Thursday, July 7, 2011
A Squirrel!
My kids love these squirrels. Whenever they are in view of the window, my kids are glued. As far as I can tell there are 3 of them and they aren't very big. I think that they must have been born this spring because they are sticking close to their nest. Here's some pics (a few of them are a little grainy because I had to zoom in - they're a little jumpy).
Cars, Tee-ball, and Barbies
Mark was off work today which we always love since during his work stretch we only get to see him for about 2 hours between his sleeping and working. So today we were able to do a few things together.
First we went to Cars 2. The theater is only about a block and a half from the house we're in temporarily, so it's good that we finally took advantage of it (since we'll be moving in 3 weeks YAY)! It was a great movie! Laina liked it a lot. She's so animated when she watches movies, covering her ears or eyes or saying "Oh, no!" and "He's a naughty guy!" Sutton just sat there and ate his popcorn and watched. Opposites. :) He got tired after about an hour (we went to the matinee which was during naptime) so he had a hard time sitting still, but he did well. He talked about it lots afterward, "I got to see these guys" And pointed to his Cars shirt that he was wearing. There was a Toy Story short before Cars started. Later Sutton said, "I saw Woody and a mom and dad (Barbie and Ken) and a horshe that say 'woof, woof'." (his exact words) Bodie fell asleep right away. Then woke up three-quarters of the way through but was pretty engrossed. That says a lot since he doesn't really ever sit for movies unless there's singing. Of course, he was eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and green beans, so that may have had something to do with it. It was the first time that we had ever been to a movie as a family since Bodie was born! It was really nice.
After our dinner (popcorn) and a movie, we went to a field next to a playground and practiced tee-ball. The kids did pretty well! I was impressed. Laina could hit it with and without the tee. Sut had hard time without the tee, but he is only 2 after all. He kept saying, "I wanna do it by myself" if he thought I was going to help him. He was so serious. He and Laina both just beamed when they hit it because it made Daddy so proud. Bodie sat on the grass in the shade and played with an extra ball and the empty boxes that the stuff came in. He started to get tired of that after a bit so I went over and played "catch" with him. I sat about a foot away and tossed the ball into his lap and he picked it up and held his hand straight up over his head and dropped the ball back into his lap. hehe But he loves to play that. He will sit on the floor in the kitchen with a ball and will drop it like that and then scoot over to pick it up to do it over and over. And if I look at him while he's playing like that, he just gives me his silly, semi-toothless grin.
Since we were at the park, the kids decided after about 20 minutes of hitting the ball that they'd like to go play on the playground. Sutton is very brave. He climbs up almost all the ladders. I have a hard time watching my clumsy little two-year old monkey, my stomach just flips, but he has yet to fall. (I probably shouldn't say that!) Laina went everywhere too but is a little more cautious. She's getting more and more brave, especially when she sees Sutton climbing on things. That's just the push she needs to try things. Bodie loves the slides! He just smiles the whole time. And loves to climb through the tubes. They have holes in them so he likes to peek through at Daddy or me. He thinks that that's the greatest. Giggles and giggles.
After a little bit, Laina had to go to the bathroom so while we were in there she said, "I'm so sweaty." I asked her if she wanted to go home. She said, "Yeah, it's 20 o'clock." haha When we got out of the bathroom, we played just a few more minutes then headed home. Mark decided to have Laina and Sutton walk (about 3 blocks) just to wear them out that much more and Bodie and I took the van.
At home, Laina played with her new-found interest, Barbies. We had gotten a bunch from Melissa that she didn't need anymore - with having 3 boys and all. It has a kitchen set and table and chairs and other little random things. Sutton and Bodie like the kitchen because it has drawers that you can take out and then put back in. Bodie was trying to put the little pair of Barbie sunglasses on himself but couldn't get them to fit (hahaha) so he decided to put them a drawer in the kitchen set. Sutton also liked to fix the sink that the faucet comes off to be a sprayer. He kept telling Laina, "I fix it, Laina" then he'd push the little cord thing back inside the sink and reattach the faucet. Laina kept changing the shoes and fed them popcorn and tea. It kept them busy for quite a while! I have to admit. I had fun setting the things up, too, and trying to fix the hair so that it wasn't so wild and trying to find an outfit for each doll so that they were all clothed. What is with kids and naked dolls?? I can't wait to get the Barbie house that my dad made me into Laina's room! I think that she'll love it as much as I did!
I wish that I would have taken pictures all day today!! They're always more interesting that just words. I meant to grab my camera when we left for the theater but wasn't able to and then it was all downhill from there (as far as the camera's concerned). Tomorrow we're planning on going to the beach. I'm hoping to remember it for that!
