Happy 9th Anniversary Babe!

I wonder what God was thinking
When He created you
I wonder if He knew everything I would need
Because He made all my dreams come true
When God made you
He must have been thinking about me
-----words by Newsong featuring Natalie Grant

Peaceful morning

Most Sundays after church, we walk to the pond on the church grounds to look for frogs, ducks, geese & fish. I always think it would be a great backdrop for pictures, but don't usually take my camera to church with me.



God's majesty was in full force yesterday...the weather was beautiful, the ducks and geese were friendly, the kids were smiling upon request (at the same time), and I remembered my camera. Not to mention, we had just heard a great message from Pastor Rob.

Favorite Show

This year, I've become obsessed with the TV show Jon & Kate Plus 8. Big thanks to Heather for turning me onto it.

Every Monday night, Avery and I watch the show together. It makes my life with two kids seem so simple. After watching what they accomplish together, I'm certain we can do anything with our family of four. For example, we're headed to Disney in December and are strongly considering driving the 20 hours. Well, if the Gosselins did it with 8 kids, I'm sure we can handle it with our two.

I like the family even better after reading their website. Although the TLC show doesn't really discuss this, it sounds like they are strong Christians with an undeniable faith in God.

I know that there are days when I feel like I am yelling all day, but boy does Kate really get on Jon! I wonder what she thinks if she watches the shows.

I love that they don't let the size of their family keep them from doing family activities, going to museums, waterparks, vacations, etc. Granted, I'm sure they don't have to cover the cost of much of it due to the hit TV show. But they get out and do fun things together.

I just enjoy how normal they are, even though their life has been on tv for the world to see for the last 4 years.

If you haven't seen it...check it out on TLC, Mondays at 9pm EST(yes, Avery is still awake at 9pm)

#37

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD!



Thanks for being wonderful examples of how to live your life simply, faithfully, and lovingly!

Morning Phone Call

Jealousy is not a desirable trait. The Bible tells us not to covet what others have. I'm trying really hard!

Moments ago, I received a phone call from Beijing, China. I heard the crowd in the background, the excitement in his voice. They are at the Olympics! Watching Beach Volleyball, no less. Right now!

He had to talk quick...international calls on a cell phone probably aren't cheap, and I could barely hear over all the noise. Near the end, he asked "How are you guys doing?". What a good brother!

I said, "we're a normal family enjoying summer in the Midwest...now go buy some really expensive tickets to watch Michael Phelps make history!".

Moments of Fear

A second can turn into a lifetime. Your heart is beating out of your chest.

Have you ever not known where your child is?

Your mind works differently as a parent, doesn't it?

Have you ever thought to yourself "even though I am near to my child, what if someone ran past real fast and snatched them up"?

Saturday afternoon, we were at the park. There was a festival going on. I was talking to a classmate. Jon was right behind me with the kids on the playground.

Problem: Jon thought Austin was with me.

It was a matter of seconds, but neither of us knew where Austin was.

I found him standing on the other side of a gathering of people a few feet away, in the middle of the basketball court all by himself. He had tears in his eyes and his little finger in his mouth.

You don't want to panic, but at the same time, horrible thoughts are running through your head. Once found, you scoop them up and hug them with all your might. All of this in a matter of seconds. Seconds that seem to last forever!

Swing Batter, Batter!

The early beginnings of a baseball star??!!

Olympics, anyone?

The Olympics begin this week on 8-8-08. I haven't heard much excitement leading up to the Olympics this year, other than all of the political hoopla. That's too bad. The athletes train diligently and without rest for years leading up to these games.

The motto is "One World, One Dream". For a few short weeks, the world comes together to celebrate and compete for the highest dreams of winning a Gold medal. I love to watch the stories unfold of all the different athletes and see how through sports we can momentarily break down the barriers of language, age, and different cultures.

I'm looking forward to watching my favorites: Gymnastics, Beach Volleyball, and Swimming.

Yummy Applesauce

Tonight we made applesauce! All by ourselves! Almost two years ago, my parents helped us make some and we have just one container left.


