Saturday Sweetness

What a sweet day we have had ... donuts with Daddy (read: Momma slept in til 8), extra cartoon time, some outdoor play, leisurely lunch at our fave Mexican restaurant, naps/rest time and soon-to-be date time! Shaping up to be a really great, unexpected day!

All Things Garrett

Here is Garrett showing off his latest hobby: collecting snails. You read that right. He (and his buddy across the street) are very much into collecting snails. And, yes, I realize it's totally icky that we have snails around our home right now. I'd ask if anyone knows how to get rid of them but doing so might break this little man's heart. And, I can't be the one to do that! Because, ouch, if loving him hurts sometimes (because he's just THAT lovable), then I don't even want to think about how hurting him would feel.

But that's a philosophical debate in my mind for another day, right? I really jumped on the blog to jot down just a few reasons why I am so smitten with this character so that I could look back on them in the days, months and years to come.

So, here are some reasons why, at age 5 years and 2 months, I adore Garritto-Burrito:

1. He loves the color orange. Has since he learned the word "orange". ALWAYS been his favorite. And over the past few months, every day he insists on wearing some form of orange on his body.

Last spring/summer I bought his wardrobe (with him in tow, knowing I better let him pick out what he liked or else it wouldn't get worn) with very little orange. He wasn't full blown into his orange obsession. Which means we only purchased 3 shirts that have orange on them.

And, that means, since the warm weather has stuck around into fall and I'm not buying more short sleeve shirts, he wears the SAME THREE SHIRTS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

I'm not one to balk at originality or quirkiness but wearing the same things day in and day out really bug me. Can you say, "Get over yourself, Jill" ? I'm trying, I'm trying! And, for the record, we have purchased PLENTY of orange variety winter clothing.

2. Garrett loves to be outdoors collecting leaves, rocks and snails. With the exception of the latter, he has loved to collect all those things since the time he could toddle. I love that he still loves the same things with the passing of each season.

3. I loved when he prayed the other night that he said "God, thank you for making people in humor" and that I have no clue where he got that from. What I wouldn't give to know what he meant.

4. I'm tickled every time he talks about private things so matter-of-factly (like bathroom talk, people - nothing really weird). Because that means he is still so innocent. And, I'd love to freeze him just like this.

5. I adore (no hate, no adore, no hate) that he has some pack rat tendencies to him. Little man loves to save EVERYTHING. He loves to have all of his belongings spread out all over his room without an ounce of order. And I think I love this the most because it is so opposite of me (think "Container Store" people - that's my happy place).

I love my little man. I love that he has graced my life with his joy and caused me to break free from the mundane, vanilla way of my thinking and living.

Yellow Belt

Today Garrett tested for his Yellow Belt! He has been beside himself with excitement all week about this special event. We are so proud of the boy!

Waiting with a BIG smirk on his face

Staring the belt down - it's almost his!

Mr. Ortega removing the white belt...

Mr. Ortega tying the new yellow belt on...

Garrett and Mr. Ortega bowing (I'm sure there is a more official word but I can't remember)

Student and Teacher

Proud and excited little family...


Garrett, GG and Pop (thanks for coming to cheer him on, guys!)

FIVE

A look back through the past five years with Mr. Man .....

Happy birthday, love!

Martial Arts Man

Garrett started taking Martial Arts this week, and he LOVES it! I was very hesitant to enroll him but finally found a place that is a wonderful fit for G-man. The academy he goes to focuses on self-discipline not only in class but at home, school, etc. Garrett loved his first class so much that he cried when it was over - big crocodile, sad tears. Thank goodness he can go three times per week (only 30 minutes each)!

Guess Who Got Some New Specs?

A few weeks ago Garrett's eye doctor came in town from Connecticut (yay for us - we didn't have to make the trip up north this year). We were so excited to learn that his eyes have "grown up" so much over the past year.... his depth perception used to be functioning at a 30% and now it is at 90%! AND, AND his astigmatism is completely gone! I was amazed as I watched Garrett go through over an hour of testing (the same as last year); I vividly remember how weak and clumsy he looked last year as he went through the testing. This year he appeared so strong and confident. It's amazing how much of a difference one year and some magical glasses can make!

Today the new specs came in the mail - doesn't he look handsome? I think so!

