I've taken a break from a few things. 

I miss keeping a record of our growing family here.

So, I'm back with older children.

EIGHT, SIX and (in just three days) TWO...

What have they been up to?

Big E

Reads chapter books like crazy. 

 (as in stays up all night. )

  which Mr. Dreewes has pointed out, among other things reminds him of me.

Has decided to let his hair grow.

Plays Axel F on the piano

Loves to shoot his friends

 (with nerf guns or on the xbox game - HALO)

Likes sushi but

      not grilled cheese sandwiches

      (not a trait he inherited from me...)

Miss E

Has a love for girls, of all ages.

Reads signs aloud in the car

Prefers "ice cold water, with ice in it"

Creates art and lovely sweet notes 

   ( prolifically )

Can brush her own hair

Dislikes smoothies. and chunks in yogurt

  likes going out to Thai food with Dad.

Little E

Performs all his own stunts

  (first child to go to the ER, first child to chip teeth...  and so on.)

Loves to do wooden puzzles.

Gives the sweetest hugs in the known universe.

Likes grapes.  (which could be grapes or strawberries.)

Is wearing big boy undies.

I'm sure I've missed a few really important milestones, and forgotten funny stories.

But to sum it up

 :  Our kids are sweet, crazy and very smart.  and we love them to bits  :

Epic.

It's been a wild period in our lives.

an epic time.

a crazy six months.

Time for changes
  and time for sadness.

a lot of hugs and love.
a lot of support.

Reflection.
Realization.

Growing.

We have been finding the new normal.

Life on earth always changes
- that's something I'm confident about.
But it's not gradual or consistent changes.

Some times in life are more peaks and valleys.
 and unexpected cliffs.  and oceans.  and sandy beaches.

This is a E- less post.

So, um... That's some unattractive concrete that was under our floors. And some slightly more attractive feet of some super - awesome - helpful men!
We have had some flooding in our home.


Through it we have had a pretty wonderful experience. Our friends and family have been SO AMAZING. Jumped up to help, tear out damaged floor, move stuff. Offered homes to stay in, meals have been shared, childcare while we work. Nothing precious or irreplaceable was damaged and we are already on the way to repairs.



So blogging about kids has taken a backseat for the moment. (They are still cute.) Actully all other stuff should take a rest while we will hammer in some flooring, and replace a bit of the walls, repaint, and hopefully move back in before school starts.

Many times we have been awed by how God is at work in our lives, and how he orchestrates all things for our good. Even things like basement floods. There have been so very many things to be thankful for. We are learning, growing and being improved every day. ( And laughing with our friends as well. I'm not sure having a flood should include fun like this! )

happy campers

Baby E loves Everything about the outdoors.

the grass, the dirt, the sticks.

the sticks especially.

He's grown into a toddling little boy overnight.

Running after the big kids. Arms outstretched.

Talking and making baby signs.

"Ball." "Bird." "Boat."

He learned to sign :Thank You: this weekend.

Sat in his little camp chair, asked for s'mores, played badminton, chased balls of all sizes and types, paddled a boat with mommy, climbed all over daddy, explored the tent...

Changing. Growing. Learning.

June... It's passed so quickly.
Just like our whole year - very fast...

I'm sorta tired.
Like the end of a MAJOR acomplishment tired.
First Grade for one boy. Done.
Preschool for one girl. Done.
First Year of Cuteness, Eating, Sleeping, Diapering, Teething, Snuggling. Done.

It's been so much action that it takes me a while to even make sense of it all.
Life is zooming by. ( And I don't want to be in a hurry. )

It's a constant blur of dirt. and books. and outgrown pants. and snacks. and laundry. and butter.

I want to slow down this summer. to enjoy every kiss. and every sticky hand. and stories. and hikes. and not too much else.


Apparently being tired makes me babble. and lose track of what I wanted to say.

g'night.

Mother's Day

Sweet Kids at the Zoo.

They make me a Mother.

Even when I want to run away from them and hide.

Even when they are smelly.

Even when they give me the EVIL eye.

and Attack things with sticks.

and Scream. (that's Baby E's new special skill.)

Even then they are still my best most amazing gifts.

Happy New Year

Our 2009 Word Cloud...

Wordle has provided us a visual representation of our year in text...

Exactly what have I been sharing on this blog?

Well, it's mostly photos...

But I think the words are as pretty as any picture...

God has blessed us!

We have had an amazing year.

I hope that your 2009 was wonderful as well.

Love and Kisses

from Alyce, Billy and the E's