Our Indy Weekend

One of Josh's friends was getting married in Indy this past weekend. Josh's parents came with us so the older two kids didn't have to come to the wedding with us. When we got to the hotel we were playing around with the camera and got some cute pictures.



Blake took this one of Josh and I. Hannah came with us to the wedding and was the perfect baby. It was fun to see all of Josh's old friends from high school.

Here's Hannah all dressed up for the wedding.

The next day we went to Trader Joe's for mommy and had lunch at Earl of Sandwich for daddy. This is Josh's favorite sandwich place but unfortunately he only gets it when we go to Indy or to Disney.

The kids love staying in a hotel. Here they are right before check out. It was a great trip and it gave me the itch to live in a bigger city. Josh does not feel the same. When we head to San Francisco in the fall maybe he will have a change of heart.

My Patriotic Children

The Word Was, The Word Is, And The Word Will Be

So this past Monday I started a very exciting Bible Study with my good friends Jeny and Sonia. We are reading through the Bible in 90 days. It has been great so far and has really forced me to put study up there on the list of priorities. I'm excited to see what the Lord does in the next 90 days.

And So It Begins

On Tuesday we went to the zoo and then tried to go to Kids Kingdom afterwards. It was a little chilly out and Hannah decided she did not want to be outside another minute. She refused to nurse and basically cried the whole twenty minutes we were at the playground until I finally said,"We are leaving!" As soon as Hannah was in the car this was her expression.

Doesn't it look like she's saying,"The crying worked. I got my way." I love her open mouthed, toothless smiles.

The Annual Strawberry Binge

Last night we went and did our final strawberry pick of the year. It was great weather this year for picking. It was actually a little chilly last night as you can tell by the bundled baby. We just picked about 3/4 of a box to eat this week. I already have 12 big bags in the freezer for this winter and thought that would be plenty.

Hannah thought it was a little chilly for a June evening.
Josh trying to fill the box up before the baby started to cry.
Liah in a sea of strawberry bushes.
Blake showing off what he thought was the perfect berry.
Time to go home and make some more biscuits for strawberry shortcake.

About 3 weeks until we'll be out picking berries again----Blueberries that is.

Some Stroller R&R

While I did a little yard work yesterday Hannah hung out in her stroller listening to the birds singing and just looking around. Of course you need a big floppy hat to complete the outdoor ensemble.





She's getting too big too fast.

Excitement!!!

Blake was so excited to go to camp this week. It was only for two days and one night but it seemed like he was gone longer. I didn't realize how much Blake helps out in a day until he was gone. He had a great time and wants to go back next year. Last night after we picked him up he kept saying, "I missed you guys alot........but I had alot of fun!".

A Day With Friends

So it has been quite a while since Danielle and I had swapped kids. This was actually the first time since I entered the last trimester of pregnancy I think. It was fun to have the gang together again and the kids had a great time. They played outside and then came in for lunch.

The assembly line of lunches. I'm out of colors for my plates. I'm going to have to get more before Hannah joins them. I guess I should plan ahead and grab a couple since Karl and Danielle are adopting and it's only a matter of time before she'll be joining the lunch brigade as well.
This picture was taken before I had Mac and Cheese all over my floor.
The older boys getting their half hour of video game time.
Liah helping Owen with a puzzle.
Next week is my week to have some time to myself (plus Hannah of course). There are so many things I have to get done but I might just go to Panera Bread and then head to Barnes and Noble. We'll see how ambitious I am that day.

He will Make your Paths Straight

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

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.