Giving Thanks

Lists. I love lists. I really do. Christmas card lists, Christmas wish lists, the what-to-pack-for-the-Holiday-vacation list, grocery list for Thanksgiving Dinner. It's just that time of year for lists. And, I know I am not alone. I know I have friends who also feel the same absolute joy and fulfilment of Making The List.

I am also good at keeping other lists. You know the ones. The list of how many ways someone has hurt me. The list of all the injustices forced upon me. The list of all my losses, failings and inadequacies. The list of all the what-ifs. These are not the lists I write down. And they are not the lists I am proud of. Isn't it remarkable how quickly we can recall these lists in detail when we are down? Why is it that when one situation brings pain…it revives the wounds of other situations that are similar? Sometimes I wish our brains could just permanently erase things. But then we would have to erase some of the good too...and who wants to do that? He says that there will be trials and tribulations. BUT:

My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. ps 119:50

One of our beloved missionaries in the Glenwood Church of Christ, Cheryl, has been making a list called One Thousand Gifts. Actually - I think she started it over a year ago. But I have thought about that blog post of hers so much in the last year and every time she makes a new post of all that she is thankful for I feel more and more convicted to do the same. So, here I go in my effort to turn my focus...And give thanks.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 chr 16:34

My goal is to post parts of the list over the next year. I’m working towards 1000….making note of the things that God is giving me everyday. And what better time to start than today - just as we all begin to 'Think Thanksgiving'. Yep. Today is the perfect day to start.

1. My precious boys.

2. The ability to hear the giggles of those boys.

3. A faithful and loving husband.

4. My husband playing with our kids.

5. Rain.

6. Church Family.

7. Cookies.

8. Memories of my daddy.

9. Friends.

10. Vacations.

11. A warm bed.

12. Wal-Mart.

13. The Internet and it's ability to help me stay in touch with friends and family.

14. Driving in the car with the windows down and sunroof open.

15. Hearing my oldest singing "Shout Hallelujah!"

16. Watching my youngest learn to clap his hands.

17. That my husband and I both have secure jobs.

18. For another day to live the life I have been given.

19. The health of my family and myself.

20. Changing of the seasons.

I hope this jogs you a little bit, like it has me. Perhaps you will feel the same convictions I have. I give my many thanks each day in my talks with God. This is a little out of my element. And that, my friends, is a good thing.

Photo Tag

I got this idea from my friends Kim and Chelsea. Here's the scoop: Post your first picture from your first photo file, second photo from your second photo file, third from the third...etc all the way to 10. No editing, no cheating. So, here I go...I have no idea what I am about to find. It's kind of exciting...
From the April 2008 folder - Lukas' fifth birthday at Jumpin Jacks Party Shack


From the August 2008 folder ~ Logan's first sink bath

From the Branson, MO file...me and my loving husband posing for this fine photo opp on the train.

From the Easter file ~ Lukas first time to dye Easter Eggs. I think he was just about to turn 4.

From the Family Visit February 08 - Logan's Gammie get some snuggles!

From the January 07 file...my boys!

From the June 08 file...Logan loves to swim!

From the July 07 file...*SIGH* Freckles and Sir Napoleon LePage the First. What more can I say? From the March 07 file...Galveston Island, Spring Break.

From the May 08 file...Logan LOVED to look at himself in the mirror. In fact, he still does!

OK - now it's YOUR turn! Come on, you know you want to...it'll be fun. I promise!

Anybody else on a sugar high??

