A boy and his bike...

He had his list already in mind for Christmas this year.

An orange bike. A green kitchen. A big train.

We took him to Toys R Us. We walked the aisles of Target. We wanted to see what his interests were, this little man of three. What did he like? Now that he has a mind of his own. What peaks his excitement?

But his heart was set. His decision made.

An orange bike. A green kitchen. A big train.

Daddy flat out refused... refused to by his first born son a kitchen for Christmas.

And his room was already full of trains. trains. and more trains.

And so a bike it was.

Sneaky Daddy, couldn't wait for little man to head to school. He spent the day tinkering, testing, and putting his first bike together with loving hands. He sent pictures. He hid it carefully. And he waited in anticipation for his son to open the much anticipated gift.

Christmas Eve came and went. Christmas Day more of the same. Daddy had to work, so the bike remained hidden.

And then finally, finally, the day had come. He bounced up and down on Mommy and Daddy's bed, knowing it was finally his turn to open gifts. We told him to cover his eyes. He obliged with a giggle and a squeal. Daddy wheeled in the bike.

And our little boy has never been the same.

"I ride bikes now, Mommy? I ride bikes with you and Daddy?" he asks us daily.

Yes, even in the cold.

Yes, even in the rain.

We ride bikes around the neighborhood.

We ride bikes up and down the bike path.

"Henry, Mommy? Henry ride bikes, too?" he begs.

Yes, we ride bikes with Henry.

We love riding bikes with Henry.

"Faster, Mommy! I go faster and faster!" he squeals.

Yes, sweet love of mine, you go faster.

Faster and faster each day that you ride.

"I ride with the big boys, Mommy? I ride bikes with the big boys, too?" he pleads.

Yes, often you ride bikes with the big boys.

I'm so thankful, for those kind-hearted big boys, who let you join in their fun.

"I like riding bikes with you, Mommy," he sighs.

I do too, my big boy.

Mommy adores riding bikes with you.

"I love you, Mommy," he often whispers with a grin.

I love you too, sweet boy of mine.

I love you, too.

An overwhelming update of epic proportions...

Has it really been 5 months since I've last updated? I feel like I've lost touched with each and every one of my friends (bloggy and real life...) as I've been caught in the haze of balancing work and home life, Bible study and gymnastics, family get-togethers and the occasional friend outing, early mornings and busy evenings, and even a grocery shopping trip or two.

I've not commented or even read a blog in what seems like months, and sadly feel like I've missed out on huge chunks of so many of your lives. On of my biggest New Year's Resolutions (are we supposed to share those? Or are they like birthday wishes... if you let them part your lips, are they as good as void??) is to make a purposeful and heartfelt effort to invest in people more. I've spent the past six months really investing in my students and in my sanity (it is still intact... but just barely...) and I realize how lonely and haggard I've become. I miss connections with people taller than 4'9"... I miss conversations with women about motherhood and Jesus and traveling and good food... I miss coffee dates and hugs and laughter that is genuine and from the heart.

2011 is a year I plan to really embrace the fact that even though my life is scattered and hectic and sometimes a handful, that doesn't mean I have to sacrifice friendships and connections that I so desperately want, need, and miss. 2010 kind of kicked my butt... but 2011 is going to be quite fabulous, I'm just sure of it.

To catch you up, here is a quick review of what we've been up to...

Swee'Pea grew up before my very eyes. He knows all his colors. He tells me about the weather and the seasons. He has favorite friends and TV shows and foods. And he is incredibly hilarious and witty and precious all at the same time.

Swee'Pea became bosom buddies with our neighbor across the street. She may be four years older than him, but they laugh and play and cruise around the streets like two peas in a pod. There may or may not be secret marriage plans in the works as we speak.

Swee'Pea spent countless hours playing with cousin Henry. This past summer started something even more special between these two as they formed a bond that I didn't realize could exist between two little people. Every time I see them together my heart is full of joy. I sing God's praises at his perfect planning... I could not have hoped, prayed, or wished for a dearer friend for my little one.

