Oh, how I love vacation!! We were able to bring Malachi on his first trip to Florida for Thanksgiving! While flying alone with him to Florida was daunting, prayers were answered as he was a gem the entire way down! He slept the first flight. The second flight he seemed to be on speed or something as he was jumping up and down, up and down, squealing, cooing and making everyone laugh around us for about an hour. Then, within a couple of minutes, he snuggled his face into mine and fell fast asleep...crashed is more like it...for the next hour and a half! It was wonderful!
We were able to meet up with my parents at the airport and spend the first few days in LaBelle with my grandparents. I can not say enough good about my grandparents. They are the sweetest grandparents anyone could ask for as their love for the Lord, generosity, love for us, service, hospitality and humor pour out of them. I cherish the life time of memories gathered from spending time with them. It was so fun to share Malachi with them and laugh how it seems like just yesterday I was a little runt, running around their house, jumping in the pool and acting crazy. How time flies!
It's also so special to share Malachi with our parents. I'm sure it has got to be strange for them to see us with a baby. Actually, it's still kind of strange for me too...Either way, we just love him and love sharing him with Grandma and Grandpa Stoller & Rocke (how funny that sounds!). Not to mention, how WONDERFUL it was to have the extra help with caring for and entertaining Malachi! It's exciting to think of all the memories we'll be developing with Malachi and the grandparents/ mom & dad!! Thanks mom and dad for flying down from GA to see us!!
Upon the arrival of the Rockes to LaBelle, Malachi was quite a hit! He was certainly not lacking attention! We are so proud of him:) Grandpa gave everyone a horticultural tour around the yard prior to the big trip to the grove...Malachi's first trip to the grove:)
Next, was Malachi's first trip to Marco! Boy howdy, was he smothered with attention and he loved it! At times it was like playing hot potato as he was passed all around to the point of me wondering where exactly my son had gone. Time by the pool, walking on the beach with him, boat rides, fun family time and lots of good food packed the week. I can't wait until the next trip!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Malachi's first trip to Florida
Time has flown by. As I was just getting better at blogging, life sure got busy. We've been able to have both moms down for a visit, have the Marti's visit on the way back from Mexico, and take Malachi on his first flight down to Florida! So many good times and now I find myself with Christmas just around the corner! How does time go so quickly!
During this time Malachi has continued to keep life interesting as he's had a few firsts. about 3 weeks ago, he discovered his toes and they have become his favorite new toy. That boy is flexible! Seeing him suck on his toes makes me laugh every time!
Our first night in Florida, he also started to sleep through the night between 8-9 hours without a middle of the night feed!! He has ever since, which makes me think that we just may need to go on vacation more! Maybe next vacation he'll start sleeping 10-12 hours...maybe I'm asking too much. Either way, it makes for one happy momma!
Teething has begun! While in Florida, many people told me that Malachi looking like he was teething. Upon our return, I asked the doctor to look while she was doing his 4 month physical. She let me know it was highly unlikely, but then started laughing as she looked and exclaimed he did in fact have 2 teeth! One has broken through and the other one is just about to! Craziness! He's handled it well and I hope he continues to do so!
Grab, grab, grab...anything that comes close he tries to grap and put in his mouth! Yesterday, I was trying to eat a snack while holding him. Every chip that came close to my mouth initiated a knock-down drag-out for who's mouth was going to get it. He's quick! Needless to say, that snack didn't last long as he showed his skills were too close for comfort. Next, we went to the office so I could work on the computer. He was in his bumbo, reached way out, picked up a huge mug of coffee (cooled) and poured it all over brent's desk! I had no idea he was that strong! He keeps life interesting!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Fall Fun
We had our first "Fall Cookout" last Saturday. It was a blast! God blessed us with perfectly beautiful weather and a wonderful group of friends to share it with. What started out as me asking Brent if it would be ok if I had a few people over for dinner, ended up as 24 total (including kids) for dinner. Woops! We had crochet, grilled out food, foot ball, little boys playing with legos, toy cars and chasing each other around the yard, sweet conversation, yummy food and wonderful memories made.