Well, it came and went. Again. It always does. Halloween. And now, the candy. Oh, the candy! Biggest thanks to all the strangers (and friends) out there who handed us all that sweetness! We had a great time. We joined my friend Stephanie and two of her three kids. The oldest and her husband were gone, cuz today marks the opening of "Huntin' Season." Up north - that day is a sacred holiday! And her family knows that cuz they have lived 'up north'.
Lukas had a great time. But I first have to start with this:Yes, that's a Mohawk. And yes, that's a white t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up, minus the cigarette carton. Yesterday was 50's day at Lukas' school. He was thrilled with his Mohawk. I should have taken a better picture, he has dark jeans on and they are rolled up as well. He really fit the part well. As he ran off into the school, my mind was cluttered with images of the movie Pleasantville. He coulda stepped right off the set! Proud mamma!
Then there is this: Yep, that's our Lukas. Never one to pose nicely or sweetly for a picture. Some day, I imagine, I will get used to it! That's the crew. Stephanie watches Logan for us a few hours a week so I can bring some kind of income home. Her kids are totally crazy for the baby... Aspen was dressed as a baby - if you couldn't already tell. Blake is Bible Man. And Lukas, of course, if Jeff Gordon. I found myself watching Lukas run around in his little jumpsuit and thinking, "wow, that COULD be him one day..." then my heart sank and I immediately started worrying about him and then flashes of all those car wrecks on the race tracks...*shutter*. Leave it to a mom to ruin a moment! Lukas - you can be whatever you wanna be! Don't ya ever let me hold ya back baby!


And this one is for my friend Sharon. I know, I never post photos of myself. It's not on purpose, I promise! It's just that I am always the one taking the picture. And last night as we were getting ready to trick or treat, Lukas saw me snapping all these pictures and he said, "here mommy, let me take the picture!" My heart melted and I gave my biggest smile! Maybe he won't be a NASCAR driver. He seems to have a knack with the camera:

NASCAR in Texas

Here is what a NASCAR Driver from Texas drives:

Last night was Glenwood's Fall Festival ~ Trunk or Treat. Members bring their cars/trucks/SUV's/vans etc and decorate them and hand out candy. Then the kiddos go from car to car collecting their beloved candy treats. It really is a good time and a great out reach from the church to the neighbors who join us.

Lukas had a wonderful time - he mostly enjoys seeing his buddies and sizing up their costumes! The candy is kind of an after thought for him. He's more of a salt lover instead of sugar. ("chips please?" "...presenting CHIPS!") The extended LePage family will no doubtably understand what's written in the parenthesis!

Even Logan and my loving husband (who was dressed as a...yep you guessed it - a news anchor!) Actually, he didn't have a choice what to dress as because he was just with us on his dinner break. Aren't they ALL handsome?

How cute is this? Would you believe me if I told you her name is Tootsie? It is. It really, really is! I promise! She's just the sweetest thing too.

And yes, she is indeed handing out Tootsie Rolls!

The Sweetest Things

What could possibly be sweeter than a sleeping baby?

And by baby - I don't just mean baby baby:

I know I have posted this photo previously...but it is so precious that I am sure you don't mind seeing it again.

He is ALWAYS gonna be my baby!

And if this doesn't make a daddy proud, I don't know what will...

Uh...second verse same as the first?

Our oldest, Lukas, surprised us this evening when he just started blurting out this song..moments later it was sung with little dance moves. It was priceless and totally blog-worthy! Please excuse the repetitiveness. My loving husband and I are certain there must be another verse...anybody know what it might be?

They grow too fast

I just can't get over how the time is passing. There is no greater testament to the passing of time than a growing child. I love my boys. They are truly a gift from Him. And I can't believe He gave them to me. It just strikes me from time to time. He trusts me enough with these precious lives. And they are precious. Just look at em':

THEN

NOW

I still remember the day he was born...it seems like yesterday. Now look at him. Although he is still completely and innocently helpless, he has turned into a little boy right before our eyes!
Oh yes, I still remember the day Lukas was born too! It seems like yesterday that he was a little chunk of love sitting on the floor attempting to crawl...
THENThey must grow when we aren't watching.

NOW

Disclaimer: I did not dress him! I simply told him to put something comfy on...I guess there is nothing like a good pair of cowboy boots! And a duck bill. And a bike helmet. Apparently he had multiple things on his mind. That's our Lukas.

Laughing is good for the soul.

Logan is absolutely CRAZY about Lukas. Anytime I ask Lukas to take care of Logan, Lukas always resorts to trying to make Logan laugh. And Lukas never fails. Never. Please excuse the dirty dishes, but I was in the middle of making dinner (chicken spaghetti, if you were curious) and was hiding behind the counter so that Logan would not get distracted by the camera. I love these guys. They make everyday a great day for me. What precious gifts they are. Enjoy!