We went to Legoland and thus our obsession with all things Duplo was born.

I "wogged" the Disneyland Half Marathon with my mom. We may not have been fast, but we made it to the finish before they stopped the clock and we received our medals. It was hot. It was long. It was painful. But it was worth it.

Somebody turned three and I died a little on the inside watching him turn instantly from my baby to a real boy. We had a Dinosaur party, per his request. It was filled with cupcakes and cookies and laughter and friends. I praised God once again for his providence in blessing me with this precious ginormous family, more amazing than I could have ever dreamed.

Popeye and I went to our first country concert together. And Carrie was even more fabulously beautiful on stage than I could ever have imagined.

We spent a blissfully wonderful Saturday at the LA Zoo, Train Town, and the Santa Monica beach and pier. Perfection.

I attempted (and failed greatly) at keeping Swee'Pea on a gluten/dairy/egg/soy free diet. Crash and burn people. Crash and burn.

I took the occasional moment to enjoy a day off with good food, great wine, and lots of laughter.

I fell deeper in love with my ridiculously patient, supportive, handsome, loving husband.

Swee'Pea became increasingly obsessed with dressing up. Favorites are train conductor, police man, pirate, doctor, and firefighter.

We went on our annual pumpkin picking trip with the who fam. We took 10 kids. We held our breath. No one cried. It was spooky.

Swee'Pea dress up like a "real cowboy" for Halloween. He preferred passing out candy to actually trick or treating. He also prefers to sleep in his leather chaps and vest each night to wearing actual pajamas, but we are working on that...

We enjoyed a fall day full of apple picking in Tehachapi.

Swee'Pea became even more ridiculously obsessed with his daddy. I try not to take it personally. I'm quite sure he prefers him because he offers pony rides and Pop Tarts on demand and I instead force horrid things like teeth brushing and plates of vegetables.

We went to Disneyland. A lot. And every time we go back it gets even more magical.

We enjoyed our annual candy making date with Grandma and Great Grandma. Enjoying as in mommy made the candy, and Swee'Pea ate it.

We had a chat with Santa. It was darling and perfect and I couldn't believe how excited Swee'Pea was. This Christmas season is so magical for us this year... from our daily chats about Jesus' birthday to eating chocolate every morning from the Advent Calender, I am adoring just how beautiful Christmas is through a child's eyes.

Each and every day with this little family of mine is a reminder of God's love... His perfect planning... His grace. And as I weed my way out of the haze of a hectic but sweet season, I'm looking forward to updating you all more on the going ons in our lives, as well as keeping updated on the sweetness of all of you.

Bicycle (mis)adventures...

With all the beautiful weather we were having at the beginning of summer, I tried to take full advantage and ride my bike as much as possible. My fabulous mother and father-in-law bought Swee'Pea a bike trailer for his 1st birthday, and rarely does the (beautiful) day go by that we aren't using it... We've taken it visit Henry and MamaD... to church and to the grocery store... but more often than not, we use it to go to the park or to grab a yummy bowl of ice cream on fabulous summer evenings.

But a few weeks ago, I had the brilliant idea to hitch up the bike trailer and trek the nearly 8 miles to our local library for Preschool story time.

Here is a picture journey of what turned out to be a huge bicycle (mis)adventure....

8:40 in the morning... latched in and ready to go. Swee'Pea likes to eat while he rides, so the mandatory Eggo waffle was of course toasted for his snacking pleasure.

9:01... My leg and my bike have a run-in with the railroad tracks. The tracks won.

9:20... Arrive at the park at Riverwalk, where Swee'Pea promptly poops and then throws a fit when I try to change his diaper on a bench. I clean him up, then let him play on the slides. I spend the next 20 minutes glaring at "big boys" who run past him, pushing him out of the way as they play Space Star Galictica or something. I officially become "that mom" who tells other peoples' kids what to do since the parent is too busy texting on their phone to notice that their child is about to push my child to his death from the play set.

