Virginia Beach

Wanted to get some pictures posted from our impromptu mini-vacation to Virginia Beach this Memorial Day Weekend.

David was down here this week for a work "off-site;" last night, the kids and I drove down to join him and his boss, Greg. Greg's son, Max came along with us and we are all hanging out relaxing.

Connor took this picture of us this morning, our first morning in Virginia Beach:

The View during my run this morning:

Here are: Colin, Connor, Max (our friend), Sybella, and David in the Hot Tub.

Out for a Walk

This is an iPhone photo (which I seem to be taking a lot of lately) of the younger kids in their Sit and Stand Stroller. I bought it on Craig's List and we put it to good use 5-7 times a week for walks through Old Town Fairfax.
NOTICE - A Slurpee is a special treat Sybella sometimes enjoys on our walks. :)

Hero-- Review and Give-Away

Book Review by: Sharon

This book by Fred and Jasen Stoeker is phenomenal.
If you are a man or if you are raising boys, this book is for you!
Our world is FULL of sexual temptation. Everywhere you look, sex sells.

Yet, most of the parents I know, live in confusion about how to combat it.
We don't know what the pitfalls are, we are not sure how to handle them, we don't even know if they can be avoided and if so, that our kids can have Victory (especially if we didn't).

Well, Victory is possible!
Get this book and read it--it's more than worth the cost and the time.
In Fact, Get an Extra Copy to Give to a friend.
I am excited about the perspective this book has given me in helping my sons!

****If you want a free copy of this book, I am giving one Away! Leave a comment here on our blog OR on my Facebook page by May 31 and you will be entered in a drawing to win a FREE copy!****

Here is the Publisher's Summary:
You already know it’s not easy being a single man in this culture today. But it is easy to be overwhelmed, to feel helpless and hopeless about living by God’s high standards for singles. It’s easy to cave in to the pressures of this sex-soaked world and accept defeat—blaming the media, the culture, even girlfriends who don’t know how tough it can be.
But many men have read books like Every Young Man’s Battle and Tactics and have committed themselves to stand strong and pure in the power of God, and to go on the offensive against the onslaught of negative stereotypes. Some have suffered. Some have fallen. But many have experienced victory—and you can be among them.
What makes those committed men so desirable to women? Be Her Hero is their motto. From best-selling author Fred Stoeker, along with his son Jasen, come the straightforward insight and real-life examples you’re looking for to help you take personal purity to its logical conclusion. Here’s straight truth with irrefutable evidence of what makes an ultimate hero to women who long for men of faith—men who stand by their convictions and make their world a safer and better place.
Are you ready to accept the challenge?

David, Work, and Home

David is an Awesome Husband!
Right in the Midst of having a new baby, David started a new job. He was not looking for a new job, but the right job came along and we felt like, even in the middle of a major family transition, it was the time to move. Now, has that been easy? Of course not, it never is.
David had been at ATS for 3 years and although it was no secret that there were interpersonal challenges between David and one of executives, David had embraced the company, it's objectives, the customers, and the other executives. David's commitment was unwavering despite some major hurdles; we knew that God wanted him in that job and position for a season, even when there were times we would have rather left (and had job offers). But, staying meant on many occasions David had to Grow, Change, and even eat some Humble Pie! He did it, over and over again, he did it. I was truly proud to watch how he handled the entire last year! Is he perfect? No. Was it sometimes his fault? Yes. But David showed maturity of character, Christ-Like forgiveness, patience, grace, and mercy. Even in his departure, he persevered to finish strong and leave with grace instead of on the attack. His care for the other executives and the employees remains strong. We made some friends at ATS that we hope last!
Thanks to our small group for praying for us thru the hard times, the difficult decision to leave, & the BUSY transition (David went back to work when Cooper was 4 days old).
Thanks to Carey for being an awesome mediating middle man! There were many times that you kept us afloat.
Thanks to Jeff, Lacy, Dave, Dave, John, Bryan, and others who have become friends; may our friendship LAST!
So, back to the new job: it's a challenge, it's invigorating, it has a healthy "steep hill" to climb, and it was a great move. How do I know you ask? Because I watch my husband, I know him, and I am Thrilled to see him exhilarated to go to work again. I haven't seen that in a while and even with the long hours and adjustment, I am happy for him!
Another thing, is that when you enjoy going to work and giving it everything you have every day, you can be with your family during family time and NOT be distracted.
David is a great dad, a great husband, and our family time has been very special lately.

