A month later...

Hmmm...where do we start?  A lot has happened in the last month - nothing spectacular or wild and crazy, but you know, life is full for us Hampton's and there is always a story to tell. :)  We FINALLY got a video camera so we are having fun capturing "Caleb moments" when we can.  Here is a little video for you to enjoy.  It is long, but hey, we've been depriving you of video for two years now so this should help make up for it.  Plus, we know that many of you have only spent a little time with our little man, so maybe this will help you get better acquainted with him.

We're beginning to catch glimpses of summer around here with the good ol' Idaho spring weather.  80 one day, 50 and rainy the next.  On the nice days, we have a really, really hard time keeping Caleb inside.  He absolutely LOVES to be outside.  He ate his first fist full of dirt yesterday.  Fortunately he said "yucky" and didn't seem to like it, so I don't think he'll be doing that for a while.  He's learning about bugs and so far can identify one insect - the "bug."  Every little creature is a bug.  Today, Joye was outside playing with him and a wasp landed on his hand.  He held his hand out and looked at Joye saying, "Mama, bug!"  He kept his hand out for a few more seconds until the wasp flew away.  Caleb was clueless and calm, but Joye was worried for good reason.  The wasp didn't sting him.  We're hoping now that Caleb doesn't think wasps are his best friends.  I showed him an ant the other day, and then Caleb showed the ant his thumb and index finger.  I don't think Caleb understands death yet, but the ant does now, or at least his little ant friends do.  So all that to say this summer will continue to be an adventure as we teach Caleb all about the outdoors.  In the meantime, he is learning that he can't be outside ALL of the time.  Oh, and he has learned how to open doors - yes, he can reach the knobs easily - so he tries to let himself outside sometimes (don't worry all you paranoid people out there - we have child-proofed our doors).  

Today Caleb is 22 months old.  He is quite verbal and most of the time we can understand what he is saying.  However, it is quite the treat to sneak up behind him when he is playing with one of his toys and listen to him as he chats away talking to the toy in a language only Caleb can understand.  Just recently, he began waking up in the mornings or from his naps shouting "All done.  Night, Night all done."  It's pretty funny.  He's putting more and more words together and it is cool to see him develop like that.  

Yesterday, Caleb got his first major "shiner."  He tripped forward and put his hands down to catch his fall.  In theory this was a good idea, except this time there was a coffee table between the corner of his eye and the floor.  Instead of his hands catching his fall, his eye caught his fall.  It was a really loud crack and I was certain there would be blood everywhere and an ensuing trip to the ER for stitches.  The good news was that it didn't break the skin open and he only cried until it stopped hurting. :)  He was up and at it in no time.  One of many to come, I'm sure.

On the adult front in the house, things are going well.  We have a few more weeks of mellow-ness, and then it is summer time in the life of a youth pastor's family.  Johnny will be coast to coast this year and many places in between.  Joye is planning a trip to Alaska by herself this summer as well - Johnny and Caleb won't get to go this year, but it will be a nice little break for Joye, even if she is working hard on the beach (let's hope!).  So, your prayers for our family this summer would be greatly appreciated.  It is always a delicate balance for our family, but we try our best to put each other first.

If you haven't caught wind of this via facebook or other means, Joye has become quite the little bargain shopper.  Her and a friend have been coupon crazy lately.  Recently, Joye tested her new found skills and bought $15 worth of groceries for $2.  She has learned that there is a lot of free food out there waiting to be purchased with coupons.  So hopefully, with time, we'll reap the benefits of having a little extra cash because of my thrifty wife.  

Well, this has been long enough, but that is a little bit about us for now.  Enjoy the video and these pictures.  Hopefully you'll hear from us sooner than a month from now...but no promises. :)

Love you all,

JJC

Enjoy the video.

Say "Cheese!"

Caleb got in a fight with the coffee table...the table won...

...but he's back in action!

The video only shows the beginning of the meal...this is the end. :)

A meal fit for a king.

A little "nack" before bed.