A few things to remember #111-120

The bittersweet truth of having young children in one' life is this old adage: "this too shall pass". While it's a comfort during a trying phase to know that it is, in fact, a phase and will pass soon, it's also the subtly sour aftertaste to each moment when a treasure has been offered, but the treasure can only remain in one's heart.

The kind of moments that make you want to be a better person for the sake of that child.

Peter is 18 months, now! A year ago I felt as though we may not make it through his first year, and his first birthday was a true milestone marker if not more for Brad and I than for him. His second year is flying by! Every day Brad and I find ourselves laughing at (ahem, with) Peter and his new, adorable, or naughty antics that he's developing. He is full of personality: sometimes fiesty and sometimes charming; always determined!

I keep thinking lately that there a some cute little habits that both Peter and Cora have right now that I don't ever want to forget. I know someday they'll outgrow them and move past this stage. The "lasts" often go unnoticed, while the "firsts" get celebrated. Most of these are moments that a photo can't capture, and I'm not sure words can either. But I need to try, for my memory's sake. Here's to remembering...


I'm thankful for and want to be able to always recall:
#111. the way Peter lays teddy on my shoulder, then lays his head on teddy like a pillow while I'm cuddling him at bedtimes...

#112. the way Cora runs to me, arms wide open, yelling with joy, "Mooommmmyyyy!!!!" when I pick her up from preschool...

#113. the way Peter pretends to be shy with other adults, turning his head to the side and lifting up his shoulder in a gentle denial of their offered affection...

#114. the way Cora wiggles her head and shoulders when she's trying explain something too quickly while brushing it off as not that important...

#115. the way Brad can make Peter and Cora giggle like no one else can...

#116. the way that Peter obsessively puts on Cora's shoes and proudly walks around the house with them, often over his footy pajamas...

#117. the way Cora talks about herself as a big girl, and that anything in her past (even 2 months ago) was when she was a "little girl"...

#118. the way Peter hums himself to sleep...

#119. something I've nicknamed "The Mummy Walk": it usually happens when Peter is just a tad too tired and something has upset him; he puts his arms out in front of him with limp hands (picture a mummy, right?) and walks his stiff-legged attempt at a run towards me, usually crying- mouth open and eyes closed. If he were wrapped in toilet paper (please don't give him that idea, though!) he really would look like the portrayal of a mummy! While it's a sad moment for him, my mommy (not mummy) heart smiles a tad, because I'm the one he wants in his moment of distress. It's a twisted part of motherhood...I know!

#120. As you can see, we were able to spend some time at the cabin (also with Mom and Dad B.). I'm thankful for that time together, even with the challenges that come with having two youngsters along!

Lawn Ornament



Our new "lawn ornament"

Our house in on the market! We've spent some extra energy decluttering, sorting, storing, throwing, and prepacking our belongings. We've tried to unpersonalize our home so that when potential buyers come it they don't see all our stuff, but rather a home that they could potentially live in. We haven't repainted anything and didn't have big projects to tackle, thankfully. But I finally tackled all of the little cleaning details that I usually try to overlook! I know I should always be in a habit of cleaning baseboards and dusting ceiling fans and window coverings. Now that those tasks are finished I love how fresh it makes each room feel! There are other things I would enjoy doing like replacing the carpet and a few other improvements...but we're going to let the next owners put that money into the house.

My little helper wiping down baseboards

Please join with us in praying that God would bring the right buyers at the right time at the right price!

A-theologing we will go...

The long-awaited news has arrived: Brad has been accepted to Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI. We are planning to move in early August...and so begins the checking off of a list of to-do's that is 5 months long! We've made the announcement here officially, and now it's time to let the word spread. We're excited, a little mournful, and a bit overwhelmed. The biggest prayer items on our minds right now are 1) selling our house and 2) getting a good serving of financial aid to help us next year, and 3) overall wisdom in so many decisions yet to come.

Every spring Brad encourages the students in the youth ministry to "finish well" whether they are seniors wanting to mentally check out, athletes with a lot on their plates, or the average student anticipating summer break. Now that reminder is for us. We have a lot of responsibilities and relationships here that deserve our attention, even while we work at tying up lose ends and planning for our departure. The end is in sight and a lot needs to happen to be ready for this huge transition. I think I need more encouragement to finish well and stay engaged than Brad. I'm antsy to get moving on details that don't really need to happen until June or July! Patience and perseverance are what's needed!

Any tips on moving a family of four across the country and downsizing from a home to an apartment?

Tooth Brush holder

Again, being painfully practical, I needed a solution to keep C and P's toothbrushes and toothpaste from rolling out of our medicine cabinet. So here's what I came up with.

So simple and it's been working great! Here's all you need:

3 toilet paper tubes

a scrap piece of cardboard for the base

4 pieces of fabric approx. 6" x 6"

hot glue gun

Glue the fabric around the toilet paper tubes and around the cardboard base. The fabric is a little wider than the tubes so just fold the edges inside and glue them down. Then hot glue the tubes to the base. Voila! The variations of this are endless. Unfortunately the tubes aren't quite big enough for adult sized toothpaste, and brushes are too topheavy, but it has solved this problem for me in a simple, cheap, crafty way!