preparation for motherhood. check.

You know updating needs to happen when you're on the phone with your dad and you hear your mom in the background, "Time for a new blog post."

Ahh it's good to have....

*phone rings*

Wow...that was awesome.  Just got a phone call from a friend who is stranded at the MSP airport overnight and she is in need of a place to stay.  She lived in California, just recently got married and moved to Indiana. What are the odds?! SO CRAZY!  Ok I'm off to the airport to pick her up (after I clean my loft, that is).  I'll update this later.  =)


...And four days later, I'm back.  Turns out, having my friend here was SO GREAT!  we stayed up til around two just talking and catching up.  Anyway, on to the original post.

This past week contained my first days alone with both kids (and puppy) for a significant amount of time with no parents.  Krissa went back to work last week and so the real job has begun for me.  I was actually impressed with how smoothly it all went.

The following pictures are from two days together.  Hey, if I had time to take pictures, and there are smiles present, then you know it couldn't have gone too badly.  

      sweet little Ender.

Getting him changed in the morning is one of my favorite things to do.  He's all smiley and happy and makes great faces. 

 I decided early on that I was not going to sit around the house all day just because I have two kids under two.  and a puppy.  So we went out.  The first day was just to Target.  But Ender slept most of the time and Karlina was just happy.  

 This is what you get when you tell her to smile.Cheeseball

She loves spaghetti, by the way.  Loves it a lot.

 The kid has got the widest eyes. He just loves taking it all in.  

 

 Sometimes when Ender is sleeping, Karlina makes a lot of noise, so we designate that "play-in-your-room-quietly" time.  And it goes well.  sometimes.   Not too much of a disaster. 

 Since there are two kids, I don't have many household chores to do, but one that I am assigned is to keep the kitchen tidy throughout the day (or at least get it done right before Kris gets home!)  Point being, that is one tough job.  I feel like there are always dishes everywhere.  It is a challenge to tidy up when the kids are awake, but when they're napping, it can make a lot of noise and wake them up.  Catch 22.  

Thankfully, we have Sierra here to entertain us as much as possible.  Karlina loves going out on the little patio and "feeding" Sierra.  This consists of taking her bowl with anything in it (food, water, rocks etc...) and sticking it right under Sierra's nose until she partakes.  Then she squeals in delight and tries it again.  If the bowl isn't handy, she will be satisfied with a hand-lick.  It is so fun to watch them together.  Sierra really does well with Karlina and aside from some normal puppy exuberance, she's really pretty gentle with her. 

 

 a LOT of this happens throughout my day.  But it's one of my favorite times.  Feeding Ender is so sweet and relaxing, and he's so happy!  Not to mention the very satisfying burp he produces post-bottle.  =)  I have also learned to feed and multi-task.  I think when I took this picture I was about to write an email while feeding him.  

 And once he's fed, he's all ready to smile, coo, and stare at his little mobile. 

 When Karlina feels she isn't receiving enough attention, she enters the one room she's not allowed in (Mom and Dad's), goes into their closet where Ender sleeps and climbs into his Moses Basket.  Since there's a moniter, she'll start talking and giggling, knowing I can hear her.  And since she's not allowed in there, she knows I'll come pretty quickly and get her.  She knows how to work the system and get whatever kind of attention she feels she needs.  

 One of my more ambitious days out included a trip to the river front to play in the fountains.  It was about 92 and SO HOT outside.  But I packed up both kids AND the dog and headed down there.  I strapped Ender into the front-carrier, grabbed Sierra's leash, Karlina's hand and we walked from fountain to fountain along the river.  Ender just slept in the carrier, Sierra was pretty well behaved, considering...and Karlina had a ball.  She utilized three of her favorite words a LOT.  

"Ah-tee!...haht! haht!"

(Translation: Auntie! Hot! hot!-  she was walking on the pavement barefoot and wanted me to pick her up)

or

she'll say a string of gibberish ending with, "da puppy?"  She has a very focused one-track mind regarding the puppy.  and almost every sentence contains that word somewhere.  

Speaking of "da puppy"...

 The other day, I had her food bowl next to the counter.  She jumped up and put her paws on the counter and when I told her to get down, she obeyed....and knocked over her bowl in the process.  Well she had previously been uninterested in her food, but all of the sudden, she had such fun licking up the little kibbles off the floor.  And they were spread pretty wide.  she was enjoying the game so much, that on occasion when she's not really eating much, I'll pour her food on the floor and she'll start eating immediately.  

Silly dog.

Found out, Karlina LOVES smoothies and "tsss" (Juice) of any kind.  I love seeing her delighted over things like that. 

Me and my little man.  He's so much fun!  

Anyway, I have survived the week just grand.  And I count this fantastic preparation for mother-hood.  Seriously...the kids are alive, happy, fed, changed...we can run errands...  What more do you need?  BRING ON THE KIDLETS! well...maybe not for a while. =)

  This weekend was busy with grad parties for three of the kids at church.  Lots of work.  We never made a big deal of open houses much in California...I don't know why, but it was nothing like it is here.  I kept busy helping out doing odd jobs and serving at the parties.  

One of the girls, Claire, had a fabulous recital before her party.  It was SO amazing!  she plays violin and piano and sings...which means we have a fair amount of musicality in common.  It took me back to the old days when I used to actually practice and play my instruments.  Everything I've written on my blogs about music was true in that moment.  I closed my eyes as the melody from her violin floated through the air, hugged and caressed by the harmonious notes of the piano accompaniment.  mmm...it did my heart good to listen to her (and her family/friends) play and sing.  

I would like to do another update soon on the deeper things of life...things I've been learning and such.  I'll get to that later I suppose. 

contrast.

there is a certain group of people who have always caught my eye.  there is something about their increasingly fragile frames and graying hairs that pique my interest.  they are everywhere...each carrying a story.  each a witness to years far before mine.  i am in awe at the history each of them represents.  how many stories could they tell about how times have changed?  how many fought in wars, grew victory gardens, raised children alone, drove horse-drawn vehicles, saw the beginning of technology or had a party line.   

  (My great grandparents and some of their children)

I see couples who have been together around a half a century.  their love has grown.   

 

Both of my grandpas have passed away, but I will never forget them as a couple with my grandmas.  and my grandpas had some of the best stories!  I will never forget how Grandpa K would tell how he came to Arizona and started hauling blocks which led to the successful business it is today. 

Grampy could tell the same stories about the house fire in Ohio or working for the Phone company...and each time they were still as exciting to hear as the first.  (and he could take you on a mean lion hunt)

 And their faithful wives stood by their side for around 5 decades...loving them, praying for them, supporting them and caring for them until the end.  These amazing couples raised children together, went on world travels, ministered and served others all side-by-side.  Even when my grandpas had serious health problems...my grandmas both dedicated that season of their life to the care of their husbands.  

and since both of their husbands have passed away, they have handled it with grace and are two of the strongest women I know because of it.  I am grateful to have them as role models for women, wives and mothers.  

the other day, I was working and saw the celebration of a man who had lived decades of life.  and what stood out to me were his hands.  they were big and gnarled, the wear and tear of life evident. 

i was immediately taken back to my grandpa's bedside as he drew his last breaths.  i was sitting there, tears filling my eyes as memories raced about my mind.  I tried talking to him, but didn't know what to say.  and all of the sudden, his hand reached through the the hospital bed rail, searching for mine.  I didn't know what to do at first.  i looked at my grandma and she said, "just hold his hand..."  So I slowly placed my small, white, smooth hand in his large, sun-spotted, ridged and veiny hand.  he immediately engulfed my hand with his and squeezed.  he couldn't talk. didn't even open his eyes. but he heard my voice and wanted to be connected.  But those hands...I will never get that picture out of my mind.  How many flat tires had he fixed.  How many times had he flipped the pages of a Bible or folded them in prayer.  How many cuts and blood blisters were sustained because of hard work he did.  how many times had he grabbed my own hand as we walked out the door somewhere... his voice echoed in my mind, "Here we go, Suzy and Joe!" 

how do we pass by "elderly people" every day and pay them no mind?  How come we get frustrated because they drive a bit slower or take longer in the check-out line.  Why do we put them in nursing homes to be out of the way?  I cherish the times I've spent with people years older than me who have shared stories and life.  So much I never knew.  Like walking history books...bringing to life all the textbook information I memorized in classes. 

