We Moved!

Sorry for the delay in blogging lately. We have been a little under construction. Not the house anymore - just the chaos of 5 people and lots and lots and lots of boxes.

Its official. We now live in Adel. We have moved! I promise pictures of the house will be coming. I even got up early Saturday morning and rushed up to take some prior to anything in the house. It took most of Saturday to move and pretty much through today to get it to livable (if thats a word). Thanks to help and a couple of days off from Daddy we have managed to unpack the kitchen (even eat a few home cooked meals), get the kiddos bedrooms and the master set up (at least sheets, pillows, clothes in closets kind a thing).  The garage is still a work in progress and hopefully by the end of the week we will be able to pull our cars in (fingers crossed)

Of course, this week the sod finally went in on monday evening and tuesday morning. So we have grass. Of the little things.

We definitely have our work cut out for us. Toys coming out of our ears. Boxes in the craft room. Food all over the pantry. Definitely a work in progress. But thats the fun, right? A little sleep deprived and craving normalness may just led to a day of relaxation and checking out the fun our new little town has to offer - like music at the library and casting my vote.

Feel free to visit if you just happen to be in our neck of the woods. We would love it!

P.S. Watch out for all the construction. It starts around 7 and lets just say - the ocean is roaring in Sage's room. Thank you sound machine!

Pumpkin Carving

With all our runs to Menards, Lowes, Home Depot of late. We have let the kids get treats here and there. Well I offered up a couple of pumpkins on our last trip. We carved them the other day. It was a lot of fun. We got a big one to crave at our Pumpkin Party with our friends - but we opted to just rest, relax and play instead. Hanging out with great friends is always the best! 

Neither Shadd or Ells was real keen on digging out the insides. So I got to do most of the dirty work. We did have fun talking about the Gospel message and how God cleans us out on the inside in order to shine his light out. 

A visit from Grandma Joyce

So a little while back we flopped some elderberry jam. I mean a lot of elderberry jam. Like 60 jars or so. All my mommas work to make it and well its more of cooked juice rather than jam. If you haven't ever had elderberry jam well lets just say its all we eat! We LOVE it. Plus the elderberries are wild and free (from the farm).

Well we called in the expert to help us salvage the jam. Grandma Joyce. We got it to be a bit more thick and sticky but not sure that its exactly the same. Next year we will just have to wait and make it with her. Thats what we did the prior year!

Sager sure loves all his Grandmas. The lucky ones have six. What a blessing!

Now, our grape juice (grapes supplied from the farm where Grandma Joyce lives) turned out delicious. Its amazing. You just wash them, take off the stem, put in the quart jar, add a cup of sugar and fill with water. Then let them sit for two weeks. We let them sit longer (just because we didn't have time to bring them back up). Then you just drain the jar and throw out the grapes and drink the juice! Yum!

Here are the pics from well way back when...

Thankful Thursday

I truly enjoying doing this each week. What an awesome reminder of all the blessing we have from the Lord. And even though we face trials that we can see God's glory and blessing in the storm.

Friends of mine are also posting these and it is just such a blessing to see all the things we have to be thankful for in this age of ungratefulness.

1. My mother-in-law for having Shaddy and Ells over for the night and then watching all three so I could run errands and get things done
2. Our new house - we are hoping (fingers crossed) to move this weekend
3. The bond my kiddos have with Frama and Papa - I'm starting to see that the move might be tougher than I thought on them
4. An early morning quiet time
5. Rain
6. Piles of leaves
7. Shadd's laughter
8. Conversations with my kids - heaven, death, raccoons - you name it!
9. Movie night complete with popcorn and M&Ms
10. My dad - willing to help with anything and everything to help us get this house ready
11. My mom - the organized task oriented packer (couldn't do it without you)
12. New boots
13. All our family and friends willing to take their Saturday to help us move! Love you all!
14. New life & God's miracle for the Carrolls (got to snuggle little E yesterday)
15. Coupons and discounts - keep um coming
16. Starbucks salted caramel mocha  - yum
17.  A lunch play date with friends
18.  Ells: "Dats funny"
19.  Sager's love for his mommy
20.  Everything my hubs has done to make this house perfect for us. He is one in a million!

