Why does my child look five?

August has flown by. Our house is on the market, so that means extra excitement every morning, trying to make sure there isn't wet oatmeal on the wall or a fire truck in the hall. I have a few little videos of nothing much to get on here soon. Meanwhile, enjoy these photos of Shepard I took on Tuesday. He looks sooooo grown up (and handsome, if I do say so myself). Every year we "help" Daddy with his school bulletin board, so these were for some posters that will go up in Daddy's room.

Sweet smile. Sweet boy.

He's got the whole world in his hands...and a few bruises and knee scrapes.

Who's that cute guy on the screen?

Here's a flashback from bulletin board 2010...sigh.

And one more from 2010...

Wee baby bunnies!

Our backyard has some visitors! Jerod and Tux (the dog) discovered some wee little bunnies yesterday. There are four. We've seen what are probably their Mama and Daddy this week as well. Talk about CUTE. Daddy and Shepard left some carrots for Mama tonight. Shepard sampled a carrot as well. According to Jerod's research, they are about two weeks old.

Just like a rock star

It was nearly bath time. I had gotten as far as getting clothes off and was tending the bath. I came in Shepard's room to find him performing, so naturally I flew to get the video camera. Thank God I caught some of it for you. Rock on, little man.


I have more videos to upload from July, but it's been a little nuts here lately. More to come!

Can I get a witness!?

Sometimes you just have to testify. When I was growing up, sometimes our Sunday night church services were "testimony services." That was just people in the church getting up and saying what the Lord had done for them lately. I think sometimes we easily attribute big things, blessings, etc. to the Lord; but I also want to be watching for him in the "little" things.
This testimony is about Shepard.
For nearly the entire month of June and the first week of July, Shepard decided that Mommy was no longer awesome. I basically attributed this behavior to some sort of "terrible twos" phase. On vacation, it got even worse, as the grandparents became the center of his universe and both Mommy and Daddy were getting the cold shoulder. He would even scream "NOOOOOO!" when I'd try to pick him up after nap. By the time we got home, Daddy was awesome again, but I was absolute chopped liver. He would often scream if I just entered the room where he was. He would push me away with both hands. He would try to flip food out of my hands as I put it on his tray. About the only thing he would let me do without a huge struggle was give his bath and put him to bed. Jerod even had to talk to him several times about being mean to Mommy. I kept trying to stay upbeat and push through the phase, but it is really difficult to have ANYONE full-on reject you. Especially this little person that you would lie down and die for if needed. Sometimes I just cried.
Then magically, about a week and a half ago, on a Friday, I came home from work, and instead of running away from me, Shepard hugged my legs. I sat on the hearth to watch him play and he came up and crawled in my lap. Then he sat down next to me like a little buddy. I just stared at Jerod as if to ask if he had picked up the correct child from day care. ??? The affection continued. No more screaming NO! DADDY! when I came to get him first thing in the morning. He was holding my hand, climbing in my lap and giving my spontaneous hugs. Hugs had NEVER happened unless I was picking him up at school. The turnaround was actually shocking.
Last week, I took Shepard with me to small group for a little while since Jerod was out of town. My friend Emily asked how Shepard was doing. She mentioned they had prayed for him and our relationship. Jerod had asked for prayer regarding how Shepard was interacting with me. I was able to give her such a good report about how wonderful our last week had been. Now, when I go into his room in the morning, he says, "It's MOMMY!" and starts telling me all about all kinds of things.
His shift literally happened the day after my group prayed for us. We went from a month of heart-breaking rejection to "Mommy is awesome!!" again. And thankfully, not to the exclusion of Daddy. His little heart seems rightly turned toward both of us again.
I have no idea what happened spiritually, and can't begin to explain that.

I just know that I fully believe that they prayers of my community worked in bringing healing to our slightly fractured family. All along the bumpy parts too, the Lord was teaching me about relentless love, patience and gentleness; as I was practicing those things with Shepard no matter what he gave to me. And of course, I could see God's heart in it all too. How, even when we push against Him, run to others instead of Him...He still meets us with relentless love and grace.

Summertime staycation!

We had a bit of a summer staycation after the birthday hub-bub was over. Several days of playing and hanging out at home and around the area. It was wonderful! Shepard had some watermelon last night. Yummo! More watermelon...

I think he likes it. :)

Pets

In addition to celebrating our little man's big day, we had a sad thing going on as well. Barley came home after his vacation with some health issues. Some things that had been going on a while finally came to a head, and Jerod felt that he needed to take Barley up to the emergency vet on Saturday. The news wasn't good, and Barley was in bad shape. We made the excruciating decision to let Barley go.

"Bee-bar" was a sweet golden bear, a faithful companion, and our fur-baby. Between losing Tink a few years ago, my parents' dog Jazzy in January and Barley over the weekend, we're ailing in the doggie department. They're such a part of your life. 

Tinkerbell and Barley...back in the day.

Shepard loved Barley as well. Barley was sooo patient with him. I'll have to sort through old videos and find some where they're together.

We also lost our flame angel fish on Monday. His name was Chuck Norris. He was lovely as well. Sigh. Happy and sad times all together.

Happy Birthday TWO you!

Practice run on the birthday cupcake. Apparently, he's allergic to lavendar icing. (Seriously)

We celebrated little man's birthday on Saturday with our family...on the HOTTEST day of the year by far. I think it was 104 at one point with a "feels like" of about 109. Everyone was so gracious and game to take turns sitting outside and coming in to cool off. Thanks to all the family---grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who helped us celebrate.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHEPARD!

Sophie is festive in Uniqua mask and party blower.

SCOOTER! Thanks neighbors!

Actual birthday cupcake. #1

Icing goatee. And sweaty little head.

Kids + Cupcakes = Winning

Micah and Aidan compare cupcake notes.

Backyard fun.

Tyrone and Uniqua have a chat.

Water and Uncle Matt make everything better.

Woo hoo! Sprinkler.

Micah shows off his basketball skills.