First we went to Cars 2. The theater is only about a block and a half from the house we're in temporarily, so it's good that we finally took advantage of it (since we'll be moving in 3 weeks YAY)! It was a great movie! Laina liked it a lot. She's so animated when she watches movies, covering her ears or eyes or saying "Oh, no!" and "He's a naughty guy!" Sutton just sat there and ate his popcorn and watched. Opposites. :) He got tired after about an hour (we went to the matinee which was during naptime) so he had a hard time sitting still, but he did well. He talked about it lots afterward, "I got to see these guys" And pointed to his Cars shirt that he was wearing. There was a Toy Story short before Cars started. Later Sutton said, "I saw Woody and a mom and dad (Barbie and Ken) and a horshe that say 'woof, woof'." (his exact words) Bodie fell asleep right away. Then woke up three-quarters of the way through but was pretty engrossed. That says a lot since he doesn't really ever sit for movies unless there's singing. Of course, he was eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and green beans, so that may have had something to do with it. It was the first time that we had ever been to a movie as a family since Bodie was born! It was really nice.
After our dinner (popcorn) and a movie, we went to a field next to a playground and practiced tee-ball. The kids did pretty well! I was impressed. Laina could hit it with and without the tee. Sut had hard time without the tee, but he is only 2 after all. He kept saying, "I wanna do it by myself" if he thought I was going to help him. He was so serious. He and Laina both just beamed when they hit it because it made Daddy so proud. Bodie sat on the grass in the shade and played with an extra ball and the empty boxes that the stuff came in. He started to get tired of that after a bit so I went over and played "catch" with him. I sat about a foot away and tossed the ball into his lap and he picked it up and held his hand straight up over his head and dropped the ball back into his lap. hehe But he loves to play that. He will sit on the floor in the kitchen with a ball and will drop it like that and then scoot over to pick it up to do it over and over. And if I look at him while he's playing like that, he just gives me his silly, semi-toothless grin.
Since we were at the park, the kids decided after about 20 minutes of hitting the ball that they'd like to go play on the playground. Sutton is very brave. He climbs up almost all the ladders. I have a hard time watching my clumsy little two-year old monkey, my stomach just flips, but he has yet to fall. (I probably shouldn't say that!) Laina went everywhere too but is a little more cautious. She's getting more and more brave, especially when she sees Sutton climbing on things. That's just the push she needs to try things. Bodie loves the slides! He just smiles the whole time. And loves to climb through the tubes. They have holes in them so he likes to peek through at Daddy or me. He thinks that that's the greatest. Giggles and giggles.
After a little bit, Laina had to go to the bathroom so while we were in there she said, "I'm so sweaty." I asked her if she wanted to go home. She said, "Yeah, it's 20 o'clock." haha When we got out of the bathroom, we played just a few more minutes then headed home. Mark decided to have Laina and Sutton walk (about 3 blocks) just to wear them out that much more and Bodie and I took the van.
At home, Laina played with her new-found interest, Barbies. We had gotten a bunch from Melissa that she didn't need anymore - with having 3 boys and all. It has a kitchen set and table and chairs and other little random things. Sutton and Bodie like the kitchen because it has drawers that you can take out and then put back in. Bodie was trying to put the little pair of Barbie sunglasses on himself but couldn't get them to fit (hahaha) so he decided to put them a drawer in the kitchen set. Sutton also liked to fix the sink that the faucet comes off to be a sprayer. He kept telling Laina, "I fix it, Laina" then he'd push the little cord thing back inside the sink and reattach the faucet. Laina kept changing the shoes and fed them popcorn and tea. It kept them busy for quite a while! I have to admit. I had fun setting the things up, too, and trying to fix the hair so that it wasn't so wild and trying to find an outfit for each doll so that they were all clothed. What is with kids and naked dolls?? I can't wait to get the Barbie house that my dad made me into Laina's room! I think that she'll love it as much as I did!
I wish that I would have taken pictures all day today!! They're always more interesting that just words. I meant to grab my camera when we left for the theater but wasn't able to and then it was all downhill from there (as far as the camera's concerned). Tomorrow we're planning on going to the beach. I'm hoping to remember it for that!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Monotony
I was thinking today how people look at their lives and think that it's so monotonous. And if a person were to follow me around every day, day after day, they would think that mine is too. I do the same thing every day with some variations. But it's those little variations that make all the difference. A hug or kiss from one of my kids. My husband making a surprise visit during his workday. My kids getting excited about a bug that they found. When my youngest, looks at me and says, "Mama" with his semi-toothless grin and giggle. It's the little things.
