Life

I have not visited my blog for quite some time.  Honestly, life has been crazy - on multiple accounts!  Work has been busy, which is fun. Home is always hopping with activity, thanks to two active boys!  Family adventures also seem to be never ending.  Plus, in a little over a month, we will be adding one more little person to the mix!

Mr. Fixit has been busy in the landscape department.  He sure loves playing with that tractor of his!  I wonder if the tractor sometimes groans with anticipation when he slides that shed door open?  Either way, some day, we will have a nice looking yard.  It just may take 2 or 3 more years to get there!

It seems like most of my home time has been spent cooking, cleaning, laundry and sorting clothes.  Both boys have grown, and it is time to switch out the seasons.  Plus, I have been blessed with lots of second hand girl clothes.  So, I have been washing and organizing this clothing as well.  I do about 6 loads of laundry a week for myself and the boys.  I can't imagine how many more will be added to that total soon!  Mr. Fixit does his own laundry, so that is a huge help.

Sister AR has returned from her mobilization, and is currently stationed in the area.  So, she is our week night guest.  Things definitely are not dull!

Mr. Fixit's Mom has been doing great!  She is feeling better, and it is a blessing to have her out and about again.  We have enjoyed some visits, but work has kept us away this month.  Hopefully, we can sneak in a visit before the baby arrives in October.

My Dad is having a difficult time, and is fighting hard.  Chemo, dialysis, blood clots and cancer treatment side effects constantly take their toll.  We are praying for healing and guidance on how to best help him.  This certainly keeps us all occupied.

Well, that is the update!  Enjoy this photo of the boys enjoying some dirt fun!

"Big" Pepper!

"L" loves to haul produce everywhere.  Instead of placing the harvest in the bucket, he likes to carry them around until we take them inside.  Recently, he thought the cows should check out the "big" tomato that he plucked.  So, he stood beside the gate, held the tomato up and told the cows all about it.

The cows were quite impressed, as you might imagine.  They stared back, chomping on their grass, with a very quizzical look.  So, "L" continued to explain the finer attributes of his veggie harvest!

Garden Gifts

One of "K's" favorite evening activities is garden produce picking.  This has been a fantastic year for a garden!  We have been blessed with timely rains and fantastic weather.  The weeds have also really enjoyed the environment as well, but produce is ready for harvest!

"K" has enjoyed picking "matoes," peppers and onions of late.  Mr. Fixit will dig the onions, and "K" hauls them to the bucket.  A few days ago, our three nice green bell peppers did not make it into the house.  "K" chomped them down like an apple!  Good thing that we have more growing ;)

Little Cowboy

We have been tremendously blessed with new-to-us toys!  The boys have a blast, and it has been fun to watch them play with toys that another child (or few) enjoyed once upon a time too.  This horse is one example of a new-to-us toy.  We received it late spring from one of my friends.

The horse hangs out in the basement, and "L" is has mastered climbing upon the horse and riding it himself.  The getting down part is still a work in progress, but getting up is easy.  So, thanks to all who have given us toys, we truly enjoy each and every one!

Life in Perspective

One month ago, or nearly one month ago, I posted to my blog.  Honestly, I can't believe a month has passed this quickly.  Our world has been turned upside down.  It is so hard to believe that the other life before existed.  Both Mr. Fixit and I have each witnessed a serious illness for one of our parents. 

Both parents have been fighters, but it is truly difficult to imagine how this situation became possible.  One of the most difficult things I have experienced, up to this point, is caring for a sick child.  That is tough.  They don't understand why or what is happening to them, but they feel miserable.  Plus, you lose much sleep in the process.  However, I would concur that a sick parent is almost as trying. 

Our little guys are too little to understand what is happening, and hospitals are really not a good environment for toddlers and preschoolers.  So, Mr. Fixit and I have not been able to help and see our parents as much as we would like.  We simply pray.

On a recent visit to see my Dad, for the first time since his diagnosis, we snapped this shot of all 10 grandchildren.  This was one of Mom's request during our visit.  Thanks Sis JK for making this happen!

