January Birthdays

... surprised by the number of January birthdays in my family now. Of course Zach's boys both have January birthdays. But it just hit me on Saturday night when we went to a Japanese steakhouse to celebrate birthdays from Chad's side of the family how many we have now.
Tommy (our brother in law), Julie (Chad's cousin), and John (Chad's uncle, Julie's dad) all have January b-days. We had a great time celebrating with family. The kids were all good too which always makes for an enjoyable experience. Ash and Shep put on quite an eating display while Hunter wasn't feeling great (the cold continues to run through our family).
Here are some pictures.

The boys watch in amazement during the cooking.

Shepherd just couldn't understand why were not eating right when we sat down.

I managed to catch everyone with their eyes shut except for Julie. Actually I would think they were praying if it wasn't for Julie on her phone.
From left to right... Johnny, Tommy, Sandee, Charlee, Julie, Joan

The rest of the group. From left to right. Julie, Joan, John, PapaHub, and Grandma

The cake. The boys did the honors.

Great Aunt Joan with the boys and cousin Charlee.

We are truly blessed to be so close to our family.

Something Beautiful

... at the zoo today enjoying the pretty weather. While there, Hunter and Ashton "petted"( or got to pat) a goat on the head. And Ashton said, "oh, he is beautiful." I chuckled to myself and then took a picture of what captured Ashton's definition of beautiful.


Then I thought about how Hunter uses the word beautiful. I immediately thought of the song "Something Beautiful" by Need to Breath. He exchanges the word Something with the word "Mommy's." Ok, fine, I actually sang the song with the words " oh oh oh oh oh oh oh mommy's beautiful" in it first but he picked up on it really quick (ha ha ha.) Regardless, he truly believes I am beautiful. He tells me All The Time and now he sings this song often (sorry if you think it is sacra-religious to do this to Christian songs- we like to think that God has a good sense of humor over silly things like this.)

I then I started thinking of what my definition of beautiful was.



Then it hit me that I was thinking of the outside only. Would I still think of the leopard's beauty as it stalks and kills its prey? I doubt I would be focused as much on his beauty as I would be the kill.

Then I started thinking about God's definition of beauty. And realize how that He sees deep. He sees me when I am not beautiful... when I let one slip under my breath when I stub my toe, when I almost or I do lose my cool with the boys, when I choose that TV program instead of His Word.

Does God see true beauty in me? Does He say, "she is beautiful!" Does the world see God's beauty in me? Or does my sin get in the way?

As we were leaving the zoo, the last animal is the owl. It strikes me every time that I leave that the owl is the final animal. Why the owl?


Today as we were leaving and I was thinking of how I want to be beautiful to God, I see the owl and He (God not the owl) whispers wisdom. WISDOM. I get so caught up wanting beauty that I miss wanting wisdom. To crave wisdom like Solomon. To be wise like the owl now that is something that I bet God could say "now that is something beautiful."

***
In other news. Ashton wasnt feeling good yesterday. He actually fell asleep watching his movie.

I finally got my van washed and Hunt and Shep helped. It was Shep's first time to help and he was adorable. And Hunter loves to wash a car and is getting quite good. Hopefully my car washing days will start to diminish in the near future... that is a benefit to having kids, right?



***
Oh, by the way, you may see more journally type post that deal a bit with my walk with Christ. I have tried to journal before and well, my commitment wasn't so great. I think after like 6 or 7 attempts, the longest I made it was like to 2 months. So along with my journaly stuff for the boys, I am going to try and lace in what God is speaking to me at the moment so I can keep track of it.

Let's go fly a kite...

... looking back on the day with the boys and realized we did some new things today.

First, we flew a kite. Wow! I cant tell you how long it has been since I have flown a kite and honestly, it was just as much fun as I remember. It was pretty windy today and I happened on two kites that I bought the boys a couple years ago. I got them dirt cheap and totally forgot about them stuffed back in Chad's closet. I only got one of them out knowing it would turn into quite a mess with two.

After a few attempts, Hunter was just as good at flying the kite as I was (I am not saying that I am good just that Hunter picked up on it quickly). Ashton didnt do too bad either. Shep wasn't all that impressed.

Second, Hunter received a Science Kit for his birthday (I can see Matt and Olivia smile). Though Johnny made fun of Aunt Joan for giving it to Hunter, it was quite fun. I must admit I made an observation about my children today. Hunter is going to be the English person... the reader (I think most of us knew this). He really did not care much about our experiment and observations. But, Ashton is going to love science. He was ALL ABOUT this science stuff... wanting to touch everything, asking questions. He was adorable.
Basically, the kit deals with colors. We even made little "crystals."

