Here's to admitting that I couldn't even remember the blog address...that is how long it has been since I've blogged...oh dear! Well, I guess it is update time.
Since school let out things have been busy, busy, busy! I always seem to forget that I feel busier being at home than when I balance work and home but I love the days with my kids! We've filled our days with swim lessons, swim and play time at the Kroc, rearranging bedrooms and closets at the house, visiting friends and family, and trying to get things organized before Baby Boy Mangis arrives. Throw in a week of illness for most of us and teeth cutting and you have one tired mom!
Jonah's Update: He is almost 6! I look at my boy and wonder where the time went. Jonah has been very responsible this summer. He LOVES helping Keira. A million comments, questions, arguments...come from him. Jonah has a never ending run of words and observations. He is working hard on reading and it is exciting to see the world of words come alive for him. Jonah tests and tries to argue or "explain" so our summer battle has been our family rule, Obey the first time, every time, right away...then you can ask why or put in your two cents worth. We'll get there...he has a beautiful heart. Poor Jonah ended up with Jonathan's tiny mouth and crowded teeth. We found out today that he will need some early orthodontic work to avoid serious issues later. His baby teeth are crammed in there and instead of falling out many are getting pushed back as the adult teeth come in. The dentist estimates at least 6 will need to come out and some widening procedures done.
Liam's Update: Liam is your typical 4-year-old boy. He shoots everything in sight, protects us from the bad guys, has a vivid imagination, and also has a pet dragon named Toothless who lives in "my forest." Toothless has amazing abilities and many many birthdays! I love his creativity. Liam is our early bird. He is usually up around 6am asking if he can "watch a show" or play the Wii. Thankfully, Liam has not inherited his Daddy's mouth so far we are in the clear on that one! Liam has a tendency to get very frustrated when he can't do something and growls (literally) about it. Our cute little man tries to get away with murder around here but his heart is precious and he is sharp as a tack!
Keira's Update: My how our little girl has grown! She is quite a firecracker! Keira loves rough housing with the boys and can certainly dish it out. She has a precious little laugh and a glint in her eye that mean trouble is on the way! Keira had a big growth spurt recently and her adorable little summer dresses are a bit short! She's cut quite a few new teeth and is saying lots of new little words. Lately she has taken to saying "Mommy" and "Daddy" which is so precious! She has kept a reddish tint in her hair and has the independent spirit that goes with it. I am looking forward to doing a 2-week session of "swim lessons" with her while the boys are having their lesson. She loves the water so hopefully it will go well!
Jonathan's Update: Jonathan is working really hard. I am always impressed with how he comes up with so many solutions to people's problems. Blessed doesn't even come close to describing how I feel when I look at the man I married. He is an amazingly involved Dad and loves spending time with his kids. He is always willing to help out at home with whatever I need. Unfortunately, by the time the kids' bedtime rolls around we are so tired we don't get many items off that "To Do" list!
My Update: About 2 months left in this pregnancy. I feel like there is less than that though and have felt farther along than I am throughout this pregnancy. That probably means that I will be "overdue" with this one! I am almost done with my two grad courses for the summer and then I am picking up two "easy" ones from PSU soon. That will leave me with my thesis....oh that evil thing that I must tackle to accomplish the goal of earning my Masters! I get a little anxious when I look ahead at the amount of work for that thesis balanced with a new baby, work, and home but I see the light at the end of the tunnel!
The pregnancy is going well. Our little boy is growing and causing all the normal pregnancy issues such as heartburn, fatigue, and sore feet. Other than that it is a textbook pregnancy. I plan on going to the local birth center for this delivery and am excited to try and see how it goes! I've had natural deliveries with all the others so I am hoping it goes smoothly with this one too!
My newest adventure is that I am going to start selling Premier Design Jewelry! I thought and prayed about this for quite some time without mentioning it to anyone. Jonathan and I discussed it and we are hoping it will bring in some extra income but we won't be depending on it. I love the product and the prices and the hostess plan. It is a great company (a great Christian company) and I am really praying it goes well. I won't be doing lots of parties this fall because of the baby but I want to do several every month so that this coming spring I can step it up...hopefully!
So our little family is growing by one more and the boys talk about the baby all the time. Liam asks every other day if we can go and get the baby out now. They come up with all sorts of "facts" about things that he can and can't do...it is pretty cute. The summer is just flying by and I dread the boys going back to school. I am jealous of that time with them. I am proud of them and, despite our bumps along the way, the life God has given us is blessed beyond what we imagined possible!
