update

So, a few of you already know this, but I wanted to take the time to update the rest of you. The Friday before Thanksgiving, the company Pete works for announced that they are closing their doors by the end of the year. Thankfully, they wanted Pete to stay on until the end, and if he does that he gets a severance package. Pete's been looking for other job opportunities for several months because things have been terrible at work for quite some time. Currently, he has two solid leads that are looking very promising that would mean staying here in Xenia and having an income before the severance runs out. We're confident that God has our future firmly in His hands and we're just trying to wait and trust in Him--while, of course, doing everything we can on our part as well. Please join us in praying for clear direction for our family! Mostly, just that we would honor God through whatever He has for us.
Thanks so much!

In other news, tomorrow begins December!!! I've got dreams of doing something exciting and Christmas focused each day, but reality and two little boys under the age of 5 mean that it will probably be more like 1-2 a week. I'll be sure to take pics and update often! Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Jon's New Bible

My brother, Scott, came to visit and brought a few gifts. The most treasured is The Beginner's Bible that he gave Jon. Jon has already had over 175 pages read to him out of it since receiving it only this morning! He took it to bed with him at naptime and he came out hugging it afterwards. It's really incredibly precious in so many ways. We also got some news today that displays God's faithfulness and I'm excited to share, but should probably wait a couple days...can you handle the suspense? ;) For now, I'll leave you with a pic of my boy and his treasure:

'AT' words with Jon

So we checked out the Leap Frog "Talking Words Factory" dvd from the library and although it's cracked and we can only watch the first 15 minutes, this is what Jon's already picked up on:

Another thing I love...

After seeing it on other blogs and hearing about it from a few moms that I actually know in "real life" I finally got the Leap Frog Letter Factory DVD from the library and I'm amazed. I believe my boys are becoming obsessed with letters. Even Sam knows almost every letter and their sounds after watching what he calls, "that Baby Tad movie!" While it's not a masterpiece in any way for an adult viewer, the people at Leap Frog know their audience and have done an amazing job of making learning fun. I know that sounds cheesey, but how else can I explain it. My two and four year olds are asking to watch this 30 minute movie two and three times a day. It's crazy, but it's great! I've already renewed the copy from the library twice and am dreading the day when it has to go back! However, after recommending it to my close friend, she went on Amazon and ended up ordering it for her kids for Christmas and even ordered a copy for my boys!! They are going to be SO excited. If you have kids that are learning their letters or are in the pre-reading stage, definitely check this video out from your local library--it's fabulous! And they have a couple follow up dvd's that teach other reading skills, which I've heard are just as good. Anyway, just thought I'd pass along this fabulous find in case you haven't heard about it yet! :)

A Few Favorites

With Christmas just around the corner, I'm always looking for good quality toys to get my kids. I figured others are probably doing the same. I'm going to share a few of our favorite books and toys with you and tell you why they're favorites. I'd love to hear from you--which toys are your kids favorites and which are your favorites! ;)

First, let me clarify that I am not a paid reviewer. You might notice a lot of Leap Frog toys on here and that's simply because we LOVE them. :) They have no idea who I am--trust me! :)

This Fridge Phonics set is several years old now and I believe it looks different, but it's still out there. Jon has used it SO much. We've lost a few letters and I've heard LeapFrog will replace them for free, I just need to follow through on that and actually contact them. Jon still uses this set, but Sam is definitely using it more and more everyday!

This is Jon's new baby. He got this Fridge Words set for his 4th birthday just a couple months ago and he literally uses it for at least an hour each day--probably more! Sam even plays with it a little, but it's definitely right at Jon's level (4-5). I really recommend this one! :)

Next up is the Phonics Bus. I actually got this when I was pregnant with Jon at a baby shower and it's hands down one of my favorite toys we've owned! The boys will actually fight over whose turn it is to play with it. (although, Jon's a little old for it) When Jon was two, he asked to take it to bed with him and we reluctantly let him. He sat in bed listening to the letters say their name and their sound and then he would listen to the abc song. I really think that this is part of why he could say his alphabet at 2 1/2. Sam now LOVES it and just last night asked if he could take it to bed. Pete and I looked at each other and shook our heads, but then shrugged--sure. He'll probably be singing the abc's any day now! :)

Jon loves playing with this first words book that I picked up at Michaels. I think it makes him feel like he knows how to spell all of those words, even though he's not quite there yet. :)

Besides those blatantly educational toys, the kids LOVE to play with their trains. Notice they're on the treadmill--that's the most action that sucker's seen in months! Hopefully, I'll be breaking that trend soon! And, like most boys, they love playing with their cars and this car mountain that I got Jon for his birthday at a yard sale. :)


Also, the boys love building with these wooden blocks. Sam loves the wooden puzzles. Anything by Melissa and Doug is highly recommended. I just bought their money, a clock and this cool see and spell toy by them for Jon for Christmas--I'll share pics later!