I think I might be able to go on and on today. I was really hoping to have some pictures of the house when I stopped by yesterday but I get distracted by various things when I am there and totally forget. It might just be one crazy long photo post eventually. Then maybe I will break it down room by room as I get them to my liking. For those of you who really know me...that may be awhile.

Hopefully next week I am blogging from my new setup in the basement craft room. A room totally devoted to projects. A little daunting that I finally have to get in gear. I mean Christmas is right around the corner and we are doing homemade gifts on both sides this year. Thank goodness for Pinterest.

The Des Moines Marathon

D ran the 1/2 marathon on Sunday morning. He did great! 1 hour 42 min 27 seconds. Of course, I high tailed it down to the race with the three to watch him finish. Can you believe he didn't even see us? I think he was just so close to finishing that he was too focused to notice. Plus we kinda were shell shocked that he was coming after waiting 10 minutes or so and racing down there that we weren't too loud for once. Hard to believe, I know.

We are so proud of Daddy. He's hoping to do the full next year. Maybe I will get up enough courage to try the 1/2. We will see.

Eagerly waiting

 

Side note...one crazy guy finished prior to D and he juggled three balls the entire time. What??? Yes. Some people are gifted to run.

Total Randomness

Here are just some random pictures of late. Nothing substantial to do a full post plus well I just don't have the time, as I should be packing up this messy desk right now instead of blogging. Plus I need to upload the newest and latest photos of my camera. Still here they are...

A visit from the ice cream truck. The kids had been talking about it. Not sure where or when they had heard it but I heard it playing its familiar tune right around dinner. We ran outside with Shadd's garage sale money and he didn't even see us. Sadly we went back inside. Thankfully the neighbors sent him back to us and he stopped right in front of the house. Two spider man popsicles. Yuck! They were set in the freezer and eaten after dinner. 

Then off to the woods with Frama...she came home after her morning walk and said we just had to go have a picnic at the park. It was beautiful!

Just too funny. Little Miss all dolled up with painted fingers, a necklace etc. Of course not to lady like yet! 

The train...They had hours of fun!

Sage...the crawler

So Sage is crawling (a little more of army scoot) but nonetheless he is getting around and reeking havoc on just about everything. Still can't get the video of the crawl to upload but there is something crazy going on with the Internet connection and the mac so hopefully we can figure it out and get it up. I just don't ever wanna forget this scooter in action.

Among other things, Sage has officially found his voice - he enjoys the occasional scream. I guess he is just trying to get his say in a house full of very very loud voices. I don't know where all the talkers come from. You would think at least one of them would be quiet like D. 

Thankful Thursday

Totally had another post to go yesterday about why I haven't been blogging etc but my pictures wouldn't load for some crazy reason. They are thinking it's my connector network card on the mac but d is chalking it up to crappy hit or miss wireless service in the back room of my parents house so needless to say I am using his phone as a router and well stuff isn't uploading very quickly...so thankful thursday without pictures but i will try and get some up because well the house is changing like every day.

1. my pricey but well worth every single penny chandelier from pottery barn. it makes my heart jump for joy every time i open the front door. i know crazy but i am a sucker for lights
2. all the lights - especially my score from JB, the outdoor sconces (I won the vote from the hubs), and the deal D got on the vanity lights
3. the hardwood floor - it looks fantastic
4. the new addition to the Kauffmans - now we have a total of 4 boys and 3 girls. For a while there Ells was pretty outnumbered
5. the power of music
6. online shopping - we do have family pictures next weekend too - yep the same weekend we are moving!
7. my mom's organized thought process
8. spending time with my sis - so glad they are close again
9. hearty appetites
10. my hubby's passion for politics - thank you mr. jack
11. the delivery of appliances and cabinets doors
12. beautiful fall weather
13. the power of the Holy Spirit - He can indwell in you!

p.s. these are never ever in any particular order - just whatever fills my thoughts

oh where oh where have i been?

