Mish-Mosh

That's what my brain feels like after a busy season like the one we just finished...at least we think it's over. HA.

I knew things would be crazy with all of the planned relaxing we had on our calendar from the first week in June until mid-July. And while there were moments of relaxation, it's alittle hard to remember them now. It's kind of blurry with my head spinning around.

All joking aside it's been a great 2 months but I'm soooooooo ready to get back into a weekly routine. I'm sure my kiddos will benefit from it too.

Forgive me if I repeat myself in this little recap...I joined facebook 2 months ago and in the midst of our crazy schedule have gone there for brief updates and neglected my little blog...and all of you. Here's what we've been up to:

1. Beach Vacation
What a crazy week but one full of memories! It's fun anticipating what OC NJ '11 will be like with even more kids. We won't be the ones with the youngest though. :o)

2. Stauffer Camping Weekend
A tradition we treasure, though I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I look forward to when the kiddos are a bit older so it's not so tiring. Still, I wouldn't trade this weekend with my dad's extended family, roughin' it, for anything. What is so precious to me is the bond we all share, and that my grandparents (who are 80 +/-) still join us.

3. Fish and Float
A new tradition that started 2 years ago. My dad, Pete, and my two younger brothers loaded all of their camping/fishing gear and some kayaks onto the truck and headed for the Juniata River for 2 nights and 3 days. Rain or shine, whether there is more floating than fish catching, it's male bonding at it's core.

4. 1/2 Birthdays
We started celebrating Natalia's 1/2 birthday last year and I think it's a tradition we'll continue. On her actual birthday in December, we have something she really enjoys for dinner, I make her a cake, and she opens her gift from Daddy and Mommy. It's a quiet night at home...just us. But come the end of June/early July, we pull out the party hats, or at least the sprinkler.

Because my camera just died I haven't posted about her birthday yet. When I get some pictures from my relatives I'll probably do so. Short story though, she got a Melissa and Doug train set as a combined gift and one Thomas series engine, and then some small things. At first she wanted a train cake too but then changed her mind to Clifford the Big Red Dog.

I was so pleased with how the cake turned out. I used the Lemon Wedding Cake recipe off of Martha Stewart's website and then used my mom's homemade black raspberry jam for the filling and my own special white frosting for the outside. YUM. Who knew though that strawberry jam could be used to decorate?! I despise using icing loaded with food coloring...alittle bit is okay, but a BIG RED DOG?! Oh no. :o)

When I asked Natalia what her favorite part of the day was she said, "EVERYTHING!"

5. Weddings and Anniversaries
Pete and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary on June 24th. Hard to believe it's been that long. All I can say is GOD has been so kind and faithful to us. We are the same people who got married that day, and yet we're not--and that's a good thing. I love my husband. He is a good man, an awesome dad, and a faithful friend. And he's a nut, which is like a requirement in my family. :o)

We had the rare privilege of extended time away from the kiddos this past weekend. My college roommate (who is a friend of Pete's too) got married in Virginia on Saturday and so we booked a hotel for two nights and spent more than a few hours driving.

You can tell what stage of life we're in. We had the best time browsing through Barnes and Noble, visiting the coffeeshop, and taking a leisurely lunch! And we couldn't have been happier with our online-scouted hotel and lunch destination. If you are ever in the Harrionsonburg VA area you have to go to the Holiday Inn Express and Bravo Italian Restaurant!

6. Potty Training
It's been more like boot camp--for all of us!
I guess if you have compliant children who are eager to please it's a whole different ballgame.

I'm happy my daughter is a determined little gal with alot of spunk, but OH MY WORD.
We have good days and then some that are anything BUT that.

You can pray for us as we try to channel her determination in the right direction. We need God's help, just as we do for every other thing we endeavor to do, but especially so in this season. We're sensing that everything is about control for her this past year, and like napping, eating, and sharing Mommy and Daddy with a younger brother, this is one more thing she wants on her own terms. And we should have seen it coming, judging by her first days, that she is a fighter. Oh, is she a fighter.

7. Keeping up with Adam.
He's becoming a little guy on the move. First he escaped out of the Bumbo seat a few weeks ago. Then he began rocking on his hands and knees. Yesterday I found him sitting up in his crib and he's repeated it for me numerous times today--when he was supposed to be napping of course. And as I type, he is now inching across the floor in pursuit of a teething ring.

I feel like I'm suddenly trying to catch my breath as he's racing on past me! Where did my baby go?

He couldn't be prouder of himself as he does all of this. It cracks me up to see him sitting there, slapping his thigh with his one hand and laughing. (What's it called when someone laughs with an intake of air that sounds like a fog horn? Because that's his laugh! It's hilarious!)

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