The latest.

It has been a little while. I have to think here a moment in order to recap the last few weeks for you all. I try to do this at least once a month for several reasons (recap the latest that is) ;to see what we have learned, been blessed with, been doing with our time, and to prove my memory is still there...somewhat. :)

Eric has been working less, which explains my writing less. But it sure is great to have him with us. Money schmoney is what I say. :) We can't outgive God. A truth that would prevent many fights, ulcers, broken relationships, and so much more if believed by all; even half believed. It has proven true that 3 stooges are better than just two. Swings and slides seem to give more giggles with 3. The ducks are more entertaining...catch and tennis are much more exciting and books and devotion time seem more fulfilling. :)

Speaking of books, Gabe can't get enough of them lately. He used to only be able to sit for a page or two, but now we can make it through a whole book; sometimes asking for a double header. :) Cooking still never gets old for Gabe. Bead and block soup continue to be his top seller. Words keep multiplying as the days pass for our lil man. Someone expressed that his early vocab could be why sleeping is a struggle for him. I am starting to believe this as he is up late talking and wakes up talking. (mostly rattling of all of your names....let him know if you have any specific prayer requests as he prays for you all often...:)

We are finding that the "Jesus Way" is the only way. (this could be true for just about anything) But what I am referring to is teaching Gabe how to use his loving heart. I can't expect him to be patient if he is seeing me impatient with him or daddy. If he sees me sharing with daddy or others, I find he shares more. If I wonder why his tone of voice sounds a bit bossy...well.....wonder where he got that?:)

The Jesus way. Be it, live it,empower it... in order to teach it. (to our children...coworkers...spouses...neighbors.) It's all about the follow through. :):) His follow through...we just have to ask and believe it.

The YMCA

Eric,Gabe, and I decided to join the YMCA last month. We hoped this would help us to train for a 10K that our fam is running in this summer (me possibly fast walking..hee-hee) and to help keep us wanting to take care of our bodies as a way to thank the Creator for them. :)(and to support our sister Kelly who works for the Y. :)) The first time we tried it out we were fumbling around the machinery and wondering why no one was wearing their old high school t shirts and sweatpants like we were. :) Eric often goes to one close to his work, and Gabe and I often go to one close to our house on North Ave in Milwaukee. I am finding that it is worth the membership fees just to learn more about the African American culture. :) Gabe and I are probably the whitest blondies in the joint, but I never would feel like we stood out. I find that it is as if we have all known each other for quite some time. The first time we were there one lady at the front desk hugged and high fived Gabe for at least 20 mintues. He wonders why she is not working every time we are there. The countless after school programs and special community service opportunities set up for the inner city students of the Y are exciting. I wanted to try out a zoomba (sp?) class the other day, but once I peered through the window and saw the moves these ladies had, my pride suddenly came up with a sore ankle excuse. :) Can't compete with the black ladies and their rhythm. I find that sometimes I struggle with how to say things in the right manner, fashion, and with the passion I want behind it. And our cultures my disagree with the way to say things (black and white), but it sure would be nice to be able to say loving things sometimes with a little attitude, and no one would be offended by it. :) Gabe's new fav place is the basketball gym. I hold him in my arms and dribble and then shoot and he giggles like he does when we tickle his feet. :) He seems to get this cartoon road runner run going too in order to chase down the balls, which then sends me into the same road runner laugh :) What a neat way to meet people around us and use a bit of our time. :) If you are feeling the need to bust out in the YMCA dance, I am joining you. :)

Winter Walks

Yesterday Gabe and I were able to take a Wisconsin winter walk :) During our bihourly ironchef time in the kitchen, I could hear melting snow coming off of the roof. We peered out our could-be-cleaner windows and saw that the temperature read 40 plus degrees. What the hay are we ironchefing when we could be snowballfighting we thought? (Gabe, I am sure, had the same thoughts as I did.) So we bundled up in our puffy gear, pumped up the stroller tires, and hustled down the stairs in our boots. (BOOTS!!!..as Gabe calls them. He also thinks that stollers are called pumps due to our pumping of the tires. I didn't have the heart to break it to him yet. Pump is so much easier to say than stroller. :) Winter sure has it's purpose and beautiful value. But oh how neat is it to get reacquainted with the neighbor kids' giggles, bikers buzzing by you, the freshness of the air, and the smells of life (even hibernated life). Not to mention the serenades of the birds helping you to keep in step. Gabe didn't say a whole lot while we ventured, just a few grunts of approval when I asked if he could see the trees or the snow, or the puddles and the doggies. So much of our days need to be filled with moments reserved to be awestruck and silent, where words can sometimes get in the way. (learning from my 1 year old)