The "crystals" started off like the ones on the wallet but after an hour in our colored water... wahla (is that how you spell that- I dont think so).

And though this wasn't technically new for today. The past 3 days, I have noticed Hunter's coloring skills get sooo much better. I really attribute this to me ... haha... we have been working on writing and phonics every night and really believe it is carrying over to his coloring. Here are the two he did tonight and one from November. His attention to detail has come so far!

As you can tell by what he wrote- we did this one together. I did the tree and grass, he did the rest.

Here are the comparisons...
From tonight.

From November

Ashton loves the Power Wheels. Hunter really loves his bike and Power Wheels equally. But ol' Ashton L O V E S to ride around and around and around the house and get back in the woods on the Power Wheels.

And, Shepherd... loves tampons. What can I say- almost daily I am having to pick them up in my bathroom. Weird child.

What can I say- I am a proud mommy... From coloring, to Power Wheel riding to tampon finding... my kids are quite skilled! :)
A couple extra pics.

As I mentioned last post, God has been tugging at me. Last week, I happened onto (in)courage website and saw they do a book club. They are starting a new book in February called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. I knew the minute I saw the author's name that I was sold.

A few months ago, my mom sent me an email with a link to Ann's blog . Mom had heard about Ann through a teacher's wife at her school. I automatically fell in love with the depth and delivery of Ann's heart. You definitely should check out her blog and read her bio.

Anyway, starting in February, every Sunday (in)courage will post a video of Ann and one of the (in)courage people going over the chapter of the book for that week. The reviews of the book are awesome... comparing it to "Mere Christianity for women."

If you are desiring to feel closer to Him, I would encourage you to take a look at the book. Dayspring is selling it for only $10 (but that special ends today).

To Him be the glory,

Happy Birthday O and updates

O, we all hope you had a great birthday. Make sure you listen to our birthday song on facebook many many many times! Listen to it until your parents can stand it no longer!

And, because, I always have pictures to share and I got my charger for my camera (finally)....

Shepherd rediscovered his love of blueberries.

My walking man

He loves steps.

Ashton lookin' adorable
Hunter finally learned to peddle! Yay- nothing like peer pressure!

We really havent been doing much. Shepherd is doing oh, so much better. His little cold is almost gone and those two pesky molars seem to have made their way through. He is definitely down to one nap a day and has been for about a month. It makes for an early bedtime, but that is just fine by me.

Speaking of naps, Ashton has officially ditched his naps as well. He watches a movie with Hunter for quiet time- but he says "now I free (three), I not take naps anymores. I big." Thankfully, this also leads to another early bedtime. No later than 7:15, Ashton and Shep are both down and I get to spend some one on one time with just Hunter. Ashton is also settling a bit as far as his terrible two's. I am still reading the book of "The Strong Willed Child" by James Dobson because I have no doubt that he has my nature. :)

And, Hunter is getting so smart. He is starting to get the sounding out stuff of reading. He officially sounded out his first word last week (bat). After his brothers go to bed, we play two games (Uno Moo and the Thomas matching game), do his Phonics book, and then he plays football/ catch with me or daddy. He is in bed by 8:15. He is thriving in his 3 day a week preschool. I always get positive feedback and does enjoy it. I have his K-5 paperwork and I am delaying registering him... just because, it just doesnt seem like it should be time. I still have homeschooling in the back of my head, but for now, the Lord has given me a peace about public schools. I know that I can trust Him and that He will give us wisdom about the boys and their education.

This was kind of all over the place. But it has been awhile since I gave a true update. Basically, we are doing great. I am couponing like a mad woman and I am up to almost 50% savings each month on groceries. I have so many to-do plans in my head- if you know me well, I am always planning something. I am LOVING staying at home and the Lord has been so absolutely faithful in allowing me to do so.

The Lord has also been talking to me about getting more serious about my walk with Him. I have been lax with it lately. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit speaks ever so clearly to me with convictions, the Lord definitely knows that if it is not clear and firm- I will miss it or ignore it. More on this later though- just pray that the Lord guide me where He wants me and that I will be intentional with my walk.

Until next time-

Molars

... tending to a low appetite, feverish, snotty, drooly, poopy, fussy baby for the past 3 days.

Both Chad and I thought he was getting another cold though we have not been out of the house in a week because of the snow. And he may in fact have a cold because he does have a nasty little cough (which I dont think is a symptom of teething)... but upon investigating inside his little mouth this morning; I discovered at least two reasons for some of his issues. Notice molar #1 and molar #2. Just like Ashton did, he is bypassing the canines for now.

