Life is So Good

Before I get to the positives, I'll give this post an initial taste of realism: I am not enjoying being pregnant. In fact, this is my least likable pregnancy ever. Headaches, morning sickness that RETURNED at 24 weeks and is still here. Sciatic nerve problems. Hip problems. When I go to the bathroom after lying down or sleeping for an hour or more, I literally shuffle/limp the whole way because my hips/lower back are so stiff and sore.

But, enough of that. I have to tell you all the great things in life - and I truly believe these are beyond coincidence, but are blessings I really need right now:

1. Every child is loving school and doing well in class!
-Azael's teacher is a big science buff, which is right up his alley. The past week or so they've been taking care of monarch worms; some have made a chrysalis already. It's so fun!
-Ephraim is always so excited to get to school. He complained once that math was too easy, but his teacher immediately got him some harder math and he is so excited about it! This is the same first grade teacher Azael had and she's wonderful.
-Silas is attending preschool for FREE and his teachers are SO FANTASTIC! The head teacher just won an award for being one of the best teachers in the city. Silas and his class will be on TV on Oct. 5th if you'd like to watch. (Silas attends an early childhood special needs classroom; half the class has special needs and half, including Silas, are there to model "normal" preschool behavior.

2. Instead of coming home from school begging to watch TV or play computer, all 3 boys have been playing literally hours in the backyard with the neighor kids. They play anything and everything, including some type of battle game with teams and homemade forts. Here's a photo of some type of "chase the ball" and "tackle each other" game. Do I sound like I know nothing about sports? The ball is actually a moon bouncer.

3. Azael and Ephraim are HAPPILY READING on their own every night. They are both currently reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Azael finished the Secrets of Droon series last month. Anyone have a new chapter book series to recommend?

4. Mystery Man has been a calming influence and a fun hubby. We've been watching back episodes of "Thirty Rock" and "Monk" online after the kids go to bed. Both are funny and we laugh a lot. MM often rubs my back while we watch. I love having my back rubbed... ahhh.... And I'm not really giving much back to him. I'll admit: I'm a taker right now... does having a baby count as giving? Earlier this week I thanked him for a backrub right here on this very blog. I deleted it after he suggested someone might get the wrong idea... :)

5. Biggie: Lorelai is now potty trained! Aside from the occasional "skid mark" in her undies, Lorelai is staying dry/clean - even for naptime! Yay! She still wears a diaper at night, but that's fine with me!

6. The to-do list I created a year ago is reaching its end, just in time for our baby. I even have most of my Christmas shopping done.

7. We've hired someone to deep clean the house every 2 weeks. I love this so so so so much! We're certainly far from rich, but hiring her is worth every dime. In fact, she just cleaned this morning. Coming home to a spotless house is BLISS! Could this be why I'm feeling so happy right now?

8. I have great friends - we have so much fun each week! I have a blast talking to my friends at playgroup, church, bookclub, food group (cooking/recipe exchange group), and more! I feel very blessed. As Abraham Lincoln said: "The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."

And now, lest I wax too poetic*, I will close. Life is really good.

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*Note: at the end of my first pregnancy, I actually wrote a poem about and for my friend, Amber J. I think she thought it was, um, interesting.... Sappy pregnant women!

It Only Takes a Minute...

This morning I said, "OK - Silas, Lorelai - it's time to get in the van and take Silas to preschoool. Go upstairs." Less than 60 seconds later, I followed them up to see this:

An escapee! Wearing nothing but underwear! In the front yard! With cars driving by! And neighbors looking out their windows (well, maybe not, but they could have been)!

Note: Lorelai has been potty training this week, so when we're at home, I just leave her in panties. She's rockin' the potty training, by the way. Still some accidents, but the quantity making it into the toilet is increasing exponentially. 3 days down. 11 to go. Two weeks is my deadline. Completely potty trained in two weeks. Cross your fingers!

Two Funny Quotes

Two new funny quotes. (Both are from Silas, who is 4. I am coming to realize that 4-5 year olds say the funniest things, at least at our house).

Builder Guy on a Bike
While on a walk this morning, we walked in a mini-construction zone where several men were fixing the sidewalks. They all wore the orange/yellow vests. Then, in the midst of this, I turned to see a biker riding by on the street who was wearing a safety vest that was nearly identical to the construction workers. Silas let out a gasp, and then said, "Mom, why is that builder guy riding a bike?" Silas and I laughed about this for the next block.

