I'm Doing It!!

I have officially signed up to run the Dexter-Ann Arbor run again this year! It is a 5K "race", though obviously I am not going to be the winner. :) This is something I set out to do and promised myself I would do after Kylie was born. You see, Rob and I ran two 5K's and 1 10K in this race BK (before kids) :) Now that I am AK (after kids), I am ready to get back in there! I have exactly one month to train again. As you know, I've been doing the elliptical. Now that the weather is nice (er?), I am ready to get back out there. The old "athlete"/phys. ed minor is coming back out in me and it makes me happy :) They say exercise releases endorphins that make you happy...I would definitely agree with that! So....I paid my $30...no turning back now! If you want to join me, just email me and I'll give you the info! I am geeked! Now...I have to get my bootie in gear! :)

The Cute Little Teddy Bear....And Her Dedication :)

The cutest picture ever! My little pumpkin is going to be 3 months old in just two weeks! I cannot believe how fast time is flying. Everyone asks if it is as hard as I expected to move to 2 kids. My answer is usually yes and no. The sleep pattern (thanks to God! --- and Kylie Noelle) is getting so much easier. I love that part. It really depends on the day whether or not I would consider it "hard"...just a challenge ;) But, more than anything, I love these girls. They are the best. I am sooooo incredibly grateful and blessed that I can stay home with them. I wouldn't have it any other way. I can't imagine (and feel awful for) those parents who are having to take their children to day care. I don't think I could do it. Though, like those parents, if I had to, I would....It's just so hard to imagine! I am so blessed and I know it, especially considering how Michigan is doing economically.

Speaking of our little pumpkin, she is getting dedicated to the Lord on Sunday at church. Rob's family is coming up from Ohio to share this very, very special day with us. As parents, we feel this is probably one of the most important things we can do. For those of you who don't know what it means, it comes from the book of Samuel. Hannah prayed and prayed for a son. And God blessed her with one (eventually!). When Samuel was born, Hannah gave him over to the Lord basically declaring, "He's not mine, Lord, he's yours." We'll do the same with Kylie on Sunday. Whatever God wills for her life....though we're hoping she'll join McKenzie on stage as a worship leader... :)....Whatever God wills, we pray He will use her as his vessel to accomplish grand and glorious things. Not that she hasn't been His all along, but we are publically declaring in front of our church and family that she is His, no matter what. Then, when Kylie is old enough, when she accepts Jesus as her personal Savior, she will be baptized as an outward expression of her faith. This is what modern-evangelical Christians term as a person being "born again". That decision, however, is up to Kylie, not us. We pray that she will see Christ reflected in us and that she will choose Him at an early age and never waver. Rob made that decision when he was very young (I want to say 13, but don't quote me on that!) and I chose to accept Jesus and be saved at 17. I was a senior in high school and turned my life over to the Lord completely on May 4, 1995. I will never forget that day. It's when I learned that my relationship with Christ is about just that...a relationship. It's not a religion. There's no formula, no special prayers, no dogma to follow. It's simply surrender yourself humbly at the feet of the King. And every day, I remind myself that I have to surrender. Because when it all comes down to it in the end, it's not others we live for. It's God. And we pray (and ask that you'll join us) that BOTH of our beautiful daughters will understand, seek, and pursue God with all of their hearts from now until the end. That they will actually see Christ reflected in us and pursue Him passionately. It's our greatest job as parents, we believe, to instill this in them.

The Weekend

We had a good weekend. I worked on Saturday morning and Rob took the opportunity to re-organize some things in the house. :) I am not very good at keeping up with some things like I should, but he is always willing to help out when he's home with the girls and help to re-organize our lives :) I'm grateful that he is so patient with me!
After that, we stayed home the rest of the day and played. On Sunday, we went to church and then daddy took a well-deserved nap and finished up some home projects.
McKenzie asks every day to go outside. It's cute. Unfortunately, it's like 50 degrees here today, so there will be no outside play time for us with Kylie so little. So...it's back to indoor play for most of this week. I wish the weather was back! I am seriously considering Arizona. Love it. Wish I could live there. Maybe I'll talk with Alan Mullaly and Ford will consider moving its headquarters to Phoenix. Just think of the money they could save on heating bills alone!!! Oh well...
Not much happening this week. Rob is looking forward to heading to DC to visit friends the weekend of the 17th. An old Navy buddy asked him to be a godfather for one of his children. He is soooo excited to go. He will also be traveling to Atlanta in July to visit his closest college friend, Uncle Vinny :) So...we're getting some frequent flyer miles, that's for sure :)

A Day At The Park...And Mommy Being Cheesy

Yay for warm weather! This is the only picture I could get her to hold still :)

I'm a big girl and climbed all the way to the top of the slide by myself!

Mommy bought us these matching outfits...she's so funny!

I love my little sister!

WNBA...here she comes!

YAY!!! We are going to be set for life. First of all, I would like to point out that McKenzie can shoot left handed. This is a great feat that mama didn't learn until 6th grade, and even then, it was just lay-ups. The girl has a jump shot from 1 foot out! Amazing!! So...we're banking on it. WNBA salaries aren't all that great, so her neurosurgeon degree will have to back us up :) Oh...did I also mention yesterday she went to the doctor and she is 3 feet tall??? Isn't that amazing? Rumor has it kids are 1/2 their adult height at age 2. Hmmm...3 X 2 = ??? YAY!! She will be a tall point guard for Tennessee or UConn and then move on to the big leagues :) I am so excited! :)
Kylie Noelle is growing like a weed, too! 2 inches in ONE MONTH. No wonder the girl won't stop eating :) It's great. She has also topped the 10 pound mark! Yay for us! :) For those of you non-mommies, that generally means better sleeping :) We'll see if it holds true, though she's been doing great.
We had a picnic lunch with daddy today at Ford. What's funny is that Ford now has lawn ornaments! After a frightful run-in with some geese, Ford workers put their money together and now have three-legged plastic foxes hiding in the bushes, and big white plastic swans randomly throughout their front yard. It's great. McKenzie decided to ride on the swan today after she ate her chicken nuggets. Too cute.

Roller Skating and Girl's Day Out

Yay daddy! Keep going! More! More!

Mama, I don't have time to stop for a picture! :)

I rode the seal. Paige rode the horsey. Luke rode the duck.

Mama loves me!

Chasing Bubbles!!!

Yesterday, our good friend, Lindsay was thrown a surprise 30th birthday party by her husband, Nate. It was McKenzie's first chance to go roller skating!! And boy...did DADDY get a workout! He was soooo sweaty because not only was he helping McKenzie the whole time...he had to carry her around AND some 5 pound skates on her feet! It was GREAT!! We had a girl's out afternoon the rest of the day. McKenzie got her "summer sandals" and we went to Target for craft stuff (McKenzie LOVES doing projects now) and we went to the park. It was so much fun! Kylie is doing so good sleeping now!!! We try to put her to bed by 9:30 and she usually sleeps until at least 3 or 4. :) It's sooo nice. :) She is REALLY stuffy today, though...please pray for her to have some healing in her nose :) Tonight, we are watching McKenzie's friend Sydnie for her mama and daddy, so we'll take more pictures there and we'll post them. How fun! Here are some pictures for your enjoyment :)

Doctors...Waiting...

How long do you wait for your doctor to be seen? I mean, actually sitting there...waiting in the waiting room to be called back...then, how much longer do you wait in that cold room, looking and trying out the ear looker-into thing (come on! I know you do it too :) ). Well...I for one am tired of waiting! My daughters and husband all have WONDERFUL doctors that get us in within 10 minutes of arriving. No questions asked. I have never had to wait more than 5 minutes for my endocrinologist...and probably the longest wait I have had is 45 with my OB/GYN, but they have babies to deliver and they're fantastic. It almost doesn't seem bothersome and it's not a regular wait, that's for sure.
With our insurance, I have to go to the same doctors who practice with the same hospital. For us to keep my OB/GYN and my endocrinologist, I have to pick a Beaumont primary care physician. I have been through 3 doctors in 3 years! Today, I tried a new doctor because we had to have an insurance paper filled out. I waited 50 minutes!!! No call back to the room, nothing. When you ask and they say they will "be right with you", what does that really mean? I have a 2 year old who is bouncing off the walls (the appt. was scheduled 1.5 to 2 hours before her nap time) and a 2 month old. How long would you wait? I am sooo tired of doctors that make you wait. It's ridiculous. I left my old doctor for the same reason. It's just bothersome when you know they are easily raking in $150-$200 just for seeing you!! So...I told the office manager I would not be coming back. She apologized up and down and seemed sympathetic. Then, out of the blue, my "new" doctor...the one I was supposed to meet for the first time today....called! She, too, apologized. Of course, they have excuses, but what to do? Do you give them another chance? The doctor told me to call her personal voice mail to schedule an appointment and as soon as I arrived, I would be taken back. I was a little shocked...and relieved to learn this, but this clinic is also like a mega-clinic. I'm talking 14 doctors...and a 24/7 care. I am not sure I want to be another number...then again, maybe I'm not??
So today it is W-A-R-M!!!! YEAH!!! So, as soon as McKenzie wakes up from her nap, we're headed to the park and then tonight it's swim lessons. Kylie...I put her down last night at 9:30 (trying to impose a new sleep schedule). She slept unitl 2:30 and then woke up again at 5. Not too bad! I can handle that....and the down time. Unfortunately, I fell asleep right after I laid her down at 9:30. She's been awake now since about 10 or so and it's 2:10 as I type this. It's about time for that afternoon nap. She's a bit cranky :)
But...it's great. I love where we're at as a family. Last night, I told Rob that I don't think there's ever going to be a part of me that doesn't want baby #3.....is that crazy? I know...not yet. I am just REALLY contemplating. :) Kylie's only 2 months old. Why am I thinking about this? But...that's where we're at. :) Onto park-playing and swim lessons. :) It doesn't get much better than this....

Sisters

It's just the beginning, but you have to say awwwwww.......

The BIG 2!...Only 364 days to go until 3! (Continued Again)

"I love you, Paige."

The three amigos

"Hey Mama...how does that work?"

It didn't take long...the train tracks were coming apart! :)

"No, Conor! Look right there!"

The BIG 2!...Only 364 days to go until 3! (Continued)

Paige, Mr. Nate, and Luke
We missed Ms. Lindsey and Emery!

Mr. Michael, Sydnie, Zach, Ms. Suzanne and Baby Jones #3

Ms. Sandy, Sofia, Mr. Paul and Conor

Lauren, Kali, and Ms. Marie

Sydnie enjoying an afternoon reading

The BIG 2!...Only 364 days to go until 3!

Neato! Candles!
The Dora Cake...
"Hey Luke! Is it good?"
"Kali! Do you see that?"

Well...the party went off without a hitch :) We had a BLAST and would like to give a shout-out to all of our friends who came and loved on McKenzie and our family. We had so much fun with everyone. McKenzie seemed to have a GREAT time and enjoyed her Dora-themed party :) We are so blessed with such awesome friends. We know that their children will be McKenzie and Kylie's friends for a lifetime and it's so great to see them bond now :)

Other than that, I think I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...enjoy!

Peace, Yet Protection

Life is awesome. :) I am feeling peace today. Sure, I have squirmy-wormy (aka Kylie Noelle) on my chest right now and she is just loving on mama....What is better than the scent of a newborn, or those cute cries when they stick out that lower lip? What is better than knowing your kids are safe and healthy, and for the most part, happy :)
I guess I am just feeling a heart full of gratitude today, but with it, comes a sense of wanting to protect this and keep it forever. There are so many events in life that remind you to "sieze what you have" . Sometimes, it happens close to home. Sometimes, you learn it from watching others. Example. Just over a year ago, we went to church one Sunday only to find out a 29 year old father of three in our church had died the night before. We didn't really "know" them. In fact, I had just talked with his wife the week before, commenting on their beautiful new six week old daughter. and just like that, he was gone. I have to say that is probably my greatest fear in life right now...losing Rob. I know it's silly to think about it, and no, it doesn't consume me day after day, but I find myself praying more and more often after he leaves for the day for God's protection. I know God's got it...either way. I have to trust in that.
I also worry about the girls. I worry that they will fall into the trappings of this world...it's cold heartedness and that they will be overcome by a desire to fit in and ultimately, it may cost them more than they know. I pray they will seek God's face. I pray that they will not fall into the lies and deceit that Satan can hand out day after day. I pray that they will come full circle into a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus and know Him, not just going thorugh the motions. My heart aches when I read stories in the news about young girls being hurt, more specifically for NO REASON as there was a young girl in Florida attacked, all so some idiotic teens could post it on YouTube. Thankfully, they were all caught and charged, but the young girl --- only 16 --- will be homeschooled for the rest of her high school career due to hearing loss and other problems. It just devastates me. I can't imagine. I desire so much to keep my girls protected, but how? I know the only answer is prayer. I have to surround them daily with prayer and be a good parent and filter things out of their lives that don't have to be in them. It's such a huge responsibility and even more so as times progress beyond what we grew up with.
Ok...that was a huge spill of emotion. That's what's on my heart. And so today, and last night, I hugged the girls a little tighter, and told them I loved them a bit more. It was all I could do....Praise God....

Early Birthday Present

There's a train in the house?

I swear she lined these up

herself. Daddy IS an

engineer!

The whole kit and caboodle

This takes concentration!

Gotta do my chores to
keep my train!

Swim Lessons

Getting Ready!

Picking toys out from the bucket with

her teacher, Megan

Daddy! Let's go get the whale!

"Hey guys! How's it goin'?"

"Hey guys, isn't this fun?"

We started swim lessons tonight with McKenzie. We figure it's never too early seeing as how we live on the lake. She's such a big girl and daddy was such a trooper to go in the water with her! If you really want to know what makes a woman love a man more....watch him with her kids. :) This is probably too much information, but there is nothing I find more attractive than watching Rob with the girls. :) He is sooooooooo good with them and really makes them have fun. He was cheering McKenize on in the water and it was the cutest thing ever. And of course, we took tons of pictures. Hmmm...now that I think of it, no other parents were taking pictures. We must be unique! No comments from the peanut gallery.

McKenzie also received her early birthday present from us yesterday! She got a train table. It's huge and awesome. I will try and post a picture of it here if I can find one :) It's great! She loves the one at the library, so we decided to bring it to our house. Today, she also received early birthday presents from Uncle Jon and Aunt Jennie from Washington. She got a princess beach towel....and of course, she took it to swim class! She also got an awseome coloring book, sticker book, and a neato moveable animal book from Aunt Brandy, Uncle Seth, and Cousin Liam. We are so blessed to have such awesome family and friends. :) And yes.........this Saturday is the BIG 2 Dora Party. We have 10 little friends coming over with their mommies and daddies and now I just have to figure out what to feed everybody! I think you can never go wrong with the hot dogs. :)

Today, it was 70 degrees outside. We went to visit one of mommy's old teaching friends, Miss Jen and her husband John and their doggy, Leyland. McKenzie LOVED Leyland and played with his toys with him in his yard. Then, another old teaching friend of Mama's...Miss Joanna came over with Mikias (16 months) to play. McKenzie hasn't quite figured out how to really "interact" yet with other kids, but she and Mikias had fun crawling up Miss Jen's deck stairs! It was a great day.

In two weeks, McKenize will start story time at the library on Tuesdays. It should be fun...it is soooo neat to be in this stage with her.It's like she's a little person now and I want her to experience everything possible. I just love her so much.....as do you if you read this whole blog entry! So....off to bed I go after uploading these pictures. I pray Kylie will stay asleep as she is right now on my chest....She slept 6 hours straight again last night. HALLELULAH!!! :) God is good at providing rest when we need it.

Adios, Mosquitos!!! :)

Way deeper thinking

So....life is complicated. In the past few days, I have had friends who have "lost" best friends, friends whose husbands are going through stuff, friends whose parents are going through stuff, and life continues to march on....I
I have realized over the past few days that life just gets more and more complicated as we go through it. We continue to compound things that do not need to be compounded. We hurt people and people hurt us.
As I was watching McKenzie today running around screaming, "Mama! Chase! I so fast!" and doing all of her fun things, I realized that she is SOOO INNOCENT AND PERFECT. Ok, maybe not perfect, but life doesn't hurt yet. Other than a random incident at the library with a mean two year old boy, she hasn't been hurt yet. And that's awesome.
I want to bottle it up. I want to take some of that. I want to market it. I think people would buy it. I think they would LOVE to be a part of that stage of life again. When people didn't hurt you. When you didn't (intentionally or not) hurt other people. When you realized that the "hardest thing" you had to do that day was listen to mama and daddy....or figure out how to get up the slide....or eat with fork. I LOVE this season of life with her. I love watching her grow. I love her innocence. And I want to protect that. I want to love her the way she needs to be loved. But, more importantly, I want her to know that she will be failed in life by people, things, circumstances, etc. but the ONE THING THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE is the WAY JESUS LOVES US. And so, I rest in that. I pray that over her daily. I pray she (and Kylie) understand that Jesus is who He is...who she so desparately needs. And just as importantly...who I need.....

4AM Elliptical Runs :)

I have learned it is not efficient to work out with kids around. They won't let you! Therefore, I have succumbed to the fact that in order to work out, I have to get up at 4AM!!! Rob and I were going to try a 5AM wake up call, but Miss Kylie seems to like getting up at 3:30 to eat. By the time I finish at 4AM with her, I have to wonder, is it really worth going back to bed? Alas, after much thought, I decide it is not because I am always so much more tired after I wake up. So...onto the elliptical I go. I have been listening to sermons from one of our old churches (Kensington) while on the elliptical and it's been great. I also have begun once again my "weight loss pilates" video. It's stinking hard and this lady that teaches it is just ridiculously flexible. She should seriously be in the Guiness Book of World Records!!!
So..today it was off for another Craigslist pick up. Uneventful this time, for sure. Then, to our favorite store Costco (not really....they just get all of our money!) to buy formula. Then, we were going back to the library, but Miss McKenzie decided to throw a fit, so we did not go.....
Speaking of the library, they seriously think we ganked 3 videos from them. Rob returned them like 2 weeks ago and they are INSISTANT we still have them. Yeah...like I want to keep scratched up DVDs around my house...especially because McKenzie didn't like any of the videos. He said. She said. I'm sure we'll have to pay through the nose. I told Rob next time that he should video himself on his camera phone next time. The proof is in the pudding!