beyond the greatness

thankful: Nov. 1st- 7th

talking to Joshua first thing in the morning
early morning kisses for my boy
the fact that nursing with Asher is going so well
that i can work from home
my sister
freddies.
fries.
custard. yum.
go bears!
senior night WIN
watching our boy feel like home is at a football stadium
my moby wrap
that super awesome brother of mine
our new SHED
friends to help move & lift it
my daddy, always looking out for us
a husband who supports me & watches the boys while i go run
meeting my 4 mile goal
the ability to run
being a block from the Sante Fe trail
a 2nd birthday party
train tracks
friends and family together to celebrate
a husband who works hard for our church and Jesus
family who loves and supports
a 5 minute drive from Kma & Opa's to our house
going to church to see Daddy
10 little babies in the nursery
Alethia Church
friends who love on our boys
Sunday afternoon naps
getting another run in
grace from my husband when i mess up
our bible study
king soopers roasted chickens ready to eat
meals with friends
knowing that this season won't last forever
monday morning laundry
joshua doing so great at his 2 year appointment
my moby warp (again) (making my life with two much easier)
my great friend, kaci
great friends for our boys, jocelyn & ella
dinner with friends
a blog to keep track of this great life
time to work
an unexpected date
really good coffee
Grandma Mary
Grandpa George
tasty leftovers (for days)
that the boys have 4 grandparents to love and spoil them all the time
extra blankets on cold nights
staying up late just to kiss him goodnight
the dentist
no more tooth pain
a good nights rest
all our amazing youth group kids
all the joy they bring
Kma
Opa
Uncle Johnny
late night french toast
hard conversations
early mornings
3 miles south & back
hot coffee & a shower to warm me up
candy corn for joshie & mommy
noodle lunch
3 blocks to the park
4 blocks to the post office
naptime
Halloween candy leftovers
a new show
a sitting up boy

Joshua,
It's hard to believe that I have a two year old! You made me a momma two years ago. Two years ago, we skipped out on all the Halloween activities and hung out in the Labor&Delivery floor of the hospital. In these two years, you have blessed us beyond belief! You bring joy and laughter into every.single.day, usually every.single.hour.

At two years old, I don't want to forget:

how you want "noodle lunch" for every single meal
the way you add an "s" to any word that ends in "er"

i.e. Tylers, laters, Ashers, underwears

how you yell "go bears" every time see Uncle Johnny's yard sign or the PRHS Bears logo
your love for all things musical, dancing, and singing
the way you call things "cute"
the kisses you give your baby brother
when you say things are hiding that you cannot find, i.e. cows in the field or the moon
how you run around with your arms behind you like a cape when we yell "SUPER JOSH"
how you potty trained (pretty much yourself) 2 weeks before your 2nd birthday

At two years old, some of your favorites include:

your blankies, monkey, Ben the doggie, and night-night bear in your crib with you every time you sleep
hanging out with your best pal, Jocelyn
playdough
doing "paperwork" with momma
"spraying" your hair to get ready to go
eggs, apples, milk, noodles, green beans
elmo
going to church to see Daddy
playing in the dirt
going on walks
reading with Grandma Mary
wash the dishes
play with your "ham" fixing Opa's house
making tents
tickling your bro
singing about everything. singing "kaci's song" and "tyler's song." singing "hallelujah."
shoes
favorite shows: curious george, the Lorax, and super why!

There are days that are hard. And we are all learning the hard way how to love and discipline and parent and obey. But we are working together, trusting the Lord has a great plan for you and your strong-willed, opinionated ways. We are so thankful for you. You are an amazing blessing!

2 months Stats:

Weight- 30 lbs- 83%
Height- 34in- 53%
Head Circumference- 19.5in- 81%

Happy 2nd Birthday Joshua Manuel Pollard!!!

we love you more and more everyday!

love, your momma

Fall Festivities

soaking in fall this year was pretty fun...

