Little Kicker

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Elisabeth Moody

May70022May70011For the past five weeks we’ve started our Saturdays with soccer class for Silas.May70010

We signed him up for Tot Soccer through the town of Buckeye since it was the only soccer program for two year olds that we could find in the area.May70004May70008

The coach had the kids do lots of games that taught them kicking, soccer stops, stretching, passing, dribbling, throwing and generally kept them occupied for forty-five minutes. (It’s a tough assignment to keep two and three year olds interested for that long!)May70003May70006

Since I know nothing about soccer, I actually learned a little bit from Tot Soccer. So glad I’m now up-to-speed with my two year old’s knowledge of soccer!May70005 May70013May70019During two of the Saturdays classes Stephen was working, so I strapped Cooper to me and all three of us got out there on the field.

May70014 The other three Saturdays Cooper and I watched from the sidelines May70015and took pictures of our little kicker and his superstar daddy.May70021May70023

Posted in community, silas, sports, toddler | Leave a comment

For Your Mother’s Day

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Elisabeth Moody

Mother’s Day is a chance to say ‘thank you’ to my mom. To thank her for carrying me under her heart and then in her arms and now in her prayers. I love you, Mom!

Mother’s Day is a chance to celebrate the gift of motherhood. It is a gift. One I don’t take for granted. Cooper and Silas, you are my treasure boys!6March 007a

While I have no words of wisdom to impart on this special day, I thought I would share some links to articles that have helped, instructed, encouraged, enlightened, and comforted me on my journey of motherhood thus far. Happy Mother’s Day!

Motherhood is a Calling (and Where Your Children Rank)

Why Mom is the Most Significant Job Title You Will Ever Have

The Gospel Is the Environment for Our Parenting

Counting the Hours

For the Mamas of Preschoolers

Your Children Want You

Brave Moms Raise Brave Kids

Motherhood for the Rest of Us5April 040a

Posted in elisabeth, holidays, links, parenting | 1 Comment

Real Life

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Elisabeth Moody

You know the great thing about a guest room? It makes for handy place to dump all my clean laundry until I eventually get around to folding it. This pile just keeps growing.May70002

On an unrelated note…aren’t these two the cutest?May70001

Posted in cleaning, house, just life | 2 Comments

An Unexpected Happiness

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Elisabeth Moody

Over the past two months, Stephen’s work load has significantly increased at GreenLoop IT Solutions. Working as a Sr. Field Engineer, Stephen travels all over the East Valley—Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, Queen Creek—and downtown Phoenix. He installs servers, manages networks, troubleshoots viruses, and does whatever necessary to provide the IT support GreenLoop’s clients require

GreenLoop3

Because not all computer issues can be resolved during regular business hours and computer problems are notorious for taking longer than planned, Stephen often works late or on the weekends. Last month, there was a week Stephen came home late every night, worked that Saturday and Sunday, and then the next weekend too. I’m so proud of Stephen’s diligence and tenacity when it comes to solving tough computer issues, but it is hard to be without him.

Thankfully Stephen works for some pretty cool people. Last week he received an email from his boss thanking him for great job handling the recent computer emergencies. His boss told him to take me out for a nice dinner date, and GreenLoop would pay for it!Fogo0001

So off we went to Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse in Scottsdale, which turned out to be Stephen’s dream restaurant. Fogo0002After sampling some of Fogo’s incredible salad bar items, we turned our cards to green—signaling the servers that we were ready to try their amazing meat selection. Fire-roasted meats were served tableside by men dressed in Brazilian gauchos. The meats melted in our mouths. So many cuts and kinds to try. What a deliciously unique dining experience.Fogo0004Fogo0003

Thanks, GreenLoop for an unforgettable date night!

Posted in arizona attractions, date nights, employment, stephen | 1 Comment

A Spot of Beauty

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Elisabeth Moody

Garden0016Last Friday was Stephen’s day off, so we visited the Japanese Friendship Garden. I didn’t realize Phoenix had a Japanese Friendship Garden until last week, but I’m so glad we found it!Garden0002Garden0009Garden0004Garden0011Garden0008Garden0005Garden0024

Silas loved feeding the koi,Garden0012Garden0013Garden0014Garden0015Garden0022Garden0023and Stephen and I loved the romance of the garden.Garden0019Garden0020Garden0018

Ro Ho En is a beautiful, peaceful corner of the city—perfect for a family re-charge.Garden0021Garden0010Garden0025Garden0006Garden0026

Posted in arizona attractions, just life | 1 Comment

2 1/2

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Elisabeth Moody

twoandahalf0007Silas Clark turned two-and-a-half today. I didn’t realize there would be such a phenomenal difference between Silas at two and Silas at two-and-a-half. He seems so grown up and like a completely different child. I’m sure a lot of it has to do with Cooper’s arrival, as Silas instantly seemed bigger compared to Baby. But, he’s also grown so much physically and mentally. His vocabulary and retained knowledge surprise us almost daily.twoandahalf0001

As Stephen commented, “I used to be able to catalog what Silas knew, but this is getting out of hand!”

Silas is learning phrases and words by leaps and bounds. He’ll attempt any word. If he can’t get all the consonants in, he’ll at least mimic the number of syllables (or maybe add a few extra syllables of his own). He knows how to correctly use words like “though” and “yet.” The other week we were in the car and Silas needed a tissue. When I told him that I didn’t have one, he replied, “Have wipes though—Cooper’s wipes.”

