Fun with The Schoolcrafts

A few weekends ago, our friends from WV  - Crystal, Ezra, and Addison - came to visit, and we had a great time.  Their little girl Addison, and Audrey are the best of buds and Audrey has really been missing her.

 We went to the Pittsburgh Children's Museum to see the Curious George exhibit and while there the girls got to make yellow hats that they loved modeling for us.

 This seesaw was pretty cool as there were bubbles that went up in the see-through glass case each time a side went up or down.

 The water table area was lots of fun and provided lots of opportunities for getting wet.

 Anna greeted Curious George but Audrey wouldn't go near him.

 Anna had fun building water pipes in the water area.  However, her shoes got soaked!

 The girls also enjoyed playing in Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.  I didn't know it until moving to the area but he was a Pittsburgh native.

Audrey and Baby

Audrey is all about her babies right now.  I remember Anna being the same way at this age.  Both girls will be a great help (maybe too much) once baby boy arrives.  They are having so much fun watching his room "come to life" as we get a little bit more done every few days.  This past weekend we washed all the blankets, clothing, bibs, etc. and the girls had a blast going through it all and even trying some of it on their dolls.  We're all getting very excited!  I haven't posted a video for awhile so here's one of Audrey and baby Sarah.  I'm not sure what Anna's singing in the background but she's just being Anna - almost always singing something!  I was trying to get Audrey to sing to her baby as she was serenading her before I turned the camera on but of course she quit once I started taping.  I'll keep trying to capture it because it's so sweet to hear her sing to her babies the same songs I sing to her. 

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A New Friend

Anna has a new friend at school whom she talks about all the time.  Her and Molly have hit it off well and last Wednesday, Molly invited her to go with her to ballet class as it was "bring a friend" week.  Anna was thrilled!  The girls get along very well and are always holding hands or hugging.  I'm so thankful she's found a special friend as I know she was really missing her friends in WV.  Can you believe how much bigger Anna is than Molly?  My goodness... and they're only a month a part in age!  Anna is definitely the tallest girl in her class, even towering above some of the boys and she's one of the youngest too.  I wonder if she'll continue to grow at this rate or slow down?

Labor Day Weekend

I've been wanting to post these pictures for a few weeks and finally got it done!  We drove to IN over Labor Day weekend to meet up with our good friends who were our neighbors in TN.  They live on the Illinois/Iowa border now so meeting in Indianapolis is a good half way point for us to meet up.  It was so GREAT to see Quentin, Paula, Elli, Jess, and Owen.  It had been almost 2 years since we saw them last - way too long!  We had to cut our weekend short as their family came down with  a stomach bug but thankfully we got to have 2 days with them enjoying the Children's Museum and hanging out together.  The Indianapolis Children's Museum is a wonderful place!  They always have great exhibits that are changed often and fun hands-on activities for the kiddos. 

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Big Girl Audrey!

I am shocked!  Audrey has potty trained so fast and easy that I still can't believe it.  I heard about kids who were like this but never thought I'd have one.  It really only took a few days and she mastered it.  She tells us when she needs to go, she'll go when we're out and about (although public bathrooms disgust me!), and she's staying dry all night too.  WOW!  It was so much harder with Anna and I anticipated it wouldn't be easy with Audrey either but she's proved me wrong.  I'm so thankful for this blessing.  I was really hoping to have a break from buying and changing diapers before the baby is born and I'm really going to get it, first time in 5 years.  AWESOME!  She loves her panties, has so much fun picking them out each morning, and won't even go near diapers or pull-ups anymore.  What a big girl!

It's Finished!

I didn't get pictures taken before construction started but when we moved into the house the basement was nothing but concrete walls and floor with 2 hanging lights.  Now we have a wonderful great room and storage closet with several other smaller closets.  We're hoping to finish the bathroom down there next spring.  The crew that did the project was great to work with and fast... getting it all done in just 4 weeks!  Thank you Lord for more space and storage!

Poops, Pukes, and Fevers

I know that's not a very pleasant title but that's what's been going on at our house.  We've had such a rough past week.  Anna started vomiting last Monday night and throughout last week it hit Michael and I and ended with Audrey along with the other two glorious symptoms.  Michael and I both had it at the same time and we were practically crawling around the house trying to care for the girls without getting too far away from the bathroom.  Thankfully the Lord saw us through but I pray that we don't ever go through anything like that again.  It's still lingering as we're still fighting nausea and exhaustion - it's one nasty virus!  Hopefully the worst of it is behind all of us and we'll be free from illness for at least a year - HA! 

The girls have both been so clingy and lethargic.  They're slowly getting back to their energetic selves.

32 Weeks

My belly is huge and I still have around 8 weeks to go which seems like forever in my uncomfortable state.  I'm definitely carrying this little guy different than I did the girls and my back and hips are feeling it.  There are many times that I can't find a single position, sitting or standing, that takes the pressure off.  Riding in the car puts my legs and feet to sleep not to mention the start of swelling.  I envy the mommas who have fairly easy pregnancies and enjoy every minute of it.  I love to feel him move although he's getting so strong that even that's painful at times.  Despite all of the crabbing, I am so thankful for this little life growing in my womb and I'm soooo excited to hold him! 

Little Miss Bus Rider

Well... Anna loves the bus and Mommy survived the suspense of waiting for her to get home.  She actually got here quicker than I could get back here with her and she has to wear a seat belt which is wonderful!!  I'm not sure I'd want her to ride if she didn't have to because the roads around here are DANGEROUS!  There are plenty of curves and hills and most of the back roads around our house have speed limits of 25 or 35 mph which tells you just how unsafe they are.  I'm glad she liked it and I'm thankful they provide this service for private schools as I was spending almost 2 hours a day in the car taking her to school, coming back home, going back to pick her up, and then coming home again.  Thank you Lord for watching over my girl!

Surrender...

I'm sitting here waiting for my dear little Anna to get home ON THE BUS and the only word that keeps coming to mind is "surrender".  This is not something I do easily!  I am head strong, strong-willed, determined, whatever you want to call it and I like to have control.  This is something the Lord has continually worked on throughout my life and I'm sure He'll continue to do so until the day I die.  The definition of surrender is to give up or yeild possession or power.  In terms of mothering, that can be hard to do.  As a mother I want to control every area of my children's lives making sure they're safe, well taken care of, and generally happy.  When I'm not with them, I can't be sure all those things are happening.  However, I also have to realize that they belong to HIM, HE created them, and HE loves them more than I ever will.  HE can care for them better than I can and HE is with them always!  I'm trying to hold it together, trying not to freak out, and let my emotions go wild.  When she started preschool 2 years ago, I had to let go a little and have had with small things in the past few years but riding the bus home - this is big stuff for us!  I've had this little girl at home with me almost every day, most days the entire day, for 5+ years and now she's gone a few hours every day and today is riding the bus without me.  I can do this only because I know that my God is with her even when I can't be. 

Encouraging Words

"So don't be anxious about tomorrow.  God will take care of your tomorrow too.  Live one day at a time." 

Matthew 6:34 TLB

I cannot imagine going through life without the direction and encouragement that comes from God's Word.  This is a verse that's spoken to me many times throughout my life and it's really seeing me through these days of transition as we adjust to life in PA, Anna starting Kindergarten, getting the house put together, and preparing for baby boy.  I praise my Father in Heaven for always being with me and seeing me through all that He allows to come my way!

Off to Kindergarten...

Today Anna started school and boy was she excited!  Of course her camera crazy mommy had to take tons of pictures and when we got to her school she said, "C'mon mom, I don't want to be late!".  She wasn't late and actually we were a bit early.  She looked so cute in her school uniform as did the other kids.  Audrey told me "goodbye" as soon as we walked in the classroom and then went and sat down at a desk and said she wanted to color.  I had to explain to her that she wasn't staying and when she and I did leave, she kicked and screamed all the way through the parking lot to the van hollering for Anna.  Of course she had to wear her boots too... ever since Anna has wore her new school shoes, Audrey's been all about wearing her cowgirl boots. 
Anna said she had a good time at school and we celebrated after school by having homemade chocolate chip cookies.  My mom always spoiled us with warm cookies when we got home from school and that's something I want to do for my kiddos too.  There's nothing better than coming home from school to your house smelling like cookies!  She then chose to go to McDonalds for dinner so that's what we did.  She even got a free ice cream cone there... talk about a great day for a 5 year old!  My dad asked her if she was the teacher's pet and she said, "No!  I'm not an animal, I'm a kid!"  Such a funny girl sometimes!

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Here's a few pictures from Anna's Kindergarten orientation this past Monday.  That helped add to her excitement as she learned where her desk, cubby, and classroom were.  Plus she got to play in the gym while the parents had a meeting with the teacher.  That was a big deal to her.  =)

Audrey was sad because she couldn't go.  It won't be long before it's her turn!

Audrey's New "Do"

I mentioned that both girls got their hair trimmed, actually cut, as I cut off about 2 1/2 - 3 inches on each of them and I'm still adjusting to Audrey's new look.  Anna has had her hair short before but Audrey has not and I think it completely changes how she looks.  Her hair looks much healthier and it's soooooo much easier to deal with.  Both girls have lots of wave and curl in their hair, especially in the ends, so having their hair shorter has made it much easier to wash, dry, and comb.  Thankfully, there's been lots less crying as we haven't had as many tangles to deal with. 

Pawpaw and Grandma Kathy

My parents visited us this past week/weekend and it was so good to see them and introduce them to PA.  My mom is unbelievably talented and can make just about anything with her sewing machine.  Oh to have that gift!  I was not blessed with that talent or patience!  She made curtains for Audrey's room and Michael and I's room out of bed sheets and they turned out great!  Anna loved watching Grandma sew.

The finished product for Audrey's room is below which doesn't nearly do them justice.  The lighting is terrible in this picture but they turned out soooo cute and I love how they look.

Dad was a great help entertaining the girls!  He read to them and was even brave enough to be the patient of Dr. Audrey.  =)

Saying "Goodbye" is never fun!  Thank you for coming and for all of your help!  We love and miss you!

If you look closely at the last two pictures you might notice the girls' shorter haircuts.  Mom and I gave the girls some much needed trims.  We cut at least 2 inches off both their hair and they look so cute. 

Makin' Progress

We're making progress getting many boxes unloaded and broken down.  The only ones we have left to unload are those in the garage and those holding our clothes (Michael and I's) that we can't fit into our closet.  Our closet in this house is 1/2 the size of the closet we had in WV so we're going to be parting ways with clothes we don't love and only keeping the clothes that are in season in the closet at that time.  Moving is good for cleaning out closets and getting rid of things we don't want or need but it sure is tons of work!

A "Deer" Friend

This little stinker was outside of our kitchen window right before dinner one evening last week.  We couldn't believe he was so close in broad daylight.  The deer love to eat our plants.  We need to get the repellent sprayed on them but we sure do love watching them in our backyard.

Daddy Time

Laying on the floor watching a video or show with Daddy is a favorite thing for the girls. 

Another Fair

This weekend the Washington Co. Fair started and the girls have been asking to see more animals so we thought we'd go check it out.  They had so much fun seeing and petting animals and riding the kiddie rides.  We even got to take a hay ride from the parking lot to the fair entrance. 

The bunny with black eyeliner  :)