Family Photos

We had some awesome family pictures taken while the whole family was together... A preview:

The boys, er, um, MEN, bored out of their minds:

They were watching us do this:

Despite the fact that we were having family pictures taken, we still managed to have some fun:

I LOVE this picture of LoloNes and LolaBe:

Awww... Tender!

Noah and Juris exploring the library:

My sweet, sweet boy:

Trying our best to wrangle Noah into taking a good picture. We didn't exactly "wrangle," but we did manage to take a good picture:

And this picture makes my heart melt:

The whole fam-damily. Together at last! Now to get Vangie and her clan to move back...

My goofy boy.

He said his hair was getting in his eyes. Haha!! Sure...

What are YOU lookin' at?

We're supposed to be pacificists. I don't think Noah got the memo...

I want him to stay this age forever...

Because I know he won't do things like this when he's older:

Noah's First Day of School

After months of looking for the elusive "perfect school," we finally settled on a preschool. Noah was really excited!

Three going on 14.

Noah's birthday, 2009:

And a mere 12 months later, he looks like this:

And he wears new shoes like this:

Smiles like this:

And tries on shoes like this:

I love him because he makes me laugh:

And I'm astounded by his independence...

I love that his best buddy is my dad:

I love this little airbender.

I love Noah!

Happy birthday, son!

Kids Say the Darndest Things...

Darndest Thing #1: While at Buffet City, where they charge $5 for three year olds:

Waitress: How old is your son?

Mama: Two

Noah: I am NOT two years old! I am THREE AND A HALF, ALMOST FOUR YEARS OLD!!

Mama: (sheepishly) Ummmmm... He eats like a two year old

Darndest Thing #2: After church, in the church gym while eating doughnuts:

Noah: I want to get baptized

Priest: That's wonderful...

Darndest Thing #3: In his big boy bed, getting ready to fall asleep:

Noah: Mama, will you close my door

Mama, from the kitchen: Sure, baby.

(Walks down the hall, partially closes door)

Noah: No, mama - all the way.

(Through closed door): Thank you.

Darndest Thing #4:

Noah: Papa you need a ladder

Papa: Maybe I will get one for Father's Day.

Noah: I will buy you one. I have money in my Cash Cow.

Mama: Noah, that money is for you. You are saving it so you can buy whatever you want.

Noah: I want to buy Papa a ladder.

Mama: Are you sure you don't want to buy a toy instead?

Noah: I said I WANT TO BUY PAPA A LADDER!

Noah-ism, again...

This morning, during breakfast: (Noah taking my hand) "Mama, you are my love."

Noah-ism, Part II

While in the car today: "Mama, I'm ready for summer. Summer is when the sun is warm and I can wear shorts, right? Yeah, I'm ready for summer."

Noah-ism

While sitting on the toilet: "Lolo, ihi (pee) and tae (poop) go together like pancakes and eggs go together."

Allergy Update

Things have been so busy with school I nearly forgot to post an update about Noah's peanut allergy. We took him to his allergist last Tuesday. Noah tested positive for peanut (again), so his doctor ordered another blood test.

I got the results to the blood test yesterday. It came back negative for peanut. Because of the inconsistent results, Noah has to do a challenge test at Primary's in June. I don't know much about challenge test, but when I learn more, I will be sure to keep you all updated!

Shhhhhh... Don't tell James.

I'm not supposed to be on Facebook as I prepare for finals. James thinks I'm addicted. I think I have the entire situation under control. Of course, I'm wrong. Really, what I have is a problem, so I asked James to change my password. I know I don't have self control, so I asked James to change my password and not tell me. I'm proud to say that it has been a couple of weeks and I haven't gotten on. Except... I want to get on tonight... But James can't remember my password. :( So, I've commandeered Noah's blog to share my good news:

MAMA IS DONE WITH HER FIRST YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL!!!! Yes, my friends, you have read that right. I have just completed my very first year of classes and it feels... Weird. It's awesome that I have my first year behind me. It feels empowering to know that I survived my first year of law school. All of the rigors and the hoops and the games. The moments of self-doubt and realization. Those days when I felt like I made the best decision for myself and for my family; but also those days when I felt like I've made the worst mistake. I'm proud of myself for surviving the worst part of law school - the first year.

In all honesty, though, I don't think that I would be here without James or Noah, my mom and dad, Tina, Vangie. I would not survive without everyone supporting me and being patient as I lose my mind to the law.

So, I guess what I mean is that WE ALL MADE IT THROUGH OUR FIRST YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL!! I do this as much as for James and Noah as I do for myself. James has it harder than I do. He has to be the dad and the mom and the one who takes care of our family so that it doesn't fall apart. He takes care of me so that I don't fall apart.

And Noah... the tough little man who makes me smile and laugh and feel good about what I am doing. My little monkey who never ceases to astound me. The boy who lets me sleep in on Saturdays because he knows mama is tired. He's such a tough kid who has a strong personality and more confidence than most kids his age.

We go through this together and James and Noah and my mom and dad and my sisters make the whole experience bearable.

We are Silent.

We are Silent.

Please watch and share this video with your friends. It is a powerful and important message that must be heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUP5oZotYRM

A date with his mama...

I have about two weeks of class remaining this semester - meaning I haven't seen much of James or Noah. I'm at school way later than I should be, studying and trying my best to figure out what I am supposed to know about Constitutional law. It's much more complicated than I thought it would be... Consequently, James has been a "single dad." I've been coming home around midnight, and by that time Noah is asleep. I tried once to kiss him goodnight and accidentally woke him up. He sat up in bed, punched me in the face, then immediately fell back asleep. I've been feeling like a pretty horrible mom, so I promised Noah a date this weekend - just the two of us. Not only would Noah and I have some time just the two of us, but James would have some well deserved (and needed) time for himself.

Today was the big day and I took Noah to Liberty Park. We fed seagulls (we tried to feed the ducks, but every time we threw bread, the seagulls would come swooping in and steal the bread); we flew a Buzz Lightyear kite; Noah rode in a plane and a car; we climbed rocks and went on secret pathways; and we played on the playground. In short, it was AWESOME. It felt so good to be a real mama again!

By this point he was ready to go home:

Actually...

Noah has developed a fondness for the word "actually." Just tonight I was cuddling with him in bed when I covered myself with the sheet. He doesn't normally like his kumot (blanket), so I will try to cover him without him finding out. If he catches me, I tell him the kumot is for mama, not for him. Tonight, he caught me trying to cover him. I told him, "Noah, it's for mama, not for you." As I pulled the kumot down, he grabbed my hand and said, "well, actually, mama... I do want kumot." Actually. And it sounds so cute when he says it in his tiny, tired, squeaky voice. Actually...

Yep, he's my son!!

This is a heartfelt message I got from my son today. Tender, ain't it? :D