luke's hair...about 10 pics
that look like this.

Attempt 2: Give Luke Stacy's phone
Attempt 3: Let Luke sit in the chair by himself

You can see why I don't ever

want to cut these curls.

Here he is being a very good boy.

Below...a very desperate little boy.

just some tidbits...

Anasten cracks me up....

Last week:
"Ana should we give Luke back, he's a lot of work!"
(hands on hips) "He is a blessing from God, he is our responsibility now!"

Today:
--"Are you a mom?"..."Yes, I have two babies."
--"but you are in school?".... "yes I am both a mommy and a student."
--"are you a grown up all the way?"...."yep all the way."
--"but why are you so small?"...."well all people are different sizes, God made me small."
--"that is weird, you are smaller then little Sarah and Hilary, but you are bigger in the number of your age."
...."I am older yes, but I am smaller...it is weird."
--"and you have two kids."...."yes I am a very thankful mom."
--"you might have more kids like us, but first you have to stay at your weight cause of Luke being ginormous, we'll see if you can do that." "yep" (but thinking thanks alot)!

Both of these conversations took under 5 minutes...imagine what the rest of the day contains.

I am a very thankful, small, and better stay at my pre baby weight mama!

I love you!

Two special girls got a very special evening from our hubbies. They made us homemade dinner of fillet Mignon and cheesecake for desert. We had candles, lights, roses. We started our afternoon going to get a pedicure while the boys set up. This turned into shopping and no pedicure, and matching shirts.:) We sat with candle light, talked, and laughed for hours. Then we watched Couples Retreat. It was a great night to celebrate love, support, romance, and friendship.
Thanks so much for a great night, love you Josh!

Boy it is time!

Nothing says Valentines like Chocolate fountain fun!

mmm...heart shape pizza
Lukes to drive Ana's

pink barbie car. In

this picture he finally

got into the car

and is driving with

his dashboard.:)

This little boy is

always a barrel of

laughs!

So first of all, so sorry I have not been blogging! I wish I could promise I will be better but until grad school comes to an end here, it may be sparatic. We have the most wonderful family and God is so good to us. This valentines was celebrated first with a "family" party on Saturday, then with a mom and dad date on Sunday (pictures on next post.)