Happy First Birthday, Lincoln!

Today is Lincoln's first birthday. I'm not gonna lie. It's definitely gotten overshadowed by our recent move. In fact, I can't even upload lots of adorable pics of him because they are all on our desktop computer that still isn't set up yet.

We did have a joint celebration for both the boys before we left--but again with the no pic thing. You'll just have to believe me on that one.

But let me tell you, in spite of the lack of hooplah, we really love this kid.

Here's one cute pic I was able to track down!

I think most Moms understand that fear that you won't be able to love a second child as much as the first. I struggled with that feeling right before Lincoln was born. But, I quickly discovered that there is a whole new space in my heart to love a second child. It's funny how that works. It's the same love but completely different. Does that make any sense?

I love how Lincoln:

• says hi to us every time we come into the room.
  
• works so hard to copy what we do and say. He makes the best silly face ever.
  


• already says ball, uh oh, night night, daddy, book, and no (all in his own little way!)
  


• snuggles with his bunny at night--thankfully it wasn't long after this post that he learned that sleeping is fun. I am one grateful Mama!
  


• giggles with his brother--Griffin makes him laugh like no one else!
  


• wants us to hold him. I know this won't last long, so I'm trying to soak it up now.
  


• loves to be outside. It's a great cure on his grumpy days...which do happen on occasion!

Lincoln Parker, we are amazed that it was a whole year ago that you waltzed into our lives. We are excited to watch you grow and learn and become who God created you to be. How we got so lucky to be your Mommy and Daddy is a mystery to us--but we are so grateful that God placed you in our lives.

We love you. Thank you for taking this whole crazy phase of life all in stride.

We'll make it up to you next year, ok?

Happy Birthday, Griffin!

Today, Griffin turns 4.

The progression of childhood is sneaky. The minute you think you've finally mastered one stage, the next one arrives. I'm trying to remember how Griffin moved from the stage of sleepless nights and baby bottles to big boy beds and pop tarts. When were Baby Einstien and the Wiggles replaced by The Incredibles and Spiderman?

When did he move on from being this precious helpless little thing...

to this fearless one...

with the BIG muscles...

and the BIG brothers' heart?

When did he become this little man?

Griffin,

I will always treasure the days of 'Bootball' and 'Melmo'. But I'm loving the days of "Shimby Me Timbers" and 219 questions as well (most of the time...). I know one day I'll wake up and you'll have moved on to other things. So for now, I am soaking up the era of the ABC song and eskimo kisses, afternoon naps, and nighttime lullabies (with the occasional "Shot to the Heart" medley mixed in.) You remind me often that you are a Big Boy, but you will always be my Little Man.

We love you more than we know how to put into words.

Love, Mommy

The Next Step in Our Journey

A little over a year ago, I wrote this post after Wes was laid off from his job. In it, I shared this picture of a card that I had made for Wes the week prior to the lay-off.

We chose to tape the card to our bathroom mirror as a constant reminder of our promise to stay the course even when the course seemed uncertain and downright frightening.

Months passed. The card fell off the mirror. We stuck it back up there. It fell off again. We got more tape and slapped it back on. More months passed.

At times, I felt tempted to just toss it when it fell to the ground. The course seemed too hard to follow. Too confusing. Too unknown. When we made this promise we had no idea that it would be over a year before we had any idea what the next step in our journey would be.

I am so grateful to share with you that this week Wes accepted a job as youth pastor at Grace Bible Church of Souderton, PA.

If you know Wes, you know that he is a man of many talents. But, primarily his gift with teenagers is extraordinary. He has a way of reaching them that is unlike most others that I have seen. They are drawn to him and he is able to speak truth into their lives with both grace and boldness.

Over the course of our journey (which actually began shortly after we married 7 years ago), Wes has struggled with his call to youth ministry at times. We have been tempted to throw in the towel and walk a completely different path. The call to ministry felt too hard to follow. Too confusing. Too unknown. At times, it was so tempting to just find an office job and be done with it.

But there was no getting away from it. Over and over again, through a number of circumstances and people speaking into our lives, it's been made clear. Wes is made for youth ministry.

Once we were sure of this, the next step was to find a church. This proved to be much more difficult than we anticipated. There were so many factors to consider. Philosophy? Vision? Mission? Leadership? Location? (Both of our families live here, so the thought that we might have to move far away from the grandparents has been difficult.)

We have been in process with Grace for several months now, and we are confident that this is where we are supposed to be. We already have great respect for the leadership and feel a kinship with the people there. (The fact that it is only 2 1/2 hours away AND only 15 miles from my brother's family has also helped!) We are SO EXCITED!!

