Well, here we are, nearly a week into our long awaited Christmas break, and, I've got to be honest, it's not exactly what I was expecting or hoping for. For Ryan's entire semester, we've talked about these 2 weeks off and how precious they would be to us! Uninterrupted, joyous fun with Daddy before he sets back in for another semester. Special, individual time with just Abe before we add another little one to our family in just a few months. Laughter and reunion with family and friends. And yes, while we've had a lot of those wonderful moments with family and friends, we've also had some struggles.
It started as I was finishing up some Christmas shopping--I was walking through the mall, watching countless shoppers with their arms laden with packages. There I was, with one little gift, double checking my receipt to make sure I was still on track with my Christmas budget. I found myself feeling a little down, that for me to do the very basic gifts was such a financial stretch for our family, while all these other shoppers were out enjoying the hustle and bustle of the season, buying large, costly gifts. And, I know, how silly, because maybe they have credit card debt--who knows?! And no, the dollar amount of the gift in no way equals the thought and love behind it. Still, I found myself feeling down all the same.
And now--right before Christmas, my husband has a nasty head cold, and my son has bronchitis. At times, Abe coughs so hard he spits up, and his coughs are coming so frequently that he barely has time to take a breath in between. Sitting in the prompt care and willing your son to stop coughing so he can just get some rest is not really what I wanted. It isn't comfortable for me to get three hours of sleep at night because I'm sitting upright holding my little boy against my chest to help him breathe better. It makes me very sad to see my son suffering. I felt like I was imposing on my in-laws and risking getting others ill, and at multiple times, I wished I was just in my own home, away from everyone and therefore safe from infecting others. I was feeling quite sorry for myself, upset that this "break" that was supposed to be so perfect and fun and carefree was now clouded with illness and discomfort. I could hardly stand the thought of our Christmas festivities being "ruined" by a sick child. I want him to be happy and have fun as he opens his gifts! Almost a week of our 2 week break is over, and Ryan hasn't really felt rested, as he is battling a nasty cold himself and has been worried about his little boy. In just another week, he'll be hitting school hard again. Will he be recuperated, healthy, rested, ready to face a new semester? A new baby too? Are we burdening those we came to share the season with? All these thoughts added to my weariness.
And then, it occurred to me that I was sinning. In the midst of this season of worship and joy, I was wallowing in self pity because things weren't turning out just as I had planned. I remembered what this time of year is all about, and it isn't about me having fun and being comfortable and opening all our presents without a grumpy child. I doubt the stable was the most comfortable place to give birth, nor was the manger the most comfortable bed, particularly for the Savior of the World! Instead of praising God for sending his Son and thereby giving me new Life, I was complaining that my circumstances weren't "perfect". How thankful I should be that when my son is sick, I can take him to a doctor and then have ready access to medication to give him so he can get better! How many people across the world would leap at the chance to just see a healthcare provider, let alone give their child medicine just a few hours later when the pharmacy that they drove to in their own car has it ready? How thankful I should be that even though Ryan and Abe are sick, we have a warm house to be in, plentiful food to eat, and clean water to drink? Then I remembered this video we saw in church a few Sundays ago; it is put together by the Advent Conspiracy, and it reformed my thoughts and my point of view.
Let me offer a disclaimer before you watch: I am not suggesting gifts are wrong or that we should all stop giving gifts or that you should feel badly if you have spent a fair amount of money on Christmas gifts this year! I love blessing my loved ones with material gifts, and Jesus was given material gifts at the time of his birth. Had we no consideration of tight finances at this time in our life, I would gladly and willingly extravagantly bless others, from my parents to our mailman! However, I do think it offers a fresh perspective and understanding at how richly blessed we are. Now, with that out of the way, here is the video. I'm having trouble posting the hyperlink, so you'll have to copy and paste the address into your browser. Once you are at the website, click "Check it Out" under the "AC Promo Video" to start it.
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/
And so, perhaps this "inconvenience" is actually God's greatest blessing to me this Christmas--that I would recognize that Jesus is absolutely, always, completely enough. I pray that you have a wonderful, blessed, healthy Christmas full of joy, love, and laughter! Remember the Reason for the Season. Jesus is King!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Same Kind of Different As Me
Just a brief post today, but I wanted to share about an amazing, amazing book I just finished reading. It's titled, The Same Kind of Different as Me.
The story follows a homeless man who served much of his life as a modern day slave and a very wealthy art dealer who form a very unlikely friendship. Their friendship was inspired by the art dealer's wife. It is an amazing story of faith, love for people despite their appearances and circumstances, and the impact a single person can have when they heed the call of God.
I got mine from our local library, but they are fairly inexpensive on Amazon too! Check it out!!
On a slightly different note, my OB office called last week, just days after my glucose test. When the nurse said who she was, panic coursed through me as I feared that I had gestational diabetes after all! But no, those levels were actually low and very good. The problem was with my iron count--she said I have slight anemia--not severe, which is very good because that could harm the fetus, but slight--common in pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, but not good for me.
When I told Ryan that evening, he rushed over and pulled down my lower eyelids--"Honey, what in the world are you doing?"
"Oh, yeah, you're pale."
"What?"
"You need to take a supplement right away."
"Well, yes, they called one in to Walgreens for me. Why are you holding my eyelids down?"
"Because if you are low on iron, your lower eyelids will be white instead of pink. Come here."
[Dragging me over to a mirror]
"See? Look at yours and look at mine."
[Both of us stand at the mirror pulling down on our lower eyelids--trust me, it was a pretty funny picture!]
Sure enough, his were a nice bright pink, and mine were white. Who knew? It's kind of fun having him study all this stuff! I've learned all sorts of interesting (and NOT so interesting) things!
Anyway, this helps explain my extreme fatigue as of late! Since I've been taking the prescription, my lower lids are still a little pale, but the pink color is returning. I feel like a have a little more energy too, though I was literally out of breath by the time I finally got Abe chased down, potty done, pull-up on, and snuggled in for his nap. He has been so ornery lately! Just can't help but love the little rascal!
The story follows a homeless man who served much of his life as a modern day slave and a very wealthy art dealer who form a very unlikely friendship. Their friendship was inspired by the art dealer's wife. It is an amazing story of faith, love for people despite their appearances and circumstances, and the impact a single person can have when they heed the call of God.
I got mine from our local library, but they are fairly inexpensive on Amazon too! Check it out!!
On a slightly different note, my OB office called last week, just days after my glucose test. When the nurse said who she was, panic coursed through me as I feared that I had gestational diabetes after all! But no, those levels were actually low and very good. The problem was with my iron count--she said I have slight anemia--not severe, which is very good because that could harm the fetus, but slight--common in pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, but not good for me.
When I told Ryan that evening, he rushed over and pulled down my lower eyelids--"Honey, what in the world are you doing?"
"Oh, yeah, you're pale."
"What?"
"You need to take a supplement right away."
"Well, yes, they called one in to Walgreens for me. Why are you holding my eyelids down?"
"Because if you are low on iron, your lower eyelids will be white instead of pink. Come here."
[Dragging me over to a mirror]
"See? Look at yours and look at mine."
[Both of us stand at the mirror pulling down on our lower eyelids--trust me, it was a pretty funny picture!]
Sure enough, his were a nice bright pink, and mine were white. Who knew? It's kind of fun having him study all this stuff! I've learned all sorts of interesting (and NOT so interesting) things!
Anyway, this helps explain my extreme fatigue as of late! Since I've been taking the prescription, my lower lids are still a little pale, but the pink color is returning. I feel like a have a little more energy too, though I was literally out of breath by the time I finally got Abe chased down, potty done, pull-up on, and snuggled in for his nap. He has been so ornery lately! Just can't help but love the little rascal!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Just a General Update
I thought it had been some time since I'd given just a general update on our family and how our life is progressing, so I decided to go ahead and do that now...
This past weekend, we went to Illinois (again!) for Ryan's cousin's wedding. We jammed the weekend pretty full, spending all day Saturday with my family since we were unable to spend much time with them over Thanksgiving due to their trip to Florida. We went to Alex's Madrigal dinner on Friday, Saturday made lots of Christmas goodies, went to the Bible class Christmas play and the Festival of Lights (which Abe LOVED!), and Sunday we spent the day in Morton at the wedding and reception. Ryan had to spend most of the weekend studying, as he will be wrapping up his semester in just a week and a half. Still, it was a great weekend all around, and we were glad we were able to make the trip!
Regarding my pregnancy, things are going well, though with the start of the 3rd trimester, I've noticed a sudden decrease in my energy level! It probably doesn't help that my 2-year-old isn't sleeping too well at night due to a persistent cough, and I oftentimes forget that at 7 months pregnant, sometimes I need to rest! Pregnancy is one of the most rigorous tasks a woman's body will ever accomplish! I tend to just go and go, and then I'm suddenly hit with overwhelming fatigue. At my appointment yesterday, I had the gestational diabetes glucose tolerance test, and since I didn't get a phone call today, I guess I'm in the clear! I also received the RhoGAM shot due to my A-negative blood type. Baby's heartbeat sounded great, and I measured just right for 29 weeks; I'll now see the doctor every 2 weeks until the baby is born. As I type, he's rolling around like crazy, which I love most of the time!
Ryan has been studying pretty intently this week as he prepares to take his final exams next week. We've almost made it through the first semester! He is continuing to love the studies and is just so thankful for the opportunity to be where he is. I'm so thankful that amidst his crazy schedule, he still makes time for me and for Abe. I also appreciate so much his help around the house, whether it's taking out the garbage cans or making our bed if he has time before school. He has recently started leading the CMA Guys Bible study, so we've had a house full of boys over every Wednesday night. Abe and I just play in his room during the study, and it's fun to hear periodic eruptions of laughter!
Today was my last Young Mom's Bible Study for the semester; we'll pick back up again in late January. Having not been in a formal Bible study setting with other women since I was in college, I have tremendously enjoyed the experience! It's been a wonderful opportunity for Abe to be cared for in a safe environment while I can fellowship and learn with other women--so refreshing! I've been challenged as I see other women pursuing holiness and intimacy with Christ, and I've been encouraged as I hear their struggles along the way, particularly with child-rearing. We've all been very open and honest in sharing with one another which has made for a special closeness among our group. Most of the women are stay-at-home moms, though some do work part time. This has also been a source of encouragement to me: to be with other moms who are choosing to stay home with their children, even if it means sacrificing monetarily, as we have chosen to do. Other mothers, some even with advanced degrees, have also chosen to forego a career, at least for this season of their lives, in exchange for doing what they feel to be more needful at this time. I certainly pass no judgement on mothers who do work, as I believe the Lord calls us all to different roles and works, but for our family, it is where we believe me to be, and I am thankful to be a moment-by-moment caregiver and teacher for our son, hopefully modeling Christ for him on a daily basis.
And speaking of Abe, he is growing both in wisdom and in stature :) He seems to be learning new things every day! It's been amazing to watch his little mind take things in, understand, and apply. He also seems to be getting a bit taller which has made him terribly clumsy--Ryan said that it's a normal part of growing, as his body continually adjusts to new abilities, new heights, new weights, etc.--but the little guy sure seems to fall down a lot! He has also had a strong preference for Mommy lately, which although very sweet, is not always optimal! We try to have Daddy do things for him as often as the opportunity allows, things like getting him milk, putting him in his high chair, brushing his teeth, and so on. He also gets very jealous if Ryan ever hugs me, kisses me, or holds me....Ryan said this is also very normal, that most little boys Abe's age have what is known as the Oedipus Complex, a strong affection and preference toward their mothers. I just hope he grows out of it before too long!
Anyway, I suppose that's a good enough update for now. Until next time, God Bless!
This past weekend, we went to Illinois (again!) for Ryan's cousin's wedding. We jammed the weekend pretty full, spending all day Saturday with my family since we were unable to spend much time with them over Thanksgiving due to their trip to Florida. We went to Alex's Madrigal dinner on Friday, Saturday made lots of Christmas goodies, went to the Bible class Christmas play and the Festival of Lights (which Abe LOVED!), and Sunday we spent the day in Morton at the wedding and reception. Ryan had to spend most of the weekend studying, as he will be wrapping up his semester in just a week and a half. Still, it was a great weekend all around, and we were glad we were able to make the trip!
Regarding my pregnancy, things are going well, though with the start of the 3rd trimester, I've noticed a sudden decrease in my energy level! It probably doesn't help that my 2-year-old isn't sleeping too well at night due to a persistent cough, and I oftentimes forget that at 7 months pregnant, sometimes I need to rest! Pregnancy is one of the most rigorous tasks a woman's body will ever accomplish! I tend to just go and go, and then I'm suddenly hit with overwhelming fatigue. At my appointment yesterday, I had the gestational diabetes glucose tolerance test, and since I didn't get a phone call today, I guess I'm in the clear! I also received the RhoGAM shot due to my A-negative blood type. Baby's heartbeat sounded great, and I measured just right for 29 weeks; I'll now see the doctor every 2 weeks until the baby is born. As I type, he's rolling around like crazy, which I love most of the time!
Ryan has been studying pretty intently this week as he prepares to take his final exams next week. We've almost made it through the first semester! He is continuing to love the studies and is just so thankful for the opportunity to be where he is. I'm so thankful that amidst his crazy schedule, he still makes time for me and for Abe. I also appreciate so much his help around the house, whether it's taking out the garbage cans or making our bed if he has time before school. He has recently started leading the CMA Guys Bible study, so we've had a house full of boys over every Wednesday night. Abe and I just play in his room during the study, and it's fun to hear periodic eruptions of laughter!
Today was my last Young Mom's Bible Study for the semester; we'll pick back up again in late January. Having not been in a formal Bible study setting with other women since I was in college, I have tremendously enjoyed the experience! It's been a wonderful opportunity for Abe to be cared for in a safe environment while I can fellowship and learn with other women--so refreshing! I've been challenged as I see other women pursuing holiness and intimacy with Christ, and I've been encouraged as I hear their struggles along the way, particularly with child-rearing. We've all been very open and honest in sharing with one another which has made for a special closeness among our group. Most of the women are stay-at-home moms, though some do work part time. This has also been a source of encouragement to me: to be with other moms who are choosing to stay home with their children, even if it means sacrificing monetarily, as we have chosen to do. Other mothers, some even with advanced degrees, have also chosen to forego a career, at least for this season of their lives, in exchange for doing what they feel to be more needful at this time. I certainly pass no judgement on mothers who do work, as I believe the Lord calls us all to different roles and works, but for our family, it is where we believe me to be, and I am thankful to be a moment-by-moment caregiver and teacher for our son, hopefully modeling Christ for him on a daily basis.
And speaking of Abe, he is growing both in wisdom and in stature :) He seems to be learning new things every day! It's been amazing to watch his little mind take things in, understand, and apply. He also seems to be getting a bit taller which has made him terribly clumsy--Ryan said that it's a normal part of growing, as his body continually adjusts to new abilities, new heights, new weights, etc.--but the little guy sure seems to fall down a lot! He has also had a strong preference for Mommy lately, which although very sweet, is not always optimal! We try to have Daddy do things for him as often as the opportunity allows, things like getting him milk, putting him in his high chair, brushing his teeth, and so on. He also gets very jealous if Ryan ever hugs me, kisses me, or holds me....Ryan said this is also very normal, that most little boys Abe's age have what is known as the Oedipus Complex, a strong affection and preference toward their mothers. I just hope he grows out of it before too long!
Anyway, I suppose that's a good enough update for now. Until next time, God Bless!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Thanksgiving Break
Last week marked our long-awaited, first trip to Peoria since moving to Wisconsin in late July. I remember talking about this trip before we even moved.....about how much fun it would be to go "home for the holidays". I can't believe the first trip has already come and gone! I knew it would be like that--that just as soon as it started, it would be over. But, although it's already over, Ryan and I both felt like it was such a good time, that we did a lot and savored each day, enjoying being with our family. I loved having my hubby to myself instead of having him cooped up in his study room! It was wonderful to see him read, relax, and even play some video games with his brothers!
We spent Thanksgiving with Ryan's family and thoroughly enjoyed our annual Black Friday Celebration. For those of you who aren't familiar with this Funk family day of merriment, let me fill you in: we head out early in the AM to get some good black Friday deals, go out for breakfast, relax at Mom and Dad's for a bit, go to Ludy's for lunch, go pick out Mom and Dad's Christmas tree at a local tree farm, come home and set up the tree, relax and possibly nap, eat Raclette cheese and trimmings for dinner, then snuggle up in the basement for a Christmas movie. Throw in a few twists and turns and kiddos to care for, and it becomes both a wonderful and exhausting day!
My family was in Marco Island for the week, so we were only able to spend a short time on Sunday with them before we headed back to Wisconsin on Sunday. We're looking forward to spending more time with them next weekend, as we're going back to IL again for Ryan's cousin's wedding.
While we were back, a number of people asked us how "things are going". I am so thankful to honestly be able to report that things are going very well! I give God all the credit and am so thankful for His grace that sustains us. We were also asked how it felt to be back in good 'ol Peoria; the answer is that it felt really good, really familiar, really comfortable, but not quite like home. Yes, it's home, because it's the place where our friends are, the place where our family is, the place we both grew up in, the place we got married in, the place we welcomed our firstborn son in, the streets we've driven too many times to count, and the stores we've shopped at just as many times too. For those reasons, I was ready to load up a moving truck and come on back! But, there was also this feeling of "not where we should be", a feeling that is a bit difficult to really grasp but is there all the same. I know we are supposed to be in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and I can see God blessing the path we are on there. For that reason, all the others, though still just as pressing, seem null and void. When we were nearing the end of our drive from IL to WI on Sunday night, I was excited to be back home.
Unfortunately I failed to take many photos, but here are a few to document some of our time:
On our drive down:
Riding in the jeep with Ollie:
I was sneaky and caught this video of the boys dancing with Abe, which they quickly figured out and quit!
"Fixing" Nana and Papa's wall:
Decorating Nana and Papa's tree:
It was a wonderful trip, and we're looking forward to Christmas!
We spent Thanksgiving with Ryan's family and thoroughly enjoyed our annual Black Friday Celebration. For those of you who aren't familiar with this Funk family day of merriment, let me fill you in: we head out early in the AM to get some good black Friday deals, go out for breakfast, relax at Mom and Dad's for a bit, go to Ludy's for lunch, go pick out Mom and Dad's Christmas tree at a local tree farm, come home and set up the tree, relax and possibly nap, eat Raclette cheese and trimmings for dinner, then snuggle up in the basement for a Christmas movie. Throw in a few twists and turns and kiddos to care for, and it becomes both a wonderful and exhausting day!
My family was in Marco Island for the week, so we were only able to spend a short time on Sunday with them before we headed back to Wisconsin on Sunday. We're looking forward to spending more time with them next weekend, as we're going back to IL again for Ryan's cousin's wedding.
