Liv is three

Wow. I know.

Yes, it has been since September, since I have posted. That is very sad. Six months. Anyway...basketball is OVER, and although I am normally happy about this statement, this year, it brought tears. Yes, tears. They were such an awesome group of young men for Abe to coach and for our children to be "mentored" by. The kids fell in L.O.V.E with each "rocket". Towards the end of the season, we started to ride the bus to the games, to save on gas $. Olivia fell in love with a few and Jude learned to play plenty of games on their phones & ipods..as he hopped from seat to seat, not to overwhelm a one. And I, enjoyed playing their game called "Contact"- a mind/word game, not sure where it came from, but it was so fun! The boys this year were so enjoyable, loved the game, respected their coach, and knew how to have fun! Also, the girls that cheered on the rockets had a special connection with the kids as well.This was taken on a day Grandma & Grandpa Schoppet babysat. They love cuddling up and reading books with Grandma in the recliner. This day...they were beat. They both fell asleep on her lap within minutes. I had to capture the moment.
We also had a new "do" in the house. Olivia got her thin hair chopped off! I LOVE it! It's so easy to style & that thin, stringy stuff is gone :) Aunt Nancy came to visit for a day & the kids enjoyed playing Hi-Ho Cheerio with her!

This was taken the night we had all the "Rockets" over for dinner. The kids planned a LOT. They placed little trinkets around the house on display for them to see. It was quite humorous. The night ended with flash light hide-and-seek. I think the rockets were as into it as Jude was. Loved it!

Walking in His shoes

This Livey girl is way beyond my understanding sometimes. I took one thing from this video and compared it to our daily living- The way we try to take things into our own hands...and walk in shoes too big for our feet and what happens? We fall. We fall. We can't do it on our own. We think we are in control and try to live our lives the way we want to live them without the patience of waiting for the Lord to tell us his plan and the trust in Him to be in control. And most times, we try our own way, and when we fall, we keep trying. I find it interesting in this video, that Livey, after the first time falling in "Papa's" shoes, she took them off and put them up. Yes, surprisinly she took them off and put them up on the fireplace. If only we were that wise. If only we as grown adults, could say "Lord, you know what is best. I'm not doing this without you. Please help me". We would be so much better off.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Jude Rides...with no training wheels!

So, yes, Jude learned to ride a bike with no training wheels. It wasn't easy. He first received a bike for his birthday that was a little bigger than his last and when we recently tried taking the trainers off, he was a bit skeptical to try to ride it on his own. So, his Gree suggested we revert back to his shorter bike and take the training wheels off that one. Well....that did the trick. And now, poof! He can do it with no training wheels.

He was so, so proud.

Jude also had another first this week. He had his first day of pre-k. Excited, yes he was! I don't think I even got a "bye mom" out of him...he walked in the room, met his teachers and started chatting their ear off about where to go and what they got to do. Happy, yes...that he wasn't tugging on my pants or crying. Sad, yes..that my baby was now a boy. I love this boy and I cannot believe how fast he's grown up, right before my eyes.

After school, I could tell Jude was tired. He does naps about every other day, but today was a "nap day". I made him lay down and I lay next to him. He uttered the words, "mama, will you sing me a song".

"Yes, yes Jude, I will sing you a song. Or 2 or 3 or 4". Ok, so he is still my baby. And I love it. We lay under his brown blanket, with the windows open and the fresh breeze blowing over us as I ran my fingers threw his blonde lockes....love this boy... He's still my Jude boy, even if he's four and playing soccor, and going to pre-school, and riding his bike with no training wheels. He's still my babe.

Isaiah 40:31 says:

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

It seems to me these days that Jude has spread his wings and is soaring...and it is a reminder to me that, through Christ, and my dependence on him, I too can run & not grow weary, walk and not be faint....soar on wings like eagles.

Negligence...Again

So, we celebrated 2 birthdays this spring/early summer. Olivia turned 2 on May 1 and Jude turned 4 on June 1. We had a combination party--Super-hero-themed! This was my first attempt at a "fondant" cake. It did taste good...however, it's appearance says something else :) It is supposed to be a SuperMan "S".

Olivia received her first costume for her birthday and was thrilled to be wonderwoman.. Check out her toes. She curls them & clenches her fists when she's really excited. She was also posing with Grandma Schoppet for a picture :)

We went to a resort in Branson called Stillwaters in early June with the Zeller family and had a spectacular time. Okay, it was a bit hectic with 9 kids under 7 and 10 adults....who have strong opinions :) But we had a fun time overall! Jude swam on his own quite a bit without waterwings and Livs went down the waterslide!

Olivia has really been using her words... speaking very clearly in full sentences.. It's just nuts the things she comes up with! The girl does NOT sleep..wakes up at 5:00am almost every morning and sometimes takes a 2 hour nap, but most of the time it's 1 hour. And bedtime isn't until 8pm or after....She's a go-getter & full of energy!

We had our friend Josie over the other day and the kids just ADORE her!

These two are best of friends....MOST of the time! They play so well together and fight so well together :) It's quite amusing and sometimes exhausting.

Jude is starting "soccer" this fall. Not sure how this will all go. I think he will learn to run fast and kick the ball... you know, the basics. He was thrilled for his first practice tonight! Time goes by so quickly, especially when I get to spend it with these two!!!!

Purses, hats, and glasses..Oh my!

This girl has a passion for her purses & bags!

Jude--being a goof and sporting his Rockets hat!

Livey with her new shades from & hat!

She's nuts, just nuts...and she knows it!

Christmas 2010

Ty, Jude, & Fallon at the Zeller Christmas!

We celebrated the Schoppet Christmas on Christmas Eve.

Livey was more interested in the gift bags, than the actual gifts.

Jude played "Santa" and delivered all the gifts to everyone.

Worn out after a long day of playing!

Helping mommy stir! These two are becoming more like "buds" everyday. Livey is learning how to play with Jude's toys and "his" games. However, she does have a love for her babies, carrying purses around and pretending to go shopping.