Grandpa Time!

Grandpa came to visit recently, and the boys love their Grandpa!  Grandpa makes beef jerky, of which, boys are big fans.  Grandpa also loves to snack.  Again, the boys love snacks, so they enjoy snacks together.  Grandpa takes the boys to the store, and both boys love going shopping.  I usually try not to take them with me to the store, because shopping does not happen quickly when I do that!  The visit went well, and Grandpa and Grandma arrived safely to an from our house.

"L" and Grandmas

On our recent grandparent visit, I snapped some photos of the boys with grandmas and grandpa.  I decided that I need to remember to pull the camera out more when they are together.  Usually, we are so busy doing things, that the picture-taking part gets lost.  So, in honor of summer, here are some pics of "L" with his grandmas! 

Grandma & K

May was a great month for visits with family!  We were able to enjoy two Grandma's and one Grandpa!  The boys had a blast, and it is neat to see them develop the connections with our parents. They are older, and can remember what Grandmas and Grandpa look like, and like to do.  They also know where to find all the hidden "treasures" at each house.  We look forward to many future visits full of memories!

Life on the Ranch

Where does the time go?  So, it has been 10 days since I posted, and many probably are wondering where I am at?  Well, I am still here, but summer has hit!!  I am busy with new student enrollment at work, and then we are busy with lots of outside projects at home.

Mr. Fixit is working on a new fence.  In the process, he is cleaning up some brush.  A much needed project, but very time consuming.  In the meantime, rain has been happening -- yeah!!  The garden is growing, and well, the heavy rains have caused some additional fencework for Mr. Fixit.  However, we love being outdoors.

The boys seem to wake up earlier now -- since it is lighter earlier.  So, we are enjoying our favorite breakfasts: "K" loves granola bars and "L" loves "o-meal!" We have been busy attending outdoor summer events, and just enjoying great weather.  Yeah for summer!

News to Share

Well, we have been quite busy with boys, and they are starting to become quite curious about Mommy's belly.  So, we are excited to share that a new addition will be added to our family at the end of October or beginning of November.  Things have been busy, and honestly, I can't believe that we are already at 20 weeks!  Where does the time go?  Apparently -- very quickly when you are expecting baby #3!  Special thanks to a co-worker who snapped this first photo of my pregnancy :)

Oatmeal Man

"L" loves oatmeal, and by love it -- we are talking two-bowls-a-morning-type-love!  Needless to say, I need to remember to tell his teachers that he enjoyed oatmeal that morning because there are usually more diapers than normal!

I try to limit "L" in his oatmeal intake, but fits usually ensue.  This picture was snapped after the second bowl was consumed.  As you can see, oatmeal eating is a very messy endeavor.  Immediately following this snap, his placed the empty bowl on top of his head.  I have heard that oatmeal is good for your hair ;).  So, the way to "L's" heart appears to be oatmeal!

Party Time

"K" has really been a busy party goer recently.  Lots of birthdays to celebrate, and each party has had its own unique personality!  This party featured gymnastics fun and cake, ice cream and juice.  Let's just say "K" was a bit on sugar overload.

The juice and the ice cream were sure a hit, and well, the cake was virtually untouched.  The party favors included stickers, a small plastic slinky and a hot pink elastic bracelet.  "K" has been sleeping with his bracelet each night, and insists on taking it to and from school each day.  Wow, would have thought that the bracelet would become the most memorable favor?

Potty Time

"K" is not really sold on the whole potty experience right now.  Actually, he told us that he was not planning to use the potty any more.  He was, "done with that."  My first thought was, what!?!  However, I decided that eventually, he would come around.

"L" on the other hand, really wants to sit on the potty, but does not know what should actually happen while there.  He is into throwing paper in, and flushing.  Yes, the flushing part is quite attractive.  So, I figured, well, we must capitalize on the "wanting to sit."  Will my New Year's resolution of having "K" potty trained come true? 

