Mother's Day ~ 2012

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." ~ Elizabeth Stone

Tate ~ almost 5 1/2 years old

Will ~ 2 years old

The always hopeful (and usually hysterical) attempt for a picture with them both together.

 And ta da! The best we're going to get.

At times, I can't get over how much love I feel for these two boys.  And at times, I can't get over how hard this parenting thing can be.  But I wouldn't trade it for the world.  My cup runneth over...

Spring Is...Was ?...In The Air

For at least a few weeks we have had what seemed like an actual Spring season.  Clear, sunny, and you didn't sweat the second you walked outside.  

So we've enjoyed a lot of lunch picnics, trampoline jumping, sidewalk chalk, T-ball on the driveway, walks, and bike rides.  Enjoying it as much as we can, because summer will be here before we know it.  

And the sweating will commence.

The Strzinek kid's version of hugs aren't with your arms around the other person.  It's more of a head nuzzle until you fall over. Life with boys.  :)

Changing A Cliche

So back in January, I had big plans for a blog post reflecting on 2011.  That didn't happen.  Then I had big plans to write a post about the teachings I've heard and learned recently on generosity.  That didn't happen.  And then I had big plans to write about the wonderful study I just finished on the Book of James.  Guess what...that didn't happen either.

I get frustrated with this blog.  I started it an entire year before I ever had kids.  It was my place to write (which I enjoy), reflect, and remember.  It wasn't supposed to be just my kid's photo album.  Obviously they are a huge part of my life right now, and I love documenting and remembering their moments.  But I want to be better about also remembering my voice during this season.  And I think (hope) one day, Tate & Will are going to want to hear that as well.  Or at least their future wives will.  :)

So before I post pictures from the wonderful Easter I spent in Haiti, I want to remember how I got there.

I really do feel like a different person from the one in January 2011.  Nothing necessarily groundbreaking happened over the last year.  Although I did start playing tennis and have continued to play for over a year...a miracle in itself.  :)

But what is really different is that somewhere along the way, I think the Lord opened my eyes and heart to what matters.  I don't say that in a self-righteous way at all.  Believe me I don't have it all figured out, and what I have figured out along the way has not always been done in the most graceful, willing way.

In the last few years, we have seen several friends around us experience sudden, tragic deaths.  Young mothers of young children, young fathers of young children.  You can't witness that and continue unchanged.  Or at least, you probably shouldn't.

When still in disbelief from the most recent death, I felt that big 'ol dose of reality that there is no reason that funeral couldn't be for me.  Or for Wade.  Of course I've always known that we're never promised tomorrow, but that cliche became truth to me in a new way this time.

And then add the layers of a ton of teaching about generosity and understanding about what we truly value.  And then add the absolute best Bible study I've completed to date on the Book of James and how ultimately mercy and compassion triumph.

Add all that together and you become a mess.  Ha!  Again I'm still working it all out, and it hasn't always been pretty.  But I'm thankful for this time of reflection.  I'm thankful for the sweet Spirit that will prick my heart to what matters most.  What is of true value.  What is eternal.

Now don't get me wrong. I am still wasting away several hours a week in front of the TV watching American Idol.  I still worry way too much about how I look, how my kids are dressed, and the property value of my house.  I still find myself holding on to dollars with an incredibly tight grasp.  I still allow the American dream to define my future goals.  I don't have it all figured out, but I am a work in progress.

I share all of this first to remember. I'm sure even in just a few months, if not days, I'll find myself slipping back into the never-ending cycle of Keeping Up With The Joneses.  I'll be back to putting way too much self value and concern regarding the next major purchase or piece of furniture.  I'll find myself justifying why I really NEED that insanely expensive piece of clothing.  So I write this for my own future swift kick in the pants to get over myself.

And I share this to encourage anyone else feeling some of those promptings.  I spoke in class this past Sunday at church about my trip to Haiti.  I shared that I'm the last person you'd expect to be roughing it in a third-world country.  I'm a stay-at-home mom.  I drive an SUV.  I live in an affluent suburb.  I take my kids to soccer practice, preschool, and playdates.  I play tennis!  Let's be honest...I'm a walking cliche.

So be encouraged that if I can slowly be changed, anyone can be changed.

End Of An Era ~ Tate's Last Day of Preschool 2012

Sounds a little dramatic, but today did indeed mark the end of an era for Tate.  And for our family, really.

