Looking Ahead at 2011...

TIME. Oh, how I wish I had more of it - or maybe used it more wisely?! I don't know. I try to look back on my days and see where I could've maybe, just maybe, gotten a few more things accomplished, but the conclusion is always the same.

There are many things I would like more time for:

-I would love to blog more. Most are probably thinking "gosh, you blog plenty", but I would love to blog more of my thoughts. I really do have so much to say - ha!

-I would love to read more. I know, I know.... after college I made a goal with myself that I wouldn't read a book for pleasure for like a year (because I was so sick of reading .... I know, stellar goal). The problem is, I accomplished that goal .... and I've hardly ever found the time to pick up a book for pleasure since - and my stack of books I'd like to read is GROWING TALL. Of course, if I found/made the time to read more, then I would have the other problem of NOT falling asleep while reading :-)

-I would love to get caught up - and stay caught up - on pictures of the boys. I have so many on the camera and computer that need printing, but I think I am at May 2010, so I have several months of catch up.

-I would love to learn more about taking pictures in general.

-I would love to Email and keep up with my friends more.

-I would love to go through this house and purge things not being used in preparation for our moves this year.

-I would love to keep up with the laundry :-)

Honestly, the list goes on and on. I think I've been reflecting on how many hours are in every day, because this year is going to be quite busy - and I'm feeling crunched for time. Not only am I about to turn 30 in about a month (that's a whole other blog post), but we are moving to Ft. Benning, GA in April and then back to 29 Palms, CA in October. For a "type A" person like myself - 2 moves is a bit overwhelming. The slight adventurer in me thinks it's exciting, too - but the organizer in me is thinking about how there isn't enough TIME to prepare for all of these changes, much less work on the things I would love to be doing (list above) :-)

When I start looking ahead and feeling overwhelmed - and feeling that I'm already so behind, I bring myself back to the book of Matthew. Matthew 6:25a, "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life" (v.27) "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not." (v.33) "Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." (v.34) "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring about its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

I find so much reassurance in knowing that God knows my heart, knows my worries, and promises to take care of my family and me - and tells me NOT to worry.

So, you may be wondering about that conclusion I come to at the end of EACH day ... after all my feelings of wishing I had more TIME and after all of my worries .... the conclusion I come to is ALWAYS the same. The TIME that I have, I love that it is spent with these 2 precious boys below (and 3, when Chris is able to be around). The conclusion I come to at the end of each day is that my TIME was well spent if I'm spending it playing and hanging out with these sweet faces - these amazing gifts that I've been given. One day, I'll have more TIME - maybe. And if I don't, that's really okay, too. I may not get through that stack of books as fast as I want, I may get really behind in printing out pictures and putting them into photo albums, and I may never keep up with the laundry, BUT I'm making an effort not to worry about tomorrow, I'm just focusing (and thankful for) the TIME I'm given today....

Dinosaur Video

Dinosaur Action...

LOTS of dinosaur playing going on around this house :-) Jake got some dinosaurs for Christmas, and we've been working on learning all of their names (and different family members have mentioned their favorite dinosaur to Jake .... and he takes it to heart). In the below picture, the dinosaurs are racing (and yes, that is Jake waving the flag) :-) In the below video .... he is naming all of his dinosaurs. I just absolutely LOVE his spongey brain!!!

First Baseball Cards...

At 2 (almost 3). As a side note, this ball nailed me in the face, but at least it was worth the good, action shot!

At 1. Cole was honestly way more thrilled than he looks in this picture :-)

Brothers...

As Jake says, "he's my best friend...."

Officially O-N-E!