We got back from the pump walk and decided to make snowballs. This is about the only thing that has the ability to take Gabe's mind off of the kitchen PANS these days. (captions so that you can hear the volume from Gabe's lil lungs). (Daddy took Gabe out sledding last weekend and we couldn't get him and his red face to come in. :)) We threw some snowballs at the snowbank and made mini me snowmen that Gabe enjoyed punting. I was able to really just be thankful in the moment and sit and smell snow. :-) (No roses except us around) I had been praying about that lately. And I am not sure why I am surprised that God came through with a yes on that one right away..since that is what he longs for us. Joy in our days. ( Can't wait to get out there again hopefully when daddy has off.....)

To winter walks....

Where would we be without the camera?

Cousin Fiona visits us during the week now. Yay! (jealous at first,but now buds for life)


Just in case she wanted that cheerio on the ground.


Was mad momma was paying attention to Fiona, but then I learned how to feed myself! Why doesn't everyone have this much fun at lunch?


Making sure momma's head is as big as it looks. Not sure if this is her hot or her hat. Momma keeps calling hot things hats and hats hot. Sound the same to me. :)


The squeakiest cutest smiliest Roses ever.


No one gives rides like daddy (I have tried)


Gabe absolutely adores frying eggs and hashbrowns in the morning.


Ahh...relief. :)


The cutest shoveler around.


Yes, I know I am a ham.


Another thing that keeps me remembering our grace in our moments is our camera. :)

A few of my favorite things...3

It feels like awhile since I have been face to face with Mr. Blogman here. Not sure where the time has gone really. I meet with a friend once a week as accountability partners in Bible study and in living His love and walking the walk. She asks me the hard questions and I pray to honestly answer them weekly to her and God. (would totally suggest this to anyone I knew) But anyways, it amazes me that each and every time we sit down, I have to fish deep within my memory bank (or not so deep depending on how you look at it) to see what my days are filled with. I know it's lots of love and giggles, lessons and play time with some trials and not so giggles , but those details......

So I decided to start journaling awhile ago (mini journaling I would call it) by writing the highlights of the days on our calendars. Looks like these last two weeks we are learning that sleep is not always a given, the last molars to come in are the largest, daddy is enjoying training for our family 10k run in June, mommy will never set the vitamix on fire again after finding out what it costs to repay it, Gabe gets a bit clingy when mommy is holding cousin Fiona, I take our speech for granted just about every moment...since I am seeing how tough it is for Gabe to put all of those vowels and consonants in order, daddy's work has been quite busy, friends are so fun to have over, neighbors are valuable to love and get to know, mild winters are fun to shovel in with a one year old, and wedding anniversaries are the best things to celebrate.

Here are some of Eric's favorite things: (according to his wife)
being with his family (sounds a bit vain coming from me...hee-hee)
Just about anything involving baseball:
previews, playing it, listening to it, watching it, talking about it, studying it, researching it, practicing it, saying it...
being amongst loved ones
appreciating a good sense of humor
giggling with Gabe,
competing
appreciating good service
golf (as of last summer)
racquetball (as of yesterday)
going to church
a good shower
the art of music
acting and directing
reading a good book (and thee good book)
being with lil people
being on time (early even)
watching a good documentary on anything from potatoes to Coke
warm even hot weather
earth tones
a good hair cut
going out to eat
the office
checking off lists
active work days
faithfulness

to eat/drink:
miso salmon
not too much caffeine
avocado chicken
a good glass of pinot noir
water
guacamole
meat
meat
healthy food
cookies being the exception
I could keep going
meat
:)

What can I say. I'm smitten....so blessed.

