Remember When: October

One of the things I love about my kiddos is that they love to dress up. I have always enjoyed going out grocery shopping with Spider-Man, The Hulk, and Snow White. We've had some pretty outrageous outfits along with some down right adorable ones.  So I thought this month I would highlight some of the crazy things I have let my children out of the house in!!!!

And sometimes they didn't want to wear anything at all!!!

Here is JJ only weeks old, hamming it up!!

I didn't think JJ would ever out grow Thomas, but he did.

Here LJ is during his Power Ranger phase.

LJ loved this little frog outfit, and it was sooo cute on him too!!

This is CJ, trying to keep up with her brothers!!!

Partners in crime, these two still are!!!

The princess of the house and our hearts!!!

Don't forget to link up!! I'll leave this one up for a couple of days into November in case you would like to post some Halloween photos!!!!

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Remember When: Belated September

Remember When for September is a bit late due to some issues with downloading. I finally gave up and just decided to go with what I have. What a blessing LJ has been!!! He has taught us so much, made us laugh more than I can count, and touched our hearts in ways words can not describe. He has a heart for God's Word and a tenderness for his family that I hope never hardens. Thank you for being such a wonderful, exuberant, vibrant, full of life and love kind of boy. We are so thankful God gave you to us!!!!!



**because this is so late, I won't do a linky for this post but will have a current Remember When next week!!

Remember When: August (a summer day)

<a href="http://www.learntolove-lovetolearn.blogspot.com/search/label/remember%20when"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhvwyloCZSEnV6_aoXSzzSxGYYkGdDoNEEnNRe2jU3iTWi2GyBqDdA17JdilVMGeSukBaypz0rBsYEBdpX2E2etXrrkLEl4hDI_Rh1INLZCWNY7x3GhPdqHnIgJckkE8NwtDpi2kpWA/s200/pencil+and+pen.png" border="0" alt="Remember When" /></a>

We are hoping to be settled in by the end of the month, which will only be possible if our TMO shipment gets here. As we gear up for school, summer is winding down and I feel like a little kid wondering where our summer went? Oh yeah that's right, we moved our family across the world. We spent three weeks with my Mema and Mom and I thought it would be fun to capture the awesome summer the kids had!!!!

There was a lot of playing in the water!!

We enjoyed our first water balloon fight of the summer!!!

..and even upgraded to a two lane slip-n-slide!!!

Of course not all fun was to be had in the sun!!!!

The kids enjoyed playing at McD's

Chuck E. Cheese

Or just chilling inside playing their new Nintendo DS'

 

We were very blessed to take part in Salem Baptist Church's VBS!! The kids had a blast!!

So how was your summer? Join in the fun and capture those summer days before the fast pace of fall has you forgetting what you did. Remember, you have all month to join in the fun. Until next month, keep those cameras clicking and posts rolling!!

Remember When: July (a look back)

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As some of you may already know, we just recently returned from living overseas in Japan for almost 6 years. (2 months shy) So I thought it would be fun to look at what our family looked like then and now, since the boys have grown so much and we even added another addition to our family while living overseas.

(LJ had just turned 3 in this picture and JJ was only 4 months old)

(And here is LJ now 8 years old, JJ just turned 6 years old and CJ is 3 1/2 in this picture

So, how much has your family changed in the last 6 years, link up and share some pictures with us. Remember you have till the end of the month!!If you are new to my blog you can check out past Remember When's just for fun!!

Remember When: June

I have some serious organizing and backing up to do for photos!! As I'm going through and trying to decide how on earth I'm going to organize them, I came across some very cute pics of the kids in situations when they were terrified. These specific situations had me laughing so hard I almost peed my pants, seriously. So I thought I would share them for our June addition of Remember When. Hope you enjoy!!!!



This was CJ's first trip through the car wash.

JJ not liking the friendliness of the birds at Neo Park.

Can you believe that is LJ!! Hangin on for dear life with his friend, Skyy!

Don't forget to take time to preserve those precious memories and then link them up with us here at Remember When!!!

Remember When: May (Birthday Edition)

<a href="http://www.learntolove-lovetolearn.blogspot.com/search/label/remember%20when"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhvwyloCZSEnV6_aoXSzzSxGYYkGdDoNEEnNRe2jU3iTWi2GyBqDdA17JdilVMGeSukBaypz0rBsYEBdpX2E2etXrrkLEl4hDI_Rh1INLZCWNY7x3GhPdqHnIgJckkE8NwtDpi2kpWA/s200/pencil+and+pen.png" border="0" alt="Remember When" /></a>

It's hard to believe that JJ will be 6 this year!!!! He was 1 week "late" and I was in a mall when he decided it was time make his debut. What a memorable ride to the hospital. From the time we got to the ER front doors till he was delivered was 43 minutes!!!! "Don't judge a book by it's cover" is a phrase I feel describes JJ to a "T". JJ was the only baby we decided to wait and find out the gender at birth.