Here are some of Silas’s new accomplishments:

  • Counting: “1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11,13,17”

  • Alphabet Song: “A,B,C,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z”

  • Singing: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Praise Him! Praise Him!, Alphabet Song, Jesus Loves Me, My God Is So Big

  • Quoting Humpty Dumpty

  • Correctly labeling colorstwoandahalf0002

  • Reciting Bible catechism answers

  • Praying before lunchtwoandahalf0005

  • Learning to dress himself (almost—he still gets especially tangled up in his shirts)

  • Potty training (almost—I’ll spare you the specifics)

  • Imaginative play: Spiderman, Ironman, Batman, Superman, Superboy, and various friends of ours. I have to be sure to call him by the correct name of whoever he’s pretending to be at the moment. He has a very specific superhero stance for all of his favorite characters—even though he’s seen only one short video of Spiderman. FacesofSilasThe other day he said to Stephen, “I want to save the day!”

  • Saying phrases: “I love you,” “Happy birthday,” “Silas Clark Moody,” “Kiss this baby goodbye!,” and “Oh my goodness!“

  • Drawing: the letter ‘S’, circles, and triangles. He also draws things and tells me what they are now (i.e. “brown octopus”).twoandahalf0003twoandahalf0004

  • Building houses and garages out of pillows and blankets. This is the “garage” I built for him yesterday.twoandahalf0006

So before bed, I rocked this little guy of mine and sang him the lullabies I sang to him as an infant. In the darkness I said, “I love you, Silas.” He looked up at me and replied, “I love you too, Mommy.”

Posted in silas, toddler | 3 Comments

Picnic with Daddy

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Elisabeth Moody

Silas couldn’t stop talking about the picnic. Once I told him we were planning a picnic with Daddy, that’s all he wanted to do.Picnic0001

Thursday morning we drove all the way to Tempe to meet Stephen at his work. GreenLoop’s office is unimpressive, but Silas liked visiting “Daddy’s ost-ist” (office) and sitting in Daddy’s orange chair. I’m sure the green M&Ms he got helped too!Picnic0006There have been so many days at home that Silas and I have talked about how Daddy goes to work at the office and how Daddy works so he can take care of us. I’m sure it helped for Silas to see the place we had talked about so much.

Kiwanis Park across the street from GreenLoop was perfect for our picnic. Picnic0005Silas and Stephen fed the ducks, and then we ate our little picnic in a shelter overlooking the water. Picnic0002Picnic0004Picnic0003We had such fun being together in the middle of the day—even if it was short.

Posted in arizona attractions, employment, just life, stephen | 3 Comments

Side By Side

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Elisabeth Moody

Cooper Andrew is 5 months old today! 5Months0006I thought it would be fun to compare Cooper’s 5 month pics to Silas’s. 5Months1aCoop is quite his own little man. 5Months2aI’m thinking that Cooper will be as strong as Silas is speedy. Baby Dude can now roll from back to belly, and he can sit on his own for just a few wobbly seconds.5Months3a My mommy heart melts when I see his pudgy hands reaching out for my face, pulling me close, opening his mouth to plant a slobbery, gummy kiss on my cheek. Cooper’s arm is like a puppy’s tail—the more excited he gets, the harder he waves his arm up and down. Just like Silas did. 5Months0004

I can’t put into words how much these two treasures mean to me. How much they’ve changed me. How much they’ve taught me about love, about God. It takes little people to teach us about a big God.5Months0005

Posted in baby, cooper, silas | 1 Comment

Love–15

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Elisabeth Moody

It was a tennis date.

Yes, Stephen and I do have a few moments of “alone-togetherness” in the middle of this precious, chaotic little-boy-world we live in. We have been gifted a monthly date night by our dear friends Ryan and Jen!

Last week Stephen and I dug out our tennis gear and hit the court for the first time in over two years. We were rather pathetic looking tennis players, but we had a blast chasing that ball as it bounced all around and over the fence.Tennis0001

Then we stopped by Dream Swirls for some frozen yogurt. It’s a cute little family owned place that’s new in Goodyear. So many toppings to choose from!

Eventually we found ourselves at the cheese counter in the next door grocery. Trying new cheeses is one of our favorite indulgences. Tennis0004What a happy night out with my love, Stephen Andrew!

Posted in arizona attractions, date nights, elisabeth, stephen | 1 Comment

The Scoop from Coop

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Elisabeth Moody

Hi friends! Cooper here. Scoop0004You guys are always reading about The Moody Side of Life from Mommy’s perspective, but I think you need to hear from the Mini Cooper today.

Life in my corner of the crib is looking pretty good these days. I’m learning how to go to sleep on my own better, and I’m even starting to have a decent bedtime. (Although it was rather fun to hang out with Daddy and Mommy until 11:00 each night!)Scoop0013

Bath time is fun since I get to hang out with Mommy. Because I’m so tall (27 inches!), I’ve almost outgrown my baby bath tub.Scoop0001Scoop0002

Chewing on things is my hobby, and the best chew toys are Daddy’s fingers. Thanks, Dad!Scoop0003

My sit-ups are coming along, and I’m really working those muscles ‘cause I want to sit up on my own! I tried out my Bebepod seat the other day. Scoop0006Scoop0007

Since I’m the little brother, that means I have to put up with things like this. Scoop0010Mommy and Silas thought it was so funny. Can’t you see the glee on Silas’s face?Scoop0011When Mommy tries to feed me oatmeal, I love to munch on my fingers and then spread the oatmeal everywhere. It keeps me busy. Scoop0012

Books grab my attention these days too. While Mommy thinks books are for reading, I happen to like them best as snacks.

Scoop0014Scoop0015Scoop0009Mommy and I are cuddlebugs, and Daddy makes me smile.Scoop0008 I love watching the antics of my big brother Silas. One of these days I’ll be able to play with him! He’s so silly!Scoop0005

All in all, I’d have to say that I love being the Mini Cooper of this house.Scoop0016

Posted in baby, cooper, just life | 3 Comments