2.28.11 - Glimpse of What Lies Ahead

 

Yes, that would be what it looks like...just so happened I caught him mid-air.  You've got to keep an eye on these two.  Their curiosity gets the best of them or us...from unscrewing the top of the cooler to filling the kid push toys with gasoline.  I'm sure this is only a glimpse of what lies ahead.  Brace yourself!

2.27.11 - Two Before Four

 

Our family of four is wonderful and we wouldn't have it any other way.  Over time we've learned to take time outs - time outs for moments to remember where it all started.  Whether it be a date night or a weekend away we know we need reconnect and take a time out from all the "requirements" that life.  We are blessed with family that loves our kids and us enough to bless us with these times.  

2.26.11 - Skiing at Schuss

2.25.11 - Wine Tasting in TC

 

What a treat...tried a lot, bought a lot and learned a little.

2.24.11 - Ty's 18m Photo Shoot

Just a few of my favorites.  

If you want to check out a few more
Mindy just did a blog post:

http://mindyleigh.com/blog/?p=6948

2.23.11 -BATMAN

 

Tyler's personality is such a joy to be around.  He is such a happy kid (except when he first wakes us).  One of his favorite things right now is playing with Batman.  We probably have a handful or more of various Batman "guys" and he loves to fly them around the house yelling "Batman".

2.22.11 - Healthy Habits

Derk decided 5 years ago January that he would exercise daily...there has only been a few days during that time that he's missed.  What an accomplishment!  I started working out on a regular basis 12 weeks ago.  I never thought I would make it this long but it's turned into a life style change.  About 5 weeks ago we bought a scale...it was meant to help me think about the stress eating indulgences I have when I get home from work.  Instead, it's helped Derk.  He's lost 15+ pounds simply by watching his portion size, not snacking and stepping on the scale from time to time.  The discipline he has is amazing.  While we've made this life style changes we happened to notice the impact it is having on Jalen.  He wants to join us in our workouts and asks us regularly about when we are going to work out or what we are going to do.  

2.21.11 - J-A-L-E-N

Derk and I have always taken an extremely relaxed approach in the academic development of Jalen.  We encourage development when we play games, read books or are driving in the car with him.  I figure it will eventually come with time and so far that's proven to be true.  After working with Jalen to write his name on his Valentine's cards we decided we really needed to start working with him on a more regular basis to write his name and letters.  The hard part is finding the time and energy on a consistent basis after working all day while trying to keep it "fun" for him.  He doesn't like being told what or how to do something especially from his Dad.  He seems to do best when you encourage him, let him explore and tell him how proud you are of him.  It has definitely been interesting watching him learn and grow...I don't know who's learning more - him or us!    

2.20.11 - Nap time for Daddy?

 

Poor guy, I had to work and Daddy daycare was in full effect.  What's a man gonna do when he needs a nap?  Turn the TV on and recline on the couch with his boys.  I think he succeeded for at least some of the time.

2.19.11 - Blue Hat, Green Hat

 

Jalen reads his first book, all by himself.

2.18.11 - French Fries Anyone?

 

Will a 5 pound bag be enough?

2.17.11 - Caution: "Land Mines"

  

Now that the snow is melting you can see all the 

"Land Mines" from the winter months.

DISGUSTING!

2.16.11 - "I onna eese"

 

Ty's vocabulary has taken off...not just words but sentences. 

2.15.11 - To Do List - Complete

I am a list person and I'm always overly ambitious when I make a list.  Today's list sat untouched for about a week but I'm happy to say, it is complete from ordering birth certificates for the boys,  submitting HSA receipts, submitting DCSA receipts and pulling together our tax info.  There is something about checking off everything on a do to list!

2.14.11 - Who Needs Alarm Clocks...

...when you have kids!  No matter what time we put them to bed, whether they take a nap or not they still wake up before 6am...we did something wrong along the way. 

2.13.11 - Somebody's Making the Lemonade

Once a month Jalen and I head to church early to help in the kitchen.  We join a team of people to make lemonade, cut bagels, and make coffee.   Jalen and I have found something special about making lemonade together...I think it's more about the undivided attention.   