Although I look rather miserable, JJ's pregnancy was one with little morning sickness, my energy level stayed up for most of it and I actually gained the least amount of weight as I could only eat fresh veggies and couldn't stand the smell of meat cooking.



Adjusting to JJ's arrival was rather smooth after all the commotion of his abrupt arrival settled down. I made sure that he took a pacifier and also began training him from day 1 to go to sleep on his own.


By 3 weeks, JJ was holding his head high, not wanting to miss out on any of the action his big brother was providing!!!



Speaking of big brother, this is where a friendship for a lifetime began!!!



When JJ was 4 months old we moved across the world and have been in Okinawa, Japan since. Hard to believe that this will be his last birthday here on the rock!!!



For JJ's 1st birthday we were blessed to have Matt's cousin and family on island to celebrate with us. We have always tried to keep 1st birthdays a family/close friends affair.



JJ's 2nd birthday began his love affair with Thomas!



His 3rd birthday would be the last one I had much say in what the theme was. The water slide was a big hit with him and all his little friends!!



JJ decided for his 4th birthday he wanted a pirate theme and he wanted to have it out in town at the A&W Restaurant.



One of the hard things about being a military child is that often your friends move or you move. We had a small but fun filled Monster truck birthday to celebrate 5 wonderful years God has blessed us with JJ.



And that brings us up to now, when we are just weeks from JJ turning 6. How thankful we are for each day we have had with JJ!!! I often say that my children teach me more than I could ever possibly hope to teach them! God uses each one of them, in different ways, to refine me. And how thankful I am that God has given me the privilege to be apart of their lives!! JJ, thank you for an amazing year. You have helped us through the bumps, joys, frustrations and added so much joy and humor to our lives!! Happy Birthday, we love you so much and pray that you always know without a shadow of doubt that our love is not conditional, not perfect, and never ending!!!!

Do you have a Remember When? If so, link up!!

Remember when: April

Alright, I'm at it again, preserving our memories for the future. I hope you will join in the fun and post some of those precious memories or everyday memories that you don't want to forget!!!


<a href="http://www.learntolove-lovetolearn.blogspot.com/search/label/remember%20when"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhvwyloCZSEnV6_aoXSzzSxGYYkGdDoNEEnNRe2jU3iTWi2GyBqDdA17JdilVMGeSukBaypz0rBsYEBdpX2E2etXrrkLEl4hDI_Rh1INLZCWNY7x3GhPdqHnIgJckkE8NwtDpi2kpWA/s200/pencil+and+pen.png" border="0" alt="Remember When" /></a>


CJ: Remember when you decided that not only did your pancakes have to look like Mickey Mouse but also served with a side of ketchup?!


JJ: Remember when we got stuck in the 2010 Okinawa Marathon and as a treat for you kiddos patiently waiting in the car, I took you to Capital Steak House. As you watched Ichinose cook our Teppanyaki, you decided out loud that "Mom, he's the best cook I've ever seen. I want to be just like him when I grow up!"


LJ: Remember when you convinced me to take you to your first Easter Egg Hunt? Man you were so excited and we had loads of fun. You heart just amazes me at times and I hope you always have the courage to stand up for what you believe is right!!!!


I remember how you all got soooo excited to get packages from the post office. Especially when it came from Grammie Rose or Mema. You knew that meant there would be something special in it for each of you!!! Here you all are sporting new T-shirts that Grammie Rose sent. And if I didn't have to wash them you boys would have worn those shirts day after day after day after day........

Remember When: March

Oops, sorry I'm a bit late in posting for this month. You can join in at anytime during the month of March. Here is where I try to capture things I just don't want to forget or that I haven't forgotten already!! Come along, join the fun and link up with me!!!


<a href="http://www.learntolove-lovetolearn.blogspot.com/search/label/remember%20when"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhvwyloCZSEnV6_aoXSzzSxGYYkGdDoNEEnNRe2jU3iTWi2GyBqDdA17JdilVMGeSukBaypz0rBsYEBdpX2E2etXrrkLEl4hDI_Rh1INLZCWNY7x3GhPdqHnIgJckkE8NwtDpi2kpWA/s200/pencil+and+pen.png" border="0" alt="Remember When" /></a>


CJ: Remember when you loved to wear lip gloss?


LJ: Remember when you ate at the sushi go round, without complaining even though you don't really like sushi. And all because you know that I love to eat there!

JJ: Remember when you slept through a 7.0 earthquake and then stood ready to protect your family from the "salami" the next day.


What is the Lord teaching me through you kids. Wow, so much!!! But most recent is the ability to slow down and enjoy the time I have with you. So much that keeps us moms busy really can wait until a more calmer time. College degrees, bible studies, and craft nights... all those things can wait but each day I have with you is a treasure I will never have a chance to hold again. Truly as much as I teach you about our Loving Father and our Savior Jesus is as much as I am learning too. We don't always get it right but how blessed we are to serve a Savior who did get it right, on the cross just for us!!!!! My prayer is that as I build your lives on these truths that you too will continue to build your lives on our Corner Stone, Jesus!!!