These Boots Were Made for Walking

Levi loves shoes and boots and anything else that goes on your feet, including mom's pink slippers. He'll go to the shoe holder and take them out and bring them into the livingroom with his toys. He will try on everyone else's shoes. Today he managed to get on Bret's boots and my pink slipper. We weren't quite fast enough wtih the camera to get him in the pink slippers.

Today he was into singing "I love you" to us. Of course it wasn't quite that clear but it sure did melt your heart to hear it. I hope my little boy always keeps that sensitive side to him.

He loves music and is often humming. Rachel was singing a song that is on a musical book of his and he went to find the book right away.

Yesterday he found a little piece of paper on the floor and went to the cupboard under the sink, opened the door and put the piece of paper in the garbage. It is amazing how many things we say and do that he is trying to imitate!!

Love You, Mommy!

Those are the words I heard this morning before I left for school. Each morning Sue, Levi's babysitter, and Levi walk out with me to the car and I get kisses and waves good bye. I always tell him I love him. This morning when I said, "Love you buddy!" he said these words. Sue and I looked at each other in shock. Of course it wasn't as clear as and adult would say it but we definitely could tell that's what he was saying. It made my mommy heart so happy! What a great way to start the day!!

After school, when I picked him up, he was sitting while Sue read a book to him. She said that he could listen to that book all day. It's a dinosaur book. That's pretty amazing because he hasn't always had enough sit to listen to books for more than a few minutes. Lately that has been getting better as he will pull out a book and "read" himself.

She also told me how good he is with the little girl that she has just started watching who is about 11 months old. Today when she was fussing, he went and got her blankie that she sleeps with. Sue said that she thought he would make a great big brother some day.

When we got home, we found another dog at our house. Bret brought his mom and dad's lab to the house for a couple of days while they are vacationing. Levi is loving Riley. He lets Levi sit on him and hug him and kiss him. Levi loved playing in Riley's cage when Bret brought it upstairs. It is so cute!!

Teeth and Things

So, this is the week for teeth for Levi. He has been working on his four eye teeth for about 2 months I think and finally the top two have poked through. He has also been working on his 1 year molars for awhile. Yesterday I realized that along with the top 2 eye teeth, he has at least 2 more that have poked through. I say "I think" because it is difficult to see or feel inside his mouth. He is not real cooperative in this area. No wonder this child has been drooling so terribly. This might also explain the poor naps we have been having.

Other new Levi things:
*He knows where his hair, nose and belly button are and will point to them when you ask him.
*He really likes belly buttons and will pull up shirts on others as well to see their belly buttons. We're working on that!!
*When he is drinking a bottle (which we are almost through with), he likes to play with his belly button. He gets rather upset if he has on overalls and can't get to it.
*We were at the doctor on Monday for a well baby checkup and he is now 33 inches and 21.9 pounds. I knew he was growing well. He still has a difficult time keeping up his pants but at least I found some with the adjustable waist that helps.

Last night we were doing some shopping for birthday and baby things and Rachel was teasing him as we were talking with some friends in Kohl's. He said "stop" to her as clear as day.

This morning I went in to wake him up and he was standing on the floor next to his crib. I hope that this was just an accident or we are in for it! Rachel said she heard a big bump but just thought he was pounding on the wall.

We found out this week that Rachel and Levi and Lindsey and Lucas got first place in the Homecoming parade for best costume. They got a trophy. Levi wanted to hold it a lot!

We're off to a birthday party and some shopping today. Hoping to find a dress for me and maybe some options for bridesmaids. I hope you all have a blessed day!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everthing that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Heb. 12:1

More Homecoming

Rachel and Levi along with Lucas and Lindsey were in the Homecoming parade. The theme this year was Western. Levi wore a Woody costume from Toy Story and our neightbor helped make the wagon look like a covered wagon. Levi did so well in the parade. He left his hat on the whole time and waved to everyone. We didn't even coach him about waviing. He was just a natural!! We found out the next day that he was on TV briefly on the 10:00 news. We have yet to find out whether or not they won a prize because that is usually announced at the game.




Rachel and her friend Amber, who both work at the local nursing home decided they wanted to visit some of their friends there and show off their dresses.



From there it was on to get Austin and take some pictures at his house.