Blogging may be hit or miss in the near future as we are beginning the process of the move. Well at least I should be starting to pack up and organize some of the junk that migrated with us to fill my parents house to the brim. Lets just say I'm glad we decided to put a few things in storage or we wouldn't have functioned very well for the last six months.

Can you believe that we have lived with my parents for six months? It has gone so fast it seems like it was just yesterday we were packing up and moving out of our house in Ankeny. However, then I look at Sage (since he was 3 weeks old when we moved) and quickly realize it has been six months. Wow.

Couldn't have asked for more gracious, accomating house mates. I mean who would lovingly give up their house for their daughter, her husband, and their three very loud kiddos. Only the best parents in the world. They moved down to the basement and gave us pretty much the entire rest of the house. Can't say it as always been glamourous but we have made the best of it that is for sure. We will always treasure our time at Papa and Frama's house.

So what have we been up to well pretty much everything! Covered Bridge Festival was last weekend. We enjoyed the parade but the rain kept us inside for most of Saturday. So no edging at the house. However the lights are all hung. The subway tile backsplash is complete and they are laying hard wood floors today so I will post a ton of pictures soon.

Other than that we are just trying to get packed up, picking out a few last minute details like closet shelves etc, and running to the hospital to see our friends' newest little addition. Nothing like cramming the schedule full full full, right? Thats just the way we roll.

Just some random pics of the kiddos to follow!

Thankful Thursday

"So spent the time this am loving on my kiddos and the afternoon well pretty much all over the nearest metropolis for hooks, mirrors, and anything else that my scattered brain decided I needed only to probably return next time I am up that way. Seriously, I think I have lost my mind. I mean the third child threw me a little but building a house well that just added icing on the cake. So needless to say - in a couple weeks (we are moving in the 27/28th weekend) maybe I'll get back my sanity. Doubtful. I mean that's when the real work begins - making the place our home!

So what am I thankful for this week...

1. The crisp fall air
2. Drive Thru's
3. Technology
4. Little junk shops
5. Just seeing how God works
6. Reading the bible with my kiddos
7. Preschool - we are on our last letter (still finishing up from last year)
8. My Hubs - he is the only way I keep any sanity - thanks love!
9. Time for projects
10. Doing small things on a last minute whim
11. Sage's curiosity - I can only pray he is a quick learner as Ellsyn isn't enjoying her new buddy nearly as much
12. Laughter
13. Hearing our kids belt out praise tunes and even the little Einsteins theme song
14. Eating lunch with my dad and mom everyday
15. Being a part of my mom's bible study and getting to know some of the ladies
16. My mom - don't know if I can do this move without her

I will give you thanks in the great assembly; 

among the throngs I will praise you.

Psalm 35:18

Sage - 6mo

Sage is 6 months old. Just had his doctor's appointment yesterday and he is doing great. Of course, these are so much more fun since we don't do shots with them. Now Saturday morning when he does get them it won't be nearly as glamourous!

Sager Stats:

Height: 27.5 in

Weight: 19.14 (85%)

Head: can't remember but (99%) - crazy as I don't think it looks super big. 

Sleep - just fighting off a cold so he still is waking up some nights around 4ish just a precursor to my morning workouts and makes it so I don't have to pump which is awesome.  He goes down like a champ after eating though and sleeps til 6:30ish or so. Which for my early birds is late enough. 

He is taking usually two naps but sometimes catches a few z's if we are in the car in the evening or something. He is going down with some music, a snuggle, and his blanket. Amazing! My sister encouraged me to try it. Stubborn old me just assumed it wouldn't work because I rocked my other two till they were in their big beds. However, this little guy actually seems to prefer the routine. Crazy. Thanks Kels. 

Eating - Well we have transitioned from one meal to two meals to all three meals because well this guy likes to eat. He still nurses about 6 times a day and eats about 2 to 3 food cubes a day. I am making baby food again this time around so they are the ice cube size. So far he loves everything. Some of his favorites are yogurt, pears, squash. Getting ready to introduce a few more veggies this month so that should be fun. He also loves the baby mum mum, bread and crackers. Sage still hasnt' quite got the grasp down for full finger foods but enjoys the challenge. 