10:20... arrive at the park with ten minutes to spare. Realize I don't even have my library card on me, and reluctantly pay the $2 fee for a new one so that we can check out books. Spend the next 70 minutes chasing Swee'Pea up and down the stairs of the library, checking out every book he rips from the shelves, and apologizing profusely as he throws up a pound of grapes all over the floor in the middle of story time.

11:30... thank the librarians who "oooh" and "ahhh" over the cuteness of Swee'Pea telling them about his shoes and that he is going "bye-bye." Then proceed to feel their glares as he throws a fit when I tell him we actually have to go "bye-bye" and head home. Within minutes Swee'Pea is asleep in the trailer, and I'm feeling happy and carefree as I ride my bike down Ming Avenue.

11:40... June in Bakersfield, and I'm wearing a sweatshirt. Life is good.

11:45... First flat tire of the day. Glad I had my bike pump with me.

11:55... Discover after I've already gone four miles that the back flap to the trailer is open, and two things that I have checked out are missing. Can't decide if I want to crap my pants or cry. Give in and decide to re-trace my trail in hopes of finding the goods instead of paying a library fine.

12:06... Discover two of the CD's I checked out near CSUB. They fell out when I tried to take a sweet jump with my bike and my trailer. I remind myself that I am 26... not 12... and thus, I should no longer attempt to take sweet jumps on my bike, no matter how cool I think I am.

12:20... Second flat tire of the day. I am no longer feeling perky.

12:25... the tire is pumped, and we are on our way. It is getting warm. I'm so over this bike ride.

12:27... Discover I am out of water. So is Swee'Pea. Realize we are going to die on the bike trail and C.S.I. will have to come investigate our remains. I secretly hope Nick Stokes takes my case...

12:30... Swee'Pea is still asleep. Poor guy. He has no clue he is about to meet his demise. I let him snooze. Better to keep him in the dark about our lack of water as we continue to ride in the wilderness.

12:35... Begin hearing a "flap... flap... flap..." sound every time I peddle. Realize that it isn't that my tires are just flat, they have holes in them and can hold no air. Cue immediate meltdown.

What happened next was just too ugly to portray in pictures... so my words will have to do.

12:40... Call mother, who agrees to come rescue me.

12:41... Cry my eyes out as I bike down Jewetta Avenue. Realize I need to conserve both moisture and energy if I'm going to make it any further. Immediately stop crying.

12:50... Make it to my In-laws house and park the bike and trailer in their garage. Wait for my mother to come rescue me. When she gets there, she offers to buy me lunch. For what I believe may be the first time in my life, I refuse the offer of free food.

1:09... Arrive home, sans bike and trailer. Swear off bike riding for the rest of eternity. Spend a few minutes pouting on the couch, and then decide to call sister-in-law to see if I can borrow her bike for a few days until mine can be repaired.

Approximately 15 miles biked... 2,000 calories burned... and more emotions than I can even explain. Whew. I think I'm pretty much ready for the Tour de France.

I'm it...

So, apparently I was tagged last week.  And although I did take the picture just as the rules specified, I am incredibly lazy about taking pictures off of my camera (a 4G memory card will do that to ya... those things hold an INSANE amount of pictures!!!).  So here you have it, a picture of me after a long hard day at work.  Notice I'm wearing a sweater set and pants.  One of the three outfits I actually own for work.  Also take into account that today was 96 ridiculous degrees.  Yes, said sweater set usually has pit stains on it by the day's end.  Ew.

Anywho... here are the official rules:

1.  Take a picture of yourself right now.

2.  No primping or preparing.

3.  Just snap the picture.

4.  Load the picture onto your blog.

5.  Tag someone to play along.

So, since I'm so late in the game getting this deal done, most people I know have already done this.  So I am going to tag my Booty Girls... Toni, Jill, Vanessa, and Angie.  You foolioes better do this.