Some of my favorites...

Now that we are all settled we were able to enjoy a nice quiet weekend in our new digs. My loving husband and I were even able to escape for a date nigth last night. We went and saw Fireproof. If you haven't seen it, go see it. Now. I mean it. The group that put Facing the Giants together did Fireproof as well. And they are on to something.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the weekend:

All Settled

I think we are as done as we are gonna get ~ thanks to my sweet friend Julie Z for taking the big, brown, comfy, best napping chair off my hands. I just couldn't make room for it :( At least Marvin will get some good naps out of it!

I really do love this new little apartment. It is so cozy - our old house had beautiful wood floors throughout, so this carpet everywhere business sure is...soft and warm. Oh, and it doesn't squeak at all! No more tip toeing around the kids rooms at night for fear of hitting the squeak and waking the sleeping child.

Minus the minor flaws of brand newness (dirty water from the new pipes never having pushed water through them = brown ice cubes, brown washing machine water, dirt left behind in your water cup; clogged toilets from construction workers thinking they can flush anything down a toilet; no hot water due to an electrical problem with the hot water heater...) we are very happy here. And what makes us even more happy is that with all the problems listed above, we didn't have to pay a penny to fix any of it! The apartment manager is a sweet heart and I have her number on speed dial, she fixes us up right away. (She has a touch of awe struckness living next door to a famous person, AKA, my husband, the evening news anchor.) So she is extra sweet to us for fear of ending up on the evening news as a mean manager of a poorly run apartment complex! (Neither of which is true). I'd say she is wrapped around our little fingers! Thanks, honey, for being famous ;)

Here is the final product:

The boys have adjusted so well. Not a complaint from either one of them...except Lukas did mention tonight that there is not as much room to play. But I think Logan would beg to differ. His old room was exactly the size of a closet. His new room is four times as big! Perhaps this will inspire him to go exploring and start crawling! All in good time I suppose!

Forwarding Address

In my attempt to not use the word hate (Gal 5:19-21)... I STRONGLY dislike moving. The only good to come of such a feat is my innate ability to 'get rid of stuff'. Oh yes, there was a time in my life when I would never throw anything away, but 40 weeks and a 8lb., 3 oz. bundle of boy named Lukas changed all that. I immediately had to make room for all his 'stuff'. And so began my love affair with the garbage can. In fact, I love garbage day. Really, I do. I wake up and immediately start going through the fridge and cabinets, just to see what can be discarded. Then I go from bathroom to bathroom, room to room as excited as a bumble bee on a marigold, throwing stuff in the big white GLAD bag. Now I know why they are called Glad bags! I get such a feeling of accomplishment when 'stuff' is outta my area and in the big green dumpster!
ok...i have gone off track here.

Back to moving. I don't even like talking about it. That's why it is so easy to get off track. Lucky for us, the move is over. And it was done is one big swift lug. Thanks to Nigel, Marvin, Austin, Matt and my loving husband. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention Lukas. What a helper he was! His idea of moving is to take his toys, individually mind you, to the trailer and set them there. It was so sweet and innocent. I would have snapped a picture, but I had no idea where ANYTHING was that morning. The guys did a great job. Minus arriving at 6AM - yes, 6 in the morning. But you know what? Looking back, it was a good thing. We, er I mean, they, had everything loaded on the trailers by 830am. And everything was unloaded into the apartment by 10am. Did I mention that we went from 2050 sq feet to 1200 sq feet? Yeah. We did. And no, I have no idea where everything will go or how it's all gonna fit. We have been scouting out storage units. And Craigslist has come through for us - we sold the comfy futon. Actually, I don't know if it was comfy, but you can check with my loving husband's parents. They would know for sure.

