Happy, truly happy, but exhausted:)

I know I have somewhat fallen off the face of the earth when it comes to blogging, but as you can imagine, life with two one year olds is quite busy. Adam and I are incredibly grateful for how well the boys are doing with settling into life in Michigan. Both of them have struggled with some upper respiratory issues and we have been using a nebulizer off and on, but they are healthy for the most part! Judah has been walking for a while and Levi started a few weeks ago. They say mama, dada, ball, and more (I think). Levi also shouted out something that sounded like "all done" today after dinner, which was oh so very cute. Eating is somewhat of an ordeal...they pick and choose what they like on what day of the week and at what time and everything else ends up on the floor (somewhat frustrating for mom:). Judah has all the teeth but he doesn't like to chew so if it's too difficult for him to maneuver in his mouth, out it comes and then it gets thrown on the floor. Levi will eat just about anything (including entire animal crackers in one bite) even though he still doesn't have any teeth- go figure.

I went back to work part-time last week. I definitely had mixed emotions about being gone from them three days a week, but they are with daddy one day and my dear friend and her two little girls the two other days so they are really in good hands! In some ways it is nice to have work that starts and finishes because that really isn't the case at home:)

Both boys are so happy and playful. It's so fun to watch them explore, meet new people, interact with other kids, and take in the world around them. Judah still likes to be held most of the time and often cries if I leave the room to go to the bathroom or put laundry away. I believe most of it is pretty normal given his personality type, age, and background, but I would be lying if I didn't also say that it can be hard when I am exhausted and trying to make them dinner or do something else that needs to be done and he is screaming to be held...

Speaking of exhaustion- I am exhausted. There is so much joy and I truly strive to savor every moment, but especially today, I am tired. My husband is preaching on James right now for the high school group so I have taken the opportunity to read it again, which reminds me of how much I fall short of being like Jesus- especially when I am tired. There is nothing that reminds me of my need to be more like Him than being a mom and I am oh so very aware that exhaustion makes me the very worst version of myself. To combat all this I have been meditating on some great verses from James so here they are...

James 1

"⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

James 3

"¹⁷But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

My boys take my breath away!!!

So my kids are irresistible...they take my breath away and I cannot get enough of them. Here's some more pics for you to enjoy!!! In my world it really is all about them:)

On our way to the winter retreat for our middle school students. Levi & Judah are professional travelers!
This is Levi's guilty look after taking Judah to the ground- Judah is always stealing his toys so he probably had it coming:)
This is classic Levi grin- he smiles with every part of his face!
Future drummer:)
Levi "hitching a ride" on Judah to ease the long journey across the kitchen floor.