Allie is reading!

I just had to share my happy news that my big girl is now learning to read! It's so fun. This was her first sentence:

See me eat.

Thrilling, huh? Actually, it was very exciting for both of us. We have been doing school now for over a month and it has been wonderful. Who doesn't want to be in preschool? Everything is fun again. :)

Now I just need to convince Daddy that we need a class pet!

(I'm thinking a horse.)

Heartbreaking

I was browsing through blogs the other day when I came across one that really broke my heart. It's from a couple who lost their baby shortly after she was born. What impressed me so much with this couple was the way they handled it. In a horrible, difficult situation they gave praise to God. The most amazing post was on July 5 (just a few short days later) when they listed all the things they were thankful for. You can see their story here:

http://babycrouch.blogspot.com

Praise God for people like this! They are an inspiration.

A Listening Walk

This morning in school we read a story called "The Listening Walk" and were inspired. So we invited some friends over and decided to take a listening walk of our own. Each of the kids had a little book to write down and draw pictures of the things they heard. We didn't go very far, just around the block, but it was amazing what they picked up on! Some examples:

* wind chimes

* an airplane

* a water fountain

* a cat's meow

* leaves rustling in the trees

It was probably the most relaxing walk I have taken with the kids in quite a while. When we got to the common area of our neighborhood we took a break for a picnic lunch. We were sitting in this grassy knoll with gentle hills all around. The kids decided to roll down the hills and before I knew it they had me rolling down with them. It was surprisingly fun! I actually didn't think I would roll . . . you know, being a full-size adult and all. But I had plenty of momentum! :)

Our little break was interrupted by a sound you never mistake: sprinklers turning on! We had six kids ages 4 and under, a double stroller, picnic blanket, food, and books that we had to quickly pack up. It was crazy, chaotic, and fun. Poor Ryan got a shot of water right in the face but he just grinned (after getting over the shock of it!) And of course, I was trying to haul the dumb stroller up the hill backwards and when I got to the top I realized the brakes were on! What an adventure. :)

I'm going to leave the picture out of this post

So a couple of days ago my mom was in town and she visited with the kids and I for a couple of hours. We got out the camera to take pictures of the kids getting their nails painted with Grandma's special silver polish.

Allison enjoys taking pictures so I let her take some shots. Big mistake. A few minutes after she took the camera I heard her snickering from under the table. She looked up at me with a big grin and said, "I just took a picture of Grandma's bottom!"

Sorry, Mom.

:)

Stick a fork in me; I'm done

This morning I stabbed myself in the foot with a fork. A fondue fork, no less. I would not recommend this to anyone who may have a fondue set. It hurts! Ryan had pulled the set onto the floor and I didn't see it in time. Yikes.

Hope everyone else is having a better day. :)

Already?

Went to Costco today. Enjoyed being greeted by rows and rows of . . . Christmas decorations! Seriously. I know this happens every year but it never ceases to amaze me. It's September, people.

In other news, the kids think we should paint flames on the mini-van. That discussion has been tabled until further notice.

A Good and Perfect Gift From Above

Unexpected blessings are so incredible. When we decided that I would be a stay-at-home mom several years ago I knew it meant we would give up some things. One thing I figured we would never have is vacations. But God is so good. A few weeks back a friend from another church contacted Ethan about serving with their worship team for a family conference . . . on the Oregon coast! They offered to pay our gas and provide meals and a place to stay. And best of all, the trip was on the weekend of our 7th anniversary! It was like a dream come true. The actual campgrounds are located between a lake and the ocean. It's gorgeous. They had a playground, water slides into the lake, boating, mini golf, a treasure hunt, an enormous slide (that you ride down on with burlap bags), and much more. I really felt like God just gave us this trip as a gift. Here are some pics:

Ethan carrying Emmie out to the ocean

The girls just had to bury their feet (and their shoes, seperately of course)

I loved the look of this windmill -- can you believe it's made with Gatorade bottles?
This was the lake at the campgrounds
This river was what we could see out the front window of the little cabin we stayed in.

Some favorite memories:

* Ethan entertaining the kids with his reportoire of voices -- Elmo, Cookie Monster, etc. -- while driving.

* Ethan asking the kids (while in the van), "you guys having fun back there . . . you getting jiggy wid it?" and Emmie answering, "No jiggy".

* Allison's great excitement over the broken, not fantastic shells she found.

* Playing several Dora memory card games at the cabin.

* Emmie thinking of and making a "sand angel" (I think we're still washing sand from her hair).

* Watching the kids touch starfish at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

I could probably go on and on, but I'll save the rest for our scrapbook. :)