I think that it has a lot to do with attitude. I have been thinking about it a lot lately. When I'm crabby or if something is driving me crazy, is it because I need an attitude adjustment? Where is my heart in all of this? "For out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45) The other verses that came to mind are talking more about physical needs being in want or in plenty but I think that the same principle applies. "For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." (Phil 4:11) and "Now godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Tim 6:6)
It's obvious that the Lord knows that we're going to need an attitude adjustment from time to time because He put a lot of verses in the Bible to keep our attitudes in check. He knows that we as a people are never satisfied. Leave us to ourselves and we will ALWAYS want something, whether it's physical or emotional, something we want to have or something we have but don't want. The list is endless as to what we think that we need to make us happy. But we are NEVER going to be happy by ourselves. The only true happiness, JOY, is found in Christ. "But the fruits of the Spirit are love, JOY, peace,..." (Gal 5:22) "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Rom 15:13) Jesus is talking about His love for us and our abiding in that love. "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11) We cannot have true joy without Christ. He's the One that we need to go to for our attitude adjustment.
I think about my life and how it can seem so monotonous and how at one point in my marriage, I thought that it was. I didn't want it anymore whatever the reasons I came up with, the excuses I made, the problems I decided we had. I needed the biggest attitude adjustment I had ever needed. No I needed an overhaul. Thank the Lord there were wonderful, godly people faithfully praying for me and a God that wouldn't give up on me. Without Christ, I would not have my best friend who is the best husband in the world or my three beautiful babies.
I looked at each of my children at the dinner table as they giggled because daddy was about to "get" them and thought how blessed that I am to have my life. The AWESOME, TERRIFIC, AMAZING "monotonous" life that I have.
I think that it has a lot to do with attitude. I have been thinking about it a lot lately. When I'm crabby or if something is driving me crazy, is it because I need an attitude adjustment? Where is my heart in all of this? "For out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45) The other verses that came to mind are talking more about physical needs being in want or in plenty but I think that the same principle applies. "For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." (Phil 4:11) and "Now godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Tim 6:6)
It's obvious that the Lord knows that we're going to need an attitude adjustment from time to time because He put a lot of verses in the Bible to keep our attitudes in check. He knows that we as a people are never satisfied. Leave us to ourselves and we will ALWAYS want something, whether it's physical or emotional, something we want to have or something we have but don't want. The list is endless as to what we think that we need to make us happy. But we are NEVER going to be happy by ourselves. The only true happiness, JOY, is found in Christ. "But the fruits of the Spirit are love, JOY, peace,..." (Gal 5:22) "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Rom 15:13) Jesus is talking about His love for us and our abiding in that love. "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11) We cannot have true joy without Christ. He's the One that we need to go to for our attitude adjustment.
I think about my life and how it can seem so monotonous and how at one point in my marriage, I thought that it was. I didn't want it anymore whatever the reasons I came up with, the excuses I made, the problems I decided we had. I needed the biggest attitude adjustment I had ever needed. No I needed an overhaul. Thank the Lord there were wonderful, godly people faithfully praying for me and a God that wouldn't give up on me. Without Christ, I would not have my best friend who is the best husband in the world or my three beautiful babies.
I looked at each of my children at the dinner table as they giggled because daddy was about to "get" them and thought how blessed that I am to have my life. The AWESOME, TERRIFIC, AMAZING "monotonous" life that I have.
Pics of nothing in particular
Thought I'd share some more pics of things we do around here.
This was my attempt at some pictures for Father's Day presents. hehe
I gave up trying to get the perfect picture. The ones I got depict my kids perfectly. They're just plain silly
Friday, July 1, 2011
Adventures in Okoboji....
Here are a few pics from our trip to visit Mark's parents. We spent some time in the boat, at Arnold's Park, and at the beach (I don't have any pics from there), aside from being in their condo. We had such a nice time visiting Dick and Sally! We hadn't been able to spend a good chunk of time with them in quite a few months so it was much needed for all of us! I apologize for not having any pics of Dick and Sally. How rude is that!?! They were there!! I should have taken one of them with the kids at the park!!! Sheesh!
This is the in/on the tipsy house. The floors are all really crooked and it makes it very hard to walk. It was fun to take the kids in it. hehe
On the train ride.
This is a park in Arnold's Park. The kids have to go up this big obstacle course to go down a really long slide. We were proud that our two oldest had the guts to do it!
Bodie sitting in the sand watching his siblings. He DID go down the smaller slides a bunch. But he got tired of waiting. hehe
"Cheese"
That's all I have. It was a lot of fun!!
This is a park in Arnold's Park. The kids have to go up this big obstacle course to go down a really long slide. We were proud that our two oldest had the guts to do it!
Bodie sitting in the sand watching his siblings. He DID go down the smaller slides a bunch. But he got tired of waiting. hehe
"Cheese"
That's all I have. It was a lot of fun!!
10 years
So this is my first post. Not really sure what I'm doing but I'll figure it out as I go. I thought that I just start in right away.
