Our caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly this morning! We were able to let him go and watch him fly away. It's one of my favorite things to do with these kids- watch the cycle of a monarch. So fun!!

Addie's surgery last week went terrific! And her recovery has been better than I expected. She's eating a lot of ice cream, yogurt, and noodles. I think one day she had 3 ice cream bars :) She's definitely exhausted still and not acting like herself yet, but getting there! Today she's been singing all day long again, so that's a great sign. Her voice must sound funny to her (they told me she'd sound different), because now she's talking in a high baby voice and it's obnoxious! I asked her why she's talking that way and she said, "Mom, this is just how my voice sounds now." AHHH!! I hope not!

Thanks for your prayers-- we definitely have felt them this past week!!

Just a couple updated pictures :) Loving being home and being a mama. We've crammed-packed this week on purpose to keep us busy and keep our minds off Addie's surgery this Friday- tonsils, adenoids, and draining ears. She's doing great and has a good attitude about it. I am a little bit on the anxious side about it all. So prayers this Friday would be greatly appreciated! You never want your child to have to go under, and that's what I'm worried about most- not the surgery or recovery, but just the going under and coming back out part. Not much else--I'm about 11 weeks along now and feeling much better. Just very hungry still and craving milk, bread, and anything salty. Very healthy, I know!! I'll let you know how the surgery goes this weekend.

Not sure if anyone reads blogs anymore... and the ones that do probably already know the news... But here it is anyway... We are having another one, folks!! As Brandt says, "We make awesome babies, so why not make another!?" ;) I'm just on week 10 this week, but saw the heartbeat today, so things are looking good. Due date is March 1st. Been pretty sick and crazy hungry this time around (thought there was two in there-- so thankful there's only one!)... but hopefully that will pass soon. Addie is really excited. We talk about what size the baby is each week. This week it's the size of a large grape :) We will not find out the gender this time (crazy, I know!), since we have one of each. Not sure if I'll be able to make it without wanting to know, but it'll be fun to have a surprise. That's all the news! Prayers appreciated for continued health and growth of the babe.

Brandt and I had a fabulous 5 days in Florida. We laugh because every day was spent laying by the pool, reading books, and basking in the silence! Yes, we enjoyed being with each other, but it was so refreshing to just do nothing and not have someone saying, "Mama! Dada!" all day long. I love my kids and I was so ready to see them today, but it was so wonderful to have a break. I feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready to be a mom once again! ALL parents should get away. It's so important! I highly recommend it :)
We definitely ate too much, slept longer each night than we ever will again, played cards which we haven't done in years, and just loved hanging out with no schedule, no work, and no place to be.
I'm so thankful for family that juggled our kids around the past five days. As excited as Addie was to see us tonight, she still went to bed saying, "I'm sad I won't be sleeping at Grammy's again for a long time."
We didn't take too many pics- cause it's more fun to take pictures of our kids than of ourselves, but here are a few :)

This is my Addie blog post...
I am so proud of this girl and the person she is becoming! We have been attending New Hope Church and after only 4 weeks of being there, I threw her into her first year of VBS. She walked in like a champ, knowing no one, but excited beyond belief! She loved every day of Bible School and was bummed she didn't get to go back this week. Eli and I had some good quality time together each morning-- kinda gave me a taste of what Kindergarten will be like :)
Addie is also in swimming lessons. Our last swimming lessons was a parent/child class and it was a horrible experience. We didn't even finish all the sessions because she would scream through the class and not let go of my neck. She's in a class without me now, along with 5 other little girls, and she LOVES it! She's doing everything they ask with excitement and energy! I just sit in the bleachers beaming the entire time because I am so proud of her :) Growing up so fast!!
Brandt and I leave for Florida this Saturday-- 5 days by ourselves!! I couldn't be more ready and more excited for a vacation. Looking forward to some relaxing, good eating, and lots of movie dates. I'm so thankful for our family, willing to take our kids and love on them for a few days. They will be in great hands :)

What have we been up to lately!?

Addie and I have been scrapping-- yes, we spent an afternoon at Archiver's together and she made those two pages all by herself! Best mother/daughter date ever :)

We have gone to the beach!

We have been lovin' on our dad :)

We've sent a few emails :)

We have been enjoying our month of July!

