Sunday, September 27, 2009

Parfaits with Ava

A few weeks ago, Ollie's friend, Ava, came over. We had a fun time playing together ALL day! We went shoe shopping, to Walmart and the bank. After naps, we went to the football field to help Joel lock up and the kids got to ride on the Polaris with him!

Later, we came back home for zebra parfaits--they LOVED them. (It was definitely an 'eat-this-outside' kind of treat)

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

30

Happy 30th Joel! We LOVE you!!!!!

Kendall, Ollie and Lily

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Learning

I'm so thankful for these two. They've taught me a lot about God.

When Lily is SO hungry and is just SCREAMING, or Ollie cries because he can't have that cupcake...or Lily fusses as I'm changing her diaper--it's so much like me. The minute something happens in my life that I don't like, or am uncomfortable with, or didn't plan on...I have a fit. Sometimes aloud. Sometimes in my heart.

And yet, as a parent, I KNOW that the reason I don't let Ollie eat a cupcake is because he'll spoil dinner. Or because he's getting something better in a few minutes. But he can't see that.
I can deal with Lily screaming because she's hungry because I KNOW that it's coming. Right now. But she doesn't understand that yet. She doesn't realize that I just have to get her pants on--and THEN she can crawl and play all she wants.
I know that's how God is. In his father-like love for me, He knows what's coming next. And although I may fuss and throw a fit--He still loves me. And understands that I'm human. He knows what I need even better than I do.


Just like I want Ollie and Lily to TRUST us, because we know what's best, God wants my full trust, too. Because His heart is TRUE LOVE for me. So I'm growing. And learning to trust Him. And I'm so thankful that He uses children to teach us.

Monday, September 21, 2009

State Fair

We went to the fair this year on opening night. I won't lie...we go for the food. But, since the fair costs an ARM AND A LEG to get into anymore...we eat before we go...then just get dessert or something. My oh my...that funnel cake was delicious!

Some random pictures:

Monday, September 14, 2009

Big Helper

Ollie really IS a big helper. This video is a few weeks old...but it shows him feeding Lily. It's funny how well he can do it! And you definitely hear the phrases he hears from us coming out...

Friday, September 11, 2009

If you want a good laugh...

check out 'www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com'. So funny!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

First Day of Preschool

Don't worry--you haven't missed a year of Ollie's life! It was MY first day! In case you didn't know, I am now officially the teacher of a preschool that meets at our church. I teach 3 mornings a week for a couple hours each. I have 9 (yep, that's SINGLE digits) students. And I am SO excited!

Here's what the rooms looked like a month ago:

And after putting in HOURS the past few weeks, they now look like a preschool room!


(by the way, those awesome cabinets above were made by Matt Beverlin. He's AMAZING!)

Yesterday the kids arrived, ready to go. It was such a fun morning! But here are a few observations that I made--ways 4 year olds are different than 3rd graders:

1. Four year olds still have no filter. They just say what they want!

2. Four year olds don't know how to line up yet. They kept making a huddle, instead of a line. Or coming to the FRONT of the line.

3. Four year olds can be entertained by ANYTHING. For 15 minutes (during inside recess) they EACH chased a ball around. The whole time.

4. Four year olds have a slightly shorter attention span than 9 year olds (seriously, only slightly!) Several times I'd have to remind a student to come back to circle time when they had found interest in a different toy or book.

5. Four year olds sing willingly, without feeling silly!

I think I'll adjust to the differences. And already, they've given me lots of good laughs!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

SOOOOOO Far Behind

Okay, this, I believe, is THE busiest few months Joel and I have had as a family. And blogging has happened to slip WAAY down on my list of priorities to #79, right under #78 'Reorganize Spice Cabinet'. But today, I'll take the time to finish blogging about our trip 6 weeks ago. Sad, I know.

So here it is--the last 4 days of our trip all in one:

Thursday we went to the Air Force Academy and walked around. It was fun to read all about the place and see the jets and the chapel (below).





Friday we left Palmer Lake where we stayed and drove to Denver to stay downtown. That evening, we went to eat at the Cherry Cricket (featured on Man Vs. Food) and then watched the Cubs play the Rockies. It was so beautiful that night, and the kids did really well!


Saturday we walked around the 16th street mall in Denver, and hung out at the hotel. We all left Sunday. We made it home in excellent time--in fact, Lily slept all but about an hour and a half of that trip!