Season of Change

Hey all, I am still out here! I obviously have not been keeping up with our blog. I feel like I never have time for it anymore. I don't even keep up with the blog reading and making comments on other's posts either. Also, since I have got my new phone in December I don't even log into Facebook anymore. I just generally look at status updates once a day, occassionally making a comment and looking at a few photos. I've been seeing updates about how they don't like the look of the new FB layout and settings - but don't really have a clue what they are talking about yet.

I work fulltime (and occassionally and then some)and have two small children. We are active in our church and within a small group. I am often overwhelmed with the responsibility. Recently, I have really been convicted on making a change in my life. A change to become a stronger Christian. I feel like I have been talking about wanting that for years, but haven't really done anything to make that happen. Those who know me well, know that TV is my drug of choice or my poison, if you will. I have been a TV addict for as long as I can remember. I have always enjoyed different programs and investing into the characters.

I have ALWAYS known that I should watch less TV and spend more time reading my Bible, being a servant and friend to others, etc. You could go on and on why watching less TV is a great choice. Being with our current small group and helping a friend through her life crisis, my heart has been stirring. How in the world could I possibly be the Christian and spiritual person, wife, and mother that I want to be when I watch so much TV?!

It seems like the DVR is always taping something. In the past I have justified the amount being taped was OK, because I could fast forward thru slow parts and commercials and an hour show could now only be 35-45 minutes now. Of course I knew that just meant that I could tape more shows to watch. On Thursday, I made the decision to cut out half of the shows I watch. I am praying that it won't be that hard to adjust, yet find it sad and embarassing that I might miss these shows. Satan has been doing an awesome job.

I have been thinking in my head about which shows I will cut out and how many shows I even watch but realized I needed to put that all in writing. I am more of a visual person as opposed to spatial. I have 28, yes 28, shows that I DVR. I may have even forgotten a few :( Of course, not all of them are on in the same season, but probably 20 or so are at the same time or overlap slightly. Granted there are a few that I crossed off that were a better choice to keep watching than what I chose to keep. I am going to list it all below as my public confession. The BOLDED shows are the ones I am giving up, some will be easier than others. I have already gone thru the DVR settings and cancelled some.

Chuck
Heroes
19 Kids & Counting
American Idol
Biggest Loser
LOST
Modern Family - my new favorite show
Community - also a new fave
Grey's Anatomy
Glee - another new favorite - is set in my hometown of Lima, OH
Medium
Survivor
America's Funniest Videos - this has become a family favorite. I love watching Brynn watching this - her laugh is contagious.
Amazing Race
House - I have really enjoyed House
Jon & Kate Plus 8 - ended anyways, but just heard there were talks of it coming back
Little People Big World
America's Best Dance Crew - no brainer, not sure why I bothered watching anyways
CSI:NY - one I have watched since it's very beginning
Fringe
The Office - an old fave I will miss
Private Practice - show has gone crazy
Secret Life of an American Teeanger - embarrased to admit this one!
Numbers - ahh, watched this show from day one, i've loved it, and Larry just came back!
Big Brother - smutty show, started not watching as much last summer
So You Think Can Dance
Extreme Home Makeover
Saturday Night Live - usually only watched a few regular skits and some of the singers.

For the shows I have cut out, I am not saying at some point I will never see another episode. I am saying that it will no longer be DVR'd. I will not follow it each week and season, or look forward to it. I do have a few other shows that I don't have it set to tape new episodes but I do enjoy watching them when I get the chance. I may still do so, but be more conscious of how much time I am spending watching them. This includes: Clean House, What Not to Wear, How Do I Look?, Hoarders - I generally watch these shows right before bed or when I need to work after the kids are in bed, these will be on in the background.

Please pray for me, pray for wisdom, pray for a more servant heart, pray for the Holy Spirit to be with me when I read my Bible and for understanding of God's teachings. Thank you friends.