The night was absolutely fabulous and a true blessing for me. I was thrilled to have an evening to host such an event and more importantly such wonderful people to share it with. While Malachi had a COMPLETE melt down for the first 30 min, he finally fell asleep and awoke a happy baby. Brent was a wonderful hubby as he carried Malachi around for the rest of the evening in the Bjorn (a must have item!!). By the end of the evening, Malachi was worn out and we realized he had fallen asleep in the Bjorn. It was sooo cute! He was a trooper!
After the night, we were able to reflect on how wonderfully God has provided. We absolutely love where He has us right now. While Brent's call schedule is seemingly torture at times, I can't help but smile at the rest: our marriage, a man that loves me even though my continual failings and flaws, our wonderful church and it's amazing community it provides, our dear friends, wonderful women in my life that love God, sweet son, great home and more. I am blessed. Thank you Lord.
Here are a few more images from the night. Unfortunately, I was too busy to take more, which I was disappointed in myself, but oh well...next time.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Toilet Seat or High Chair?
Food for thought:
Would you rather eat of a toilet seat or high chair?
As gross as it sounds, I guess I'd rather eat off a toilet seat. After seeing the research that compared how dirty both are in restaurants, toilet seats are found to be much cleaner! Can you believe it?!? N.A.S.T.Y!!!! NASTY...NASTYYYY!!
The study found the following:
"Toilets had an average of eight bacteria per square centimeter. High chairs had 147. Ready for the kicker? The study was done in the United States, not England."
While I don't think I'll find myself feeding Malachi off the toilet seat (rest assured mom and Eva), I do think I'll be buying one of those high chair covers from etsy that I can bring along and wash after. Wow! I understand that people say you can't be too clean for your baby, but really?...I think this is just too far!
If you want to read the article, here it is:
http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/food-safety/high-chair-bacteria-toilet/
I think I'll go wash my hands, just for the sake of it now!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
How Church History Can Enrich Our Faith
Brent showed me the article that I'm about to link you to. I'll admit I was a bit leery of thinking I'd find it interesting. I'm terrible. I say that I think history is important, but I'm often not a fan of reading and to get me through a history course was grueling to say the least. I'm growing into the desire to read. My mom said that I'd probably like it when I grew up...I guess I'm still growing up, but getting closer none the less:)
After reading this article, I am motivated to learn more of church history...something else to put on my plate. Hope Malachi likes to listen to it because it sounds like this will enter into our reading list together:)
Check it out:
http://www.rickandsusanna.com/2010/10/6-reasons-to-love-church-history.html
Sunday, October 10, 2010
new wave of urbanization
Will the church rise to this challenge?"
“The twenty-first century will not be dominated by America or China, Brazil or India, but by the city,” writes Parag Khanna of the New America Foundation. “In an age that appears increasingly unmanageable, cities rather than states are becoming the islands of governance on which the future world order will be built.”
As this occurs, how and where does that impact our lives of ministry, our responsibility to reach the lost and the distribution of the gospel? The following is a great, thought provoking article.
http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/09/10/mission-and-metropolis-the-church-and-the-city/
"The grass is always greener...where you water it"
While we've all heard the saying, " the grass is always greener on the other side." How does that correlate to marital problems? It's kinda obvious that one could look at it as the rampage of and problem with our society's infidelity. Today, however, Brent and I were discussing ways to strengthen our marriage, how to better communication when times get rough...i.e. he's on call and there's minimal time to communicate. We thought of and we found some good questions to frequently ask our selves and each other to reflect on our marriage, our attitudes and state of our hearts.
One point we read was similar to the cliche phrase previously quoted, but this time it said, "The grass is always greener where you water it". This is common sense and we know this in a concrete sense all too well. Here, in Texas, the blazing heat can take a tole on the yard!! If you neglect the grass for just a few days it quickly starts to brown, die, become weak, unfruitful and the battle to strengthen it is a hard one. This is similar to a marriage. If we neglect to water or care for our marriage it too can become weak quickly. It's so true that we must be continually proactive to pursue, love and work at our marriage. Marriage is a wonderful gift, a deep responsibility and a blessing to be able to cherish. I love Brent so much and I'm thankful that he continues to pursue me and want to continually enrich and work at our marriage. I am blessed.
This is one of the more common sense points, but I thought it was a good reminder and stated creatively. If you want to see the point and questions to ask yourself and your spouse, check out this website. It's a good, quick read:
http://www.crossway.org/blog/2010/09/the-problem-of-kingdom-in-our-marriages/
