An Untimely Correlation

For some reason, a lot of our essential wedding gifts have reached their end this year. Six years in and our pillows are too lumpy, the comforter threadbare, and pots and pans are old and tired, to name a few. What the! Seeing as we are coming up on the infamous seven year itch, I asked Josh if this was in any way related to our marriage. Everything is degrading!

The untimely correlation leaves me a bit unsettled and I had a fleeting thought that maybe I should shave my legs and put on some make up.

Recently I have discovered what my own tell is relationally. That is, what takes me on off the path of AMAZING INCOMPARABLE WIFE and puts me on the AVOID AT ALL COSTS trajectory. Don't get me wrong, we aren't headed south or anything but I am looking forward to a class we are taking next month based on the How We Love books. The book cover says "Discover Your Love Style, Enhance Your Marriage". Hmm. And even if the class under delivers I'll settle for spending some time with my guy during the day without the distraction of kids. (phew, those expectations sure have lowered.)

If you and yours have also noticed a little wear and tear, we'd love for you to join us. Otherwise, I'll report back in a few months on whether or not we were 'enhanced'. ha

18 Months

Landon is my delight - unintentionally funny, clumsy, affectionate, sweet, happy, and easy going. He is likable, relaxed, and a bit of a rascal. I've recently taken to calling him Goose, since E and I find ourselves calling him a silly little goose quite often. A name which he deserves with all the laughter he brings to our house. He is just what the doctor ordered with me being uptight, Josh being serious  (ah! Our true colors! don't tell anyone!). God knew. But He always knows doesn't he?

He is easily the loudest little boy I've ever known. Each morning we are awakened by "MAMA!" "MAMA!" "MAMA!" in the most abrupt alarm clock we've ever had. We turned off the monitor in his room because we can hear him loud and clear from every part of our big house. When we open the door, we are always greeted by an equally loud "HI!" and wide grin. 

His favorite person in the whole world is Josh's mom. His need is real when she is near and as long as she is ok with it, so are all of the rest of us. lol. He has Josh's dark skin and head shape and Jichan's gait. He loves to snuggle with his 'bane-key' and hold these tiny sock bunnies that Sharon and Luke made for Emerson years ago. He is quick to give kisses and is often yelling out "HI" "HI" "HI' while waving frantically to the nearest stranger. He doesn't do things in the traditional way and yet it seems to work out just fine for him. I imagine that won't be the last time I'll say that.

We recently discovered he has a hernia in his groin. Apparently it is more common in premies and he'll have to have a surgery to repair it soon. Even though it's a relatively simple procedure the thought of him having to go under gives me heart palpitations. Yet, from his beginning we have seen God's hand working in his life in a real and tangible way. So too, we trust this surgery, and his future, to those same hands.

Firsts

We capped off the summer with our annual trip to Mammoth. We had a lot of firsts this year.

First time Landon caught a fish.
First time Austie caught a fish.
First time Melissa caught a fish.
First time all the kids ate the fish they caught.
First time all the kids went kayaking.
First time they made ice cream and (oc, ate it).

It was fun and memorable. We also celebrated my parents 40th anniversary, tried new restaurants, ate too much ice cream, went to new lakes, hiked Convict, bowled for free, played games, and just spent a lot of time outdoors.

It was the perfect ending to a busy and wonderful summer. In two weeks E has a monumental first, she starts preschool! Her beginning takes our family into schedules, lunches, class, teachers.. all that going to school entails so it was nice to close out our summer with something special. 

Thankful for family and firsts.