And here are a few of our favorite Bible story books. The board book versions are Sam's and the I Can Read versions are Jon's--but I read them all to both of them.
Please share some of your favorites!! :)

so much to catch up on!

I've been quiet in the blogging world lately for a variety of reasons. The past few weeks it's been because of sickness in our house. Before that...I'm not even sure. I think sometimes I feel like if I don't have something really profound to say or some really cute story to tell that I shouldn't post, but...today, I'm posting nothing profound or adorable, just an update of sorts.

Jon and Sam are at such fun ages. They are playing together so much more and helping each other often. They also torment each other and pester each other and drive each other crazy--just wanted to keep it real here. ;) They can often be found playing with their cars or trains or building things with their legos. Also, Chutes and Ladders has become a favorite game along with Memory. Jon is requesting Hungry, Hungry Hippos for Christmas.

Sam has started to say, "Can I buy that?" about things he sees in the store or things on commercials. Today he said, "Can I buy that for you, Mama?" about some lego thing...thanks, but no thanks, buddy. :) He also tells us, "I be right back, guys!" when he leaves the room. He is my super cuddly one lately. He very frequently asks me to "hold me on the couch, Mama?" And he has a specific corner of his blankie that he sniffs while he sucks his fingers that he calls his "sniff." We sure love that little guy. In fact, Pete just said the other day that if they could start at two, he'd take three more right now! (he said that--NOT me! I recognize that three more at that age would be INSANE!!)

Jon is really into letters and LOVES his Leap Frog Fridge Words that he got for his birthday (thanks Grandma and Grandpa)! Also, he likes to make his trains and cars talk to other trains and cars. He loves playing wild and crazy games with his daddy and somehow knows that Mom will gladly read to him anytime, but probably won't wrestle with him or if she does it won't be for as long or as fun as it is with Daddy. :) He has had a few rough stretches lately--trying to talk back to us or throwing fits when he doesn't get what he wants when he wants it--but thankfully, God has blessed me with such a level-headed husband who reminds me to keep trying to be consistent and follow through and we'll get through this, and we do. Jon is doing better with those things--not perfect, but better. And overall, he is a sweet encourager who is often found helping his little brother or his Mom, but occasionally can be found on the floor crying! ;) (again, just keeping it real!)

Pete's job situation is still pretty dismal, but we're thankful for a job and praying about the future. There's more to all of this, but I can't really post about it. If you think of it, please pray for us--for wisdom and direction. Thanks! Also, he's recently become a deacon at our church and he's helping to lead the youth group there.
I'm enjoying the sweet friendships that God has blessed me with here and keeping in touch with old friends on facebook. Also, I'm involved with a Bible study group going through the book Having a Mary Spirit and it has been a huge blessing to me as I try to find the balance between doing and being. The boys and I can often be found building, chugging (trains), vrooming, creating, reading or tickling. I'm looking forward to starting school full-time next year with Jon here at home, but in the meantime, we do workbook pages together and he's learning to read in 100 easy lessons (Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons) and really enjoying that. I was really intimidated by the idea of teaching my kids to read and so far, it's been pretty easy--he's only reading a few words, but we're only 10 lessons in and he's only 4! And Sam loves trying to learn the letters, too! I'm really thankful for that encouragement that I think is straight from the Lord. He knows just what this heart needs! :)
Okay...if you've made it this far, you must really love me! This should about catch you up to speed on our little family. Hope this finds you doing well--please keep in touch if you don't already!

Fall Fun

This will mostly be a picture post. I took the boys to the pumpkin patch nearby and they had a blast. There are several swing sets with great slides and they were just laughing and having so much fun. I had to drag them away to get them to look at the pumpkins! Here are a few of my favorite pics: