Boys and their toys...

With every new house, comes new toys!  After it took Jason 3+ hours to hand cut the lawn two weeks ago, a riding mower/tractor has been purchased.  After a few days of a cleaning up hundreds of bird droppings on our back patio, a plastic pellet gun has been purchased.  After Rylan has asked for water 100s of times since we moved in (he could get it himself at the other house but this fridge's water dispenser is on the inside and too high for him), a new fridge for our laundry room has been purchased.  After a week of the stomach bug running it's course through our family, life should get back on track tomorrow.  I think I can officially say that we are pretty much settled in.  Life is working out it's kinks, but this is going to be an awesome home for us, and is already proving to be so.  I am beginning to envision what it will look like in a couple of years and I am thrilled to be creating new memories here already.  Thank you God for all that you have blessed us with, mostly each other, and thank you friends and family to all of your support over the last few months as we have been on our hectic roller coaster of fun! 

(Since all of the craziness, blogger has seemed to change on me and I cannot figure out how to get my pictures up?!?!?!?  They are showing up in my template but not on the blog, so bear with me while on work on that (cause I have nothing else to do, right?  :) ))

hugs,
sarah

ahhh....

I can breathe.  It has been a LONG few months of stress and moving.  Our old house still has not sold, so fingers and toes crossed as well as prayers for that are appreciated.  However, our new house is complete, being filled with love and memories already, and going to be a very great home for us through the years.  Almost all of the boxes are empty, decorating and wall hanging have yet to begin, and cleaning has not happened yet, but we are slowly getting settled and organized.  Now that school is over for Rylan for the summer, and our schedule lightens up, we will have plenty of time to work on things.  I feel so lucky and blessed to live in such a beautiful home with a great family. 

Rylan has been enjoying swimming, soccer, and gymnastics.  Jason had A LOT of fun with the time elapse setting on  my camera.  It basically is the whole game in snap shots so I apologize in advance for the 200+ pictures of the little man playing soccer.  Callie Jae is a fun handful.  She is busy busy busy busy...I could go on and on.  She is very strong willed and loves to do everything that Rylan didn't.  It is going to be joyful few years ;).  She definitely has a lot of spunk!  CJ is loving gymnastics and swimming for the most part, except when the coach takes her away from me to swim with her.  She has already been moved up to Starfish II!  Go Callie Jae!

Enjoy the pictures.  Keep in mind that it is dirty, not decorated, and has no pictures hung, but we are slowly working on things!

Bull Ridin'

This is what results from watching it on TV!

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Woo hoo!

Touching...

Last night after dinner, the four of us ventured over to the new house to check out the progress.  Jason was there last Wednesday, and it was CRAZY to see everything that had been completed since then.  (I will post some progress pictures.)  Anyway, after being there for about 15 minutes, Rylan was ready to "go home."  I did not think much about it until Jason mentioned it before going to bed last night.  He asked if I had ever noticed that Rylan is often excited at first to see the new house but when that wears off, he pretty quickly is ready to go back home.  So this morning I mentioned it to him and sure enough, Jason hit the nail on the head.  Poor Ry guy started crying saying he never wanted to leave our house and wanted to stay here forever.  I tried to explain to him that the only thing that would be changing was our house, but I think that is a lot for a four year old to wrap their head around.  I wrote a note to his teachers today explaining what was going on, just in case he was upset at school.  When I went to pick him up after school, Ms. Debbie told me that they read a story today at circle time about moving.  They had a few kids that had moved this year shared their stories about moving and how they got to bring everything with them.  Let me just tell you that it took every ounce of composure to not just burst into tears.  I am truly amazed at the level of compassion that Rylan's teachers have for him and all of the children.  They addressed a tough situation for my little guy on the morning that I sent a note.  It takes a truly special teacher to do what they did for my child today.  I will forever be grateful to them. 

Happy Birthday Callie Jae!

Sorry for the late birthday update!  Life has been a little busy with visitors and house stuff!

