Roughing it???

So this is not your ordinary camp! Seriously, this is basically a resort that the camp ministry rents for the week. It is top of the line and gorgeous! I feel like I am on vacation and I am lovin' it!
Te outside of the dining hall...
the inside of the dining hall.


The dorm we are staying in. We have a room and bathroom all to ourselves.



The view is incredible!

I posted a whole bunch of pics on our youth group blog, so if you are interested just follow the link to the right for Community Bible Youth. I'll probably post there a lot more than here this week.

Summer Camp is Here!

"Look at my belly, look at my belly, look how big it is!" That is a line from a song that Aunt Jenny H. taught us that we used to sing to our kids, especially our toddler boys when they would stick that toddler belly out--so cute. Well, Sam is going through a bit of a pudgy stage, and his belly is something to be proud of!!

My little monkey! And yes, don't worry, we did correct his bad manners right after I took this pic, it's just that he's really into his feet right now--trying to put little toys in between his toes and stuff, so I'm sure it made perfect sense to him to put his foot up on the table.

Here are two funny pics to leave you with for the next week and a half or so cuz we're going to Summer Camp! Well, actually we are driving to my parents new house tomorrow and coming back on Saturday without Alex--my folks are keeping him for the week so that Ryan and I can focus more on the campers and activities, and also so they can have some uninterrupted spoiling time! Then on Monday morning at the horrible hour of 5 am we pile in the church bus with about 18 teens, a few college age counselors, and a few other sponsors and drive about 8.5 hours to the Rocky Mountains. I can't remember where the camp is exactly but it is supposed to be beautiful! Could be an exciting ride, though! Please pray for us next week if you think of it. That the ride will go smoothly (especially with baby on board), that the kids will really be blessed and challenged by this week at camp, and that everyone will be safe and healthy. So, I am sure that when I get back I will have some fun pics and stories for you!

Sam's 3 Month Photo Shoot

So we were pleased that Sam's 3 month photo shoot was very successful! He actually smiled and cooperated for all but one of the photos. Our favorite is the top one. We haven't found a photo studio to go to yet, so for this photo shoot we had to go to Walmart--hence the way I took a photo of the pics to put on the blog as opposed to just pasting from a studio's website like I used to do from the Sears photo studio. Anyway, we had a fun time getting Sam's pics done and afterward we ventured for our first meal at a restaurant with 2 kids and we had a great time! Both boys behaved like angels and we all enjoyed ourselves--and the fried ice cream!!

Fun With Alex

Thanks, Aunt Sarah, for the play dough! It's a big hit!

Why is this kid so often missing his shirt???

I LOVE my kids' dimples!

The little Houdini has mastered the door handle and loves to close the doors, knock on them, and open them again!

"Ewww, Mom!"

My Boys are Growing Up

And so we begin the potty training journey! I am the type of person who likes slow transitions if possible, so we aren't rushing this! The potty seat came on Tuesday and I put it in the bathroom yesterday. I want Alex to get used to it, and he is already sitting on it and seems to think it's pretty neat. I'm not a huge fan of the potty seat in general, but this one has a detachable cushy seat that you can put on the toilet, so I thought it would be useful for whatever way works best for us. I'll keep you posted on how things go, but like I said, we are taking this slowly! (for all our sakes) (does anyone else think Alex looks a tad bit nervous in this photo?) :-)

Here is a pic of Sam's new crib. He is really too big to sleep in his bouncy seat anymore, which we were doing because sleeping at an angle was best for his acid reflux. Anyway he seems to be able to lay flat now without flare-ups, so we are moving him up to a crib. It's actually a mini-crib. It's a tad bit smaller than a crib--the long sides turn into the headboard and footboard of a twin bed, which Alex will get when we think he's ready and then Sam will get the big crib. I love the red bedding, though it doesn't go well with the seafoam and brown in our room, it goes great with the blues and reds in the boys room, and once we move him in there it will look great! He's taking his first nap in his new bed right now! Oh, and I have to add this: I put this whole thing together all by myself! (with "help" from Alex who kept trying to unscrew the bolts I had just put in!)

