Here's What We Look Like These Days

To start off summer Grammy and Papa P came down to help out- Olivia and Papa P were excited about movie night

Olivia and Grammy P enjoying the pool on a hot summer day

 Here we go!! Off on our road trip back "home" to visit family and friends

 Olivia knows how to do this road trip thing

 Passing the time with all sorts of crazy fun

 Mommy and Lauren

 Olivia Bear

 And finally Lauren gives in and we all enjoy a break and a quiet car

 Playing at Grandma and Grandpa B's, trucks and tractors

 Taking Ellie on a trip in the police car- Depute Dishes

 Tractor time

 Twilight Hayride

 Making music together- like the sound of angels singing ;-)

 Sisterly Love

 Lauren as taught Olivia the joy of rock picking

 Skid Steer Loader at the farm - a girl and her machines, life is good

 Meeting the cows

 More tractors!!! 

 Off to Grandma and Grandpa H's

 Being silly girls in the back yard - always an adventure

 A girl and her daddy

 Playing trains and reading books

 Ice Cream - only my favorite in all the world

 Sharing my love with Lauren as she enjoys her first ice cream cone!

 Playground time!

 WEEEEEE!

 Train Museum with Aunt Shauna, Cousin Finn, and Grandpa and Grandma H

 Check out these conductors

 Back to our house and enjoying the Children's Museum

Super excited to be part of LebCamp 2014!

The long days can sure tucker a girl out

 Big surprise, more tractor fun as we passed the days being Gods disciples

 Even little girls need a rest, she took a nap 3 of the 5 days at camp- so much fun makes us sleepy

 Then back to Grammy and Papa P's to go to Grandma Rose's funeral

 1st Stop Cousin Finn's house- lots of goofiness there!

 We enjoyed blueberry picking, I think the strawberries and blueberries are just kissable

 And where there is a tractor, there is a Lauren...and Olivia too!

 Look how big they are!!!

 Joe Cool (Snoopy has nothing on her)

Off to pick lots of blueberries and eat even more

To our surprise the church Grandma Rose's funeral was at was all decorated for an ocean/pirate themed VBS- the girls were too excited

The Reason

Today's naptime began with a nice hot shower. It's been a lazy day here and oh how we have all enjoyed the first lazy day in about a month. But as I was putting myself back together and enjoying the heat from the hot water still radiating from my skin I hear Lauren yelling on the monitor. I head to the bottom of the stairs to find out what is the matter. As I enter her room, after her not saying any specifics as to why she was screaming my name at the top of her lungs, I find a child in just her underoos. "Why are you in just your underwear Lauren?" I ask with a relaxed, but puzzled tone. Since I was in the shower I hadn't heard any of the the "goings on" from the monitor. She tells me in her frustrated and annoyed voice "I need you to put my pajamas on right now!" of course I had to ask the question "Why are they off?" She goes on to explain that she tried to unzip them but when as she began the task the zipper got stuck and by the time she got the zipper working again she was frustrated so she just took them off altogether. This makes perfect sense, but then I just needed to know, as I help her back into the pajamas, "Why did you need to unzip them in the first place?" "Well mama, I wanted to see my boo-be-button." I laugh and reply "What's your boo-be-button?" She plainly restates the word again, like I must have not heard her the first time- duh lady, you know my boo-be-button. Then it clicks and I realize she wanted to look at her belly button. Oh the joys of being three!

I have felt her frustration so much this holiday season. I L.O.V.E the holiday season but I'm finding myself needing to hear, as I have repeated a million and a half times to Lauren as she rattles off the long list of Thomas the Train Engines she's expecting Santa to bring her (mind you she told him they could all be found at, where else, Target)- that the reason for the season is to celebrate the birth of our loving Savior and Lord Jesus.