Colin in Goal

Here is a great picture of Colin playing Goalie at his game a couple of weeks ago:

Shopping

On Thursday, we went shopping with our friends. Sybella, Cooper, and I needed to get out of the house and Sybella did need some clothes. So, we met up with Shauna and Kylee for a quick stop at Ikea and then drove over to Potomac Mills Mall to shop at The Children's Place. Lastly, we stopped at the food court for some lunch before heading home. These girls had some fun!

Sand Box

We are trying to get out of the house every day now; I don't mean get out of the house to the grocery store or to run the boys to soccer practice, we have to do those things. I mean get out of the house to do something that Sybella and I will enjoy. It is not always easy with a 2 1/2 week old, but Sybella loves the sun and playing outside.
Wednesday, we went to the NCC Mom's Play Group at Lacey Woods Park in Arlington.

Here are some pictures of Sybella's first time in a Sand Box. She loved it!!

Visitors at Home

We had many visitors once we came home from the hospital too!

Uncle Phillip (pictured) came to meet Cooper the day we came home from the hospital.

Starting the day after we arrived home, we had MANY friends deliver meals to our house. I have never had this wonderful privilege before and let me tell you, it was AWESOME. David went back to work when Cooper was 4 days old and our life continued at it's normal pace: school, toddler play, homework, soccer, etc. So, the meals SAVED me (and my sanity)!

Thanks to: Katie McFaddin, Shauna Oswald, Trish Arnold, Nathan & Ashley Maines, Lora Jarrell, Luke & Ashley Sprague, Nathan & Jenny Herald, Anna Martin, and Kevin & Jessica Powers. And, a special thanks to Chris and Cherise Pilger who brought us 2 meals!!!

Field Trip Fun

Today, I took Sybella and Cooper to Van Dyke Park. Connor's class had a field trip this morning and stopped at the park to enjoy their lunch and recess before going back to school. Parents and siblings were invited to join them.
We made the trek over to the park (since it's less than a mile from our house).
The skateboarding park is also located here so we got to watch some skateboarders (a big hit with Sybella and the 2nd graders).
I took some pictures of the kids: having lunch, Connor helping Sybella out with the Monkey Bars, Sybella driving the fire truck, Connor playing with a group of his classmates, and then Hugs "Good-Bye." Sybella had fun. Cooper ate and then slept through the whole thing. And Connor was thrilled and surprised that we joined him!
**Don't forget that if you click on the pictures/mosaics in the blog, they will enlarge for better viewing.

Sybella-- it can't ALL be about Him!

Sybella just knew that it can't ALL be about Him (Baby Cooper)....so, she rummaged thru his drawers and found this Pooh Hat (AKA Toddler Skull Cap) and a Baby Wrist Rattle (AKA Toddler Jewelry) to emphasize the point that there was some of the baby stuff that she could use.
Sybella LOVES Cooper there is no question about that! But, she is also a bit overwhelmed, hyperstimulated, and confused by the fact that Mommy is distracted sometimes and that she is not the center of attention all day long anymore. Therefore, raiding Cooper's belongings is a great, healthy, and safe way to "act out."

Shark Baby

Here is my Shark Baby after his First at Home Bath:
Isn't he cute?

Happy Mother's Day to All!

Visitors in the Hospital

We have great friends! Some of them came to visit us at the hospital.
In the pictures below are: Shauna & Kylee, Anna, and Glenda & Mia.
Thanks guys for loving Cooper and Us. You're the Best!