Yesterday was Mark's and my 10th Anniversary. It's hard to believe that we've been married for that long. There so much comfort that comes with being married a while, same inside jokes, memories, movie quotes. You most of the time know what each other is thinking (MOST of the time) but you still have to pray lots so you don't say the wrong thing. Our marriage has not been without very tough times as some people know but by the grace of God, it's been an amazing 10 years. The Lord has blessed me so much more than I could have ever imagined or deserved. He has given me such a love for Mark that I can't even begin to describe. I thought that I loved him when I married him....that was barely the beginning
Anyway, so yesterday we celebrated. We were down in Okoboji, so Mark's parents watched the kids while we went on a much needed date. We went to our usual shopping places to check out stuff that we hadn't seen in a year. It was really muggy so we ended up skipping mini-golf (our usual anniversary date thing), and went to a furniture store instead, just to check things out and be in air conditioning. It was fun! If we had lots of money, we would have walked out with a table and chairs and a new bed, but alas. hehe Then we headed to a restaurant. The whole time, I just wanted to tell everyone that it was our 10th annivesary. I don't think that anyone cared as much as we did, so I kept it MOSTLY to myself. So anyway, back to the restaurant. I wanted pasta and Mark wanted a steak so we ended up at Minerva's. I ordered their cajun chicken pasta (YUMMMMM) and Mark got a New York Strip and added some shrimp. I DID tell our waitress that it was our anniversary so she said that she had a desert for us. To celebrate, I ordered a glass of wine (something I never do, but it sounded good and it's our TENTH!) and Mark ordered a caffeinated pop, something he's not allowed to do. hehe So we ate our delicious food and then had our free dessert (warm brownie with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce Mmmm). Then after that we headed to Super 8 (a movie). I had NO clue what it was about. I just knew that it was a Steven Spielberg and JJ Abrams flick, so I was game. I really liked it! I won't say anything about it except that it had the feel of ET but more suspenseful and maybe like Close Encounters of the Third Kind but with humor like The Goonies. If you saw it, you'd agree. :) It was good. I'd watch it again sometime.
That was our celebration. We didn't get each other anything big because we're closing on a house that we LOVE on July 27th and decided that that was a good enough present. :)
Kind of funny. I just realize that my first post on Adventures in Buffalo didn't actually occur in Buffalo. hahaha
Us after 10 years of marriage. :)
Yesterday was Mark's and my 10th Anniversary. It's hard to believe that we've been married for that long. There so much comfort that comes with being married a while, same inside jokes, memories, movie quotes. You most of the time know what each other is thinking (MOST of the time) but you still have to pray lots so you don't say the wrong thing. Our marriage has not been without very tough times as some people know but by the grace of God, it's been an amazing 10 years. The Lord has blessed me so much more than I could have ever imagined or deserved. He has given me such a love for Mark that I can't even begin to describe. I thought that I loved him when I married him....that was barely the beginning
Anyway, so yesterday we celebrated. We were down in Okoboji, so Mark's parents watched the kids while we went on a much needed date. We went to our usual shopping places to check out stuff that we hadn't seen in a year. It was really muggy so we ended up skipping mini-golf (our usual anniversary date thing), and went to a furniture store instead, just to check things out and be in air conditioning. It was fun! If we had lots of money, we would have walked out with a table and chairs and a new bed, but alas. hehe Then we headed to a restaurant. The whole time, I just wanted to tell everyone that it was our 10th annivesary. I don't think that anyone cared as much as we did, so I kept it MOSTLY to myself. So anyway, back to the restaurant. I wanted pasta and Mark wanted a steak so we ended up at Minerva's. I ordered their cajun chicken pasta (YUMMMMM) and Mark got a New York Strip and added some shrimp. I DID tell our waitress that it was our anniversary so she said that she had a desert for us. To celebrate, I ordered a glass of wine (something I never do, but it sounded good and it's our TENTH!) and Mark ordered a caffeinated pop, something he's not allowed to do. hehe So we ate our delicious food and then had our free dessert (warm brownie with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce Mmmm). Then after that we headed to Super 8 (a movie). I had NO clue what it was about. I just knew that it was a Steven Spielberg and JJ Abrams flick, so I was game. I really liked it! I won't say anything about it except that it had the feel of ET but more suspenseful and maybe like Close Encounters of the Third Kind but with humor like The Goonies. If you saw it, you'd agree. :) It was good. I'd watch it again sometime.
That was our celebration. We didn't get each other anything big because we're closing on a house that we LOVE on July 27th and decided that that was a good enough present. :)
Kind of funny. I just realize that my first post on Adventures in Buffalo didn't actually occur in Buffalo. hahaha
Us after 10 years of marriage. :)
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