Friday, October 28, 2016

HODGE PODGE

This is just kind of a hodge-podge of life right now...a roller coaster of emotions....ups and downs...the stresses of life and raising kids.

I ordered a pack of yoga cards on Amazon and the kids have had a lot of fun going through them! 
Ah, Weight Watchers. I hardly know what to say about this journey but I do know that looking at these pictures side by side is motivated, encouraging and uplifting. It's so easy to get dragged down by everyday failures when it comes to diet and exercise but I've proved that I can do it....now I just need to keep going!
Anyone tired of making supper? Me!! I'm excited about this new cookbook....maybe it will inspire me. I hope. 
I never imagined the things we would encounter as parents. Sometimes it seems like the emotional burden is heavy...when kids are sick, when things go wrong, even when things are good and right....there is always something in the back of our minds. We are trying a new trick to keep little hands busy instead of biting fingernails and other nervous habits. We are hoping that early intervention will lead to a healthier, happier, less anxious life. More than ever I'm so thankful for family and friends who support us in our efforts. 
"You have to be able to love yourself before you can love anyone else...yet marriage will not tolerate selfishness." 
I'll be the first to admit that marriage takes work. Even the best matched people probably run into glitches once in awhile. 
I love this book. It explains things like communication so clearly that it's hard not to apply its advice. I highly recommend it. Oh, and P.S. Don't worry. We're fine :) 
My friend Jen sent my this awesome shirt. Seriously, it fits me to a T!! How do I explain my relationship with Target? I would say it's thriving. How many packs of diapers, gallons of milk and bottles of dish soap have I purchased? How many times have I hauled all of the kids from the back of the store to the front, just so one of them could go potty? How many times have I walked through the aisles, pushing the cart with a screaming toddler while nursing the baby? How many times have I left the store feeling like it was the best workout I had all week because of the kid juggling and running around? And what is it about Target that makes you so hot!? How many times have I had free time and found myself just wandering the aisles and enjoying the peace and quiet? How many times have I gone to Target just for the simple reason of wanting to go simply because I. Love. Target? More than I can count.
I never thought I would be a Lego mom. I swore I would never buy Legos. Seriously, I love Duplo Legos!! They are awesome! Lesson learned. Never say never. 
I'm a big fan of baby teeth. Ava's front tooth is so loose so I snapped a picture just so I could have one of her baby teeth. :)
If anyone is wondering, we still paint in our undies at our house. :)

Ever heard of Bill Staines? He's my new favorite musician. 

And now it's the weekend! 

Saturday, October 15, 2016

MY LITTLE OSCAR

I thought it might be time for a little Oscar update since every time he says something cute I'm like, "Man, I need to remember that! Maybe I should write it down!" :)

He loves his "ABC's" but to him it's "ERD" When he sees letters and wants to tell me what they are he says, "Wow, Mom! E R D!!"

"Peeew!! Deena (Jaina) stinks"

He counts to 11 on a good day but some of his numbers get mixed up.

"I love meetings, Mama."

"Tell me a story, Oscar."
"Ummm...Ruuf (Ruth) and Jesus."

"Can I help you, Mama?"

"You makin me sad, Mama."

He really, really, really wants to go to school.

"I cared (scared) mama."
He gets scared at night of anything that makes a shadow.

"Do it mineself!"

He loves to sing song with his sisters but he's always a few words behind. :)

"Oscar can you pick up your toy's please?"
"Eeeee....sure!"

Friday, October 14, 2016

ERIC + AMBER {SEPTEMBER 24TH}

Congratulations Eric and Amber!!! Wishing you many, many years of love and laughter!!!! 

10 WHOLE YEARS

Ten years. It's seems like yesterday that we stood by the lake and said our vows. Life together has brought so many new experiences. How do you sum up 10 years in a few words? All I can say is that it just gets better. 
I'm so thankful that we were able to take a few days to celebrate our anniversary. Mom and Dad took the kids for the weekend (thanks a million times a million!) and we headed up the north shore. We managed to score one of the last rooms at Lutsen Resort and had the best. weekend. ever. 
We hiked Eagle Mountain (the highest point in MN), rode the gondola and the alpine slide at Lutsen Ski Resort, played mini golf and explored Grand Marais, sat on the beach, drank lots of coffee, toured Split Rock Lighthouse and enjoyed a few precious days of no diapers and car seats. We loved every second of our weekend away. 
How about a little time travel to when we were just babies? :)

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

I was surprised when Ava came home on her first day of 1st grade and told me that she had had a bad day. She came home on her second day and told me she had another bad day. She didn't like her teacher, she didn't like school and she didn't want to go. It broke my heart because this wasn't the Ava I know. The Ava I know loves school and loves to learn. Over the course of the week, I found out there are 31 kids in her class. That's a lot of kids. I also found out that she had been getting in "trouble." Trouble?! I had a minute to talk to her teacher one afternoon and I was assured that all of the kids were in the same boat....learning the rules and discipline of the classroom. 
It's been about a month now since school started and she's been having good days. Her teacher isn't quite two thumbs up but it's not because her teacher is horrible. She's actually quite good! I think it's just been an adjustment to stricter discipline which is good for Ava. I think overall, she's going to have a really good year. 
Little miss Jaina loves preschool. She has the best teacher and I love that she has this opportunity to go every morning. My hope is that this will be her last year of preschool. Kindergarten, here she comes!!!