So I challenge you (as well as myself...) go find someone in your life who you take for granted.  Someone who we would classify as "elderly" or "up in years."  Talk to them. ask questions. spend time with them.  I remember going to nursing homes with my mom and other kids and we'd sing for the people.  After, we'd walk around and shake their hands.  I never understood why they were so happy to see us...since we didn't know them.  But they basked in the youth and the eagerness and freshness we brought.  

I find myself brought to tears because soon the last person who fought in the World Wars will be gone. 

 

 Those who made it through the Great Depression.  

Fighters during the Civil Rights movements. 

 

Survivors of concentration camps. 

 

 people who connect us to life-changing events.  I want to go and celebrate them all. thank them for what they've done to make our country and society what it is today.  treat them with dignity and respect...because they deserve it.  

Thank you for bearing with me as I wrote out those thoughts.  It's been on my mind lately and I wanted to share.  

here are some pictures of contrast.  youth, innocence, years of life left to live... at it's best!

 Boating on White Bear Lake!  it was a beautiful day!!

 Her life vest was adorable...and a little confining!

 windblown.

 "Whatchu lookin' at?"

 sweet boy. 

 Puppykins loves chewing on sticks.  

and she's got monstrous paws. 

 Besties.  they love each other. 

 Besties. they also love each other. 

 statues give great high fives.  

 sometimes we just like laughing and catching it on camera.  

 taking in the world....all two feet in front of him that he can see clearly.  

(I'm learning a lot about child development and what each age/stage means haha)

 she be craaazy. 

well. we're both kinda crazy. 

 Happy boy. smiles and dimples. A-DORABLE. 

 she's taken to doing this little head-cock thing...it's super adorable.  but not sure if she does it to just be cute or what.  

 she's gotten really into giving hugs too. i LOVE it. 

 Singing. 

 kickin' his legs, cool tummy, smiling up a storm.  

 "feeding" Sierra anything she can find.

then when she gets licked, she squeals in delight.

 Couldn't figure out why she'd put a stick in her mouth. Yucky.

until...I realized...at this age, they are great imitators.

 Sierra doesn't like her Kong, her ball, a frisbee....just natural sticks. 

 Multi-colored tongue.  Such a pretty dog. 

off into the sunset!

love my days. love these people/animal.  love God. love elderly people. 

there's just a lot of love flowing around here. 

enjoy the contrast in your life today.  And meanwhile, I'm going to go email my grandmas to remind them how much they mean to me!  

=)

always fun to leave, even better to come home.

I have decided I must go to bed at midnight tonight.  It is currently 11:13.  That being said, I am also pre-warning you that whatever state this blog is in at 12:00 am, that is the state in which it shall be posted. 

ugh, i just started downloading pics off my phone and realized it'll take a little longer.  Plus, I have a load of laundry in, and need to take care of it before I sleep.  Normally I'd leave my laundry til the morning, but it includes my towels and I must have towels in order to shower in the morning.

Ok, back on track.  my pictures are still downloading.  it's taking a while because there were some videos too.

First of all, let me say that while I love traveling, I love coming "home" even more.  (I put home in quotes because some people from california get a mite touchy about me calling MN home...)  But I really was glad to come back here.  I mean, I have a life here.  I have a job, family, a home, a dog....

*sigh*

and I can drive a fair amount of places without GPSing it.  just had to mention that.


Alriiiiight.  So now onto this past weekend.  Post-California/mexico.  I came home for TWO DAYS.  nanny-ed children, worked two shifts at work, re-packed (never really unpacked from cali), dropped my dog off at a friends, got three hours of sleep and then left for another trip.