I promise I have not been giving Logan Diet Coke in his bottle. I needed a bottle as much as he did. Obviously, he finished first.
What a mess! It is finally coming together. I plan to post some 'after' pictures in the next day or two...as soon as I can get the last little bit all tucked away into our new Home Sweet Home.
I guess everybody deserves a break, huh? This is third move we have made together and there is no one else in the world I would rather be lugging around our treasures with.

Tagged

My friend Chelsea tagged me. So here here I go:

1. Where was I ten years ago?

I was living in Hopkinton, MA (20 miles west of Boston) as a live-in nanny for the Gaffney family. I was just about to turn 21 (my friends Alyssa, Alison and Jesse will remember this well!) I had the three bestest friends in the world because they were in exactly the same position as I was: in a new place, living with weird families, caring for their silly kiddos and miles and miles from our own families. I was having the time of my life with these girls. Pretty much living care-free and shopping to our hearts desire, all the while exploring the abundant history that the east coast holds.

2. What was on my to-do list today?

Take my sweet boys to Stephanie's so I can work and my loving husband can get to his appointments. We have our very first parent/teacher conference with Lukas' teacher today - I am really looking forward to hearing what she has to say about our very active, outgoing, smart, funny and at times too wild, five year old! Also on my to-do list is to finish putting everything in its place after a long weekend of moving from our 1946, 2050 sq ft 4 bed/3bath, Azalea District home to our brand new 2008, 1200 sq ft, 3 bed/2 bath, Madison Apartment. Talk about a challenge! How are we gonna cram all our beloved belongings in there?!?

3. What would I do if I were a billionaire?

In no particular order: pay off ALL our debt. Get Lukas and Logan's college funds all lined up. Donate regularly to PATH. Set up and staff some type of refuge for abused/neglected/unwanted children of all ages. Travel to the Holy Land. Backpack in Europe. Ski the Swiss Alps with Jill - I will of course, pay her way!

4. Five places I have lived:

Sheridan, Wyoming
Hopkinton, Massachusetts
Denver, Colorado
Evergreen, Colorado
Tyler, Texas

5. Five bad habits:

Scratching my head - but it feels SO good and even better when I can get my loving husband or five year old to do it for me!
Saying "what?" Even though I have lost about 80% of my hearing in my right ear...I still think I say it just out of habit.
I think I am a little bit OCD when it comes to the cleanliness of our home. Not sure if this a bad habit, but I am sure it drives my loving husband and oldest child nuts.
Eating sweets - and it being necessary after dinner - every day. If I could just kick that one bad habit, I bet I could finish loosing the baby weight from Logan!
Driving the car until it is literally on fumes, sucking in the sides. This has caught me on many occasions! Nothing worse than having to make that call: "Hi honey, ya busy? Cuz I need you and the gas can at the corner of..."

"TAG YOUR IT!"

Blueberries!

Logan LOVES blueberries. I discovered this a few weeks ago when I bought one of those boxes of blueberry muffin mix that comes with a can of blueberries. I was making the muffins and Logan was on the counter watching me so intently. I thought, "hmmm, I wonder what funny face he would make if I set one of these in his mouth?" Well, he freaked out and started shaking and grunting. This is Logan language for "GIMMIE MORE NOW PLEASE!" Turns out, he likes blueberries. Lukas, the photographer, captured this precious moment tonight at dinner when I decided to give up some of the control and let Logan feed himself the blueberries:
Did you happen to notice those two adorable tiny little pearly white teeth? *Sigh* he is growing way too fast! He's turning into a little boy right before our eyes. I have been blessed.

Bell Chase

Our Little Racer: He was so excited for the big race! There were so many racers, me included! No trophy this year - but we sure had fun running together. Lukas ran strong and hard and crossed that finish line after 1 complete mile.
Following the race, there was a carnival there at the school on the field. As room mom for Lukas' teacher, we were in charge of the fishing booth. Lukas and daddy did a great job helping those kids fish and win their prizes!
Of course, Lukas had to take a turn at all the fun! Nothing says fun like an old-fashioned potato sack race!

And his prize for winning this race:

Priceless!

Thank you Lord for this wonderful little boy. There is just no one like him and I am so glad he is ours!

