Our Anniversary

Yesterday John and I celebrated 14 years of marriage. I can hardly believe that much time has gone by already!

We went to a beautiful resort in Galela IL the 1st weekend in October to celebrate. We were actually gone 26 hours with no children. It was so wonderful to get away together. (fireplace, birds singing, amazing scenery)

Last night we went out for dinner and had a wonderful time. During our conversation we realized there was really very little we would have changed if given the chance to go back with hindsight 20/20 knowledge. It truly has been 14 good years.

As we looked forward to the next 14 years we noted that David will be out of the house and Caleb will be on his way out, Nathan would be in High School. We will be approaching the empty nest stage in our life. I am careful to not "wish away" these years with our boys but yet the thought of having John all to myself is exciting.

I wouldn't trade this man or these boys for any corporate success the world has to offer. I feel so blessed to have been able to make our house a home with my full time effort.

I thank God for his wisdom in choosing just the right mate for me. Even though I was aware of his character when I married him, I am still amazed at the gift God gave me the day I married John.

So hears to the years to come!

Kid Who Lies

I am picking up David and his buddy from school. I hear some interesting banter in the back seat of the van.

"Did you see that boy who was next to me at recess?"
"Yeah, You mean that one that LIES?"
"Yes. That is him. I pretend to be his friend, but really I am not, because I don't want to hang around kids who LIE!"
"Yes. You are right. Me NEITHER! But, I will still be nice to him."
"Yeah, me too"


Well I guess I don't have to go over that lesson again. Both David and his buddy have figured out for themselves what to do when they encounter a kid who is not telling the truth.

It sure was interesting to be a fly on the wall when they said those things.
It made me smile.

Apple pickin'

The boys and I went apple pickin' with Aunt Brenda, Zach and Sam today.
Check out the video - we sure had a good time.
Now I am off to make my grandma's recipe for apple pie!

Carving our pumpkins

Yesterday, Caleb is negotiating with me to get something he wants. I can't even remember what it was. He decided to use one of dad's favorite lines.

He says to me. "OK mom. Here's the deal..."

"Here's the deal?" I say back. Are you kidding me? "Here's the deal?"

He flashes the usual dimple grin. I laugh out loud and say a silent prayer for the wife he will have some day.

I actually get him saying it on tape later on while we are carving pumpkins.

AND if that is not enough - after carving his pumpkin he lovingly looks at it and says
"I wish I had a pumpkin like that."

Listen to him on the clip it is soooo funny because the pumpkin he wishes he has, is actually his pumpkin!

Nathan's crawling styles

A quick clip of Nathan getting around.

For some time he has been "army crawling" but after an evening with Naarah Hionis, he figured out that she was moving much faster than him!

"How does she do that?"

So, now he is up on all fours motoring around after a ball.

I apologize for the "NOISE" on the 1st part of the clip. The boys were watching Incredibles in the background and it just happened to be on a hero fight scene. I admit it is normally loud at our house, but I felt like I had to defend myself and clarify that was not actually my kids fighting.

David Rides the Bus

Most of the time, I take David to school in the morning. But, once a week, he takes the bus. He loves this because his buddies across the street go on the bus.

I asked him the other day how he felt about the bus and he said: "I love it. But you know what? The bus driver starts driving away before we are even sitting down AND there are NO seat belts!"

Nathan's Checkup

Nathan goes to see our favorite family doctor for our routine 12 mo check up.

She is the best doctor we have had for the boys. But, she sooooo granola. You know what I mean by granola? No shave legs, no shave pits, no makeup, all natural, nurse till your kid is in kindergarten type. Let me say again, she really is the best doctor we have had.

I have to tell her Nathan is no longer nursing. He is now on regular whole milk. She is less than thrilled by this news. She looks at his growth chart (He is 22 lbs and roly poly for those of you who haven't seen him lately) and informs me his growth curve is beginning to fall off the chart.

I think I may have actually rolled my eyes in front of her. For goodness sake, you La Leche crazies want kids on the boob forever. He is a chunker pants! I really don't think he is any worse for the wear for being on cows milk. I think maybe his curve might be going down because he is starting to move - you think?