He finished his 3rd and final year of preschool today.  So as the firstborn finishing this stage, that means we will soon be entering the world of a school calendar.  For the next 18+ years...wow.  Will is going to start at the same school in the fall, so we're not done with preschool altogether. But it is still surreal to think that that stage for Tate is over...forever. So thankful what a wonderful time it was!

And for my own nostalgia, here is the link to his first day in September 2011 plus his first day from 2009 and 2010.  I can not believe how little he was just a blink ago.

He has had a great year as a Giraffe.  He had two wonderfully talented teachers, Ms. Amy & Ms. Paige, who have loved him through the hard and the great days (or the green, yellow, and red days). :)  He has learned so much (writing, sight words, math, wonderful Discovery science lessons, Spanish, and on, and on).  I can't say enough how thankful I am for all that they did this year.  He has made some sweet friends, who he loves.  And he has had a whole lot of fun.

Last day fun & games...

Last week was the end-of-year program and preschool graduation. The whole class did a great job with their song.  And as true to form with most things, Tate was way into it.  He had been practicing a lot, so the words and motions were good to go.  Now sitting quietly waiting for his name to be called for graduation was a different story.  :)  They asked Tate what his favorite part of preschool was = Pirate Day.  And they asked what he wanted to be when he grew up = snowmobile racer.

Tate loved having so many family members there to celebrate with him.

All of the boys in Tate's class this year were so sweet.  He was always so excited to see them each day and made some special friendships.

And his Chapel teachers, Ms. Alyssa & Ms. Jennifer, put on the program each year.  They have done an incredible job this year in Chapel teaching the kids about the fruit of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faith, and self-control.  Tate has mastered several of the memory verses and really taken to heart what it means to be someone who displays those traits.  Now it doesn't always happen as it should, but I'm thankful for those seeds being planted so early.  And let's be honest, those were wonderful lessons for all of us to be reminded of as well.

And both Jennifer & Alyssa have the unique ability of building up a kid with words of affirmation about their strengths while being able to still encourage them to work hard on the areas that are more challenging.  That is a gift...and I'm so thankful to them both.

As hard as I tried, I just couldn't hold in the emotion (surprise, surprise).  I'm absolutely thrilled for Tate and know that Kindergarten is going to be great.  I just can't believe that he is done with preschool forever.  This sweet season of life with young kids will soon be changing.  It's not over, but it will always be different.  My tears today have been tears of excitement and nervousness for him and all that goes along with Kindergarten.  And tears today have been of gratitude for all of the people that have invested into Tate over the last 3 years.

So long Preschool...hello Kindergarten!

Will's Birthday Party

I'm so behind on this blog, and there have been so many fun things to blog about.  One of those was a certain someone turning 2.  I can not believe he is 2!  I need to do another post all about what Will is like at 2.  He keeps us on our toes, for sure.  

We celebrated his birthday a couple days early with a small, low-stress, morning party up at our church's indoor playscape.  Will LOVES this place, so it was the perfect spot for his celebration.  Usually when we're here, he is one of the youngest and has to dodge a ton of big kids, plus we don't really let him run free since they're usually preschool or Sunday School classes going on.  So Will was in heaven on his party day, when it was mainly kids his size and free reign to RUN.

I am typically not one that gets into characters for my kids.  But for his 2nd birthday, there was no way around it.  He is coo-coo crazy for Elmo and all things Sesame Street.  It was a no-brainer.  

The biggest hit of the party was the life-size (for a toddler) Elmo balloon.  I found him a tad on the creepy side, but the kiddos loved him.  Everyone was waiting for their turn to play with, love on, or even throw Elmo.

Everyone!  :)

 The rest of the party was just more running around, sliding, and playing in the game room.

 Since the party was in the morning, we sang Happy Birthday to Will and blew out candles on a cinnamon swirl cake.

 

 

We attempted a family picture.  But the need to run was just too great.  One day...sigh...

I'm sure this won't happen every year for his birthday party, but since this kiddo has got a playroom FULL of books and toys (thank you big brother!) and the fact that he will not sit down to open presents (seriously...it doesn't happen), we suggested an alternative to presents.  If his friends wanted to honor Will turning 2 they could bring a new book that would be donated to a local home for abused children.  Thank you, friends!

It was the perfect morning to celebrate our Will turning 2 with several of his sweet and adorable little friends!