Couldn't resist a pic of the little cutie in his new bed. Yep, my boys sure are growing up fast!!

Tummies and Tushies

Sam loves tummy time! (a nice change from the way Alex used to cry every time we tried with him!) He lifts his little head up and checks everything out from this new angle.

Does anyone see a future for the boy in this picture? No offense to any of the plumbers of the world (I mean where would we all be without you guys?), but I had hoped my son might pick a little bit different career!

A Few April Pics

Brothers hanging out watching some Baby Einstein while Mom gets a shower!

Alex likes to read a good book before bed

Where's my grub, Ma?

Cheeeweeezey!!

Sam is starting to really enjoy "playing" with toys.

If I remember correctly this was just before Alex got right down in Sam's face and started talking to him...successfully squishing the poor kid, scaring him to the point of tears, and ending the photo session! Ah, Boys will be Boys!

Happy Mother's Day!

Before I was a Mom I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom I slept as late as I wanted.
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was Mom I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, peed on, or pinched by tiny fingers.
Before I was a Mom I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, my body and all my feelings.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was OK.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much......
......before I was a Mom.

...Author Unknown


I love being "Mommy." I love the miracle of a baby growing inside me, & meeting that little one for the first time. I love caring for my babies, cooking their favorite foods, tucking them into bed, seeing them discover and explore new things. I love reading books and kissing boo-boos. And even though there are occasional days like this past Thursday (when Ryan got home from work I told him I was considering running away and joining up with a band of gypsies!), I still wouldn't trade my life for anybody else's in the whole world. I am so thankful to God for making me a mommy and for the husband and 2 sons he has blessed me with!

Our Trip to Iowa

I'm pressed for time this morning, and there was so much I wanted to write, so I will try to sum up our trip to Iowa with a short version. The traveling part: Alex touched every disgusting surface he could see in every public restroom we stopped at (who was going to hold him down while I changed Sam's diaper??), Sam had his first blow-out diaper (threw that onesie away, no saving that!), we ate a lot of french fries, I put Alex's socks and shoes back on him about a gazillion times, I smelled like spit up all day, and we listened to their lullaby CD over and over and over again!!! But seriously, God was good to us and the traveling was pretty smooth sailing. The house shopping part: we looked at 7 houses and Mom and Dad put in an offer on the best one, and it was accepted!! They move in Memorial Day weekend, and we are soooooo glad to have them out here with us in the wild, wild west! The visiting part: We enjoyed our stay at my brother's house. It was good to see his family again, that Cole sure is growing and he's crawling pretty well now. Alex LOVED playing with Nate's puppies. He spent A LOT of time wrestling with them and giving them "lectures" (video to come later). In fact one day he got 2 baths, his first one Saturday morning as usual, and his 2nd one Saturday afternoon after playing with the puppies for a few hours! We got to see the first bank robbed by Jesse James. We took a walk through downtown Allerton, IA, which looks like something straight out of a wild west black and white film. And all around enjoyed each other's company and just hanging out with all the grandkids together!

I would write more, but today is the Nebraska Association of Christian Schools Track and Field Day and I am getting the diaper bag ready for a day of fun outside with my boys--Alex especially is going to LOVE hanging out with the school kids all day, he thinks he is their equal!! Hope you all have a great weekend and that all you Moms out there are especially spoiled and pampered on Mother's Day!

Happy May Day!

Sam is 3 months old today. In some ways I can't believe how fast the last 3 months have gone, and in other ways...well, you get the picture! Anyway, we are so thankful that Sam seems to be adjusting to life and is a happy and healthy baby. Last time I took his stats he was about 14lbs and 25.5in. long. Growing like a weed! He is so smiley now and just as facially expressive as his brother! He is sleeping better and eating well. Though the last few months have been challenging we can see how God is so good to us!