(That's not to say that there isn't sadness mixed in as well as we prepare to leave our family and friends here in NY. However, I think this is a post for another time. I've got some tears saved up for that one.)

Thank you for your love and support along this journey. We know that the journey doesn't end here...it simply picks up in another location. We will continue to run the course that God lays out for us.

We are confident that He will show us how.

Better Late than Never...

I could tell you all about how busy we are.

How we just got back from camping.

And how we are going again this weekend.

And how much laundry I need to get done.

But I will spare the details. I'm guessing you are pretty busy yourself. It is summer after all.

So in lieu of my top 6, I will share my ONE goal for this week:

1) Spend LOTS of quality time with my family!

How's that for a list?

Super Griffin to the Rescue!

"Mommy, can I get dressed? I need to put my Super Hero clothes on!"

It's how we start most mornings here in the Ehret household. The Super Hero phase has begun and is going strong. If he's not Super Man, then he's Spider Man. Or Bat Man.

Griffin and his cousin Natalie at our church picnic

The other day he told Wes, "You stay here. They usually pick up the trash in an hour." (a la Mr. Incredible to the Bad Guy).

So when Papa Doug asked Griffin to be his sidekick in a special skit at our outdoor service at church, it was a no-brainer. Of course he could help Papa by donning his alter ego for a few hours. Helping is what Super Heroes do best.

Papa and Griffin saving the day

I, being the Super Hero's Mommy, was too busy feeling all proud and stuff to think of taking a video of this occasion. However the Super Hero's Aunt did. You can see it here.

So, this begs the question:

"If you could have any Super Hero power, which one would you choose?"

I used to think mine was flying.

Now, I think it's the ability to wash, fold, and put away tall piles of laundry in a single bound.

Lovely List Day

Daddy and Griffin boathing with our friend Dean

Wow. This week has flown by! In the past week, we've been busy, busy, busy. There's been swimming and boating and playing with friends and grilling and birthday partying and roasting over fires and swinging and going to the park--sheesh. I think I need a nap!

Really, summer has finally arrived here in upstate NY and it is a beautiful thing!

I did find time in the midst of all of our fun to accomplish most of my list as well. I had lots of fun keeping track of Griffin's sayings this week. Here is one of my favorites:

"My brain told me to smack Lincoln."

Stay tuned for more to come!

And in keeping with my commitment to post my goals every Monday, here are my top 6 Goals for this Week (in no particular order):

• Get those pictures printed that I was supposed to last week. =)


• Continue to work on reading with Griffin.


• Run. (Even if it's only once. Gotta start somewhere!)


• Make those bran muffins I've been meaning to for weeks now!


• Attempt to eat only from the pantry (a.k.a. the freezer) this week.


• Make some down time for my husband.

No excuses in not completing them this week. Griffin is gone all morning at a local VBS=lots more free time for me!

Hi. Have we met?

Wow. What a crazy ride that past few months have been. I am LOVING Cha-Ching on a Shoestring, but I miss you guys! While I do get jazzed about the money that I saved at CVS last week, I also greatly care about many other things.

So, if you don't mind, I'd like to re-join you here on My Front Porch. Let's go grab some lemonade, shall we? I have so much to tell you.

But before we get all comfy, I need some help. (That's what friends are for, right?) I'd like to start sharing some of my goals for the week with you every Monday. I figure it's a great way to keep me accountable, plus wouldn't you just love to hear about it?! So here goes...

This week, I would like to:
1) Take the boys to the library.
2) Spend quality time with some friends.
3) Do a better job of chronicling Griffin's sayings. (There are so many--and I forget if I don't write them down right away!)
4) Work on getting some pictures printed to be put in albums.
5) Work with Griffin on reading.
6) Post some pics of the boys!

That's it! Those are my top 6 Goals for the Week. Feel free to check up on my progress!

Now, onto the fun stuff. I think I'll get started on number 6 right now. Our boys have had some great firsts over the past few months that I wanted to share. Lincoln has learned to crawl and is now pulling himself to a standing position. His big brother still loves him very much. Let's hope this continues!

AND Griffin was in his FIRST wedding.

He was the ringbearer in Wes's cousin's wedding. I'm not gonna lie. I was one proud mama. He took his job very seriously. Although he did get a little antsy during the wedding and at one point wandered over to the bridesmaid's side. But don't you always hope that ringbearer does a little something to steal the show?

Ok, friends. I think I'll save the rest for later. Stop by again real soon! I can't wait to get caught up with you!