My Boy

 

So, I have been incredibly behind on editing my own personal photos (and there are some good ones to be shared at a later date from our summer and fall adventures) but, I had to share this one from today because it makes me grin from ear to ear.

I am experiencing what, I"m sure many mom's (and dad's) experience when their kids hit that age of 3 and it can only be described as exhausting and, very often, I forget that it should also be remembered as a remarkable time where one can sit next to their son/daughter and have an actual conversation with them. Where I can sit next to my little Benjamin and hear him talk to me like a little man, recounting what we did that day and letting me know what we're going to do next. I can sit next to this little person who is growing up in my house - watching every little thing I do and say and mirroring it right down to the very inflection of my voice.

 I am astounded by the fact that this beautiful little person was once in my belly and is now sitting beside me, asking me 'Mommy, how was your day and what did you do? (a habit that his nana taught him at the dinner table and one that I appreciate very much). I am amazed at his love for life and how, an afternoon together walking across an overpass and playing ''hide and go seek' in the trees along a simple path in the middle of Willoughby can be just enough for him to say 'What a beautiful day' completely unprompted and stemming from a genuine love for life. I am amazed and I am in love.

It is so easy to forget the measure of awesomeness of these little people when they are constantly asking why and uttering phrases such as 'no way,' 'whatever,' or 'fine' with all the attitude of a 15 year old in the smallness of a 3 year olds body but, on those days, when we're snuggled beside each other watching cartoons, playing 'go fish' and talking about our day - those are the moments that make me step back and thank God with my whole heart for the privilege and honor of being Benjamin's (& Jacob's but today these thoughts are for Ben) mom.

 I love this kid and, no matter how many more are added to our family, no matter how hard we are on him possibly because he's our first, no matter how many frustrating moments we have or how much he might tire me out, I will always, always thank Jesus for his life and always, always, try to remember that he is watching my every move.

It is for that reason, that I am trying to practice the art of gratitude in front of him. To ask him what he's thankful for each morning as we head along our way because, I want him to hear, as often as possible, that one of the things I am most thankful for is his life and the fact that I get to be a part of it as long as God allows. Thank you Jesus, for this precious little life and the way he, daily, brings me back to you in prayer and gratitude. I am so thankful.

Summer Adventures - Jer's Wedding

A good friend who found his best friend - enough said! Congrats Jer and Adrienne! So excited to hang out and get to know this girl of yours, Jer.

Summer Adventures - The Aquarium

The first of many Aquarium trips, I'm sure - Ben was in love with all the fish but possibly equally as enamored by the guy making balloon animals as we left :)

Summer Time

One thing I will tell you that is a constant frustration for me is Ben's 'helmet hair' - he comes by it naturally with Jon and I both having super thick hair and one of Jon's nicknames as a child being 'red helmet.' Either way, each little hair seems to have a mind of it's own and I am constantly wondering how to tame it but, every now and then, I have pictures like these where the sun catches each individual hair in just the right light and you can see the helmet in all its' glory. I hope Ben understands that, if it was just up to his dad, he'd have a buzzed hair cut all year long as a way of dealing with it, but hopefully he'll thank me one day for trying multiple different things to try to tame this beast!

 

Summer Time - Hanging around the house :)

Just a few of my boys!

Summer Camping Adventures - McCarthy Siblings!

We had such a wonderful time with Jon's brother, Greg, sister, Jenn and their families on this second annual sibling camping trip. Here's hoping we can make it a yearly tradition! It was pouring rain the whole weekend but the kids didn't mind at all and we all had a great time hanging out together around the fire under the fantastic tarp built by Dave, Greg and Jon. Thanks McCarthy's/Baergs for an awesome weekend and many great memories for the kids and us adults. Love you guys!

 

First foods for Jacob ;)

Not a lot of time to write about each of these pics but wanted to post them nonetheless as I think they speak for themselves :)

Summer Adventures....they just keep coming!

A few more of my favs from the summer! I love these boys :)

Summer Adventures #5 - 9th Annual SFU Crew Birch Bay Trip

I don't know any other way to describe this group of friends than as extended family. We all met in University and, over the years, we have all got married and some have started having kids but, what's really cool is that there has been a continued effort beyond University, beyond graduation and work or family taking us to locations extending from North Vancouver to Burnaby to WhiteRock to Langley and even Halifax, we have all made an effort to stay connected and that, combined with the strong connection we all had in University as well as what I truly feel is the hand of God on all of our friendships, we have stayed close and grown even closer over the years through all of lifes' changes. 

Some of the 'connecting' we do happens at get-togethers over the course of the year but once a year we all take time out and head down to Birch Bay to spend some quality time together. Next year will be our 10th annual trip and we're already starting to plan it so every one can be there. This year we missed the Mansfields, Zvonarova's and Andersons' but it was still a great time and so many memories were made.

I love all you guys so much and, Jon and I, look forward to the years ahead of continued friendship, fellowship and always silly fun no matter how old we get or how many kids come into the picture. You are all truly a gift from God and we so appreciate you loving us for who we are and loving our boys. We plan to return the favor with you all and your families for many years to come.