This time we used transparent apples, which I definitely prefer. I love the wonderful aroma it makes throughout the kitchen and I love to be able to go to my freezer whenever I'm in the mood for applesauce!


The apples before (a few days before they were ready)


Jon getting into the action.


Avery is our little helper.


Before and After


Ready to go to the freezer. These containers have been around awhile. I remember coming home from college for a weekend or something and taking back frozen applesauce or strawberry jam.

When I was little, my cousins and I were known as the Applesauce Kids...we loved it and couldn't get enough. The way I go through applesauce, this batch will probably last me until Labor Day! :)

Vacation Bible School

Every Tuesday in July, Avery has been attending Vacation Bible School at a little church right near our subdivision. Our church, unfortunately, didn't offer VBS this summer, so it turned out to be a great way for her to learn more about Jesus while learning new songs, making crafts, and hearing stories from the Bible. She didn't seem to mind that she didn't know any of the other children when she started five weeks ago.

It was a really cute Beach Party theme. She had a great time. Even Austin was singing the catchy songs just hearing them for 15 minutes each week when we all walked over to pick her up.

Tonight they had a program for the parents to watch them. We were smiling from ear to ear.

Toddler-speak

Austin's vocabulary has taken off since he turned 2.
Some of the things he says are so funny, they just make me smile.

Some of my favorites right now:

AMBLEE-ANCE (every time we pass the fire station)

BEEP (Bird)

RUNNY BABBIT (Avery said it this way too when she was little)

CRIP (CHIP)

SAMMICH (Sandwich)

A-CHANGA-MA-DIAPER (change my diaper)

MORE DWEENK (drink) PLEAAAASSEEE

ROLY POLY (all bugs)

BLINKERS (Sprinklers)

COFFEE (all mugs)

I Love Saturday Mornings!

* Jonny's Blueberry Pancakes
* Sausage
* Coffee
* the Garage Sale section of the classifieds

My Favorite Fair Memory

It was a warm summer evening in late July of 1998. I had just arrived into town from Indianapolis. My sweetie and I were headed to the fair.

Upon arrival at the fair, we headed to get some strawberry shortcake. Then we made our way towards the Ferris Wheel. Jade and Andrew were there too. I thought, "how strange that Jon isn't wanting to have any bites of this yummy strawberry shortcake". Oh well, more for me!

When we stepped onto the Ferris Wheel Platform, the carnival attendant held the door open for us to step in and then closed it. Again..strange that we were the only ones riding in that car, when I had noticed that every other car was loaded completely full.

We enjoyed our ride and when our car reached the very top, it stopped. Of course, I assumed that they were loading more riders down below.

As I was taking in the sites of the fairgrounds and beyond, suddenly Jon was on his knee (in the wobbly car) with an engagement ring in hand! His proposal was so sweet...I was thrilled and said "yes" immediately.

When the ferris wheel started moving again, we stopped at the bottom and the carnival attendant allowed Jade and Andrew to jump on board with us. The carni gave us a big toothless grin and told us that he, too, had gotten engaged on the ferris wheel and wished us well.

It had all been planned ahead of time. Jon had visited with my Dad, Jade and Andrew had fore-warned the carnival attendant, and Jon had such a nervous feeling in his gut that he couldn't eat a thing.

Every year, we walk past the Ferris Wheel and remember that memorable ride.

Come to the - - County 4-H Fair!

All you locals are singing the jingle right now...

We've had a full weekend. The kids are tired. The parents are tired, too.








Yesterday we spent the day at the fair eating great food, visiting with familiar faces, looking at the animals, and working at the Taco Stand.

It's been a recent yearly tradition that our whole family (parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc) works a shift at the Taco Stand. It's a great way to see people and we have fun working together. Jon just loves being the "soda guy"! A lot of taco-lovin' people came by-there was a continuous line from 6-10pm. Even at 5 minutes 'til 10 when we were ready to close up shop...a gentleman and his family ordered 20 Soft Tacos and 9 large drinks!!

