My Insightful Boy...

Who doesn't love to brag about their kids? Well, here we go... We're driving one morning and the sun is in Porter's eyes. I tell him to wait a minute and I will turn and the sun will move. So, we start talking about the sun and he tells me Jesus made the sun! Several weeks later, Piper declares that she is a queen and Porter is a king. Porter says, "No, I not king, Jesus is king!". What?!!? WOW! This week...my mom is playing with them in the back yard on a rare, but slightly warmer day, and as Porter lies on his back in the hammock, he looks up into the sky and says he can see God! My 2 1/2 year old little boy has got some spiritual insight! Amazing. I'm not taking credit because I fall short in teaching him what he needs to know all too often...I see this as he comes up with these things and I realize I didn't tell him, but should have! God is at work in little children...He loves them so and draws them to Him even at this tiny age!

Can we possibly get more snow and colder temps, please?

Ah, I remember that first magical snow this year...early December, running out to play in it, making a snow man. Only two months and countless snows later and I'm done. Today the weatherman actually said we had a "mini-blizzard"! A BLIZZARD? What the heck? Snow was blowing sideways as we watched out the windows. When we walked out of the gym and the freezing wind blew hard on our faces, we could hardly breath!! Porter started crying because he was too cold. Poor guy. Piper was just opening her mouth trying to catch some flakes on her tongue. Opie will hardly go outside which makes potty training a pup, oh, so much fun. I never thought in all my life I would live in a place that got so cold and so much snow. I can't believe that SNOW is no big deal to me anymore! I'm sure the first snow next season will bring that magic back, but now...I'm ready for some rays in San Diego. I enjoy the season and am not complaining--don't get me wrong. I'm just saying...I need some more sweaters.

Happy Birthday, Tyler!

We like the birthdays in this family! Lots of celebrating. I like to say in September when it's my turn, that it's actually my birthday month! So, we started Tyler's celebration Friday night at the Plaza. At his request, we had a yummy dinner at Kona Grill. Very cool atmosphere and yummy food!! Then, we saw Juno at the theater and had dessert and coffees at Classic Cup Cafe. The kids were with my mom, so we had a nice time out while they had a nice time with Nana and Pat. Monday night we celebrated at my mom's house. She made a nice, home-cooked meal and a delicious-o chocolate cake from scratch! Then, tonight, the fam all went to Cheesecake Factory on his actual birthday and stuffed ourselves. Good times. Porter and Piper each gave Daddy a shoe and together they make a nice pair of new dress shoes that he desperately needed - since it doesn't get above freezing here lately and his old shoes had holes in the soles...bbbrrrr! Piper announced that they were shoes as she gave them to him, but then remembered and said "It's a secret". So, we're done celebrating for a while...until next week when we go to San Diego!!! Happy Birthday...32 and still lookin' 25!

Opie

So, my mom is here in Kansas now and has the cutest place to live. However, it just so happened that she had squirrels in her attic. She was so upset, but it was to our benefit in the long run! The super-friendly wildlife man from Wisconsin who wears shorts in the snow, came to help her. He happened to have the coolest looking dog with him that we were ooooing and aaahhhing over. Matt (wildlife man) said he had a litter of puppies if we wanted one. German Shorthair Pointers...smart, hunters, family dogs, and the perfect size--not too big and not too tiny. We weren't planning on getting a new puppy until the summer, but we took a trip out to see the litter just in case. The puppies were 8 weeks old...two boys and two girls. We were thinking about going with a girl this time, but of all four puppies, only one came right to us...frisky, but so cuddly when we held him like a baby. He was our pick! We went home, stocked up on puppy supplies and returned two days later, with Porter and Piper, to take our new puppy home with us. His name--Opie. Opie's dad is "Otis" so we stayed with the Andy Griffith theme and since our pup is freckly, "Opie" fit perfectly. For the first day and a half, Piper kept asking his name, but I think she's got it down now, as well as made a new best friend! I was a little worried about Porter at first...I asked him what if Opie got his blanket (that he calls "ki-ki" and can't live without) and Porter said "kick it!" (referring to Opie!). Well, there has been no kicking and the kids love him and he them. He is so sweet and loves to be near us. Potty training is in the works and we've almost accomplished "sit". Welcome to the family, Opie!

