A Momma Bear's Cub

Luke has always jokingly referred to me as "momma bear" saying things like, "you don't want to mess with a momma bear's cubs." I'm a protective mother, especially of our oldest, Joshua. Since his rough start to life I have always been extra cautious when it comes to him. Even now if both kids are at the park and climbing too high I rush to Joshua first even though Joe is younger and smaller because I still think of Joshua as frail and fragile.

Since our visit to Joshua's school (Mount Olive Lutheran Preschool), I've been a little sad. I've noticed just in the last few days he's been more reserved, serious and anxious to be a part of a classroom. He's growing up and maturing, and even though it's what I've been praying he would grow into, I feel like it is happening so fast. My baby is growing up. We went to the Library today and instead of excitedly rushing in he walked slowing and quietly asked to read books in the chairs. I'm not going to lie, I was teary eyed watching him sit quietly flipping through a National Geographic Magazine.

If you've ever experienced God answering your prayer, I mean truly proving to make possible the impossible, I am sure that experience is seared into your memory. Joshua is my answer to so many prayers I prayed in desperation. Often I think his wild creativity and excitement for life are viewed by others as overwhelming, but where they see a rambunctious 4 year old, I see God's faithfulness. The blood disorder that Joshua was said to suffer from in its very description is the opposite of Joshua. "Lethargic, barely able to reach the top of a staircase without exhaustion," is what the doctor had told us would be the signs of him needing more transfusions. His energy, to me, is like a rainbow after the rain; a reminder that even when God didn't have to heal him - He did.

His growing up, maturing, and heading to school is what so many thought would never happen. while on vacation this last week we had a chance to visit our old friends at South Canyon. Many of them approached me saying they couldn't believe that Josh was the same boy they had prayed and prayed for. I have nothing to respond to them with other than "he really is a miracle."

I've been smothering him with kisses these last few days knowing than when I drop him off this Tuesday his goodbye to me will be short and if I'm not careful to enjoy these 'little boy' moments it will seem all to quick and I'll be dropping him off at college. I think the tears are just beginning for this Momma Bear.

Vacation Time is Almost Here!

We can hardly breathe here at Casa Baker now that Vacation is approaching!! I however have been super busy this last week getting a few things together for the boys and organizing our home.

I rarely have a day where I am motivated to throw out things we don't need anymore, but the other day I was! I loaded up 2 large boxes and hauled them off to Savers (thrift store) to donate. I try hard not to keep  stuff just for the sake of having stuff, but it's hard! My greedy, comfortable American heart has a hard time parting with things. However, I feel fantastic about lightening our load this week and plan to purge a few more items this coming week as well.

I have been organizing the boys' things and getting them ready for our trip. As promised here is a look into what the kiddos do in the car to keep entertained (quiet).

The boys road trip entertainment box is almost ready for us to roll.

Here are a few things that I like to include in my LONG trip with the boys box:

1. Lots of books! My boys both love books. I include the usual car and truck kind of course and then also animals, lift the flap books occupy them for longer and my older son likes to the look & find books.

I pull the books from their bookshelf about 2-3 weeks before the trip so that it's been quite a while since they have seen them.

2. Their Leap Pads. These are old versions of leap pads that I purchased at the thrift store for about $3 each! When we get ready for a trip I go and buy new (thrift store) cartridges for them for about $2 each and they entertain the boys for at least an hour. Joe, my little guy, really loves his even though it's a little beyond his skill level, he still points his reader pen at all the pictures and listens carefully :)

 3. Little kid Ipods. Each of the boys has a pretend Ipod that they received as a gift at one time or another. They love listening to them and trading and listening to the other one too. They each play about 6 songs and kids like to sing along and "dance" in their carseats.

4. Dollar store doodle boards.

5. A couple of educational push-button electronic toys for my Big Boy. Joshua doesn't sleep in the car hardly at all anymore :( so I pack extra things for him to do since Joe will sleep a portion of any trip.

I saw this particular one listed on another blog as a god road trip entertainer and the next day found it at the thrift store for $1.99! Seriously how crazy it that!?!?! It makes different noises and then you match it to the correct noise source. ex: meow to cat

This is a writing and Drawing activity where letters and pictures light up on the screen and can be traced with a pen for writing practice. Another awesome thrift store find and writing practice is definitely something Joshua needs.

This has several options of learning games. One has letters that float by and use press the corresponding letter on the keyboard, another has 3 consecutive numbers and you find the one that is missing.

6. Car sets. Each of the boys has a rollup car set that I put in the stockings last Christmas. These are so cute and perfect for when we eat out on vacation. They like them in the car too, but then I use a clipboard to keep them stable.

I'm not sure if the kids are as ready for vacation as I am, but that's okay because I am ready enough for the entire family! I saw plain colored T's at the Dollar store yesterday and HAD to buy them and make vacation T-shirts for the boys. They're kind of silly but I love them and the kids are too little to know how crazy I am so they'll wear them!

Front View

Close up

Back view

It's still about a week until we leave, but I will be plenty busy will all the laundry that has to get done between now and then. Of course Luke wanted a T-shirt too, but I told him I didn't think so :)