To My Nibs,

We've been watching you even more closely than usual throughout this past week. You had your expander put in at the orthodontist last Tuesday. 

It's been harder than we expected or were prepared for. 

There has been crying. Yours followed by mine as we try to comfort you. 
It's hard to see you, who usually goes unfazed by even the toughest stuff, get pushed around and literally fall to the ground, frustrated and exhausted from the challenges of having this appliance in your mouth. 

First the fitting (which took an hour to perfect), then to swallow, then eating (which you still haven't conquered) then the salt water rinses, and don't even get me started on the talking. They might have thought to tell us that you would spend the next six months not being able to close your teeth ergo make a "s" or "sh" sound! 

I'm glad that things are getting easier for you everyday. 
It's hard to see you struggle through anything. But it's good to know that this will help you a lot in the long run, and we are able to provide it for you. 

In six weeks we will stop widening it, daily. You will wear it for stability during the remainder of the six months, and have it removed. Then, you will have braces when they say you're ready for them. 

The good news is, I had braces, and they were't as dramatic of difficult as your expander.
Thank God. 

Mothers' Day

This year we decided to do something extra special 

for Mothers' day/Gra's birthday.

We put together a kind of care package. 

Things we selected special just for her, or made ourselves.

A burlap pillow of the state her family lives in...

tea towels with custom art work…

Zeek calls his the "bird series".

He kept all the original art on paper so she can

feel free to use these right up. :)

We all wrote thank you slips sharing our gratitude 

for all that she is and has been to us over the years.

Zeek spread them all around and we folded them up and 

put them in a ceramic canister that read "LOVE" on the side.

We even made it to the post office with the finished box in plenty of time

for it to arrive before Mothers' Day and her Birthday.

My Mothers' Day was also very special.

With rose petals spread all over the bedroom and breakfast in bed,

cards, flowers, gifts and a day with my two favorite guys.

A Day in The Life

Last night, Zeek slept in the living room on the couch. 

We call it "slumbering" and he likes when we let him once in a while on a weekend.

So, when Greg and I woke up, 

we didn't want to be out and about, disturbing Zeek's sleep.  

We turned on our favorite new series on Netflix, The Fosters, and watched the next episode.

Then we read some of the book we're reading 

for more training hours toward our Adoption Certification.

When Zeek woke up for the day, the three of us went to TL for breakfast. 

I had an omelet. Greg had the buffet. 

Zeek had his usual -eggs benedict, no ham, extra egg, medium poached. 

It was, as always, the best breakfast of the weekend.

When we got home we played a board game together.

Zeek was winning the entire game, and Greg was barely hanging in there. 

I noticed that every time Greg left his seat for anything, or even looked away,

Zeek would slip him some of his money to help him along.

I also noticed that he would not advance his "monopolizing" by purchasing anymore homes or hotels.

I'm pretty sure he was avoiding the downfall of his Dad's small empire.

After the game, which Zeek did win, I revealed Zeek's kind deeds

and pouted out to him that even if he had lost the game, he was quite a winner in our eyes and God's. 

We presented him with a furry creatures lego creation set he's been wanting and we've been

holding onto for just this kind of occasion. :)

Zeek built his Legos while Greg played his game on his computer, 

and I played some Golf one Xbox one for the first time in months. 

It was nice and fun, but the weather was far to beautiful for us to 

spend any more time indoors!

So, I took Zeek for a ride. I on my rollerblades and he on his scooter. 

Greg wanted to come, and even tried, but his back/leg is really acting up,

so we regretfully had to leave him behind.

It was a good ride, and although it was windier than I knew (or I would have passed)

we still made excellent time and enjoyed the sun and excersize. 

Back home, I blew leaves and gathered "sticks" for a couple of hours.

 Then we had a fire, and Greg grilled brats.

I read some of my book while Zeek played in the sand hill and woods...

Then, we had giant marshmallow smores, which hit the spot! :)

Finally, Zeek convinced me to follow him to the tire swing

to get a load o his new tricks.

When we got back inside it was nearly his bedtime. 

We each showered, and then it was my turn to read, pray

and tuck him in for the night.

Greg and I watched TWO more Foster episodes over a "mid-night snack" 

and laughed that we could have finished the whole series

if we didn't have to sleep, ever.

I love being married to my best friend.

And I loved this productive, warm, family day at home. 

Gymnastics

Ezekiel wrapped up his season in gymnastics this weekend. 

The gym held a ceremony for all they gymnasts to show their stuff.

It was a really wonderful event that honored each of the students

for all their hard work this year. 

We are happy that Zeek found this sport which he enjoys so much,

and we are proud of him for his dedication and achievements.

Way to go Ezekiel!!! 

Joy Project

This joy project is a stretch for him too. He's not used to just carrying on his business while letting me take his picture. It makes him a little uncomfortable. This is good. A good change of pace. I love his face. 

Egg Dying

Zeek asked me a very serious question while the eggs were boiling...

he asked if I would be dying easter eggs if I didn't have him.

"No, my one and only little one -

there are a lot of things I would be missing out on

if it weren't for you."

And I'll never forget how blessed we are to have you.

Cereal

He loves his cereal. He usually has one bowl a day. Even if he's already had breakfast. I think he gets that from my and my mom. We're the same. Love that cereal!