While we were back, a number of people asked us how "things are going". I am so thankful to honestly be able to report that things are going very well! I give God all the credit and am so thankful for His grace that sustains us. We were also asked how it felt to be back in good 'ol Peoria; the answer is that it felt really good, really familiar, really comfortable, but not quite like home. Yes, it's home, because it's the place where our friends are, the place where our family is, the place we both grew up in, the place we got married in, the place we welcomed our firstborn son in, the streets we've driven too many times to count, and the stores we've shopped at just as many times too. For those reasons, I was ready to load up a moving truck and come on back! But, there was also this feeling of "not where we should be", a feeling that is a bit difficult to really grasp but is there all the same. I know we are supposed to be in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and I can see God blessing the path we are on there. For that reason, all the others, though still just as pressing, seem null and void. When we were nearing the end of our drive from IL to WI on Sunday night, I was excited to be back home.
Unfortunately I failed to take many photos, but here are a few to document some of our time:
On our drive down:
Riding in the jeep with Ollie:
I was sneaky and caught this video of the boys dancing with Abe, which they quickly figured out and quit!
"Fixing" Nana and Papa's wall:
Decorating Nana and Papa's tree:
It was a wonderful trip, and we're looking forward to Christmas!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Visitors
After a little gentle harassment by my family this evening, I decided I better do a post. Truthfully, I thought it had been longer than it actually had--it's only been 10 days! Longer than usual, but not too bad. Anyway, this update takes me back a long way and is a bit overdue, but I feel it necessary to post!
On October 21, Ryan's cousin, Tyler, and his wife, Laura, came to Milwaukee to attend the Family Life Weekend to Remember conference. We were able to meet up with them downtown for a meal before their conference started. What wonderful company and conversation! We only wished our time together could have been longer.
On October 23, some good friends, Jake and Betsy, were also in the area for the conference. We were able to connect with them after their conference was over on Sunday. Oh, how we miss our friends! It was so fun and refreshing to be with them again. We're looking forward to getting the whole potluck group together over the holidays!
The very next day, October 24, my parents and grandma came up for a day visit. I hadn't seen my grandma since we moved in July, so this was especially special! The day was a bit chilly, but full of sunshine, so we went down to the lakefront for a walk along the harbor, followed by a delicious lunch (best tomato-basil bisque ever!!). We came back to our place and relaxed while Abe napped, and around 5 PM we met Ryan in the village for dinner. It was a wonderful start to our week! Here is a quick photo of Abe and my dad as we walked down to dinner:
Just a few days later, on October 28, Ryan's parents and brother, Alex, came up for the whole weekend. Again, this was the first time we had seen them since early August, so it was long overdue and wonderful to be with them. We ate at some fabulous restaurants, Ryan gave his dad and Alex a tour of the anatomy lab, his mom and I did a little shopping, we toured the Sprecher Brewery, and the boys even got a little swimming in at the hotel! We were just immensely blessed by their company and generosity toward us throughout the weekend. Here are just a few photos of Ryan's dad and Abe playing around:
This past week, on November 9, I met Ryan's mom and my sister-in-law, Erin, in Aurora, IL to do some shopping. I bought a few Christmas gifts, but mostly, I just enjoyed spending a girl's day out with them! (Abe was along too of course!!) He did really well on the 2 1/2 hour drive, and I'm hoping the same goes for the drive back to Peoria next week!
It was a fabulous 3 weeks of seeing loved ones! We are really looking forward to seeing everyone again soon in just a little while. I actually caved in today and put up our Christmas decorations--because we'll be in IL most of next week and from December 16 to January 2, I wanted to make sure I had time here to enjoy them! Abe and I put on some holidays music, and he helped me decide where everything should go, now that we're in a new home. A bit premature perhaps, but it sure did get me excited to head into the holiday season next week!
On October 21, Ryan's cousin, Tyler, and his wife, Laura, came to Milwaukee to attend the Family Life Weekend to Remember conference. We were able to meet up with them downtown for a meal before their conference started. What wonderful company and conversation! We only wished our time together could have been longer.
On October 23, some good friends, Jake and Betsy, were also in the area for the conference. We were able to connect with them after their conference was over on Sunday. Oh, how we miss our friends! It was so fun and refreshing to be with them again. We're looking forward to getting the whole potluck group together over the holidays!
The very next day, October 24, my parents and grandma came up for a day visit. I hadn't seen my grandma since we moved in July, so this was especially special! The day was a bit chilly, but full of sunshine, so we went down to the lakefront for a walk along the harbor, followed by a delicious lunch (best tomato-basil bisque ever!!). We came back to our place and relaxed while Abe napped, and around 5 PM we met Ryan in the village for dinner. It was a wonderful start to our week! Here is a quick photo of Abe and my dad as we walked down to dinner:
Just a few days later, on October 28, Ryan's parents and brother, Alex, came up for the whole weekend. Again, this was the first time we had seen them since early August, so it was long overdue and wonderful to be with them. We ate at some fabulous restaurants, Ryan gave his dad and Alex a tour of the anatomy lab, his mom and I did a little shopping, we toured the Sprecher Brewery, and the boys even got a little swimming in at the hotel! We were just immensely blessed by their company and generosity toward us throughout the weekend. Here are just a few photos of Ryan's dad and Abe playing around:
This past week, on November 9, I met Ryan's mom and my sister-in-law, Erin, in Aurora, IL to do some shopping. I bought a few Christmas gifts, but mostly, I just enjoyed spending a girl's day out with them! (Abe was along too of course!!) He did really well on the 2 1/2 hour drive, and I'm hoping the same goes for the drive back to Peoria next week!
It was a fabulous 3 weeks of seeing loved ones! We are really looking forward to seeing everyone again soon in just a little while. I actually caved in today and put up our Christmas decorations--because we'll be in IL most of next week and from December 16 to January 2, I wanted to make sure I had time here to enjoy them! Abe and I put on some holidays music, and he helped me decide where everything should go, now that we're in a new home. A bit premature perhaps, but it sure did get me excited to head into the holiday season next week!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Farmer Abe
Last Monday, we celebrated the last day of October! It's hard to believe that we're already a week into November. While I'm not a fan or advocate of all the ghouls and ghosts, I do think it's fun for the kiddos to get dressed up, and I enjoy passing out candy to all the cute trick-or-treaters. This year, Abe was a farmer. Rather than the traditional trick-or-treating (which our neighborhood held on Sunday, the 30th, a particularly cold and drizzly day), we went to Ryan's school on Monday afternoon. Each of the faculty offices handed out candy to the children of MCW students and faculty, and there was a party in the cafeteria afterward. They were very generous, and Abe came home with quite a stash! His father managed to eat most of it before Abe got too much of a sugar high, but Abe still got a fair amount too...the M&M's were his favorite! Here is our little farmer:
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Homemade Experiments
This past week I tried two different homemade experiments: #1: homemade yogurt and #2: homemade laundry detergent. Both turned out great and were super easy to do!
#1: Homemade Yogurt
I've been wanting to try this for a while, but I didn't think I could do it without a yogurt maker. Then, after I read several blogs documenting how easily it can be done with a crockpot, I decided to give it a try! The homemade version costs about 3 times less than commercially prepared yogurt, and it is much healthier. While I had to use a small amount of store-bought yogurt for the first batch, subsequent batches can be made using the homemade version as the starter. Therefore, after several batches worth, only trace amounts of the store-bought yogurt will remain, leaving you with a [nearly] completely pure product. The end product--SO good! Even Ryan, who was very hesitant to try my creation, had to agree that it was "pretty fabulous"--is his own words!
The only downside is that the end result is not as thick as I prefer (I usually always buy full-fat yogurt which is thicker than the low-fat varieties). Apparently dry milk powder or gelatin can be added to thicken it up. I also could have strained it, to separate the whey from the yogurt, but with a shortage of time on the day I made it, I didn't try that.
First, I poured a half gallon jug of whole milk into the crockpot. Low-fat milk can be used, but it will result in a very thin yogurt. I turned the crock pot on LOW and let it cook for 2 1/2 hours. After that time elapsed, I (well, Ryan, actually, because I was gone!) unplugged the crockpot and allowed it to sit for another 2 1/2 hours.
By this time, I was home again, so I proceeded with the next step. I took about a cup of the warm milk out of the crockpot and whisked in 1/2 cup of plain store-bought yogurt. (I just bought a little single-size container and used it all). I then whisked that back into the rest of the milk in the crockpot, wrapped the crockpot in a bath towel, and let it sit overnight (or for at least 8 hours). Can you imagine now why Ryan was hesitant to try it?!?! The live, active cultures in the store-bought starter will grow into the milk, thus turning it into yogurt.
In the morning, I was just amazed when I took off the lid and had a thickened, yogurt-like substance in my crockpot! I was thrilled that it actually worked!! You can kind of tell on the spatula how thick it is:
I transferred it to a tupperware and allowed it to chill. Abe and I tried some at lunchtime, and we both agreed that it was delicious! (I did add sugar to our bowls, as I don't care for plain, tangy yogurt). Don't add sugar to your whole batch though, or it will cause it to become runny; just add it as you eat it.
My little taste-tester:
A spoonful of my yogurt! YUM!! It is so rich and delicious!
For subsequent batches, you can just use a half cup of your own yogurt as the culture starter. I'm not sure yet if I'll keep it going on and on, but I'll definitely make it again some time in the future!
#2: Homemade laundry detergent.
Again, something I've been wanting to try for a while, but I had to wait until my regular detergent ran out! Several people have told me how incredibly easy and economical this is, so I knew I had to try it out. With Abe having skin sensitivity at times, it's also a good option because it's a natural detergent. This was just absurdly easy, and so far, it seems to be cleaning our clothes very well! I've been inspecting and sniffing each load so far, and everything seems to be clean and fresh. It even took out stains on Abe's shirt (pretreated with my regular stain remover).
My supplies: a bar of unscented, gentle soap (Fels-Naptha, Zote, and Ivory are all possibilities--I had the Ivory on hand already, so I used that), 20 Mule Team Borax, Washing Soda, a grater, and a wooden spoon.
