Monday, June 20, 2011

Goodbye unrealistic expectations...hello summer!

I've kind of felt out of sorts with life these last few months. God is teaching me a lot these days about my expectations for everyone and everything. These expectations of mine are often so lofty that I usually end up disappointed because, let's face it, perfection is impossible...for me or anyone else in my life. God is basically showing me, little by little, that I am not in control...He is. What I want, what I think I need, what I think I deserve, what I expect of others, etc...none of that really matters. Most of these expectations I have are "of this world" and have been so ingrained in me that it's hard to break free. All I can do is trust Him and obey His word...and that's what I'm trying to do. Such a weight is lifted when I realize that I don't have to be in control...because He is!

He knows the plan for my life and it's better than any dream or plan or idea or expectation I could conjure up in my own little head. I am trusting in Him more daily and each step I take in faith draws me closer. Don't get me wrong...I screw up all the time and will until I die, but I know God is at work in my life, that I've already been forgiven, and that He loves me.


So, now that I got all of that out, here are 9,000 pictures of our summer so far. I love my little family and just don't know that there is anything better than getting to spend time with them. God blessed my life in so many ways when He allowed me to be a mama...that is for sure. I'm lucky to be on this journey with a husband who loves, nurtures, and cares for these little people so well.



Since Nat was asleep when the family picture above was taken, I thought I'd post a cute one of just her. I ADORE this picture. She looks so sweet...and she is...but let's face it, two seconds after this picture was taken she was probably whacking her brother upside the head or getting into some kind of trouble.



We've already spent quite a bit of time on the deck playing in the kiddie pool. Andy took his first "swim" last week and loved it. I didn't even add any buckets of warm water to the freezing cold hose water that filled the pool and he STILL loved it.







These pictures are a more accurate representation of my two-year-old's typical behavior.


Nat and Andy were in bed early one evening, so Mike, Benny and I played a fun game of Pirateopoly (like Monopoly only everything is pirate themed).



He was so proud of the army man set-up he created on the coffee table. The army on the left side of the table was quite the eclectic crew. I believe there were not only army men, but also cowboys, Indians and a few alien space creatures. :)





Benny drew a lovely self-portrait on the left. Daddy was a good sport as Ben traced him on the right. It looked like a crime scene when all was said and done.




Dad took off the training wheels and Ben is starting to learn to ride on his own. They practiced on the hill in our backyard and then moved out front to the sidewalk. He hasn't mastered it just yet, but I'm confident he'll be an official two-wheeler pro by the end of the summer.




On Saturday we headed to Rittman Orchard to pick strawberries. It's becoming a June tradition. It was a PERFECT day and the kids had fun running up and down the rows of strawberry plants picking away. In Nattie's case, it was more like illegally eating any strawberry she picked. I tried to stop her and well, it didn't work.




Andy hung out in the stroller just watching his big brother and sister like a good boy. Nat's face in this picture makes me laugh...notice the half-eaten strawberry in her hand, the stains on her shirt and the red drool on her chin. Sorry Mr. Orchard Owner, but I think she only ate maybe 10 strawberries and they were the really, really little ones.








On Sunday we attempted our first bike ride with all three kids in tow. Mike pulled Ben and Nat in the bike tent and Andy rode in the seat on the back of my bike. We got on the tow path in Akron and rode about 10 miles. Nat and Ben started getting a little irritated with each other towards the end (a little too close for comfort), so we knew it was time to call it quits. I think Andy loved it and seeing him in that big ol' infant's helmet made me smile.




Finally, just a few pictures of Andy and Nat that were too cute not to share. Andy is rarely seen without a smile on his face. He makes me so happy.






My spunky monkey....I've been putting her hair in pigtails/ponytails lately and she's pretty cute, if I do say so myself. How do you like the sock/Croc combo in the middle picture? We are all about fashion over here.



Oh and just had to highlight a funny Nattie comment...Sunday morning as we were giving Daddy his Father's Day present, I told Nat and Ben to go tell Daddy "Happy Father's Day!" and she said, "Happy MOTHER'S Day, Daddy! I love you!" We all corrected her, but she INSISTED on wishing him a "Happy Mother's Day!" all day long. She did the same for Papa, Pops and Pappy. Pops even has an official voicemail with her little voice wishing him the best Mother's Day ever! She's a nut!

7 comments:

Mom/Grammy said...

Great pictures and stories of your fun summer...can't wait to see you all and spend time in New York! I LOVE that picture of Nattie with Debby's irises!!

Carrie said...

always appreciate your "realness" on your blog ali. i can echo all of the statements you made! the kids are so cute and i love how their personalities come out in the pictures!

Beth said...

Andy makes me smile as well. Love natties pigs, she is a hoot. Ben looks like Adam in the pic with all his army/indian/aliens picture.
Keep blogging, love it. Miss you all.

Anonymous said...

Your little Andy is absolutely adorable! I love his eyes and his round face! What a blessing he must be to you.

Abby said...

I love when you write about the hard lessons God is teaching you. I think you are strong and faithful and amazing! And a really fun mom. :) Love you, so much.

Katie said...

Great shots! Love strawberry picking. We have to go in early May here. Isn't that funny? I love your spunky monkey, and I love her pigtails. They're like Lucy's!!

Matt and Abby said...

1) with you on unrealistic expectations:)
2) Hannah has the same crocs Nat has
3) I could eat Andy's sweet face with a spoon
4) you should have more kids, you're good at it:)