...by the way. The kids are well and keep us entertained. Brynn acts so grown up and does well in her Pre-K class. Derek is growing like a weed and is getting more and more verbal. I do have a few photos from the holidays that I haven't gotten around to posting. Our camera was broken for about 6 or 7 weeks, but we just got it fixed. Whoohoo!

Derek can walk :)

Yes, Derek can walk!! I wouldn't say he is a walker yet, but he's walking small distances and then taking a nice tumble. It is so cute!! Until I can get a video posted, here is just a cute picture with him and his fireman hat.

Blogwebs

It's been so long since I've posted a blog I have to break through all the cobwebs ... LOL. I don't even know where to start on the catch-up or what pictures to share.

Derek is getting more personality and it's so adorable to watch him grow. He's almost one year old already! So insane! He's getting more teeth on the bottom, taking their sweet time but definitley there. He's been crawling for awhile now and is quite fast. He is also cruisin along the furniture very well. We can get him to briefly balance himself unaided, but he quickly sit's down or grabs on to something. His laughs are still irresistable. He had his first haircut at 10 months!! He jib-jabs all day, a handful of words you can even understand.


Brynn started preK today. She has a big class with many of the same kids from last year and then many new ones. She was so excited and can't wait to go back on Friday. She's a super big helper for Derek and Mia (our wonderful nanny is back with her baby). She loves playing her games on the computer - pbskids.org. She participated in the church musical about a month ago. Her age group were little bugs. She really had a great time.


These photos actually occur in reverse order, the top is the most current down to the oldest. I didn't feel like taking the time to reorder them.

Derek decided to sneak away and check out the toilet.

I didn't think the toilet resembled anything close to being a fun toy. Yuck! Yes, we immediately washed his hands really well.

Brynn got her hair cut, a little shorter than normal,but oh so, so cute!
Can't really tell from before, but his hair was way down in his eyes when not wet, it's still super curly but now it's not down in his eyes.
Curls, curls, curls
I love bugs, hairy, scary bugs ....
Brynn, first night of the musical.

The Millers!

Derek loving the swings.

We went on a vacation/reunion to Gatlinburg. It was so much fun.

Dirt is one of the best children's toys :)

Playing outside, both kids LOVE being outside.

Brynn climbed in with Derek when he woke up from a nap.

He is so cute when he sleeps. Obvious, he likes sleeping on his side. He LOVES his little blankies and like to tuck them under his chin and snuggle.
Princess Brynn
When he was finally learning to hold is own bottle, a pro at it now. Also does really well with a sippy cup and a straw.
Until next time ....

9 months

Derek is over 9 months old now. We just took him in for his check up. He is 21 lbs 13oz and 30.5 inches long (75% and 90+%) He is still not crawling but I think he will be in the next two weeks. He is very mobile even though he can't crawl. He rolls, turns, and scoots to what he has his eyes set on. You can tell he is understanding more and more words and expressions. He likes to hold his own bottle now. He can clap when you ask him to or shake, shake them around. He has quite the personality and loves to make you laugh. He has the greatest giggles and belly laughs.

Room Service

This happened two weekends ago but life has been crazy with work, having fun, computer was crashed for several days, crazy storm that took out power and a tree out. Life is still busy but I wanted to share a quick Brynn moment.

We were taking our afternoon nap. She woke up and tried to wake us up but we were pretty much dead to the wind. I heard her playing with things and going in and out of our room. Finally, after and hour of this we woke up. Matt turned to get out of bed and started laughing....



She had created us "breakfast in bed", as she called it. Pizza and hamburger meat for breakfast, yum! Ha ha! What a sweet girl!

Sweet things

Derek is 8 1/2 months, has 4 teeth (edit 6/20/09, he actually has 6 now!!!), eating more and more chewable food, can clap his hands, and reaches out for you to he held.

No peeing on the mantle

We made a mistake of letting Brynn eat a bunch of watermelon before bedtime. We had planned on waking her up to go potty again before we went to bed...fast forward an hour....

Brynn stumbles sleepy-eyed out of her room and into the living room. She pulls down her pants and sits on the mantle as if it's the toilet!!!!

