Pucker Up!

Does it get any cuter?

Home and Firsts

I've tried to update several times. Every effort was met by challenge in the form of battling chinese brothers. :)

After 4 years car seat free, Moses wasn't happy about his first time being strapped in.

He cried almost the whole way home (about an hour drive). I think he was probably crying more because he was tired than dislike for the car seat. He was awake almost our entire time traveling to come home. He slept for an hour and a half on the longest flight and for about an hour an a half after we landed in the States -through customs and immigration, luggage transfer and some of our wait time at the airport for our final flight. That was it. Mario and I struggled to entertain a four year old for 20+ hours of travel but he handled it like a champ.

We arrived home after Judah was in bed sleeping for the night, so my Mom, Dad, Chloe, Max and Lillie were the first to meet Moses. He was all over and into everything, just like the day we met him. He must have been nervous about his new surroundings and new family.

Chloe and Max jumped right out of bed, but Lillie took a little longer to wake up. As you can see, they were happy to see their little brother.

The next morning, Moses was rudely awakened by the sound of Judah pounding on the door. It seems Judah has learned how to escape from our modified crib while we were gone. Once he was awake and over the shock of it all, Moses and Judah ran from one end of our bedroom to the other, chasing each other. Judah was very happy to see Moses----at first.

It didn't take long for them to figure out how to disagree. One day the boys will learn that the multitude of hot wheels they have can be split and shared. One day the boys will learn that play time is not war time. One day the boys will learn that Mommy can make time for each of her children. One day the boys will learn not to push each other down, hit each other, take toys, take food, take each other's drinks. One day Judah will stop through tantrums every time Moses touches a toy or something or someone he wants. One day..........just not today. :)

Moses has had a lot of firsts in such a short time. For instance......

Coloring with Chloe

Our first attempt at getting all 5 kids up, ready and out the door for church in a timely manner.
As well as meeting all of our church family.

First play time outside with his brothers and sisters.

First tractor ride with Daddy and Judah. One of Judah's favorite things to do!

First bath with his brother. They had a great time together. They splashed water all over everything, including me. In so many pictures, Moses looks rather serious. That's because when he sees me with the camera, his smile immediately fades for his 'camera ready' look. I think he gets that from his Daddy. I have very few pictures of Mario actually smiling. Most of them are taken when he doesn't know I'm taking a picture. Looks like I'm going to have to sneak up on both of them.

I have two very different little boys. One is a lover. The other makes you chase him to give him love. One is orderly, neat and loves to put things in their place and off the floor. The other is like a tornado, leaving a path of destruction everywhere he goes. One smiles, but is serious at times. The other smiles and seeks to make everyone smile with him as he clowns around the house. One is a tattle-tale. The other has the most mischievous look on his face most of the day. Bet you can guess who is 'One' and who is 'the Other'. :)

red couch pictures

Wednesday in GZ

Mario found Moses walking around our room this morning in his shoes looking at my Bible.  A picture of the future, perhaps? 

 

Proverbs 1:8-9 

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

 

I figured since I posted a picture of Judah crying in his crib in GZ, it would only be fair to do the same for Moses.  All of the smiling pictures may give the impression that our sweet little boy is all smiles all the time.  Not so.  Living with Moses reminds me of the nursery rhyme about curly sue, "....when she was good, she was very good, but when she was bad......."  While I wouldn't label my children as bad (all my children are a blessing from God)  Parenting certainly gives a mom days that challenge.  Today was one of those days.  It all started with a little word with big implications....... "NO".............followed by the removal of one of his favorite things, Daddy's cell phone.  It was all down hill from there.  By the end of the day, I was a complaining mess.  *sigh*  Thankfully, I am confident tomorrow will hold new opportunities for me to meet the challenges of parenting with a better attitude that honors God.  As for my failures today, I know God's grace is enough to cover them as I pour my heart out to Him and ask forgiveness.  I can't remember the last time I was so thankful for mercies that are new each morning.  It was probably when Chloe, Max and Lillie were all toddlers together.  Ahhhh, the memories.

 

We spent part of the morning walking around GZ.  We went to a park next to the hotel.  It turned out to be a great place to people watch. 

 

Thank you again for your prayers, emails and comments.  Each one brings us encouragement. I wish I could respond to everyone but I simply can't.  I use the term 'free time' loosely.  It only means we are not in a group activity.  The truth is, when a toddler is in the house, one has very little 'free time'.  :)  We love you all. 

Pictures for Wednesday in GZ

Tuesday Evening Boat Ride

Tuesday Evening our guide arranged for us to have a boat ride on the Pearl River.  It was beautiful with the buildings lit up and while the buffet looked impressive, it didn't take long to discover it was another chinese disaster. 

 

After dinner, they had a magic show for the kids.  Moses enjoyed watching it. 

 

Thank you to all who continue to pray for us.  God has been good to us in many ways.  Our hearts are encouraged by His faithfulness.  We are counting down the days and hours........

Tuesday Evening Boat Ride

Tuesday Morning Pictures

Tuesday morning we enjoyed another wonderful breakfast in our Hotel, the White Swan, looking out on the Pearl River.  After breakfast, we went back to our room where Moses insisted on putting on his bathing cap.  He also insisted on wearing it out shopping.  We got some interesting looks and laughs. 

 

Moses loves to watch the fish in the hotel.  Mario says he was looking for dinner in these pictures.  He could have dove right in with the swim cap on!

Shopping Pictures