Yikes! I Need Help!

I cracked myself up this afternoon. Seriously!

I found myself franticly rushing from one room to another, one bookshelf to another in search of a book I wanted to reference. I was SURE that, like always, I had put the book in a LOGICAL spot so I could use it as a quick-reference.

I looked in the guestroom.

In the master bedroom.

Under my bedside table.

I looked high.

I looked low.

Suddenly I stopped at the realization of how IRONIC the missing book title was, "The Complete Guide to Getting & Staying Organized." Yep! I need some help! :)

Cookie Monster (Thief)

Blake snapped this picture the other day. Our little man was quite stealth-like & (uncharacteristically) quiet. I looked down to see his chubby hands snatching the cookies away!

Another Boy!

Xander and I just returned from a quick trip downstate to welcome our newest cousin/nephew. My brother (Kevin) and SIL (Jolynn) had an adorable, chubby boy yesterday. They named him Drew Kendall (...Kendall being a combination of the grandpa's names; Kent & Randall...how cool is THAT!). He came into the world weighing a MERE 10lbs. 3-ounces and with the most amazing brown hair with perfect blonde highlights.

Speaking of AMAZING hair, here are the littlest cousins in the family sporting their own unique hairdos (and expressions). LOVE the cuteness & craziness!

And here's a shot of three of the 4 siblings in our family; all who have welcomed a son within the last year. Me & Xander (17-months), Kevin and Drew (1 day) and Brenda and Isaak (2 months). We are VERY blessed indeed!

Oh...Save My Ears!

Ladies and gentlemen... (not sure if any gentlemen read this blog but it sounds more 'announcer-ish' saying that)...we have a SQUEALER on our hands!

For about that last week, our sweet little boy has been SHRIEKING up a storm.

Often.

Repeatedly.

Unannounced.

While running errands yesterday, I overheard (or was told directly) things like the following: "Wow! That is REALLY loud!" and "Oh, my!" and "Yikes! That is a really high pitch" and, don't forgot the little girl who mysteriously appeared to give Alexander a ball each time his voice reached unheard of octaves in an attempt to silence him! Combine that with the GAZILLION non-approving looks I received, and let's just say I felt like racing home...right after purchasing a pair of earplugs, that is.

If you all have any parenting experience/advice in regards to this not-so-adorable behavior, PLEASE share.

Until then, if you happen to hear an earth-shattering, ear-piercing scream that makes your knees buckle & your hands sweat...don't be alarmed. Just assume you've come within a 100-mile radius of our little guy and simply cover your ears! :)

God is Enough

I am struggling this morning to face the week ahead with the energy, attitude & joy which I know is required to have a God-honoring week. My mental (and written!) ToDo list includes a variety of tasks: decisions to be made (both big & small), projects to be completed, plans to be coordinated, etc. Currently, I find myself filled with anxiety and feeling wholey inadequate to begin tackling anything. Do you ever have moments in your life when you feel 'paralyzed' by emotions/circumstances to do even the simplest of tasks?

While pleading with God for strength/wisdom for the day, my heart remembered a phrase I recently read, "GOD IS ENOUGH." Yes! That's the answer. My strength is in Him! "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect..." Psalm 18:32. "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord is my strength and my song..." Isaiah 12:2. "I will strengthen them in the Lord and in His name they will walk..." Zachariah 10:12

As I surrender my emotions/circumstances to Him, I know is it true. I do not have to posses all the answers nor do I have to walk thru this week & my ToDo's perfectly by my own strength. GOD IS ENOUGH. Enough for this moment. Enough for today. Enough for this week. Enough ALWAYS.

Summer Days...

Xander is LOVING his afternoon pool time...well, not today b/c it's raining. These pics are from last week. He loves to 'make splashes' but soon begins whining b/c the water is in his eyes. Silly boy!
Oh...and I would love any insight from experienced parents for how to remove soggy, swimming diapers from a wiggly I-hate-getting-my-diaper-changed toddler without smearing the...ummm...'contents'...all over. Is a scissors the only solution?

Day at the Zoo...

Alexander and I met my SIL (Jill) and her daughter (Karissa) at the Milwaukee Zoo earlier this week. It was raining, raining, raining for most of our drive there but upon arriving, the weather was fabulous & dry. Although the kids (specifically Xander) might have been a bit young to truly appreciate the animals, it was a fun, FUN day...complete with picnic lunch & a train ride.

Here are some pictures from our time together & a few of the animals we saw.

Just hangin' in the stroller... GIRAFFE FACT: Giraffes have the same number of vertebrae in their neck as we do. They're just MUCH bigger...

Lunchtime for the elephants...

This lazy bear was cracking up the zoo visitors. He was 'denied' access to a hammock by another bear already inside so he climbed onto this flat roof section for his nap. He checked the 'hammock availablity' on several occassions but his roommate was not budging!I told Karissa, "We need a picture for Grandma!" & she grinned. LOVE those blue eyes!

The peacocks wandered all over the zoo; they were everywhere!

A train adventure...Thanks, Jill & Karissa, for spending the day with us. Let's do it AGAIN!