let them be little

2010-09-30T21:42:00.008-04:00

Abbie and Aidan were hilarious tonight. So, as I mentioned before, we are working on learning how to swim, and recently purchased goggles to help us go under water. Well, tonight they decided to practice in my bath tub. We usually only have a little water that doesn't go much past there knees when sitting down, but tonight we filled her up. I had turned on the jets, which had them screaming for their lives, so we decided against that idea. Abbie was pretending that she was the swim teacher and Aidan was following her directions perfectly. They play so well together.

pumpkins

2010-09-29T22:08:00.005-04:00

Pumpkins!! How exciting it is to pick out pumpkins every year. The kids get so excited, as well as myself, searching for that perfectly shaped pumpkin. I usually pick an odd shape-I feel it has more character, and needs to be loved also. So far we have purchased two pumpkins from Payless, but I am hoping this weekend to take the kids to a pumpkin patch. We will need cornstocks and mums to get us ready for fall. This picture of Aidan was when he was only 18 months old-it was his first time to a pumpkin patch and he picked it out himself. This will always be one of my favorite photos. Who could resist those chubby cheeks and dimples?

fall

2010-09-26T21:38:00.009-04:00

Fall is upon us. Had a wonderful weekend with my love bugs. Started Saturday morning with swim lessons. Abbie did so good. I was so proud of her. Last week she was crying all throughout the lessons, and it simply broke my heart. I ended up contacting the instructor and shared Abbie's concerns with them-that she hasn't even put her face completely in the water, so I am not sure she is ready to jump in the deep in while standing on the diving blocks. But the instructor was very understanding and started back with the basics with Abbie. This week there was a few tears, but also laughter-and when we were leaving, she exclaimed "That was so much fun!!" Huge improvement. Then there is my sweet, sweet Aidan. Aidan once again sat on my lap in the waiting area during his lessons. I believe his fear is that he has never been in the water without me. So after lessons, we went to Target and bought goggles-yes, the huge mask kind so they won't have to plug their noses, and we went back to open swim. And guess what-Aidan loves the water, and was kicking his little feet and blowing his bubbles just like a big boy. And Abbie went under the water for several seconds-and was jumping off the side of the pool, which is something she has never done before. My heart is overjoyed that they have overcome their fears.

some of my favorite pictures of Abbie

2010-02-05T23:25:00.005-05:00

some of my favorite pictures of Aidan

2010-02-05T21:02:00.034-05:00

2010-02-04T22:42:00.002-05:00

I finally figured out how to add music to my blog, and I am so happy. What a nice touch.

Everyone is asleep right now-I should be too. Tomorrow is Friday-yeah!! Looking forward to the weekend. Don't have any plans, except to stay home and spend time with my little ones. I don't get to spend enough time with them. They grow up so fast. Abbie is already six. I would give anything to go back to when she was 3 and Aidan was just born. She has grown up so much in the past three years. She now goes to school, and is becoming very independant. She no longer needs me (or my hair) to be able to fall asleep at night-I never thought I would see the day come. But now Aidan needs me. He says "sit with me" every night. He loves to snuggle and enterlock fingers. What precious moments we have. I can't believe he is already three. He is getting to be such a big boy.

Five o'clock will come pretty soon, so I better call it a night. I have been reading "enjoyingthesmallthings.blogspot. If you ever get a free chance, you really need to read. She really has a powerful story and such an amazing blog. You are certain to cry for hours over it. And though her struggles, it really makes you realize how truly blessed we our to have our precious children. Makes you want to stop everything, and just hold them, no matter their age.

Well, goodnight.

2010-02-04T22:41:00.001-05:00

Abbie's Kindergarten Christmas Program

2009-12-16T20:08:00.006-05:00

This was Abbie's first time to be in a Christmas program. She and her kindergarten classmates have been working so hard preparing many songs for us. A few weeks ago, Abbie brought home a handout stating she was going to be reciting a line "St. Nicholas pays a visit that the kids all remember" Not a very long line, but it would mean that she would have to speak in front of many many people. If you know Abbie, she is extremely shy in front of people, and will not speak up. She practiced and practiced and the night of the play she did an amazing job. I am so proud of her!! All of the kids did outstanding!!

