Maternity Leave Bliss.

No matter how hard I tried to soak up these past eight weeks and tried to make them drag on, it couldn't be helped...they flew. But boy did we make the most of them... Maybe not the very most. My mind can think of a bajillion things that didn't get done around the house and I definitely didn't finish my thank you notes. But my time with these boys, yeah, we had a ball.

One of Bennett's first walks down Roehampton Avenue. 

Graham had his first In-n-out burger. His own. All for him. We now order 3 burgers when we venture over to our favorite lunch spot...once a week. Nah. But kinda. 

   
Nipooooomooooo! Perfect family down time. Walks, Avila Barn, and trains. 
Our favorite things about a Nipomo getaway.

**We were so very, very thankful to have my mom come stay the first week of our 2-kid life. A complete blessing to a busy bee grandson, a hard working son-in-law, and a tired daughter. 
**Graham has a bunch of new "friends" that he loves to take care of.
**Spring started popping up here and there. GTU is in "fo-fo" heaven.
**Bennett got his first one on one story time with Aunt Jill.
**Park time, picnics, park time, picnics. Sigh.
**Peggy came up and stayed with our little family, too! So lovely. We celebrated.

Thank you Sea World for loving teachers! Caitlynn and I cashed in on our free year pass and opened Graham's eyes to sea life captivity and cheesy animal shows. But seriously, it was a blast. So much more fun with a one year old taking it all in for the first time. Graham would look back at us and point at everything. He wanted to be sure we weren't missing all of creatures he was finding. He should have made sure Bennett was awake, because littlest definitely missed every tank and every show.

Kyle turned 28! We practiced singing Happy Birthday and now Graham thinks it is always only "Da-da's" birthday. Handsome boys.

 

A couple warm days meant Dad and Graham washed turnouts together. Amazing to think this will be a frequent scene in our years ahead. 

Together moments are the BEST. The way Bennett looks at Graham and smiles a huge-o smile. Or when Graham tries to bounce Bennett or giggles at his sneeze. THE BEST. 

Look at our boys. One is ready for a party. One is ready for a flood. Or to hit the mall with his gangster friends. 

Hi little Bennett Boy. Aren't you just the sweetest thing ever? 
(Also over my maternity leave, B's acne faded!)

Weekend mornings in bed with Daddy... So thankful to have Kyle on some sort of regular schedule during these weeks. Yes, it has been crazy making sure Kyle is busy not being an individual with his academy. But we're counting down academy days. And we're counting down school days. Come oooonnnnn June 14th!

</

I felt the pressure of my last week closing in... The zoo was too far. I didn't want to mess with a story time. So a trip to Murray Farms it was! Oh my goodness. So fun, so delicious, so deserted. Highlights: a bird pecking Graham's finger, corn pit, pillow jumping, hay ride, strawberry fields, tractor driver holding Bennett while we picked fruit, and red-stained face/hands/t-shirt of a boy in love with strawberries. Thanks Mom for joining us. We'll be back.

See that precious hand grabbing mine? Yeah, I've been taking dozens of mental pictures to drag back with me to Room 3. I loved being home with my precious boys. 

And I know it will be tough being away. 

My purpose has been to show Jesus to my boys. But now the Lord wants me to go and show His love to 20 kindergartners for 37 more days. And He has allowed my boys to be with their Grandma each day. And what a beautiful peace I have knowing that they are with someone who loves them to death. And loves Jesus more. 

(That was a lot of ands)

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Overwhelmed with thanksgiving.

37 more days.

Hello Bennett

1 month already? Seriously? Am I going to say that every month? Probably.

Sigh, I forgot how absolutely wonderful a newborn baby could be. Thank you for reminding me of that with your sleepy sounds and sweet cooing...Your little balled up fists and the way you open and close your fingers on my back when you're resting on my shoulder....Collapsing like a sack of flour...Your shifty eyes darting all around the room...And towards the end of this first month, smiling! Sometimes just a side smirk or sometimes a big, silly grin that scrunches those eyes closed...This month has been a pure blessing.

I'm sorry your sleep is so rudely interrupted by gas. I'm sorry your brother dragged Battleship onto your head. I'm sorry you often accidentally grab a fistful of your own hair and won't let go. I'm sorry you fell off the couch. (I honestly thought you were just making cute, baby talking noises to Graham and I when we were making breakfast...woops.)

You are a handsome little man. Your full head of wavy hair gets you a lot of attention in the grocery store. You are a great eater and are becoming a big guy already! The doctors were so impressed. You are a splendid napper and go back to sleep after you eat in the night... Thanks for that. 

We can't wait to see your personality unfold in the coming months... Love you, littlest. 

Happy Birthday, Kyle Chandler!

My best friend, my partner, my love is 28 today.

I love you, husband.

I love being married to you.

I love being us.

I love that our "us" now includes two handsome boys 

who can look up to an amazing daddy who loves the Lord.

Thank you for working hard, playing often, and loving selflessly. 

Gosh, we're glad you were born. 

Hello Graham.

You called me mama. Not in a babble. Not connected to dada. 

You saw me and called me your mom. 

Thank you. I don't think I've been called anything sweeter. 

Every time you say mama I can't help but smile. 

My son, you make my heart so full of love and joy I feel like it might burst. 

You make me the happiest mama on the planet. I am your mom. And now anyone listening to your adorable chatter will know it. 

Thank you sweet boy. Worth the wait.