Early Warning System

Lately, before he does anything he's not supposed to do, Ethan will shout, "No, no, no!" It's really convenient that he gives me a chance to come running and stop him from pulling all the books off the shelf or sitting on his sister. I am just eagerly waiting for the day when he shouts "No, no, no," and then actually stops himself.

Tiny Thumb

I clattered the dishes in the dishwasher tonight, and the noise woke up Emmaline. When I went in to check on her, I found her sound asleep, sucking her thumb. Maybe someday I'll wonder why I ever said this, but she's just SO sweet when she sucks her thumb!

Moving Again, Moving Again, Jiggity Jig

That's right, folks... camp house number 4!! It seems like only yesterday that we moved into our lovely home. But it's been a good 10 months, and the winds of change are blowing again... back down the street to the "blue house" next door to our last house...confused? Me too.
Apparently one of the perks of working at Golden Bell for quite a while is that we get to sample the majority of the camp's houses, in ascending order of niceness, when they become vacant. So this year, in keeping with tradition, we are moving from a nice 3 bed, 2 bath to a 3 bed, 2 bath with a fireplace, patio, and tool room. We will be closer to the camp Lodge, too, which will be convenient.
So now we just need to move! I'm sure Ethan will be very good at helping me unpack.

The Springs Experience

This weekend, my good friend Katie came to visit from Seattle. We had so much fun catching up and playing with the kids! Katie has been to Colorado, but never to the Colorado Springs area, so on Saturday, Katie, Danielle, the kids, and I took the afternoon to go to Garden of the Gods and the Air Force Academy chapel. Then another Olivet friend, Angie, came down from Denver to have dinner with us. The weather was beautiful and the kids were little angels (mostly). What more could I ask for?

Too good to last

This morning, the whole family (including the dog) got on our bed to hang out. Ethan was extra-sleepy and wanted to snuggle with us. It was one of those idyllic fabric-softener commercial settings where the family (in matching white pajamas) all cuddles together in the morning. I thought to myself, "This is just so peaceful and perfect. I need to enjoy beautiful moments like this when they come along." 30 seconds later, Ethan threw up.

Correction

Oops, apparently it was Uncle Ted, not Uncle Rob, who wondered if home would still be there after a long vacation (see May 2009 blog). My apologies to all uncles. :)

Anywho, I took a toddler and an infant to Target today to look for some new jeans (logistical nightmare! You know you have 2 under 2 when you organize outings around which stores have shopping carts).

I don't know whether all serious theological minds would agree with me, but I think God cares about small details of our lives too, not just big ones. I'm not really one to consciously attribute every good parking spot or picked-up penny to Divine Providence. But if He clothes the flowers of the field and feeds the birds of the air, I don't think it's a stretch to say He can direct a frazzled mother with a melting-down-needing-a-nap toddler and a sick-of-the-carseat baby to the right pair of jeans in a large department store.

After the kiddos went to bed tonight, I celebrated the successful trip with a bowl of Samoas Ice Cream...delicious. If I keep celebrating all my solved logistical conundrums this way, however, I may need to go back and trade out the jeans for a larger size.

Two in a Row!

Levi is at a CCCA (Colorado Christian Camping Association?) conference, so the kiddos and I are hanging out in Fort Collins with my parents for a few days. Ethan got to play with Aydin this afternoon and with Grandma and Grandpa this evening, so it's a good day! Ethan did not, however, enjoy my dad sneaking up on him with a fuzzy mountain goat hat on.