Here is how it happened.  I have these delightful friends (who happen to be sisters).  We all road-tripped across the country last summer.  We decided we travel well together in the car.  so why not do it again, eh?

see if you can follow this.  I'll type slowly so you can get it.  I flew to Chicago to meet up with Tasha who nanny's for a family there.  Her sister heather drove from michigan to meet us.  (why did I fly, you ask? because it was cheaper than driving there.  Simon is delightful, but a gas-guzzler).  We had a girls day on Friday.  Woke up early Saturday morning and drove from Chicago to Francesville, IN.  Picked up their cousin and a friend.  the five of us then drove to Ohio where we met their other cousin and his roommate.  we hung out saturday and sunday and then drove home sunday night.  I flew out monday.  it was epic.  and here is the proof that we not only did it, but we had fun. =)

First night there, us girls got dressed up and went out to dinner at a fancy restaurant in Lake Forest, IL.  Oh my...what an experience.  We were completely patronized by our server who was an older gentleman.  I think he was trying to be funny.  but he wasn't. at all. 

After we ordered (our list of shared foods included a salad), he said, "Well now you girls can go tell your moms that you ate greens and fruits tonight with dinner!" HA. then he used the word, "demolished" to describe what we had done to our dinner.   One of the girls said I should order a drink just to prove to him that we were indeed adults.  the other girl said it was too expensive just to make a point.  I agreed.  We drank water, shared appetizers, ordered dessert, took pictures and generally enjoyed being "girls" for the night...but we DID tip the valet.  

 Upon arriving in Cincinnati, all 7 of us piled into a truck that could seat six (shhh...don't tell).  We took a tour of their cousin Randy's medical school.  Very shamancy place.  Then we went to the top of this building where you can look out over the whole city.  Here are us girls.  

(l-r: Heather, me, Tasha)

 The city was so amazing. and beautiful from that height.  The picture below is the river.  Across the river is KENTUCKY!  preeeeettty nifty. 

 it was a clear and sunny day.  Perfect for enjoying outdoors.  

These are the boys.  

(l-r: Ryan, Randy, Phil and Quentin)

 I love the way sunlight filters through clouds.  

 That evening we crossed the river to Newport, KY and hung out in the plaza, watched a magician, had some sushi and then saw the city lights.  it was gorgeous. 

 The group.  

 One of my favorite views...city lights twinkling.  mmm bonus for being next to a river it can reflect off of .  

Then we went back to Randy and Ryan's house...where we had S'mores and a fire and sang some praise songs.  

 A delicate and complex process...making S'mores. 

 Ryan likes his marshmallow's by the threes. 

 heather played guitar while we sang...then Quentin played and sang some of his own songs...and then Randy played some other praise songs for us.  (we even tried singing CW McCall's Wolf Creek Pass...but we forgot some of the words).  

 Me and Tasha enjoying the firelight.

 Ryan's stellar marshmallow roasting stance.  it helped.  supposedly. 

 The fire got a little big.  a few times. Randy was pretty proud.  

 The next morning, us girls made breakfast for the guys.  Crepes with all the toppings! 

 TEAMWORK!

 I think they appreciated it.  At least the silence and full mouths indicated as much. 

 Sunday afternoon we went mini golfing (a first time for a few of our group).  It was delightfully competitive.   I may or may not have won the $14 pool that was laid out as incentive for everyone to play their best.  

After returning back to chicago, I had a little more time before I left.  Monday, us girls went to Lake Michigan.  It was GORGEOUS. and reminded me of the beach. except for lack of waves. and fresh water. and no surfers. but whatever. You couldn't see the opposite shoreline.  that's all that matters. 

 Look at the clear, blue water/sky.

 we stopped to look at beach houses on our way home.  They are ridiculously huge and extravagant, but SO MUCH FUN!  When I grow up, get rich and retire, I'm moving to Lake Forest, IL.  

As amazing as the weekend was, I was ready to get back to my life...and my dog.  I missed her a lot!  and she's grown up so much in the past few weeks!  

Well it is 11:54, and I have pretty much finished this blog.  and I didn't stop to change the loads.  So  I'm gonna wrap this up and go do that in the six minutes I have before midnight.  

I have come to realize how blessed I am to have friends all across the country...but also here too.  God has got his hand on me and has given me such gifts.  I am learning how to not let a day go by where I don't acknowledge those gifts, thank Him and ask for help to spread some of that joy/love/peace to others!