Big Things:

- He is crawling: We call it the breaststroke. Working on uploading video (stinkin youtube takes hours - anyone know an easier way via mac?)

- He is sitting unassisted for well forever

- He is moving from sitting to a crawl position

- He loves to laugh

- He loves to scream and make any noise (shoot - I was hoping for one quiet one)

- He thinks his brother and sister are the bomb

- He can find anything and everything

- He loves music

- He loves to have his tummy blown on and be tickled

- He loves to play peek a boo

- He loves to jump in the jumperoo or johnny jumper

Sager is a great baby and growing up way too fast. I am trying to savor every moment. It seems like just yesterday I was snuggling him in the hospital. Maybe because he is the third it just seems like he can't stay small long enough. I mean really - crawling. But I guess he just wants a piece of all the action. I mean who wouldn't! 

The House: Exterior (All most complete)

Most recent picture of the outside of the house...pretty much complete minus the landscaping pavers, grass, trees, and exterior lights hung.

We will have lights this week so hopefully will get some interior pictures taken. We can hope right! O

Fall

Happy Fall! Hope you are enjoying the change of seasons as much as we are. We enjoying the bountiful piles of leaves gathering from the big Wtown trees, a sight rarely seen from our lone little tree in Ankeny.  I mean what is better than rolling around in a pile of leaves. Even I enjoy the crunch underneath my shoes on a run or walk. Of course, nothing is better than breaking out the hats and gloves and playing a little football in the backyard or a nice warm cup of hot cocoa. Hope you are enjoying the weather too. 

Just a quick little fun fact: Did you know that there is no reason the leaves change color other than to show off God's beauty?  Amazing uh? Sometimes God just made things beautiful because like when he created you! 

The joy of chalk

So we are in to finally drawing people. This is Daddy above. Of course, photo shoot below.

The above is a quick Dad and Shadd picture of them bowling. Not sure where his imagination goes but it is working. Note the picture below. Always crazy. Plus gotta love polkadots right, Ells? 

Thankful Thursday

Just enjoyed a brisk, beautiful fall day with lunch in the park. It was amazing - runny noses and all.

The change of seasons always finds me in awe of our Creator's creation. Isn't He amazing! To Him be the glory!

1. the change of seasons
2. the beauty of tall, colorful trees
3. living in a small town
4. $50 office visit for Shadd - amazing!
5. the wisdom of a 4 year old
6. Ells saying "i love you too, mommy"
7. being a mommy - even if i get snot all over my new sweatshirt
8. new central gear! Go Dutch!
9. the painters
10. my kiddos dancing and singing "Good Morning" by Mandisa - i will try to get a video.
11. the gospel - it is starting to click and i can see Shadd's wheels starting to turn
12. a low key week of movies, bumming around and trying to kick these stinking colds
13. hot chocolate with marshmallows
14. answered prayers
15. how God works just when we need it most
16. sibling love


Psalm 118:1
"Oh give thanks to the Lord for he is good!" - Its our memory verse this week and it has me singing - God is good, all the time!

See the clip below to enjoy and jam out. Makes me think of worship at AFC (oh how we miss you all)!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJxlqfHCZFs

House Update

Just ran to the house sans kiddos. Thank you mom! I guess I just needed to see it when it was still light out for once. Well the stone is done on the front of the house. Woodwork stained and painted. While I was there they were taping it all off and paint colors were delivered. Don't get too excited. I think I used gray, grayish tan, and gray again throughout the whole house. Boring I know. I guess its just hard to pick without living there. D reassured me that we do know how to use a paint brush. Whew. Talk about relieve some stress for this girl.

Here are some recent pics. Tough to get inside ones but as soon as paint is up and the windows are uncovered I will post some. Only a few more weeks. Amazing!

Did I mention we got a basketball hoop? Well we did!