Christmas 07

It was a good one this year! It FELT like Christmas. Maybe it was the snow...all the family around...the kids actually understanding it all??? Although, I foresee problems distinguishing between Santa and Jesus' birthday!!! I was surprised at how quickly Porter and Piper caught on to it all...naming each person in the nativity and how they relate to one another. Smarties. Piper was a trooper this year and sat on Santa's lap without hesitation, telling him what she wanted (a kitchen which of course, she got!). Porter was the scaredy cat saying "NO NO" when we got him close to Santa...but he made sure to yell out his requests to Santa as we left (TOOLS!!!!). We got plenty of snow all thru December, just missing fresh falling powder on Christmas Day. It was still covering the ground, so I considered it a white Christmas anyway! Kristine, my mom, and Patrick were all here and Aunt Jerri, cousins Matt and Joe and new cousin Nicole were here right before. We had a wonderful candle light service at church on Christmas Eve and we decided to take the kids in with us rather than their classroom since it was a special occasion. To all of our surprise, they were so well-behaved...I couldn't have hoped for better. They loved the music and lighting the candles, too! I think Porter may like the candle part a little TOO much! Christmas morning was magical...except we all had to wake the kids up rather than them waking us up!! But, after the day is done, I always feel a little sad...I should have savored it more, given more, focused on the REAL reason for the season more. I guess that's why it's not about ONE day...but everyday...how because Jesus came as God in the flesh on that holy night, I can say Merry Christmas all year round!

Snow and Sickness...

Well, today started out wonderful! We walked out of the gym into huge snowflakes falling and covering everything! We carefully drove home in a sea of white and hurried in to get on our snow gear that we bought months ago for this very day...snow coats, boots, gloves, etc. We played outside and took pictures of our first, official Kansas snow (Tyler and I actually had our first in April when we were here to buy our house!). Back inside (because Porter said his hands were too cold...Piper would have stayed out all day), Porter started saying his tummy hurt. I didn't really think too much of it, especially after he pooped later:) However, 30 minutes into their nap, I heard him and went to go check and he had obviously leaned over, out of his bed and thrown up all on Piper's bed and all over her head (she's on the bottom trundle). The sad, but funny part was she was STILL asleep! I took his clothes and sheets off and Piper finally woke up, and after the initial shock and short freak-out session, she was very good about it as was Porter. I cleaned everything up, bathed them and just as I was dressing them...the puke fest started. For the past 8 hours, I've been cleaning up throw up and/or holding a head over a bucket about every 30 minutes from not one, but BOTH of my children. They have been lethargic, but so sweet. We called the nurse and she said it's a bad bug going around that will just run it's course. We finally got Porter to hold some liquids and Piper's on her way. Maybe we can enjoy the snow more tomorrow:) Let's HOPE!

Happy Halloween

We had a great one!!! It was literally picture perfect. The week started with our friends, Sara, Asher, and Brody. It was amazing weather everyday and we did lots of fun stuff out in it, went to Wonderscope (the children's museum), the farm, and Legends to see T-Rex cafe. They flew back home Halloween morning...

We have been pumping P&P up for Halloween...trying on their costumes, telling them what to say at the door, etc. So, they were super excited. Piper, being her shy self, had us worried even though she acted excited around us...strangers frighten her greatly! Last year as soon as they opened the door, she screamed and threw her bucket down. Anyway, we got all ready and headed out...right before it was too dark, very chilly outside...a perfect Fall night on Halloween like we've never experienced in the 31 Halloweens we've celebrated before. Our street is supposedly a popular one and now we know why. Almost everyone is on their porch, passing our huge candy bars, playdough, bags of chips and crackers...making smoke with dry ice, and playing fun music. It was so wonderful. We wheeled the kids around in the wagon and they got out and walked to the doors of several houses on our street. Porter said his version of "Trick or Treat" and "thank you", but Piper stood frozen with her bucket in hand. She would take candy, but did not speak or make eye contact. At least we've got some improvement this year! Their favorite part, however, was back at home, sitting on our porch passing out candy to all the costumed kids. They LOVED it!!! After lots of fun and sugar, they passed out in their beds and slept an hour later than usual this morning! Nice!!!!

For more pics, here's a link http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?UAUTOLOGIN_ID=27674666306&mode=fromsite&collid=27674666306.233035192306.1193966982303&conn_speed=1