I finely grated the whole bar of soap into the bowl and then added 1 cup each of the washing soda and borax (both of these can be found in the laundry aisle). Then I stirred it all up and had a product that looked like this:
Sadly, when I grated the soap, Abe thought it was cheese (he had watched me grate a block of swiss just a few days before, and I let him try some, so of course he thought this was the same thing)! He reached in and stuck some soap in his mouth before I could stop him....I felt terrible, but he didn't seem to mind too much--just made a funny face and wanted a drink!
Anyway, you only need 1 Tbsp. for regular loads and 2 Tbsp. for heavily soiled loads; I've been using about 1 1/2 Tbsp. for each of mine.
Well, the end! Thanks for following along with my homemade fun!
#1: Homemade Yogurt
I've been wanting to try this for a while, but I didn't think I could do it without a yogurt maker. Then, after I read several blogs documenting how easily it can be done with a crockpot, I decided to give it a try! The homemade version costs about 3 times less than commercially prepared yogurt, and it is much healthier. While I had to use a small amount of store-bought yogurt for the first batch, subsequent batches can be made using the homemade version as the starter. Therefore, after several batches worth, only trace amounts of the store-bought yogurt will remain, leaving you with a [nearly] completely pure product. The end product--SO good! Even Ryan, who was very hesitant to try my creation, had to agree that it was "pretty fabulous"--is his own words!
The only downside is that the end result is not as thick as I prefer (I usually always buy full-fat yogurt which is thicker than the low-fat varieties). Apparently dry milk powder or gelatin can be added to thicken it up. I also could have strained it, to separate the whey from the yogurt, but with a shortage of time on the day I made it, I didn't try that.
First, I poured a half gallon jug of whole milk into the crockpot. Low-fat milk can be used, but it will result in a very thin yogurt. I turned the crock pot on LOW and let it cook for 2 1/2 hours. After that time elapsed, I (well, Ryan, actually, because I was gone!) unplugged the crockpot and allowed it to sit for another 2 1/2 hours.
By this time, I was home again, so I proceeded with the next step. I took about a cup of the warm milk out of the crockpot and whisked in 1/2 cup of plain store-bought yogurt. (I just bought a little single-size container and used it all). I then whisked that back into the rest of the milk in the crockpot, wrapped the crockpot in a bath towel, and let it sit overnight (or for at least 8 hours). Can you imagine now why Ryan was hesitant to try it?!?! The live, active cultures in the store-bought starter will grow into the milk, thus turning it into yogurt.
In the morning, I was just amazed when I took off the lid and had a thickened, yogurt-like substance in my crockpot! I was thrilled that it actually worked!! You can kind of tell on the spatula how thick it is:
I transferred it to a tupperware and allowed it to chill. Abe and I tried some at lunchtime, and we both agreed that it was delicious! (I did add sugar to our bowls, as I don't care for plain, tangy yogurt). Don't add sugar to your whole batch though, or it will cause it to become runny; just add it as you eat it.
My little taste-tester:
A spoonful of my yogurt! YUM!! It is so rich and delicious!
For subsequent batches, you can just use a half cup of your own yogurt as the culture starter. I'm not sure yet if I'll keep it going on and on, but I'll definitely make it again some time in the future!
#2: Homemade laundry detergent.
Again, something I've been wanting to try for a while, but I had to wait until my regular detergent ran out! Several people have told me how incredibly easy and economical this is, so I knew I had to try it out. With Abe having skin sensitivity at times, it's also a good option because it's a natural detergent. This was just absurdly easy, and so far, it seems to be cleaning our clothes very well! I've been inspecting and sniffing each load so far, and everything seems to be clean and fresh. It even took out stains on Abe's shirt (pretreated with my regular stain remover).
My supplies: a bar of unscented, gentle soap (Fels-Naptha, Zote, and Ivory are all possibilities--I had the Ivory on hand already, so I used that), 20 Mule Team Borax, Washing Soda, a grater, and a wooden spoon.
I finely grated the whole bar of soap into the bowl and then added 1 cup each of the washing soda and borax (both of these can be found in the laundry aisle). Then I stirred it all up and had a product that looked like this:
Sadly, when I grated the soap, Abe thought it was cheese (he had watched me grate a block of swiss just a few days before, and I let him try some, so of course he thought this was the same thing)! He reached in and stuck some soap in his mouth before I could stop him....I felt terrible, but he didn't seem to mind too much--just made a funny face and wanted a drink!
Anyway, you only need 1 Tbsp. for regular loads and 2 Tbsp. for heavily soiled loads; I've been using about 1 1/2 Tbsp. for each of mine.
Well, the end! Thanks for following along with my homemade fun!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
An Amazing Weekend
This past weekend, we had an absolutely wonderful time as a family. Ryan had his 2nd exam block the week prior, so he had exams every day....this meant no time for lectures! This meant no new material which meant no studying over the weekend!! A few of the older students we've talked to have termed these as "golden weekends"--we should enjoy them, because first year is the only year you get them! Anyway, it made for an amazing time to spend together with Ryan available the entire time. Typically, he studies all day Saturdays, from after we eat breakfast until sundown that night.
Friday after Ryan got home, we had a celebratory dinner and grilled some rib eyes my parents had given us. Ryan requested that we eat in the dining room and use nice dishes and glasses, so we went all out! We lit candles, played music, and had quite a feast. Ryan grilled the steaks to perfection! After we were done eating, Ryan asked me to dance, which lasted about 5 seconds before Abe cut in and insisted that he be the ONLY dancing partner for the rest of the night!
Saturday morning after breakfast, we headed out to Cozy Nook Farm. I had gotten a free pass from Groupon to use for a hayrack ride and $4 worth of pumpkins. It was a beautiful day--sunny and low 60's--but the wind was fierce! The wind made it quite chilly, but we still had fun. The hayrack ride was really a good time! It was a long, scenic ride, the highlight being when they stopped on a hilltop where 5 cows were roaming free. The cows came right up to the edge of the hayrack, and we were able to reach out and pet them. Abe has come a long way in his fear of petting animals; he reached right out and touched their nose!
Cows by the hayrack:
After we got back to the farm, we let Abe pick out a pumpkin to carve, and I got two pie pumpkins with the remaining $2.
Abe picking out his pumpkin:
Running to show Mommy what he and Daddy picked:
After walking around and seeing all the animals, we headed for home.
Abe and Daddy looking at the calf, 2 months old:
As soon as we got home, we set out to bake the pie pumpkins! Abe helped pull all the seeds out of the inside, and Ryan cleaned them off so we could roast them.
Abe and his pumpkins:
Abe and I pulling out the seeds:
Several hours later, we had 5 cans worth of the silkiest, smoothest pumpkin puree EVER and a pan full of roasted pumpkin seeds, buttered and salted. I even had enough ambition left in me to bake a pie with some of the puree! We enjoyed our pumpkin pie, sans whipped cream, unfortunately, while watching Andy Griffith reruns later that night. Saturday also included removing the front of Abe's crib-it was getting difficult for me to bend over the rail with my growing tummy, and we just felt like it was a good time to transition him. So far he is doing surprisingly well, although naptimes have resulted in some sneaking out of bed to get toys, which Mommy has caught every time :) His snow boots were also delivered, and he was very excited to wear them!
Abe wearing his snow boots, sitting on the edge of his "new" bed:
Sunday we enjoyed a morning at church followed by naps, reading, and singing (we've made a Sunday afternoon tradition of singing hymns while Ryan plays his guitar). Later that night, we had a few couples over to play games. We met them through the CMA (Christian Medical Association), and we are very thankful for their friendship! We drank hot wassail and munched on caramel corn while playing "Bang!", a new-to-us card game involving a sheriff, deputy, outlaws, and a renegade. It was a very enjoyable, albeit short evening--Craig, an M2, had an exam first thing in the morning, Justin, an M3, had to be at his surgery rotation at 5 AM with a half hour drive, and my Ryan, an M1, had to prep for his Monday morning classes. So, we made it short and sweet, but it was still fun to get together!
Monday morning, it was back to the millstone, but we savored every single moment of our weekend! The next time Ryan has a "golden weekend", we'll be heading home for Thanksgiving, so that will be especially wonderful too!
Lastly, a baby belly picture- Baby Boy Funk #2 at 22 weeks:
Thanks for reading!
Friday after Ryan got home, we had a celebratory dinner and grilled some rib eyes my parents had given us. Ryan requested that we eat in the dining room and use nice dishes and glasses, so we went all out! We lit candles, played music, and had quite a feast. Ryan grilled the steaks to perfection! After we were done eating, Ryan asked me to dance, which lasted about 5 seconds before Abe cut in and insisted that he be the ONLY dancing partner for the rest of the night!
Saturday morning after breakfast, we headed out to Cozy Nook Farm. I had gotten a free pass from Groupon to use for a hayrack ride and $4 worth of pumpkins. It was a beautiful day--sunny and low 60's--but the wind was fierce! The wind made it quite chilly, but we still had fun. The hayrack ride was really a good time! It was a long, scenic ride, the highlight being when they stopped on a hilltop where 5 cows were roaming free. The cows came right up to the edge of the hayrack, and we were able to reach out and pet them. Abe has come a long way in his fear of petting animals; he reached right out and touched their nose!
Cows by the hayrack:
After we got back to the farm, we let Abe pick out a pumpkin to carve, and I got two pie pumpkins with the remaining $2.
Abe picking out his pumpkin:
Running to show Mommy what he and Daddy picked:
After walking around and seeing all the animals, we headed for home.
Abe and Daddy looking at the calf, 2 months old:
As soon as we got home, we set out to bake the pie pumpkins! Abe helped pull all the seeds out of the inside, and Ryan cleaned them off so we could roast them.
