Has it only been Two Years

This picture was taken almost two years to the day that we closed on our house. I couldn't find the before pics but this area of yard used to be all woods until a tornado went through about 5 years ago. The previous owners then did nothing to it and let weeds grow as tall as Josh and I. It now is actually starting to look like a yard with grass growing faster than Josh can mow it.

How You Know You're Married to a Computer Geek

Some husbands may leave change, old receipts, gum, ink pens, or who knows what else in their pockets only to let their wives find them later in the bottom of the washing machine. You know you're married to a computer geek when at the bottom of your washing machine there is low and behold a USB Flash Drive.

This is not the first time I've found one of these and I'm sure it's not going to be the last. Thankfully if you let them dry out all the way they still work.

SCHOOLS OUT!!!

Yesterday we completed our 180 days and I don't know who is more excited, Blake or Mommy.
Blake's ready for some summer fun. Josh and Blake are building a robot along with Josh's dad and we also will be making some rockets and a volcano. It feels so nice to be on a relaxed schedule now.

Recipe for a Great Long Weekend

1. Lots of Bike riding.

2. Throw in a couple of smiling kids ready to go to church.
3. Learn to spell in the sand.

4. Take a short nap.
5. Go visit Great Grandma and get spoiled rotten.
6. Add a pinch of soccer and try to learn how to play badminton.
7. Stop to smell the newly planted flowers.

8. Add water.



9. Nap a little more.

10. Learn a new trick.
11. Contemplate on what to do next.
12. Eat a couple of Popsicle's.

13. Wish we could always have an extra day in the weekend!

Our Garden Experiment

So this summer we are trying out container gardening. I'm so tired of spending so much on organic produce and am looking for a way to cut the cost down a bit. Because of our deer and other wildlife and the neighborhood association rules I figured this might be the easiest way to have a garden. So after some research Liah and I set out to buy some plants and seeds. Liah was very excited and enjoyed riding around on the garden cart while we made our choices.

Liah liked lining up all the plants on the front porch before we planted them.

We planted tomatoes, lettuce and spinach, green peppers, jalapeno peppers, zucchini, peas, carrots(Liah insisted on these even though I'm not expecting them to grow that great but I'm hoping to be surprised), and some herbs. Here Liah is "dumping" her carrot seeds in. I tried to spread them around but we'll see.


Here is the finished product. I also did quite a bit of landscaping and planting of flowers today. Of course there is still a ton to do but all in all it was a very successful day.

I Can't Believe

I can't believe that in 8 weeks you have changed so much. You don't have that newborn look anymore. You are starting to want to look at everything which means you always want to be awake. You seem a little too young to be fighting sleep already. You have just started to try to grab at things. You love to cuddle and your favorite way to sleep is cuddled up to somebody. You still have your dark hair which we're wondering if it's here to stay. You love your big brother and sister and always smile when you hear their voices.

Quiet Mornings

One morning this week things were very quiet and I went to go find out why. I found Blake reading books to Liah in his room. Reading is one of Blake's new favorite past times. He's been reading for quite awhile but just recently has started really enjoying reading for fun on his own. He has just started his first chapter books on his own and I've had to limit him to two chapters a night so he gets some sleep.

Going to a wedding as a mom

Weddings have always been something Josh and I love going to together. It always takes you back to your wedding day and the new and exciting adventure that lay before you. Today my friend Bryanne embarked on that new adventure and I'm so excited for her and Jordan. The wedding was beautiful and Josh and I especially enjoyed the closing blessing that one of their friends gave........from ISRAEL. Isn't Skype an amazing thing? Today I looked back and can't believe Josh and I will be married for nine years this July. I also realized today how different things are and how life has been blessed beyond words.

Now while I love the season of life we're in right now, I also realized how different it is to go to wedding....with kids. We just took Liah and Hannah. Through the ceremony both were great. The reception was where I noticed this new epiphany. I had to feed Hannah in the car since I couldn't find a private spot to nurse and then later on had to change a diaper on the bathroom floor. Liah started to get tired about an hour into it. While we still had a great time it was one of those days where you can just feel how much work goes into taking care of kids. Thankfully I was not the only one. I watched my friend Danielle put her youngest in time out on the stairs in the middle of the reception hall while waiting in line for appetizers.

I did have a great time though and got to talk with friends I don't get to see that often.

So again I congratulate Bryanne and Jordan and pray that the Lord blesses their marriage more than they ever thought possible.

Note: I did bring my camera but forgot to take pictures. I think I got one of Liah eating a grape. Not quite sure why.:)

Our Future Republican

So Josh was watching a PBS special on George Bush Sr. and I thought Hannah was sleeping but instead she was watching as intently as daddy was.
"I agree with daddy, republican is definitely the way to go."

Thankfully the Afternoon made up for the Morning

So Tuesday morning was going great. We were up and Blake had some school done before 8am. I went to go lay out clothes for Liah and as I walked into her room I was met with a tiny blond curl on the floor. A foot away was another. I started to panic. I screamed for Liah to come here. I kept telling myself there was no way she cut her own hair. I had just seen her and didn't notice. I know I'm a bit sleep deprived but I would notice if she hacked her hair off. As she came in she had that "I'm Guilty" look on her face. As I looked close at her hair I saw it. She cut her bangs very short. I called my sister who does hair and begged her to come over. She did and trimmed things up but really Liah did a perfect job at cutting them straight, she just cut too short. Thankfully her curly hair is very forgiving in this situation. As I was trying to calm Liah down once she realized that she couldn't put her hair back I kept telling her "Hair grows back." but to be honest I was saying it more for myself. I'm pretty sure this is a lesson that got through to Liah. Here are the new short bangs.

