Weekend Recap

Mark and I celebrated our 6th anniversary! We both agree it feels like we have known each other our whole lives. There's probably not another soul who knows me as well yet have we really been married 6 years! The time has flown by. Papa took the girls overnight and we headed to Omaha. We ate at our fave restaurant, Charlie's. See, when we lived in our apartment and didn't have kids, Charlie's was within walking distance and we would head over and sit in the bar area and have appetizers and martini's (our fave is the "Millionaire"). So, when they closed their doors in Lincoln, we were bumbed! We should really venture out and try some new things b/c there is so much in Omaha, but we are yet to be disappointed by Charlie's.

Sunday, I got to sleep in until 8:30 a.m. I don't remember the last time that happened. I'm the morning bird and rise with the kiddos - typically between 6 and 7. The kids of course had a blast!! It was rainy in the afternoon and both kids took a nap. Afterwards, we made peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies. It was madness. How does a child get cookie dough on their toes! Not sure, but I turn around and here is Mackie with her toes in her mouth licking them off. Schuyler sees this, so of course monkey see, monkey do. And, what do I do? Grab the camera of course! LOL! I threw them both in the bath after everything had been licked dry = )

My little professor...

Ha! Doesn't she look so studious. Very deceiving. This was at my sis-in-law to be's place and I think Mack actually pulled a grammar book off the bookshelf and was looking at it. She's been cracking us up lately. Love how she says "May I be 'cused?". That's what she says for "May I be excused" after meal times. Yesterday was a great day. 80's, no humidity, and a slight breeze. The kids played outside and I "supervised". Mack was running w/ her baby in the stroller. Might have to teach her how to properly stroll when real baby #3 comes! They got the big stoller out and somehow Schuyler managed to get in it and the neighbor girls were pushing her around. Hillarious!

Today is my bro's B-day. Happy B-day Uncle Brian!

Baby Updates

Love this picture. It's from a shoot I did with my friend and felt it was appropriate since much of this blog will be baby related. My appt from last week was good. We will find out what little tadpole is on Friday, September 8th at 11:00. We'll be taking both of the kids so they can share in the experience.

In my previous blog I mentioned my friend and their baby. I spoke with her last week and at that time things seemed to be getting better. However, on Monday, baby Ashton took a turn for the worse. He started to have seizures and was ambulanced to Children's Hospital in Omaha. Pam rode along. His lungs are still filled with fluid which is troubling given all the antiobiotics he is on. There also may be neurological issues. Please pray for Ashton and the Traudt family.

Congratulations to the Gable family on the birth of their daughter Harper Faith. We can't wait to meet the little sweet pea!

The wedding shower was a success! I tried a new recipe that I loved. It's Brie cheese topped with strawberry preserves and then chopped nuts. This is all wrapped in a pasty, baked, and served with apples or pears. Yum!

Kids are doing good. We had "family" night last night and went to the park and then treated them to ice cream cones! Schuyler is ready to start riding her bike longer distances. We are going to try the block tonight. Mack believes it is her bike so we will probably have to buy a new for Schuyler next year. Plus, Schuyler is outgrowing it anyway.

Grrr....

That's what I think when I see this pics of Schuyler. Not a normal expression for her at all!

So glad it's Friday! I have a Dr.'s appt today to see how little tadpole and I are doing. I'm hoping they will schedule the ultrasound in a week or so and we can find out if little tadpole is a he or she! I've always preferred to wait and not find out but I'm actually anxious to know.

Sunday, I'll be hosting a wedding shower for my to-be-sister-in-law. I'm making some yummy scones and other treats. Should be fun! Mark's mom and possibly dad are coming in to visit which will be nice since Mark is in a golf tournament on Sunday, too. Mark and I may even sneak out for dinner together! Schuyler has 1 b-day party and another if time permits.

Oh, and the big news around the house is we think Mack is completely potty trained. She has had the potty part down for a while but we've been struggling w/ #2! Wed night she siad she needed to potty then she said poop. Sure enough, she did her job on the big potty!! Thursday we had 2 succesful #2's as well! Yeah!

