Max punches.
Nick fusses.
Boys.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Big deal at the Dr.
The boys peed in their cup today at the dr. office. No dripping. No mess. No nothing. All in a cup. 1st time they were ever asked to do that. Big deal.
Max weighs 33 lbs., 37 inches tall. Nick weighs 27 lbs, 36 inches tall.
Max is Bob W. Nick is Joe C.
Max weighs 33 lbs., 37 inches tall. Nick weighs 27 lbs, 36 inches tall.
Max is Bob W. Nick is Joe C.
The boys best phrase 2
Max - "Look, I show you."
Nick - "I'm midah In-kwe-bul." (translation - "I'm Mr. Incredible.")
Nick - "I'm midah In-kwe-bul." (translation - "I'm Mr. Incredible.")
Typical Gracie
Gracie: "Momma, um, I have something to tell you."
Steph: "Yes?"
Gracie: "I have so many nice things to wear in my closet that I don't even know what to pick out for tomorrow."
Steph: "Don't worry. I'll pick it out for you."
Gracie: "OK. Just don't pick out anything cute."
Steph: "?"
Gracie: "FANCY."
Steph: "Yes?"
Gracie: "I have so many nice things to wear in my closet that I don't even know what to pick out for tomorrow."
Steph: "Don't worry. I'll pick it out for you."
Gracie: "OK. Just don't pick out anything cute."
Steph: "?"
Gracie: "FANCY."
Friday, March 18, 2011
Happy #3
My oh my. Just like that, February has come and gone and here we are at birthday #3 for the boys. It's difficult to believe that they are 3, but at the same time, they are so grown up that they ought to be 3. Our boys. Growing up. They are on the tail-end of potty training, they got big boy beds (bunk beds unbunked right now), they're becoming more and more independent each day. Even Nick.
This has all happened so quickly. It's what you hear when you have kids - they grow up quick and when you're living it every day, it feels anything but quick. However, the overall time goes by in a flash.
Today, on their 3rd birthday, we went to Heritage Farms in Plano, this little museum, outdoor area with animals and old houses. Gracie loved it. The boys were interested in it for about an hour. Then, I took Gracie to pick out presents for her brothers. She got each of them an apron (fitting because everyone except the boys have aprons), whiffletree ball baseball bats and balls, a precious book, some gummie worms and a balloon. Perfection.
Steph made them a sweet little chocolate cake that was a street/racetrack thing and they thought it was the best thing ever. Besides Gracie's presents, of course. We went outside and I taught them all how to swing a baseball bat. Awesome moment. Gracie and Max actually did really well for their first time. Nick wanted to swing on the swing more than anything.
It was a fun day.
You guys mean everything to us, you should know.
I love you with every bit of my being.
Happy birthday.
This has all happened so quickly. It's what you hear when you have kids - they grow up quick and when you're living it every day, it feels anything but quick. However, the overall time goes by in a flash.
Today, on their 3rd birthday, we went to Heritage Farms in Plano, this little museum, outdoor area with animals and old houses. Gracie loved it. The boys were interested in it for about an hour. Then, I took Gracie to pick out presents for her brothers. She got each of them an apron (fitting because everyone except the boys have aprons), whiffletree ball baseball bats and balls, a precious book, some gummie worms and a balloon. Perfection.
Steph made them a sweet little chocolate cake that was a street/racetrack thing and they thought it was the best thing ever. Besides Gracie's presents, of course. We went outside and I taught them all how to swing a baseball bat. Awesome moment. Gracie and Max actually did really well for their first time. Nick wanted to swing on the swing more than anything.
It was a fun day.
You guys mean everything to us, you should know.
I love you with every bit of my being.
Happy birthday.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Our First Rodeo
We went to the Ft. Worth Rodeo this past weekend with my cousin Jennifer Sue and her hubby Jesse. I thought it was really cool. First up was the actual rodeo. 2 hours of riding horses and roping cows. Gracie and the boys got bored. I actually liked it.
From the time she saw the cotton candy, Gracie wanted it. But we got there at 10 AM and would not give it to her until after lunch.