So needless to say Tuesday morning did not go smoothly. There was one point I had Liah crying about her hair, Blake was screaming there was an ant in the house (Blake has this new phobia of bugs in the house due to a reoccurring dream), Hannah was screaming because she was hungry, and my phone was ringing off the hook since the playground I had scheduled for our Moms Group outing was closed. I thought I was going to go crazy.

That afternoon made up for it though. Liah took a good long nap and Hannah joined her in their room for the first time in her crib. I actually never intended for Hannah to sleep in her crib but I put her down while I tucked Liah in and by the time I was done Hannah was out as well.

While the girls took a nap and Blake read I had a chance to talk with a friend on the phone and catch up. I was suppose to be taking a nap as well but sometimes talking with a friend can be more rejuvenating than a nap.

My other nesting project

Next to the fireplace in our bedroom is a little cubby that I have turned into my desk/scrapbook area. It works out so much better than the downstairs office. Now I can work without having to worry what the kids are doing up in the playroom since the playroom stairs are right out our bedroom door. I must say I do more work here than scrapbooking. I wish it were the other way around. I would much rather be scrapbooking than paying bills or making phone calls.

The Girls Room is Done!

So this was one of those projects that I was working on before Hannah arrived and it never was completely finished. The only things I had left to do was some minor decorating but I don't consider a job done until it's done. Thankfully Hobby Lobby still had the same letters they did when I originally did Liah's room so Hannah's name matches. I'm excited for the girls to one day share a room. Hannah will be sleeping in our bedroom for a little while yet. Many people have asked why we are having the girls share. I know that we have space for everyone to have their own rooms but we think it's important for our kids to learn how to share with each other and I think it will make them closer in the long run. When the teenage years come and if we are still in this house we'll have to maybe rethink sleeping situations but for now I'm happy with our decision.





The closet was one of my organizing obsessions when I was nesting during those last couple of months of my pregnancy.
Liah loves the labels on the bins. She now knows where everything goes.

A Stiring in my Heart

Five years ago (I can't believe it has been that long.) Josh and I went through an amazing season of ministry. Through our next door neighbors in the apartment we were living in at the time we were able to reach out to many Muslim's from Chicago. Two couples in particular. This was a great time and also a very tiring time for me. The ministry wore me down and to be honest I was so glad to see that season end as I was pregnant with Liah. We have tried to keep in contact and keep those doors open for future seasons but this has been difficult since our old neighbors have moved back to Chicago and every day life seems so busy. Even though that ministry left me so drained it made a forever impact on my heart to see these women freed from the captivity they are in. Lately this stirring has become even stronger. Since the birth of Hannah and seeing what a blessing she is to our family I'm reminded that girls are not always considered a blessing. I have witnessed this first hand in the voice of a disappointed father delivering the news that he has yet another daughter. If only they would see the one true God and how he works. I'm excited and anxiously waiting to see what the Lord has for me in this part of ministry.

A Great Day

Today we had a great and fun day. The Blair Hills Neighborhood Garage Sale was today and with a new baby and everything there was no way we would be participating and having a sale so instead we decided to walk around the neighborhood checking out everyone else's. Josh's parents joined us and we figured we walked about three miles. Now remember that's three miles up and down steep hills. By the time we got back home we were all tired and extremely HUNGRY. Josh and his dad ran to the store to grab some meat to grill out which everyone enjoyed. The rest of the day was spent doing random things that had to get done. After Shabbat meal I decided I was going to try to take some pics. of the kids for various projects I'm working on. Well I don't know if it was because they were so tired from the day or it was all the fresh air but everyone was acting very silly. Things started off well but then Liah decided she wanted to try to get in all the pictures of Blake and things just got sillier from there as you can see.






I did manage to get some good pics. and also God gave me that great reminder that kids will be kids and I just need to enjoy that.

The Great Mushroom Hunt

Josh's family always goes to hunt for Morel mushrooms every spring down by the river by their house. So naturally Josh wanted to see if he could find any in the woods behind our home. I personally don't care for them all that much and never put too much effort into finding them. This afternoon Liah tagged along with daddy and they struck the gold. Even Liah started spotting them. Josh wants to go back out since Liah did get cold so they had to cut their hunt short and head back. I think for Josh it's the thrill of the hunt more than eating the little fungi and like I said it's a tradition to go look for them. I personally am hoping he's not expecting me to be cooking these things every time he finds some.

The Big Brother

The first week Hannah was born Blake couldn't look at her and not say, "She is so precious." or my personal favorite, "She is such a blessing from the Lord." He loves both his sisters unconditionally. He is such a great big brother and he knows his job is to look out for them. I've always said that I could see Liah with all brothers since I know she can hold her own but I had never thought about how I could see Blake with all sisters since he is so sensitive and caring.

Hannah Pics

When Hannah was 2 weeks old my friend Kelsi came over and took these amazing pictures. I think they show Hannah's personality so well. From the deep thinker who likes to take every moment in to the big smiles that always follow.