This holiday season has been so short and rushed. It all began with preparing to have my family down for Thanksgiving. Oh what a grand time it was to have a house filled with the crazy known as my mom, step-dad, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew. I love them so much and was glad that they could all come, because there are always lasting memories made when we're all together. After a fast and furious Thanksgiving (everyone arrived the day of, thankfully we were smart enough to have it catered form a local grocery store- best idea ever!) we headed off to a vacation spot not too far from our house, about an hour. There we stayed in two adjoining condos and had a fun week of spending time together. Although a few hiccups occurred it was an overall wonderful week (it's hard putting three "head-of-the-house", take charge women in one community space and expect there to be nothing but harmony). I really enjoyed Lauren getting to know Bill, her Papa P, since this is really the first time she's spent more than a day or two around him in a few years. By the end of the week they were good buddies. It was also great because this is the first time Bill had met Olivia too! My second favorite thing about our week away was snuggling with my nephew Finn- he is such a cutie. His personality is so different from my girls, it was neat to watch them all interact. Finn pretty much followed Lauren around all week. This took some getting use to for Lauren but when the vacation was over and I ask her what her favorite part was she said sleeping in a room with Olivia and Finn- I thought that was so awesome! And Olivia, she just spent the whole week wanting to be wherever the big kids were- and playing with whatever they had, much to their annoyance. 

All three kids enjoying a bounce on Aunt Shauna's air mattress Thanksgiving night.

Matt stayed only for the weekend, and then him and my brother-in-law headed back home Sunday to go back to work that week, while the rest of us enjoyed the whole week together. Before we knew it, Thursday evening was upon us and back home we headed. Friday I spent doing laundry, organizing, and repacking. Because off we were again. That weekend we were headed north for a wedding. Thanks to my wonderful friend Esther, who watched both kids for us overnight, Matt and I got to get away to celebrate the wonderful marriage of a great friend. Natalie was my mentee when she started teaching and now she's in her seventh year of teaching and even though she has moved to the northern part of the state I still hold our time teaching together so close. Her friendship is so cherished. Her now husband, also Matt, is wonderful as well. I love weddings more than ever as I take the time to reflect on my marriage and friendship with my Matt. It was so nice to have some quality couple time too. It was a two and a half hour ride up and over three hours home due to crazy weather conditions. We spent the time talking, laughing, and being goofy with each other. Giving thanks for our girls and all the blessings we have. Taking a moment and remembering what life was like before two girls took our attention away from each other and on to them was just what we needed. The wedding day/night was filled with laughing and enjoying all my old teacher friends. Some of whom I get to still see regularly but rarely all together. They are a goofy bunch. It's been a long time since I'd stayed up and out that late!

 All the teacher friends with the bride.

 Matt and I

Natalie and I - what a beautiful bride!

As I was walking down stairs from Lauren's boo-be-button episode I felt like I completely understood and identified with her frustration. All she wanted to do was see her belly button- a simple task. But as she set out to complete it things got in the way and muttered up what was to be a fun adventure. That is how almost every task has been this holiday season. Here are the ways this holiday season has been a little more frustrating then normal...

-I went with the girls on a Tuesday morning to get our Christmas tree because I couldn't bear to wait until the following weekend and have it up for a mere two weeks. We get to the tree place only to find it was all gated up, closed, no one around. The sign read open on Tuesdays starting at 10, my clock read 11:15- what's going on. So we turned around and headed home. I told Lauren we'd eat lunch and give the place a call after lunch. When I called the co-owner picked up to tell us how sorry he was, that he had misplaced his keys and that is why he wasn't there earlier. So we headed back after lunch only to have both kids fall asleep in the car and for me to pick the tree out all by myself. Not really the fun experience I had pictured in my head. But I kept my thoughts positive, and my spirits high. Nothing good would be accomplished from me being a Grinch.

-Life continued to be busy so fast forward to Friday night. Lauren was at church for Parents Night Out- enjoying dinner, craft, a movie, a magician, and Santa while we enjoyed Olivia and all her cuteness. I decided we'd put the lights on the tree so that when Lauren got home she would see them and be all excited. I tending to our very mobile little girl as Matt hangs up all six strands of light onto the tree only to find out five out of the six no longer work. Lots of efforts for nothing but a garbage can full of broken lights. Again I kept my thoughts positive, and my spirits high- we'll get the nice new LED lights that should last us at least another ten years! Nothing good would be accomplished from me being a Grinch.

Ultra cuteness known as Olivia the red nosed reindeer!