So, after the rodeo, we went to the petting zoo. Actually, everyone except dad and Max went to the petting zoo. Dad and Max went to the roller coaster.
He didn't know what to really think about it while we were riding, but he didn't cry. He didn't get scared. He just gripped the bar really tight. He was pretty happy when it was over.
By this time, we were 3 hours in (at least) and ready to eat. Plus, there were LOTS of people there and we were tired of fighting the crowds. And Gracie still wanted cotton candy. So, we had to get something to eat.
After lunch, we walked around the barns. Saw goats and baby piglets and baby ducks sliding down slides and baby chickens hatching from eggs. By that time, I was tired of pushing the double stroller through all the crowds and I was really ready to go. But we promised Gracie cotton candy. Steph and Jennifer found the candy apples on the way.
Then, Gracie finally got her cotton candy.
And then it was time to go.
From the time she saw the cotton candy, Gracie wanted it. But we got there at 10 AM and would not give it to her until after lunch.
So, after the rodeo, we went to the petting zoo. Actually, everyone except dad and Max went to the petting zoo. Dad and Max went to the roller coaster.
He didn't know what to really think about it while we were riding, but he didn't cry. He didn't get scared. He just gripped the bar really tight. He was pretty happy when it was over.
By this time, we were 3 hours in (at least) and ready to eat. Plus, there were LOTS of people there and we were tired of fighting the crowds. And Gracie still wanted cotton candy. So, we had to get something to eat.
After lunch, we walked around the barns. Saw goats and baby piglets and baby ducks sliding down slides and baby chickens hatching from eggs. By that time, I was tired of pushing the double stroller through all the crowds and I was really ready to go. But we promised Gracie cotton candy. Steph and Jennifer found the candy apples on the way.
Then, Gracie finally got her cotton candy.
And then it was time to go.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Goodbye to a great Cearley
On Sunday morning, January 16, we got a call from my dad giving us the news that our Grandaddy Mervyn had passed away. It was a long and tough road for him over the past 4-5 years, and his heart just couldn't keep it up any longer. We think he passed in his sleep, in peace and pain-free.
The day before was a blessed day, one that was filled with joy and love. My dad and Jeff and Nancy and grandmother spent the entire day with grandad, at his home, watching football, talking, laughing and carrying on just like any normal day. We are so thankful that he was able to spend his last day like that, with family, truly doing what he wanted to be doing in his favorite place of all - home.
We all drove up there for the funeral - 8 hours in the car with the kids wasn't as bad as we thought it would be - and stayed a couple of days. It was hard, for sure, seeing grandad like that, the first time in a few years. I was really disappointed that I hadn't taken the boys up to see him because he'd been asking me ever since they were born. We had planned to go up there this weekend for my grandmother's birthday (Friday). He just didn't make it until then. That will be one of my BIG regrets for the rest of my life.
It's a lesson in not being selfish. I'd always thought that it was such a long trip and that the kids would be a nightmare in the car for that long, but in the grand scheme of things, it would have been nothing (and really was nothing).
It was so nice to see all the family. We hadn't seen everyone in so long. It's just not right to let that much time slip away without seeing each other. We will make it a point to see everyone on that side of the family that we can see as often as we can. Mike & Jenny and Jennifer & Jesse just live an hour away from us in Coppell, so there's no excuse.
Grandaddy was THE Cearley man that I knew all my life. There are so many things about him that I have in my bones and all I can do is thank him for what makes me up and do the best I can to do it all right. I love you, Grandaddy.
The day before was a blessed day, one that was filled with joy and love. My dad and Jeff and Nancy and grandmother spent the entire day with grandad, at his home, watching football, talking, laughing and carrying on just like any normal day. We are so thankful that he was able to spend his last day like that, with family, truly doing what he wanted to be doing in his favorite place of all - home.
We all drove up there for the funeral - 8 hours in the car with the kids wasn't as bad as we thought it would be - and stayed a couple of days. It was hard, for sure, seeing grandad like that, the first time in a few years. I was really disappointed that I hadn't taken the boys up to see him because he'd been asking me ever since they were born. We had planned to go up there this weekend for my grandmother's birthday (Friday). He just didn't make it until then. That will be one of my BIG regrets for the rest of my life.
