A morning outside with Tobias.

If I could bottle up all your zeal for life and apply it like perfume at the start of every day, I would.

     What the world must look like to one as little as you, gigantic, foreign, wonderful? Sometimes when I look at pictures like these I can imagine your awe. The world through your eyes, a beautifully scary creation rendered exciting within carefully constructed boundaries.

(Could you be any cuter sporting Auntie KK's beanie she left behind?)

     You love the outdoors, if I left it up to you you would spend all your time outside. I both love and dislike this about you. Rain or shine, heat or cold, no bugs or millions your enthusiasm never wavers (unless I mention Paw Patrol, but even then you are swayed only 50% of the time). I love this because if there is one place I can go to get refreshed it's outside. It's in Gods creation where I am reminded how small I am and how great God is. There is something very comforting in that truth. I dislike this because the heat annoys me and mosquito's are very literally the bane of my existence!

     Thankfully on this morning the air was crisp (my favorite kind) and the mosquito's were few. I had put Well's down for his morning nap and the three of us headed to the backyard to play.

     When Riggs wasn't standing at the back door wanting to be let in he ran around chasing squirrels. He made sure to give Tobias and his lawn mower a wide berth. He seems to be terrified of that blue and green bubble machine when it's at the hands of Ty. I can't imagine why? I don't know a person or animal who minds getting rammed and chased by a little squirt and his plastic mower ...

(I don't think my mom could have known how much he would love this toy.)

(The leaves tend to turn brown instead of all those vibrant colors like up north, boo.) 

(The sunlight that morning was just gorgeous.)

      He stood at the gate glued to whatever truck or bus happened to pass by. He would beckon to me frantically, desperately wanting me to share in his excitement.

(His little face! Those huge blue eyes, that sweet mouth and those soft cheeks, 

it's hard to express how much I love this boy.)

     He mowed the lawn five times over stopping every once in awhile to make sure I was watching or to investigate the nearest ant hill. He ended up transferring his hat to his mower, it was "coldy" and needed some warmth.

     He also drove to the store multiple times for various items mom forgot to grab. And he drove to work. He made sure to wave goodbye to me just like daddy does every time he leaves.

Oh to be little again. Don't grow up too fast baby.

11 Months.

     Two posts in one day! Only because on principle I need to get these out of the way before his birthday on Saturday . . . gosh one year, it is just now starting to sink into my conscious. These 365 days went by so fast, I can only imagine how the next ones will go. You blink and it will all be over they say, I am starting to believe them. I am sure I sound like a broken record, forgive me, it is all a little surreal.
     At 11 months you could walk. Unsteadily and with many plops and redirections, but it did not deter you. You were just starting to get into everything, but had yet to become the tornado you are now. Your main interests were cords and remotes and pens. You loved to annoy the dog and still do, but there is less poking and slapping, you mostly observe, point and laugh now. In these pictures you had managed to remove the lid from the puffs container and subsequently you spilt them all over the floor all while mommy went pee. Our morning routine most days was pretty lazy. During this month you graciously slept till 8:30 most days and upon waking we would lounge in our jammies and you would snack on cherrios/puffs while mommy slipped in bites of yogurt and banana. Not because you did not like them, but because you were too busy playing to care. This was the month that you noticeably started to take an interest in balls, much to your daddy's delight. You loved to "throw" the ball, i.e. drop it while staring at the person encouraging you to hand it to them. You babbled all the time, your favorite syllables were da-da and ha-ha. You learned uh-oh while in Ohio with Mimi and Poppi and came home and forgot it. Even now you only say the uh part. This is the month you took a special interest in mommy and that has yet to wear off (secretly I love it). You started to show us the fart part of your personality. If we took something away from you you would clench your fists and grunt in frustration. Only recently have you started to throw tantrums which consist of laying on the ground and rolling around, ya, you are that kid. You were growing more hair, but it still stood up on end and gosh I love it. Dog food was your favorite snack no matter how many times mommy told you no. Our nap routine started to get a little longer, because mommy did not want to stop rocking you, especially when you would lay your sweet head on my shoulder. And to be honest kid, you are too darn cute for your own good. You force your mother to give you unsolicited snuggles and kisses all day every day that sometimes annoy you, but maybe, just maybe might be wearing off on you. Please stay this little for just a while longer.