We made the long trek back to the car, put the kids in their jammies so they could fall asleep and headed home to catch the re-run of the ESPY's. (By the way-Justin Timberlake Rocks!)

Rain On Our Parade

The College Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Parade wasn't as good as it could have been today.
It rained all morning long. Most of the enshrinees were in covered cars and Joe Paterno didn't even bother to show up for the parade.
I am a member of the Sports Commission and I volunteered to work in the hospitality suite during the enshrinement festival this weekend; welcoming the VIPs and their family members, offering suggestions for things to do, places to go, where to eat, etc.
I took the whole family along to watch the parade and join in on the festivities.
Here are a few highlights from our morning:





Doug Flutie


Ahmad Rashad

Birth Order

I'm the oldest. I don't know what it's like to be the younger sibling. To be honest I really don't remember being the only sibling either, but it's something that I am pondering lately.

Austin doesn't know any different, but I sometimes feel that he gets slighted because I don't have the one on one time to give to him like I did when Avery was the only child.

It's just the way life works. He'll get his chance to be the "only" child once Avery graduates from high school and goes to College (I guess I'm assuming that's what will happen, but who knows).

When Avery was two, we were practicing our counting, abc's, watching the Wiggles, listening to Itsy-Bitsy spider, putting together wooden puzzles, etc. Age appropriate activities.

At age two, Austin is listening to & watching Hannah Montana, High School Musical, playing with Barbies, and chasing the older girls in the neighborhood.

Don't get me wrong, he certainly gets his fair share of "boy" activities as well. And when he plays with Barbies...he's usually Ken or the dog. :)

Last night Austin was cuddling on my lap and Avery was a little jealous...soon they were both wrestling each other for the space. I told Avery that for nearly three years of her life, she was the only one that sat on my lap and I needed to let Austin have his chance as well. I don't know if that made sense to her or not.

I am going to work on spending more one on one time with my little guy to make sure that he's doing things that he wants to do. Maybe I'll even enlist the big sister to help teach him those things and we'll get a two-for-one deal out of it.

Parenting is hard work...and I'm sure it never gets any easier.

Austin - Age 23 months
Avery - Age 20 months

Fields of Lavender

Yesterday, my friend Carey and I went on a girls outing.

We first drove to Michigan to a lavender farm. The wonderful scent of lavender surrounded us as soon as we stepped out of the car. We spent about a half hour collecting our bundles of lavender. For $5, we could select as much as would fit into a twisty-tie. They also had recipes, oils, and lotions on hand that we could purchase if we desired. We even had the chance to sample some Lavender iced tea.




On the way home, we took a leisurely drive and stopped at every antique mall along the way. I've never been "antiquing" before, but enjoyed looking at all of the unique finds and pieces of furniture.

It was a nice afternoon. Thanks to our hubbies for playing with the kids all afternoon while we were out enjoying the day.

Ode to My Jet Ski

Oh dearest Jet Ski,
Another ride there will never be.
Late summer of 2002 our relationship began.
For a long while, now, I've been your only fan.

Rides around the island,
Waving to those on land.
The splashing water on my face.
It was fun to pretend to be in a race.

Speeding fast around the lake.
Lots of turns and twirls we did make.
A few brave riders went along for the ride.
But more than not, it was me by your side.

I will miss you my friend.
But less stress in the end.
No more batteries, spark plug, or cylinder trouble.
No more headaches when we're seeing double.

Someday I'll buy a new jet ski.
When I win the lottery.
Until then, I'll always have the memories,
we shared together riding in the breeze!

The Belly Smacker

Our nephew Owen perfected the Belly Smacker over the weekend. He and Avery must have done it 20 times in a row. And it never got old!

Life is Good!

Out for a Sunday drive!


Swimming with Mady & Morgan.


Lake activities with Owen & Sophia


Summer BBQ!


Crafting with Grammie & Grandpa


Livin' Large


Just Chillin'


The Family