It's a lesson in not being selfish. I'd always thought that it was such a long trip and that the kids would be a nightmare in the car for that long, but in the grand scheme of things, it would have been nothing (and really was nothing).
It was so nice to see all the family. We hadn't seen everyone in so long. It's just not right to let that much time slip away without seeing each other. We will make it a point to see everyone on that side of the family that we can see as often as we can. Mike & Jenny and Jennifer & Jesse just live an hour away from us in Coppell, so there's no excuse.
Grandaddy was THE Cearley man that I knew all my life. There are so many things about him that I have in my bones and all I can do is thank him for what makes me up and do the best I can to do it all right. I love you, Grandaddy.
Monday, January 17, 2011
My Take on Leadership
Another one of my work posts. Every Friday, I write a series called Friday's 4-1-1, where I point out 4 of the best things I saw/of note during the week, followed by the the best of the best ("Uh-huh") and then the not-so-best ("Duh"). This was was titled Friday's 4-1-1, Leadership Style.
My daughter is 2 classes into taking ballet class and as a 5 year old, it’s less about the finer points of ballet and more about dressing up in tutus and dancing around the room with all the other little girls. She also has 2 younger brothers – twins, 2 1/2 years old – who do everything that she does, except participate in ballet, of course (although my wife has a hard time keeping them contained during this class.) We talk to her often about being a leader, particularly when the boys are rowdy and/or rough and/or tazmanian devils and when she chooses to be a leader, she doesn’t add to the mayhem, she helps stop it. This whole thing occurs many times during the week and sometimes she wants to be a leader and sometimes, she just wants to be a 5 year-old causing ruccus with her brothers.
Well, the moment of note, here in this story, happened a couple of nights ago in her ballet class. The teacher was trying to get all the girls to stand in an orderly fashion – in 1st Position – so they could practice moves one-at-a-time across the dance floor. Well, half of the class was bouncing off the walls, playing on the mats, and half of the class was running around the class, and my daughter was in the middle. And in this moment, she was confused because she was listening to the teacher, but what she was seeing out of one eye was mat playing, and out of the other eye was running around, and she didn’t know what to do. But in that one moment, she chose to be a leader and do what the teacher was asking, and wouldn’t you know it – one by one, the girls saw what she was doing and stopped what they were doing and got in 1st Position right behind her and there was a semblance of order restored to the class.
It just made my week. I think any parent, when you experience something like that, is overcome with a sense of pride and accomplishment. It really is great. But you know, it breaks being a leader down to a few simple components and that’s what I want to focus on in today’s Friday 4-1-1.
1. Choices in Moments - the littlest moments in our lives are often the ones that have the biggest impact. They define us more than we realize. In each of those moments, we have a choice to either lead or follow. I don’t believe that you always have to lead or you always have to follow, but there is always an active choice to make in those moments.
2. Leaders Model – it’s one thing to talk, it’s another thing to do. I’m a huge proponent of modeling and to me, there is no better way to exemplify leadership. Actions are key. How you act in those moments, when you make those choices, is just as important as the choices themselves. I always think that I have 100 eyes on me at all times. And then I ask myself, “what is it that they are seeing? And is that something I’m proud of?”
3. Active Awareness – I think the best leaders are aware of their decisions, their actions, and the consequences of both all the time. They might not know how everything is going to end up based on that one decision in that one moment in time, but they sure are aware of the immediate impact.
4. Nothing More Important than Grace – there is a right way to be a leader and a wrong way. Same can be said about being a follower. And in my opinion, it has nothing to do with skill. It’s all about grace. Being graceful in any situation, to me, is what separates great from good.
“Uh-huh” – this week, my team at work had a leadership moment. They were faced with something and in that moment when they had to decide how they were going to react and then act, they chose to band together and lead. And by choosing to do that individually, the team became united and really showed what leading is all about. They put the team above each of themselves. That’s another key to leading – selflessness. It makes you stronger.
“Duh” – leading is not all serious all the time, it’s meant to be fun. It’s OK to play on mats and run around the room. People can learn a lot from that, too. It shows that there is joy in your life and that you’re a person. And in the end, all leaders are just people.
