Happy 1st Birthday, Aiden!

On Aiden's actual birthday, we had a family party for him.  We visited, played, and enjoyed heavy appetizers, followed by cake and the Amy's ice cream tradition.  Aiden enjoyed it too!

Playtime

Food!

Singing (and wanting to touch the pretty light!)

Hesitant at first.

Enjoying the spoon more than the cold ice cream.

Opening presents (likes the tissue paper better than the gift inside the bag :)

 Opening presents with help from big brother and cousin.

Who looks like who?

The other day, Gramma Janet sent a picture of Mark when he was about Aiden's age.

 We were so surprised how much Aiden looks like Mark!  

Oftentimes, people say, "Look!  It's a miniature Mark." as they point to Oliver.  And we agree, mostly.  Today, Oliver caught us by surprise, though.  We have pictures of Mark and I as children on our kitchen window sill.

Oliver pointed to the picture of Mark and said, "Look, it's Daddy."  And he pointed to the picture of me and said, "Look, it's Oliver."  Mark asked him, "Where's Mommy?"  And he thought for a minute, and pointed at the same picture of me.  So funny what children perceive.

Tomatoes

It is supposed to freeze here in Austin, so we decided to gather the remaining tomatoes on our (still producing and) living tomato plants.  Mark bared the cold, and brought more in than either of us expected were out there still.

He surprised me with this beautiful display of the 102(!) green tomatoes.  

They are already starting to ripen some.  We hope to enjoy red(dish) tomatoes this fall.

Birthday Grandparents Visit!

For Mark's birthday, he requested a grandparents/parents visit.  Such a blessing for our boys to know them, and for us to get to connect with them!

You're Pretty, Mommy

"You're pretty, Mommy."

I hear this statement every few days from Oliver and it is so sweet.  Today the conversation went like this:

Oliver: You're so pretty, Mommy.
Me: Aw, thank you Oliver.  Why do you tell me I'm pretty so often?
Oliver: Because I love you.
Me: Wow, I love you too, Oliver.  You know, you are very fun and handsome.
Oliver: I know.

When did we stop believing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made?  And when did we stop reminding others that they are fearfully and wonderfully made?   Somewhere along the path between childhood and adulthood.

Well, today, know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  From the physical to the personality, to the spiritual.  And don't forget that others are too.  All of us are masterpieces, and we all have a little mud covering up the beautiful art.  Don't let the mud allow you to forget the masterpiece underneath (in yourself and in others!).