Happy 6th Birthday, Cyrus Nathan!

Oh, this boy.  This sweet, kind, hilarious, always-thinking boy.  My firstborn, born June 14th 2006.  The one who made me a momma.  I do not even know where to start.

He was always such a good baby.  Content and always thinking.  Ask anyone!  I would kiss him ALL THE TIME!!!  It was as if my kisses were the only thing keeping him alive ;)

I remember the lonely days when we moved to Columbus and I didn't have friends yet and it was just me and him hanging out in our apartment by Easton.  I would play with him on the floor and stress during nap-time because he just didn't want to be without his momma and I didn't want to be without him! 

His head was a perfect circle.  Promise.  His cheeks were the color of watermelon, his chocolate chip eyes the shape of almonds and the cutest button nose you'd ever seen!

When his bottom teeth grew in, there were 3 but the one in the middle, that one came last so he looked like a little jack-o-lantern!

When he was 18 months, he would always want to hit lamp shades.  We figured out, he was keeping a beat!  So, we bought him toddler drums that he crashed through and eventually a full-set at age 3!  The boy amazed me as he learned new beats all on his own!  We actually potty-trained him by rewarding him with You Tube videos of drum solos.

When I would say, "I love you so so much." to Cyrus, he would reply, "Mommy, I E U so, so such!"  Oh, melt my heart every stinkin' time!

He came home one day, barely 3 and wrote "Tim Horton's" in cursive all on his own and started reading  soon after...so, all of this to say, He's crazy-smart but that isn't even close to the reason I love him so much.

He's always asking GREAT questions especially when it comes to Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit or just hard life lessons.  His questions are challenging but genuine.

God is going to use this boy for great things for His kingdom.  He is an amazing big brother.  Poor guy, I am hard on him and expect a lot because I know he's capable of being good, mostly because that's what he shows most of the time.  I forget how good of a boy he is sometimes.  He loves his siblings and his family.  He tells me he never wants to move out.  My how time will change ;)

My prayer for Cyrus is that God would use him to bring glory to His name.  That Cyrus' life would be a reflection of Jesus.  That whatever career path Cyrus takes, he would use it to share the love of Jesus.  I pray that with all that life will bring him, the good and the bad, that he'd remember a life without Jesus, really isn't a life at all.  Don't worry,  I do not expect perfection.  I'm too wise for that (ha!).

I pray for his future wife who I know I will be blessed to call my own daughter someday.  I pray she love Jesus, too!  I pray for his future kids (my grand-kids!) and that God would poor out his blessing on them and they'd see their need for a savior.

My life is sweeter and more joyful with Cyrus in it.  He has taught me to be a better person and Christ-follower.  God has used him (and I am sure will continue to) to create me to be more human, in the original intent...the image of God. 

If you haven't met him yet, you're missing out.  He's just that special.

Cyrus Nathan, my heart couldn't love you more!  I'm so blessed and thankful for 6 amazing years with you, bud!  I love you so, so such!

Playing Ketchup. (long post, mucho pictures)

Last week we were in Toledo and it was a great trip!

 Taking a break for the screaming babe who looks 'oh so happy!'

I loved sitting in my parents' living room being able to just sit and chat with her and my sister, Kacie and whoever else was willing to sit and be and chat.
The kids loved playing with their cousins and swinging on the tire swing at Andy's parents house.

 Bexley and my neice, Emeri hanging out, being cute.

 Zeke not sure of this contraption...maybe once he takes it apart to see how it works ;)

 Zekey and Eisley having a blast!  Driving crazy like her momma ;)

Andy was revitalized as he met with pastors from all over the world who listened, encouraged and spoke into his life.  I'm sure he was of value to them as well.  At the end of the week, we had to leave early as Cyrus was getting sick.  The morning after we got home, his skin near his joints was getting all puffy and red and he couldn't even bend some of his fingers!

It was like this on his knees and ankles...so sad!

 So, even though he's low key when sick, I knew this was something to be seen for.  Thankfully Andy was on his way home and I could take him in without the other 3.  Turns out he had Strep. Poor buddy.

The weekend was good.  Quick, per usual.  Sunday I was able to spend time alone at my favorite La Chateliane.I took time to sketch clothes and find the perfect fabric for them...

  I still have that "fashion designer" dream in me ;)  Someday!

 Sunday evening is always Ember church, which we love and is topped off with friends coming over and hanging out afterwards.  I felt it was best to keep Cy home although he was technically not contagious, I thought I'd wait another 24 hours before exposing him to other children.

Come to find out I missed a pretty darn good service.  It was Spirit filled, lots of tears, genuine hearts and Andy even scrapped his original sermon last minute as he felt God calling him to talk about something completely different.  So, I missed a good one.  Boo!  Ah, well!  I was able to listen to in online and yes, it was a goody!  Love, love Ember and all that God is doing.

 Monday was a good one!  Zeke had another speech therapy session and I was able to tell his teacher that Zeke had made some new sounds this week! (finally!)  Then, he was doing really well at the session!  So proud of him!  It's SO SO SO SO SO much work and sometimes, I just want to throw in the towel and say, "He'll talk eventually" but I must not.  I just want him to TALK ALREADY!!! ;)  Love him to pieces!

 He also did the laundry for me...in the bathroom sink, so that's nice.  Real nice.

Tuesday we had a play date with our favorites!  They came over and the kids played to their hearts content while us mommas chatted...3 hours. It.was.bliss.  I was so thankful!  Kids napped well and BONUS!  I was able to sneak in an hour nap, too!

Today (Wednesday) was fun!  Well, mostly...I planned (or not planned) to take the kids to the zoo for a picnic but I couldn't find my phone and I needed to call in to get my  membership activated.  So annoyed.  So we went to the next best thing, a picnic in the park with a special treat afterwards!

 Snacking on almond butter sandwiches and listening to tornado warning sirens (test).

 Bexley Jane being all cute and as her nickname says, "squishy" ;)

 I just love this face.

 Eisley Bree...I think I captured her well.  Pretty and sweet.

 haha!  I couldn't help but post this pic.  Too funny!

 Oh, such a cute, goofball of a boy :) 

 Sweet...love!

 Pretending to be a spider, of course! ;)

 Sib love.

 This is pretty much all he did.  Loverly.

And Josie's frozen yogurt afterwards!  All of our yogurt was only $8.23.  Score!

So, that was a fun morning.  Zeke fell asleep in the car and didn't go down for a nap, so that's always fun.  Then, I am on the phone with my mom (after having lost it most of the day) and the kids are saying fire in the background but I don't hear it until I smell it myself...Zeke had made a mini fire in the toaster-oven...That's what I get for just taking a few to sit and relax.  I tell  ya, the boy is going to make me go insane someday! ;)  Lord, Help me!

I was a bit of a bear today from about 2 on...Maybe it was the lack of break from the constant "curious George" of a boy I have but something made me a cranky mommy...and a wifey, too.  Felt bad.  Thankful for new mercies every morning!

Thankful...