Holiday Weekend Fun

Well, the Humiston family has a new motto, "Need rain? Just invite the Humistons." I have already mentioned how we tend to draw rain on our vacations well this weekend proved we can also get it to rain when we plan a project. Our house is yellow. Not a nice soft yellow but a bright yucky yellow. (in my opinion) So I have been wanting to paint it. So for Mother's Day Jeremy promised we would do it this summer- yeah! Memorial Day was coming up and the weather forcast was for 4 straight days of sunshine. Which is impressive since we seem to be in this weather pattern of it raining all the time. So we start making plans, recruiting help from our small group etc. To make a long story short it rained-the entire four days. So we still have a yellow house. But eventually we will get it done and I will proudly display before and after photos.

But the weekend was not a total loss. Instead we decided to tackle some inside projects. We did some painting downstairs in our family room and purchased a carpet runner for the stairs. (I have fallen down our stairs like four times now, once while holding 2 week old Faith!) We took new seven month pictures of Faith, which turned out super cute. And we started a new tradition in our family. A "Happy Summer" party. In our family summer means a lot more family time so I decided that was worth celebrating. We made a special treat, "dirt" in a sand pail. It was fun. So I'm not typically big on changing plans, but I think having two kids might actually be making me more flexible. (Did I just say that?) Don't try and verify that with my husband I'm not sure he would agree!

Recent Glimpses of the Humistons

Growing Up is Hard to Do

On Sunday was Josie's graduation. I can't believe it is here (it makes me feel old!). I am feeling way more sad about this than I expected. It has been so much fun being closer to home these last two years. I have enjoyed getting to see her every week when she came for youth group, attending her volleyball games, and doing her hair for dances. I am kind of dreading not getting to see her as often! But so thankful God blessed us with this special time to make memories. I tried to talk Josie into HLG. Hello, how fun would that have been? But she is going to Western. Which I am actually very exicted for her about. I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for her as she is living in the Campus House. (In Kristina's old apartment-how funny!) I can't wait to see her experience college because college was an awesome time for me. At college I figured out who I was, met my husband, and met my closest girlfriends of all time. Seeing Josie prepare for this transition has reminded me that sometimes growing up is hard to do, at first. (I don't need to be reminded I didn't meet my husband on the first try)

Now to my two year old, Grace. GROWING UP IS HARD TO DO! We are really struggling right now with being two. I was going to post something yesterday but I was really frustrated so I let my thoughts marinade for 24 hours. My thoughts yesterday-If this is parenting sign me up for something else! (I know not so grown up at all) She has decided she doesn't have to listen at all. She has her own ideas about the way things should go, and they often happen to be different than my idea about how thing will go. So, I'm caught between wanting to set clear boundaries so she can learn submission and wanting to model patience & self-control. I confess yesterday afternoon I found myself half way through an entire bag of chocolate chips before I broke down and went and kneeled at her bed to pray for her while she slept. So now you know my dark secret!

While confessing my parenting weeknesses isn't easy I know its necessary. I am hoping someday Grace and I will read this together and laugh at both of us. I hope we are best friends and I can remind her she was her own little person (Like my mom and I do now). And finally I am thankful. Because these challenges have made me feel weak, and I've been reminded to dig deep in Scripture letting God fill me up for the "battles" ahead. My children are truly teaching me how much more I need to allow the Lord to refine me, because growing up is hard to do, even for me.

My "Big" Girl

Normally I refer to Grace as my big girl. But this week I found myself saying to Faith, "You are such a big girl." Oh, dear when did she become big? She is supposed to be my baby. Faith has had a lot of milestones this week. On Sunday (Mother's Day) Faith had her baby dedication ceremony. It was just as special getting to experience this with her as it was with Grace. The girls wore coordinating pink polka dot dresses (See new family pic). On Monday, Faith slept in her room with her sister for the first time. Due to the girls sharing a room Faith had still been in our room up until this point. I was excited for Jeremy and I to reclaim our bedroom but also sad that she no longer needed to be near us. Both girls have done great adjusting to the transition. They really love each other right now. Faith also had her first stinky diaper. (Moms, you know what I'm talking about the diapers get way smellier when you start baby food!) Also, she tried out a sippy cup and "puffs." I just put some in front of her to see what she would do. She picked it right up and popped it in her mouth. She thought it was fun practicing getting them in her mouth. She is deffinitely getting more enthusiastic about baby food. So far she has tried green beans, peas, squash, apples, peaches, & pears.

Faith,
You are such a happy and content baby. You are so content to just be with our family and experience life around you. I have started praying that you will always feel that kind of contentment through your relationship with Jesus. I tend to be a doer. Sometime I struggle to just be with Jesus. I pray you will find enjoyment throughout your life, simply being in the presence of God. Your smiles are a true blessing to your mama. I love you.

I knew I stopped wearing earings for a reason!