Abe and his pumpkins:
Abe and I pulling out the seeds:
Several hours later, we had 5 cans worth of the silkiest, smoothest pumpkin puree EVER and a pan full of roasted pumpkin seeds, buttered and salted. I even had enough ambition left in me to bake a pie with some of the puree! We enjoyed our pumpkin pie, sans whipped cream, unfortunately, while watching Andy Griffith reruns later that night. Saturday also included removing the front of Abe's crib-it was getting difficult for me to bend over the rail with my growing tummy, and we just felt like it was a good time to transition him. So far he is doing surprisingly well, although naptimes have resulted in some sneaking out of bed to get toys, which Mommy has caught every time :) His snow boots were also delivered, and he was very excited to wear them!
Abe wearing his snow boots, sitting on the edge of his "new" bed:
Sunday we enjoyed a morning at church followed by naps, reading, and singing (we've made a Sunday afternoon tradition of singing hymns while Ryan plays his guitar). Later that night, we had a few couples over to play games. We met them through the CMA (Christian Medical Association), and we are very thankful for their friendship! We drank hot wassail and munched on caramel corn while playing "Bang!", a new-to-us card game involving a sheriff, deputy, outlaws, and a renegade. It was a very enjoyable, albeit short evening--Craig, an M2, had an exam first thing in the morning, Justin, an M3, had to be at his surgery rotation at 5 AM with a half hour drive, and my Ryan, an M1, had to prep for his Monday morning classes. So, we made it short and sweet, but it was still fun to get together!
Monday morning, it was back to the millstone, but we savored every single moment of our weekend! The next time Ryan has a "golden weekend", we'll be heading home for Thanksgiving, so that will be especially wonderful too!
Lastly, a baby belly picture- Baby Boy Funk #2 at 22 weeks:
Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Columbus Day Campout
If you can remember all the way to last year at this time, I wrote a post about the "Feast of Booths"--a festival where the Israelites ceased all work for seven days and lived in "booths" or structures made partly of plant material, as a reminiscence of how they lived during the 40 years they lived in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. As they remembered that time, they could remember where they came from and what they were delivered out of. While not for 7 days, we did dwell in booths (our tents) and spent time with the Lord-enjoying His creation and fellow-shipping with His children. This year, we followed suit and camped again, celebrating God's goodness and having fun together. Our IL friends were gracious enough to travel up north so we could go too.
It was an amazing time! We weren't able to be there the entire weekend, because Ryan has all of his exams this week and he needed time to study, but the time we did have was so precious. It was wonderful to see our friends again (Kenny and Steph Ober, Luke and Angie Luginbuhl, Tyler and Laura Hoerr, and Isaac Funk), and for me, it was so good to see Ryan relax, "let loose", and just be free from school for a while. It was also really good to see him with some of his dearest friends. While we are so thankful for all the friendships we've made here, there isn't the same camaraderie yet that we have with our friends from Illinois.
After we arrived on Saturday, we got our tent set up and just hung out and let the kiddos play until dinner. After we ate, Luke got a fire going, and we prepared to worship. Kenny and Ryan played their guitars while we sang songs of praise. Steph brought along glow sticks for the kids to wear so we could see them running around in the dark field! After some time, we put the kids to bed, and the adults continued to chat and share. Pretty soon, a little figure approached the fire from the direction of our tent. Sure enough, here came Abe padding along in his moose jammies! I guess he didn't want to miss out on the party! Truly, I was stunned that he figured out how to unzip the tent and then was brave enough to walk over to us! I checked the tent, and there was a space unzipped about 7 inches that he somehow managed to wiggle through! We let him stay up a little longer, and then I took him back to the tent and laid next to him for a while. He just starred at the moon for the longest time (we didn't have our rain fly on), and finally drifted off to sleep. It was just precious to lay there next to him! We hung out around the fire for a while longer, and then we went to bed as well.
Sunday morning dawned a crisp, beautiful day. As usual, Abe woke up first! He whined a bit (at which point Ryan and I woke up), then he rolled over, sat up, and rubbed his eyes. First, his face twisted in joy and confusion as he wondered why Daddy and Mommy were sleeping right next to him! Then, he looked up and saw the sky, and the sheer awe that passed over his face was just amazing. Ryan and I were both captivated just watching him! What a reminder of the glories we can behold if we just allow ourselves to be content with the simple things!
Ryan and I were in charge of breakfast, so we set out to get that started. Ryan started a fire so we could get started. Biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and warm apples were on the menu. Ryan successfully cooked the biscuits in the dutch oven, and Isaac perfectly scrambled the eggs. I manned the gravy and apples (I had prepared both at home and just had to reheat them on the camp stove). Soon everyone else joined us and we ate together.
After breakfast, we had a Sunday School lesson, and then Angie presented us with a craft to do: she had purchased each of the kids' initial to their first name, and each of the adults were to write a Bible verse or phrase that would speak encouragement and purpose into the child's life. After we finished, the kids got to paint their letters. It was so neat! Afterward, Angie shared about the Feast of Booths while the kids finished their letters and played.
The rest of the day included more outdoor play (did I mention that Abe LOVED being outside all weekend?!?!), lunch, afternoon naps (for kids and adults!), and dinner. Steph made tacos and homemade ice cream, both of which were a huge hit! We hung out for a while longer, and then we bid farewell. Obers and Luginbuhls were staying until Monday, but Ryan had an exam first thing in the morning so we had to go; Tyler, Laura, and Isaac headed for home as well. It was sad to say goodbye, but we were so thankful for the time we had with them!
Abe really enjoyed playing with Sam Ober--they're only 4 months apart and seemed to have a lot of fun interacting! He also loved being with Uncle Isaac, who was an amazing uncle...he played with him often and entertained all Abe's silly antics, and he even endured being tooted on and peed on! Truly a good sport, to say the least!
Anyway, we headed for home, and with about 15 minutes to go and still on a lonely interstate, Abe started making strange noises in the back seat.
"Abe, do you have to go potty?"
[No response]
"Abram, do you have to go potty?!"
[Whining ensues]
"Abe, buddy, if you have to go, that's okay! Tell Mommy, don't go in your pants. Do you have to go potty?"
[Reluctantly] "Yes!"
"Honey, pull over!"
"What?!?!"
"Yes, pull over, I don't want to clean up his pants and carseat!"
We had his little potty chair (we had brought it along to use outside the tent), so I plopped it down beside the car, and Abe sat down and did his business. A few minutes later, we were off again, and Abe left a little memoir laying alongside Highway 41.
What a wonderful weekend! Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you continue to pour out!
It was an amazing time! We weren't able to be there the entire weekend, because Ryan has all of his exams this week and he needed time to study, but the time we did have was so precious. It was wonderful to see our friends again (Kenny and Steph Ober, Luke and Angie Luginbuhl, Tyler and Laura Hoerr, and Isaac Funk), and for me, it was so good to see Ryan relax, "let loose", and just be free from school for a while. It was also really good to see him with some of his dearest friends. While we are so thankful for all the friendships we've made here, there isn't the same camaraderie yet that we have with our friends from Illinois.
After we arrived on Saturday, we got our tent set up and just hung out and let the kiddos play until dinner. After we ate, Luke got a fire going, and we prepared to worship. Kenny and Ryan played their guitars while we sang songs of praise. Steph brought along glow sticks for the kids to wear so we could see them running around in the dark field! After some time, we put the kids to bed, and the adults continued to chat and share. Pretty soon, a little figure approached the fire from the direction of our tent. Sure enough, here came Abe padding along in his moose jammies! I guess he didn't want to miss out on the party! Truly, I was stunned that he figured out how to unzip the tent and then was brave enough to walk over to us! I checked the tent, and there was a space unzipped about 7 inches that he somehow managed to wiggle through! We let him stay up a little longer, and then I took him back to the tent and laid next to him for a while. He just starred at the moon for the longest time (we didn't have our rain fly on), and finally drifted off to sleep. It was just precious to lay there next to him! We hung out around the fire for a while longer, and then we went to bed as well.
Sunday morning dawned a crisp, beautiful day. As usual, Abe woke up first! He whined a bit (at which point Ryan and I woke up), then he rolled over, sat up, and rubbed his eyes. First, his face twisted in joy and confusion as he wondered why Daddy and Mommy were sleeping right next to him! Then, he looked up and saw the sky, and the sheer awe that passed over his face was just amazing. Ryan and I were both captivated just watching him! What a reminder of the glories we can behold if we just allow ourselves to be content with the simple things!
Ryan and I were in charge of breakfast, so we set out to get that started. Ryan started a fire so we could get started. Biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and warm apples were on the menu. Ryan successfully cooked the biscuits in the dutch oven, and Isaac perfectly scrambled the eggs. I manned the gravy and apples (I had prepared both at home and just had to reheat them on the camp stove). Soon everyone else joined us and we ate together.
After breakfast, we had a Sunday School lesson, and then Angie presented us with a craft to do: she had purchased each of the kids' initial to their first name, and each of the adults were to write a Bible verse or phrase that would speak encouragement and purpose into the child's life. After we finished, the kids got to paint their letters. It was so neat! Afterward, Angie shared about the Feast of Booths while the kids finished their letters and played.
The rest of the day included more outdoor play (did I mention that Abe LOVED being outside all weekend?!?!), lunch, afternoon naps (for kids and adults!), and dinner. Steph made tacos and homemade ice cream, both of which were a huge hit! We hung out for a while longer, and then we bid farewell. Obers and Luginbuhls were staying until Monday, but Ryan had an exam first thing in the morning so we had to go; Tyler, Laura, and Isaac headed for home as well. It was sad to say goodbye, but we were so thankful for the time we had with them!
