I'm baaaaaack....

Hopefully. My bestie Karen has inspired me to start blogging again.

Little Erik left this morning after a shortened summer visit. It was great to have him here again - though it truly always leaves a void for us in our home after he goes. Jael said tonight in the car as she looked at Erik's seat between her and Heidi's car seats (all 8 inches), "Why Erik not in his seat?" And I told her that he went bye-bye to Kentucky and that we won't see him for awhile and she says with a pouty face, "Yeah, we're gonna miss him." It was so sweet. This is probably the first year where she is really understanding what is going on. Today she spent the day at Auntie's house (where she spends every Thursday)so I don't think the reality of it has quite hit her.

Speaking of my kids...haha. Tonight Erik and I went to Publix to pick up some food for Bible study. We usually always go to Wal-Mart but we decided for a more relaxing shopping experience since we only had to get one thing. Jael quickly spotted their race car carts and the girls had so much fun in them. Heidi just sat there moving the wheel back and forth really fast and smiling huge. Everytime we went near the checkout aisles she would squeel in delight at the sight of all the balloons they had displayed. Seriously, with as much fun as she was having you would have thought we were at an amusement park. I'm definitely going to have to remember that one. One last Publix story and then I'm going to bed. As we were checking out Jael asked our cashier what her name was...the cashier was very friendly and replied to her and asked her what her name was. Then Jael spotted her fingernail polish and asked her if she had nail polish on and she said yes. And then Jael looks towards the cashiers feet and asks her if her toes were painted and she said yes. As I type that it seems so trivial and ordinary, but it was so cute to see her engaging this woman in coversation all on her own. I also think its interesting that she notices stuff like fingernail polish...she is so her Auntie's niece. I hardly wear the stuff myself.

I will try and post some pictures and a GREAT video and Jael, Millie, and little E from last night in the next day or two. Erik cancelled our internet so now I'm going to have to get creative to blog or do anything online.

A Picture and Two Videos

Here is my new favorite picture...although a bit blurry.

This video is from last night. Heidi and Gracie were being too cute. I think Jess said that Heidi's mannerisms reminded her of an ape, haha, but it could have also been her dad that said that.



Here is one more that showcases Jael's singing talents and her ability to boss her cousin, Millie (or Mae as Jael calls her), around.

Christmas Lights Adventure

We had our 2nd annual "Going To Walk Around A Neighborhood With Really Cool Christmas Lights." Lots of fun. Bittersweet since I think mom initiated the first annual "Going To Walk Around A Neighborhood With Really Cool Christmas Lights."

The first two pictures are from the first annualGTWAANWRCCL. On the first one I messed with the exposure so that you can see mom's face a little better - she is just filled with joy looking at Jael experience this for the first time. The second picture I think she looks so stinkin' cute. Like one of the kids so excited to be on Santa's sleigh and staring at Millie. It definitely seems like she likes those grandbabies.

I'm pretty sure if you click on the pictures you can see more details.

So last night was really fun. My girls and I, Rob & Jess and girls, and Doug & Tory and girls (minus Hannah) all went. When it came time to ride on Santa's sleigh Jael was too scared to get on. The first picture below is of Jael and the babies sitting the ride out. I tried to get Jael to look at the camera, but she was far too concerned with Santa's sleigh coming back around to possibly look at me. The second picture is of the group who went on the sleigh...well you can't see everyone. And the last is of Jael's Uncle Doug giving her a ride on his shoulders.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"Get back here, now!"

This is how we started the day this morning, only the words did not come from my lips. Jael declared this to me with a mother's tone as I walked away from my bed with Heidi in my arms. Apparently she wanted me to pick her up and carry her out of the bedroom as well. She also pointed right next to her to emphasize where "here" was. To make a long story short, she eventually ended up in her bed in tears. We did recover with a little love and a showing of Veggie Tales "The Christmas Star."

New Videos

I know I'm a lame blogger, but I'm definitely not worse that my sister and brother-in-law. Here are some videos. The one with Jael being a pirate is from Halloween day. The one with Jael and Millie playing with the balls is from mid-November and the one with Heidi and Grace is from yesterday. Hope you enjoy.

Today I choose to...

...act in love towards my family no matter what!
...put myself under the authority of our President Elect and pray for him as God has told me to do.
...seek justice for those around me any way that I can.
...put my health on the forefront! (after this gift of lunch I rec'd from a much-loved co-worker)
...worship my God as He deserves.
...smile when I think of my mom who is worshiping God with me.

What do you choose to do today? I'd love to hear about it.

Our Family Near Death Experience

Ok...so that's a stretch. Last night we had a really bad storm come through our town. I said to Erik, "It looks all green outside - sign of tornado weather." I have no idea where exactly that theory comes from except to say that I remember knowing that as a kid in Illinois. A minute later we start hearing a siren going off and I turned on the radio which said that there was lots of rotation in Daytona Beach and Holly Hill. So all four of us went and hung out in our hallway and had a little tornado "drill" for a good 10 minutes. Seems kind of silly now, but it was a bit scary.

I Need....

Jael's latest thing is that she "needs" everything. Here are just a few...

"I need to go outside."
"I need a cheese crisp."
"I need to go to church."
"I need to go that way." - This one is said while in the car or stroller.
Today at Jess's house it was, "I need Veggie Tales."

Another cute thing is that yesterday I was walking into the living room and tripped into the tv making a loud noise. Jael was in the other room with her dad and calls out, "Are you ok mommy?" And I said yes. Then she says, "Do you need some help?" Haha! So cute and so sweet. She is getting so verbal and creative - it's so much fun!

Here is a picture just for fun.

Jael's Amazing Jumping Hug

Jael has started this new routine where after I get her dressed on her changing table she gives me a "jumping hug". I'm sure at this point you are wondering...what IS a jumping hug exactly. I'm glad you asked:






If you can't tell from the pictures, this is heaven in a hug. Makes my tummy giggle every time.

Ba Ba Ba

Heidi's first "word"...