Ahhhhh....

I had the 2 little ones sleeping at the same time!! That tells all! And yes, she wore her bathing suit all day, and we never saw water. It's great to be little......

Sniffin' Beans

Is that not too cute? She said several times that she was going to "sniff" beans! I LOVE IT!

He's Off to Camp

Here's Nick and Gabe, ready for their week at camp! Nick was so excited, he just wanted us to get out of the cabin so they could start having some fun. He was absolutely beside himself with excitement.

I asked him if he wanted me to put his sheets on his bed and he said, very sarcastically, "yeah", which totally meant NO!!!! Like, you're embarrassing me mom!!

I guess it's cool that he's ok being away from us for a week. I hope we're raising him up to be a secure, young man. I hope this time will be a step in his faith that he will not soon forget.

My Grandpa and Vi

My grandpa and Vi stopped over a week ago Sunday. They are such awesome people. If any of you have grandparents around you, or an older couple that would enjoy your company, spend some time with them. They have a lot of wisdom to share.

A Day at the Mohre's

A day last week, we made a trip to Abby and Randy Mohre's for a day in the sun. Well, everyone but Dani and I were in the sun....which was ok! We sat on a swing for about 3 hours under an umbrella, it was so relaxing.

I'm not sure, but I think Nick's giving a "thumbs-down" on the "why do I have to be with girls?" Keep that attitude, buddy, for at least 7 or so more years.

A couple of cutie-patooties!

Can you see the smile behind the binky? She was so good that day.

I can put this in since Abby doesn't know I blog! smirk, smirk. All kidding aside, she's a lot of fun.

We'll be back soon!

Well, I can't really say nothing is "new", I guess maybe not really post worthy. Dani's had Roseola, so it's been a little out of sorts around here. As a matter of fact, I believe Sunday night, I had, maybe 3 hours of sleep, and I think 2 hours of it was after 5 am. I think I was having out of body experiences on Monday. Mom was gracious enough to come over and get Katie and Nick, and Dani and I took a good nap. Yeah Grandma!

She's the best...even if she did call me grumpy...

It's Been a Good Day

Yesterday, as the kids were playing in the pool and I was holding Dani, I thought, man, life is awesome, it just can't get better!!! The kids are having fun, I love having a another little one, it was so peaceful....now, I will be honest, I don't always feel that way. Sadly, I'm probably more negative about life than I am positive. There are times I feel like giving myself a time out...you know, not "go to your room!!", it's a "I'm going to MY ROOM!!" Good thing God's not done with me yet.
Well, coincidentally, haha, as I was going to read my bible last night, this devotional caught my eye.


It's Been a Good Day

It's been a good day, Lord. Yes, a very good day.
I didn't realize it while it was happening. There were many frustrations. I was very discouraged when the letter I was praying for didn't come. Then the telephone rang, bringing good news.
When a child was carried home from the playground hurt and we rushed him to the hospital, you knew my awful fears. But to learn that is wasn't really serious brought a sense of heightened joy. (Sheer relief can generate sheer bliss)
So now the child is asleep, with bandage slipped rather comically from his head. My husband stands in the yard, leaning on his rake as he visits wit a neighbor.
Other children come spilling across the yard. The sun is a golden glory behind the trees. I can smell the pot roast mingling with the tangy fragrance of burning leaves.
I look back on this day with its usual ups and downs. Its moments of anguish, its moments of gratefulness and joy. And now that it's ending, and aching awareness fills me. I realize that it's been a good day, Lord. A very good day.
For it's been filled with life. The life you have given me to cope with, and to contribute to. And it wouldn't want to have missed it, not a single moment of it.
Than you, God, for this good day.

Proverbs 15: 13 and 15
13-A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

15-All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Just because she's cute

Do you think she's had her picture taken a few times?

Hippity Hop to the Wooster Shop

WARNING-THE CHILDHOOD SONG THAT IS BEING TALKED ABOUT MAY CAUSE ANNOYING CONSEQUENCES LATER, WHEN YOU'RE STILL SINGING IT AT SUPPER-TIME.


