It has been a long time since I updated and for that, I apologize. But life gets in the way sometimes. I'm sure you understand. Add to that an "out-of-commission" laptop and well, you get it. (long story short: laptops and toddlers are not a great combination)

We have an agreement on our house. Meaning an offer has been put on it and we accepted it (after a bit of negotiation) and now we're working out the details of the inspection report, etc. Hopefully everything still goes through - there's a lot to work out that makes me nervous. To add a bit more stress to the situation, we still don't know where we're going to move. We've seen several houses, but are not excited about any of them. I realize I am behaving in a pretty spoiled manner - but I'm finding it hard to love any other house when I have been so spoiled by living in this big, beautiful house. Yes, it's a pain a lot of the times and yes, it's a ton of work. But it has character and a yard. Two things we're finding a lot of homes around here sorely lack. But we'll land somewhere!

The kids are great. Micah is a chatterbox and Téah is the chatterbox who taught the chatterbox. Meaning they both talk nonstop! They also fight a decent amount (sibling rivalry starts young). But they really do play together a lot and enjoy each others' company. Which I love seeing. Téah spent the night at her Grandma's house this past thursday night and Friday morning when Micah woke up the first thing he wanted to do was go find "Béah." He always wants to share everything with her too - it's pretty cute.

Summer has been a bit unusually cool, but still fun nonetheless. In June we all went to Virginia to stay in some cabins right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. They were the kind with beds, a kitchenette and then a common bathhouse for many different cabin-residents to share. My brother, Richard, and his wife, Priscilla and their lovely children, Gideon, Elliotte and Eden, joined us. We had such a nice time with them! The vacation itself was wonderful (and much needed!) and the time with family (who we simply don't see enough) was also wonderful. The kids all played together so well. John and I both agreed that vacation was more relaxing when they were all there with us because the kids all occupied each other and the adults could just hang out and talk.

August should prove to be busy. John will be in Mexico the 2nd - 9th. Téah's 4th (how did THAT happen?!) birthday is the 10th and as of now we'll have the closing on this house the 24th. And of course there's a lot of packing and house-hunting still to take place!

Oh and for the dog fans. The dogs are also great. Often times obnoxious, yes. But they really do add a lot of joy to our lives. Emma is as crazy as ever and Tiny is as goofy as ever. Even though they are a lot of work I will say I love having two dogs is fun. They actually really enjoy each others' company (yep, just like the kids!) and they successfully wear each other out, which is fabulous at the end of the day!

These pictures, in progression, totally cracked me up after I took them. Goofy dogs.




Even though today was kind of cruddy (and yesterday...) we have been able to have some nice time outside lately. Hooray for spring! It's nice to enjoy our yard before it is no longer ours.

Where did my baby boy go?


Téah is getting better and better and riding her trike.


I know this picture will gross some of you out, but it's funny to me. Micah is obsessed with Emma. He totally loves her and goes up to her begging her to kiss her all the time and he returns the favor giving her kisses and hugs. On that same idea - Téah has taken to sleeping in Emma's bed at night. I'm not kidding! around 3 or 4am every night, Téah brings a blanket and sometimes a pillow and curls up on Emma's dog bed and spends the rest of the night with Emma. It's pretty funny!


A goofy picture of Téah in the sun. This was in the living room and the sun was pouring in the front window.


And a picture of me and Téah. (yes, taken by me. It's the only way I get pictures of myself with the kids!)

It has been a long time since my last post and for that, I'm sorry. I often think about blogging then find something else to do (and mind you, it's probably NOT more important. I'm just good at wasting time.) Since my last post (in no particular order)

1. We went to Cincy and saw TWO Over the Rhine Concerts. It was amazing. We also had a great time hanging out with Jill and Jeremy! Téah loved it and keeps asking when we're going back to "jilly's house."

2. John threw me a surprise party for my birthday! I will admit I knew about it ahead of time, but it was John's fault. He told the three year old about it and expected me not to find out! It was a lot of fun. And yes, I'm now 30.

3. Christmas, of course. Some present were finished in time, some were not and will be completed for other holidays. Next year I will plan ahead a little better.

4. I went to TN and NC with the kids, my parents and Gavin (my nephew). John kept things together here in Pittsburgh. We had a ton of fun visiting with my brother, Richard, his wonderful wife, Priscilla and their three kids (Gideon, Elliotte and Eden.) Téah had sooooo much fun playing with all of her cousins and I learned that Micah is a pretty good little traveler.

5. Micah has been dealing with asthma on and off for a couple of months. It's no fun for anyone. He's now on a daily inhaled medicine (via nebulizer) and we're getting better at finding ways to help him "keep his mask on."

6. We got Micah's lastest lead level back and it is NOT as low as we had hoped. We are no seriously considering selling our house and moving. I would ask that you remember us in your prayers with this decision. We're really in a tough spot.

7. We got another dog! (yes, we're officially crazy!) Emma now has a doggy brother named Tiny. Tiny is a 130 lb. Great Dane who is a big baby and loves to be loved and is great with the kids and with Emma (who we love, but honestly she is a bit of a spastic dog!) There are pictures below.

That's all for now! I'll post again soon this time. I promise. (ok, I hope).

I'm sure a lot of you have seen the video for Advent Conspiracy or have at least heard about it. If you haven't, check it out. (click on the link). John and I made a conscious decision last year to try and not go "overboard" with Christmas for our kids. They each get 3 gifts. (ok and I add in one for Christmas Eve that is "bedtime focused") Well this year we wanted to take it a step further so we decided that we would both make one of their gifts and only buy one gift for each of them. Since they can't get online yet and read here I feel confident that I am safe telling you what they are getting for Christmas.

