Changes

Our big boy has taken his first step! Coincidentally, on the same day he took his first step he also got two huge bonks on the head. So much for getting his one year pics done this week. :)

An even bigger accomplishment this week:  Giggles is finally potty trained! (Imagine crowds cheering.) It was like she suddenly decided she was DONE with diapers. She also picked up a couple of new words; much to Daddy's horror. (He doesn't like the kids to say bathroom words). Anyway, she had just used the potty the other night and as she flushed she cheerfully called out, "Bye, bye wee-wee!" I about died laughing at the look on Ethan's face. I admit, I'm not super fond of "pee-pee, and wee-wee, and poo-poo," but you have to call it something, right?

Tag

I've been tagged by Amber . . .



4 Jobs I've Had:

preschool teacher
waitress at Chili's
piano teacher
barista



4 Places I've Lived:

Fruitland (in the country)
the dorms (at BSU)
Wyoming (short-term housing during drum corps)
Meridian (our first house!)



4 TV Shows I Like:

Lost
24
Alias (so sad it's over!)
Everybody Loves Raymond



4 Favorite Foods:

graham crackers
homemade pumpkin bread
fettucine alfredo
white chocolate cherry mocha (is that a food?)




4 Websites I Frequent:


http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/
http://www.family.org/
http://www.half.com/
http://www.freecycle.org/




4 Places I'd Rather Be Right Now:

At a spa
jetskiing in McCall
dance class
Hawaii




4 Movies I Love:

A Walk to Remember
Chronicles of Narnia
Last Holiday
Save the Last Dance




4 People I Tag:

Andrea F.
Dionna
Andrea W.
Heather

From the mouths of babes

Today Allie and Emmie have some friends, Grace and Leah, playing here all day. We were playing out front and watering flowers when the girls starting yelling for me. They had found a dragonfly on the driveway that was wiggling around. We sat and looked at it for a while and I told the girls, "I don't think this one's gonna make it. He's dying."

The kids all sat there quietly until Grace said (very seriously), "I sure hope he's saved."

:)

Silly Story

A couple of days ago I was talking with Spunky about how long we had been going to our church. I told her that her dad and I both went there even before we knew each other. Then I told her "you know, your daddy was one of the first people I met at our church".

She got this impish look on her face and said, "What did he say . . . (and then in a deep voice) 'I don't have a wife. Do you wanna be my wife?' !!

Crazy girl! Ethan and I both got a good laugh out of that one. :)

Keepers of the Home

Last night I went to my first meeting of "Keepers of the Home". It was awesome! I had no idea what to expect but basically the speaker covered ideas about how to keep to a schedule so your family life isn't crazy. We really need that. We don't even have big kids involved in activities yet and our lives are hectic.

One of the main points emphasized getting up an hour before the kids and doing your quiet time with God. I'm all for that, but I swear my kids can hear me breath the second I wake up. It's so weird. So today I crept out to the kitchen, poured a glass of milk, grabbed a banana and a nutrigrain bar, and snuck into our closet to read my Bible. (The closet seemed to be the only place they wouldn't think of to look for me!) Anyway, I had barely cracked open to Proverbs when I heard Ryan wailing upstairs. It never fails. So I brought him down and fed him. At least I could still read my Bible while nursing. I think he still has a cold, so I'm not too upset with him. :)

Summary of the new routine for day 1: not a bad start . . . .

Happy, happy birthday baby

One year ago today our precious son came into the world. He has been a complete joy and blessing to all of us.

Races away when diaper is changed!
Y
Always happy
N

D
Adores his big sisters
N
I
E
Loves to cuddle

Ryan: "little king"; Daddy's middle name

Daniel: "God is my judge"; Grandpa's first name

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Slimed!

This morning I was sorting books in our "school" room when Spunky came up behind me and started running her fingers through my hair. I love that feeling -- it practically makes me fall asleep. Then little sister decided to help. So the two of them were playing with my hair and I really must have been relaxed . . . because a few minutes later when I told them to go play I reached back to put my hair in a ponytail and my hair was all slimey! It felt so disgusting. Turns out Giggles had brought the hand soap from the bathroom in to "wash" mommy's hair. :(

As if that weren't enough -- today I actually woke up early to get a shower in before the kids woke up. (That almost never happens). I might as well put swim suits on the kids and myself, turn on the water, and go rub my head on the slipping slide!

Summertime

It has been too long since I've blogged so I have to make up for it! Here are a bunch of pictures from the beginning of summer until now . . . Above is Allie dancing with a friend at "Family, Flicks, and Fun" put on by our youth group at a local park. (Way to go, guys -- it was awesome!) Below is Emmie being SO brave and going in the super big astro jump obsticle course. What you don't see is about two seconds after the picture was taken she turned around and ran back out! Maybe next year. :)

Dinner with Brandon Heath!

Thanks to my super awesome husband I got to go to a dinner with BRANDON HEATH! I'm still happy about this, in case you can't tell. He was here to perform at the God and Country Rally but the night before he did a small performance. Before the performance we had dinner with him and a handful of other people. It was great. Here's a link to his page to hear his music: www.brandonheath.net

Oh, I should mention that Ethan did NOT want to be in this picture because he thought I was being a total dork. But I pulled him in before he could escape. :)

This was the view of the outdoor concert. It was sooo beautiful. There's nothing like listening to worship music with the sun setting and the breeze blowing gently. Aaahh . . . .

Okay, here is a picture of Brandon singing outdoors . . .

And our friend, Jesse Shuster, singing before him . . .

Jesse is really talented. To hear his music, go to: www.jesseshuster.com

My son has been exploring like only a curious baby can do lately. I was around the corner for just a second the other day and here he was when I came back! Of course, I had to tell Grandma and what does she say? "Just a couple of weeks ago I heard about a little baby that got inside a dishwasher and was killed!" Thanks mom. :) Aren't grandmas' so helpful? Ok, to be fair I do appreciate all the safety tips she brings to my attention. I think it just must be different when you are the parent.

Oh, last but not least. I have probably stopped for at least one yardsale every weekend this summer. Is there like a yardsaler's anonymous out there? Anyway, I was so happy to find this little bookcase for Ryan's room recently. It was $3.

Aaahhh. Summer.