Best Toy Ever

So the Playskool Busy Ball Popper is by far the best toy ever. Shadd got it awhile ago but it has been out of commission due to random things being pushed inside of it (like chalk, crayons, large heavy balls). So D put in storage because he was sick of trying to get things out of it. Long story short it came back out after getting some extra balls at a garage sale (because we can't find too many of the originals if you can believe that) and Ellsyn loves that thing. She and Shadd (yes, almost 3) can entertain themselves for a good half hour with that thing!

So I guess what I am trying to say is... well if you don't have a ball popper well you don't have ball popper.

Rain rain go away

What do we do on rainy days? Well...laundry of course. And while we do laundry we take advantage of empty beds and lots of extra blankets. If you don't know what I am talking about you didn't grow up in my house as a kid. One thing we love to do is build forts out of blankets and pillows - even eat an occasional snack in them.

"Hey brother...how do i get outta here?"

The Tent/Fort (ah yeah - i even moved some furniture)

Oh yeah - we also jump on mom's bed!

We made the most of the rainy day... and even have clean sheets to thank for it!

Just a game of "Fumble"

So we play a little game at our house known as "FUMBLE". Its pretty much exactly like it sounds. Routinely since Shadd was a tiny tot - D would throw a football up in the air and the two of them would dive all over to recover it! Lets just say its a daddy thing at our house. Well its been getting more and more physical as Shadd gets older and also more and more popular. So popular that even Ells seems to think she needs to join in on the fun.

Ells isn't quite sure if she should get involved

Its pretty loud and crazy but thankfully no significant injuries to report! But its only the beginning.

Drive?

So the question remains...how does one unload the groceries with an almost 3 year old and a bouncing 1 year old? I will tell you! Let them drive!

Sorry it doesn't quite do it justice!

It works...well at least for a few minutes. FYI...just don't shut the garage door b/c the light eventually goes off which makes for one freaked out child (speaking from experience)!

Summer is here!

So today we went for a hike out at the lake! Yes...we do live near one in this glorious state of ours. We played with friends in the woods, got dirty and had a picnic lunch. PB&J for all, well I cheated and had honey instead as jelly really isn't my thing. A first of many for Ells I do believe.

We are just diving right into this summer thing! We may even hit the farmers market later today! Shadd seems to think its time for some popcorn on the cob (sweet corn). We secretly like to just get treats from Frama Darcy!

Just thought I would add a couple of goodies from our first fill of the pool last week!

Oh yeah - note to self - a slip n slide isn't nearly as much fun as it used to be! I am a little old to be running and diving headfirst just to demonstrate so Shadd can stand and stare at me like I'm crazy! I just hope none of my neighbors were watching! My luck is there is some youtube video staring my abilities!

All Cheeks

Please don't ever lose those cheeks!

Beauty Shop ... all around

So a while back I spent (way too much) to get my hair cut and highlighted, etc. So shortly afterwards my mom says i think i can do it. i have all the stuff since your dad dyes my hair - you just get the foil and dye from sallys. So we had to run errands (without kids thanks to the best papa in the whole world) and we picked up some stuff.

Let me tell you it was fun. It is not nearly as easy as it looks. I hope this is not offensive to anyone who does hair but you guys make it look so easy. Well its not. The whole foil thing - not so pretty. However the few highlights look fine and no one will probably ever notice.

All in all, a great use of naptime. At least we got a workout from laughing!

Then today Shadd finds a little travel bag of baby shampoo and a brush and starts his own salon! Ells and I were both customers.

Not easy to capture on camera

Ells sitting on my lap - also not an easy thing to capture

The Big 3-0 at our house...its official we are getting old!

So D turned 30 last week. Since he was gone we had to celebrate when he returned. Shadd spoiled his surprise banner by letting him know that "Happy Birthday" was hanging on the fireplace when we picked D up from the airport. Thanks to technology we did get to send him a video message on his actual birthday. Its official - He is getting old!

Homemade Strawberry Pie - only had to call his mom about 5 times to make it right!

Sweet Moments

So after a day of full sun - what a better way to relax and enjoy some one on one time with Shadd than watching a movie. Since dad is gone we rented the movie "Tangled". I have been dying to see it so I thought what a better way than to hang out with my little guy and watch it together. Ells went to bed early due to a pretty rough day to say the least. So Shadd and I spent the last few hours of our day snuggled up under a couple blankets in the freezing cold basement watching the flick.

