Our Beloved Baby Boy

Jonathan would be close to 4 years old by now. This year, I don't have words for today. I've already said as much as I could and our thoughts and actions to honor him feel so personal.

We'll wait longer to share more details with Kyle, but one of these years we will take him with us to visit Jonathan's grave. We both know that that day will be very, very hard as Kyle is so intuitive, sensitive, and deeply loves his little brother. On the way home from school one day last year, I overheard the most endearing and heartbreaking conversation where Kyle was telling Gavin all about Jonathan. Hearing Kyle's words was so very bittersweet. I could hardly breathe past the lump in my throat. Though I doubt Gavin would even now grasp the concept, Kyle, at not yet 2 years old, absolutely did. He always has. This year, in particular, he's talked a lot about his missing brother. There is hardly a family picture drawn where he doesn't include Jonathan up in heaven looking down on us.

This is a picture he drew almost a year ago. He really wanted it up on our wall, so it has been there ever since.

Jonathan is loved and missed so very much. 

Voyager's Sonrise Island VBS

The boys and I have been at VBS this week. While I led Kyle's class of Kindergarteners, Gavie loved going to his own class. He'd run right into the room and wave me good-bye for all of 2 seconds before finding something fun to do. Though leading a group of 5 year olds wasn't exactly a cake job, having Gavin a year older made the whole process each day that much easier. Still, we'd come home pretty wiped out. 

I finally got pictures on our last day. I missed our Bible story time in The Cove and the lesson activity in our classroom just after, but otherwise this is what we did.

The kids love skits that Pastor Chris and the cast put on.

Each year, we collect thousands of dollars for a cause. All around the city, lemonade stands abound... this time for a village in Malawi. We have a slight competition, blue team vs. red team. Tonight, we find out which team won and how much we collectively raised.

After story time and lesson activity time, our rotation heads to Rec.

I climbed up into the sound/light booth for this pic from up above. This is just the Kindergarteners and 1st graders (ie. games are modified!).

 Where's Waldo Kyle?

 Snack time!!! This is such a big deal. :)

Craft time. Each year on the last day, the kids decorate a frame to put their group photo in.  This was an easy one. Yesterday's craft just about did me in! Remember, these kids are 5 and need help with pretty much everything. Kindergarten teachers have my utmost respect and admiration!! :)

Back in the sanctuary, we play a big group game, sing together, and find out how much money we raised that day.

VBS is such a big production involving so, so many people. Each year I do this, I am impressed by how many members of our church we have volunteering. It feels like camp and I get to work alongside so many of my friends and watch their kids learn, play, and generally have tons of fun. It's awesome to work together for a cause and see/hear how much our kids enjoy this. It's also awesome to now be home relaxing! :)

Summer Soccer

Kyle had his first ever soccer practice! We signed him up for the summer AYSO team so he could get a feel for it and see if it would be something he'd like to do in the fall. He was so excited to buy his cleats and get his uniform. Though he is one of the youngest on the team and has very little concept of the game, it appears he will fit in with the group and learn from some of the more experienced players. Most importantly, after the practice Kyle announced that he loved it and was so glad he had tried soccer. :) Kyle surprised us earlier this year with his running stamina. He ran the mile with my 4th grade students and beat at least half of them. We are so excited to cheer for #6 and are proud of him for trying something new.

This is what Gavin does during the game. He picks up every cone he's not supposed to and runs right i to the field...

 Kyle is kicking the ball below and Rudy is corralling Gavin for the 100th time. :)

 During a set of drills, Kyle showed he was a quick learner and picked up on the concepts well.

So glad he's excited about it and we can't wait to cheer him on from the sidelines!

Cousin Time

These past two days we got to spend time with our cousins from Malaysia (and a day with our Calabasas cousins, too). They chose to fly in to LAX to catch a direct flight but also to see us and my other cousin and his family. We got to take them to church, spend time at our house, and then swim and play with them at a beautiful resort in Escondido. All too quickly they are off to Oregon and beyond... but so thankful for the time we had to see each other (usually it's every two years) and have the next generation of cousins play together. 

Julie and Me

How cute is Kyle's expression?!

Elissa and Abbey were so sweet with Gavin. Elissa and he have the same love for imaginative play and chatting. She kept him entertained on this table for quite a long time.

Over at the resort, we celebrated Chase and Luke's birthdays. And there's another birth day we will be celebrating in a few months! ;)

The boys were hungry after swimming!

Cousins!!

Even the little ones were well entertained.

My cousins Mark, Luke, and Elissa with Kyle.

The splash pad was a huge hit for Gavin and Michaela.

Gavin and Luke

And the water slides were a favorite for Abby and Kyle.

Gavin loved watching for Brother to come down!

Relaxing with Michaela after quite a fun day.

Though Michaela did fall asleep right there on the concrete, I was so amazed at how well these international travelers handled the jet lag. They slept well at night and played well during the day. It was amazing and all fun. Miss them already! Thanks, Mark and Lisa, for sharing such a beautiful place with us all. 

Rudy's New Job!

The watermelon has been cut, the porch swing is up, and the heat is driving us straight to our neighbor's pool...summer is here!! And while the boys and I are relaxing and enjoying a completely different pace, Rudy has been working hard at his new job!

About a month ago, Rudy started an amazing new job that is less than 10 minutes from our home!!!!! I could write and write about all the things he's enjoying...but the most important thing to us is that he's less than 10 minutes from home!!! :) :) :) For commuters like us, this is a big, big deal. It means daddy is home for dinner and time with the boys before bed. Our quality of life just increased drastically. 

Rudy was very happy at his other work site, but the owners were going to be selling and changing hands. Not knowing how that would all go down, Rudy started handing out resumes at a few local places he was interested in. The day after he made these visits, he got a call. And we couldn't be happier with how well God provided just the right job for him! And, so proud of Rudy for being so marketable! :)

The boys and I have had a lot of fun visiting him since he is right nearby. Here are a few pictures of the fun we have at Daddy's work.

 The boys immediately run for their favorite things.

 Love all the giggles and squeals.

Mr. Cool Guy

 Beautiful OC Coastline

 Pressing buttons to make the table go up and down is a huge hit.

 Sitting at Daddy's desk

So happy and proud of you, Rudy!!