We were able to celebrate Callie Jae's birthday with those people that mean the most to us...our parents (grandparents).  Missi and Pop and Grandma and Papa came in for the big day.  Their visits overlapped by one day/night so we celebrated Callie Jae's birthday on Sunday.  Let's just say that with the generosity of so many, little Miss Callie Jae is going to be dressed like quite the little fashionista this summer.  All of the little outfits that she received were absolutely adorable.  She really enjoyed her cake and really could have cared less about opening any presents :).  I'm positive that will change over time.  Thank you so much to our parents, family, and friends for their extreme generosity.  Callie Jae is such an amazing gift that has been given to us.  I can't even begin to imagine a day in which I do not get to receive one of her precious hugs, cuddles, or kisses.  She is definitely all girl and going to keep mama on her toes, but I really wouldn't have it any other way.  We love you Callie Jae.

Rylan Picasso

Go Callie Jae!

After school today, all the big kids were running around by the office at St. Peter's.  It was delightful and loud, organized chaos as all of us mommies laughed and stood around chatting.  I put Callie Jae down on her feet and let go and she stood there for what seemed to be at least 30 seconds, although realistically it probably was more like 10 seconds.  She was so proud of herself too!  It was pretty stinkin' cute!

Coffee!

Ahhh...silence.  Do you hear that?  Neither do I!!  All THREE of my babies are sleeping peacefully (the big one is "working" from home today).  I would like to as well, but I also enjoy the peace and quiet of a rainy afternoon, and I am trying to make myself stay awake.  Plus, starting on Monday, I am going to be participating in a MWF 5-6 a.m. boot camp class on top of trying to continuing my TTh 5-6 a.m. morning runs.  It really seems to be the only time that I can get in a good workout.  Right now, the inconsistency of waking up one morning at 4:45 and the next at 7:30 is killing me.  I go through waves of exhaustion because I have a hard time getting to sleep on some nights and then don't sleep well on top of it.  So, I am looking forward to seeing if consistency will allow my body to get into some sort of good sleeping pattern which will hopefully take away the need for a BIG 3 p.m. cup of COFFEE!

"My God is so BIG..."

Rylan's first choir performance was at the traditional service at church today.  We have been practicing at home the past few days and he has been really cute.  We lined up "his friends" on the couch yesterday and he performed for them and Callie Jae and I.  It was really sweet to see him so excited.

"...so STRONG and so MIGHTY..."

 

"...there's nothing my God cannot do."

 I think he was a little distracted looking for us but he was not nervous at all!  Go Rylan!  Daddy and I are very proud of you.  

It was such a nice morning all going to church together.  Jason and I were able to go to the element, our contemporary service first, while Ry was in Sunday school (Callie Jae in the nursery) and then we headed over to the traditional service immediately following to watch the big performance.  My heart was definitely overflowing this morning!  What a great way to end/begin another week!

...changes continued

Well, as most of you know by now, thanks to a FB post by my husband, our house is on the market.  It really was not something that I wanted to advertise (really, no one from FB is going to buy it), as I have been a little more stressed about everything that involves moving.  I really wasn't ready to answer more questions from anyone.  Yesterday, I found myself in a very foul mood.  There was not one particular reason, but I have no doubt that it comes from how OCD I am about keeping things clean and organized.  Typically I can let go of that a little bit because I have to, but with my house on the  market, it has kind of consumed me.  Anyways, with that being said, it always feels good to know that He is always right there to bring me back to what is important.  Last night I had my bible study, and it just felt good and right to be there, talking about Him, with women that I respect immensely.  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God; And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Phillipians 4:6-7.  He's got this.  I need not to worry because everything will happen in His perfect timing.  There are some things that are just out of our control.  Actually as much as we hate to admit it, most things are.  Please pray for our family as we continue on our year of changes and choices.  There are many exciting and beautiful times in our future and it will all work out according to His plan.

Changes...

