Movies and Life

Aaron got to go to his first ever movie in a theater this past Saturday - Toy Story 3 in 3D. Cousin Brynn came too!

Funny enough, it was in the same theater where we do church, so it was hilarious that Aaron was expecting church instead of a normal movie. But he did great and seemed to enjoy the experience, though he got a little wiggly at the end =)

Also, we found this wig in Daddy's closet and it has been quite comical ever since:

He thinks it is so hilarious to put it on and tell me that he needs a haircut. =)

Something also we have been working through with this little guy for about 6 weeks or so has been quite a challenge..... In short, Aaron was requesting to go to the bathroom ALL THE TIME (sometimes every five minutes) during the day. After a trip to the doctor's office with no physical explanation as to why (i.e. no UTI, no diabetes, etc.) it was brought up to us that it could be a case of pollakiuria, which is basically a fear induced/anxiety driven syndrome in which kids have extreme frequent daytime urinating. In short, it was very challenging, at times aggravating and embarrassing, to not only be taking Aaron to the bathroom every few minutes (especially while out of the house), but to not know exactly why his anxiety would be so high, or how to help him overcome it. I tried refusing to take him, rewarding him when he waited, taking him without discussion every time he asked, etc. We were encouraged by the doctor to give it a few weeks and do our best to reassure him and trust that it would eventually work itself out.... Lee and I felt very helpless and were left to simply pray hard and often for him, and that the Lord would give us wisdom with how to handle it - I wish I could say that I'm mature enough in my faith that that was a comfortable and peaceful place to be in, but I cannot remotely say that.... I found myself worrying about Aaron's worry - then having to laugh at what I obviously passed on genetically to him! =) At any rate, about as quickly as it came on, it finally seems to have faded these past few days much to this mama's relief, though I'm still a bit cautious to get too excited!

So once again, I'm having to learn the lesson of Phillippians 4:6 to "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God...." And to let His PEACE rule my heart and not my worry. Wish I didn't have to keep learning it =) Thanks to those of you that prayed along with us and felt our burden, even if it seemed trivial....

Yosemite 2010

As I see an end in sight to the laundry and unpacking, I am finally sitting down to download pictures. I always wish I could take more and better pictures when I'm in Yosemite, as they just don't seem to truly capture the awesomeness and beauty of it.....

First visit I didn't hike this bad boy Half Dome.... Kinda sad but there's no way I could do it in my prego state. I think Lee hiked enough miles to make up for my inabilities =)

Aaron had such a great time and cried when we left saying he didn't want to go home and wanted to live at "Semitee." We were blessed to cross over our visit with some of my extended family, and Aaron had a blast with his cousins Noah and Caleb. I think these boys were throwing rocks and sticks any and every time they saw a little flowing water....

Hmmm, in my mind, this shirt was baggier when I put it on...

Aaron showing me his caterpillar - always a treat catching those:

It was so nice to be outside most of the week - hiking and biking took much of our time. Aaron loved getting dirty and having so many people to play with.

On our way out, we broke up the trip and crashed one night at my Uncle Bill's farm. And much to Aaron's delight, tractors were everywhere....

My 96 year old grandmother also lives there, and it is always nice to get to visit and see her....
So that's what I have - never quite enough to capture the whole trip. But it was a great time!

Imagination and Old Friends

Something that has been hilarious to watch in Aaron is the development of his imagination and make believe world.... I think this has been encouraged and demonstrated by some of his older buddies from church that he often hangs with. Caught this a few days ago:

I'm sure Papa Bob will find that very flattering =)

We also got a visit from some of old friends of mine from Biola. It was so great to see and catch up with them - can't believe it's been 9 years!

Their little boy, Wallace, is a week older than Aaron and it was fun to introduce them to each other. They bonded over popsicles,

and performed a live concert....

Fun to connect with them - So glad for our friends, old and new!

Peach Picking

After seeing many blog and facebook posts from my friends about Schnepf Farms, we decided we better head out there and get some fresh peaches and see for ourselves what a cool little place it was....

I think it is so funny how Aaron will find sticks anywhere and be in absolute heaven....

We tagged along with some friends from church who had been before. Even though their boys are quite a bit older than Aaron, they are so sweet and kind to him - he loves his friends, Dylan and Evan.

There are lots of rides and things to do there besides pick the peaches, and Aaron was in heaven to ride the choo choo train!

The sentimental farm girl in me always has a soft heart for anything John Deere - I always have good memories of our farm in my early years =)

And boy oh boy did we enjoy our peaches!!!!

We opted instead of making peach pie with our gatherings to make Gi Gi's blueberry and peach trifle. A mixture of vanilla pudding, condensed milk, cool whip and pound cake, it is AMAZING and once the peaches are cut up, quite easy.

And um, we had to make two batches. =) Fun day and we will do it again when the weather cools up - which seems very very very far away....

Memorial Weekend

This past weekend we were packed with graduation and birthday parties, the throw up flu, church, and bbqs..... Besides the flu, we had a great time with friends and family!

Aaron and Brynn are becoming quite little fish again this summer....

I have noticed the past few weeks how much Aaron really loves to play with other kids. I am so thankful that he is surrounded by so many cousins that he enjoys!

Oh yes, and somewhere in the weekend, Lee and I celebrated 7 married years together! We got to have a quiet evening out Sunday night as Aaron spent the night at Papa and Grammy's. It was so refreshing to have that time together and reflect upon how God has blessed us and brought us through so much. It's been a great journey so far!