Christmas is Coming

2009-12-16T19:49:00.004-05:00

Since our decorations stayed in their boxes last year, we started extra early decorating for Christmas. The kids had a great time putting up Christmas tree and helping with the ornaments. Only a few were broken. It was even Boots' first Christmas with us. He was extra excited about the tree.

indiana beach

2009-07-01T23:54:00.006-04:00

Today my mother and I took my two kids and Christian's two kids to Indiana Beach. It was very chilly for the first of July. Felt more like an autumn day. It was our second trip there this year. Our first trip consisted of kitty land, since it was only myself, Abbie, and Aidan. But now that Abbie is 5 1/2, she would rather go on big rides. But she is only 47 1/2 inches tall. So that lacking of 1/2 inch, means mommy must ride with her. And of course, I am not going to leave Aidan waiting on the side lines. So today she was able to go on the big rides with Kaylah and Jordan. She amazed me. She loved all of the rides, except the Hoosier Hurrican. Yes, I should have left her with grandma, but she wanted to go on it. I thought she was going to get sick, and I have never seen her eyes get so big. She said that there was no way that she would ride it again. But she loved the swings, tilt a world, music express, and all of the other big rides. It seems like yesterday that I was hoping that she would like the boats and the cars. It is amazing how time flies by. I wish it would slow down a little. She is growing up way too fast.

summer fun

2009-06-24T22:57:00.008-04:00

I cannot believe that June is almost over. It seems like winter was just here. But with the hot weather that we have been experiencing lately, we have been trying to do "water" activities. This past weekend we (Abbie, Aidan, and myself) went to Columbian Park Zoo. The zoo really only has monkeys, but they do have a few water fountains, that my children love. Today, we went to Tropicanoe Cove. Abbie had a fabulous time. She is the perfect age right now. Aidan, on the other hand, did not like the other children to splash him. He was a little grumpy. But overall it was a very nice day spent together.

I'm back!

2009-06-24T22:36:00.003-04:00

So I have been away from blogging for an incredibly long time. But I am back, and my goal is to stay active. I love looking at my friends' blogs and seeing what is going on in their lives-so I need to get in gear. We are in our fabulous house, moved in at the end of January. And Bruiser is back home. And we go a cat named Boots. Yes, we are the A team (Adam, Amy, Abbie, and Aidan) and the pets are the B team (Bruiser and Boots). So as of right now are family is complete. Maybe in a few years we will add a few more children, but right now I am truely enjoying my life and my family.

Halloween 2008

2008-11-12T20:38:00.007-05:00

So yes, I have taken a long break from blogging. I became addicted to the Twilight books, and that is all I did in my free time. But now that book 4 is finished, I am back.

Halloween was fun this year. We went with Derrik (Adam's best friend), Jaime, and their little girl, Kya. It was actually warm this year. Abbie went as a kitty cat. She usually goes as a princess, but every year she has to cover up her outfit with a jacket. So this year, I was thinking I was ahead of the game, and a black jacket was part of her outfit-and then, of course, it was warm out. Aidan was a lizard dragon. Once again, a very warm outfit. Sorry Aidan for making you melt. But you sure looked adorable!

Abbie goes to Preschool

2008-10-07T20:46:00.003-04:00

I decided to put Abbie in preschool. She started Grace Readiness, and loves it. She attends Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. I am hoping to get her socially ready for kindergarten next fall. She is a very shy little girl-well, in the beginning. At home she never stops talking. But she really enjoys it and it gives me and Aidan some quality alone time together. Which I believe he needs.

Aidan and Kya

2008-10-06T20:01:00.003-04:00

Adam's best friend, Derrick, has a little girl named Kya. She is 3 months younger than Aidan. Kya and Aidan love each other, so Jaime (Kya's mom) and I say. They play so well together, and that is amazing for 1 1/2 year olds. Kya loves to kiss Aidan. They are just so funny to watch.

lia sophia

2008-10-06T19:53:00.002-04:00

I attended a meeting in Chicago this weekend for lia sophia. It was amazing. We went up Friday night and had dinner at Maggiano's. Fabulous food-plus open bar. lia sophia is excellent at taking care of their people. Meeting was called "Power of 3," which involves selling, booking, and recruiting. It completely got me back on track and I am so excited about the months ahead. So if anyone would like to have a show, let me know. I have set really high goals for myself and am striving to achieve them. lia sophia is an amazing company and I am truely blessed to have found them.

purdue vs oregon

2008-09-13T22:01:00.004-04:00

Adam, Joe, Betsy, and I went to the Purdue vs. Oregon game. They were predicting severe storms; but thankfully we had dry weather. Very humid and sticky, but dry. It was a great game, very exciting. We were up the entire game until the end. The game ended up going to 2 overtimes, and in the end we were defeated. But we put up a good fight to the #16 ranked Ducks. Oh, and the funniest thing was on the big screen they had Duck Hunt-remember the Nintendo game. Very funy!

prophetstown state park

2008-09-07T21:28:00.008-04:00

Saturday I took Abbie and Aidan to Prophetstown. It is a state park about 5 miles from our house. We had a wonderful time. First we went to the farm and then to the huge playground. And we were the only ones at the playground! If anyone is ever in Battle Ground, Indiana, I would highly recommend coming to Prophetstown. It is so relaxing and fun for the little ones.

a normal wednesday

2008-09-03T13:55:00.004-04:00

Abbie and Aidan waiting for gymnastics to begin

As long as he is eating, Aidan will actually sit down

Abbie climbing the rope

Walking very carefully on the balance beam

Running around at sissy's gymnastics wears Aidan out

On the way home, Abbie has learned to use the camera, and likes her shoes

Wednesdays are spent with Abbie's gymnastics. She is in the advanced preschool at Lafayette Area Gymnastics. Right now she is working on her bridge then kicking her feet over, and cartwheels. She is advancing rather well in her class, and enjoys doing it. Aidan on the other hand, becomes a crazy man the second we step into the gym. He senses that mommy needs him to sit down and be good, and is determined to do the opposite of what mommy wants him to do. I bring a complete stash of snacks with me to interest him, from teddy grahams to a snack mix, and when I become really desperate I bring out the m&m's. Aren't I a great mother, giving my son chocolate right before lunch-but if you were there, you would understand! Gymnastics last an hour, and it is a very long hour for Aidan and me. But finally when the clock strikes 11, we are out of there, and mommy is in control again. We usually run a few errands and stop for lunch and then home for nap time. Aidan takes a 3 hour nap, which is just enough time for mommy to recuperate and recharge. You never know what the rest of the day is going to bring.

aidan is 20 months old

2008-09-01T23:31:00.001-04:00

Aidan Joseph will be 20 months old on Wednesday. I get sad just thinking about how the time has flown by. I still consider him a baby, but he is definitely grown into a sweet little boy. His interests right now are tractors and planes in the sky. And he loves his blankie, especially the tag. We are truely blessed to have him in our lives. I cannot amagine life without him.

update on house

2008-09-01T23:15:00.001-04:00

Adam starting roofing our house this weekend. By the end of this week we should have the windows in, and then the stairs. I can't hardly wait. I try to be involved in the house project, but it is hard with Aidan who likes to climb up ladders and hang out windows. A little dangerous.

calvary baptist-community bbq

2008-08-25T18:05:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was our church's community bbq. It was a beautiful, sunny day. The bbq was from 3-6, so Aidan was able to take a nap after church and be well rested for the party. The kids participated in pony rides, moonwalks, face painting, a fire truck ride, and a hayride. We ate plenty of excellent food and goodies, and ended the day watching 1000 Generations play. Adam even commented that this was the first time we all had a great time at a function, and we did not have to leave early. It does help when the children become a little older.

a day in the sun!

2008-08-20T22:06:00.000-04:00

It was a perfect, summer day today. We spent most of the day outside playing in the pool, while Aidan sprayed Abbie and I with the hose. Spent time on the swing set and riding bicycles. Great day spent together!