Friday morning Alex, Sammy and I are taking a little road trip. Yes, I am insane, I know it! (and that's half the battle!) We are driving to Iowa to meet my parents at my brother Nate's house. Nate, Heather and Cole haven't met Sammy yet, and my parents are coming to IA for the weekend to go house shopping, so we are all able to get together. Yes, my folks are moving to IA at the end of the month!! They just can't stand to be away from their grandkids any longer--and who can blame them! They will only be about 4 hours from here and we are so glad of that. So, tomorrow we drive about 4 hours to meet them and then drive the rest of the 1.5 hours with them to Nate's house for the weekend. Should be crazy. Should be fun. Should be something I will have stories (perhaps nightmares?) about in the future! We'll let you know how it goes and if you think of us say a little prayer for everyone's safety and sanity!! Ready or not Grandpa and Grams, here we come!!

TaHaZouka Park (weird name, I know!)

Two Saturdays ago we went to the TaHaZouka Park on the south side of town for a little family picnic. Now, if you are thinking "wow, she she has two kids under 2, and managed to get the whole family to the park and even packed a picnic basket with cold cuts and fruit and cookies and everything???" you are very mistaken!! No way baby, Applebees Carside to Go!! Best picnic dinner ever!!

The littlest guy was so sleepy he actually fell asleep in his carseat--something he never does! (somehow my kids missed the memo that babies are supposed to sleep peacefully in their carseats)

French fries and ketchup, does life get any better than this?

This park is really quite pretty with several small "lakes" and fountains and lots of fishing. It has a lot more trees and playground equipment than Skyview Park, and is much less windy since it's not up on a hill, so I think we will be going to this one more often!

Sammy & I were soaking up the sunshine!

Not really sure what this face is all about!!

Alex really liked this wavy slide!

I could go down the slide a million times if mommy and daddy would just stay here all day and watch me!

Long-lost Photos from Nana's Visit

The cheeseball in his Broncos hat getting ready for church.

Ryan's stepmom came to visit the 2nd week of March and was a big help to us as we were settling in to our new life here in the wild west! She cooked and cleaned and freed me up to do the organizing that needed to be done from all the stuff my mom and I had unpacked. She even took her turns with Sam as that week was one of his worst colic-wise. And somehow in all the craziness of life with two kids under two I forgot to post pics from Nana's visit. So, here they finally are--we were so busy that we really didn't take many, but we all had a good time together nonetheless!

Alex loves the pianos at church (we can thank Grandma Kay for that!), but is only allowed to touch this one in the fellowship hall. Here he and Daddy are playing a musical masterpiece for Nana!

Since Sam was not quite ready for his first haircut, he got to hang out with Nana while I cut Ryan and Alex's hair.

That Was Yesterday

Yesterday the weather was great! We had all the windows open and even when outside to play with sidewalk chalk. Well, I was the only one who colored. Alex just carried the chalk around as he talked to the birds, the trees, and even the newspaper boy on his bike!!
I didn't get a good pic of Sam because he was having a "hold me, mommy" afternoon! But I do love little baby tootsies, and here is a pic of his big little feet!
There is a great row of tulips right along the front of our house and they are all out and vibrant right now. Here is a picture of one of my tulips yesterday, soaking up the sun...
Here is the poor flower today, hiding from the snow! Yes, snow!! It was coming down so fast and furious for about 1/2 an hour that I could hardly see the house across the street, but shortly after that it slowed up and since then we have just been getting flurries off and on. Thankfully it's not cold enough for much of the snow to stick, which is relieving--I was getting really used to the summery weather and walking to the park, and the budding flowers! So yesterday it was summer, today it is winter...what will tomorrow be?

Baby Talk

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo BooksSam has turned into quite a talker, especially right after his bottle. It's like he's telling us how tasty his meal was! This isn't even the best video we have of him yapping it up, but in the others you can hear his big brother in the background trying to steal the show. So maybe I should say that Sam is trying to make himself heard in what is often a very noisy world!

If You Give a Boy Some Ketchup...

He'll lick his plate clean...












And get the beloved red stuff all over his face...
















So he'll need a bath to get clean...














Then a few minutes later he'll spill his milk down his front and get messy all over again!