Life Group "Friends"

Last night was our last get together for the "Lord, Change My Attitude" class. Since Charlie and I had only been visiting a few weeks at the church, I was a little hesitant in joining one of these groups so early. But I am so glad I did. I believe God puts us where we need to be and I believe God puts people in our lives for a reason. This group has been such a huge blessing to my life. It was such a joy to get to know them and quickly I became very comfortable around them. The encouragement and love they showed to me (and Charlie) during our loss of the baby was so overwhelming. They ministered to me in so many ways and I so thankful for that. So again, I do believe I was in this class for a reason.

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I am still a work-in-progress with this attitude thing. I went into this class thinking that "complaining" was my major issue but my eyes were opened each week with a new topic that there was other changes that need to be made. "An attitude is a pattern of thinking formed over a long period of time." So I realize that it will not change over night and it takes work and discipline to make these changes. And most importantly, only through "GOD" will these changes take place!!!!

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At the end of each lesson there was a prayer that would assist in that topic and I would like to share one of those with you! If you are battling with a Complaining, Covetous, Critical, Doubting or Rebellious attitude, then all it takes is acknowledging it, repenting and start making the change!

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You've said in Your Word, Lord, that these attitudes honor You and bless me. I've experienced them enough to now to know I want these to be my natural response to Life's challenges. I also know I've failed when I've tried to live this way in my own strength. All my good intentions amount to nothing but frustration. But now I have new understanding. I believe that You would never require something that You don't provide the ability to do. In the strength of Your Spirit, Lord, please live Your life in me. Be the focus of my thankful attitude. Be the fulfillment of my contentment. Be the object of my faith and the strong and trustworthy Master of my humbled heart. Fill me with Your power as I surrender myself afresh to Your sovereign, gracious hand today. By faith I say thank You for changing my attitude. Please keep changing me every day of my life until I see You face-to-face. Amen!
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So Thankful, Contentment, Love, Faith and Submission Attitudes, here I come!

Clip Clip No. 2

The time for a haircut sneaked up on me and really fast. I felt like we just took Cohen in for his very first one! But it was time to shape it up and I wouldn't have been anymore prouder of my little man. Once again, he sat in the chair and was very cooperative. He would play with his toy or watch everyone around him. I believe he had his mind on receiving some jelly beans. He has a love for those things. The end result was a pleased mommy and a happy boy with his balloon and jelly beans!!!

The result of giving him a jelly bean on the road!

Bubble Gum Playland!

Almost Done....

...with the "Sprucing up the House" projects, although, I am pretty sure I could look around and probably find some other things that need to be done. But most importantly, the front and back yards are finally getting to where we like them. One thing that I have always wanted to place in the front is landscape lighting (Charlie didn't care too much for this idea). Needless to say, I talked him into it and I believe the lights will grow on him.

This weekend, Charlie and Pops worked hard in putting down the edgers and they did a superb job. Even though Charlie had to install a new electrical outlet, he graciously put in the lights I wanted. We still need to add mulch and some flowers but it is almost complete! I know you are just dying to see a picture (lol) but for now, I will leave you with one of the light fixtures.

I am loving our new curb appeal, if only the grass would turn green sooner......

Bumps, Scratches and Bruises

You name it! This kid has it! It appears that there is not a day that goes by when Cohen has not added a mark to his body. Funny thing, most of the time when he gets these marks, he just keeps going. I can see it now, sitting in the emergency room over and over as he gets older. Although it breaks my heart seeing his cute little legs, arms and face looking like this, I am starting to get use to it and glad that he isn't feeling major pain. I just want to put band-aids all over him!!! But Cohen loves to point out his boo-boos to you. Just Friday night, he was running (while his mommy was telling him to walk), and just like that, he fell and scraped his knees. We asked if he was okay which he replied "tay" and kept going..... He would go on to add a few more over the weekend so I decided to take a few pictures of these boo-boos. It appears we have a tough little boy!

Chalking with the Girl nextdoor....

It has been said that Cohen is a little flirt when it comes to the ladies! Which I am not surprised, he is such a lovable little boy. Our neighbors, the Johnsons, who live across the street have two little girls, Maggie, who is 3 and one year old Gracie. Maggie is a sweet little girl, who loves to tell me all sorts of things and holler in her little voice, "Hey Cohen", every time she sees him. But sometimes, she will become really shy. And that is what happened when they took a small stroll over to our side of the street Saturday night.

Prior to this arrival back, Cohen and I made our way over for him to play and for me to enjoy some mom chat. Not long ago, Maggie introduced Cohen to sidewalk chalk which he loved. So after running around and chasing each other, they settled down to make art on the driveway. Which I might add, it is really fun and I plan to purchase some soon! GG and Pops stopped by so it was time to go but Cohen wasn't ready. Jana, the mom, said that it would be alright if he hung out some more and she would walk him home. Shortly after, we see the family coming with my son in the girls' stroller. Too cute! He was loving it but I believe Maggie reverted to her shy self and was ready for him to get it out. Not too mention, Miss Gracie was fussing seeing this boy in her seat.

You really can't see but Cohen has placed his arm around her and is trying to give her a hug. She is like "hands off boy"..

I was able to get him out without any crying but he appeared to be sad of Miss Maggie leaving. Mr. Johnson offered Cohen two pieces of chalk so GG joined him for some drawing on the driveway.

It is so cute to watch kids interact with each other. And I have a good feeling Cohen and Miss Maggie will be seeing more of each other!

20 Months

Every month that creeps up, I found myself constantly thinking about how fast time is going by since our little man arrived 20 months ago this day! He has turned into such a sweet boy, although there have been signs of the terrible twos. But I know its his learning process and we will just continue working through them together. Its a parent's learning process too.

Cohen is "All Boy" for sure! He loves nothing more than to be outside. I believe he would sleep outside if we allowed it. He also loves rocks. Just last night, while getting undressed for bath time, a small rock fell out. He held and played with it through bath time and kept it in the palm of his hand while reading books before night-night time.

Cohen is all about Da-Da right now! Which is normal and I love it. I have enjoyed watching them interact together and the bonding gets tighter each day. Watching a father and son relationship gives me so much joy and I look forward to seeing it grow as Cohen gets older. They both ultimately adore each other and you can already see that Cohen looks up to his daddy!

Cohen now refers to himself as "ME"! He still loves to cuddle and dreads going to be bed every night. Which is something we are still working on. He has his good nights and his not-so good nights! His love for reading has not stopped and now enjoys listening to us read books that involve more words on a page! The addiction to his pacifier continues to grow so I am giving him four more months and the Pacifier Fairy might be making a visit to the Gibson household! and last, he is officially showing an interest in the potty. Mommy is really looking forward to that and prays it will go as smoothly as it can. Not rushing this one anytime soon, lol!

So this is a little insight into our little man. Our little man who is just four months away from turning "2". Oh my! I shake my head every time I think about that....Last night as we were having family time in the living room floor, Cohen had walked off and I asked Charlie, "Can you imagine him any older, like a teenager?" and his response was what I was thinking, "No"....And that day will be here before we know it and I want to savor every moment with him the best we can!!!