Packing time

I love to pack so much! Really, the worse thing about a trip is the un-packing (although, its a lot easier... you're just tired from the trip). So today I began to pack for the trip that we leave for on Saturday and I have to be honest in saying that I didn't get too far. First, the kids wanted to wear their costumes that I was packing, and seeing how I wasn't sure if they would fit, we became decked out from head to toe. Then, since my son is Buzz Lightyear, he turned one of the suitcases into his spaceship and proceeded to "fly" it around the room. My daughter, ever the helpful fairie (for real, that's her costume) packed another suitcase with all of her favorite stuffed animals and books and then, herself. So, once we were done playing dress-up, they decided to un-pack the one suitcase that I had actually managed to start packing. So, I did get one suit case almost completely packed-- twice. Well, packing is its own little journey now:) Also, my "helpers" threw out some of my carefully organized notes on where to stop, what we're eating, and oh yeah, our reservation numbers. Our journey has just begun... plus my sweet husband is always telling me to plan less and enjoy more....

running the race...

I am so tired right now... its been a long couple of days. There are some crazy issues at Matt's work and it was a long, frustrating afternoon with the kids. We have our first family week long vacation coming up and right now I feel like I am trying to persevere and hang on until then to just escape and relax and be together as a family. And, as I was trying to brush my kid's teeth and unsuccesfully trying to dodge their sharp little teeth it suddenly dawned on me that I am in a much bigger race... not just towards vacation, but to Heaven. I was never athletic and the only races I've run have been in gym class, but they weren't pleasant. God never promised to make our races any easier, but He did promise to carry us when we needed it and stay by our sides. I am so comforted. We are blessed with many days where we as a family forget we're even in a race things are so smooth, but, when they are a bit crazy and topsy turvy and sleep deprived, its nice to know our Coach is still there just like He was when we were perhaps running down a hill and not up one. So, keep it steady and consistent and be diligent because we're not done yet!

Mommy forums

So, this past summer I "joined" a mommy forum and here and there have tried to keep in touch with the ladies-- I even went to two events. What I have finally concluded is that I am pretty sure that I was the only Christian on the entire site with over 300+ mommies! It was really frustrating because they were so into tolerating everything, except, oh yeah, people who make rock the boat and remind us what a moral or principle really is. For the most part, I really did behave myself and just kept my mouth shut no matter how many of them trashed talked their husbands, swore, complained about their husbands, and thought strange things were the norm. I don't want to say it was all bad, for the most part it really did deal a lot with potty training, snack time, etc...... but then I saw a post about politics and thats when I became really frustrated! I just dont understand how people can buy into some of the devils lies that are so obvious to a believer. I mean, hold up half of what a certain nominee is saying and believes in to the Bible and it just doesn't ring true!I finally really came to the conclusion, and be forewarned, I am not the first to realize something so obvious, but the media really does desensitize and make a lot of people who aren't in the word, buy into the world. What a difference... even on sesame street, there are brief flashes of same sex couples withthe children. So, when are cable ended, I was in total favor of letting it go. Sure, I may miss the cooking shows, but I have books... my husband was in complete mourning due to this being football season, but, lo and behold, you can watch that online now.... so, we are for now, television-less and are surviving!

* I don't want us to sound too weird, so I thought I should add that we do still have our dvd player and watch some movies with TVGuardian on.... so, one step at a time!

Book worms

I am undeniably a book worm... Matt often has to blast a bullhorn near me, set off an alarm, shake me, and still... I am totally oblivious to all that is going on around me. A good book is more then just a bunch of pages: it is a treasured friend that you can revisit at anytime by just lifting the cover. When I met Matt he shared my love for books (although, he doesn't become quite as a lost in them as me) and we proclaimed that we'd have them scattered throughout our home on coffee tables, bookshelves, end tables, etc.... well, the books that are actually scattered around aren't exactly the ones we had in mind, but our house is nonetheless filled to the brim with books. Picture books. We have two of the biggest book worms and I have to say, I enjoy the really good picture books right along with them! We read before naps, during play time, while making dinner, before bedtime... ahh, it's wonderful! We are big fans of the library too and we read over eighty books this summer (some of them about twenty times a piece) and earned these cute t-shirts! I encourage you, no matter how busy your summer to enjoy at least one good book with someone you love... reading can open many worlds!

Our favorite books:

1. Brown Bear

2. No, David

3. David gets in Trouble

4. Olivia

5. Fancy Nancy

6. Kiss Goodnight Sam

7. I ain't Gonna Paint No More

8. Goodnight Moon

9. Knuffle Bunny

10. Owen

callie and i at the park

Picnic in the Park

When I started tis a couple of days ago, okay, a week ago, I had every intention of blogging more, but here I am a week later and sumer is rushing on and I have only blogged about our toliet! Ugh-- well, our potty troubles are done after a professional came out to replace some of the old pipes underneath the floor. But we have been busy picnicking in the parks... it is our family's absolute favorite thing to do in the summer (besides gardening, but more on that another day)! We are very blessed to have several different parks all within about 20 minutes from our house and I am sure there are more to be found! Noah is in love with peanut butter and jelly and blueberries, and Callie just loves to eat, but eating outside just enhances the experience! We love to fly kites, shoot off our foam rocket, blow bubbles, toss a ball up the slides, and of course, play on the playground. I am trying to get them into Nature Walk parks, but Noah thinks they all have something wrong with them and will ask me about every other five minutes what happened to the playground. But, the best is the fresh air and the (almost) uninterupted family time. It is so hard to slow things down with two especially busy toddlers, but oddly enough at the park it happens. We can swing and cuddle, slide down together, and have a meal where the biggest part of cleanup is tossing the crusts to the birds! So, whats your favorite thing to do at the park?