1st and 4th

This 4th of July was a little extra special around our house. I've always enjoyed this holiday. I love summer, and being free, and eating and fireworks. What's not to love? We are blessed as Americans, and as the Barrons. We not only celebrated Independence Day, but Tirzah Shae Day as well.
While her birthday isn't officially until tomorrow she told us that it was more appropriate to celebrate her birthday on a national holiday, even if it was a few days early, when there are fireworks.
We had a great time celebrating, with lots of pink cake, presents, and one very messy red white and blue cupcake just for Tizzy.

She only had one diva-like meltdown while opening her presents. So she got her little power nap in before we had maybe a little too much fun with sparklers.

Well, some of us had fun with sparklers. Merrick doesn't like anything loud, "big youd", to be exact, unless it's himself. He thinks he has the monopoly on loud. So he spent a lot of his evening with his hands over his ears snuggled up with me or a various auntie.

It was a great day, and I'm glad for the reminder of how blessed we are. From our two crazy kiddos to our freedom, and the people who fight for it, we have so much to be thankful for. Oh, and leftover birthday cake is something I'm always thankful for, too. Well, until I realize how much of it I've eaten, that is.

You have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; "love your neighbor as yourself." - Galatians 5:13-14

This week's YouCapture theme was "America"

Bringing Sexy Back

Lately we've been getting to spend a lot of time at the pool. This is awesome. Mostly because last summer, with my beached whale 9 month pregnant figure, I avoided the pool like the plague that I decided it was. I've definitely missed it. While it maybe isn't exactly relaxing with 2 small kids, we still do have a good time. Tirzah even got this new suit from her uncle Eli for her 1st birthday.

Nothing says sexy quite like a swimmy diaper hanging out of your bikini. ;)

The Babysitter

Recently Billy was doing a little work on our lawn mower. Merrick loves the lawnmower. I am beginning to think he would gladly leave me to live outside in the shed with the tractor. In my bad mother moments, I have caught my escape artist son outside in the shed sitting on the lawnmower. At least he isn't fascinated with something that would take him out of the safety of the yard...like the neighbors obnoxious chickens or the cows across the road.

When Merrick realized, one morning, that the tractor was parked right outside the back door, he decided to try to convince Billy to give him the keys so he could drive it. Not kidding. "I hab keys fo the twackter?* were his exact words.

It was so cute we almost gave them to him. Kind of like I gave him alot of that 44 oz slushy I had last night. In my defense, if your kid had said "I hab swubsee in my mouf?" you might have given in too. Cuteness is the great manipulator.

We didn't hand over the keys, but we have hidden them from his view. He knows where they go. I don't think he could really start the tractor, but I'm not taking any chances. He's surprised me before. "How did you get up there???" For now he's pretty content to just sit on the tractor...8 hours a day. It's actually turned into a kind of babysitter.

If it wasn't illegal I might ask the tractor to watch Merrick while I run some errands. I know he'd be sitting right there when I got back.

Free Indeed

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

- John 8:36 -

Wishing everyone a wonderful 4th of July weekend. What are you doing to celebrate? We'll be stuffing our faces, soaking up the sun, and celebrating our little girl's 1st birthday with family...which is officially on the 9th. Wow...wasn't I just in labor?

Hoping you are overwhelmed this holiday weekend with the freedom we have. Not only the blessing of a free nation, but the even better blessing of freedom in Christ. Happy 4th!

Daddy's Hands

Recently we signed Wild up for swimming lessons. We decided this might be a good idea when there was hysteria in the bathtub every time I tried to wash his hair. He seemed ok with the pool last summer, but I think he's a bit older now and maybe understands, hey, I cant breath in that wet stuff.

My aunt was taking her son to a local pool for lessons, so we tagged along since she had such good reviews of the man teaching the lessons. As you can see...little man was not a fan.

I realized that it's not a good idea to take a 2yo to swim lessons unless you want all your skin, your swimsuit, and what modesty you have left after having children, clawed off by said 2yo.

I was grateful for the two nights that Billy was able to be there, and get in the water with him. Mostly so I could lick my wounds from the previous night's clawings, and not be the bad guy making Merrick float on his back and kick his legs.
I was glad for how well Billy does with Merrick, too. Merrick seemed to do better in the water with Billy, even. Not sure what it was...maybe just that both our kiddos seem to know they're safe with their daddy. Plus Billy is stronger than me, and is better able to resist to flailing right hooks from Merrick who was kind of resembling a cat who didn't want a bath the first night or so of lessons.
By the end of the week, though, things were looking up. Merrick even jumped in holding the swim instructor's hands and went under the water. It was a sneak attack from the swim instructor, but still, he didn't even cry when he pulled him back up. He is even putting his own face in the water now. So proud of the little man. And last time we went to the pool I didn't get punched even once.

This week at You Capture one of the theme's was "hands". Check out the blog for more great shots!