Stupendous
I overheard Silas calling one of his brothers "Stupid." I told him we don't say that and he'd need to take a time out. He quickly replied, "I didn't say stupid! I said stupendous!"

What Mystery Man Does for Fun

This is what Mystery Man has been doing for fun lately:

Any guesses what this is all about?

Hint: our kids are helping him.

Memorial Union

What campus doesn't have the fantastic Memorial Union, right? Well, sorry folks, the MU here is the very BEST ever. Here are Azael & Silas, along with German friends Christa & Wolfie, enjoying the MU terrace.

We Love Keith & Maggie!

Summer is coming to a close. But I have to give a little tip of my hat to our friends, Keith & Maggie. (pictured below). They are the biggest PARTY THROWERS I've ever met. They have people at their house to BBQ every single weekend. Maggie will often extend a full-blown facebook invite to anyone out there! They live in the country on 2 acres, and our kids have a blast!

Some of our kids playing on their trampoline...
So three cheers for Keith and Maggie - the two people who will do ANYTHING to help ANYBODY!

Germans, Harleys, & Good Food

I once taught an English class while on my mission in Germany and met 2 great people, Christa & Wolfgang (Wolfie). For the past 15 years, they have come to the US twice annually to tour around via their Harley Davidson motorcycle for about a month each time (I envy the length of European vacations). Their Harley is stored in Los Angeles at a friend's house, so they always begin in LA. Normally they tour around the Western US, but this time they decided to cross the Missouri and even the Mississippi! They drove 2500 miles in 8 days, which is apparently no small feat on a motorcycle. They are staying with us this weekend. It has been interesting to remember how to speak German. Thank goodness MM is fluent. In fact, I have been surprised to witness a personality change in MM this weekend. Either he is a different person when speaking German (more outgoing) or he just prefers Europeans. So conversationally speaking, this weekend I've been able to sit back and enjoy myself, chiming in here and there, but mostly just relaxing while MM does the talking.

Here are our boys on the Harley Road King, along with Christa & Wolfie (in our garage):

Azael is in his element...

Ephraim gives the motorcylce a try, too.

Silas is more reserved and apparently has yet to develop his "bad boy" motorcycle personality.

Christa & Wolfie went to the Harley Davidson museum in Milwaukee yesterday and loved it. Today I made a full-blown German style breakfast with bread, meat, cheese, marmelade, and so on. Yum. MM is loving this. The longer we're married, the more I realize he wants more European style food. Anyone have any recipes for me? I'll be making Apple Streudel soon. I might just share...

Three cheers for Christa & Wolfie, re-learning German, and great food!

Curb Appeal?

We bought our home in 2004 and plan to move in 2010 to something a bit bigger. This summer we changed the trim paint. We also changed the landscaping a bit, but the photo doesn't show much of that. Here are before & after photos. To be honest, I'm not sure how much the changes will help with our home sale next year, but I decided it looks cleaner at least. And I apologize the photos aren't in the same location or season. Use your imagination. :)

Before:

After:

Mirror Funny

I found Silas looking in our 3-way mirror. He had both sides open so he could see multiple images of himself. As I walked in, he seriously stated, "Hi Mom. I was just talking to my clones."

Back to School

Last June, our kids created a "fun stuff to do this summer" list. It said:

do science experiments

go to the beach

go to the pool

Go to the Wisconsin Dells

See "Up"

Go Camping

and so on

The last weekend of summer finally rolled around, and the last 2 items hadn't been accomplished, so MM set up the tent in the yard and camped out with the boys. It was raining, so I didn't know how long they would last. Silas was inside within 40 minutes. Everyone else stayed out until about 6:30 the next morning. MM didn't come in until 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. :)

We also went to see "Up" on Saturday, checking off our last "to do" and we even topped off the evening by eating at Pancake Cafe. Yum. Here's a photo of the campers:


On Tuesday, Sep 1, school began! Here are the official back to school photos. Apparently I need to take a photography class, but despite my limitations, everyone looks pretty excited to go!

Azael (3rd grade)

Ephraim (1st grade)

Silas (who is in preschool)

I'm happy to report everyone loves their teacher, everyone is excited to go to school each morning, and I've actually enjoyed some extra quiet time.