-Saturday arrives and I was planning on making Christmas cutout cookies with Lauren and decorating the tree. What do I wake up to? I wake up feeling like pooh!!! I spent the whole day getting each task done, but wishing I was in bed and not feeling like a sick lady. But again I continued to keep my thoughts positive and my spirits high. The cookies did get baked, although mostly by me since Lauren elected to go with Matt and Olivia to Target to buy new Christmas lights. And the tree got decorated, even though I sat on the couch and directed Matt and Lauren. It was so cute as she asked with each ornament "Does this one need a sturdy branch Mama?" Nothing good would be accomplished from me being a Grinch.

 Cookies baked and awaiting frosting - that is a Christmas Eve task, as we prepare for Santa's arrival

The Tree is done!

-About midweek I had started having severe pain when I nursed Olivia on my left side. I had also gotten my first blocked duct with her. After emailing our pediatrician, who is a lactation consultant, and going to the lactation center near us I learned I had developed a nipple bleb. Not. fun. But I was keeping my thought positive and my spirits high. I was praying a lot and gritting my teeth too. Nothing good would be accomplished from me being a Grinch.

-Then last night. We headed to see Santa. After much debate was to when strategically it would be best to do it, we headed out after a quick dinner. As we left rain drops fell upon the deck. Oh goodness. We get there and it is pretty much a downpour. I run inside with Olivia and find out that they've given all the passes out already but if we hung around we will still be able to see Santa around 8:15 or so. We shopped and looked around for over an hour and then Matt stood in line for another 45 minutes while I took the girls to different activities they had set up for the kids to be entertained. We got our picture (in such cute coordinating dresses given to us by my aunt) and Lauren informed Santa that she wanted "Some trains." We came home soaked to the bone at 9:05 pm (a little late for our girls) but I kept my thoughts positive and my spirits high. The girls were so well behaved for the circumstance in which they just endured and we learned to go earlier next year. Nothing good would be accomplished from me being a Grinch.

So cute!

So today was I enjoyed snuggling with the girls as we let movies play on the television all day and I reminded myself once more that this season is about God and His eternal gift of life and love given to us in the form of a humble baby, born in a barn. Yes, each of the crazy encounters we had could have us moaning and groaning, but then what would we be teaching Lauren and Olivia. We'd be teaching them that if things don't go as planned and that if life doesn't always fall in our favor that we behave like brats who think the world should revolve around them. When in fact our world revolves around a loving Heavenly Father. And when we keep our eyes on Him then we will have faith in the truth of His redeeming love. Life might not always fall into place exactly how we expect it too, but it's not about us. In the big picture- we have a beautiful, fragrant Christmas tree adorned with lights that remind us of the starry night that shown the night Jesus was born, and ornaments that each hold a special meaning as we watch them dangle from the branches. We have yummy cookies waiting to be special treats for us and Santa on Christmas Eve. We have two beautiful girls, who are full of life, love, and joy this holiday season. Whose dreamy eyes await to see what each new day will bring. So as I held each girl this week during nap time and today, I have reminded myself of all the blessings and all the happiness that surrounds our family this holiday season and beyond. So Merry Christmas to you and many blessings this holiday season!!

 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

Luke 1:46-55

The Sweetest Place on Earth

This past weekend we took a wonderful little vacation to Hershey, PA. We meet up with my sister's family for a relaxing and fun time as we camped and then spent Sunday at HersheyPark. We had a great time and enjoyed spending time with one another, something we don't get to do often enough since we live so far apart.

The stress of packing and getting out the door for the weekend melted away on our drive. Matt and I enjoyed two full hours of uninterrupted adult conversation with each other as the kids napped in the back seat- it was heavenly. Then we stopped at the Welcome Center/rest stop to stretch and enjoy our packed lunch. It was so cute as I faced away from the parking lot and nursed, Matt and Lauren enjoyed watching the big trucks come in and go out, they rambled on and on about where each one parked and what each truck looked like. I could have sat there longer, enjoy the soundtrack of our life, but back in the car we were and a few hours later we found ourselves at the campground, where my sister, her husband, and my nephew Finn were already set up and waiting for us.