Two Months

We've been home from Ethiopia for about two months now, and I honestly cannot remember the time Ellie wasn't home. Well, okay, when I take both kids to the grocery store, I remember then how much easier it was with just one! But really, life with both of our kiddos is so sweet. Hectic, yes. Trying at times, yes. But overall, we are head-over-heels-madly-in-love with the TWO precious children God has given us the honor to parent.

Here are a few fun pictures from the past few weeks:

Caught in the Act of a Little Sibling Sweetness

Yesterday afternoon while I was cooking dinner, I put Ellie in her high chair with some fruit, and Garrett was off somewhere playing. The next thing I knew I heard shrieks of laughter coming from both of the kids. Garrett had come into the kitchen and was tickling and kissing on his sister. While our days ARE sprinkled with sibling love, it is very rare that my 4 1/2 year old, non-napper boy is in a really sweet, affectionate mood so late in the day. So, I ran to grab my camera....proof for Daddy that the big brother really does love the little sister in the evenings.

The last two pictures were some other fun moments from the afternoon....Garrett tickled about something and Ellie chasing me saying her latest and greatest phrase "DEESE!" (cheese) when she sees the camera.

A little playing with Brandon, Jess and Jordyn

On Sunday we met up with Brandon, Jess and Jordyn for a little play time, and the kiddos had so much fun! The "big kids" (Garrett and Jordyn) ran and chased and squealed and hollered until they were wiped out while Ellie tried her best to keep up or do her own thing! It was wonderful to see ya'll B family!

Coloring 101

This afternoon Garrett showed Ellie the ropes when it comes to coloring ... she loved every minute of holding crayons (and trying to eat them, too)!

Visiting Mimi and Poppy at the Lake

Filled with Joy

Aren't my little punkins adorable? I think so!

Tomorrow will mark one month that we have been home from Ethiopia. ONE MONTH! Time has flown by so quickly! We are finally getting into a rhythm over here at casa de Wade but like all transitions it has had its ups and downs. I am just so thankful that every single one of my fears and anxieties of being a mommy to two has subsided (for now, well okay, for this minute anyway). Sure, I have my moments and some days are tougher than others, but I am finally feeling like we are hitting a sweet spot. I know that there are more turbulent days to come but all in all, I go to bed each night shaking my head in disbelief that this is my life - THIS is my life. God has poured heaps of grace, mercy and flat-out blessings into my life. How could I not be thankful and full of joy?

"The Lord has done great things for us....we are FILLED with JOY" -Psalm 126:3

We Interrupt This Ellie Broadcast...

...to bring you some news about her big brother! Last week I started reading Garrett Charlotte's Web. I wasn't sure he would be able to pay attention to a chapter at a time, but to my surprise he WAS able to and LOVED every minute of it. Our deal was that each day at rest time, I'd read him two chapters, but every day he was begging me to read more!

I had promised him that after we finished the whole book we would watch the movie. Not the new version but the old one - the one I remember watching as a kid. So, on Friday night we ordered pizza, popped popcorn and watched it as a family. It was SO fun! Garrett honestly does not like watching movies or any show over 20 minutes, so I was shocked he loved it so much.

Tonight Garrett asked to borrow some "rope". We obliged, and he scampered off to the playroom. About 20 minutes later he called us in to "see what Charlotte made":

In case you can't tell, he made a spider web and then had his Daddy add the message "Radiant Terrific Pig". Can you see how proud he is of himself? He was SUPER proud!

I love this boy! So, so much it hurts some days.

Cat in the Hat

I am super far behind in blogging but wanted to quickly share this cute picture from today....Garrett and I went to meet the Cat in the Hat! We had planned to meet up with some friends but ended up running into our neighbor and a few other people, too. Apparently, all of north Dallas got the memo that The Cat was going to be in town. Fun, fun times!

Icebergs

I have no excuse as to why I haven't blogged the rest of our Christmas and in an effort to get back into the swing of blogging, here is a little glimpse into our icy day:

Having our "popcorn and books" picnic by the fire this morning!

Garrett just couldn't wait any longer and insisted that he needed to go outside and take the "icebergs" temperature with the digital thermometer.

Garrett not only took all of the "icebergs" temperatures, he also proceeded to knock them all down off his swing set. Hmm.