Have a night by myself here, so I thought I'd update with a little bit about each of my kiddos.
-Eli is still a joy! Laughs all the time. Not crawling, but scoots backwards everywhere. Eats anything and everything and definitely prefers table food over baby food. Loves his daddy. Well-mannered, except when teething (which is NOW) :)

-Addie is a sweetheart, unless she doesn't get her way ;) She's testing the waters with me!! She adores her brother and her dad and is ALWAYS good to them.

Has very vivid dreams at night-- like this morning she woke up and told me she wanted to show me something. She wanted to show me how she could stand on a bouncy ball and balance/walk around the room, like in a circus. Of course she couldn't do it, so then she got upset because- "But Mama! I did it in the middle of the night!"

She is back to napping and does it almost every day. It's because it's her choice now. I ask her what she wants to do for quiet time, and she always chooses to take a nap.

In bed at night, Addie must be laying there thinking about things that she did during the day. I almost always get a 'deep thought' question from her before she falls asleep. Tonight's was- "What happens if I swallow a little bit of toothpaste? Where does it go? Does it go in my tummy and out my butt like food? Is it ok to swallow?" :) Ahhh- the mind of a 3-year-old :)

Our friend Adam's dad passed away this week at a young age as well-- we talked about it and Addie said, "Adam's dad is with Papa in heaven! Maybe they're friends! I can't wait to see them some day when I die and go to heaven." Then she quickly added, "But not yet, Mom." :) We have a very 'with it' young girl on our hands!

Finally, Lynn and Tricia found two caterpillars for Addie so we've been watching them at our house. They are named Katie and Bob. Bob turned into chrysalis today and we witnessed him shedding his skin and becoming this amazing green blob!! It was the coolest thing I've ever seen! Now Addie constantly checks to see if Katie is still a caterpillar :)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to the World's Greatest Dad :) Love you, Brandt!

Father's Day date night!! Our first TWINS game -- It was a blast! I love my hubby :)

Well, we pulled off the 3-year-old birthday party with success! Addie had a blast-- moonwalk, pinatas, cupcakes, friends, and playing in the rain. Both my kids were exhausted by the end of the day, but much fun was had by all :)

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY, ADDISON NOELLE!! WE LOVE YOU :)

Spent Memorial Day on the lake today with the fam. Still felt as though we were missing someone, and it probably always will... but it was good to spend the day together boating, tubing, and just playing. Addie LOVES being outside, next to the water. She plays so well on her own when she's outside. Eli was perfect-- didn't care for the life jacket at first (what kid does!?), but once the boat started up, he was flailing his limbs with excitement :) A fun day!

We've been spending some quality time with Uncle Jeff now that he's home for a few weeks. Yesterday was Como Zoo, but we spent the most time on the rides. My little daredevil!!

Almost 9 months! Crazy :) Fun stage!

Play date with the Marsh boys -- Ice cream and a scenic overlook ;)

This was the peaceful 5 minutes of the day... otherwise, it's been quite the opposite! Both kids have colds. Elias is teething. I'm ready to go back to work ;) AHHHHHHHHHHH!!

We had a terrific Mother's Day with the Sorbel clan yesterday! Lunch and then the waterpark at the Holiday Inn across the street. It was fun to just be together and play!
After a whirlwind of a few weeks, we are going to get back into a routine again. Brandt went back to work today. On my agenda today... laundry, laundry, and more laundry :)

Yesterday we did a lot of explaining to Addie about what was going on with Papa after he passed away. This was my conversation with her...
"Addie, Papa died this morning, but now he gets to live in heaven."
"Hey! Heaven is where Jesus lives!"
"Yes, Addie."
"Hey! Papa is going to see Jesus today!"
"Yes, Addie."
"Yeah! I LOVE Jesus!"

So in the midst of frustration, sadness, confusion, and disbelief, from the mouth of a 2-year-old, I am reminded that Dale is dancing in heaven with Jesus.
We will miss you, Papa :)

My mom and I took the kids to Anderson, Indiana to stay with Phil and Kylee. We had a great time! The kids were just about perfect both there and back, despite the long car ride. And they LOVED their uncle and auntie. A fabulous trip, but good to be home too :)

These two are the reason I wake every morning. Just loving them to pieces!