With your first baby you would never have....

Let them eat off the floor! Yeah - that's right. With Lukas it would never have crossed my mind to let him sit and eat off the floor. Never. Oh, how things change with your next babies!

It was a desperate situation, I promise. And I made sure to put him on a lightly trafficed section of the office floor. He was happy and I got the newsletters printed and ready for Sunday morning!

Tomorrow morning is the Bell Chase. Lukas and I are signed up to run our first race together! His entry number is 1903 and we will have covered exactly 1 mile when we cross the finish line. Lukas, of course is stoked at the possibility of a trophy....stay tuned! My loving husband and Logan will have camera in hand!

What is normal?

OK - I have decided to take the challenge from my friend Kim's blog as well as Chelsea's blog! Ok, here I go. I am list girl too. I'm with ya on that one Kim! I love lists. Really. I get more done if I have a list.
This is my Monday/Wednesday Normal. I have several normals. What is normal anyways?
Alarm
Snooze
Alarm
Snooze
Alarm
Shower
Wake Lukas
Hound Lukas to get dressed
Make beds
Hound Lukas to brush his teeth, wash his face and hands
Breakfast
Dry hair
Dress myself
Gather lunch
kiss loving husband good bye
sneak into babies room and whisper how much i love him and a light kiss
sit in drive way for five minutes waiting for the perfect moment to risk me and my sons life as we back out in the busiest street in the neighborhood. Which by the way people are SPEEDING on even though there is a posted School Limit!
kiss Lukas
tell him to do his very best and get that green bear!
speed off to work
sit at desk and work
lunch
work some more
off to day care
pick up cutest boys in the world
talk about school
homework and cheerios while i make dinner
daddy's home for dinner
dinner as a family at the table
daddy goes back to work
kids baths
stories
prayers
night night to Lukas
bottle for Logan.
lots and lots of snuggling
night night to Logan
enjoy my first moment of utter relaxation in the big brown chair.
biggest loser or the office or Dr Phil on the DVR
work on cards - Christmas ones right now!
ladies bible class study
and my very most favorite part of normal: crawling into our big comfy Tempurpedic bed!
Now tell me, what's your normal?

Natural Resources

I decided it was time to do it. I could not put it off any longer. If I did, our oldest would suffer in the morning. Knowing there would be absolutley no time tomorrow, I figured if I was gonna do it, I better do it tonight when Joe came home for dinner. I could just eat dinner when I got home, I decided. This was much more important than dining on the lovely bowtie pasta salad I made for dinner.
I dread it.

Wal Mart.
So many people.
So many temptations.
So many price increases.
Too few checkers working. Out of 30 registers, only 10 are staffed. Ever.
And I only had exaclty 20 minutes. Not including drive time and check out time.
This is a good thing. It requires passing by all the temptaions without a second glance. I was on a mission. I had a mental list of our immediate needs.
Milk. check
Eggs. check
Bread. check
Diapers. check
Chicken Nuggets (Lukas' first food group choice). check.
Baby Food. check.
Ground Beef. check.
misc fruits and veggies. check
Formula. check.
Cheerios (see past blog titled Brothes) check.
Mac N Cheese (Lukas' second food group choice). check.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese (soul food item for tomorrow's meal) check.
Yogurt. check.
Bacon. (Lukas' third food group choice) check.
oh and one more thing:

Logan's Nursery Water. check.

This came in so handy when I came home to a tired baby. you know that feeling. Baby is fussing and you glance quickly at your surroundings. hmmmm.... what can i give him to entertain him, just for a few minutes. This turned out to be the perfect thing. It was too heavy for him to push over or away. He loved it and it occupied him just long enough for me to put the over-100-bucks-worth of groceries away. WOW. I remember when I could go to the store and by all the same things for 30 bucks less.
Oh well, at least the Nursery Water now serves two purposes!

Like Father Like Son

Joe and Lukas went to battle it out on the football field this morning.

They thought they were pretty cool.

I think so too.

Practice makes perfect! And hey, what better place to practice than in the kitchen?