Friday, May 14, 2010

Mother's Day Cards

Forgot to include a few of the Mother's Day cards my kids made for me...I say "a few" because they still haven't gotten the memo that one card per special occasion is perfectly appropriate, though I have told them repeatedly. One of the many reasons I love them so darn much:)

They made this at Josie's Sunday School class & I thought it was sweet. She actually cried on Mother's Day when she saw how many cards/pictures the boys had made me (see, told you). Then Nile helped her make something else for me real quick, and that made her feel better.


Seth's rendition of me in a hula skirt & coconut top (which he told Nile was my coconut bra). I love the "Mom" letters hanging down and his detail on the leaves of the coconut tree, & even the flower in my hair. Hilarious. He did make me some more appropriate Mother's Day cards, as well;)


And my sweet Gabe, who wrote these poems for me for a special class presentation that was adorable to watch...wow, I can't even remember all the types of poetry they were supposed to try to use(haiku, cinquain, ??? some others, too). He was so cute in front of his class, & it touched my heart that he was the only one in his class to say, "I love you mom"...
He was so proud to show me everything in his classroom, and was super excited to serve Josie & I treats and juice. When did he get so old?!!



Sunday, May 9, 2010

"My Wonderful Wife" - Nile


A post from me (Nile), a proud husband, about my wife - the mother of our children. "My Wonderful Wife, You take on so many important roles in our family- wife, mother, stress reliever, referee, organizer...I can't begin to name all the things you take on and do so well. But what I can do is recognize how hard you work and how much love you give. For taking care of us, for being the heart of our home, for being the wonderful woman you just naturally are...You are appreciated and loved so much." Happy Mother's Day Codi! I love you always, Nile (and thanks to Hallmark for giving me the words to express my heart for my wife.) The Apostle Paul says to only boast in the LORD so... LORD, You are GOOD. Thank you for my wonderful wife!

Friday, May 7, 2010

Trying to Catch Up...

Things have been super busy around here lately, as Nile is preparing for finals & is just bogged down, in general, with loads of work right now. Thank goodness it has been beautiful lately! The kids spend most of their time outside, and come in dirty & tired out, which is just how I like it:) I have been loving playing with them, and watching them play, as well. Gabe spends HOURS playing baskbetball, baseball, kickball, etc. with his friends & most of them are older than him, so he is learning some great skills by playing against kids who are bigger & taller & better than he is. Seth has amazed me, because when we arrived here in August, he was not hugely into sports...in part, I think, because he has an older brother who is gifted at sports & he didn't want to fall short. Here, though, there are a variety of ages & skill levels, and he has taken off. He was so proud last week when a 10 year old boy, who is a very good athlete, picked him first (for baseball teams) and told him, "You're one of the best hitters, so I want you on my team". I couldn't have even imagined that last year at this time. And he is cranking it! It's hilarious, because Gabe has a pretty swing and Seth has a powerful swing-no real surprise there, for those of you who know them. Last week, I somehow got roped into being the all-time pitcher for 12 boys, and after an hour and a half, finally had to tell them this old arm was done:) All the kids also spend lots of time in their fort in the woods, which is right behind our apartment. I can fold clothes on our bed & see them out my bedroom window...how I love listening to all their plans and ideas while they play. I am blessed & content.

Josie is content to race boys, play at our playground, climb trees, and RUN everywhere. She is so funny...I'm betting she's going to be a track standout like her dad;) Nile won't like that I said that about him, but he's too busy right now to check the blog anyway! So, that's a brief glimpse into our lives as of late. I am feeling more at home and making some good friends here & enjoying life on campus, for the most part. Nile has been so disciplined with his studying-I am incredibly proud of him for working so hard, especially on Greek, which is extremely challenging. I look at it & think it's impossible:) So, here are a few random pics from the last month, very random indeed:)...

The first time she has EVER let me put a braid
in her hair! You may have to look closely;) I started
out small for her first time.

Thrilled about her tank top because "now I can be in the boys'
rock band concerts, mommy!"





My little boy growing up so fast & looking just like his handsome daddy

The following 4 pics are from our home beach party that Seth had been
dying to have! We did it last year, too, and he has never forgotten...
I suppose it's becoming an annual event.





Josie loves riding the boys' scooters & loves racing other little boys:)

As I said, people have been very tired around here!