My New Life

Amirah is Isaac's friend . . . and my "borrowed" little girl a few days a week while her Mommy works.

My Button pusher was in his glory at the Franklin Co Fair.

Mighty, Mighty God

It is a new phase of life for me. . . . one I never really saw myself talking on and walking in. But God has plans that we can only see somewhat hazily as we walk in faith.

I am now officially a . . . . . STAY-AT-HOME-MOM! I must say I am loving it! Time with my boys, time to actually do my job as a wife and home-maker WELL. That always drove me crazy through the school year. How my home, time with Eric and Isaac, always got my "seconds" of energy and enthusiasm. Now I have time to PLAN meals and enjoy trying new dishes. I have TIME to do even the chores I despise, yet know need done, such as dusting. I am even enjoying reorganizing the filing cabinet to make room for my salvaged classroom materials. I love watching my boys doze off into slumber, AND being here when they awake, groggy and ready for hugs (and food). I love seeing them learn and grow and being the one that TEACHES them. I didn't think I'd ever say and feel it, but I'm very satisfied in my new role of full time MOM.

Now I can't speak for Eric, but I enjoy seeing him thrive at his work. I now have time to be invested in HIS stories from work. And to pray for him. He does have a lot on his shoulders as well as the responsibility of being the sole income for our family - which I don't take lightly! That is a BIG DEAL! (or at least it would be if it were me) I'm proud of him and his accomplishments.

Now I must admit that I do get added peace and purpose for this new phase knowing that it is for such a short span of time. Before I know it, it will be time to head back to school. . . me as a teacher and the boys as students. So this time has become precious to me. And I want to make every day, week, month, and year COUNT! I do love teaching. . . but it is NO sacrifice to lay it down for awhile.

A Life in FAST Forward!

Where has the time gone? Is it really July (I don't even honestly know!) mid somewhere? It's hard to stand back and breathe most days. But I do take the time (seconds at the most) to cherish this wonderful time in my life and this stage of life within my family.

Isaac is talking a blue streak. Mom warned me of this when I worried out loud that he wasn't saying many words. I believe I made that comment back in November or December sometime. She just calmly responded that she thought he was doing fine, and that one day I'd be complaining about him talking too much. Boy, did she see that one coming!! His favorite word is "double-decker bus" - I know, don't ask.

Evan is growing so fast . . . I do remember that he was so scary small and wanting him to grow quickly. I knew I'd regret such a thought, but when you're the parent and the responsibility for such a small one is on your shoulders, it tends to be ENORMOUSLY stressful (to a control-challenged person such as myself) and not so endearing. He was a whopping 11 pounds 4 ounces at his 4 month check up. I guarantee he has gained a pound or more in past two weeks! Evan's favorite thing or things right now are his fists! He is delighted to no end that God graciously gave him two. When he finds them he lets out some of the most joyous squeals in Praise! That has left Mom and Dad to contemplate possibly having a second thumb sucker on their hands. Some nights, it doesn't seem like such a bad option - cause the pacifier doesn't know how to put itself back in his mouth, for the hundredth time, the way a thumb does.

Evan enjoying cereal for the first time. . . well, more the "feel" of it versus the "taste."

Camping with April's family. . . Ryan and Anya, Neil and Amelia, Stephen and Aileen, Glenn and Debbie with visitors Mariann Martin and Grandma and Pappy Dietle up at the Gap (Cowan's Gap State Park).
Evan chilling with Aunt Anya at our campsite.
Evan and Eric had a special father son bonding moment. So fun to watch!

Isaac thought he was funny stuff with a bucket on his head marching around the house with his prized posession "Elmo!"

Swinging at the park. Isaac's favorite request right now (besides: "Mama hat, too!" - I'm to wear Eric's Nationals hat, too.) is "Swings?"
Isaac in his wading pool. . . Eric is squirting him with one of his bath toys. The tent in the background is from our "trial run" camping experience at our house. So glad we did, because Evan and I were not prepared for a night out in the cold and could run for the house. A weekend later we were better prepared for our family camping trip at the Gap.
Isaac and his horse "Blaze" - thank you, thank you Aunt Anya!!

Who Knew. . .

• Who knew it would take me this long to get around to posting?
• Who knew life could be so FULL?
• Who knew that children could cause one to laugh so hard one minute and the very next make one so very mad, wishing to be born with oodles of more patience?
• Who knew seasons went by so fast? (The morning Evan was born, it snowed!)
• Who knew that I'd still find myself needing to grow up at the age of 32?
• Who knew it could be so hard to make a decision and discern God's will?
• GOD KNEW!! and I DO KNOW how much I'm loving my first day of summer vacation!!