So yesterday I was getting ready to go to Quincy to run some errands and meet my aunt for lunch. So I was trying to acutally get ready (aka put on some makeup, actually fix my hair, and wear something other than a t-shirt). And I had this thought- I haven't worn earings in forever! I think the last time seriously might have been when I was pregnant with Grace. I guess I just cut that step out of my routine to save time. So I thought, "that sounds fun- how about some earrings." So I had to go dig around in my bathroom to actually find some. Oh, I forgot to mention before I walked into my room and the whole earring thing popped in my head I told Grace to find her shoes it was almost time to go. Okay, back to the digging for earrings. About 5-10 minutes into the process of choosing earrings for my five different holes in my ears and trying to acutally locate the long lost holes I had a warning alarm go off in my brain. It was super quiet-not good. I thought Grace had gone downstairs to her play room but I realized I hadn't heard anything as I got swept away with my whole earring hunt. So I went looking. Guess where I found my child?

In my backyard!!!! Yep, there she was. Her Dora bag packed (complete with diaper & pjs) and set by the van and her shoes on. Apparently she thought we were going to Papa and Grammy's house. She had been playing unsupervised in our backyard for about ten minutes. Did I mention our backyard is not entirely fenced in? Wow, I felt like mom of the year!

So, in conclusion today I will be hunting through my Christmas decorations for a jingle bell to attach to my back door. I knew I stopped wearing earings for a reason!

"Write it down...or you'll forget."

When you are a young mom with little kids moms with older kids start telling you to write down the funny things they say and do or you will forget. Well, I thought yeah I will when I have time- of course I hadn't done it yet. Then I was reading this book and the author was reflecting on her kids growing up. She was remembering when her child used to say, "Hold you me." And I thought Grace used to say that! Then I thought when did she start saying it "correctly"? And I had no idea! So here it goes- here are some of our recent funny times & toddler lingo I want to remember someday.

Funny Moments:
-The other night I could hear Grace on the monitor. She was supposed to be going to bed and finally after about 20 minutes of chattering and a little banging around I decided I better go inform her it was time to settle down and go to sleep. As I walked down the hall to her room I noticed there was a lot of light coming from under the door. She has the light on...and it gets better. Her entire bed was covered with every piece of "Little People" toys we own. She has the entire village set up and was having a great time. I couldn't help it I burst out laughing. I knew I probably shouldn't but it just caught me by surprise. I was really wondering how she got the light on by herself (usually she has to have her stool from the bathroom). So I asked her and she simply said, "Mama I reached!"
-Grace decided after spending the day at Grammy's house she no longer needed to use her potty seat. I tried to convinve her it was easier with the potty seat but she insisted that no she could do it by herself. She fell completely in the toilet and got soaked. After a brief moment to make sure she wasn't going to cry I laughed & so did she.
-I have walked in her room several times to find her fast asleep with a book still open just like she is reading it.
-Today we went over to some of our friend's who are in the process of building a house. The mud was like a magnet drawing her so strongly she couldn't resist. Finally she made her way and stepped in it. Then she looked up and said, "Mama I mess," like she was seriously upset about it.

Grace's Version of the English Language:
-Waubee (tv or movie)
-Num Nums (food of any kind)
-EEE Eww (Thank you)
-SSSSS (Short for Snack)
-Mama, I miss you. (She says this like I love you)
-Mama, I need you. (She uses this as a term of endearment-or when she is in trouble)
-I'm done. (Any time she is tired of something, for example her carseat)
- What is your name? Gracie (not sure-we almost always call her Grace)
- What is Faith's name? Sissy

Baby girl, you crack me up! While I look forward to understanding more of your constant chatter (you have lots to say!) I will miss when you look at me most sincerely and say "EEE Eww, Mama" voluntarily when I've done something for you.

Our Big Zoo Trip

For our anniversary Jeremy and I decided we would take the girls to the zoo in St. Louis. Actually it was Jeremy's idea and I LOVED it. Now, it might sound like a bummer to take your kids somewhere for your anniversary but it was perfect. What we have really been needing is some family time and I can't think of a more fun day! Not to say that it was perfect (it rained & we got lost!) But, there are lots of memories and seeing the wonder on Grace's face was priceless.

Grace loves animals. She has ever since she was very little. Before she said hardly any words she knew what sound over twenty animals made. She loves animals. So when I told her we were going to see animals like elephants, and camels, and kangaroos she looked at me and said, "On the waubee (her word for tv or movies). When I said, "No, we are going to see them in real life!" She just said, "OH!"