We opted for a "rustic cabin" and not a tent this time around. It wasn't that much more and the thought of camping in a tent with two little ones didn't sound like too much fun to Matt, and honestly me either. I believe there were multiple times over the weekend that I thanked him for not wanting to tent camp. It's one thing to enjoy the tent in our own backyard- it's another to be in a tent for days on end with the kiddos. The cabin was just a glorified shed, with two sets of built in bunk beds, a table and two chairs, and a dresser. It did however come with a window air conditioner- which was heaven sent, since it was very humid all weekend. 

Friday afternoon/evening went so fast, before we knew it the kids were sleeping and Shauna, Charley and I were sitting around the fire- being goofy. We were letting the fire die down so we could roast some mallows up when we had a little friend visit the site. Shauna and I got up to retrieve the food, only to find a skunk already enjoying it for us. YES, you read that right, a shunk was enjoying some of Lucy's (Shauna's dog) dog treats. Then sniffing around to see if anything else looked good. I about peed my pants and had no interest in any food anymore. We waited a while until our little friend wandered off and then put all the food into the cars for safe keeping. I went to bed after all of the excitement- oh the great outdoors!

On Saturday we spent the morning taking it slow, then the campground offered crafts for the kids- so Lauren painted a bobble head cat and Finn an airplane. Then they played on the playground for a while. Lauren swung on a big girl swing and kept asking to be pushed higher. Oh I wished I had brought my camera for that. It seems like just yesterday she was terrified to swing in a baby swing too high. 

Then lunch and a trip to the swimming pool rounded out the afternoon. We enjoyed relaxing and chatting while the kids napped. We finally had our marshmallows and got dinner prepared ahead of time so all we had to do was cook it later (made a wonderful chicken santa fa meal, you can find the recipe here). We took a walk and watched the kids play that evening.

That evening we didn't have a skunk visit- all food went into the car right after dinner- but we did have a rainstorm come through. The kids were sleeping away and we just moved under the gazebo and waited it out.

Then Sunday we got up and started getting ready to head to the amusement park. By the time we drove, parked, and got into the park it was around 11- so we ate and then got to riding rides. Lauren and Finn rode so many rides. I've never been to such a kid friendly amusement park. Every corner you turned around there were more kid rides. Ninety percent of our time there was enjoying watching the kids ride on one ride after another. Lauren and Finn even enjoyed a few "big kid" rides with us. They had so much fun!

 Daddy and Lauren 

They went all day long with no nap and were so good. Lauren just kept wanting to go on another ride. Her facial expressions were cracking us up- she would look like she was miserable or expressionless the whole ride and then come off and be so happy. While on the other hand, Finn smiled with glee and excitement the whole ride, waving and carrying on. They were great riding buddies. My sister and I loved just watching them play and have fun. They're only seven months apart and soon you won't even be able to tell the difference. Olivia hung in there too. She mostly rode in the stroller happy and content, or slept in the stroller. For a short while I had her in the carrier- she just loves to be up and seeing everything that is going on!

We got to enjoy some family rides too. They have a monorail and we rode the old fashioned cars together. Matt did the accelerator and Lauren drove (bump, bump, bump) the whole way while Olivia and I relaxed, and held on in the backseat. They had a little steam train for the whole family too. Olivia was sleeping so I stayed back with her while the rest of them went on. Lauren loved the train!

They even got to meet the Hershey Bar! We saved Chocolate World for the end of the evening and went on the free ride that tells you all about how chocolate is made- they really enjoyed that. Matt enjoyed the huge selection of candy they had in the shop too. We also stopped at the souvenir store and Lauren got a little stuffed Hershey Kiss, who is named "Kisses." 

We had such a great time and made some wonderful memories I hope not to forget. Like how Lauren dragged Finn's wagon around everywhere she went. And Finn and her were so cute playing together. Finn kept giving Olivia kisses all weekend, who can resist those cheeks?!?

The ride home on Monday was relaxing and quick. I've coined the term "vacation hangover" since once you get home and the vacation is over the drudgery of unpacking, cleaning, and washing that follows is never any fun. We're now back into the swing of life at home. But next years vacation with them is already in the works...

"...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to konw this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:18b-21