Rigg's Update

     Riggs is just as sweet and ornery as usual. He's my little shadow, always interested in what I'm doing even if it's something as silly as folding laundry. Secretly I love it, he truly is a great companion. The only time he's "bad" is when we leave for extended periods of time. He has full access to the house when we are gone, and occasionally he takes advantage of this freedom. Usually it involves one piece of mail torn up on our living room floor. What makes me laugh is that it's only ever one piece of mail, I guess he doesn't want to get too ambitious. We're counting our blessings!
     He has been cooped up a lot lately just due to the random craziness that is Grays and my schedule. So when my friend needed someone to dog sit for the weekend I jumped at the opportunity! Jade was so sweet and the two of them together had Gray and I laughing. They played so well together and wore each other out! Riggs was definitely sad to see her go, but I know more play dates are in the future. :)

As I sat here.

     As I sat here and edited these images I was overcome with thankfulness. In a time of uncertainty when Grayson and I are looking for and praying for direction and clarity it is so easy to forget what we have and enjoy. So instead we complain about what we don't have and in turn cultivate spirits of discontent. I don't want that, I want to forever be in awe of what God provides, because even if the bills are piling high and the job isn't quite what we thought, he still provides and he will continue to do so. I can take whatever comes because he is my strength. And that is a truth I will choose to believe and the truth I will hitch my heart to. Because in seasons of plenty and in seasons of drought there is always something to be thankful for especially when God is bigger than your wildest dreams!!
     So as I look at these pictures I am thankful that my husband and I live in a free country. A country where we can enjoy walking safety around town. A place where be have the freedom to work and make money. A free nation that allows us to spend the money we make how we choose. I am thankful for a husband who takes walks with me even though he could think of a trillion other ways to spend his time. I am thankful for food and the tastebuds God has given me to enjoy it. I am thankful for water and the refreshment it provides, for sun and the way it lifts my spirits. For a dog who, though he annoys me, is a companion I cannot imagine living without.

     Grayson and I have been reading through Philippians as a part of our devotions together. There is so much to digest and be reminded of, but chapter 4 in particular has stood out to me.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let you gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus. . . I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:4-7; 4:11-13 The Message)

     As I grow and become farther removed from college and the protection and shelter of my parents roof, I am awakened to just how unpredictable life is. Nothing is certain, nothing is secure. And as I realize this truth, I can't help but feel sadness for those who do not trust in God. Because going through life and the trials it brings would be hopeless without the meaning and security God offers. I can't do any of this through my own strength, but I can do it through him who gives me strength, and that gives my heart peace!

The Dog.

     Riggs continues to amuse us. He is loving our new house. There are so many rooms to explore and so many stairs to climb, and a huge backyard to run around. He is constantly burning energy which not only keeps him happy but keeps Gray and I sane too! Its been so beautiful here the past couple of days that I just leave the back door open for him to come in and out as he chooses. He's loving the freedom! All I have to say is, "I'm glad you're happy Riggs, because in a big way this move was for you! We'd be having issues if you weren't, just saying . . ."

Riggin's Update.

     This portrait so accurately portrays our puppy. Too much cuteness with a look that says "are you calling me human? That's cool, but unnecessary, because I'm going to stay right here. You aren't the boss of me." Such a stink butt, and I mean that both in jest and literally. His farts are unnaturally pungent. . . Since when did cuteness cover such a multitude of sins? Since Gray and I decided to be push overs, that's when. Ugh!

For your enjoyment I included the video below. 

If we "can't" train him, at least we can laugh at him, happy Wednesday!

Still a puppy.

     10 months bubb and you're not terrible. I feel lucky that we didn't pick a Marley (from the book "Marley & Me), we actually picked a pretty easy going dog. You definitely have your annoying habits, like showering with either your dad or I and then deciding to get out when you please, making puddles all over the house. Begging, which is weird because you don't really love food that much, at least, it doesn't always motivate you like I think it should. Oh, and you practically drag us to the dog park, you'd think choking would send an understandable message, but no, I think you like it. Also, you love people too much and that means if they aren't paying ample attention to you, you make your presence know (i.e. by jumping on them), don't worry we're working on it. You've done surprisingly well in your doggie training classes, I can't believe graduation is tomorrow! It's too soon really, your not quite ready. I guess we'll just have to wait for level two to start, maybe the stuff you didn't pick up in level one will catch on . . . maybe. You are cute though, at least you've got that going for ya.You really weren't into having your picture taken. You'll learn :)