A Day with CJ

We did something a little "out of the ordinary" yesterday and even though the reason itself wasn't exactly fun, the day overall was a good one. Andy and I took Carson to Reno....and it was just the three of us!! (my dear friend Becky watched Mason for us and Austin got to hang out with nanny after school) We took him to see an ENT doctor as he has had some hearing issues that have been slowly getting worse the older he gets. Even though the day would bring with it visits to unknown doctors, we still made it a "day for him"...donuts on our way out of town, a backpack full of his favorite things to do in the car, he got to pick where we ate for lunch, etc. 
 The conclusion of the doctors we saw basically boils down to this: Carson's ears are "completely clogged" and his adenoids "enlarged" which will lead us to surgery--adenoids out, tubes in. (We haven't set the time yet but it will be sometime in the morning of March 7th.) After the appts. we headed to a few stores with the "highlight" of the day being a quick stop at Scheel's. (for those of you who don't know what that is, it's like a glorified Cabela's) I mean, this place has a Ferris wheel in the middle of the store! So you can guess what we did...yep, we rode it. And when we were stuck at the very top, Carson talked as if there was no tomorrow! When that kid has something to say, look out! We talked the entire ride and it was just...so.....fun. I loved being able to 'stop' and really listen to him and laugh and then see his excitement come to it's near pinnacle as his eyes laid upon the little racecar area. You know where we headed next. It was here that I kick myself for not having my camera handy--the kind gentleman behind the iron gate which enclosed the life-size race cars asked Carson if he would like to come inside and see them. Are you kidding? Need you even ask? Carson's face lit up and I actually thought he might pop a blood vessel when the man opened the driver side door of one of the cars and let him sit behind the wheel. Like I said, no camera= epic failure! Pinnacle excitement reached. Carson loves all things cars and to be able to sit in this life-size-like one was, well, quite possibly a little piece of heaven right here on earth for him. :) It was fun to watch. So even though I didn't capture it with a photo, just picture my little CJ with a smile that truly did stretch bigger than "ear to ear." 
 On that note...I do have some random photos that have been taken since my last Valentine's post. One of them including my mini-man Mason and his new-found "swing"...you'll see what I mean. 
                                        We had a little "after Valentine" snow to play in!

Nice catch Ginger! :)

Mason trying his hand at jump-roping

                  What I walked in to see when I heard my boys rolling over with laughter....

being goofy

Carson working on his little lego set.

Doing something with just Carson yesterday made me realize that I don't take advantage of times I have with my boys like I should and desire to----those one-on-one times that is. It's something I want to be more purposeful in doing. Even if it's a simple thing like a trip to McD's for lunch, or to go get a hot cocoa at the coffee shop, or even spend an uninterrupted hour or two at home just playing games or racing cars or making artworks....you get the jist. Purposeful parenting...even though I know my boys, I want to "know" them even more. And that takes being purposeful in spending quality time with them. That's the only way I'll get to know my Heavenly Father more....ahhh, the concept of spending quality time. :)

Valentine's Day!

My house isn't necessarily decked out in pink and red and white but there are little touches of this heart-filled day throughout various rooms. It's another great reason for my boys to get crafty and adorn my window sill and walls and other "resting places" with their handiwork and of course, it's a great reason to make those cut-out sugar cookies! It's not my all-time favorite holiday but it's a fun one--and I will gladly participate in the crafting and the smelling of flowers and the eating of chocolate. ;)
   My mom is always so good about sending little packages for each holiday, making the boys feel special and loved from their Grandma states away. We got this particular one a few days ago and we've made it "last", making the anticipation for today even greater. Thanks mama!!

peering inside

chocolate!!! :)

And valentine window decor....with puppies nonetheless.

The boys really got into writing out Valentine's this year--Austin came home from school with his class list, all 39 names, and he went to work right away! Naturally, we did Scooby-Doo ones for Austin and Carson worked on a few Cars ones.

 Like I mentioned earlier, heart-shaped cookies lined our counter-tops and the boys had their creative juices flowin'! 

cookie time!

I have to say that my favorite ones are those that contain crosses. On this particular day that so many people talk of love, Hallmark cards that have the word "LOVE" splashed all over, heart-shaped practically everything, it's also a day to think about the best love ever revealed. It's a love that's nearly unexplainable and above all, unconditional and so very real. When I really pause to think about it, I almost can't wrap my mind around it! I have a love for my husband and my children that run so deep--I would do anything for them! To think that I have a Savior who loves me even deeper...to relish in the fact that He sent His son for me (and you)....if only I can reciprocate even a tiny morsel of that love back to Him. 

 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for GOD IS LOVE. In this, the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (I John 4:7-11)


It's been a simple "holiday" but celebratory with the little things, like heart-shaped PB&J sandwiches for lunch....

Carson and Jovi

...hearing about Austin's party at school....

...and indulging in those heart-shaped cross cookies.

I was also pleasantly surprised today with a bouquet of beautiful red roses delivered from my Valentine and as I stop to smell them from time to time, I am humbled and reminded of an even greater Love from above...and the fact that He chose to bless me with a man like Andy to walk through this life with. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

 

Family.....

I'll spare you the barrage of giddy details as I look out at the snowy sea of white--hey, if it is still technically winter, it might as well be winter. :) I'll embrace while it's here. Remember, this is Nevada so it'll be short-lived.
 As I mentioned earlier, we have been blessed to have Andy's grandma Beth, Aunt Kathy, and cousin Aiden here visiting from Texas this past week and it's been wonderful to "reunite" again. The boys enjoyed a few "cousin days" with Aiden spending an entire day with us and then cousin Aven here for a day as well!

CJ and Aiden reading books

Play-Doh

Carson making a play-doh pizza

"rest time"...aka, movie time :)

my mini-man Mason!

Weeeeeeee!!!

off to the races--Mason and Aven :)

Carson letting Aven know "I'll catch you!"

 We also celebrated Andy's birthday this past Friday--we were able to sneak away on a little dinner date :) and then enjoy some presents and cake (made by his Grandma!) back at his parent's house. 

Brithday morning coffee-cake for breakfast!

out for a birthday dinner-date! (i love this guy....)

daddy and sons

present time!

Pappy and Mason

presents!

 The boys made cards this year for daddy...and they just happened to include some iTunes gift cards. :) Good choice boys!!

Reno Aces!!

gift/card from the In-laws

A new leatherman!!

Cake time!

Blowing out the candles...thanks for the help boys! :)

We ended the time with Gi-GI and Kathy and Aiden with a lunch at Pizza Hut and all the boys wandered out into the hills for the afternoon. It was a perfect day and a great ending to a wonderful week with some extended family. 

pizza time!

cousins

boy cousins

Gi-Gi with all her Anderson great-grandkids!

climb up that hill boys!

boys!!

Pappy and the boys

CJ exploring

Pappy showing Austin something

Anderson family!! (minus one....Kyle had to work)