Brandt wrote on his facebook status the other day, "God works in mysterious ways." I feel like I have said that many times over the past two weeks. It'll be two weeks tomorrow that Dale was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The last two weeks have been a roller coaster- good days and bad. I am doing my best to trust God through this, realizing that He has a plan for Dale and the family, yet I still struggle with being frustrated and asking God, "Why?"
We are seeing lives changed, even our own, and relationships grow and rekindle through this... so yes, God works in mysterious ways... yet I'm still so sad.
Still praying for a miracle- because He can!
Love you, Papa!!! :)

A few Easter favorites :)

We've had a whirlwind of a week. For those of you not on facebook, here is the website to follow Dale's progress and read his story. He begins chemo tomorrow. We're going to fight this thing! Thanks for all your prayers-

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dalesorbel/guestbook

Went to Mall of America today with kiddos and Grammy... rode a roller coaster, among other rides, with my girl...heard great news about a friend...going to make chocolate chip cookies today...57 degrees and sunny... heading to the park... a fabulous day!

Gotta love these two... even on long, tiring, and rough days :)

Tonight is the night! Tonight I will let my child cry. Tonight starts the process of getting him to sleep through the night. Eli has been battling this nasty sickness for about a month now. The last couple of days have given me hope that we are on the up and up! His cough is better and he is no longer wheezing. And he's pooping again (YEAH!). So, I will no longer cater to his needs at night. He has been waking up 3-4 times a night for the past few weeks and I, of course, have been catering to his needs since he's sick. But no more! I had to blog it, so I would actually follow through. I'd appreciate prayers :)

Lutsen skiing and Underwater World. Skiing was a blast! Couldn't beat the weather- 47 degrees and sunny :) Snow wasn't super, but it was still fun. The best part (besides hanging out with my hubby) was sleeping through the night for two nights in a row!!! Yesterday, my friend Amber and I took the kiddos to the Mall of America. We did Underwater World and ran around the park for awhile. Addie LOVED every minute of it.

Kiddos are starting to feel better! Brandt has worked from home the last couple of days, so we had a chance to enjoy the beautiful weather :) Sunday B and I leave for Lutsen for three days. Can't wait! It'll be a much needed vacation-- thanks, Mom and Dad :)

I again have to praise God that we have had pretty healthy kids for the last 2 1/2 years... cause we're getting hit hard this month with sick kids :( Right now they both have bad colds again, but I'm pretty sure Addie's is another ear infection. We are off to the doctor here after breakfast. I am really struggling with patience. Addie is just as frustrated as I am about it-- she's miserable. She doesn't want to do anything but sit on the couch. And she's bossy, short-tempered, and other times just so sad. It's horrible! But she refuses to wipe her own nose, or blow in a Kleenex, so every 2-3 minutes I hear, "Nose again!" and I have to wipe her nose. Ahhh! I know, "This too shall pass"--- but it's hard when you're in the middle of it and the end seems so far away. I would appreciate prayers for patience, so I can just love on these kids while they're sick.

Teething = no fun

Elias is popping his front teeth, and he is so sad!! He'll go in spurts where he just cries and cries. I wish they didn't have to go through it. He turns 6 months in just a couple days- oh, how the time flies!

Addie is doing well-- potty training is still going great! And we decided she seems more confident now that she doesn't wear diapers anymore. Maybe it's because she just seems older :(

Well, nap time is over- got a shower in- it's a good day ;)

Quote of the day from my newly potty trained little girl (conversation as follows):

"Mama, I gotta go!"

"Ok, then... let's go!"

(While sitting on toilet) "Mama! I did it! I pooped!"

"Great job, Addie!"

"Mama, you wanna see?"

"Yes! Of course I want to see!" (I mean, what else do I say??)

(While looking into toilet) "Wow! Mama, that looks like a GIANT SNAKE!"

I just had to laugh... that's one for the baby book :)

Puzzles... my new love. I decided as a stay-at-home-mom, one of the things I am going to get into is puzzles. It's just so peaceful to sit down and work on a puzzle. Probably because it's so mindless. So I started with a 1,000 piece hot air balloon puzzle :) And believe it or not, Brandt and I work on it most nights together. Kinda romantic, huh? ;)

Potty training this week... it's going as good as can be expected. A few accidents and a few successes, but I think she's getting it! Brandt is home for the next four days, so it'll be nice to have company. Potty training = homebound = long days :) B and I are celebrating Valentine's Day with a dinner/movie date Sunday night. A date night is long overdue, so we're looking forward to it! But my hubby surprised me with my Valentine's present... I get to sleep the next four nights and he will get up with the little guy!! It's been a rough last few nights with Eli- he's been waking up every 2 hours, so I am excited to get a little rest. The best present ever!!!!!! Happy Valentine's Day, all :)

Best Friends :)

"These are a few of our favorite things..." (I made B do this--thought it would be fun!)

