Our Family

Just a Funny Story

So, my friend emailed this to me, and I had to share it. It had me dying of laughter:)


So the light switch in our kitchen has been giving us some trouble lately. Like it turns itself on and won't turn off when it's supposed to. After asking Jon to fix it for the last month, I finally opened the thing up myself, dug around a bit, made it completely non functional, and in doing so, finally aroused Mr. FixIt's curiousity. So, off he goes to OSH and in comes a phone call about 15 minutes later....
Jon- "Hey, so do you want the Touch Pad Dimmer Switch?"
Me- "No."
Jon- "It's pretty cool."
Me- "No, I don't think I need mood lighting in the kitchen."
Jon- "But it's got this cool touch pad, you tap once once to turn it on or off, and then touch it and hold your finger there to dim."
Me- "But I just need the lights to go on and off."
Jon- "It's pretty coooooool, you know how you like the lights dim sometimes."
Me- "It's the kitchen, I don't need dim. Don't they have a basic switch?"
Jon- "Hmm" (I've now ruined his fun)
Me- "Look, you can get something cool for another room in the house, just make this one work please."
Jon- "Hmm, okay I'll see what they have."
He walks in the door 10 minutes later, dejected.
Me- "What did you get?"
Jon- "A switch."
Me- "Basic?"
Jon- "Yeah, a basic, boring one. I could hardly even find it."

:-)

The Biggest Loser

Yes, yes I am a Biggest Loser fan, but I am not talking about TV. My friends and I have begun this little challenge. Since we are all moms and struggle for time and energy to diet and exercise, we decided we needed a little kick in the butt, and who doesn't like a good ole competition. We have all weighed in and begun our own diet and exercise routines. We have 10 weeks to give it our best shot. I am going to work out at least 3x a week, and I am trying to diet using portion control. However, I am nursing, so I am extra hungry all the time. So, I have to double dose it on the water and make sure I am eating at least every few hours. How will I lose weight nursing? Well, my plan is to wake up and have a large breakfast to jump start my metabolism. Maybe some oatmeal, fruit and yogurt with some water. I will have a mid morning snack of banana, apple with peanut butter or whole grain toast and some more water. Lunch will be medium sized with water. No soda at all! Then I will have an afternoon snack...possibly a slimfast shake, and then I will have a light dinner with just enough sustenance to satisfy me. Oh, and more water. No sweets accept once a week. We will see how it goes. I will definitely update you on my percentage weight loss and how I rank with the others in the group. Some are doing crazy diets, some Calorie King and some just eating healthier like me. My roommate in college (Hey Jenny Poo) did weight watchers and lost bunches of weight, so that perspective on weight loss is still in my head, so hopefully I can win. Winner gets a gift card of their choice. So, Nate being the competitor he his won't let me cave in. We will see.

Game on Girls:)

Sisterhood!

Well, I just had to throw all these pics in here. My girls are growing by the second, and I have to document all of it. Annabelle has had a couple of firsts this past month. She went bowling with Nate's old football team, and she loved it! And yesterday, she sat for almost 30 minutes coloring, and believe it or not, she didn't color all over the table. I gave her huge pieces of paper left over from my Save the Dates for our wedding...ha. She had so much fun. Wow! She looks so grown up holding those crayons.
Ava on the other hand had a couple of firsts as well. She went into the pool in a float boat, and she had a great time. Also, she began sleeping from 8pm to 7ish am now, without a feeding. That happened a couple of nights ago, praise the Lord. Pretty much, she began rolling over like a crazy woman and had some rough nights. So, i just had to let her figure it out with a little of crying, and now she doesn't need me for almost 12 hours at night. Love it. She sits up very well in the bumbo seat, so now she is the center of attention at all meals:) And it is pretty hilarious....she has become Annabelle's "playmate. Poor Ava gets baby doll bottles stuffed in her mouth, books shoved in her face and toys thrown at her. Annabelle thinks she is playing, reading and sharing with her, and Ava doesn't mind. It is sweet to see Annabelle enjoying Ava and wanting to play with her.

