Little Miss is now 2 Years Old!

While Philip was growing from birth to 1 and then to 2 years old, I really didn't know what was coming next so everything was new.  When it was Braewyn's turn, I was juggling a toddler and a newborn so the days ran together most of the time.  Now over the last two years of watching Juliet grow, I've tried my best to remember milestones and appreciate each stage.  I remember more of her life but still it has flown by incredibly fast!  She has become such a joyful, little child.  Juliet loves to help whether by finding scraps of paper to take to the trashcan or bringing dirty cups to the sink (she can push them up into the sink but just can't see them land in the sink!).  She gets SO excited to see animals on TV or in person and is happy to give Chloe a dog bone when it's time to lock her in the crate.  She is also quite expressive when things are NOT the way she wants them.  Juliet has mastered a scowl face and the make-you-bite-your-lip-to-keep-from-laughing, long drawn-out Southern drawl "Noooooo!"  She says this when Chloe is chewing on the kids' toys or if her brother or sister is bothering her.  Unfortunately, Juliet has bitten Philip and Braewyn each just once or twice in a moment of toddler rage when the words were not there to express herself, but just the next day you might find her wandering up to each of them, arms outstretched and uttering, "Huuuug?"  She's a great tight-arms-around-your-neck hugger!

Anyway, I cannot imagine our life without our little Ju-Ju-B!  Here's a glimpse of her birthday happenings and birthday party the following night.

Happy Birthday, Sleepy Head!  7:30am

My how big she looks!  8:30am

Just another morning shot of the cutie!

All dressed for church in her birthday dress.  9:00am

Hanging out in Sunday School.  11:00am

So excited to see Grandma after church. 12:30pm

Lunch with the family at Panda Chinese restaurant. 1:30pm

Ahhhh!  Naptime. 3:00pm

Heading back to church for Awana with some neighbor kids along for the ride. 5:00pm

Dinnertime with Daddy.  7:30pm

Washing dishes with Mommy!  8:30pm

The following night we celebrated Juliet's birthday with a spaghetti dinner, cupcakes and presents. We invited her grandparents, my Aunt Liz who was visiting my parents, and our special friends and neighbors Greta and Mark.  Juliet was surrounded by all the people who love her most!

Matthew or I would tell Juliet who gave each present. She would then carry it to them and open it with their help.  Such a thoughtful little girl without any prompting from us!  Yay, a new purse from Grandma and there was even MONEY inside!

Philip shows her the books we gave her.

Unwrapping her hew princess piggy bank from Aunt Greta and Uncle Mark.

The end of a long birthday weekend.  Love my three munchkins so much!

 

I praise Jesus for allowing Matthew and I to be Juliet's parents.  For her Baby Dedication at church when she was 5 months old, we chose these verses to be her life verses.  Juliet Hope, you are a blessing and so loved!!

 

"Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:30-31

Places to go, People to see

I am thankful that Matthew and I are able to provide fun, memorable experiences for our children.  These are the things memories are made of!

For Philip's birthday outting, he, Matthew and my dad visited Cowpens National Battlefield on the Saturday before his birthday.  There were reenactment activities to watch and participate in. Philip enjoyed serving as a member in the kids' militia training!

Next up was our night at the circus.  After traveling through a torrential downpour praying all the way (we're talking 15-20 miles per hour on the highway!),  we arrived at the big top!  Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey shows are definitely worth attending. It's like a mix of broadway musical and death-defying stunts.  The circus is definitely tagged as a family event, but I left thinking, "Wow, a bunch of those people just risked their lives and all for the sake of our enjoyment!" Anyhow, Juliet was SO CUTE as she just about jumped off Matthew's lap when the horses came out and again off of mine when she saw the tigers.  We have a little animal lover in our family! 

We had so much fun at "The Greatest Show on Earth!"

Little Man is 8!

When people tell you to love your children being little because they grow so fast, it's the absolute truth.  I cannot believe that I became a mom 8 years ago.  Philip's birthday was January 22 and even since then the days are flying by.  With another birthday just days away, it's time to post photos from Philip's big day!

As before, I tried to take a photo every hour through the day, but also as always, occasional hours passed me by uncaptured.  Anyhow, here's an overview of Philip's day, mostly filled with schoolwork even though he tried HARD to convince me that schoolwork shouldn't be a part of his birthday.

Reading time with Juliet. A standard part of each school day.

 

"I am 8!" declares Philip.

 

Grammer on his bed.  A great part of homeschooling. 

(Sitting on his bed, not grammer.  It's Philip least liked subject.)

One of his favorite things for lunch: spaghettio's.

Bible time after lunch when Juliet is down for her nap. 

I thrills my heart to know that Philip already has a love for the Word of God.

Skip a few hours and it's party time.  Philip is ready to chow down on a piece of Grandma's chocolate chip cake - his special request for his birthday.

Philip's grandparents joined us for dessert and present time.  Who's that crazy faced girl?

And yes, another Lego set for his birthday...

completed two hours later!

 



I am so thankful to know this awesome, 8 year-old boy and to be able to say I am his mom.  Philip has truly been a blessing to us and to those who know him.  As he grows, I am excited to watch God's plan for his life unroll before us.  The Bible verses we chose to be Philip's life verses when we had him dedicated to the Lord at 3 months old are Romans 8:38-39.  I pray that Philip will never doubt the truth in these words.

 

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."