Matt was like, No, No, No! That's not the potty! Come on lets hurry to the bathroom. She holds herself and waddles to the bathroom just in time. Whew!

She's already back asleep and probably won't even remember in the morning that she thought the mantle was the toilet. She's a funny girl!

Soccer Boom

in the car on the way home....

Brynn: (a big gasp) Someone left that soccer ball out.
Me: Mmhmmm
Brynn: Now the thunder is gonna come down and BOOM it!
Me: (chuckles)
Brynn: Seriously, it's gonna boom it right up.

Princess Brynn turns FOUR!

Brynn turned 4 today. She had much excitement and anticipation leading up to today ... and she wasn't let down. She truly enjoyed her party at the park and we didn't have meltdowns or any pee-pants. Whoohoo! Although not everyone we wanted to be there could attend we had a really great turnout of family and friends. A party at the park is a great idea ... no dirty house to clean up afterwards and lots of space for the kids to play. Getting everything there wasn't the most exciting thing, but well worth it.

It was just slightly interesting. Our party was from 10-noon and we didn't rent the pavilion (not paying $200!). We were taking our chances it wasn't booked. There ended up being someone who rented it from 12-6 and they showed up at 11:50 and wanted to boot us out of there so fast. We were done eating and had just finished our cake and ice cream so we graciously moved to the grass area under some trees to do the pinata and open presents. It actually turned out to be more fun like that!

Enjoy some photos.

In the morning, the birthday countdown ends. Brynn is 4!

Silly smirk from Derek who now by the way has 3 teeth!

The best nanny ever! ... her first child will be here soon, July 11.
We are very excited to meet Mia!!

Makes me nauseous just thinking about this photo and the spinning :)

Princess Cake (one of her only two requests for her party)

Great photo and yummy cake.

Cool Princess Castle pinata (the second of her only b-day party requests). No bats involved. Each kids takes a turn pulling a ribbon and the lucky one pulls the one that makes the bottom open and the goodies fall out.

Opening presents under the tree.

I am 4!

Blessed with so many gifts!!!

I cannot imagine life without Brynn. She somehow makes me laugh everyday and her laugh is so contagious. It's crazy to think how much she has grown in so many ways throughout this last year. Even though some of her behavior lately has been incredibly challenging I pray that I never forget that God gave her to us, how special she is, and that each day with her is an awesome gift. Mommy and Daddy love you soooo much Brynn!

Memorable Memorial Day

Whoohoo! A new post! It's been a couple of weeks and boy has it been a packed few weeks. A plethora of photos to share. Derek will be 8 months in a week and Brynn will be 4 in less than 2 weeks!! Stayed tuned to the end for video clips! Let's see here.....

Brynn finally learned how to ride her bike (with training wheels). We got the bike for her 3rd b-day last June but until 2 weeks ago she had no interest. Now we can't get keep her off of it.

Derek now has two bottom teeth and working on a top tooth!!!

Derek's hair has gone wavy! It can be tamed too minimally wavy if brushed straight right after his bath, but when wet it curls up. I think his hair has also lightened in color a little too.

Brynn finished her first year of preschool. The last day they had a picnic with their classmates and families. She was so excited to have Matt and I there and to tell us about her friends.
Maggie is her favorite preschool friend.

Brynn can now also blow her nose....I didn't think she'd ever learn!
No photos of this but a few other cute pictures of the kiddos.

This past Saturday we went to the zoo with some friends.
It was a great day and all the kids were awesome.

Today we walked to the park and had a picnic. Derek fell asleep and we laid him in the wagon and Brynn ended up peeing her pants right before we left.

Derek was sleeping so peacefully in the wagon. Slept all the way home too.

Munching on an apple slice. With his new teeth he wants food he can chew. He now eats Cheerios, small pieces of banana, apple, or ham and gnaws on a carrot. He's growing way too fast!

Return walk home from the park

Train ride at the Detroit Zoo