 

Summer Adventures #4- McCarthy Birch Bay 2011

Birch Bay - two words that mean relaxation, fun with cousins and, once a year, the July 4th fireworks and two special girls' birthday celebrations. Every year, we try to set aside a week with Jon's family and a week with my family for a trip of some sort and each year we LOVE going down to Birch Bay with the McCarthys' and, slowly but surely, Ben is growing to love the pool even more but the grandparents, the parades, the C shop, the ocean have all been favorites of his from the start. Here are just a few memories from this years' trip :)

 

Summer Adventures #3 - Family

The one thing I find with my photography is that I don't get in too many photos unless I ask and set it all up, which inevitably means that I don't get too many candid moments of me and my kids captured but the posed family shots will have to do for now and, I'm talking Jon into letting me pay someone to do family shots for us once every few years to satisfy that other desire :) Here are a few from one morning before church and, yes, I have the boys in matching outfits. I swore I wouldn't do that but I can't help myself. It's too much fun!

 

Summer Adventures #2 - Pool Time

Still being owners at Pepperwood has its' perks and the pool is one of them! Ben is slowly, but surely, getting to like the water better, though he still mostly hangs out on step 1 or step 2 of the pool. In fact, the photo in the middle was probably proceeded by a lot of crying but, the more I put Ben in situations where he is challenged to try something new, the more I am reminded that, when given the opportunity, he will continue to amaze me. It reminds me of a song I started singing to Ben before he went to bed and the words are so true, 'Ben is a promise, Ben is a possibility, Ben is a promise with a capitol 'P.' Ben is a great big bundle of potentiality and Ben is learning to hear God's voice and Ben is trying to make the right choice. Ben is a promise to be anything God wants him to be.' I love these boys and, love even more that, those words I can sing to Ben & Jacob can be impressed upon their hearts at such a young age so that, hopefully, with God's help and grace, my boys can understand the unlimited possibilities that lay ahead of them as children of God.

Summer Adventures #1 - Aunty Ruthie

Growing up, I had a lot of honorary Aunts and Uncles, which is why it doesn't seem confusing or odd to me for my boys to have the same experience. I always knew who my biological family members were but, the blessing of having a lot of other men and women in my life who showered me with love was pretty special. Ruth is going to be one of those 'Aunty's' for my boys and has such an amazing place in my heart. My dearest and closest friend for so many years, she knows me inside and out and loves each and every quirk - I love that about her and love every chance we get to hang out. Here are some photos from a fun night with my favorite Fro :)



Love you Ruthie :) xo

June 24-26, 2011: 2nd Annual Home Group Camping Weekend

Home group, life group, small group - lots of different ways of saying the same thing: a large group of awesome couples who we get the privilege of sharing life with. We have been so blessed with our group of friends from Jericho Ridge and the 5+ other couples we have had a chance to really get to know well over our years at this church.

Last year we did a June wrap-up camping trip at Cultus and I think it's going to become somewhat of a tradition as the kids and adults all had a great time last year and again this year. We missed the Werdals this year but hope that everyone will be able to make it next year!

It wasn't the nicest weather but we had a great site with a huge green space behind us and even got to spend some time at the lake on Sunday when the sun came out. All in all, it was an awesome weekend and there were lots of chances to document it on camera so settle in cause there are quite a few pics to follow :)



Thank goodness for rubber boots and rain coats - we could just let Ben roam around the site in the mud and not care!



Some of the lovely ladies of home group and the three newest additions to the crew - Jacob, Ethan and Cole.


Caden and Ben are great little buddies and they had an awesome time adventuring around the site together! As you can see, tent poles are also awesome toys for toddlers ;)



Going on 'adventures'



Mr.Jacob



Croquet anyone?



An infectious smile.



Friends.



Ben & Caden both have the same type of bike and they had a great time riding them around the campsite or, in Ben's case, down the road away from the campsite without permission ;) I used to think that I would never lose sight of my kid but, as with a lot of things in parenthood, I have had to eat my words. They just move so quickly and, as Ben approaches 3 he just keeps getting more and more independent and less and less scared to venture off without us which means we have to be on top of where he is at all times. Exhausting but fun to see him getting more confidence!

Bella taking Caden for a walk ;)



Enjoying our green space campsite extension out back! Kris is demonstrating some pretty fantastic frisbee skills here!

More frisbee.



Mr.Jonah. Love those curls and that smile.



This look is brought to you by gum boots, pj's and sweat pants. Only Jonah could pull this look off and make it look adorable ;)



Hanging around the campsite.



A little journey to the lake on Saturday even though it was still pretty chilly. Great rock skipping weather though!





Last year I got a pic of the Schmidts pretty much identical to the one below so perhaps that will be part of the yearly camping tradition too. I think they look pretty great for camping!



My blue eyed beauty.



Mr.Ben







Some of the little babes under 4 1/2 months. They all fared really well for their first camping trips!

Bubbles - it never ceases to amaze me how entertaining bubbles can be for kids. Ben & Caden loved playing with this little bubble blower. Thanks Ali!



A quick group pic before Schmidts had to head out. I actually did one where I photoshopped my floating head in right next to Jon and the boys but it was kind of creepy :)



Caden's first experience with smores!



I think he was a fan!



Sunday - pack-up day is always a little bit crazy busy from breakfast till the time we leave but we were able to head to the lake after breakfast/pack-up and that made it much more relaxing! Here are a few pics I took while amidst the packing up



Ben & Caden showing off their 'muscles'!







Down at the lake



Throwing rocks



The guys - top right photo could be a contender for the Jericho Bridge calendar, I think.....

Thanks Ali & Juliet for snapping a few pics so I could be in some!



Thanks so much to all our life group friends for their continued love, support and willingness to go on adventures like this regardless of what stage of life we're all in or how busy life gets. We really have loved getting to know you guys better and look forward to more adventures together this coming year!