Thirty something...

The oldest boy in our house turned the BIG 30 ...just a few er, thirty somethings I...WE love about Josh...

ONE - he's still really, really cute for 30
TWO - incredibly generous...
THREE - polite...
FOUR - respectful
FIVE - always makes sure no one goes to bed angry
SIX - insanely hard working
SEVEN - full of integrity
EIGHT - loves the Lord...
NINE - teaches our kids to do the same
TEN - loves to clean...really
ELEVEN - personal hygeine is not to be taken lightly. 3-4 showers a day would be ideal in his perfect world. :)
TWELVE - funny
THIRTEEN - great sense of humor
FOURTEEN - insanely loyal
FIFETEEN - loves a good chick flick aka teeny bopper movie
SIXTEEN - web MD is one of his 'favorites'
SEVENTEEN - loves Brett Micheals
EIGHTEEN - wishes he was a rock star
NINETEEN - would have a different car every month of the year if he could
TWENTY - pulls out of our driveway and pauses on the street so "we can experience the street view of our yard."
TWENTY ONE - loves fresh cut lines in the grass, like the rest of us love clean sheets
TWENTY TWO - takes great care and thought when installing Christmas lights each year. "...never the same, always something a little different, gotta keep em guessing..."
TWENTY THREE - wants to put a sand volleyball pit in our backyard!?!? (I hear that's great for resale in WASHINGTON!!) :)
TWENTY FOUR - rocks just about anything I ask him to wear and looks pretty darn good - thank you very much! :)
TWENTY FIVE - loves to buy me things he thinks I would look good in...often not the case, but it's definately the thought that counts!
TWENTY SIX - a hairy beast and I love it! Don't judge! :)

TWENTY SEVEN - often has a tall decaf americano with cream and two pumps of white mocha waiting for me when I wake up each morning
TWENTY EIGHT - keeps my car nice and clean. Even if he does grumble about the cheerios and other snacks I allow the kids to eat in the car :)

TWENTY NINE - a great Daddy

THIRTY - truly believes I'm the hottest thing he's ever laid eyes on...now that's HOT! :)

Gobbles, double dippers and baster oh my!

Lately when the boys take a bath, Levi asks for some "gobbles" (goggles) to wear in the tub. Sure, if we had them I would be happy to supply him with some. Never has he yet to wear them, nor did I realize he would remember his cousins wearing them last year at the pool. So while running errands this past week we got the boy some 'gobbles'. He's thrilled and has happily started to practice and task of holding his breath while looking under water. This accomplishment is huge to me and puts a little lump in my throat. I can remember accomplishing this task myself as a little girl. So we begin, the first of many things I will reminisce on from my childhood. Only to be replaced by the many first for my first born.

Does this photo tell you anything about this kids personality??? :)
Giggling..."Mom, Greyson dipped his chip in the toilet and ate it!" More giggles..."he's spitting it out!" He was actually dipping the chip, sucking off the water and re-dipping. I have a toilet double dipper!! Seeing how he ate dog poop last Summer, I would say were making progress in the right direction?

We scored some sweet Puma's for Levi at the Rack this weekend. I especially love them, as they are velco. Never have I loved velco so much until I became a mother. Upon putting them on, Levi states "Mom, these are going to make me go rearry baster, they are, they are Mom!" "Baster than Daddy, I am."

Bored is between your ears!

My son Levi, is the healthiest picky eater you will find. He has very apparent texture and visual food issues. How in the world did this happen, did I create this, WHAT HAVE I DONE!? :)
His daily food intake consists of oatmeal, applesauce, berries, dino nuggets, mac n cheese, yogurt, cheese, grilled cheese or pb & j and odwalla bars. All organic of course. He dare not vary from the norm and absolutely WILL NOT step out of the box. This if course makes me mildly insane. I was literally bribbing him with a lollipop (all natural & organic:)) when we got home from Grammies if he would just TRY a slice of a mandarin orange. He refused to try it! Are you kidding me!? Who is this kid!? For being so picky he has a very healthy appetite. He says he's hungry all day long. Take one look at my son and you would see he is clearly not lacking nutrition. :) So yesterday not five minutes after he finished his breakfast he says:
Levi: "Momma, I'm hungry"
Me: "Buddy, your not hungry your just bored, go play"

