Bedtime and playtime look awfully similar at the Holt house 2 favorite things: shoes and books Camping in Melo's room- gotta get creative when its 106 outside. And the award for "most unique use for a Scentsy warmer" goes to...the Holts for pretending its a campfire and roasting red grapes over it. (Does your campfire smell like watermelon? I think not)
The Gatorbug insists on eating everything without help these days
Nap time when Mommy is gone Melo's first tuwlys (sponge curlers) She wanted to go to bed at 6 pm so morning would come and her hair would be curly...stayed in about an hour. Maybe next year. Just cause he loves me My girl is growing up! She'll be 3 next month and she is all girl. We live in a world of princesses, castles, bows, dresses, sparkles and all things PINK! Like father like son
Borrowed this video from Bound for Life (a blog I highly recommend btw) "Liu Wei lost both his arms when he was 10 after he touched a high-voltage wire during a game of hide-and-seek.
But the 23-year-old stunned hundreds of thousands of people across China by delivering a mistake-free performance of famous French pianist Richard Clayderman's Mariage D'amour using only his toes.
Although he was devastated by the loss of his arms as a young boy, Liu said he was happy and it was "destiny."
"For people like me, there were only two options. One was to abandon all dreams, which would lead to a quick, hopeless death; the other was to struggle without arms to live an outstanding life," he said."
Amazing huh? First I was struck by his quote, "For people like me, there were only two options. One was to abandon all dreams, which would lead to a quick, hopeless death; the other was to struggle without arms to live an outstanding life,"...pretty remarkable. But as I watched him I started thinking about the amazing capability of the human body to adapt to such devastating change. What an awesome Creator to allow our bodies to work in such a way. His feet have developed so much that they work as hands. Could some one with hands do the same? Do our feet never reach their full potential because it makes more sense to use our hands?...sure why not?...and there's nothing wrong with that. We were created with many parts/gifts that work together and share responsibility. This thinking lead me to question my Spiritual gifts (He knows how I think and always teaches me through my mental rabbit chases)There are some gifts that I have never seen in myself. I also know that I have a couple of gifts that are stronger than others. I wonder if I am to focus on those and just use them...or if maybe I focus too much and am not allowing other gifts-those that do not come as naturally- to develop to their full potential. Maybe I should continue to intercede because it comes naturally but also challenge myself to learn to teach (as He leads of course)
1 Cor. 12 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines ...So He gave us gifts which He determined.... 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? ...we do not all have every gift?... 31But eagerly desire[e] the greater gifts. ...then why desire them? they must be attainable, right?
1 Cor. 1 4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
Went by your house today to let the carpet guys in. I was not prepared for the wave of emotion that hit me. Seeing your house so quiet and empty was sad. My un- controll- able crying reminded me of the time we watched 99 Balloons together when we were both pregnant. What were we thinking? Then I started to think about being pregnant together, being there through each others deliveries, going to see Dr. McAlpine together. Your house was the first stop coming home with Gator and the first place I met Claire. It's where Joshua learned to walk and where Melo and Andrew learned to get along...kind of. Sleepovers with no sleep and all the Dr. Pepper and McDonalds our hearts could handle. Thank you for always making us feel at home in your home. I let my mind wander and began to think about all those years sharing a room-16 I think. Who would have guessed that one day I would be heart broken to live apart. I guess we've been spoiled all these years- sharing a room, going to college together, having our families together... There is really no time in my life that you have not played a significant role. Thanks for being the best roommie, co-worker, junk food supplier, partner in crime, listener, advice giver, example, aunt, sister and friend anyone could ask for. I LOVE YOU PS- I have $7 in my Cali fund. I'll try not to spend it at McDonalds tonight...no promises (I learned from the best).
Took a spur of the moment trip to Houston Friday night. It was an awesome drive down. The kids slept most of the way and Jacob and I had 5 hrs to talk. It’s so nice being married to my best friend. Hannah and Daniel were kind enough to let us stay with them which was a treat for the kids. We drove down to Galveston Saturday for the kids' first beach experience. They loved it and even requested that we stay forever. No need for blue water and white sand. All they need is salty water and plenty of dirt for a good time. My time on the other hand was slightly less exciting. Got to play a game of “guess what Joshua has now?” chicken pox? Measles? Something from one of the 3 ticks I just pulled off of him? Hundreds of little red spots….hmmm… now I’m thinking Fifth’s Disease. Gonna take a trip to the doctor tomorrow and let him take a swing at it. I also learned that $3000 for ear tubes does NOT mean no more infections…grrr. Here’s to believing that this is the last! Finished the day off with date night, thanks to H and D for watching our kiddos. This morning Jacob took Isaiah to NASA. It's so weird that I have a child old enough to enjoy that! When we were getting ready to go home I had a moment-just staring at Isaiah’s feet. When did they get so big? What happened to those long skinny bird feet that quickly turned into chubby baby feet with 10 fat little toes? On the way home I gave in and let Gator ride facing forward even though I’ve said I would wait until age 2 (desperate times-desperate measures). It was so funny getting to see what he does while riding in the car seat. He crushed up his crackers and was not happy about having to sit in them so he rode holding his legs up for the last 45 minutes of the trip. We can’t wait to go back see family, visit new places and spend some more time at the beach!
This weeks quotes all seem to argue in favor of tv..ha!
Melo:"Help me! Ayuda me!" Hannah:"Where did you learn to say that?" Melo:"Diego and Dora"
After his recent nightmare about “Big Baby” I was concerned about the effects of Toy Story on my sweet boy. Tonight Isaiah changed my mind: "Mom, can I tell you how much I love you? It's gonna be a lot…to infinity and beyond!”
Grandma brought donuts for breakfast. Pink with sparkles for Melo, chocolate for Isaiah, White with sprinkles for Andrew and plain cake for the Gatorbug. It did not take long for him to figure out that he was missing out on something amazing. I eventually gave in and let him at it. 1 plain cake, 1/2 of Mommy's blueberry cake, 6 donut holes and finally 1 white with sprinkles later...we decided to move bath time to right after breakfast. Pretty sure my 15 month old can out eat Momma!
Today was the first of many days we'll be spending with the Davis kiddos. May take a few more to learn to balance 6 kids, meals, naps, play ...but I think I did alright. Of course its hard to take any credit when all 6 are such great kids. We had a little preschool time, puzzles, built guns and airplanes from Trios, and even found time to form a rock band. The toughest part was keeping Gator off of baby Hayden. He seems to think she belongs to him and should be smothered in sweet kisses...constantly.
