Last night I realized that my kids have been watching way less television than normal. I also realized that my house is way more messy than normal.
Hmmm… maybe t.v. isn’t all bad. 
Some thoughts while the kids play August 26, 2008
Miracle has been so far very stubborn about walking. She can walk, she just won’t. She started taking a few steps before her first birthday and will walk everywhere while holding your hand. On her birthday she started taking a few steps on her own, but only from Daddy to Mommy. Two nights ago while I was singing “The Lord’s Army” to Axel he was marching around and doing all the actions. Miracle shocked us all by standing up and ‘marching’ across the living room rug! She then proceeded to throw herself on the floor laughing and yelling “boom.” Then every time I would start singing the song she would stand up and clap, take a few steps and throw herself down again. We all couldn’t stop laughing. Of course by the time I got the camera out to take a video she was done. Last night we rode our bikes to one of our favorite hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurants. We were one of two families eating at the time so the kids were free to play in the aisle alongside the booth. Miracle started the process again of throwing herself down and yelling boom. This time I was prepared! I grabbed the camera but instead of what I was planning on taping I got what we consider her second official unassisted self-motivated walks.
Can I just say that when Andrew went on his mini-vacation to Maddens Resort he brought me back some green tea and mango tea leaves and they are so good! And I just realized that it is good hot or cold which is great for me because I made it this morning and only had about a quarter of it before being distracted by kids and now it is freezing cold and still delicious. Thanks baby!
Yesterday afternoon I found a little extra time (while I should have been cleaning) to make a paper doll set for my etsy shop. I must say it is very cute. Perfect for teaching the Thanksgiving story or just role playing. I found I didn’t have any black cardstock so I ran to Target and found a huge clearance in the scrapbooking aisle. Not good. I spent more than I should have but less than I wanted to so I consider it a win. I have some more paper doll sets in mind for the future. Axel and Miracle both had their eyes on this one so hopefully they will be a hit. Great gifts as well.
At the end of every summer I dread the start of fall. Not because I do not like fall but because I love summer so much. This year is no different. I will say though that I am loving this nice pre-fall weather! I got a mini screened in tent on clearance for Mira that looks like a zebra and we set it up in the backyard. Axel has his Lightning McQueen tent set up and the kids are all camping out in the yard while I sit in the shade and enjoy the breeze and surf the internet. Being outside is a great excuse not to clean!
I’m Baaack! August 25, 2008
I think things may be starting to settle down a little at our house. Maybe. We are getting into the routine of having our two new friends that come and play with us in the mornings and it is exciting to have some new playmates. Along with new friends comes learning to get along with new people and sharing with more friends. Axel, Jack and Miracle are all doing very well.
We also have been having some amazing family time. Andrew is feeling a little more relaxed now that the mission trip is over and we are making an effort to plan family events. One of our family date nights included dinner at Pei Wei and then reading books at Barnes and Nobles.
Andrew and Axel enjoying their lettuce wraps.
We had another fun ToddlerFriday @ Oakwood. Last time was a very large group! We are meeting again this Friday at 10am if anyone is interested. Here aresome of them on the new swingset that an Eagle Scout troup built for us.
Thanks Eagle Scouts!
On Saturday the kids and I helped Andrew chaperone a trip to Valleyfair. We had a really fun group of great kids!
A fun shot
Miracle had a blast in the water park and was so good all day long. She even took two really great naps in the stroller. Axel got to go on his first rollercoaster – The Mild Thing – but his favorite was the Flume.
With Daddy on the Flume
Saturday night I got to go with Andrew to his gig at Eagle Street. THANK YOU ANA! We are so blessed to have found another babysitter that is amazing with Axel and Mira. It is nice to know we don’t have to rely on only one person now. AND, Andrew and I got to go out Sunday night as well to open mic night at Plums. Very fun with lots of our friends there.
Andrew and I
Fun with my Girls
Erika is Back!
I also added some new tag sets to my etsy site. You can see my favorite new one here. I am working on some paper dolls to add to etsy as well. Hopefully they turn out.
Oh! And I made Pico de gallo from veggies that we got at the farmer’s market and cilantro from my herb garden! Super yummy:)
Busy, Busy, Busy August 19, 2008
Ugg! I have been so busy lately. Lots of extra kids at my house. Barely time to think let alone write! By 9:00 this morning I had 6 kids at my house and my bathroom was flooded. Oh joy.
Andrew is gone again. On vacation with his brother Rob. Shows how I rate I guess. I’m glad he gets back tomorrow though because the lawn needs to be mowed. Someone’s crying…gotta go.
By the way…. How does one handle girls? All my extra kids are girls and I am NOT used to it!
Axel is wondering….
Do ducks have teeth?
Enjoying (a simple) Summer August 12, 2008
In my first post I made the confession that we were not enjoying summer like we should. Clarification – everytime I say that Andrew says “YOU not me.” He has been going out every day playing disc golf! Anyway, I think I am finally getting into the groove of what summer should be and now it is the middle of August! Yikes. While Andrew was gone last week we went to the beach, zoo, pool (2x), and spent time outside at home and at friends’. It was so great. We also have been grilling out a couple times a week, going for bike rides, getting out our pool and water table, and really we are just feeling great.
Also, we have really cut back on our spending. I have really felt it impressed upon me to simplify things. This has been coming at me in more ways than one, including a recent series of sermons done by Pastor Sheppard at Oakwood Church. There was one in particular that seemed to reinforce how I was already feeling. You can listen to it here .
We have so much and I really want to learn to be content with what I have rather than to always wish for more. Example… Andrew and I always talk about how much fun it would be to have a boat. Instead, why don’t I just enjoy clean water to swim in at the beach? If I want to go for a boat ride I can find a friend who has one and borrow theirs! Another example…. With my new cricut machine you can buy seperate cartridges to cut out different shapes and fonts. Instead of buying new ones I can borrow them from people I know have them. I am blessed to have people in my life that are giving and that trust me to let me use their things that is for sure!
Spending less has opened things up for us financially as well. (duh) Now when we do want to go out we don’t have to worry as much about how much it is costing because we are spending less in the long run. Plus it helps with that guilty naggy feeling that you shouldn’t be spending a million dollars at the movie theatre. (my pet peeve)
So we have been working to simplify. We seriously cut back the amount of times we go out to eat. It was actually a little embarassing how much we spent on eating out. (And in turn we are grilling out more and enjoying the summer!) Naturally, eating out less made us start to feel better too. I stopped drinking soda every day and stopped letting Axel have it as well. We are working to switch our pantry over to some more natural products and are keeping more fresh produce on hand.
It seems we all feel better and Axel is behaving and sleeping better! I have learned to work on the art of self-control and I think that the last few weeks I have grown so much in my physical, mental and spiritual health.
I’m not saying haha look at me, I’m so cool. Rather I am testifying to what a few little changes has done in my life! Hope this can light a little fire under your butt:)
