Blog - oh why do I avoid thee?

So I am sitting here at the computer, quickly checking facebook to see if I have any new news on plans for family time in Michigan, and I am realizing I NEVER write updates on the blog. I must confess that I thought I would be better at this than I have been.

Let's update then shall we? Okay, where to begin...

TIME CHANGE I LOATHE THEE!!! So my kids can't seem to adjust. We are living on a "pre-fall back" schedule in a post-fall back world. Not fun. I miss having my second cup of coffee and quiet in the morning before the starting my day as a mom.

It's still in the 80's and sunny most days (and it's getting cooler in the morning and evenings, perfect for walks).

JoeAnna is still wearing size 12-18/28-24mo clothes. I can't seem to make her grow. :)

Graham is totally out of his 9mo clothes - way to long, and he will soon be bigger than JoeAnna. He can sit up, roll over, copy sounds, laugh and smile (and very well I might add). And he's eating great! He can almost feed himself puffs. He doesn't have a real interest in moving (a lot like Joe at his age) but he does turn himself in a circle. He loves rattles (his Mickey rattle is his absolute favorite, he shakes when he sees it)! He still loves to swing; he'll swing for a collective 2-3 hours a day! (And more if I'd let him).

JoeAnna loves to go to the pond in our subdivision and feed the ducks. She's made friends with all kids of animals around here: lizards, ducks, dogs, and bunnies. We say hello to them most mornings on our walks. Today, I let her walk too and she had a blast. She made it around the whole pond once! (It's a pretty nice size.)

We were recently able to visit with Rob's grandparents, Don and Patricia Pitt. They are wonderful great-grandparents. They are traveling evangelists and so being able to see them throughout the year is sometimes tough, so we are proud to say we were able to have 3 meals with them while they were on a break in Haines City (just south west of us).

Before they were in town, Jonathan and Heidi Grooms and their boys were in town for a Missions Conference here at BBC. We had a great time reconnecting with them and seeing each others' children for the first time. Elijah and JoeAnna were great friends. Joe has really become a "tom-boy" and loves to run around with her buddies, she is much less shy with other kids than she was.

I am still adjusting to life here in Florida. I still love the area, and our home. I am learning to accept the challenges I am faced with daily, and I am so thankful that God chose to use this opportunity to mature and prune me. I am seeking Him daily and desperately. I never want to loose this kind of passion for knowing Him. It's awesome to be more disciplined though, I was truly missing out before! The Proverbs are right, the lazy man is a fool!
I have been reading a lot more too - I have some great books I've been using to teach JoeAnna about God and they are exciting!

Well, lest I waste this time (while both kids are sleeping), I must be done for now. Here's hoping I will write again soon! :)

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Graham playing peek-a-boo

Sleeping Kids in hats

Both kids are about the same ages here, I just thought they were so sweet sleeping in their car seats. :) Plus they were both wearing hats! Fun!

Thank you Aunt Amanda & Uncle Matt!

JoeAnna's favorite puzzle is this seemingly difficult one of the 50 United States. She knows where almost all of them go just by either the shape or by one of us telling her the name of the state! It's pretty amazing to watch her put it all together.

Saturday Morning Fun

So, this is my first post (this is Rob) and I'm excited to share with you a craft Joe and I did this morning.

The day started with me going to a men's Bible study at the Church. When I got home, it was Cara's turn to go to a Bible study with our Pastor's wife, Rasha. Fortunately, Graham was sleeping when Cara left, so I only had to keep Joe occupied for a couple of hours. I don't know how Cara does it day in and day out. She is a strong woman.

After going through some options with Joe on what she wanted to do, she settled on plato. So I propped her in her high chair and we started sculpting masterpieces. I got the idea to start making body parts out of plato (Nothing like Michelangelo's "David". This is a G rated home). What transpired was the pictures you see above.

We had a really good time.