Steph:
-chocolate chip cookie from Potbelly
-Diet Coke fountain beverage
-open mouth baby kisses
-LOST Seasons 1-5 :)
-cinnamon sugar pretzel from Target
-reading books to both babes
-hanging out with 24 anxious dancers before a competition
-7:30PM when the kiddos go to bed :)

Brandt:
-shopping the clearance aisles at Target
-spying on other people's lives on Facebook
-small group
-playing basketball
-Cheez-It Mix
-Vanilla Coke Zero
-7:30PM when the kiddos go to bed :)

Addie:
-fishy crackers
-tea parties
-t.v.
-pink blankie
-Pizza Hut dates at Target

Eli:
-his Daddy
-sweet potatoes
-any toy he can get to his mouth
-Mommy's milk :)

I am so thankful that my kids have been healthy. Last night we paid for it ;) Addie had a bug, or food poisoning, or something... but she was sick- really sick. It's amazing how much more it feels you love your child when they are sick. After throwing up what I believed was her entire stomach last night, she slept with me in bed, and then proceeded to wake up and throw up 5 more times in the next few hours. I remember when I was young, my mom would rub my back, hold back my hair, and say, "I wish it was me and not you." I was doing and saying the same things last night. So sad. I'm also amazed at how having a sick child makes me fall in love with Brandt even more. We were like a well-oiled machine last night... he was sleeping on the couch, but would hear her, run in and sit with us, then empty the bucket and make sure we were both tucked in before heading back to the couch. And the cycle continued. It's so nice to be with someone to go through the ups and downs of parenting together- the easy days and the hard days. Last night was definitely one of those hard days. Today Addie is doing well. She's eating a little and has kept it all down. She's tired, but has still been her funny self :) And my little boy has been perfect. After about 4 nights of waking up every 2-3 hours, last night he slept 9! It's like he just knew we needed to take care of Addie. And today he's been calm, played on his own and taken three separate hour-long naps. Thank you, Elias! And thank you, Lord :) We're on the up and up!

I am amazed at the very different talents, gifts, and passions God has given each of us. My brothers and I are living completely different lives right now. I can't imagine living in either of their shoes, and I'm sure they feel the same about mine ;) Jeff just moved out to LA, spending this semester at the LA film school. He recently landed an internship with a small production company and is on cloud nine. When he's not in classes or at his internship, he's hanging out at the pool and exchanging contact information with big time producers. I can't even imagine!! On the other side of the world ;), my brother Phil works as a Senior High youth pastor in Anderson, IN. This morning he met with the mayor of Anderson to talk about ways they can continue to help / reach out to the youth in the city. WHAT? The mayor?? He has such a heart for those kids. I couldn't be prouder, and I'm just the big sis ;) And my day?... I spent it having a tea party, playing baseball in the basement, hitting up Super Target for lunch, and cuddling on the couch with my two babes. Three very different lives, but all of us carrying out the passions/gifts God has given us.

Eli's 4 month stats :
Weight- 18 lb 2 1/2 oz
Height- 26 1/2 inches

B starts school this week. He has Wednesday and Saturday classes. Dance is in full swing! Competitions every Saturday. This weekend we head to Waconia. That's all for now :)

My goofy kids!
I wrote on facebook this week that I love being a mom! I don't regret the decision I made to stay at home with the kids every day. It's the best job in the whole world :)

Well, we are back into the swing of things again. B is back at work, and we are back into our weekly routines :) We did conquer the sleeping thing with Elias! He will nap and go down at night awake, without crying, putting himself to sleep! It's a miracle. And it was pretty easy. I'm thankful Brandt was around to help make it happen, because there were a few days when he cried for awhile before falling asleep... but he learned very quickly and it has made a huge difference!! Most afternoons I find myself pacing the house, or cleaning, or actually pulling out a book because both kids are napping and I don't know what to do with myself. So nice :)