One last note. So, I had to discipline Annabelle, and in the middle of her sobbing in the timeout corner, she looks to Ava and cries out for "Ada". She was totally looking to be consoled by someone, and the only one in the room was Ava, so she was crying to her. It has already begun. Well, let the adventure of raising girls begin. Can't wait for what is to come!

Democratic National Convention on HOPE

So, I know I need to be more knowledgeable in politics and what is going on in our country. Therefore, I spent some time last night watching the Democratic National Convention, and I think I now know why politics urks me. Hillary kept claiming that in order to give HOPE to the hardworking and deserving people of America, we must elect Obama and not let another Republican into the White House. I am not going to get into a debate on Republican vs. Democrat or McCain vs. Obama, but I will say something on their skewed idea of HOPE. How dare they say we can place our trust in them, mere humans. They will fail us, and therefore, it is not true hope. HOPE is placed in someone or something that can be trusted to come through for us. That is precisely why we can hope. This world is sinful and we can't make it any better. Only by God's good grace is His hand still upon this world, and that is the only reason why life is good right now. Also, we are not good people. We don't deserve anything good. However, because of God's great love for us, we can have eternal life with Him, which by the way, we don't deserve.

I guess it is hard for me to listen to politicians claim they can make life better, easier and less evil. And I hate when they try and give people "feel good" speeches just to gain votes. What we need is someone to truly rely on God and focus our eyes on the true source of HOPE. Because then and only then, this world will get better.

And the kicker of it all, is that they are slamming their opponents, saying all sorts of mean things about each other. What kind of true leader behaves in that matter. Just stick to how you can benefit this country....we don't need to take a ride on memory lane to Junior High. Been there and done that.

Just interesting. Hillary had great ideals. And it is easy to make a well-written speeh in front of people who love you. However, God and His Son Christ, need to be the main focus of all of this. That is why the country is where it is at today....they have lost their focus. So, on a HOPEFUL note, please spend some time thinking on these words of the Lord.

"For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth. By You I have been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother's womb; My praise is continually of You." Psalm 71:5-6

There is no need to become overwhelmed or anxious about the upcoming election. God is in control. He will be with us. We must simply HOPE and trust in Him, and give Him continual praise.

Two peas in a pod!

On Friday, we went to see our friends Kristen and Daniel who have a son a week younger than Ava. This is a picture of them the day after Jensen was born. Ava was exactly a week old, but she was smaller than he was. We swaddled both of them and stuck them in the bassinet together at the hospital. It looks like he is trying to kiss her. SO cute. It is hard to believe that it was over 3 months ago. They grow so fast. Maybe one day they will marry.......ha ha. You never know:)

Having a little fun!

So, Nate thought it would be cute to fit Ava in Annabelle's doll stroller. Annabelle had so much fun, and of course, I couldn't look. Ava was a little nervouse, not know what was happening. Poor Ava, this is just the beginning. Aren't they cute!

Pamela and Oliver

Thank you to Pamela and Oliver for thinking of our two girls. They are missionaries in Budapest, Hungary and sent these two t-shirts for our girls. We miss you so much and can't wait to see you again. We are praying for you!

Thank you Gavin!

Sunday, we got to see our beloved friends Jen and Justin. Now they have little Gavin who isn't so little more. Thank you for letting us come and visit. We had a blast. So did the girls. Congratulations on your last day of work Justin. So excited for you:)

Boat Day:)

Saturday was Ava's first day to the boat. She and Annabelle were both troopers. I took a little nap while Grandpa was the skipper, and Grandma, Aunt Robyn and Sam babysat. Thanks for such a lovely time!

Thing 1 and Thing 2

Thanks for thinking of us Dad!!!! Wish we could have gone to Disneyworld! Love you!

Dress Up Anyone?

More Pics from Costa Rica

Costa Rica

About a two weeks ago, we got back from Costa Rica with the Perkins clan. We had a chef to cook all our meals and maids to clean and do our laundry. It was heaven. We stayed in Manuel Antonio, on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. Teri and Mark rented a five bedroom home for us to stay in, and it was wonderful. We went ziplining through the forest and ATVing. Annabelle enjoyed the pool and the monkeys, which were right up on the beach. Thank you so much to the Perkins for such a wonderful time:)