we had a shower

the baby kind--at our house on saturday. A fun day to celebrate my friend diane and her baby boy! It was cozy, but I think overall--successful.

where have we been?

OUTSIDE.

and since it's suppose to snow tonight (?!?!), we're glad we've been taking advantage of the nice weather. come on spring...

I did something I said I never would.

Bought a minivan.

So I think now I have officially done everything I said I wouldn't. I married Ben (#1 farmer, #2 pastor)--which I'm pretty happy about btw-- and I bought a minivan (#3). Never say never again?

We're now the proud owners of one of these:

confessions of a (normal?) mom

Sometimes I wonder if life around my house is more dramatic than others. Either that, or people just aren't talking (cue comments, perhaps?)

I mean, take a couple weeks ago for example. When Jonah locked himself in the guest room, and after a significant amount of time of no response from him, knowing he was really into wrapping the shade cords around his neck (??), I became convinced he had strangled himself and kicked the door in (impressed?). I promise...damage was minimal. And I'd do it again if I was in the same situation...I mean, it does make for a good story (weeks later, when I'm over the trama). And my husband does still, on occasion, affectionately refer to me as churck norris (isn't that sweet).

Or try today. Ben's day off--leisurely breakfast at Panera and a stroll through World Market. Turned dramatic when the little adventurer--whose hand I was holding--tried to make a break for it but I held on. As we left with him crying/whining, and not willing to move his arm, I had a flashback. Circa 1994? As a doctor's kid, you become privy to information/diagnosis such as nursemaids elbow. And I remember vividly my dad putting a neighbor kids' elbow back in place. So, a little phone call to Iowa, a quick step by step tutorial from Dr. Grandpa, Ben playing orthopedist, and voila! We saved ourselves an expensive trip to the ER (thanks, Dad!).

And now we sit. With a couple of our loves: veggie tales and apples (don't we sound healthy? maybe...except we really LOVE doughnuts, too.)

family of 3.

Soon to be family of 4!!

Cuthbert Baby #2 should be arriving early November--and we couldn't be more excited.

And here are some pictures of the happy big brother.

(Had to make sure and get this post done before tomorrow so you all didn't think I was joking!)

still here...

...just busy with a whole lot of basketball watching and outside playing. Until the last couple days, when Michigan reminded us that spring actually isn't quite here yet. So...we're just watching from the window--which can also be pretty exciting.

when it rains, it pours.

Silly me to think that two recovering sickies, with compromised immune systems, trudging through germ infested airport after germ infested plane would make it out healthy, right? The stomach flu, double ear infection, sinus infection (and FOUR teeth, like we weren't miserable enough?) struck back with a vengeance last week, and both Jonah and I were--pathetic. (seriously, I don't remember ever being this sick). Thanks to a healthy Ben (who is still going strong?!) for doing all the sick laundry--and a million other things. I think we are finally on the mend.

But amidst a week of blah, we did learn one valuable, lifelong skill: