My boys

This picture shows their true selves - I love it. =)

Post Family Farm

Here are some pictures of one of our favorite family fall trips- Post Family Farm in Hudsonville. Every year it gets more and more fun as the boys get older. This year we spent quite a bit of time looking at all the animals (cows, horses, pigs, goats, chickens - Jaedon really liked the baby chicks- and rabbits. They both enjoyed their "pumpkin train" (middle row right picture) but Seth was really into it - in fact he cried when we took him out! Jaedon like the haymounds and corn maze that he did with Daddy. My favorite is the hayride out to the pumpkin patch to pick out our own pumpkins. This year my Brad's mom, Lisa (sis in law) and our 5 month old niece Katelyn joined us for the fun!

Surprising God

I try to avoid taking the boys shopping with me on a regular occurance- but occasionaly- I must. Today, I was at Aldis trying to come up with "activities" for the boys to entertain themselves. Seth setteled for playing with a cereal box and Jaedon crawled UNDER the cart to ride and proceeded to count to 100. He then decided to announce the fact that he counted to 100 to anyone who passed us. As I was boxing up my stuff he told the cashier: "When I go to heaven sometime I'm gonna tell God that I can count to 100 and he'll be weally suwpwised!" ;)

I'm an AUNT (again)

Just wanted to let you know that my twin nephews arrived today!! I don't have any stats on them - just their names: Shai Isaac (#1) and Tristin Isaiah (#2).
Thank you for your continued prayers!

Health Food

My life has been changed forever- I have discovered dark chocolate, peanut M-n-M's. See, the beauty of this indulgence- it's (almost) completely justifiable! Peanuts are loaded with protein and the Dark Chocolate has...uh...something that's supposedly good for you. Hey- I didn't ask twice- just pass the bag! =)

Oh the days

I'm experimenting with this collage thing- it's a fun way to gets lots of pictures in so we'll see how it looks on the blog. Most of these pictures were taken today- with friends Lindi and Elli Kadwell over to play. Adrianna and Teddy also make their appearance on the tires during a moms group outing last week. What a life our kids have eh? =)

Branching out

I love cotton candy. I love how it melts, sticks, tastes- everything. And it was brought to my attention today (via my pastor) that people tend to be a lot like this sugary treat. We look good on the outside but we're not made of much that lasts. ouch. I am really good at hiding my true self- I want to look good to everyone and not let anyone really know the reality of who I am. Truth is- it's tiring to hide all the time! I think this entry is the first time I've written down true feelings since...my 7th grade diary! =O
Lately I've been going thru a not so much-"mid life" crisis - I guess a spiritual identity crisis is more accurate. I've really had to examine what I believe and why. Funny thing about raising kids- you have to think about what you are teaching them and hmm...why am I wanting to teach them this? I know a lot of people go thru times like this and I'm not alone but it's been a rollar coaster for the past 9 months or so with no end in sight. This past week it was all challenged. My dad lost his job- again. Now, this may not seem like THAT big of a deal- except in my parents lives they have had nothing but disappointment and discouragment for the past 15 years. I was so angry at God - "Why can't you just give them a break? They have been served you faithfully even when you seem to not care-" It just set me back this past week and I know it was a huge blow to them as well. I've heard once that the problem with this Christian life is that it's just "so daily" =) And that is what I was reminded of at church today- I have to choose TODAY to believe "all of God's promises won't let go of me", that he IS faithful, and holy- that he is our vision and strength for each day.
So this is my branching out of my cotton candy mode- Rather scary not knowing who all reads this ;-) but it's a step for me at least as I work to become more than something that just melts...

Good Trapping

One of Jaedon's birthday gifts was a soccer class for 5 weeks with Daddy. They have enjoyed their time together and Jaedon enjoys trying to teach Mama and Seth the next day exactly what he learned. Last week he kicked a ball to me in the backyard and when I "trapped" it (as per how he showed me ;) he said "Yes! That's the way, Mama! Very good trapping". What a hoot.

Magic Meatloaf

I did NOT like meatloaf growing up but I found this recipe that is SUPER easy and a big hit at my house (even with me!) I should have put it in our Moms Group cookbook!!
Here it is:
Magic Meatloaf (for the crockpot)
2 lbs. ground beef
2 eggs
2/3 cup quick cooking oats
1 package dry onion soup mix
1/2 cup ketchup

Reserve 2 T. ketchup- set aside. Combine ingredients, shape into loaf. Put it in your crockpot and top with remaining ketchup. Cover and cook on Low 8-10 hours, High 4-6 Hours.
Enjoy!

Won't Daddy be proud!!!

Jaedon has recently discovered how much fun dressing up can be! I found a Peter Pan outfit at a garage sale this past weekend and he's been in it almost constantly since. Brad has had to fix the "sword" several times already. This picture happened when Daddy was NOT around ;) I dunno- I think he makes a handsome Snow White - especially the shoes!

My Favorite Husband

My doorbell rang at 9 am! Who is at my house at 9 am? So I make my way to the door prepared to turn down any soliciations and I see this guy thru the window with these beautiful flowers and I just smile. I'm thinking this guy has a GREAT job! He gets to make people smile! And I keep smiling as I open up the note that reads "as your favorite season beings, my goal is to help you "fall" in love all over again" (Collective "awwe") ;-)
Now I'm thinking- I have the best husband! I love you, Brdfrd. ;)

Sick but Sweet

Today my little Seth is sick. =(
I don't usually call the Dr. for every little thing but today was the first time that either of my boys temp. was 104! Of course, "hydrate, rest and tepid baths" (all of which had been done) but for some reason I needed someone with a MD. behind her name to tell me that. =)
But oh the sweetness of a sick baby! It's so nice to have him willingly lay his head on my shoulder and let me just cuddle him. Jaedon sat in a rocking chair next to me, rocked and sang to his Junior Asapargus ;-) Ok, so after singing Jesus Loves Me (like 50 times) we sang ABC's and Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf (classic lullabys right? ;-) But it was sweet time spent with these little blessings.
A

And we buy them toys why? =)

A little chocolate goes a long way

For some reason, my dentist office voted me as "Favorite Patient" a few weeks ago. (Probably because I've had to spend entriely too much time and money there this past year!) So Jaedon (and Seth) and I baked up a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies to give them as a thank you- Seth gave raving reviews to the cookies ;)
A

Police Officer Jaedon

This week we've been learning about police officers - Today Jaedon wanted to BE one so he made his badge, vest, and stop sign (with a little help from Mama ;) He had fun telling Seth that is was safe to cross the room (?)

Ahh....Autumn!

I LOVE this time of year! It was 65 degrees today and rainy and I loved it! Bring it on!
Our family has had a great summer- we've done a LOT of bubbles, parks, bike rides (somehow they led to a lot of ice cream shop visits. Can't figure that one out;) We did camp-outs, swinging time, drawing on the sidewalk (Jaedon learned Hopscotch only he calls it the stone throw game- and Seth learned to "jump" - only his feet don't leave the ground ;).
I actually went on a bike ride by myself with the boys today. Jaedon rode his "big boy bike" and Seth was in the seat on my bike. It was slow going (I think I walked my bike more than pedaled) but fun to "ride bike together".
This past weekend we went downtown GR to Celebration on the Grand. We had a good time walking around- I love downtown GR.

This is our crew with the Gurk gang. Love you guys!

A