This week, my daughter, and then my team, reminded me of how simple it is to be a leader. It’s not something that you have to work all your life to do. It can happen right now, in this very moment.
So, go on now.
My daughter is 2 classes into taking ballet class and as a 5 year old, it’s less about the finer points of ballet and more about dressing up in tutus and dancing around the room with all the other little girls. She also has 2 younger brothers – twins, 2 1/2 years old – who do everything that she does, except participate in ballet, of course (although my wife has a hard time keeping them contained during this class.) We talk to her often about being a leader, particularly when the boys are rowdy and/or rough and/or tazmanian devils and when she chooses to be a leader, she doesn’t add to the mayhem, she helps stop it. This whole thing occurs many times during the week and sometimes she wants to be a leader and sometimes, she just wants to be a 5 year-old causing ruccus with her brothers.
Well, the moment of note, here in this story, happened a couple of nights ago in her ballet class. The teacher was trying to get all the girls to stand in an orderly fashion – in 1st Position – so they could practice moves one-at-a-time across the dance floor. Well, half of the class was bouncing off the walls, playing on the mats, and half of the class was running around the class, and my daughter was in the middle. And in this moment, she was confused because she was listening to the teacher, but what she was seeing out of one eye was mat playing, and out of the other eye was running around, and she didn’t know what to do. But in that one moment, she chose to be a leader and do what the teacher was asking, and wouldn’t you know it – one by one, the girls saw what she was doing and stopped what they were doing and got in 1st Position right behind her and there was a semblance of order restored to the class.
It just made my week. I think any parent, when you experience something like that, is overcome with a sense of pride and accomplishment. It really is great. But you know, it breaks being a leader down to a few simple components and that’s what I want to focus on in today’s Friday 4-1-1.
1. Choices in Moments - the littlest moments in our lives are often the ones that have the biggest impact. They define us more than we realize. In each of those moments, we have a choice to either lead or follow. I don’t believe that you always have to lead or you always have to follow, but there is always an active choice to make in those moments.
2. Leaders Model – it’s one thing to talk, it’s another thing to do. I’m a huge proponent of modeling and to me, there is no better way to exemplify leadership. Actions are key. How you act in those moments, when you make those choices, is just as important as the choices themselves. I always think that I have 100 eyes on me at all times. And then I ask myself, “what is it that they are seeing? And is that something I’m proud of?”
3. Active Awareness – I think the best leaders are aware of their decisions, their actions, and the consequences of both all the time. They might not know how everything is going to end up based on that one decision in that one moment in time, but they sure are aware of the immediate impact.
4. Nothing More Important than Grace – there is a right way to be a leader and a wrong way. Same can be said about being a follower. And in my opinion, it has nothing to do with skill. It’s all about grace. Being graceful in any situation, to me, is what separates great from good.
“Uh-huh” – this week, my team at work had a leadership moment. They were faced with something and in that moment when they had to decide how they were going to react and then act, they chose to band together and lead. And by choosing to do that individually, the team became united and really showed what leading is all about. They put the team above each of themselves. That’s another key to leading – selflessness. It makes you stronger.
“Duh” – leading is not all serious all the time, it’s meant to be fun. It’s OK to play on mats and run around the room. People can learn a lot from that, too. It shows that there is joy in your life and that you’re a person. And in the end, all leaders are just people.
This week, my daughter, and then my team, reminded me of how simple it is to be a leader. It’s not something that you have to work all your life to do. It can happen right now, in this very moment.
So, go on now.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
A Joyous Start to the New Year
So, first post of the year on the 9th - could be worse I suppose. I had every intention of posting on the 1st, then the 2nd, then it all got away from me. It's felt like 9 weeks since the beginning of the year, not 9 days.
ccb ghd - I stepped away from the computer, and Miss Gracie wanted to start poking on the keyboard, so this is her contribution, "ccb ghd."
We sat down to talk about our resolutions on New Years Day and it was actually a short reflection time and conversation. The resolutions are pretty simple - continue being wise about our money, spend more time with our kids, and make smart decisions. Finding a church home is high on the list, too.
