Our climber

If you've been wondering why I don't post as much on the blog, or talk as much on the phone, etc, it's because I have a daughter who does things like this. And I really want her to live to tell about all her adventures.

Some things you just have to get a video of...



Oh, and the toilet bowl is seriously that girls favorite place. No videos of that, though:)

She keeps life interesting and we love it!

Playing

There are few things I love watching more than a child lost in the world of play.

Happy 30th, Brian!!!

Is this not the sweetest picture of Daddy and his boy?

Today, Brian turns 30! Wow! God has been so gracious in giving me Brian as a husband. I really believe there is not another man out there that is as selfless as Brian. I am extremely spoiled as a wife. This weekend we're glad to be lavishing a little extra spoiling on him, for once!

Brian requested no party, but just a weekend enjoying his family. So that's what he got. (It is his birthday, after all, I thought I should comply!) Our only goal this weekend was to make Daddy feel extra loved. I think we're accomplishing that:)

I'm incredibly excited about what God has for Brian and our family in the future. I don't know all the details, and how everything will work out, but I'm excited to see what it will be.

Different Personalities!

As Olivia's personality begins to blossom it has become apparent that she is very different from her brother. It is really so fun to watch the differences in them. I am loving seeing all the new things that each one comes up with, and look forward to all the moments of watching them grow up and their personalities develop. I don't want to pigeon hole any of my children into a certain type of personality. I want to see their own God-given characteristics develop and grow as they become the person God created them to be.

Olivia is always going! Her newest trick is climbing. And while I had seen her on top of the little table before, I was still wondering if she had had help getting up there (think brother?). But no... I caught her red handed yesterday. She also loves climbing in and out of Stefan's bed, and I caught her eyeing something on the kitchen counter with the chair dangerously close by. I knew what her little mind was up to, and I quickly stopped the activity. No doubt, however, sooner or later when Mommy isn't looking she'll figure out that she can reach up to grab something off the counter if she uses the chair.

She is already masterful at pushing around chairs to serve her purpose. Yes, she isn't even quite 13 months and she's not walking yet! Life's just going to get crazier. But boy is it fun to watch! Setting boundaries has new meaning now that Olivia is in the picture! I have a feeling she is going to be very creative when she grows up. We'll see though. We are just starting to get a peek of her little personality.

While Stefan has his loud and boisterous times, he can just as easily be completely engrossed in a book, puzzle, or moving vehicles. His imagination is just now really taking off. I heard him talking the other day about his trucks and cars being friends and they were having quite the conversation! He is becoming more creative with his play. He is much more methodical than Olivia is (at this point anyway), and he is a very neat boy. He loves lining things up neatly, and puts things away where they belong. (Yay for Mom!). I have a feeling he'll be cleaning up after his sister's messes a lot in the future! He can get easily frustrated when his sister comes barreling through and messes up all his neatly lined up toys. Just another opportunity to teach patience and self-control.

(Stefan took this picture himself. Didn't he do a great job? He said he wanted to show you all his train!)

Random Shots

Reading with Daddy inside Stefan's tent

One of the ladies that made a meal last week made homemade rolls to go along with it. I thought it was so sweet of her to think of the kids and make them their very own teddy bear rolls. It got lots of giggles out of Stefan as he ate off the head and then each paw, etc!

In our house you must put the groceries away fast. Olivia went diving through the bags and found the apples and helped herself. Notice the apple on the far left. Good thing I saw her before she had bit into all the apples. (She really loves apples, in case you were wondering!)