Have I Mentioned....

I really love these people?

Well, I really LOVE these people! Aren't they the cutest?

Moms' Night Out

Well we did it! I get together every week at least once with these ladies- they are AWESOME and such a gift from God. As fellow moms, faithful wives, believers and friends we always enjoy each others company but sometimes with kids in tow we don't always enjoy the conversations we'd like to have. But yesterday evening between the four of us we left 11 kiddos at home with their daddies and enjoyed an night just us moms. It was WONDERFUL! As one of us said, "Its nice to know I'm still a person unto myself- I used to do fun things, drink coffee, hold conversations and not attend to anyone else." How true, and though, this is our time for mothering (and we have been striving to treasure each moment) it is still a beautiful gift to revel in a moment of our own. We smiled and laughed so much our faces hurt. Thanks dads!

Thought-provoking Thursday- 18 Wheeler

Maybe I'm a little strange or perhaps it was my bizarre childhood. But I've always thought it would be fun to go on a "semi- vacation." I'm talking about vacationing in one of those trucks that travel the highways and byways of the States. You know, like a trucker, they have those little 'homes' in the rear (and though I've never seen one on the inside) you could vacate out of them and just see the country. Become a pseudo-trucker-- you'd have to of course go by your CB handle (as a child mine was Bambi ;-)) and talk their language, that's a big 10-4 and honk at all the children pumping their arms in the mini-vans below (Do children do things like that these days? I know we did).

So it may not be a cruise in the Caribbean but then again, I always wished I was Amish as a kid, too!

God Bless this Mess

No formal post this afternoon as hoped (by me) the piles of laundry are taunting me, the toys are breeding (I swear they've multiplied) in the living room and there is no plan for supper. Will the baby sleep more that 30 minutes (I think I hear her stirring now...)?

A well these are the days of ordinary time!

Fire Prevention Parade 2010

Katie or Julia?

Just for fun a little quiz... Katie? or Julia?

A Change of Seasons...a Season for Change

Lots has been happening in our home that keeps me from the computer and specifically from email and blogging. That isn't all bad just a change, one of many taking place as we transition from Summer to Fall.

The girls continue to grow! I am amazed even in a matter of a week Julia seems to take on a completely different look. She's turned 4 mos. now and will have an appointment next week so I'll try and post the stats. She's rolled, back to belly a few times but is typically content to lay on her back. She is getting stronger and with that more control of her body. She enjoys sitting facing out and being wherever the action is (she is laying at my feet as I type).

Here she sits in her Bumbo. I think when she sits she looks so grown up! Yikes time is flying. I found some pics of Katie at the same age. You can definately tell that they're sisters. The next two are Kate, crazy huh? Julia fits in these jammies now and seems to have a similar look. I'll have to see if I can take a few more 'double shots' to show you all some time.

Work has started up again for me in full force. This is by far my busiest time. In the past month I have got our Religious Ed. program going for the year we've got three weeks down now. I found enough teachers this year that I don't have to teach but can just coordinate and assist teachers- hopefully leaving some time for me to improve the program. Planned a Confirmation Retreat for our seniors getting confirmed this weekend and hosted a well attended Parents Night on the Archangels (this past Wednesday was their feast) for our grade school families which was well attended.

My dear husband has been busy, too. Swamped at work these past weeks we have been missing time with him. But the new project is coming to an end (I think) and they have reached production deadlines with a day to spare so hopefully the nights of just Kate and I for dinner (see above- and here for a great recipe) are going to be fewer and fewer.

Because of Kurt's work the girls and I took a trip north for nearly a week. Leaving last Thursday and returning on Tuesday of this week. We really enjoyed time with Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt, Uncles and cousins. We got to catch up with old friends and extended family, too.


There was fun had by all as seen above with these shots of the Boxcar Children.

Kate is also growing and changing, too. She's getting into crafts as seen here with a project Aunty Trina put together for the girls making fall trees for the change of seasons.

My personal jury is still out when it comes for plans for school (seems so early to think about it!) but, she attended school screening at a local public school and is according to them developmentally a-ok. The only things of note were that she's left handed (like her mom) and that I hadn't 'exposed' her to scissors. Both of which I knew before they pointed them out. I don't know about you but a 2 1/2 year old with scissors with plenty of hair on her head and that of her little sisters scares me. Especially since we do hair cuts with Grandma frequently and my mom warned me of her interest and advised to put the scissors up. Well, she's been exposed now. ;-) And she calls the scissors her 'clippers', I think my worries are founded!

On a final note as my time is once again limited my dear husband's arrival and both girls waking up- the Kieler Parade is this weekend, you're all invited to come!