random thoughts

So today, when I was instructing Leah for the 10th time that she can't whine if she doesn't get what she wants, I was struck with the thought that I expect more out of my not even two year old than I do for myself. Granted, I don't whine about not getting juice, or not being able to have cookies, and maybe I don't do it audibly, but how many times do I have a negative attitude, or whine to Tony, or harbor resentment and bitterness in my heart when things don't go my way. A LOT!!!! I have just become more proficient at masking these attitudes of the heart, but really, we are all two year olds crying about having to share.

Of course, I'm still going to try to teach her about having a grateful heart, and about having a good attitude, but this realization definitely helped me be more patient with her, and was an opportunity for me to repent of my own grumbling and unthankful heart.

centerpiece

Now isn't he just the cutest little centerpiece you have ever seen?

playing outside

The weather is getting slightly cooler, so we can spend more time during the day playing outside. Our days are so much nicer if we can spend at least 2-3 hours running around in the yard.

cute faces

she is definitely my daughter!

The other day Leah "helped" me make some cookies, and I made the mistake of letter her lick the batter from the blender. This is probably one of my favorite things to do. In fact, I often make cookies just so I can lick the batter from the bowl and spoons. (Yes, I know raw eggs can give you salmonella, but I have been doing this for more than 20 years, and it's just so darn good). Anyways, Leah would not let that spoon go. She carried it around for hours, long after every drop of chocolate was long gone.

She managed to get the chocolate pretty much everywhere.

 She also wanted to carry around her elmo just like I carry Elias. One of her favorite phrase is "Ima do it", and she says this ALOT. I took one of my scarfs and made her a little wrap for her precious little "melmo".

After holding elmo she decided it wasn't enough, and she asked to hold her bear as well.

My amazing and talented brother Zach came down to Warner Robins and took pictures of Elias when he was a week old. Here are some of my favorites, although I love all of the ones he took. 

Three tables

Before Eli was born, I wanted to get a couple of things done around the house. I think it was my version of nesting, because I definitely never got into a cleaning spree. I wanted a dining room table (it's actually in the kitchen though), that could seat at least 6 people comfortably, and that I could squeeze 8 people in if I needed to. I also did not want to pay a lot of money for it. So I looked for plans in the awesome knockoff-wood website that I have come to love so much. I found this design for a farmhouse table and bench, and set about making it. It was very easy to make, it took only a couple of hours. However, the sanding, staining, and polyurethane took several days. I absolutely love the way it turned out. 

I primed and painted our old coffee table, and now it's leah's "coloring table". 

This is the new coffee table that Tony and I made. It matches the design of the end table. It was actually the most difficult piece of furniture we have made so far. It's also my favorite.