Abe really enjoyed playing with Sam Ober--they're only 4 months apart and seemed to have a lot of fun interacting! He also loved being with Uncle Isaac, who was an amazing uncle...he played with him often and entertained all Abe's silly antics, and he even endured being tooted on and peed on! Truly a good sport, to say the least!
Anyway, we headed for home, and with about 15 minutes to go and still on a lonely interstate, Abe started making strange noises in the back seat.
"Abe, do you have to go potty?"
[No response]
"Abram, do you have to go potty?!"
[Whining ensues]
"Abe, buddy, if you have to go, that's okay! Tell Mommy, don't go in your pants. Do you have to go potty?"
[Reluctantly] "Yes!"
"Honey, pull over!"
"What?!?!"
"Yes, pull over, I don't want to clean up his pants and carseat!"
We had his little potty chair (we had brought it along to use outside the tent), so I plopped it down beside the car, and Abe sat down and did his business. A few minutes later, we were off again, and Abe left a little memoir laying alongside Highway 41.
What a wonderful weekend! Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you continue to pour out!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Yes, It IS a Boy!
We had our 2nd sonogram today, and they confirmed that it is definitely a BOY! I'm really glad, and not just because I don't have to return the clothes I bought! Ever since the first sonogram, I've just had in my head that it was a boy, so I've been thinking about/praying about/expecting this sweet little boy to come! I've been anticipating a little brother for Abe and being a mommy to my boyS!! A little girl would have been so precious too, but for now, I'm glad they were right--it would have taken a little bit of time to revamp my thinking if it had been a girl! If we have a third, I think I just won't find out anything until they can tell me for sure!
Here is a picture of Baby Boy Funk #2:
Right now I'm measuring about a week ahead, so that could either mean I'll go into labor early, which would be just great!! Or, I'll just have a big baby, which would be not so great. We'll see what happens!
We're so excited to meet you little guy! We love you so much already!
Here is a picture of Baby Boy Funk #2:
Right now I'm measuring about a week ahead, so that could either mean I'll go into labor early, which would be just great!! Or, I'll just have a big baby, which would be not so great. We'll see what happens!
We're so excited to meet you little guy! We love you so much already!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Odds and Ends
Today's post is going to be a random conglomeration of sorts, as I have lots to share, but nothing very cohesive or one particular event enough to create an entire blog post. SO, here goes!
This past weekend, we enjoyed time at the Country Springs Hotel in Wisconsin with the Dill family. My mom and my Aunt LaRae were both celebrating a special birthday, so we gathered together to celebrate. It was a lot of fun to see everyone again and to spend time together! The hotel had an indoor water park as well, so we spent most of our time there. There were 3 big slides, and they were tons of fun! For an indoor park, it was very well done and there was a lot to do. Abe even got to go down some slides! He didn't dislike it, but I don't really think he liked it either! On Saturday night, my parents watched Abram so Ryan and I could go to the water park together--he had been studying all day, so it was his first chance to go--and it was wonderful!!! We went down slides together, rode the lazy river, and played a game of basketball PIG in the pool. It was actually our first "date" in about 3 months or more, so we enjoyed it immensely. The ladies took an outing to a nearby outlet mall on Saturday afternoon as well, where I found some good deals for the new baby! I just hope it really is a boy, or I'm going to have some returns to make! On Sunday, my parents stayed here in Milwaukee a while longer to spend some time with just our family, which was very special as well. Abram had SO much fun with his grandparents and aunts, and he was really sad when we said goodbye! We're looking forward to our next reunion already!
Next, a picture of my lunch today (and pretty much every day for the past week!):
For breakfast and dinner, we've definitely been enjoying some autumnal foods (soups, stews, roast chicken and vegetables, apple and pumpkin baked goodies, and creamy oatmeal, to name a few), but I'm still savoring the last of summer's bounty for my lunch each day! Our landlord had an abundance of tomatoes, so she graciously offered us as many as we could eat! Abe and I have had this fresh bruschetta almost every day-I'm not tired of it yet, and Abe loves it too!
On Friday this week, I have my halfway-point sonogram! I'm excited to find out the gender (for sure) and to see how baby is growing. The baby has been moving a lot, and Ryan's been able to feel it too! I have to say that I have so incredibly excited to meet this new baby, even moreso than I think I was with Abram. Now before that makes me sound like a terrible mom, let me explain! I was excited to meet Abram to the greatest extent I think was possible at that point, because I was still ignorant as to the feelings, the emotions, the joys and trials, and the growth that would come along with being a parent. Now, having experienced that so far with Abe, I know how amazing and beautiful it is, and I'm so excited to experience it all with another child.
Well, onto the next topic! Following is an assortment of random pictures:
Trying out Abe's winter coat (while it was still warm out, hence the shorts!):
At the apple orchard-it was a perfect, crisp, fall day:
Climbing "Straw Mountain" and going down the slide:
Abe and me at the Milwaukee Public Museum- the museum is free on Mondays for county residents, so we went with Emily and Brady to escape the gloomy weather we had for nearly a week straight! It was a lot of fun, and despite his straight face, he LOVED the dinosaurs! He just refuses to smile for a camera most of the time!
Abe in his beloved, all time favorite Moose jammies:
Well. I suppose that's all for now. We're looking forward to going camping this weekend with some of the Watchmen group from back home in Peoria, so look for that post early next week. And, of course, I'll update with a baby picture on Friday!
This past weekend, we enjoyed time at the Country Springs Hotel in Wisconsin with the Dill family. My mom and my Aunt LaRae were both celebrating a special birthday, so we gathered together to celebrate. It was a lot of fun to see everyone again and to spend time together! The hotel had an indoor water park as well, so we spent most of our time there. There were 3 big slides, and they were tons of fun! For an indoor park, it was very well done and there was a lot to do. Abe even got to go down some slides! He didn't dislike it, but I don't really think he liked it either! On Saturday night, my parents watched Abram so Ryan and I could go to the water park together--he had been studying all day, so it was his first chance to go--and it was wonderful!!! We went down slides together, rode the lazy river, and played a game of basketball PIG in the pool. It was actually our first "date" in about 3 months or more, so we enjoyed it immensely. The ladies took an outing to a nearby outlet mall on Saturday afternoon as well, where I found some good deals for the new baby! I just hope it really is a boy, or I'm going to have some returns to make! On Sunday, my parents stayed here in Milwaukee a while longer to spend some time with just our family, which was very special as well. Abram had SO much fun with his grandparents and aunts, and he was really sad when we said goodbye! We're looking forward to our next reunion already!
Next, a picture of my lunch today (and pretty much every day for the past week!):
For breakfast and dinner, we've definitely been enjoying some autumnal foods (soups, stews, roast chicken and vegetables, apple and pumpkin baked goodies, and creamy oatmeal, to name a few), but I'm still savoring the last of summer's bounty for my lunch each day! Our landlord had an abundance of tomatoes, so she graciously offered us as many as we could eat! Abe and I have had this fresh bruschetta almost every day-I'm not tired of it yet, and Abe loves it too!
On Friday this week, I have my halfway-point sonogram! I'm excited to find out the gender (for sure) and to see how baby is growing. The baby has been moving a lot, and Ryan's been able to feel it too! I have to say that I have so incredibly excited to meet this new baby, even moreso than I think I was with Abram. Now before that makes me sound like a terrible mom, let me explain! I was excited to meet Abram to the greatest extent I think was possible at that point, because I was still ignorant as to the feelings, the emotions, the joys and trials, and the growth that would come along with being a parent. Now, having experienced that so far with Abe, I know how amazing and beautiful it is, and I'm so excited to experience it all with another child.
Well, onto the next topic! Following is an assortment of random pictures:
Trying out Abe's winter coat (while it was still warm out, hence the shorts!):
At the apple orchard-it was a perfect, crisp, fall day:
Climbing "Straw Mountain" and going down the slide:
Abe and me at the Milwaukee Public Museum- the museum is free on Mondays for county residents, so we went with Emily and Brady to escape the gloomy weather we had for nearly a week straight! It was a lot of fun, and despite his straight face, he LOVED the dinosaurs! He just refuses to smile for a camera most of the time!
Abe in his beloved, all time favorite Moose jammies:
Well. I suppose that's all for now. We're looking forward to going camping this weekend with some of the Watchmen group from back home in Peoria, so look for that post early next week. And, of course, I'll update with a baby picture on Friday!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Weekend Visitors
We have been blessed with visitors the past two weekends, and it has been so good to see our family face-to-face!
The weekend of the 9th-11th, Dusty, Erin, Oliver and Gia came up to see us. Gia has changed so much since I saw her last! Oliver and Abe seemed to have tons of fun playing together. They really interacted, calling each others' names and "helping" each other play. It was sweet to watch them. Here are some pictures documenting our time with them:
Abe holding Gia after they arrived Friday night.
Saturday morning, we went to the Farmer's market and discovered that Tosa Fest was also going on--there were some vendors, games, music, etc. Here are the boys while we were walking around Tosa Village:
After giving Dusty and Erin a quick tour of Ryan's school, we came back home for lunch and for the kiddos to nap. It was nice to just relax and chat with Dusty adn Erin during this time. Saturday night, Dusty and Erin took us out to PF Changs for dinner. Hard to see, but Abe is under the big horse--he thought he was pretty hot stuff! This is outside of PF Changs:
Afterward we wandered around the mall and the boys walked for a while like this--it was really cute!
On Sunday, we went to church and then came back to get Dusty and Erin all packed up. Then we picked up a few pizzas and headed down to the beach. It was one of the last warm days we had, and the little boys seemed to really enjoy the water! Ryan and Dusty took the kids down to the beach while Erin and I enjoyed some time to talk back at the pavilion.
