Some Random Fun!

Hi Guys,

It has been a while since I have posted. Here are some random videos of Cole just being adorable. I can't get over how much he is growing up. We, of course, think everything he does is adorable, but this new voice of his is just the cutest thing ever. We seriously can't get enough of it! He is saying so many new words everyday. He will repeat nearly everything so we are very careful about what we say. He has become a parrot, often saying "Lina Shhhhhh" or my personal favorite "Adam NO!" (yeah that was a wake up call :)

Enjoy!

Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Here is some fun video from pumpkin carving and our adorable Arabian monkey :) Remember you may want to turn off the music player at the bottom so that you can hear Cole!

Undefinable

IF by Jane Monheit

If a picture paints a thousands words
Then why can't I paint you?
The words would never show
The you I've come to know

If a face could launch a thousands ships
Then where am I to go?
There's no one here but you
You're all that's left me too

And when - my love - for life - is running dry
You come - and pour - yourself - on me

If a man could be two places at one time
I'd be with you
Tomorrow and today
Beside you all the way

If the world should stop revolving
Slowly spinning down to die
I'd spend the end with you
And when the world was through

Then one - by one - the stars - would all go out
And you - and I - would simply fly away

Every time hear/sing this song I go someplace else. Not of this world. To a place where I forever walk hand in hand with my husband on a cold Chicago night under soft street lights hidden by snow. To a place where I rock my little ones to sleep and feel their warm breath of life on my cheek. To the place where I live for eternity with my creator in such an intimate partnership that I can not begin to describe.

When I listen to this song I feel the presence of my God in these earthly loved ones to a depth that is undefinable. To the place where God dwells in them. With all of our imperfections, in heaven where all will be perfect, this is the only part of each other that we will witness. The part of us that is as God had intended, without fault, created in His image.

Sleep easy little ones, the time will come. Until then rejoice in the hope and promise of our eternal future.

They Will Rise Up and Call Her Blessed

Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come (25).
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all" (28/29)
Proverbs 31

I have recently been reminded, yet again, how amazing one of my dear friends is. This woman is Godly. She doesn't see herself as such much of the time, and her humble ways show her true character. Today she has again reminded me of how to walk through a circumstance with grace always following what she believes she is meant for. My dear friend has struggled with her place of work for some time. It can be a hostile environment and isn't necessarily everything she has ever wanted out of her career. Recently she was interviewed to take over a role that would be her dream job. It would be a huge career move, more money, and fulfilling. They were ready to hire her on the spot (yeah they should have she is really good:). She quickly responded that she would need to talk it over with her husband seeing as it would be a large change in the time of day she would now be working.

She brought it to her husband and he was very supportive, knowing that this was the place she would find the most joy. He responded that she could be with the kids all day, he would give up his "extra circulars" to be home at home while she was working.

Sounds perfect right? She should be asking us all for moving boxes. Nope. Not my friend. No my friend looked at the larger picture, she knew that although she would see her kids, she would be lucky to see her husband for more than 3 seconds a day. She knew that eventually this would put a large strain on her marriage and eventually this would lead to a strain on her family as a whole. After a short consideration, she decided to say no to the position. Now did she sound a bit bummed? Well YEAH, she is human. She wonders what God's plan is for her and prays that He shows her in time.

A note to my dear sweet friend whom I love: you have seen the first part of the plan, you have listened to what He has to say to you and you were obedient to His answer. Then even after He may have given an answer you weren't to fond of you accepted it joyfully, telling me that you are lucky to have your current job, you are blessed to enjoy your residents and can be happy about more than many. You told me that your family is the most important thing to you and you find more joy in them than any job. You, my dear, are striving to be the Proverbs 31 woman. They will rise up and call you blessed. I know I do.

They Say the Darndest Things

So another school year has begun and you will probably see me post things throughout the year that I have heard kids say or do that just blow me away. Some are hysterical others are horribly sad and remind us of the cruel world we live in, and some will melt your heart and remind you of the good that God intended for us here on earth. Today a student said something to my sis that reminded me of the later.

Student : "Mrs. Bower, my Mom asked me if I liked you."
Sis: "Oh did she? Well what did you say?"
Student: "I told her I liked you more than Santa, but not as much as God."
Sis: "Now that is a compliment."

(And a HUGE P.S. my sis is SOOOOO much better than Santa. These kids will be blessed to call her "teacher.")

The Eve of New Beginnings

Tomorrow morning I will walk into a new school. I will again feel like a middle school kid, out of place, timid, wanting others approval. It's sad, but true, some things never change.

However, unlike that awkward, self concious girl of 14 this time I know that who I am will not be shaken by those around me. I am so very excited to meet these new little ones (I have never been in a 3rd grade classroom, this shall be interesting) and my lovely, all be it at times moody, middle schoolers. I am stoked to learn from some amazing teachers about how they motivate their kids to succeed accademically and personally. But most of all, my heart races with the future lessons that the Lord will choose to reveal to me about Love, Truth, Him.