Obviously he didnt really enjoy me turning him upside down to get this picture.

So he either has a nasty cold with slight teeth pain or a little cold with massive teeth pain... either way, it makes for a sad little boy. Hopefully the teeth pain will ease up soon as they have broken through the surface.

Ouch! The Snow is Ice.

It took one tumble for Ashton to come to the conclusion that the snow is not fun anymore. These pictures were taken 5 hours after his spill and you can tell it is still visibly red and scratched. Ouch!

Monday was wonderful, fluffy, fun snow.
Tuesdsay was hard, semi-icy snow that kind of stung when you fell.
Wednesday is hard, icy, not only hurt when you fall but leaves a mark kind of "snow".

As he always does, excuse his dirty mouth, he was eating brownies!

It took two falls for Hunter to decide it was not worth it. Through his 3 layers, he still scratched his belly when he fell off the sled.

Needless to say, I am ready for the snow to BE GONE!

Snowed in

... been snowed in for 2 days now with my crew. Chad was getting antsy so he ventured out for a bit... said he didnt know where he was going. He would never last as a stay at home dad!

Here are some pictures from our sledding (my good camera is still out of commission :( so point n shoot got the job done)

Not to sure about it.

Ashton also not to sure about it

Sheppy and Daddy

Hunter making a snow angel

We crashed and my foot got stuck.

Shep swinging

My favorite picture

Made some snow cream (GrandmaDean's idea).

Caelum

Here he is...
Caelum Zembruski A.

7 lb. 9 oz & 20" long

He is almost 2 lbs bigger than his brother. We all underestimated how big this little man would be. I so wish I was in California and could get my hands on this babe!

Hunter is so excited. When he got up this morning, I told him Anna had her baby. He said, "Anna got her baby out of her belly?"

I said, "Yes, and it is a ..." He said without hesitation "BOY!"

I guess after so many boys in our family you just kind of assume ! ;)

When I told Hunter his name, he grinned and said, "so that is the new one. Caelum."

So sweet!

And unrelated to Caelum, we woke up to at least 5" of snow this morning and it is still coming down fast.... Looks like we will be homebound for a few days.

Just in... It's a...

BOY! Zach and Anna welcomed my second nephew, Caelum Zembruski A., this evening at 5:40 (California time). Don't know any of his statistics yet, but it seemed to be a good delivery and he is doing great.

Congratulations Zach, Anna, and Owen! I am so happy to have another little man in the family! Go BLUE! :)

I like the way that you walk... walk walk.

... encouraging Shepherd to walk for the past couple months, but he didnt quite have the confidence. A couple days after Christmas, he decided he was ready. Though he still prefers crawling if he is in a hurry, I have no doubt that by the end of the month, crawling will be close to obselete (which kind of makes me sad... I love watching babies crawl).

I have video of him walking but I have not been able to load video to blogger for months now (if anyone has any idea why, please let me know)... so pictures will have to suffice.



Shepherd continues to be a funny little boy. He is a motor mouth. He "sings" in the car often. He is always talking about balls, dogs, choo choos, juice, bite (snack). It is funny that with those 5 words he can effectively communicate with us. He sleeps with his blue Clemson blanket (I have to get a couple more of those things) and a monkey that he found in his brothers' closet a couple months ago.

His main flaw right now is hitting/ smacking in the face. He does this to everyone if you dont give him what he wants or if you are just getting on his nerves. I have had to start popping him for it as he was quite defiant about it. He hasnt hit me in the face in a few days now so hopefully that is over.

I also didnt mention a couple weeks ago that I officially cut his hair. He has a semi- big boy haircut now which makes him look like a little boy and not as much like a baby.

He is still a great eater and loves fruit. Though he is not a big vegi lover, he devoured 3 heaping spoonfuls of peas last night. He loves meat. It is nice to have a child that if they are hungry, then they will eat what you put in front of them. Ashton is also like this. We are still slowly trying to get Hunter to eat different food (I really screwed up with him). Oh well, live and learn.

I know this post is kind of all over the place but it was been a while (I lost the battery charger for my good camera so I havent been able to take pics- I ordered a new one yesterday so hopefully when I get it the posting will pick back up. My small camera is semi broken as I dropped it over Christmas).


EDIT- I just got word, through Anna's blog, that she is probably getting close to baby time. I dont think she will care if I post this but Zach said that contractions will be kind of consistent then taper off again, but regardless, I would be surprised if she made it to the weekend. So, please say a quick prayer for Anna as she does this labor and delivery stuff without drugs (Crazy crazy girl) and say a prayer for this precious baby! YAY! I love babies!