After the beach, we bid them farewell and parted ways. We loved having them here, though it made us so keenly aware of what we are missing by being away, especially with our niece and nephew growing up!
The following weekend, the 16th-18th, Isaac came up to visit. We had a wonderful time with him too. He arrived Friday evening, and we enjoyed some apple pie and some time to chat. Saturday morning after breakfast (Ryan made us waffles!), Ryan took Isaac to his school and was able to show him the anatomy lab. Isaac was able to see Ryan's cadaver, hold the heart and lungs, among other things. They stayed at the school library and did some studying afterward; Abe and I hung out at home.
After lunch and Abe's nap, we headed out to the Miller Brewery Tour. Aside from the fact that we don't drink beer (personally, I think the very smell is a turnoff!), we found this to be so neat! Our tour guide was excellent and gave some very interesting information--their machines can fill 2,000 cans per minute! 40% of their production goes to Chicago (that's the equivalent of 3 surrounding states, all going to one city)! Their entire warehouse (HUGE) is turned around daily--so ALL the beer we saw stacked up in their warehouse would be gone and replaced by fresh beer within the next 24 hours. Crazy! After the tour, they offered us beer samples to try, which Ryan and Isaac took advantage of, while Abe and I shared soda pop and lemonade. Here are a few pictures from the tour:
After the tour, we headed down to walk along the Lake Michigan harbor. It was a beautiful, brisk afternoon, perfect for a fall stroll. Then we grabbed a bite to eat at Kopps Frozen Custard--AMAZING thick custard and big burgers. Isaac and I both had Mocha Chip; Ryan had Red Raspberry. Then we came home, watched a movie, and went to bed.
We went to church the next morning, relaxed/did homework in the afternoon, and Isaac headed home a little after 4 PM. It was a great weekend.
The next day, Monday the 19th, my mom, Aunt Linda, and Grandma came up to visit for the day. It was such a fun start to the week! We went to Bayshore Mall, about 20 minutes north of us, and wandered through all the stores. It was a really nice mall! When we arrived, we were a little concerned about the weather, because we didn't realize it was an outdoor mall, but the clouds cleared and it ended up to be a beautiful day. After lunch at Potbelly's Sandwich Works, we did some shopping. Everyone found a little something! Sadly, it didn't work out for them to see Ryan, as he was at class the entire day and we were too late getting to his lunch hour, but we're looking forward to seeing them all again in a few weeks to celebrate some special 50th birthdays in the family. Only one picture of the day, Abe playing at the play zone:
The end! Thanks to all our visitors for coming--it was SO good to see each of you! And to everyone else, you're welcome to come any time :)
The weekend of the 9th-11th, Dusty, Erin, Oliver and Gia came up to see us. Gia has changed so much since I saw her last! Oliver and Abe seemed to have tons of fun playing together. They really interacted, calling each others' names and "helping" each other play. It was sweet to watch them. Here are some pictures documenting our time with them:
Abe holding Gia after they arrived Friday night.
Saturday morning, we went to the Farmer's market and discovered that Tosa Fest was also going on--there were some vendors, games, music, etc. Here are the boys while we were walking around Tosa Village:
After giving Dusty and Erin a quick tour of Ryan's school, we came back home for lunch and for the kiddos to nap. It was nice to just relax and chat with Dusty adn Erin during this time. Saturday night, Dusty and Erin took us out to PF Changs for dinner. Hard to see, but Abe is under the big horse--he thought he was pretty hot stuff! This is outside of PF Changs:
Afterward we wandered around the mall and the boys walked for a while like this--it was really cute!
On Sunday, we went to church and then came back to get Dusty and Erin all packed up. Then we picked up a few pizzas and headed down to the beach. It was one of the last warm days we had, and the little boys seemed to really enjoy the water! Ryan and Dusty took the kids down to the beach while Erin and I enjoyed some time to talk back at the pavilion.
After the beach, we bid them farewell and parted ways. We loved having them here, though it made us so keenly aware of what we are missing by being away, especially with our niece and nephew growing up!
The following weekend, the 16th-18th, Isaac came up to visit. We had a wonderful time with him too. He arrived Friday evening, and we enjoyed some apple pie and some time to chat. Saturday morning after breakfast (Ryan made us waffles!), Ryan took Isaac to his school and was able to show him the anatomy lab. Isaac was able to see Ryan's cadaver, hold the heart and lungs, among other things. They stayed at the school library and did some studying afterward; Abe and I hung out at home.
After lunch and Abe's nap, we headed out to the Miller Brewery Tour. Aside from the fact that we don't drink beer (personally, I think the very smell is a turnoff!), we found this to be so neat! Our tour guide was excellent and gave some very interesting information--their machines can fill 2,000 cans per minute! 40% of their production goes to Chicago (that's the equivalent of 3 surrounding states, all going to one city)! Their entire warehouse (HUGE) is turned around daily--so ALL the beer we saw stacked up in their warehouse would be gone and replaced by fresh beer within the next 24 hours. Crazy! After the tour, they offered us beer samples to try, which Ryan and Isaac took advantage of, while Abe and I shared soda pop and lemonade. Here are a few pictures from the tour:
After the tour, we headed down to walk along the Lake Michigan harbor. It was a beautiful, brisk afternoon, perfect for a fall stroll. Then we grabbed a bite to eat at Kopps Frozen Custard--AMAZING thick custard and big burgers. Isaac and I both had Mocha Chip; Ryan had Red Raspberry. Then we came home, watched a movie, and went to bed.
We went to church the next morning, relaxed/did homework in the afternoon, and Isaac headed home a little after 4 PM. It was a great weekend.
The next day, Monday the 19th, my mom, Aunt Linda, and Grandma came up to visit for the day. It was such a fun start to the week! We went to Bayshore Mall, about 20 minutes north of us, and wandered through all the stores. It was a really nice mall! When we arrived, we were a little concerned about the weather, because we didn't realize it was an outdoor mall, but the clouds cleared and it ended up to be a beautiful day. After lunch at Potbelly's Sandwich Works, we did some shopping. Everyone found a little something! Sadly, it didn't work out for them to see Ryan, as he was at class the entire day and we were too late getting to his lunch hour, but we're looking forward to seeing them all again in a few weeks to celebrate some special 50th birthdays in the family. Only one picture of the day, Abe playing at the play zone:
The end! Thanks to all our visitors for coming--it was SO good to see each of you! And to everyone else, you're welcome to come any time :)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Excuses
I know I need to update....I know many of you, namely family, have been looking for a blog update each Sunday, BUT we've had some very busy weekends, AND I just got two new magazines today! (Food and Better Homes and Gardens) Today has been one of those days that's just been on-the-go like crazy...and I still have a dishwasher to unload and laundry to fold! But, I'm going to give myself permission to let those go until tomorrow (something that is very difficult for me to do!), and after Abe is tucked in bed, I'm going to drink some hot tea and enjoy my magazines. Hopefully I'll update in the next few days! I'm looking forward to writing about all of weekend visitors as of late. Check back soon!
Monday, September 12, 2011
How Things are Going
After receiving some inquiries from family/friends about how life is now that Ryan is in medical school, it occurred to me that I've done a lot of posts about what we've been doing, but I've written very little about how things are actually going. SO, my apologies, and I hope to remedy that today!
To sum it up, things are going very well! Life is different, but so very, very good. This new phase has offered us some structure that we lacked before, and it has been SO good for our family. Perhaps the easiest way to describe our life is to give a snapshot of a day:
Abe continues to be our alarm clock, waking us up around 6 AM. I used to lament the fact that many of my friends had children who sleep until 8, 9, some even 10 o'clock! Now, I see that Abe's early wake-up time has actually been a wonderful blessing, as it has given us the opportunity to spend time together as a family in the mornings too, time that we don't have as much of in the evenings anymore. Abe helps me prepare breakfast while Ryan showers and dresses, and we eat together as a family every morning. Ryan does a brief family devotion afterward. We then have time to talk and just be together for a bit before Ryan leaves around 7:30. From then until 5-5:30 PM, Ryan is at school, and Abe and I are at home.
When Ryan gets home, he hangs out with Abe while I finish dinner. We usually eat from 5:30-6. After dinner, we have a Bible reading and prayer, and then Ryan and Abe play while I clean up dinner. When we lived in Peoria, it was easy to forgo our after dinner devotions, because there was always time "later". Now, without this "later" option available, we have taken advantage of the time we do have, and while I am certainly an advocate of personal Bible time too, we have been amazed at how powerful it has been for our family, together, to be washed in the water of the Word on a daily basis. For Abe, his after dinner playtime with Daddy is very special--he knows that every night, after we're done eating, he and Daddy get to play together.
Around 6:30, I'm done cleaning up, so Ryan starts studying (in our room with the door closed), and Abe and I play, he takes a bath, etc., until 8 PM. We usually don't interrupt Ryan during this time, but we certainly aren't banned from the room! (Abe always has to show Daddy when he goes potty--he says, "Show Daddy? Daddy proud me." So we go get Ryan, and Ryan comes out to see and then praises Abe!).
At 8:00, we have family time for about 20 minutes--sometimes we'll play a game or do a puzzle, sometimes we'll watch a VeggieTales or read a story. Then Abe gets ready for bed, we say his prayers, and tuck him in. He is almost always in bed by 8:30.
From 8:30-9:30, Ryan studies again, usually in the living room with me now since the little guy is sleeping and not vying for his attention! Then at 9:30, we have "us" time for half an hour or so. We try to be in bed between 10-10:30 each night.