This is a picture of Katie, Dani, and I (taking the picture, of course) when we went to the "Wooster Shop!" (I'm not sure how she got wooster/rooster out of barber, but hey....). Here's how it went. Katie said "let's go to the wooster shop, mom!", and being the fun mom that you all know that I am, I actually went. We spent some time there, and then proceeded onto church, where Katie read me some books and we sang If You're Happy and You Know It. So why did you take a picture, you ask? I wanted proof, that I do have a little fun in me. Rana would be so proud.

Fun Swimmin'

The kids had some fun....











I can remember going to Moore Pool when we were kids. One of the neighborhood moms would take us on the 15 minute drive to town, in a car with no seat belts, NO AIR CONDITIONING, and vinyl seats, to the pool. We would be there from 1-5. And what was sunscreen???? We did this about everyday! Smart parents...and we thought the day was about US, HA! Little did we know....

My stomach said...

This morning, while Katie, Dani, and I were lying in bed (shhhh, don't tell Merrill), Katie says "hear that? My stomach was grillin'." Little ones crack me up....

A Day at the Zoo

Here's the whole crew-minus the picture taker-er.


Aren't they cute?


Do you see the love?

Tayte finally got Katie to warm up to him. He's been working on her for some time now. They were good buddies for most of the day. Tayte really did a great job watching and helping her.

This picture was only put in to prove to some of the blog's followers, that God created other creatures that have bigger mouths than me, so there...

BTW, this whole zoo adventure was Merrill's mom's treat, from the admission, rides, lunch, supper, right down to the drinks, and I probably forgot something. I was pretty excited to go, I'd been wanting to go for 2 years! I just love to see the excitement of the little ones. Even a duck gets them excited! The weather was perfect, and we didn't lose anyone, so, I would rate it a success! Thanks Grandma Bev!



(On a side note), this is Miranda, my sister's daughter. I could NOT believe how tall she'd gotten since we had last seen her! The 2 of them have such a great time together. Aren't they cute? (my sister was home this weekend-this really had nothing to do with the zoo. but it was too cute not to put in)

I really do have a brother!

My brother, Lanny, is home from Columbus this week. The reason I titled this "I really do have a brother", is that I've had people say to me "I didn't know you had a brother?" Well, I do. He's the calm one of us 3. You know, level headed, logical, conservative. Everything his sisters are NOT! He's always been a pretty good bro. He never tortured me too badly when we were younger. That, or I was to dumb to know what he was doing!


Insert random thought....I miss my grandma. She's been gone 2 years now. We used to spend almost every Thursday with her. She had so much wisdom. When you've lived 90 years, you've been through a lot, and have so many neat stories to tell. Ok, back to my brother.....

He's been over to my grandma's (who's picture is above-obviously and OLD picture, I think Alli and Nick were about 5 and 3) property painting her barn and mowing the lawn. He's done a great job trying to keep her property looking good. I wanted to post a picture of him, but my dear husband left the camera at work. I wouldn't have even posted, but I figured, what the heck!

Tomorrow our Big Al will be 13! I can't believe that 13 years ago we had our first baby! She was born July 3, but she was real fire cracker when she joined this world. As soon as her arms were out, she was swinging! The Dr. about dropped her! She's been such a blessing ever since. Oh, you know, there are good days and bad days, but all in all, she's a great kid.

We are going to Season's coffee shop to have an extra special celebration! I know her and her friends will have lots of fun, just sitting around gabbing and sipping smoothies. It's kind of cool seeing your kids grow up. Sometimes you have to sit back and look at the situation, and then you realize, WOW! She will drive in 3 years, and graduate in 5. It seems not that long ago she was that little baby, in my arms, smiling at me! Oh well, I can appreciate what we have now. And at times, you get a glimpse of those sweet times. It's just different. I don't tell her enough, but I'm proud to have her as my daughter. I'm proud she calls me Mom.

I'll post some b-day pictures tomorrow!