Okay, one more thing, sorry....it's important. My good friend had a baby last Friday and he is experiencing some heatlh issues. He has VSD, ventricular septicle defect. (I'm not a medical person so I apologize if I misconstrue some facts). Basically, this is a hole in the lower chambers of his heart. This is actually considered his secondary health issue. From my understanding, it will heal himself by the time he is 1. This was discovered when he was 4 days old as well as possilbe lung issues which was discovered at the same time. The Dr. and radiologist have different diagnosis. One believes it is underdeveloped lungs and the other believes it is pnemonia. She is not only our friend, but neighbor, and was also Schuyler's child care provider. She, her husband, and 2 kids, which are friends with ours, and baby, are very near and dear to us. Please keep them in your prayers!

Updates next week = )

Young and in Love!

Look at this wonderful couple. I had the pleasure of taking their engagement shots. They were so great to work with and willing to try different things. This was my first engagement shoot and it is very different from shooting kids and families which is what I'm accustom to. You'll probably see more of them.

The weekend went by fast! The girls and I spent time w/ my photo buddy from Fairbury. Our kids play so well together and it allows us some photo and friend talk time. Despite the terrible heat, we had a great time! Unfortunately, our day together ended when her oldest daughter was stung on the eye. Poor thing! Can't wait to share some of the pictures!

Their is one thing I have noticed about myself when I'm pregnant. Can you guess? It's how easily I cry. I would consider myself a sensitive person but much more when I'm pregnant. Some are tears of job. I don't think I've made it dry eyed through a single church service for a couple of months. Granted, in 1 or 2 of them, nearly the whole congregation was crying. This past Sunday, the kids got up to sing their vacation bible school songs. I was so proud of them. Not just Schuyler, not just my crew kids, I was overwhelmed by all the kids singing their little hearts out and to know that I had some small part in teaching them the songs and motions and about Jesus. Yes, I teared up. I told Mark he needs to permanently carry kleenex is his pocket every Sunday = )

Yeah! VBS is done and the weekend here!

Tuesday was a doozy of a night for VBS. I had a SAD group. Everbody wanted their mommy and I didn't have near enough lap space for them all! McKenzie cried a good 30 - 45 minutes when I dropped her off. It broke my heart. I was happy to go home and crash in my bed.

Wed night was much better. There was one boy who tends to want Mommy all the time. He was not there and it made such a difference in the other kids attitudes and disposition. I left Mack at home and she got some special bonding time with Daddy. They went on a bike ride, went to see Dr. Steve (Mark's chiropractor), and ate out. It was a great night.

Last night was the finale! You could tell all the 3 - 5 year olds were tired but they made it through. It was a great experience and I'm glad I got to be a part of it!

My photo buddy is coming from Fairbury w/ her kids tomorrow so we have another photo play date which means I'll have lots of pics (when I get the time to edit them = ). And, I'll have the second session of my engagement shot. Hope everybody has a good weekend.

Pics are of the kids in their swimsuits. Seems like that has been their summer attire!

Vacation Bible School Week

We've had our first few days at VBS and it is one busy, fun, chaotic time! At last count, there were 250 kids. We pretty much fill the worship area. The best is to look around when all the kids and volunteers are singing and dancing. My crew is good. I only have 4 kids. My fifth is yet to show so I volunteered to take on another if need be. Schuyler is having a great time and loves the fact that Mommy is her "teacher". I think her favorite is the singing and dancing, craft time, and snack ; ) Our themes have been Jesus is our friend and Jesus is our life.

Mack is actually learning too! They just started a toddlers and twos program and at first I was a little leary that they could teach kids that age about God. The first night I asked her what she learned and she said "Jesus is ALIVE". Oh, if you could here her. I need a tape recorder b/c it's so funny how she uses fluctuations in her voice to make a point. Last night it was "Jesus love me" - in a much softer and very cute voice.

They are bringing kids from the City Mission to experience VBS. There is one child that has posed a problem as he is quite the escapee artist. He darted away from his crew leader, ran outside, and we would have kept going in the field had he not been caught. Luckily, we have extra volunteers keeping an eye out on him. I'll check in later in the week w/ more updates!

Of course I have to include a picture!