The next morning, Repeat! It sounds pretty rigid, but surprisingly, it has been so good for our family. I've been amazed at how good it's been for Abe too. There's never any fussing or complaining when it's time to go to bed or leave Daddy alone or whatever it may be, because he knows that's how it goes every day. After he finishes brushing his teeth, he'll run into his room, sit down, fold his hands, and say, "Now pray!" He seems to really enjoy his routine. And of course, there are some days when the routine is thrown off, like tomorrow night for instance, when we're going to some friends' home for dinner.
Our evenings are definitely different than they used to be. Where before we had all evening as a family, now we only have short segments of time, but it's actually been okay. I don't feel at all neglected or overwhelmed, and I'm savoring this time, because I know that in the next few years, Ryan will be away much more than he is now! Now, I'm so thankful that he can at least be in the same place, albeit with the door closed. We still enjoy having his presence nearby.
I received an email the other day from a woman whose husband went through medical school many years ago-she also had young children while they went through both medical school and residency. She wrote, "I won't say that it wasn't hard, cause it was hard at times (real life)"--basically stating that their journey wasn't a breeze, but it was just life, their life, just as this is ours. We will have our triumphs and our difficulties just like everyone else. And yeah, when many of our friends are buying homes, advancing in their work, etc., and we're still living on a meager budget in a rental, it's hard sometimes. Making friends with some of Ryan's classmates' wives has been so wonderful for me in this regard. On another level, it's also frustrating sometimes when I'm worn out, I've just settled in with a book, and I don't really feel like going to see what Abe needs when he's crying from his crib--I'd rather stay cuddled up and ask Ryan to do it! Where we would have shared those responsibilities before, I now take care of that so he can continue to study. I know that those small things are a tremendous help to him.
On exam weeks, Ryan usually stays at school until right before Abe goes to bed, with studying being more intense on those days. It leaves me alone with Abe for pretty long periods of time, but it sure is sweet when Ryan is finally home! We're learning that our time together is quality over quantity.
Anyway, that was rather lengthy and wordy! I hope you followed along. I know life will continue to change, especially with the new baby and longer hours for Ryan in the years ahead. But, the Lord has shown Himself to be so faithful. I'm certain that the joy that encapsulates our marriage and our home has been bestowed upon us by our Father in Heaven, and I'm so exceedingly thankful to Him for His good gifts!
To sum it up, things are going very well! Life is different, but so very, very good. This new phase has offered us some structure that we lacked before, and it has been SO good for our family. Perhaps the easiest way to describe our life is to give a snapshot of a day:
Abe continues to be our alarm clock, waking us up around 6 AM. I used to lament the fact that many of my friends had children who sleep until 8, 9, some even 10 o'clock! Now, I see that Abe's early wake-up time has actually been a wonderful blessing, as it has given us the opportunity to spend time together as a family in the mornings too, time that we don't have as much of in the evenings anymore. Abe helps me prepare breakfast while Ryan showers and dresses, and we eat together as a family every morning. Ryan does a brief family devotion afterward. We then have time to talk and just be together for a bit before Ryan leaves around 7:30. From then until 5-5:30 PM, Ryan is at school, and Abe and I are at home.
When Ryan gets home, he hangs out with Abe while I finish dinner. We usually eat from 5:30-6. After dinner, we have a Bible reading and prayer, and then Ryan and Abe play while I clean up dinner. When we lived in Peoria, it was easy to forgo our after dinner devotions, because there was always time "later". Now, without this "later" option available, we have taken advantage of the time we do have, and while I am certainly an advocate of personal Bible time too, we have been amazed at how powerful it has been for our family, together, to be washed in the water of the Word on a daily basis. For Abe, his after dinner playtime with Daddy is very special--he knows that every night, after we're done eating, he and Daddy get to play together.
Around 6:30, I'm done cleaning up, so Ryan starts studying (in our room with the door closed), and Abe and I play, he takes a bath, etc., until 8 PM. We usually don't interrupt Ryan during this time, but we certainly aren't banned from the room! (Abe always has to show Daddy when he goes potty--he says, "Show Daddy? Daddy proud me." So we go get Ryan, and Ryan comes out to see and then praises Abe!).
At 8:00, we have family time for about 20 minutes--sometimes we'll play a game or do a puzzle, sometimes we'll watch a VeggieTales or read a story. Then Abe gets ready for bed, we say his prayers, and tuck him in. He is almost always in bed by 8:30.
From 8:30-9:30, Ryan studies again, usually in the living room with me now since the little guy is sleeping and not vying for his attention! Then at 9:30, we have "us" time for half an hour or so. We try to be in bed between 10-10:30 each night.
The next morning, Repeat! It sounds pretty rigid, but surprisingly, it has been so good for our family. I've been amazed at how good it's been for Abe too. There's never any fussing or complaining when it's time to go to bed or leave Daddy alone or whatever it may be, because he knows that's how it goes every day. After he finishes brushing his teeth, he'll run into his room, sit down, fold his hands, and say, "Now pray!" He seems to really enjoy his routine. And of course, there are some days when the routine is thrown off, like tomorrow night for instance, when we're going to some friends' home for dinner.
Our evenings are definitely different than they used to be. Where before we had all evening as a family, now we only have short segments of time, but it's actually been okay. I don't feel at all neglected or overwhelmed, and I'm savoring this time, because I know that in the next few years, Ryan will be away much more than he is now! Now, I'm so thankful that he can at least be in the same place, albeit with the door closed. We still enjoy having his presence nearby.
I received an email the other day from a woman whose husband went through medical school many years ago-she also had young children while they went through both medical school and residency. She wrote, "I won't say that it wasn't hard, cause it was hard at times (real life)"--basically stating that their journey wasn't a breeze, but it was just life, their life, just as this is ours. We will have our triumphs and our difficulties just like everyone else. And yeah, when many of our friends are buying homes, advancing in their work, etc., and we're still living on a meager budget in a rental, it's hard sometimes. Making friends with some of Ryan's classmates' wives has been so wonderful for me in this regard. On another level, it's also frustrating sometimes when I'm worn out, I've just settled in with a book, and I don't really feel like going to see what Abe needs when he's crying from his crib--I'd rather stay cuddled up and ask Ryan to do it! Where we would have shared those responsibilities before, I now take care of that so he can continue to study. I know that those small things are a tremendous help to him.
On exam weeks, Ryan usually stays at school until right before Abe goes to bed, with studying being more intense on those days. It leaves me alone with Abe for pretty long periods of time, but it sure is sweet when Ryan is finally home! We're learning that our time together is quality over quantity.
Anyway, that was rather lengthy and wordy! I hope you followed along. I know life will continue to change, especially with the new baby and longer hours for Ryan in the years ahead. But, the Lord has shown Himself to be so faithful. I'm certain that the joy that encapsulates our marriage and our home has been bestowed upon us by our Father in Heaven, and I'm so exceedingly thankful to Him for His good gifts!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!
Fall is definitely making its entrance, at least here in Wisconsin, anyway. It's only 64 degrees here today, and the sun keeps peeking in and out of the clouds! I made some pumpkin scones after church, and the spicy scent of them baking combined with the breeze blowing through the windows is simply amazing! The crockpot is working on a hearty veggie-lentil stew for dinner tonight.
The decided nip in the air, as well as the new month of September, have made me so excited for the next few months. Fall is my favorite season by far: the change of the leaves, the smell of bonfires, trips to the apple orchard, the anticipation of the holiday season around the corner, and on and on.
Still, I thought I would be remiss to not give summer its proper farewell. We had a fabulous, eventful summer, and while I've posted most of our events, there are still a number from this past month of August that have been waiting on my camera. So, here is a snapshot of the last month of summer fun, exploring all our new city has to offer....enjoy!
Homemade Cherry Pie with tangy Door Co. cherries:
At the Milwaukee County Zoo:
Looking at the giraffe:
The "elfants" (as Abe calls them!)--we were super close to all the animals which was so neat for Abe:
At the beach of Lake Michigan:
Playing with Daddy:
Homemade Tomato Soup with Fresh Farmer's Market Tomatoes:
Brewers vs. Cubs Game--this was my first major league baseball game, and it was a whole different experience than the Peoria Chiefs! We had tons of fun:
Miller Park:
Munching his popcorn while watching the game:
Walking along the harbor with Shayne, Emily, and Brady:
Possibly the most delectable combination of ingredients that has ever graced my palate--fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella, olive oil, and fresh garlic:
And the best for last--I found my son doing this when I walked into our bedroom last week:
Thanks for reading!
The decided nip in the air, as well as the new month of September, have made me so excited for the next few months. Fall is my favorite season by far: the change of the leaves, the smell of bonfires, trips to the apple orchard, the anticipation of the holiday season around the corner, and on and on.
Still, I thought I would be remiss to not give summer its proper farewell. We had a fabulous, eventful summer, and while I've posted most of our events, there are still a number from this past month of August that have been waiting on my camera. So, here is a snapshot of the last month of summer fun, exploring all our new city has to offer....enjoy!
Homemade Cherry Pie with tangy Door Co. cherries:
At the Milwaukee County Zoo:
Looking at the giraffe:
The "elfants" (as Abe calls them!)--we were super close to all the animals which was so neat for Abe:
At the beach of Lake Michigan:
Playing with Daddy:
Homemade Tomato Soup with Fresh Farmer's Market Tomatoes:
Brewers vs. Cubs Game--this was my first major league baseball game, and it was a whole different experience than the Peoria Chiefs! We had tons of fun:
Miller Park:
Munching his popcorn while watching the game:
Walking along the harbor with Shayne, Emily, and Brady:
Possibly the most delectable combination of ingredients that has ever graced my palate--fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella, olive oil, and fresh garlic:
And the best for last--I found my son doing this when I walked into our bedroom last week:
Thanks for reading!
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