There are a lot of changes coming about in the Eckel house over the next several months.  I'll keep this post about the most bittersweet one.  In exactly one month, my sweet Callie Jae will be turning ONE!  It really can't be possible that the time of having a sweet baby in our home is about to come to a close.  I am having very mixed emotions about leaving the baby phase of life.  As much as I look forward to the day that the clock and nap schedules don't dictate our lives, I absolutely love having my kiddos with me for the majority of the days.  I am not quite ready yet for the eight hour days that my kids will be in school under the influence of so many others.  Luckily, God chose to send Rylan to us 25 days into September so I can hold on tight to him one more year.  Life.  I am sure in 15 years my posts will look and sound exactly the same.   I'll be talking about how fast time goes, how I can't believe the stages that my children are in...  For now, we will continue to live for the moment and enjoy the small joys of each and every day.

Just another Saturday

Today is a beautiful day here in Katy.  It is about 60 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.  We began the day with a 9:30 birthday party at Chuck E Cheese for a little boy that is in Rylan's class.  It's a lot of fun to see "the boys" interact.  Many of them have been together since last year, so they are very comfortable with each other and are definitely good friends.  I almost feel bad for their preschool teachers, as I am sure that they probably can be a handful at times!

Yesterday I had MOPS, and at our next meeting we are going to have "A Taste of Moppets."  Each table is going to be bringing a snack, main course, and dessert to share with the rest of the group.  The dishes are supposed to be kid friendly, hence the "Moppets."  I was called out of the meeting a few minutes early because Callie Jae was losing it in the nursery (she won't nap there so she gets really tired).  Anyways, I remembered about the tasting this morning and emailed a friend from my table.  She said that only dessert had been signed up for and to let her know which one I wanted to cook and she'd do the other.  So, long story short, I asked Ry on the way home from the party today what was his favorite main dish that mommy cooks.  "Mac and cheese."  Well honey, that's out of box; Mommy doesn't cook that.  "Soup."  Can.  "Eggs."  Um, no. Apparently I cook nothing that is kid friendly?

Callie Jae has been full of new tricks this past week.  She can blow, give five, claps her hands pretty well, pulls up (and gets down) very comfortably, and continues to eat like a horse.  Still not sure where she puts it all but she tries to put every speck of something in her mouth.  After nursing today, she even tried to get the freckle off of my cheek and put it into her mouth.  That was pretty cute and pretty funny.  I'm thinking about what I am going to be doing for her birthday, which is in about 6 weeks.  Not sure how that can be possible, but it is!  I have recently dropped down to three times a day for nursing.  The fourth time that was dropped is now replaced with juice and a snack.  Yesterday, I caught a glimpse of the new freedom that awaits me 6 weeks from now.  After nap, I threw them in the car to run few errands and gave her a sippy and snack cup for the road.  It was so nice, and easy!  How easily one forgets all of that!  After our errands, we stopped at Chik-fil-A and she very easily put away her first kids meal of grilled chicken nuggets and an applesauce pouch!  LOVE that place!

My heart is full!

We must be doing something right around here.  After dinner this evening, and completely out of the blue, Rylan said, "Hey Mom, say this Bible verse with me.  He will be born in Bethlehem.  I love that verse Mom."  The cutest part of the whole thing was that he paused after certain words so I could repeat after him.  Prayers being answered right in front of my very own eyes is an amazing feeling! 

ughh...

There are several reasons that I do not like Jason being out of town.  First of all, we miss him terribly.  The days seems REALLY long and momma gets super tired.  I'm tired though because I end up being a night owl, which does not work cause I still have to wake up in the morning!  It's a vicious cycle but I do end up getting a lot checked off of my list.  I have been working my tail off on our Eckel family album for 2011 and I am very happy that I have completed it.   Next on the list is to get Callie Jae's first year close to completion.  Then she will have 2 of the 4 that one day I am sure she will expect (since Rylan has 4).  Hers may not have as many posts, but I am sure she will love them just the same.  Her baby book is better anyways!  Ha!  Well, I am looking forward to copying and pasting this post as the first post in the 2012 book.  Maybe if I keep up with it, then I won't have to work on it for 3 days straight next January ;).  I'm also looking forward to the year to come...I have a feeling it will bring some interesting things.  Night night.

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Not sure why she has toys...all she plays with are Rylan's cars!