A few of my favorite things...2

It's Friday. That means many things for these Roses. One of them being that daddy is working both of his jobs. He was recently promoted to full time at his day job, and still serves "for fun", he says, on Friday nights. We certainly are graced by that man's loyalty. Gabe is pushing out his last four teeth these days. I just read online that it could take up to 6 months. If only I had gone to school to be a surgeon, those suckers would have met the inside of Gaber's mouth quite some time ago. Where would we all be without our molars though? Probably wimpier and praising God less for chewy delicious food.

A few of my fav things.....
hearing one talk about someone or something they love
goosebumps (except when cold)
knowing Eric will be home soon
clean stuff
studying the Bible together or alone
most coffee shops (decor, smell, and company)
gardens (pricky-weed free)
hikes (wooded preferably)
mail (all forms)
cooling off from a run
the 1800s
acoustic music
that God allowed me to become a mom
board games (most)
being with our families
times of solitude (in creation)
family ties (the show :)
simple white daisies
being around every and all cultures
listening to chinese friends speak chinese
that God desires me to know more about Him daily
remembering smiles and giggles of China
resting the head on the pillow, recapping the day, talking with the Father, snuggle time
my dad's sense of humor

to eat:
almonds
trail mixes
mango anything
spicy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
homemade parfaits
chocolate covered anything (well...)
(millions more, but this has been lately)

to drink:
piping hot water (that Chinese influence...)
coffee.........probably why I am still up
chai guy soy boys (as Eric calls them) chai tea with soy milk
a good light beer

And this is only the top ten of my top ten of my favs. Nothing but grace.... Happy Friday.

A few of my favorite things...

The other day I was asked what some of my favorite things are. I enjoyed thinking awhile for an accurate answer. But of course I have to share Gabe and Eric's favorite things too. This blog will be for Gabe. :)

Gabe: (things go in and out of "style" for him just like anyone else)
When he was first born,
do lunges around the table with momma to christmas carols
fly the superman on daddy's arms
listen to the vacuum or shower
listen to the crank on his swing
look at any bright lights while changing (or not changing)
eat often
spike his hair
take a bath
his nook
rock out with daddy to elvis christmas


4-8 months:
drool (as he has 16 teeth at 14 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
stroll around the mall and neighborhood
sit up while grocery shopping
eat often (grazer like his momma) berries and cereal and peas
be loud and bathe (both and separately)
smile at random everyones and everythings
have daddy days (be taken to see the puppies)
throw balls at people
play with cords
"read"
rock out with daddy to you tube

9-14 months:
drool
stop smiling at everyones and everythings until he knew them
go from scooting to running in just under two months (no fibs)
fake sneeze at everyone
still throw balls at people (just harder)
pretend cook (balloon soup is a fav), exercise,
do anything to get people's attentions (bat eyelids, put buckets on heads, throw himself on the floor on purpose)
say bye bye to people after they have left or just when they have arrived
eat any fruit or peas
play hide and seek in the cupboards
jump on the bed
clap for himself
giggle in the mirror
sweep and vacuum
bang on the radio
take baths
get picture taken
(we may need prayers against vanity....)
listen to the david crowder band on youtube
do something he knows is wrong and then run like a cheetah in the opposite direction
say "hot" "poop" "shoe" "all done" (this is normally with all lung power) "please" "eat" "hello" "daddy" "momma" "buppa" "ball" "amen" "shh" (when I am singing...no lie)
talk on the phone
color with markers
unscrew the caps off the spices (and anything else that has a cap)
unload animals from the ark
play with buddies
be around people (the doorbell makes him even more excited the the ending microwave beep does)
flirt
destroy block creations (not build them)
play ball with daddy
pray
go to the library for puppet shows
sing head and shoulders and abc's and the people on the bus go shh shh shh

For those still tuned in, I am not afraid to admit that I blab too much about Gabe..but I appreciate the concern. Stay tuned to Gabe's mom and dad's fav things.