He loves watching movies and spends the wee hours of the mornings catching bits and pieces (due to the fact that prior to 6 am - mommy is not functioning) but very rarely does he get to sit and watch a entire movie - let alone with mommy all to himself. As we finished the movie the credits rolled to some good ole dancing tunes so we spent some time dancing and snuggling in the chair. Then we read some stories and prayed for daddy & uncle justin (he is golfing this week).

It was just a sweet moment that left me on a high note for the night. What a precious child the Lord has entrusted to me! Don't take any moment for granted. Cherish their every thought and action (regardless of the outcome. Children are special! Makes me thankful I am a mommy, especially to my sweet little boy! He deserves my very best! That is what I am called to do - give Him and them my very best!

Thank you Shaddy for reminding me how special you are - not that I forgot, but sometimes life just gets in the way!

My new niece Blakely Faith Rethmeier

So I have a new niece! She is just beautiful. Blakely Faith arrived on Wednesday night, weighing in at 8lbs 4oz and stretching to 20in, which for those of you who don't know my sister-in-law, Emily, that is a huge baby! She is healthy and gorgeous! I think she looks a lot like my brother! 

Just a few pokes - probably trying to figure out if she is for real!

Shadd wanted to take her home with us! 

The Proud Daddy

My sister even was home for it! God is so good!

Her new cousins!

Shadd was so excited to see this new baby! He kept asking me if we could take her home or if she could come over so he can read her stories. He loves to say her name and already loves her! Although he thinks Tank (their dog) won't like her very much - and will probably throw her out the window. Not quite sure where that one came from! Needless to say - we are proud to call her a Rethmeier!

Easter

shadd & hannah talking about their finds

So since I never got any pictures posted of Easter - I thought I would post them quick or I will forget about them. We had an incredible time with our families in Winterset. Shadd seemed to think the egg hunting was the coolest thing yet. He had fun finding "All the eggs - all of them" as he would say very dramatically. In fact at my parents, my dad is a professional when it comes to hiding eggs. We each have a color (yes, even the adults - mine is yellow) and it pretty much took me all afternoon to find my eggs because he says you can see them but so of them take quite the talent to do so. Needless to say - we had a blast hunting down all those eggs.

adam & shadd collecting eggs

look at all those eggs mama

our try for a picture - always one them running off

even ells had fun

One of the best part of Easter Sunday - was a great message from Pastor Scott. He quickly reminded us that we need to be investing in the Kingdom rather than pursuing & investing in the American Dream. He preached on the parable of the rich man - which is one I love and always find myself coming back to when I get caught up in materialism or just in earthly things that have no value for my ultimate future in heaven. What a great encouragement for me to remember my job here on earth is to form relationships, share the good news, and glorify HIM! Nothing more - He isn't going to measure my success or rewards by my paycheck (which is 0) or how my house was decorated. Rather He will judge my attitude, my humility, my gentleness & patience toward my children, my joy, my generosity, & my hospitality. That is what I need to remember and pursue as I spend my days here on this earth.

Central to Nationals

Great Job Dooby! Good luck at Nationals! 

The Team

So last weekend - we went to watch Justin (d's little brother) play golf for Central. It was the Iowa Conference championship and they headed into the weekend 22 strokes ahead. They won! Justin, a sophomore, got 2nd behind his teammate. They are headed to North Carolina next week! Awesome job Dooby! (that is his nickname and for some reason since I have known him since he was little I can't seem to call him anything else! We are so proud of you!

6 years and counting

Last friday - the 29th - was our anniversary (yes - now we get to share it with Prince William & Kate). So as I was laying in bed (sleeping in as our parents had our children), I just started to think about how much our life has changed in only six years of marriage. We have a had two beautiful children, 2 homes, 5 job changes, a new business, a couple surgeries, flipped a couple houses, lots of diy projects (that list is never ending). Just to name a few among many many other things.

1st date - October 13, 1997

I just couldn't help but laugh (also at that crazy young pic of us) as I thought about how our relationship started almost 14 years ago. Just a two young kids going to homecoming together and instead of drifting apart we grew to love one another more than ourselves. I prayed along time ago that the Lord would bring me a best friend - someone who I could share my life with - someone who would love the Lord - someone who would guide me, love me, provide for me, have children with me and grow old with me. And the Lord blessed me beyond what I could even ask or imagine in giving me my best friend many years ago. 

As I recount memories - I could write this blog for hours - maybe not the best use of nap time, uh??  But I do know that I am so glad that you asked me to that dance almost 14 years ago, because I have been the luckiest girl in the world since! Love you babe! Can't wait to see what the Lord has store for us! 

Love You D!