Since we had Cole's birthday party on Saturday, we didn't make too big of a deal about his ACTUAL birthday on Wednesday.... mainly so that Jake wasn't completely confused :-) We drove back home from VA on Wednesday - and unfortunately, Chris had to work that night, so I whipped up some grilled cheese for the boys and had picked up some cupcakes, and we did a mini-celebration, b/c I couldn't have his official day overlooked completely! We had his 1 year doctor's appointment yesterday - and the best news for me is that he no longer has an ear infection (thank goodness, since he had already been on 2 rounds of antibiotics .... actually both boys ears have cleared up - such great news)! Cole is looking good, though, and got a good report. He weighs 21lbs and I honestly can't remember how long he is :-( Since they both had appointments, they were doing everything all at the same time, so all of the numbers are mixed up in my head (plus, unless it's written down, I have such a bad memory anyway). All I know is he is looking good, so good news!

Cole - even at 1, maybe especially at 1 - continues to keep me on my toes. The differences between Jake and Cole are so amazing to me (but so good, of course - I wouldn't want or expect them to be the same). Jake was such a good sleeper - and Cole.... well, let's just say that at 2 months, he slept from 10pm-5am, and I was thinking that was awesome. It WAS awesome at 2 months, but at 12 months when he STILL only sleeps until 5am = not so awesome :-) Cole is HIGH on life, which is why he is rearing and ready to go and face the day at 5am! Morning person maybe?!?! :-) As I've mentioned before, Cole is a mover and on the go and into everything (and everything - EVERYTHING goes into the mouth), but he also has a smile that will melt away any heart. He now has 4 bottom teeth and 4 top teeth, and EATS, EATS, EATS! I'm pretty sure he's a bottomless pit already. He isn't completely sold on whole milk yet - he makes this weird face and spits it out, so hopefully he'll get adjusted to that sooner than later, but I'm enjoying NOT buying formula and NOT washing bottles, which also allows for a little more counter space (oh, and a little more money)!!!!!!!! Cole is constantly trying to keep up with Jake - one of the reasons he is probably always on the go and discovering new things. When Jake was 1 (granted, he wasn't walking), I could get him to sit down and read with me or watch a little bit of TV .... I'm pretty sure Cole has NEVER sat through a complete 30-minute TV show - and I have to really push him to let me read with him. Cole's personality is so much FUN, though! He brings us so much JOY ... all of us - even Jake (who hugs him and will say "my best friend"). I love watching him learn new things every day! One of my new favorites is when he falls, he says "uh oh" with his classic frown face - love love love! My prayer for 2011 (and really every year) is just that I can grow as a Mom ... and be the type of Mom to these 2 boys that I need to be. I don't take that responsibility lightly. The Lord has blessed me with such preciousness .... I want to make sure I'm being the Mom I'm supposed to be.

Those were my 1-year old "Cole thoughts" ... I could write for hours - just don't have hours, so I'll just leave you with the FINAL birthday celebration pictures ... and the videos at the bottom show how MUCH he truly loved his cupcake!! :-) Happy Birthday precious, wonderful Cole! We love you more than you will ever know!

Random-ness

Here are the boys enjoying their new Toy Story tent with balls. I still really can't believe that we got this for Cole for his birthday .... I give it about 2 weeks before we can't find any of the 20 balls :-) BUT - they sure are enjoying it!

It got REALLY quiet yesterday, so I was wondering what the boys were getting into back in their room, and when I turned the corner - I saw this! Melts my heart a little!! Jake looked at me and said, "Cole and Jake just reading Mommy" :-)
AND here is something that is not often seen with Cole .... sleep :-) BUT, he did fall asleep while eating lunch yesterday - too funny.
I keep trying to tell him that if he'll stop waking up at 5am, he won't be AS tired at 11:30am :-)
Here are the boys enjoying their Toy Story tent....

Jake performing .... of course :-)

Jake and Papa Dee having a "snowball" fight - except they aren't really pretending.... they are throwing actual balls. Papa Dee has no mercy, either .... Jake loves it :-) Later, Cole gets into the "fight", too, but in this video - he looks for cover! This is one of the many great things about grandparents .... they are able to get away with so much .... but I love just hearing the laughter - from Jake and Papa Dee both ;-)