wise guys

We humans aren't the best at selfless, genuine, pure love. Let's face it. Despite being created to omit it,be it, and live it.... we stink at it. But thanks be to the spirit (the Holy one) that gives us the means to be true love now and always. Epiphany today. Seems the Christmas characters are on the top of my bragging list all year round. I mean really, the shepherds for example. Getting a taste of heaven, and then making it to the manger and back (and back in style). Talk about follow through. Seems like God gives me so many tastes of heaven and I don't often make it to the manger. Or I do..and I sometimes don't have the courage or love to shout it to the rooftops, to consistently be it for all to know such Joy. Cause that's what makes His joy..true joy. Part of the joy comes when you want it...desire it...pray for it...for all. Not just your family, or your neighbors, or the people that you love or like, or sort of like. For those that I dodge, or don't get, or never pray for. For all.

But about these wise guys. I mean...who takes off from one's own schedule. One's own family...job...comforts....lifestyle (most likely living the rich and the famous) to trudge miles (and miles) to a foreign country (foreign people) to put themselves out there, so to speak, to literally get on their knees for a 1-2 year old little poor Jewish boy who didn't do anything for them, or who would not lead their nation to the top or make their journey home any less tiring. Who would humiliate themselves among peers, among strangers like this....make such a sacrifice. Unless they couldn't wait for eternity to come to offer praise. Unless they had the Spirit of selfless love that revealed to them who we are. A people belonging to God. We belong with Him, in every sense. I want to be a wise guy, Lord (not the sarcastic one).

More blessings...

Gabe and his fav gift, the toothbrush. My fav pic of the decade by far.


Eric's two younger bros possibly reminiscing about Eric's old torture methods...:)


Mom and dad Floyd. Not sure why the mini me size. I think this was after we sang them our song we wrote for them to the tune of "God rest ye merry..."



Justin posing with one of Riley's gifts. Maybe a chance for the big time?


Sam getting serious with Actionary. (the women still hold their 50-0 game winning streak however.)

Visual Christmas Highlights

Buppa Rose teaching Gaber the ropes in the kitchen.


One of these people look not like the other...he-he-he. Kelly surprised the ladies with fancy schmancy necklaces made by cous' Lish. So cool.


Brian, Amanda, and Fiona with Christmas glee.


My main squeeze and I thankful we won't get lost anymore. (thanks mom and dad!!)


Three cuties on Christmas mornin'. Guess who they are?

chilly willy nights

As I ran across the driveway on the crunchy snow to start up the car, I was thinking only two things: where in the world did I put my other glove again and whoa, it's frozen nose hair cold outside tonight. Chilly nights encourage my thoughts to ponder why we just have to go to the wall and turn up a nob and others had to get up every hour or so to add logs (after days of cutting), why we can sip hot beverages after pushing noisy buttons on a machine and others had to wait hours before they could savor, why our thoughts as a parent aren't wondering if Gabe will be warm enough for the night slumber. Commutes to work don't involve layers of long johns and only two wheels on the icy roads. And alcohol isn't a means to keep warm. Each generation has it's own struggles, challenges, lessons, and achievements...but wowsa..would I have made it past the toddler years if I would have been born a century ago? Doubtful. I plan to pull out the white flag of surrender if there are any friendly competitions in heaven to show perseverance. Sure is encouraging to think about these people of past. Thankful for our chilly willy night here at the Rosey Cheeks to ponder all God grants that I hardly even recognize. (and rosey not because of the cold or the alcohol)

Some Christmas Joy and Answered Prayers to share:
no rushing around
soul and physical safety because of and all around Christmas
sibling sleepovers (and their little ones)
actionary (charades to pictionary cards) with my dad not on my team...he-he
last Rose Farm Christmas
Eric ..:) (nuf said)
Amazing and always welcoming in-laws
that our whole fam takes up two pews in church now
Sam being home for more than a week
visiting with college, high school, china friends we haven't seen in awhile
marvelous food incredible
Gabe loving his cousin time, singing time, Grandparents time (and most other times)
Gabe waking up and wanting to listen to david crowder oh how he loves
Gabe and I being able to play all week without having any set schedule
That Gabe's fav gift was a toothbrush
Gabe, Gabe, Gabe....:) (will save for next blog)
thoughtful gifts from everyone. (too many!)
good reflection time at home all week
all for and because of Jesus