Easter 2011
Evan dressed in his best. It was so hard finding an outfit small enough. In the end the pants were rolled at the waist and the legs and we just made do.
Isaac is learning to egg hunt. Apparently the funnest part of an Easter egg hunt is to dump the eggs and watch Dad and Grandma recollect them for you.

Easter at the Lehman Parents
Aunt Stacy is the best story teller. Just look at her fan club!
Three nephews and a niece.

Play date with Amirah on Good Friday. This was drink break.

Evan was dedicated on April 10th, 2011.
Cousin Marah enjoys holding her living doll baby.

Look How Big I am!! Evan at nearly 3 months.
He loves to do "big eyes" when he is wide awake.

Isaac, Evan and Mommy time. Isaac loves being a big brother! (most of the time)

Miss "Leelee" Lisa was a wonderful help and weekly baby sitter while I went back to work for 4 and a half weeks.

Isaac just being goofy with goofy photographer, Dad.

LIFE: As We Now Know It

Two little boys rule my life. . . And I LOVE it!

Isaac is growing and learning new words so fast that we can't seem to keep up with his new vocabulary! Just this morning I couldn't figure out what "Babo" meant and he was getting a tad frustrated. He is maturing into his new role of BIG BROTHER, and 18 month old toddler. It has him acting so BIG one minute and then very much "his age" the next. Eric and I will be sent into rolls of laughter from one antic and then the next minute into a "testing of patience" the next. Isaac also keeps me very busy at home! Here is a list of his accomplishments, just from this morning:

• Lost his toothbrush, somewhere in the house.
• Took apart a calculator, battery and all. It took Mom twice as long to put it back together!
• Discovered the fun of toilet water (Why are toilets made so accessible to toddlers? They need locks!)
• Loves to play in the trash cans; especially the one in the bathroom. Gross!! (Again, why are trashcans made with "fun" lids and so low to the ground!)
• Blew kisses to Mommy from my high chair.
• Pointed to the fly in the house and said "Bug!"
• While Mommy was "predisposed" with the baby, emptied the diaper bag and the Tupperware cupboard.
• Told me he was "Grunt (sound)! Poopoo." when I asked about his stinky diaper smell. Great! First of many to change for the day.
  
• Wants to go "Bye-bye" when our neighbor stopped by to drop off some mail. And also wanted to go out for the mail when he heard the mail truck drive by.
• He also loves to kiss and pat his little brother. Saying "Waa Waa" and "Ahhhh" for baby and gentle. (He can also say "Bebe" but when Evan cries tells me "Waa Waa, Bebe")
• Can't get enough of "Balloons" and "Bubbles"!! Too bad his huge bubble wand was dumped just the other day, inadvertently by his own doing.
  

Snuggles with Dad.
Bubbles!!
Special day (1 day before Evan was born) with Mom and Dad to Red Robin. We never go out to eat, so this was a special day that was just the 3 of us! And a Balloon!
Cupboard fun!!
My new wagon.

Evan's accomplishments this morning:

• Eating.
• Pooping.
• Giving Mommy a smile when I coo and talk to him!
• Sleeping.

Mommy and Evan's hands.
Tiny basket, full of a tiny blessing.
Small enough to fit inside Dad's Nationals hat. Isaac's infant hat looks huge beside Evan, too.
Thanks for the newborn outfit, Alicia. One of two that actually fit!

Tell me, who has a better life? God's richest blessings continue to amaze, bless and confound me.

Evan Davian Lehman 3/7/11

Evan - "God is Gracious"
Davian - "Beloved"

How do we look?
a. Relieved
b. Thankful
c. Proud
d. Exhausted

Correct answer: e. All of the above

I'm a Big Brother!!

Week 36 and Counting!

I am choosing to have that perspective that my life is SO FULL, and that is why I haven't taken or HAD the time to up-date our blog. But today, a lovely and unexpected snow day, is THE DAY!! Here are some pictures of Isaac's first snow play day (not today).


And these are a few pictures from our trip to Philadelphia to the Children's Hospital (known as CHOP). Thanks again Amelia for your assistance, company and city know-how!

Isaac eating his early morning banana before heading off to "the sitters" and one of him getting up-set because I wanted a pictures OF him and wasn't allowing him to HAVE the camera.

Daddy and Isaac time. Always precious to me.

My Little-Big Boy drinking his night bottle on the couch by himself. He enjoys entertaining us and having fun being the center of attention. Oh, is he in for a surprise in a few days/weeks!




And this is 36 weeks and counting. . . . for those who needed proof!