Spent yesterday at Trout Lake Camp with the fam. It was a beautiful day! We had a blast :)

My brother and Erika are married and officially off, on their way to Mexico! The day couldn't have gone any smoother. It was a beautiful ceremony and a wonderful reception. My kids walked down the aisle successfully-- Addie walking at a snail's pace, dropping each petal individually and taking her flower girl job very seriously... and Eli walked down with a mouth full of Mike and Ikes :) The dinner was delicious and the dancing was a blast! Lynn took Eli home about 8:30, but Addie stayed and danced the night away with us. She loved dancing with her dad or being the center of the circle and trying some cool feet movement. It was an exhausting day, but one I will never forget.
Had to say goodbye to both Phil and Kylee and Jeff and Erika yesterday, so that was hard. We enjoyed every second we had with all my siblings this weekend... wish they all lived here, but our lives have taken us in separate directions.
Congrats, Jeff and Erika!! Happy marriage!!! :)

I feel like there's a lot going on right now.

My siblings are in town this week because my little bro is getting married this Saturday. Addie and Eli will have another chance to walk down the aisle... they were perfect at the last wedding, so we'll see how they do this weekend. Addie's looking forward to dressing up, eating cake and cookies at the reception and staying up late to dance!

We scheduled an August surgery for Addison to get her tonsils and adenoids out. She also has fluid in her ears which is causing her to have some hearing loss, so they are going to also make an incision in her ears and try to drain the fluid, putting in tubes if need-be. I just told her she was going to get to eat a lot of ice cream and yogurt afterward, and she was excited :) I'm anxious about it-- but it's awhile yet...

Brandtis has been busy with the yard the past month. The trees in our front yard are trimmed and look incredible! We almost have two working spigots outside for some sprinkler action. We got gutters just in time for all this rain. And now we have plans to lay some mulch and plant a couple things :) Fun to see it all start to come together!

As the kids and I are home every day together (ALL DAY), with no preschool, dance, or extra activities, I am continuing to learn patience. The days are long, yet the weeks fly by... and before I know it, Addie will be in elementary school, so I'm trying to savor each day and each moment with these two.

I'm so thankful for where we landed here in Maple Grove. Our neighbors are incredible, generous, and just simply great people! We feel so blessed :)

I'll post pics after the crazy wedding weekend!

Happy Father's Day to my dad and my hubby-- both incredible men. I love you both!

We spent the weekend up at Trout Lake Camp putting in benches in honor of Dale. The benches are beautiful and the spots chosen for each one were just perfect. There was MAT training while we were there so already we got to see kids spending time with God on them :) How perfect! Our kiddos were great this weekend- off their routine of course, so we're playing catch up this week... but they enjoyed every second of being up at camp! Hope to do it a couple more times this summer.

June 1st, 2007

1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday

And today she's 4!!!!
Happy Birthday beautiful girl :)

These are in a weird order, but these pictures made up our last week. Addie had her preschool graduation this week. We also went to Como Zoo with Amber and her boys, as well as 30+ bus loads of elementary children :) Never again... ;)
This weekend was relaxing. Lots of 'just us' time with the kids- park, bike ride, just hanging out. This week should go fast. Addie turns 4 on Wednesday and we head to Trout Lake Camp on Friday for the weekend. Looking forward to it!

Tricia and Nathan are married! She made such a beautiful bride and the whole day was just perfect. Addie took her role as flower girl very seriously! She even threw petals on the way out of the church, making sure she emptied her basket by the time she was finished. Eli walked down the aisle like a pro :) The wedding was gorgeous. The reception was a blast! And now the newlyweds are on their way to Mexico!
One down... one to go-- Jeff and Erika get married in a month. Can't wait!

My sis is getting married this weekend! Tricia's wedding is Friday night, with the festivities starting tomorrow evening :) I'm looking forward to every part of the weekend!
B just got back from Vegas for my brother's bachelor party. He had a great time and we survived without him for the long weekend.
Kids have been so great lately- very independent (from me) and just loving each other! Eli literally wants to do EVERYTHING Addie is doing. Addie's wearing a hat... so is Eli. Addie's serving me rocks for "dinner" at the park... so is Eli. He adores his big sister.
I'm anxious to see how they do at the wedding- hopefully they'll both walk down the aisle ok... we'll try and capture some good pics :)

We broke out the pool yesterday! Very refreshing!!

My kids' attitudes are completely affected by my attitude. If I am tense, crabby, or quick to anger, their attitude's reflect the same thing. So the last three days, I have being making conscious efforts to be more joyful, playful, and relaxed with my kids. I am trying not to get worked up about the little things, and I've been choosing my battles carefully. I have been quietly disciplining instead of reacting with anger and loudness :) Addie responds so much better this way and we've had barely any sassiness. Life is too short to be crabby. I'm tired of trying to "survive" or "get through" the days and weeks. Time to live and love on my kiddos each and every day :)

I choose joy!!

Remembering Papa today! Hard to believe it's been a year already. Miss you, Dale!

"Dear Papa, I want to play with you in heaven. Please throw me high in the sky. I hope I will see you sometime in heaven. Love and From, Addie "