My Superhero

 

I have never written a post about my husband and I think it is about time that I give him some well deserved praise. Ken is the best husband and dad there is. Feel free to argue or dispute this fact, because yes, I am biased. I often thank the Lord for him and wonder how I was able to rope in such a nice guy. I don’t use the word nice lightly here, people. Ken is absolutely NICE. He is kind and gentle spirited and servant hearted to his core. Every person I have ever met that knows Ken says “He is such a nice guy!” And by that, I know they mean so much more. I always wanted to marry someone who was tough and manly and into sports and all things that revolve around the aforementioned activities. This is what I knew growing up in a house full of guys. But as I got older and the Lord graciously brought me through myriad relationships (yes, myriad), I came to realize that this type of “guy’s guy” often came with other not so desirable traits. Things like anger, lack of affection, unkindness, indifference and impatience often accompany the sports loving man-guy. Ironically, I struggle with many of those sins myself. But when I found Ken (I say found, because we already knew each other previous to dating), I found a rare gem. A guy with the unique combination of manliness and a kind and loving heart. Score!!!! My family (immediate and extended) constantly rave about Ken and how I really hit the jackpot with him. They know because they saw me searching for this for years, bringing guy after guy to various events, each one lacking in some critical area. Here are a few things that are amazing to me about Ken (in no particular order)

-When I am gone for any amount of time, he always straightens up the house so it will be clean upon my return. This is so awesome!

-He does the chores that I often put off or avoid all together. (without pointing out my avoidance of said chore)

-He is an incredibly hard worker in all areas of his life. His co-workers have always respected him greatly.

-He is an amazing math teacher. (Yes, we are polar opposites.) Former students have told him that they “got” math because of him. Many have gone on to math related careers and top universities. (Yes, I am bragging about him.)

-He prizes God’s word and strives to make his thinking Biblical.

-He loves me. Here come the waterworks, people. I don’t need to get into the nitty gritty details, but I will just say that I am aware (and those who know me best are as well) that this is not always an easy thing. 

-He loves our boys and sets a wonderful example for them.

Wow! I didn’t intend to write all of this! I confess that I just wanted to post an embarrassing picture of Ken in a costume. But, alas, the Lord had other plans. So, Ken, know that I love you and that you really are our superhero!! (And even though you are Robin in these photos, you are really Batman to me!!!)

Tyler’s Steps to Walking

First, have your big brother help/drag you down the hallway…..

Then, take a few steps to your big brother on a padded surface (he may or may not choose to catch you)….

Then walk around by yourself and eat food off the floor!! It’s as easy as that!

More summer fun…

Little blue boy and the beach house

June brough the most fun for the Harvey family. Tyler David turned a year old and we had a little family bbq to celebrate. It has been a whirlwind year for us. We have officially lived in Hanford for a year now. As soon as Ken finished with school we headed to Morro Bay to spend a month in a house we rented there. We had not been on a real vacation in three years, and we were looking forward to this for months. It was such an amazing time with our families, our friends and ourselves. The fact that it didn’t get above 70 degrees was an added little bonus from the Lord! We did so many fun things and Zach really loved the ocean. We will treasure the memories of that trip for many years to come. We came home with lots of sand in our bags, a new found thankfulness for our home, and a new ( to us) minivan! Mommy was soooooooo happy!

Spring Catch up

So, I must apologize to my legions (and by legions, I mean 3) of faithful readers for not posting all summer (or spring, for that matter).  Actually, life has been super busy and I am just now taking a breath and getting my life organized again. Here are some pictures of our incredibly blessed life. We are grateful for all that the Lord has seen fit to entrust us with.

In April, the boys started actually having fun in the bath together, Tyler started standing on his own and Zach experienced a whole slice of watermelon for the first time. In May, we visited my grandma (Granny Great to the boys), and we saw an A’s game with Nana and Papa (and survived a freeway tire blow out!). It was a great couple of months!

 

The question is not who they look like, but who they act like!

http://mrsharvey.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/harvey-look-alike-meter-2/

Quote of the Day

 

I probably won’t have time to do this on a regular basis, but sometimes Zach says things that just have to be shared. Since he talks incessantly, the plethora of things from which to choose is quite large. Don’t get me started on his stream-of-consciousness play by play of a trip to the grocery store. I do a lot of mmmhmming and oh really?-ing. Pretty soon he’s not gonna buy that. Any way, here is the conversation from yesterday.

   

Zach was in a time out in his chair (buckled into the chair). I kneel down to him and say,

“Zach, Mommy needs obedience from you. Can you say obedience?

Z: Obedience! Dot com! (Sung like the Expedia.com commercial jingle…he doesn’t watch too much tv or anything)

Me: Zach, it makes Mommy happy when you obey. Who else is happy when we obey?

Z: (Head cocked, looking sideways at me) Jonah!

Looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me, people.

Since we’re talking about Zach, I wanted to share a couple of pics that had me thinking about how fast Zach is growing up. It is so amazing and mind boggling that for 3 whole years we have had the privilege of being his parents. I am reminded every time I open God’s word that it is our job to teach him what God thinks about things and to discipline and disciple him. Funny that those two words have the same root. It is really sobering and often overwhelming to think about our spiritual responsibility to our children. But praise God for His gracious gift of salvation and for the faith He gives us to pursue Him. As I see my children watch me and imitate me, I am reminded daily to come to the throne of grace and say, “Less of me and more of you, Lord.”   

Time flies when you’re having fun!

I can’t believe that it is almost April! I haven’t posted since Christmas…and I can’t even begin to try to capture all of our activities in a few paragraphs. Sooooo…I will let these pictures speak thousands of words for me. I’ll just say that instead of captions, I will let you figure out which pictures go with the following captions: Zach is three! Egg Hunt! A visit from cousins! Easter Sunday! Jigglers! The Harvey’s! The beach! The ocean is so big and I am so very wee! I’m the world’s happiest baby! Two boys sitting still! Brothers! There’s candy inside this egg???! Water!!! Enjoy!

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

Christmas pics

I know, it’s almost February but sickness has invaded our home and thus prevented an earlier post. Everyone can stop e-mailing me and demanding more updates on the blog. Ha ha. Here are some pictures from our Christmas here in Hanford and our Christmas in Beaumont with the Harvey side of the family. And yes, the bearded wise man is indeed one Tom Mohler, my brother in law. In reference to the costumes, let me just preface your viewing by stating that the costumes were originally made for children. Enjoy.