Joy in serving

Isaiah is my little man full of a servant's heart. I learn so much from him everyday. It's weird to say that I learn from my three year old, but I really do. Isaiah has such joy when helping others. Whenever I pull a load of laundry out of the dryer, he's right by my side. He looks up at me with his adorable green eyes and with the cutest little voice says, "Do you want me to help?" When I start unloading the dishwasher, he's right there with his own towel, helping me dry dishes and putting away anything he can reach. Everything he can't reach, he puts on the counter under the correct cupboard it should go in.

It's times like this that I enjoy my duties around the house. It was hard for me when he first started helping because I'm such a perfectionist. I'm learning that it doesn't matter how perfectly it's done, it's the attitude and love behind it.

When Bryan and I first got married, I felt the house had to be spotless and shimmering. It was easy to handle when it was just Bryan and I. Now that we have two little fellows running around, the upkeep is not as easy. I had a hard time with everything not being in place for quite some time. Now, I just am so thankful for the family I have to help me mess it up everyday! Not to say that I've just let everything go, and our house is dirty - this is definitely far from true. I just don't have to have everything perfect.

Isaiah, my little man, has taught me to love through my work and have joy while doing it! Crazy that such a little guy can teach me such a Godly lifestyle. Love that boy!

Elias and reflections of our likeness...

Elias is 2. He's pretty much a crack up, but a little bi polar. He is the happiest little fellow until you can't understand what he's saying. Then the switch happens which usually involves a little falling on the floor action, a lot of crying, and sometimes even kicking. I know it's because he is two and it is because he is just dying to be "big" like his brother. He wants to hold a conversation with me just like Isaiah, but he has such a limited vocabulary still.

I have the hardest time trying to stay patient and calm when tantrums like this take place. I honestly have to stop, breathe, pray, then react. If I don't do that, I just turn into devil mom and rant and rave and throw my own little tantrum.

One thing I've come to find out is that if I don't get my alone time, I throw tantrums just like my little man. No I don't fall on the floor and kick, but it's an adult tantrum. I get upset over silly things, I get short tempered, I snap at Bryan for no reason (although, I'm convinced at the time that he is trying to make me mad), and I feel that everyone is out to irritate me.

I can't say that the people around me are the reason I act like I do. It's a heart/soul thing. Ever since being a stay-at-home mom I've struggled scheduling that alone time with God. I've been so scattered - and it's been 2 years! I should have this down by now, but I'm still struggling. How do all you great moms do it?! Paul speaks my feelings and thoughts so much more clearly.

Romans 7:18-20

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing.

Welp, those are my thoughts this Tuesday afternoon. I just keep on praying.

Lincoln City!

We headed to Lincoln City on Wednesday to hang out with some fabulous friends we don't get to see very often - the Ubels! I've dubbed them our "traveling friends" because the only times we've been able to hang out lately is when we travel (we joined them in Mexico in May).
The kids had a great time jumping on the beds, racing on the deck, and playing in the sand. The boys cannot get enough of the beach! As most know, the Oregon Coast is not known for it's amazing weather, more for it's dreary weather. This does not faze my boys at all. They love the sand even when the wind is howling!
I try to be as good of a sport as all three of my boys, but I do not enjoy being cold and wet at the same time! I'll dig in the sand and play in the water when it's sunny and warm, but when it's cold, I'm kind of a poor sport - not gonna lie!
Thankfully the sun broke through the clouds, and it was beautiful (not warm, but beautiful)!
Great food, great friends, and great relaxation was had. Now if only Miss Brooklyn hadn't gotten the flu on Thursday night! Poor girl was so sick, but the sweetest little sick girl I've ever been around!
The Ubels headed home Friday to take care of their little sicky, and the Shoemaker clan headed to the candy store! We picked up salt water taffy because the boys had never had any (we try to stay away from sugar with them - they're crazy hyper). Then we headed to Mo's for clam chowder. I'm not a huge fan of the chowder, but Bry loves it and now Isaiah is a chowder lover too!
We ended our day at the coast playing on the beach in the sun! Great fun!

Admiring Daddy's tunnel

Love to bury each other

Salt Water Taffy. Yummy!

Love my boys

 

 

Dirt Dirt Dirt

We went camping this weekend with the Koch's, who have been Bryan's friends forever, and my friends since I met them! We went out to Cove Palisades, and had a great time.
Last year we went out for a day, this year we stayed one night - maybe next year we'll be able to make it two nights! Camping with toddlers is very interesting, but they had a blast! We may have come home with a pound of dirt, but they loved it!

On our way & sleepy already!

Isaiah is confused, but ready.

On the tube with Dad (poor Isaiah had to wear a pink life jacket)

Boys will ALWAYS be boys. This is Bryan with his friends, Jim & Mike

So sleepy!

So sleepy, but won't sleep

Dirt all around!