Moved In.

We're moved in.

We {heart} our house.

We have boxes everywhere.

The kids frequently ask when we're going home.

We'll blog more when things settle down a bit.

The end.

Birthday Party #2

Oliver got a bike from Grandma and Grandpa J. and Grandma and Grandpa Smith. He was SO excited! And while we were picking it out...he kept saying, "I need a helmet, too! I can't ride without a helmet!"

(Little did he know, Aunt NeeNee was getting him one the next day at his family party!)


Also, a Lego plane that Grandpa J. helped him build...





And ice cream cake!!!

Ollie's First Birthday Party

On Oliver's birthday, we had a small celebration with just our family. Since we were in the middle of crazy-house-progress, we waited on a bigger party for a few days.

Here he is at school eating one of his yummy strawberry cupcakes with chocolate frosting that he chose.


That night we ate supper and opened gifts--
His Buzz Lightyear Lego set...

His Stomp Rocket from Uncle Tyler and Aunt Erin...(HUGE hit!)


Blowing out candles...


More birthday fun to come!.....

I might possibly be obsessed with...

Thunderstorms.

It's true. And last night reminded me of that. I just LOVE a good thunderstorm. Or even a CHANCE for a thunderstorm. I never feel more alive than when I'm watching massive lightning fill the sky.

My love of storms MIGHT come from the fact that my parents would put us into the car (even in our PJ's) when storms were coming, just so we could see them better. We'd drive around the countryside just enjoying the lightning.

If you're ever spending time with me and a thunderstorm pops up...don't take it personally. I really can't focus on you. Or anything. I just want to enjoy the storm! (and watch the clouds, and see a radar, and be in the country.)

In high school, I used to walk or drive up to a certain spot in town that overlooked the town so I could watch the storms move in. It was so peaceful.
I wanted to become a meteorologist in high school, but then realized I had to use science AND math. Shoot. There went that dream.

When Joel and I got married, I dragged him out a couple times so I could watch for tornadoes. He didn't believe me that the safest spot during a storm was OUTSIDE--you know--so I could see which direction the tornado was coming from!
I might possibly have once (as an RA in college) helped to usher our entire dorm of people down to the basement during a tornado warning, only to have them come back OUT when I yelled, "I see a funnel!" It was true. But probably not very safe.
I also might have prayed that we'd have a massive thunderstorm during my labor with Ollie (what's more fun than that?) only to have that prayer answered...my dad had to drive home before meeting Ollie because of the threat of large amounts of water in his basement. (He asked me NOT to pray that when Lily was born...)
Joel and I actually attended a spotter meeting REALLY hoping to become trained spotters...but unfortunately, I was 9 months pregnant at the time, and we weren't quite sure how that would work with a baby.

I have several favorite meteorologists (and will be the FIRST to buy their trading cards when those come out. I'm SURE they'll be coming soon, right?)

It's my very favorite thing about spring.
Mostly--I feel more alive during a thunderstorm than any other time. Even more alive then when I'm drinking coffee. Maybe because it reminds of God's incredible beauty, power, and creative nature--all in one.

I sure hope there are thunderstorms in heaven.