2.12.11 - Super Brothers!

At LEAST twice a week Jalen is putting on his super hero costumes (best $1.99 Goodwill purchase I ever made).  Today was the first time Ty insisted on putting one on.  I wasn't sure how it would work.  I tried to distract him towards other things but he persisted with wanting to put the Superman costume on.  Once it was on he thought he was HOT stuff.  Jalen loved it too.  It wasn't long after Ty put it on that Jalen ran and but the Batman costume on.

2.11.11 - Friday Morning Ritual - REALLY?

 

Yes, for the last maybe 8 weeks my workout warriors and I meet to swim on Friday mornings.  So, for any of you who wanted to know what the pool looks like at 5:45am, now you know.  Thanks to KT for the picture...glad it was of the pool and not us in our lovey swimsuits! 

2.10.11 - Holy Yoga

  

For the last few weeks I've joined my workout warriors for a Thursday evening Holy Yoga experience.  At first I have to admit I thought it might be a little hokie but it has been really cleansing.  As the instructor leads you through a yoga exercise, christian music is playing in the background and she is ready scripture which focuses all your energy on being full present with your mind, body, spirit and the spirit of God.  I thought my participation would be about getting exercise but in reality, for me it's been about listening to God and slowing down enough to really hear him.  Why the picture?  Well, you can't do yoga without a water bottle - right?

2.9.11 - "Cheese"...what's a girl?

Just this week whenever I pulled the camera out Ty would say "Cheese"...this isn't something I ask for when taking pictures so it caught me by surprise.  I'm not sure where he picked it up from.  We also had the honor of watching sweet little Mady on Wednesday.  The boys were very jealous to have another little person at our house getting "their" attention.   Additionally, a little confused as to why Derk was referring to Mady as a girl.  Jalen asked "What's a girl?"  And so, the anatomy discussion occurred.  I would have been fine with Derk telling Jalen a girl likes pink, baby dolls, has long hair, etc. but Derk felt the need to explain.  Oh, joy!

2.8.11 - 3am Routine

 

At about 3am I wake up to relieve bodily fluids and I find myself stepping over Jalen's head as he is curled up outside Lucy's crate.  I just had to snap a picture of it because it captures something that is so bitter sweet - we love that Jalen and Lucy have such a special bond but would rather he stay in his own bed.  We're thinking about moving Lucy's crate downstairs to his room.  We'll see! 

(Sorry for the 3am camera flash Lucy)

2.7.11 - Look Mama, I like to color too!

 Ty tries so hard to do what his brother does...Jalen loves to show us 

his art work and so Ty tries to keep up with the coloring and showing 

us his work.  In this picture, I just have to point out the fact that Ty is 

sticking his tongue out as he works...Jalen does the exact same thing.

2.6.11 - Story Time w/ Ms. Theresa

 

Ty has decided that Ms. Theresa is one of his favorites.

2.5.11 - Two Peas in a Pod

One of the coolest things about having gotten another dog is 

the relationship these two have.  They wrestle and play non-stop 

sometimes to the point of annoyance.  I can't imagine my

boys growing up without a dog.  The only thing I could have 

imagined is a house without dog hair and with the way this dog 

sheds it will have to be something I dream about.

2.4.11 - Wet Dog

Lucy finds her way into the shower after we have to chomp up the last bit of water that falls from the facet...she loves it.  There is no question as to weather this dog will like the water / swimming.

2.3.11 - Snow day #2

 

Jalen and Derk dug out a hole through the middle of a snow pile by the edge of the driveway.  This pile of snow was not by the road but rather up by our house.  I've never seen a snow piled this high that wasn't from a snow plow.  They finally plowed our road at 4:00 today.

2.2.11 - Yes, 18'' of Snow

 

The storm hit and Hudsonville got 18'' of snow.  Lucy wasn't too sure on how to get back into the house.  We weren't all that sure we wanted to open the door in fear of all the snow that would fall in.

2.1.11 - Future Weatherman?

Jalen was giving us play by play commentary from
the weather channel. Will Snowmageddon hit?