Beauty from a Storm

So just last night Adam and I sat up, yet again, with a poor little baby who was breaking a fever from yet another double ear infection. Yet as I my little boy I could only think of one thing, how ridiculously lucky I was to have this time with him. I, once again, was reminded that God does nothing by accident and this time was ordained for me to see Him more clearly. Here are the greatest things I took away...

1) What a gift it is that one will "lay down their life for a friend." My Mom and Sis insisted on helping clean up puke (seeing as this pregnant Momma was doing her fair share after she had been thrown up on :). They insisted on gallivanting around to find the right pediolite and thermometer. They INSISTED on stopping their plans for us. What a blessing, and what a great reminder of what it truly means to love one another. In this family it is not lip service. (Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13)

2) What a gift it is to joyfully serve. Now DO NOT get me wrong, I was not happy about the puke, or the sleep deprivation, the entire time. Nope I am waaaaaaaay too imperfect and human for that. However, God continued to show me that when I JOYFULLY serve instead of grudgingly so, such great reward is found. I was able to sit in a rocking chair as my little boy wrapped his arms around me whimpered, then cooed, and cuddled next to me to find comfort. This, my friends, is a joy NOT a job. I immediately stopped and prayed that the Lord would except my apology for not seeing all of His trials as an opportunity to see the beauty of joyful servitude set before me. (Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:8-10)

3) My baby allowed himself to be served. He saw a gift being given, he knew his own strength was not enough and he surrendered to the help of his Father and Mother. I ask you, why do we not do this for our Lord and Savior? He has freely given us a gift; HIMSELF. Yet, we continually let our pride push His perfect protection aside in favor our our incompetent plans. He showed me through my son, what a gift surrendor is. (But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God. My times are in Your hand. Psalm 31:14)

4) The absolute amazing gift of marriage was once again made visible. I try to say this as much as possible, but it can never be said enough I have the best husband in the world (aside from the ultimate which was Christ to the Church). Last night I was reminded of how amazing God's ordained roles are for us and when we let them work we see such fruit. I was there holding our baby (as was Adam later), but do not be mistaken my husband was not off sleeping while I was up nursing our child back to health. Nope. Instead, he sat there with me to be the rock that I needed him to be. He was there letting me know that he would tend the flock as long as he needed to. He was there running around getting medicine. He was not only taking care of our baby he was there taking care of me. He prayed FOR us, and WITH us. Being a husband is a hard job, if done as it is intended (as is being a Godly wife). I was reminded last night that marriage is a beautiful covenant, one where both people MUST be willing to fill in where the other leaves off. (Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her Ephesians 5:25)


I only hope that God allows more nights like this, so that I may again see Him more clearly. I long to know Him more. Thank you Lord, for continuing to put these opportunities before me.

Lindsey's Birthday Party: Monkey Joe FUN!!!!!!!

Can't get enough WATER!!!!!

Up North Fun

LOVE this girl, can't believe we could see this same pic at this exact location 20+ years ago! Thank God for awesome traditions!!!

The best part of any activity MILKY

Pretty sson this water will be the ocean, with these same two love birds :)

Pool fun (actually he wasn't really into it this time hmmm, think there was just too many kids splashing. Don't worry little one it will be you annoying the little guys soon enough ;)

Morning Walk

Roasting marshmallows with Daddy

We had so much fun up north here is Coleman desperately trying to give his new little friend some love :)

County Fair petting zoo fun

More summer pics!

Coleman Picked out this flower especially for me for Mother's day. Awwww

Fun in the pool

The view from our hotel pool

On our way to the ceremony

Proud Fiance

Proud Momma

I LOVE this pic! So typical Momma and Cole not caring what they look like to others and Daddy giving the, "Yep, this is my wife" look ;)

Family celebration at Bucas, Minneapolis MN

Ok don't judge. I said I would NEVER do this, but you know what it was an enjoyable meal out celebrating my sis's graduation. So there!!!!

Still loved the fishies this year

The misters were the hit of the day (Chris and I enjoyed some time under them also, we are not too proud:)

So much fun!

He's Loose!!!!!!!!!!

Chris and Marky

My Baby and I staring at the huge giraffes

Awwww Grandma Bower (Aunt Linda/Linda) and Marky

The train ride, Cole was ready to fall asleep at this point :)

Coleman Swimming

Fun in the Sun: Some pics from Spring and Summer

Dad making sure its for real

Awwwww

He cracks me up

My fun sandbox from Nonna, Zia, and Tito for Easter

One of my greatest blessing is watching my Husband love this little boy and this little boy loving his Daddy.

Kisses for the puppy

AHHHHHHHH WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go ahead... Awwwwwwww

Such a cute diner and awesome food!

I believe this was "Living on a Prayer"

I love my watermellon

Kisses for Piggy

Play dough fun, we count as we TRY to put them in separate containers by color :)

Family at the parade

My first tootsie role!

My froggy and I love our new pool!