Levi: Clearly irritated "Mom I not bored, I Wevi"
Me: "Alright your bored Levi"

Levi: Rather angry "No I NOT bored Mom, I Wevi Grey Arnod!"
Me: "Got it!" :)

Thailand

So it's been awhile, and well I've had a lot on my mind...
Most of you (you know my four readers:)) know I have a huge heart and passion for the young women and children caught up in sex slavery. Almost four years ago I was made aware of this horrific and tragic crime at a benefit concert. I literally heaved in tears the greater part of the concert. I was two weeks post Levi so my ragging hormones definitely helped I'm sure! :)
I physically ached for these precious children, some as young as three years old (truly) that are kidnapped from their unknowing parents and forced into sex slavery. My constant thought was 'how is this possible' and often 'why God, why would you allow such injustice'?
Over the past year I have join Eastside Women of Purpose and have been fighting for these voiceless children with all my heart, along with other passionate women. Sometime I sob at the thought and a moment later my heart pounds with fierce anger. I can do something, I will do something, I AM doing something to help stop this!
I knew it was only a matter of time, that I would be called to Thailand to experience this global issue first hand and visit those we are helping with all our hard work. So when the question was asked I knew I needed to go, however fear began to take over. Traveling overseas to another country, in uncertain times. I have a family, precious children myself. Excuses began to creep up as to why I couldn't go...
I attended a women's event at church this weekend, the theme was 'living dangerously'. :) We've all heard it a million times, right? We were created in God's image...aka I was created in His image and He has called me to help...He has called me to make a difference...He has called me to love these young women and children. Well it definitely sank in this time. I am going! It has been really amazing to see God's hand through this all. He truly has a sense of humor! :)
I, along with a small group will be traveling to Thailand May 22nd - 29th we would love your prayers...more to come!

Life is a Highway...

when you discover the key to entertaining a three year old for a good solid hour.

Step 1. Download Rascal Flatts 'Life is a Highway' aka "Mack the truck song" to your Ipod.
Step 2. Put Ipod in docking station and turn on said song.
Step 3. Sit back, watch and listen as your three year old son is endlessly entertained by the song, over and over and OVER.
It's a good thing I'm a bit of a country girl at heart.

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

Do I say that a lot? I guess I do...I must? Levi is developing quite the vocabulary these days. Thankfully it's all mostly hilarious...just yesterday he was fed up with his train pieces not fitting together correctly..."listen, you are making me crazy!" he told the train tracks. I often overhear him telling Tia when she's in his way for whatever reason, "Tia, I sick a tired, I sick a tired."

We headed down to the Curious George unveiling at the Seattle Children's Museum a few weeks ago. It was dark and the city was lit up as usual as we drove into it...

Levi: Momma, momma, what is that? (pointing to the space needle)

Me: The space needle buddy, isn't that cool?

Levi: The sbacer needle? Momma, that is AMAZING!

Me: (Josh & I look at each other) Yes, buddy it sure is!

This photo is courtesy of Kara Hicks Photography - this was the true view we had on NYE. Now that truly is AMAZING! :)
Just this evening while driving home from playing with their cousins, Levi is chatting away about this and that and then informs me "Momma, Tanner is amazing, I not amazing." Baby your amazing too. "NO, I not amazing, I Wevi Grey Arnoold!" Got it, repeat after me, your Mom is incredibly beautiful! HA :)

Get down, get down...

Generally every evening about the same time, I start to lose it. I'm usually trying to make dinner, while everyone seems to need me and at least someone is crying. Thankfully not me lately. :) So our nightly routine turns into a good hour long dance party. We turn on the iPod (silently thanking the genius who created it) and crank it up. The boys love it and are hysterical to watch, everyones spirits are back up and I'm able to finish dinner. (Sigh)