A preview of coming attractions

Madison is walking! It's not pretty, but it's definitely walking. She can stand up in the middle of the room unassisted and take several steps. These aren't representative of her best work, but you get the general idea!

Happy Birthday, Madison!

Okay, so it's a few days early. We couldn't pass up on the opportunity to celebrate with Granny and Poppy. I made a dirt cake for Madison in a cute pink flower pot...which will end up in her room as some sort of decoration (along with the green one).

We used Evie's beach blanket (a gift from Dena last year) as a chair cover.... very nice for easy clean-up.

She was already pretty cute eating her pudding, but she was down right irresistable when she licked the plate and covered herself with the messy dessert.

After a quick bath and change of clothes, Jared helped Madison open her gifts. She received a toy box from James & Charity, money from Granny & Poppy, a purse from Aunt Laura & family and a snuggle baby from us. A couple of gifts are en route, but we didn't want to wait until Thursday....

Granny & Poppy's Visit - Part 2

Here are a few more pictures. Granny played ball with Evie in the basement, while the menfolk finished the birdhouse.

Poppy and Madison spent a little quiet time together this morning....

Granny & Poppy's Visit

Granny and Poppy arrived last night. The kids took them outside this morning to show off their riding toys and to work on building a birdhouse.

Just sittin' 'round

Madison and Evie were playing quietly (a little too quietly, if you know what I mean) in Evie's room this afternoon. This was what I walked in to find.

Someone was REALLY happy with herself!

The Singing Bug

I couldn't resist posting a short video clip of Jared reading to me today. He was reading a lesson out of "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons." The story is about a singing bug who can't sing (sounds like me).

It's short....just under a minute and a half. Enjoy!

What's the deal?

• Jared (in the whiniest voice possible): "Mommy, I have to raise my hand to talk in Kindergarten. It's not fun."
• Mommy: "It's not?"
• Jared: "It's not fun to wait." (don't we all figure this out at some point??)

He repeated this conversation with Daddy tonight and he added another question, "What's the deal with Kindergarten?" :)

Well, that was his first day of Kindergarten. Yep, that's all the info we got.

Phase-In Day

Our school district has this very cool thing called Phase-In. They divide the kindergarteners into thirds and they attend school in groups for the first three days. Jared's Phase-In day is today and school officially starts tomorrow.

I still have a heart for homeschooling, and my little boy just finished his kindergarten math book yesterday. We've also spent the summer learning to read (not an accomplished reader, yet). My favorite thing about our school district is that Kindergarten is a half day---actually it's only 2.5 hours.

If you are a person of prayer, please join our family in lifting up Jared's teacher, Ms. Redman, along with Jared! Thanks! May God protect them both this school year.

Madi's Milestones

Since Madison's first birthday is quickly approaching, I thought a little update was due.

She has three teeth. This may not seem like much to most, but Evie didn't get her first tooth until she was 13 months old, so we're happy not to have waited that long again.

Madison took her first step three weeks ago, while Mrs. Johns was here (not that anyone saw the step but me!). Since then, she has consistently taken 5 steps before falling down and has successfully stood up a few times in the middle of the room without any props/assistance.

Lastly, she likes to wave "hello." On occasion she says "ahhhhh" as she waves, to mimic saying "hi." It's pretty cute, but she does not act on command. Mrs. Johns was here a whole week and we couldn't get Madison to cooperate even once.

God is soooo Good

Church has been a constant challenge for our family for the past two years. First, Jared was a little pysical (to put it mildly) and struggled in the classroom environment. Then there was Evie, who cried the entire time she was in her class (from age 10 months to 12 months). Evie finally settled in, but Jared still had a hard time. So for the last two years we've only attended church for the first hour, during which Scott and I attended the worship service only. Well, Jared began doing better, and Madison became the challenge. Going through separation anxiety and crying the entire time she was in class became the norm a few weeks ago.

Last week we managed to get all three of our kids settled and stayed at church the whole morning....Today was even better! Scott and I attended Sunday School (and found a class we actually like this time) and then went to worship service. About 15 minutes before we would have been done at church, I decided to take a potty break, something that rarely happens. On my way to the bathroom I ran into someone from the Children's wing walking with Jared trying to find me. Apparently Jared was tired and said he missed his mommy....several times, to the point they decided to come find me.

God is soooo Good. The lady would have had a really hard time finding us, since Scott and I were sitting in the back section row that is against the wall---you can't see this section from the doors, so this lady would have looked a long time and probably have had to give up. I have prayed a lot about our family attending church and getting more out of Sunday morning than just childcare, and God has answered our prayers for two weeks in a row. Yay!

A few words from Jared

I got to have two very cute conversations with Jared yesterday. I just felt like I had to share them.

Early afternoon..
Jared, "Mommy, I have a spot on my foot right here that hurts when I walk."
(Mommy does not comment)
Jared (a few moments later), "It's okay, I'll survive."


Late afternoon at Lowe's while Jared and I were walking around looking for Daddy...
Jared, "Mommy, I saw Daddy down that aisle."
We walked back to that aisle...Mommy, "Sorry, buddy, I don't see Daddy down there."
Jared, "Well, I saw someone with gray hair."
TRUE STORY! :) Poor Scott.

Ridiculously Cute Picture of Evie

I took the kids to the park this morning (it was impossible to pass up enjoying the 70 degree weather.....sorry, my Texan friends!). I caught a cute pic of Evie with my phone camera. I just love the pigtails and the large grin painted across her sweet face. Look closely and you can see little Madi in the background.....Hmm...where's Jared??

Renae's Visit

I am deeply grateful to Carol, a lovely woman who gave her daughter some frequent flyer miles.... allowing Renae to come visit us! We had a great time visiting the zoo (three times, to see it all), driving to Amish country, eating BBQ and Graeter's ice cream, watching Lost, visiting a Metro Parks garden and enjoying each other's company. Oh, and I can't forget the first night--our trip to urgent care.

I had a great time and I really miss my dear friend.

Jared's new ride

The disclaimer at the end forgot to mention that the plants were not so fortunate!!!

Summer Action

The kids enjoyed playing outside one afternoon last week. I couldn't resist a few action shots!