Gardening Gurus

"K" has really gotten into the garden experience this year.  He is so excited to help plant the seeds and the seedlings.  Actually, if Mr. Fixit tells him we will be planting watermelon tonight, he remembers.  As we are driving home from childcare, he asks me, "Mommy, when are we planting watermelon?"

"L," on the other hand, is the unplanter.  He believes it is his duty to pull the plants out, or step on them.  I am not sure where he acquired this notion, but it sure is hard on the plants!  So, usually, "K" helps Mr. Fixit and "L" and I head to the sandbox.  I look forward to watching our garden grow, and "K's" excitement too!

Reading with Dad

Both boys truly love books!  We read each night, while on the potty (if I can get them to sit that long) and at church.  "L" received a new book for Easter, and he absolutely loves this book.  It has been selected as a "read at church" book for the past month.  So, it definitely is a favorite.

Recently after "L" had his snack, he wanted to read his new book with Mr. Fixit.  That is the photo that is captured here.  I look forward to capturing many reading memories for years to come!

Easter Truck

Easter is definitely a fun holiday for kids in Mr. Fixit's family!  The family "egg" (aka "stuff") hunt definitely will be a memory that will be fun for the boys to gain each year.  The only disadvantage to this family fun -- is what should we, as the "Easter Bunny," do for the boys? 

We don't want to become "stuff" focused on this important day.  So, this year, each boy received a wood truck and new crayons.  It was low-key, but still marked the joy of the day.  As they get older, my plan is to do some type of art supply item for that day.  I think it will be a fantastic way to recognize the "Creator" who made our lives possible!

Miss Mommy Tree

We recently celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary.  Wow, who would have thought that 4 years could go by so quickly?  I just remember high school seeming like an eternity, and these past 4 years have certainly moved very fast!  Mr. Fixit decided to mark our day - and Mother's Day - with a new addition -- a Redbud tree!

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I really loved Redbuds, and thought that some day, it would be nice to get one.  Mr. Fixit purchased one, and enlisted the help of his two boys to help.  The "help" part may have been a little laid back, but they had fun just the same.

"K" has been calling me "Miss Mommy" for some time now.  I think the whole school thing has been rubbing off!  So, Mr. Fixit decided to call the tree the "Miss Mommy Tree."  It sits right outside our dining room window.  So excited to watch this tree grow as our family grows!

Mom & Boys

Mr. Fixit insisted on snapping a photo of the boys and I, after I snapped one of them.  I am really bad about getting a picture with all of us in it, and Mr. Fixit said that some day -- the boys will wonder where I was when they look back at pictures!  So, one of my goals is a family picture some time this year!

As you can see, "L" was ready to dash off (after snagging Mr. Fixit's hat) and "K" was ready to go check out his bucket contents.  So, not a super stellar pic, but a fun one just the same.  Hope your Easter celebrations were truly awesome too!

Chalk it Up

Even though this was "L's" second year involved with the Easter hunt, this really was his first experience as a true "hunter." Last year's hunt was spent napping with Aunt "B" in the car ;).  So, I carried his bucket and worked to guide him in finding his loot.

"L" was really interested in gathering rocks, so we had a couple of meltdowns over this, but survived and did successfully gather all his items.  "L" loves sidewalk chalk.  I guess he likes to taste it at the childcare center.  So, I will need to keep an eye out for chalk licking!  I thought this picture was too fun of "L" trying to get inside his bag of chalk.

Egg Insides

"K" absolutely loves the plastic Easter eggs!  He now has the dexterity to open and close the eggs.  Some of them are still tricky, but for the most part, he can do it himself.  I think his favorite thing about this year's hunt were the eggs that contained quarters.

Each child found 4 mini eggs with quarters inside.  When he found his first egg (all eggs are labeled with the child's name), he shook it and said, "Jingle bells Mommy!"  Well, after the hunt concluded, he combined all the quarters inside a larger egg.  He carried the egg all night, slept with it, and carried it in the car to childcare the next day.  I am hoping that some day, we can get those quarters inside his piggy bank for safe keeping!