Spring Break 2010

This year we were graciously invited to spend Spring Break at the coast with some friends, the Nishikawa's. They have two boys that go to school with our boys and they all five have a great time together. We got to make camp fires on the beach (Cody's favorite activity of the trip) and smores at night. The boys enjoyed their first real round of 18 holes with Jaret and Drew and we even made it to the Farmers Market in San Luis Obispo. We ate a ton and enjoyed the relaxation. Here are a few pics from the trip:

The boys hit the course. Funny how their golf swings look just like their baseball swings!

Making Smores

Cody and his buddy, Drew

Of course, I could not leave the coast without taking some portraits of the boys by the pier. This is Nicholas's 10 year old pic. Cody and Brett's pics are on the previous two posts.

Cody is Getting Baptized!!!

Two weeks ago, Cody got in the car after church asking questions about baptism. "What do you have to do, Mommy, when you get baptized?" "Who reads the story?" After I answered his questions, the conversation was abruptly ended.

I was a bit surprised because we have never discussed baptism with the boys. They have watched one or two at church, but it is not something we have talked about with them and none of them have ever shown any interest, that is, until that day.

The next week at church, as we were driving away, Cody announced, "I want to get baptized." This was the first Neil had heard of it because he was not in the car with us for the previous discussion. Neil asked him why he wanted to get baptized to which Cody answered, "I don't know." I decided to finish this conversation with him in private when we got home because Cody is a man of few words and not the most effective communicator. When he feels he is being questioned, he closes down.

So, when we got home I called him in to his room to try to feel out where this desire came from and to determine whether he understands the significance of this act. When I asked what he was feeling in his heart and why he wanted to do this, he continued to explain that he did not know. So I told him that Pastor Mitch would not allow him to be baptized if he could not explain what was going on in his heart. Mitch would probably tell him to wait until he is a bit older. To which he exclaimed, "It is because I love Him!"

That is all I needed to know....end of conversation. My man of few words communicated the perfect reasoning!! I am so proud of him and so excited to share in that special day with him. I will for sure post pictures, but he will not be baptized until August, so it may be a while.

Tender Moments....

Having three boys in three years- that are now all in school- definately has its challenges at times. For instance- the 3:30 to 8:30 scramble that takes place in our home every night. Let me give you an example. This was my day today:

3:30 get home from school and prepare the after school snack (sliced pears, chocolate milk and peanut butter pretzels)
Start homework and get ready for baseball practice

4:30 Leave for baseball practice

6:30 Return from practice
Start dinner

7:00 Eat dinner, do dishes, start laundry, feed the dog
Shower boys
Finish homework

8:30 Put boys to bed and read with each of them
Finish laundry, go through mail, get lunches and clothes ready for tomorrow


This time is a whirlwind and by the time 8:00 rolls around I am ready to crash in bed and I often dread having to read with the boys. I often rush the process and get frustrated when they get words wrong out of sheer exhaustion.

But tonight was different. When I was reading with the boys I relaxed enough to actually enjoy my time with them. We enjoyed the stories, laughed together and were even able to discuss the plot of the books. It was fun. When I was done reading with Brett, he said, "Mommy will you lay with me for a while?" My heart melted and of course I did.

As I laid there with his head on my chest and his hand on time of mine, I thanked God for moments like these and wondered why I don't enjoy them like this every night. It is so real to me that they are growing older much faster than I want them to, and I still rush through precious moments like reading together at night and miss them all together. But, tonight I didn't. I laid there until he fell asleep and I could feel him breathing deeply. Thanking God for opening my eyes to these blessings that I can experience every single night if I allow my self to slow down and enjoy them.

Papi Family Winter Vacation

This January, we were able to spend a weekend up at Tenaya Lodge in the snow thanks to Mimi and Papa. We had so much fun with Hannah and Logan making snowballs, swimming in the pool, sledding and just spending time together.

If Time Could Stand Still

I know that most of my posts seem to have the same theme....I am so sad at how fast the boys seem to be growing older. But, a friend sent me the following You Tube that again reinforced my fears that these seasons are passing way too rapidly for my liking. Watching this video, I began to wish that I could stop time right here and right now.

Don't get me wrong, I have loved every season we have been blessed with!! I adored having babies- holding, cuddling, nursing, feeding, tickling, rocking. I also loved the toddler stage- watching each of the boys develop into their own little person, temperament, will and all. I also loved the pre-school stage (even having three boys under the age of 4- three boys in carseats and 3 boys in diapers). I loved giving them rides in the laudry baskets, making bubble bath beards and mohawks, and laying in bed reading book after book.

But, right now is more fun than I ever expected it to be. I love being able to have real conversations with my boys and still have them enjoy being with their mom. I love it that they want to go to Starbucks with mom all by themselves. I love it that they still want me to tuck them in at night and that they remind me any time I forget to pray with them. I love it that they still climb into bed with me in the mornings and that they still give free hugs and hold my hand. I love being Nick's mom. I love being Cody's mom. I love being Brett's mom. I love watching them play basketball, soccer, baseball, and even cross country. I love baking cupcakes for their class parties or game snacks. I love slicing oranges and taking pictures at every event.

At times like this when I think ahead to the days when I won't have these same things to look forward to, I guess I have to trust that God will fill those days with blessings all unique to those seasons. I guess I do look forward to seeing how God grows these boys into young men and what lies ahead for them in their future. But, I do know that some day I will look back at these days and miss the times I am living right now. It is my goal this year to take more pictures, not of just the sporting events, holidays and school performances, but also of the game nights, movie nights, lemonade stands, and even the wrestling on the floor and video game playing in the playroom. One day I am sure it is even those sounds that I will miss.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olSyCLJU3O0&feature=player_embedded