Our Christmas decorations are still up - 9 days into the New Year - and work is a killer - just a week back - but we have experienced some nice joys in this brand new year.
Gracie started ballerina class this past Thursday. Santa brought her a ballerina outfit and lined up classes for her, paving the way for the first ever organized class-of-the-arts for any of the kids. Although it was hard to get any pictures of her in action, wrangling th boys, too, Steph was able to capture the moment before the class.
And as you can see, by the running - or dancing - off to the right, she was pretty active in her first class.
When I got home from work that night, she did a performance for me and she knew all the moves. Instead of her running around doing free-form dancing (like she's always done), she actually had a little structure this time. Alot of structure, really. She picked it up real good for a first timer. I think she's going to be a wonderful dancer.
Then, today, we experienced our first snow of the season. It's something that we knew about late last week and anticipated all weekend. It was supposed to rain all night last night and then get cold enough to turn to snow by the morning. We all woke up like it was Christmas morning, wanting to run to the window and see snow on the ground. But all we saw was rain. It just wasn't cold enough.
After church, we walked out and there it was! So, the kids wanted to do nothing but play in it, but there really wasn't enough on the ground to do anything other than get them real wet. It kept snowing though, and after nap (at least Gracie's nap), there was plenty. Steph took her over to the Schwarte's (Alecia was put on bedrest this past week and hasn't been a very good patient - Steph went over to keep her company and make sure she didn't do anything.) The kids played in the backyard and built snowmen.
(That's Jackson and Katie along with Gracie.) Steph even bundled up to help.
I love that Gracie can experience snow like this - even if it is just a little - while she's young. That's one thing that we miss about New York - exposing our kids to things like snow. All the other stuff, not so much.
Steph's Nouna is coming in town next week, so all in all, it's shaping up to be quite a beginning of the year. I just pray that we're as blessed this year as we have been in the past.
ccb ghd - I stepped away from the computer, and Miss Gracie wanted to start poking on the keyboard, so this is her contribution, "ccb ghd."
We sat down to talk about our resolutions on New Years Day and it was actually a short reflection time and conversation. The resolutions are pretty simple - continue being wise about our money, spend more time with our kids, and make smart decisions. Finding a church home is high on the list, too.
Our Christmas decorations are still up - 9 days into the New Year - and work is a killer - just a week back - but we have experienced some nice joys in this brand new year.
Gracie started ballerina class this past Thursday. Santa brought her a ballerina outfit and lined up classes for her, paving the way for the first ever organized class-of-the-arts for any of the kids. Although it was hard to get any pictures of her in action, wrangling th boys, too, Steph was able to capture the moment before the class.
And as you can see, by the running - or dancing - off to the right, she was pretty active in her first class.
When I got home from work that night, she did a performance for me and she knew all the moves. Instead of her running around doing free-form dancing (like she's always done), she actually had a little structure this time. Alot of structure, really. She picked it up real good for a first timer. I think she's going to be a wonderful dancer.
Then, today, we experienced our first snow of the season. It's something that we knew about late last week and anticipated all weekend. It was supposed to rain all night last night and then get cold enough to turn to snow by the morning. We all woke up like it was Christmas morning, wanting to run to the window and see snow on the ground. But all we saw was rain. It just wasn't cold enough.
After church, we walked out and there it was! So, the kids wanted to do nothing but play in it, but there really wasn't enough on the ground to do anything other than get them real wet. It kept snowing though, and after nap (at least Gracie's nap), there was plenty. Steph took her over to the Schwarte's (Alecia was put on bedrest this past week and hasn't been a very good patient - Steph went over to keep her company and make sure she didn't do anything.) The kids played in the backyard and built snowmen.
(That's Jackson and Katie along with Gracie.) Steph even bundled up to help.
I love that Gracie can experience snow like this - even if it is just a little - while she's young. That's one thing that we miss about New York - exposing our kids to things like snow. All the other stuff, not so much.
Steph's Nouna is coming in town next week, so all in all, it's shaping up to be quite a beginning of the year. I just pray that we're as blessed this year as we have been in the past.
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