{in an attempt to get my money's worth} I mean, one super fun activity we did for the first time as pumpkin carving!


the rotting pumpkin got a really large mouth. joshua wasn't super impressed.

my sweet boys-

dinosaur & specked egg

apple bob'n at the Alethia Fall Fest

sweet friends playing chase

cousin time.

trunk or treat games

dino, Kma & Opa

family picture?

on actual Halloween...

went & saw Daddy at the office.

trick-or-treated around the businesses in downtown Monument


wagon riding

went to friend's house for pizza & a little more trick-or-treating

lots of fun!

Divine Romance

The fullness of Your grace is here with me
The richness of Your beauty's all I see

The brightness of Your glory has arrived
In Your presence God, I'm completely satisfied

For You I sing I dance
Rejoice in this divine romance

Lift my heart and my hands
To show my love, to show my love

A deep deep flood, an Ocean flows from You
Of deep deep love, yeah it's filling up the room

Your innocent blood, has washed my guilty life
In Your presence God I'm completely satisfied

Asher Gray: 4 months

Hey there my Asher man,

At four months you are happy, chubby, and all around cuteness. We've gotten the essentials down- eating & sleeping- and now we are starting to see more of your personality and truly just enjoying you. You are easy-going and happy 98% of the time. Even when your brother tickles you *a little too hard* or hugs you *out of your chair* you never complain and just go with the flow. Your laugh is positively wonderful! You've gotten much quicker when it comes to nursing- thank you!

We dropped your dream feed and even though you have been getting up randomly at 4am I'm thankful I can go to bed earlier. And I think this waking up business is because of the little cough/cold you picked up from your brother. Hoping it passes soon! But even with the sickness, you are just happy.

Our schedule hasn't changed much. And you still hate sleeping in your car seat. You still hang out in the moby wrap pretty often. You've been in this really awesome stage where you poop out of your diaper every.single.time- not so awesome.

4 month STATS:

Weight- 17.5 lbs - 87%

Height- 27 in. - 99%

Head Circumference- 17 in - 90%

Size 2 diapers

{growing out of} 6 month clothes

Asher man {that is what I call you 90% of the time} you are so loved! It feels like you have been a part of this family for so long. I love your squeal and kissable cheeks and double chin. I love that I have to clean your neck rolls. I love singing you your song as I put you in your crib and seeing you just flash that lovely grin. You smile with your whole being. I pray you are always filled with the joy of the Lord and that you use your easy-going nature to bless everyone around you as you grow.

we love you more and more every day!

love, your momma

life lately...

doesn't he look so big? our boy is almost 2! he's so smart. i can't believe i've been his momma for almost 2 years. i love watching him learn and pretend and be creative.

well the new iPhone iOS update is pretty cool.

so is this panoramic picture.

so are my brother's football games.

last week, for the first time ever, i woke up BEFORE the boys to get a run in.

i must be getting older...

joshua, the entertainer, even loves to entertain his little brother.

this little one has taking to sucking his thumb...

joshua's favorite quiet time activity lately- doing the dishes.

keep it up little man!

goodness i LOVE them!

thank you Lord for all these gifts!

it's ok.

42 days later i have completed Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred

30 days... it took me 42 days

BUT

it's ok.

i got some nasty ankle tendonitis and rested for a week right in the middle

it's ok.

i didn't lose the "20 pounds in 30 days"

BUT

it's ok.

i am NOT back to my pre-baby weight

BUT

it's ok.

i cheated on more than just my cheat days

BUT

it's ok.

BECAUSE for 30 days {technically 35days}

i sweated my rear off.

i worked out early in the morning, during naptime, or after eveyone else was in bed.

i did something for myself.

i ate better than i had in months.

i gained muscle and strength and some self-respect.

after 42 days i can say:

I DID IT.

with my 3 month old watching me,

with my 2 year old mimicking my huffing and puffing,

before or after just nursing,

after a busy day,

before a full day,

in the midst of the long days,

I DID IT.

{and i'm pretty proud}

next goal- get back into running shape

here we go!