The girls wanted to have pictures taken at Eagle Point Park but we didn't take as many as usual because it was way too cold outside.





Rachel's group of friends went out to eat at Happy Joe's before the dance. They had fun playing in the game room!

Catching Up

I know you're all wondering what happened to me because it has been so long since I have posted. I had really intended to be much better but with a new school year and new romance life has just gotten away from me.

October is a really busy month for us. We have something going on every weekend. Last Saturday we went to the visitation and funeral for Bret's grandma. They did everything all on the same day. Rachel babysat for Levi all afternoon and got a nice surprise when she went to get him up from what was supposed to be a nap time. He had pooped and stuck his hands in it and smeared it over his clothes and sheets. She was thoroughly disgusted! Then we came home long enough to throw together some food, change clothes and get the kids ready to go to the hog roast at our church. Levi enjoyed the food and his first hayrack ride. Too bad it was dark and I couldn't get any pictures.

This week was Homecoming Week at the high school. It was a full week and a bit of a strange week. Yesterday morning they discovered that one of the high school teachers had removed a tile in the shop room that contained asbestos. So, the high school was dismissed at 12:15 and the Homecoming game was canceled because the football players' equipment was in the contaminated area. The parade went on as planned and the dance tonight will be held at the middle school. What a disappointment anyways!! Now, as I type this, the snow is falling outside. It started about 15 minutes ago. It isn't sticking to the ground but it sure is strange to see snow on the 10th of October. I hope it stops before pictures outside for Homecoming!








Last Saturday was float building day. This is the float that the Juniors built for only $35. We're anxiously awaiting the results of who won the float contest. Maybe tonight Rachel will find out at the dance.




Here are some of the dress up days at the high school. Monday was pajama day. Tuesday was twin day. Wednesday was Gender Bender day. Thursday was Western Day. Friday was red and black day.







Wednesday was the Powder Puff game. The Juniors played the Seniors and were victorious. They are undefeated in the three years they have played. Rachel really enjoys playing the game and is good about rushing to the ball when she is on defense. She was hoping they would have gotten the ball to her a little more because they wouldn't have suspected her and she is pretty fast.









This morning we woke up to a house covered with toilet paper from the front to the back. Thre of Rachel's friend's decided to toilet paper and saran wrap our house. They did it good!!

This week Levi has been rather comical. The babysitter told us that when she asks his if he pooped, he will go and get the wipes. He also knows her routine so well that when they are getting ready to go somewhere, she puts the dog in the kennel. So this week, he started going to stand by the dog kennel when they are getting ready to leave and then again when they get home. On Thursday, I put him in the high chair with four grapes and told him one at a time. He said "okay" and then put all four in his mouth. This morning we went to get Rachle up and he pointed at her door and said "sissy". He has also begun saying "thanks" or "thank you" and signing "please".

It's Official

Tonight at 7:07 p.m. Bret put a ring on my finger and asked me to marry him!!! Of course, I said yes. The significance of this day and that time is that today marks 7 weeks that he came and brought sweet corn and stayed and talked for over 4 hours. It is also 7 years since I have been widowed. For those of you familiar with the Bible, you know that the 7th year marks the year of Jubilee. Even before Levi and Bret came into my life, I declared that this year was my year of Jubilee and it has certainly been proved to be so. In this 7th year, God has fulfilled the prophecy spoken over me at the time of Brent's funeral. He has brought me a future and a hope. Praise God for His faithfulness to me through all the seasons of life I have walked through. The best is yet to come!!!

By the way, the picture does not do the ring justice. It is much more beautiful in person!! You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to get a good picture of a ring.

My Guys

I just love my guys. They bring me so much joy. Here are some pictures I have taken of them in the past couple of weeks. One day Levi crawled up on Bret's lap with his barn sorting toy. I just had to snap a picture because it was too cute.

This week Levi discovered the riding mower. He was so proud of himself that he could climb up on it. He knows exactly what to do with the steering wheel. Isn't it amazing how little boys know that and what sounds trucks and cars and tractors make without anyone teaching it to them? He also had to check out the wheels of the mower as he is very much into those as well.

Tomorrow maybe I'll actually sit down and write an update of what has been going on in our lives since Labor Day weekend. I did say maybe so don't get too excited yet!!