Yesterday my parents played hooky from work to go to the zoo with the boys and I. It was such a wonderful treat! We had originally planned on going this past weekend but then decided we would enjoy the experience more without all the crowds. Its so nice to be able to let Conner run ahead of me and not worry about him getting lost among all the people, its also nice to have a Grammie and Grandpa along to chase after him...
I was able to put to good use my new stroller (ok who am I kidding, I think I have used every day since I got it three weeks ago) that I got off of Craigslist for a steal. I had been wanting this stroller for a good long time, but it is an investment so when I saw it on craigslist for 1/3 of the price I jumped up and down for joy. Especially because earlier that day Joseph and I had finally decided to start putting the money away to purchase one before I headed to see him for his graduation. Man God is awesome! Because it is just a stroller I wont keep babbling about it, but lets just say I have used a lot of different double strollers and this one takes the cake. Being able to steer it around sharp corners with one hand while the other is full is an amazingly freeing experience.
On to other news...I will see Joseph in 13 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh the excitement of getting to see him is getting out of hand, but that's ok because seven months apart will do that to a gal and her guy. Some days all Conner can talk about is getting on a plane to go see Dada, he will tell me all about sitting on the plane, flying the plane and finally getting off of the plane and seeing the man he misses so much. I think when we actually do get on the plane in 13 days he may go into shock...for that matter so may I.
We also finally have orders and an order date, meaning we have a place to go and a time to be there. The C school he will be attending will start at the end of May, but he has to be on base for work by the 9th of May. This is such wonderful and unexpected news! Originally it was looking like he would have to stay where he already is for the time in between graduating and starting C school, meaning the kids and I would most likely be apart from him for another three weeks before finally getting to our permanent duty station. Now it will only be a week! Woohoo!

The post in which I use many exclimation points

We finally have orders and a move date!
God is good
I will be seeing my hubby in two weeks!
God is good
Our sons will get to see their dad!
God is good
I'm coming to Louisville!
God is good
I get to love on family!
God is good
I get to hug my best friend and her children!
God is good
New babies will be there to love on!
God is good
I will see my totally awesome cousin Katie in 3 days!
God is good
We will have an answer about Brooks' allergies tomorrow!
God is awesome

A red break

The weather here has been so nice for well over the past month that we have practically lived at the different parks near our home. The boys love going and I love seeing the joy that it brings them. I must admit that a big reason for this post is simply to show that Conner does wear a different shirt other then then red one. I just love how the color red photographs, so when I know I am going to be taking pictures into red they go! But green is a good color too don't you think?

Miss you some Conner faces

This past weekend Conner and I were sitting on the back deck enjoying some popsicles when we decided to have some camera fun. Most of the time Conner does an excellent job of ignoring the camera, but on that day he was having fun cheesing it up for me. He is really quite the personality, especially when he is trying to be silly.

Who me?

CHEEEEEEESE

The hysterical laugh after seeing that crazy cheese face

la laaaaaa

a moment of reflection

Itch Itch scratch scratch

Baby boy Brooks

being

bothered by

bodaciously burdensome

breakouts

About the only place without an itch to scratch is the bottom of his precious feet

Differences

Okay, now that I have gotten the post about Stellan out of my system I can write about my boys.

I have been thinking a lot lately about how different these two are, regardless of how similar they look. I always new they would be different, that Brooks was not just a mini Conner, but seeing it played out in actuality is quite amazing. In general I have just been thinking about the wonderful gift that they both are and marveling in their uniqueness.


Conner is a whirlwind of emotion, life is lived for ever single moment. I really don't think there is much that gets past this kid. When he was a baby we used to teasingly tell people to not do anything around Conner, regardless of if he was turned away, that they didn't want him doing. Like removing screws from the back of a toy with a screwdriver or making the dvd player work, because he would absorb the knowledge through osmosis I tell you. There is not a mechanical thing out there that this guy can not figure out, something that has not changed since he figured out how to move his hands when he was a baby.

Conner most easily connects with people through music, he LOVES music, plays any instrument he can get his hands on, and plays them well. Although he has speech delays, he has always been a relatively quiet person. I say relatively because he definitely has his moments of loudness, but he was never been much of a babbler and still only talks when he feels like it, which sometimes can be a lot, and other times barely at all.

Brooks on the other hand is quite vocal. He is my babbler and where as Conner was barely saying mama and dada at 13 months, Brooks says those along with hi and up. I think he is also saying water or drink, but its debatable. The biggest difference between these two is how orally fixated Brooks is. Although he is quick to learn what he doesn't like in his mouth (sand!), I think he has decided that over all life was meant to experience through his mouth ( a very common baby stage, but Conner never really went through it). This kid eats EVERYTHING, including dirt. Which you probably already knew since its always around his mouth.

He is such a sweet boy who loves his big brother to pieces. His favorite time of the day (besides any time that involves food) is putting Conner down for his nap. The roll around and wrestle in Conner's bed, giggling and snorting as if they can't get enough of each other. He is usually trying to launch out of my arms towards his brother as I take him out of the room and close the door.

These two boys bring so much joy to my life. They are a constant reminder of the man I love so dearly and of how great and unconditional love is. I am so proud of the small leaps and bounds Conner has made in his speech since moving here. Being able to have my three year old tell me what is hurting him and why is amazing and brings tears to my eyes. The power of speech is an amazing and freeing thing. Thank you Lord for the grace of that in Conner's life. May you continue to open up the pathways of speech for him and direct me in your wisdom on how to best nurture him in that area. May I be your tool in this as he continues to finds his voice. Amen
Oh and Lord would you help Brooks sleep?

A sad heart

Once again I was getting on to actually write a post about my family, but my heart is so burdened for Stellan and his family that it is hard to write anything other then PRAY!

Today was an especially rough day for Stellan and things are really starting to take a turn for the worst. He has been in SVT for a week now and his body is no longer being able to handle it. Medically he is only days aways from going into heart failure. To read more about the specifics of his condition head on over to his mother's blog, but for now would you please pray along with me? This prayer is compiled of many prayers that are going on on his behalf from the comments section of his blog. They touched me so much and became my own hearts cry that I wanted to pray them along with you.

Father God, as we hear this news about Stellan we come back to you to ask your presence to come once again to touch his body. Lord, send your spirit to usher in wisdom, insight and a way to heal this child. Lord, as we wait for your healing, send your Holy Spirit to course through Stellan's heart, sending invigorating blood out into his body to his tiny toes and tiny fingers. Lord rest your spirit over this baby boy. May he know the peace and love of his Makers presence.

Lord you are good no matter what and we love you. Jennifer loves you desperately and she loves her little boy desperately and wants him to be well. Would you surround her with love and comfort and peace in the midst of the chaos and turmoil that accompanies her. She and her family need you deeply right now. They need to feel your touch. Would you make yourself known to them in a powerful way even in this moment? We praise and thank you God for all of the incredible things you have done up to this point. May you receive all the glory and may your will be done!

Amen