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.