Téah:
1. small table with 2 chairs (made by John)
2. dress up clothes (made by me)
3. Sleeping Beauty DVD (the thing she has voiced that she would really like to have!)

Micah:
1. toy box for his room (made by John)
2. Quilt with matching pillow (made by me)
3. some not-yet-decided wooden toy (I refuse to buy more plastic toys!)

It may not look like much, but they're 3 and 14 months. What else could they need? I'm pretty excited to give them both things that we have worked on for them and that they will have for years to come. And I will admit this: Micah's quilt was supposed to be a birthday present, but I didn't finish it in time!)

In addition to this we decided along with our families to cut down giving all-around. For my side of the family we are only buying gifts for the kids. And we exchanged names so each kid gets one gift. For John's side of the family we are cutting back to one gift each and trying to make those as much as possible. I can't say what I'm making Jill (John's sister) and Alli (John's Mom) because they both read here - but I think they're going to like it! John has something up his sleeve for his Dad and Brother-in-Law, Jeremy. But he hasn't shared with me yet what it will be!

For each other this year, John and I are going to see Over the Rhine in Cincinnati, OH Dec. 19th & 20th. The annual Christmas show they do every year is 2 nights this year with the first night being a reunion of sorts with their former guitar player and drummer. We are incredibly excited! The best part is we're going to hang out with John's sister, Jill and her husband, Jeremy. They live in Cincy and are being extremely kind and generous and are allowing the four of us to crash at their place for the weekend.

It's a great Advent and it's going to be a great Christmas.

Here's a Halloween Synopsis:

John and Téah begin by sketching a face on the pumpkin.


Micah wanted to taste the pumpkin. So we let him.


And he liked it!


Precision is key when carving a pumpkin.


The finished product!


Téah posing with her pumpkin.


Meet Téah the Butterfly and Micah the Puppy.


All ready to go trick-or-treating. Ok, at least the 3 year old was.


"this is where I'll put my candy!"


Micah was less than impressed with his costume.

Micah turned ONE on Friday! (Sept. 26th). I can't even begin to understand where this past year has gone. It went so fast. Micah is the most easy-going, lovable, playful, sweet little boy you could ever imagine. I can't really believe that he is headed straight for toddler-hood now. And boy is he ever! This kid is crazy and a ton of fun!

We had a party for him on his birthday and had a lot of fun with friends and family. Here are some pictures of the birthday boy from his big day.

Being cute earlier in the day:


This is Micah's new "ooh!" face. He does this whenever he thinks something is interesting or he really wants it. I think at this point it was the camera!


Opening a gift:


This is what seems to happen whenever I try to take Micah's picture anymore.


"Here, you can have this hat. I don't need it."


Micah liked playing in his cake. Once he tasted it, he was done with it though.

Note: This is the third post I have done tonight. I was feeling the need for some updates. So make sure you read all the way down!

Here is a general picture update from the last couple of months.

We've been going to John's parents' cabin a lot lately. Which is fun. Emma and Téah especially love it. Here's Emma chillin' in the big yard up there.


John, Téah and the German Shepherds in the creek.


Téah in the kitchen of the cabin. It must have been humid. Her hair is very curly here!


John and Téah on John's 31st (!) birthday.


Micah loves Emma's bowls. I have scraped dog food out of his mouth several times and if there is no food in her bowl he just plays in her water. The funny thing is it freaks Emma out and she runs away if she sees him crawling toward her bowls.


Téah with some summer corn on the cob. Some days she loves it, other days she won't touch it!


Look who can stand on his own!


Size comparison of the two kiddos as of August 2008. I have a 3 year old and an almost-one-year old. CRAZY!

Now for a report on Téah's birthday. All Téah would say she wanted for her birthday was a pink carousel horse. We really don't know where she got this idea from, but it was funny. She agreed to getting a day at Idlewild where she could ride the carousel instead. I also got her a pink carousel horse shirt to wear. Both grandmas and Gavin were able to come with us. It was a fun day! Here are some pictures from the day:

The first "ride" of the day. I love how John is doing all the work while Téah and Gavin ride along.


Raggedy Anne and Andy. (oops I mean Téah and Gavin!)


Téah deciding where she would like to go for her 4th birthday!


Téah on her carousel horse!



Micah was quite the trooper for his sister's birthday.


Téah and Gavin in a car.


Me & Téah posing for a pic. (well, at least I was)


Téah loved all the "kid rides" as she called them.


Her day at Idlewild wore her out. She was asleep within 5 minutes on the way home.


After falling asleep like this we headed to church where it was the monthly dinner night. Much to Téah's surprise everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to her when we walked up. The problem was she was still half asleep and burst into tears when everyone started singing. I felt very bad for her although it was pretty funny too :)

The next weekend Téah had a birthday party where we invited her friends and family to a cookout at our house. Here are a few pictures from that fun night.

Kids playing with bubbles.


Gavin pulling all three girls around. This was pretty funny!


Téah and Zaida.


Micah loved hanging out by the kiddie pool playing in the water. He did actually fall in head first at one point though!


And that concludes Téah's birthday report. She had a great 3rd birthday celebration!!

She love me! She really loves me!



on another note she'll make a great mommy someday...


Micah looks mighty cute in his hat, don't you think?


This was post-bath. Her hair doesn't always look this nice.


I'm sitting, I'm sitting!! Look at me!