Good Friends = Good Times

These boys have been a good example of maintaining friendship. They were forced into friendship by their parents (b/c we are friends), but it's paid off. Even after more then 2 years of living in different cities, they still write letters to each other and seriously anticipate getting to hang out again (just like their parents). It's pretty sweet...ironically enough, they lost their other front tooth at about the same time so we needed to have a picture of their gap faces together. :) Good times, good conversations and we look forward to visiting again sometime soon!

2 year old + Markers = ?????

Get angry...or get the camera?? I opted for getting the camera. Really, it was pretty funny all things considered. Don't get me wrong, we still had a serious chat, but I was more rational at least. You can't tell by the picture, but the water had a serious green tint to it because of all the marker on him. The kids know to keep their markers up high on the shelf...bummer is...he is now tall enough to reach the shelf. UGH!!!

Gap Face

We officially have a 2nd grader with no front teeth. He wiggled and wiggled and wiggled that tooth and it finally came out. How is it possible that he is still so cute even with a gapping hole in his mouth?!?!

Scaling Back....

There are a few things I need to update on here, but I'll start with something that I'm/we're working through right now. If you know us well, you know that Dan and I don't function well being super busy and not having margin in our life. Well, for the past 6 months or so it has felt that way.

Dan has been more busy in his role as part-time principal and part-time teacher...surprisingly enough over the last 8 months or so my business has grown that I am working more and more all the time. What's my primary job? Graphic designer? Nope...wife...mom. To be honest, I feel like I have been spending more time working and less time being a mom. We are blessed that we now have the opportunity to make some changes. Why and how you might ask?

Last week Dan was offered an assistant principal position at West Fargo HS and he accepted. (HOORAY, this was a LONG TIME prayer request!!!) Initially we planned on having me continue working...after a weekend of craziness and God working on both our hearts, we sat down Sunday night to reconnect and talk and we came to the conclusion that something needs to change. God opened the door for Dan's job and we're so thankful for that and for this season while we have young kids I want to go back to having more focused time with them. It will be an adjustment again, but it's kind of a breath of fresh air!!

Embarassing Mom Moment #2437

After dropping Alayna off at preschool this morning Seth and I went to run an errand together. He is a pretty good little helper/shopper. As I was getting the things on my list, one of them was orange juice (you know where this is going???). Anyway, I got the orange juice (plastic jug) and was going to put it in the back of the cart, but Seth wanted to help me (he normally takes the item and puts it in the back of the cart for me). He was buckled in the front of the cart and when he took the orange juice, it was heavier then he thought and when he twisted, it dropped to the floor...and the lid cracked = OJspillage!! He was holding it himself (without my help like normal) b/c I had just let go to wave "Hi!" to someone we knew. Bad timing!! Thankfully, the person I was saying "Hi!" to came over and chatted with me during the 'episode' and a store worker was nearby and said he'd take care of everything. Seth kept saying, "sorry mommy"...amazingly enough, it wasn't his fault..this time. :)

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

What a great idea on a day that is gorgeous with just the right amount of wind to fly a kite nice and high!! The kids were pumped (and if we're honest, Dad LOVES flying kites too)! With my camera ready to capture Seth's first kite flying experience...let's go!

Alayna and Evan gearing up to help get things started....

Seth VERY excited to get to be the first person to really FLY the kite!!

The kite is flying high in the sky.....maybe a bit too high...and now it's flying without string...MAYDAY - MAYDAY....we have an unmanned kite! Less then 10 minutes after beginning our kite flying adventure...it has come to an end. Dad and kids are out on a mission to find the kite...will they find it?? Stay tuned!

Seth Sayings

I'd like to get in the habit of writing out some of the silly things my 2 year old says...as I was talking to another mom this morning I was telling her that Josiah and Alayna still say silly things once in a while, but not as consistently as what a 2 year old does. I want to remember some of these things....here are a couple to start with:

-- as I'm trying to explain to Seth why he can't wear the shorts he found in his room outside he looks at me and says, "Not shorts mommy...little pants" -- how can you argue with that??

-- I love to hug and kiss my kids....as I was kissing Seth over and over on his cheeks he asked me, "Hungry mommy?"...I said, "Yes, I'm hungry for a baby Seth"...."Ok mommy, you can have more" and then he leaned in for more kisses...have I mentioned that boy brings lots of laughter into our home!!!???

Stay tuned...I'm sure there will be more to come...there's never a shortage (it's just whether I remember to write them down)

Horses and Tractors and Donkey...Oh My!

This year we celebrated Easter out in Kindred. It was seriously the nicest Easter weather that I can remember. God blessed us with PERFECT weather for playing outside. Here are some picture highlights of our weekend....in no particular order...

traditional family picture

we didn't even plan the white shirts...but it worked great!

grandpa and all his girls

a little 4-wheeler action after church

when outside he must say "Hi!" to the horses...especially Jim.

he was outside ALL day...no nap...just playing...can you tell?? He is FILTHY, but he had a GREAT time!

throw all the kids in, it's time for a wagon ride

chatting with mom

we did a lot of this....sitting and chatting around the fire while the kids ran and played...it was GREAT!

what a great picture!

his second favorite thing to do on the farm....

by far his FAVORITE thing to do on the farm...

although he kicked grandpa off right away b/c he likes to ride by himself...yes, he's fearless and feels VERY comfortable on a horse

precious

4-wheeler fun

We had a great weekend of celebrating in a variety of ways the fact that we serve the one true God. He died on a cross for our sins and 3 days later rose again...what a MIGHTY God we serve!