Even in the freezing cold rain we had a lot of fun. It was the perfect example of a trip not going exactly as planned but still being wonderful. A tip for the zoo- get there early. We knew if you get there when it opens you can park in the close free parking. Plus, all the things that cost money are free the first hour it is open. Due to getting lost we did not get to take advantage of the free attractions as planned, but maybe next time. (But we still got free parking!) We will also probably do our next zoo trip in the fall. Lets just say-field trip extravaganza! It was a little busier than we were expecting for a weekday morning. We also packed our lunch so the entire cost of our trip was less than a tank of gas- totally worth it! Due to the rain we ate our "picnic" lunch in the van (as you can see- no Faith isn't riding on her dad's lap)

Grace's favorites were the kangaroos (we went to see them twice, at her request), the camels, and the elephants. I have added a few pictures. If you are interested in a more in depth look at our zoo trip I am in the process of creating a book on shutterfly which I will link from here when I get it finished.

I think its interesting how our zoo trip included a great lesson for our marriage. Sometimes we begin marriage with a picture of perfect bliss (just like when we imagine a trip). And of course as anyone who is actually married knows it is more like our zoo trip- a few unexpected challenges. And yet when it is all said and done I still loved our day together, just like I love my not so picture perfect (yet amazing!) marriage.

Thank you Lord for a wonderful day of memories, life lessons, and fun!

Happy Mother's Day!

Since we won't be seeing Grace's Nana on Mother's day I am posting her present here so she can at least see it (it wouldn't exactly go in the mail). We will be delivering it the next time we see her. This was our project for this year.

We took a pot and painted a flower on it. The big petals are Grace's finger prints, the little petals are Faith's finger prints. Grace loved helping paint so there are "polka dots" around the top. I took a picture of the girls with flowers. So in the middle of the pot is the picture and this message-

And we pray that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, GROWING in the knowledge of God.

Colossians 1:10
Thanks for helping us grow!
Love, Grace & Faith
Mother’s Day 2008

We dyed clothes pins green to hold the picture/message. The plants are little baby plant starts from a plant in our home. See picture above for this to all make more sense.

Happy Mother's Day!

I LOVE my Husband

On Thursday, Jeremy and I will celebrate our 4 year anniversary. It doesn't seem possible. In some ways it sees like we've always been married I really can barely remember life without him. And in others it seems like I could still slip in that white dress and walk down the aisle like it was yesterday. Recently several families in our church have been walking through chalenges in their marriages and it has reminded us how precious our relationship is and that it must be humbly gaurded and looked after so that Satan cannot gain a foothold.

I feel like we have already lived so much life together. The first year of our marriage was a tough one. Not because we were adjusting to each other but because we were facing some super challenging ministry and life experiences. I am so glad God doesn't ask our opinion when he orchestrates his plan for our life. Becaue even if he had told me all the blessings we would gain from what we went through I'm not sure I could have chosen it for myself. And yet I am so thankful for the way it cemented us together. We survived isolation and uncertainty and came out still liking each other. We have naviagted pregnancy, becoming parents, and becoming a family of four. We have moved five times! God has been so faithful to us.

My husband is wonderful. I have been reminded often lately how much I appreciate him. Some of my favorite things about him are:
-His love for our kids and all his "big" kids
-The way he never complains about how unclean our house is, and even notices when I've managed to get it somewhat under control!
-The way he brings me flowers for no reason at all (yes-he actually does this)
-That he takes walks with me (when we first got married he told me he hated walking and he didn't ever think he would enjoy it)
-the way he constantly reminds me he thinks i'm beautiful

And there are lots more... I want my kids do read this some day and realize how deeply in love with their dad I am. I pray they will always be blessed by the security of our relationship built around Christ.

Jeremy- Happy Anniversary- I love you more today then the day I married you.

Milestones

Well, I confess I am not good with the baby book. And since I have had kids I am no longer good with the scrapbooking. So here is some milestone updates & new pics.

Faith: (almost 6 1/2 months)

Faith has rolled over a handful of times but doesn't seem to care to master the skill. She is such a content baby. Perfectly happy to stay in one place and play (WOW-talk about opposite her sister) She has started in the last week really sitting up on her own. At this point she has no teeth. We go for her 6 month well baby visit this afternoon so I will add in her height and weight. We have tried cereal she is not a huge fan. (See picture) She could deffinitely take in or leave it. I made baby food yesterday so we will probably try a vegetable in the next couple of days. She has also just started clicking her tongue. She loves it- she just clicks away happy as can be. So far Faith's personality seems to be more like her dad- laid back.

Grace: (26 months)

Well I cannot say we have mastered potty training but she is doing well. Mostly she just doesn't like to stop and take a break long enough to go. She is LOVING getting to be outside more. She continues to be an outdoor girl who is constantly exploring. Everyday her vocabulary expands. Her hair is SUPER curly and she is not a big fan of me fixing it. So we usually only fight that battle on Sundays and when we are going out. She continues to like to help whether it is unloading laundry, the dishwasher or now groceries. The other day she was climbing in the back of the van taking out an item, climbing up our steps and delivering the groceries item by item to me in the kitchen. What a good helper! We definitely battle some days (probably because we are so much alike!)