Catching Up

I know, you want photos but I really need a quick minute to catch up and I blew off the camera this week.

RJ just finished up a week of soccer camp. He had a blast but was soooooo tired all week. Camp was every morning for three hours and Wednesday was the only day it wasn't hot. He ate like a horse and slept really hard. He also was doing Tae Kwon Do and so by 7pm he was a wreck. Has a nice tan going on:)

I am signed up as his Asst Soccer Coach for the fall. His team is w/out a coach at all so I am hoping someone who has actually played the game will sign up as the head coach, otherwise I will spend a lot of time w/ ESPN and at the library. I know you have to not cross the line and not touch the ball w/ your hands, other then that, well, they'll have fun!

Jack is 2 and has the attitude to go with it. He is talking a little more and it is getting to where we are able to understand most of it.

Phillip is out with a good buddy tonite which is why I can update this. He has had a less then rewarding week at work and that is why we need your prayers. You know how well the Erwin's do change of any kind, especially the kind they don't like...he will be starting a new position at Tek in September and fingers crossed it is where he is supposed to be. We knew that there were going to be changes in the next two years but they moved up the timelines and he feels a little overwhelmed. We are doing better but stressful none the less.

All our love!

Birthday Boy

Happy 2nd Birthday Jackson!

It has been a fun day of celebration. His birthday was Thursday and the first pictures are from Grandma/Grandpa and Uncle Ken as well as his gifts from Mama/Dad and RJ. RJ did most of the unwrapping as Jack gets too excited about the first gift that he doesn't make it to the second, or third or fourth:) He loves the barn full of animals that all make noise when you press on them (awsome find grandma e!) Mama especially loves them in the car as they make a long drive easier for him. We sing a lot of Old McDonald. Which also means he loves the book Grandma found about Old McDonald and his barn. Phillip and I got him a trike and RJ got him a beloved garbage truck that holds all his animals!

Today (Saturday) we had both of his birthday parties. One for friends in the morning and one for family in the evening. He had a Thomas the Train birthday this morning and KaeKae (Aunt Katie) made and amazing cupcake train cake! It was a huge hit. We made a train out of boxes for the kids to play in but mostly they just ran around and played chase. Jack has found he loves being the monster to chase everyone so there was a lot of growling and laughing. He also pulled the biggest psych out I have ever seen from a two year old. All the older kids were running from him so he prentended to cry up in the bedroom. When they were all at the top of the stairs and saying "are you okay" he put up his hands and did the biggest "ROAR" I have ever heard and they all screamed with delight!

He enjoyed all the transformers, books and little people he got. I was thrilled to get more Thomas pieces for my purse (thank you Avi!) and the company was excellent as usual. Oh and Jenny, he loves grooin to the electric harmonica too...I have a long memory hon, enjoy your peace now;)

Prayers

Just a quick request for anyone that believes to pray for us right now. I know it seems to be a frequent request but honestly it has been one of those years where we are feeling a little beat up by the world and today has been especially hard. Our love to everyone and gratitude for your support.

A quick catch up

I am trying to multi task tonite so bare w/ me.

Here is a picture of my sister Kate lovingly cutting out the cardboard stearing wheel (I know that's not what it is called) for the pirate ships.

Next is Lexi and Jack being goofy. Jack was laying next to her giving kisses and talking w/ her when I took the photo. They chatter at each other all the time, too bad no one knows what they are saying. They are hysterical in the car as they both lean forward to "talk" to each other and chatter away over the top of Connor who is usually in the middle.

Next is RJ and his buddies playing in a creek in a local park. They had a blast splashig around and making a raft. It is so nice to just watch them play. Quite a nice respite from all the activities this summer.

Last is my favorite moment in the last couple of weeks. RJ was jumping off an overturned laundry basket (I do supervise, honestly) and Jack wanted too also. Since he was to little to actually jump off, RJ would pick him up and "fly" him around the room! They were just laughing and carrying on for quite some time. They just love each other so deeply and it is just amazing to watch how tender they are with each other. Mind you the same nite they were hitting each other but hey, take what you can get...

Love You

Okay, just had the most endearing mama moment. Jack climbed into my lap while I was closing out my blog and started whispering by my ear. Phillip has been teaching him how to tell secrets. I listened really carefully as he kept saying the same thing, he is still learning how to talk well. I am tearing up because it was the first time he was telling me "love you mama". Sounds more like "yuv woo mama", I cry all the same. It is so powerful to be a mama I tell you what, the best thing I have done with myself. I still remember the first time RJ told me. I was talking to him on the phone because I was at the opera and he said it into the phone. Jack sounded just like he did all those years ago. I am so blessed!

Howdy

So I know all you really want are the photos but just had a few minutes for an update. The boys are having a fun filled week with friends, cousins and adventure. It has been raining like the second coming of the floods and on Tuesday I had six kiddos running around. With Kate's help we made the necessary acoutriments for the kids to be pirates. They had a blast! And when RJ had another friend over the next day the fun continued and they made flags. Today should be a great time with another friend and more additions I am sure. A mama's best friend is a big cardboard box, sharpie and good box cutter. I will take photos and post them later today. All our love!

Phillip

Okay, so here is a photo of all my boys:)