Introducing a Terrific 2 year old!

More to come after Saturday's birthday party...



What a day!! Joshua started out cranky as all get out this morning!!! Thankfully a nice 2 hour nap made him much happier for his party. This year's party had a dog theme, since Joshua is in love with dogs. There were even 2 dogs in attendance, Sadie and Teddy. He had his kiddie pool out, and tried to get almost everyone at the party to get in with him. He would grab their hands and pull them over to the pool. Most people he dragged over there actually did stand and get their feet wet. We had a great day - Joshua is a very blessed little boy to have so many people love him.

Here's who joined us...
Grandma Mary & Grandpa Ron
Grandma Sue & Grandpa Mike
Uncle Michael, Aunt Kimberly, and Cousin ??
Uncle Paul
Great Grandma Bev & Great Grandpa Ken
Great Grandma Bohlman
Great Aunt Judy and her friend Sandy
Great Aunt Cheri
Mr. Joel, Ms. Dawn, and Miranda
"Aunt" Theresa, Talon, and Lorelai
Ms. Deb

Jammin' your feet into shoes that are too small

I learned a lesson this week - both a practical one and a spiritual one.

I took Joshua to BabiesRUs since I had a coupon, and decided to get him some new shoes. They have papers there you can use to measure a kid's feet to make sure you get the proper size. I measured his feet and he should wear a size 7. That's all well and good, but I've been jamming his feet into size 5s and 6s. Now here's the thing...those shoes went on his feet. Maybe they were stretched out from wear, but they did go on, even with socks. I can't imagine how uncomfortable he was...no wonder he always wants his shoes off in the car. So I bought him some 7s and then put away all the 5s and 6s.

Here's the spiritual lesson - how many times have I tried to keep my faith in the size that fit before? I cram my life and my perspective and my faith into what fit 3 or 4 years ago, but I'm not the same woman as before. I've grown as a woman, as a mother, as a wife, and as a Christian. It's time to measure myself correctly and get my feet in the right size shoes. God's provided all I need for this stage of my life, so why keep acting as though the old way still fits? I challenge you - if you are comfortable in a well-fitting pair of shoes, consider your walk as well - are you desperately trying to keep things the way they were, in spite of the fact that you've grown, or are you willing to "step" out in faith and walk in the new shoes God's given you, perfectly fitted to this place in your life and walk? After all, shoes were made for walking...

23 months

One month to go until I have a "terrible" 2 year old...

Well, not really...the greatest joy in my life is being Joshua's mom. Even in his terrible moments....and there are a few. :) Joshua's really started talking a lot more...he's using sentences, and making his needs known. One of his favorite things to do is boss people around and order them to "Sit!" (although he sometimes says the "sh" sound instead of the "s". When you ask him what a cat says, he growls...because Grandma Sue's cat growls at him. He loves dogs of all shapes and sizes. HIs favorite word is eat, followed closely by the word poop. He is fascinated by all things related to the bathroom, but hasn't quite yet connected sitting on the potty. We'll be working on that more!

As I type this, I'm sitting up at the family cottage on the 4th of July, and Joshua is napping. He wears himself out up here, swimming and playing in the water, chasing the dogs around, playing on the boat, eating, eating some more, taking walks, and eating. Sort of like the rest of us. Vacations are different now, since being mom is a full time job and doesn't stop when I'm on "vacation". I'm enjoying my summer home with him - but it's very busy. We've had something going on almost every day.

So I have one month left to go. I don't know why turning 2 is a big deal...he's seemed more like a kid for quite a while now, but 2 seems like the threshold of baby to kid. How many more things will he experience and learn in his next year, during the "terrific 2s"? How will he change? I love the sound of him saying, "Mama", and I want him to learn to say "Love you". Already his hugs and kisses and "zerbets" are the best and melt my heart. Cuddling before sleep time is my favorite. He's an affectionate, adventurous, independent, stubborn, magnificent little guy and I'm crazy about him!

22 months old

Pictures from the last few days....

He now says "cheese" when someone takes a picture of him.

What's in a name?

So today is Joshua's Adoption Day - the day 1 year ago that he officially became a Bohlman. I remember the day very well and always will. It's gotten me to thinking...because really, nothing about our family changed on that day except Joshua's name. We were already confident he was going to stay around for a while...so why the big deal??

Here's why...

Think of your first name...(Joshua!) It identifies you. It's the one you hear all your life from those who love you, it's the one that mamas use when they make up songs to lull you to sleep. It's the one the teacher uses to get you to pay attention. First names are agonized over, many books have been written with first names in them. Joshua is a beautiful name that we both liked, and in the Bible, Joshua was a mighty man of valor. He stood firm in his belief in the face of contradictory evidence, and led his people to unlikely victories. Oh, that my son would be a man of valor and faith! So if your first name is about identity, then...

What about your middle name?? Many times, middle names are chosen to honor someone else. Perhaps a family member or favorite friend. Joshua's middle name (Michael) was chosen by his birthmom to honor a friend of hers who had passed away, but we liked it too, since it is my dad's name and Chris's brother's name. Middle names are about honor.

But that last name?? What's so special about it? Your last name is your belonging. When I took Chris's last name at our wedding, it was symbolic that he and I belong together. When Joshua received his new last name in court 1 year ago, it signified to the world that he belongs to this family. So while nothing changed, everything changed. My little boy belongs with us.

Here he is on Adoption Day 2010... and for comparison, on Adoption Day 2009.

I'm 21 months old!

Hi everyone! It's Joshua. Mama is really tired tonight, so she let me do the typing. She's tired because daddy's back to work (yea!), but he works in the evenings. So it's just mama and me all evening long. Mama's glad I go to bed at 7. She makes me do a lot of stuff before that - I think she's trying to wear me out!

I learned to say "go", "I help", "wow", and "Sadie"...that's a lot for me. The doctor was a little worried that I wasn't learning words fast enough, but when they checked it out more, they decided that I was just fine. They'll check me again when I turn 2, but I know that I'll have a lot to say then.

I LOVE the park. It's my favorite place to go. I like swinging and the twisty slide. Mama has to go on the twisty slide with me, but it's still lots of fun. I have so much fun that it's really hard when mama says time to leave. Sometimes I have to ride in the stroller back home, since I would rather stay and play.

Mama gets to stay home with me all summer. She's gonna let me have swimming lessons again, and we're gonna do all kinds of fun stuff. She says there's only 6 more weeks of school. That must be a good thing.

See you all next month! JOSHUA

20 months old and Happy Easter!

Joshua continues to be the joy of our lives. He is 20 months old today, and is celebrating by cutting 4 new teeth. Poor kid! He's learning and exploring and getting dirty and doing all the other little boy things there are to do.

Tomorrow is Resurrection Sunday - we are so blessed to have a risen Savior! Not one who just died, but one who also LIVES! My Redeemer Lives!