My Guitar Heroes

I took these shots just before we left for Arizona a few weeks ago. Caleb LOVES when Kirk plays his guitar and he wanted in on the action! So precious....my little guitar heroes :)

No pants?!?!

So, these past few weeks we have been transitioning Caleb from two naps to just ONE nap in the afternoon. He had a rough time adjusting but I think it was time since he had started only taking 30-45 minute naps at a time.

So, in order for mom (me) to get showered and ready for the day (something I used to do during his first nap), we have started "pack and play time". This is mainly just a time that he has a few toys in his pack and play and he watches a Baby Einstein video on our computer. He is doing great with it and seems to be content for the most part. So these are some pictures of his "pack and play time".


He also has really been into pulling his socks off lately (not sure why) and just the other day I got done showering and went in to find that he had also taken his PANTS off! I laughed so hard. He thought it was cool too!


Isn't it great how much our kids make us laugh? It seems that the laughs come just when we need them too. God knows how to humor us through our children!

He LOVES to look at books

what mom?

yes, he took off is pants...he thought it was really funny too! :)

Oh and he loves to chew on the side of the pack and play...without pants!

Just watching the movie...

Just Playin' Around

Last night I got a quick video of Kirk and Caleb playing. This was the first time Caleb actually PUSHED the toys....he hasn't been that interested until now. I thought it was soooo cute. The video doesn't give it justice, but enjoy!

An Amazing Surprise!

This past week we got to go to Arizona as a family and visit my brother and his family. The best part was, IT WAS A SURPRISE TO HIM! I worked with Katie (my sis-in-law) to make this happen so Adam didn't have a clue! SO GREAT! We spent the week just hanging out and enjoying each other and the kids.

Caleb had a hard time adjusting to the time change (AZ is 3 hours behind us here in MI), so we were getting up at 5am each day, but we did okay. It was fun to see Caleb interact with the kids - Brooke, Kale and Banner - and to see them play together. We miss them grately and can't wait for Christmas when we can all play together again. Here are some pics from the trip!

Kirk and Caleb at the airport

Caleb sleeping on the way to their house - he didn't sleep all day long!!!

Beautiful AZ scenery on the way to Prescott

Adam and Kale - crazy eyes Adam!!

Banner - 3 months and has the cutest smile around!

Kirk and Caleb hiking

Brooklyn in her princess outfit

All the kids getting ready for bed on our last night together

Aunt Katie had to get one last snuggle before he went to bed!

Kale was so tired and very ready for bed!

Seeing Adam for the first time! Many tears :)

New Word...

Caleb has learned a new word in the past few weeks....he can now say "PAPA". This is what all my dad's grandchildren call him. Caleb's vocabulary now is extended to "dada, mama, and papa". He sometimes tries to say other things and I think he gets down the syllables. For example, we said panda the other night and he said "ha da".....who knows! I just like to think my kids is super smart ;)

Anyways, I tried to record Caleb saying his new word.....it is kinda quiet (he was whispering it for some reason) so turn up the volume quite a bit and enjoy!!!!

A picture of Caleb and his PAPA

Silly faces

Blessings...

I am not sure why I was thinking of this the other day but I sure am BLESSED!

When Caleb was napping the other day I was just thinking of how many things I have in my life that I just take in stride and don't really sit down and thank God for. Simple things. Things that I take for granted but others may only dream of having. I wanted to make a list of these things just to remind myself (and maybe you) of how blessed I (we) truely are!

1. For a God that loves me unconditionally....even when I take HIM for granted.


2. For a husband that shows me DAILY that he loves me through not only his words, but his ACTIONS! I can't believe he married ME!!! :)


3. For a son who brings so much joy to me daily....even on the days that seem "not so fun".


4. For a roof over our heads and the ability to pay for it!


5. For the blessing of being able to stay home and raise my son! I take this for granted WAY too much and I want to start realizing it's value!


6. For a job for my husband that he loves and works hard at. For people in his workplace that love the Lord and keep him accountable.


7. For TWO families that loves me and wants the best for me.


8. For parents (and in-laws) that love the Lord and pray for Kirk and I daily. Their prayers are priceless!


9. For food in my fridge, clothes on my back, heat in my house (in the winter)....the things I feel are "essentials" but many do not have!


10. For a car that works and is drivable....maybe not new or always very pretty but IT WORKS! :)


11. For the times in the evenings after Caleb goes to bed when I can enjoy being with my husband....laughing, joking and just being together.


12. For forgiveness...from my husband, my friends and my GOD!




There are so many and this list only touches on a few.

What are you thankful for today? Put it in a comment....I would love to hear!

What do you take for granted on a daily basis that you need to stop and thank God for? I know I take A LOT for granted and I want a heart check to make sure I am thankful daily!!!!


Oh, I though I would include at least one picture of my "sweet pea".......He is so cute I couldn't resist!

I just couldn't resist putting this head band on him....he thought it was so funny!

Our Little "Helper"

"what mom?"

Laundry at the Starnes house is usually done on Sunday afternoons.....well, Caleb has really gotten into "helping" me with the laundry lately. As soon as I put the basket down, he goes to work! It is all funny and cute until you get down to the end of the basket and there is ONE sock left....no match. Huh....where could it have gone? Well, about 2 hours later after all the laundry is done and put away, what do I find? The lone sock......not only is it across the room and behind a chair, but it is WET with slobber from Caleb chewing on it!!! What a character! I am sure he has the best of intentions though! :)

Life with a one year old is definitly busy but SO MUCH FUN! Not a day goes by where Kirk and I don't get a good belly laugh from something Caleb does, "says", or a facial expression he gives.

For example, Kirk and I have watched Caleb reach in his toy box many MANY times to get a toy and we say each time "one of these days he is going to fall head first into that box." Well, yesterday, he was reaching (and even grunting) to reach for a toy. I stopped what I was doing to watch......after a few seconds his feet came off the floor and BAM......he was in the toybox. He started crying right away because I think it scared him more than anything, but I was laughing so hard. One of those mom moments where your kid is crying and you are laughing......all you mom's out there, dont' tell me you don't know what I am talking about!!! :)

Anyways, enjoy the pictures of our little "helper". We are blessed beyond measure!!!

"folding the laundry"

"silly faces"