Running in Circles

I'm not quite sure how a whole month got away from me- but it did! Let me try and back-track a little bit. 

1. Thanksgiving 

The Hacketts came to visit for Thanksgiving and we had such a good time with them. The kids loved having cousins to play with and show them all about the Lakes where we live.  We had BBQ brisket, chicken, and smoked turkey and then I made a few veggies and sides to complete our feast. 

We loved showing them around the city- Klyde Warren, the trolley downtown, White Rock Lake, the Allen Natatorium, and Central Market. That seems to be a favorite of all our visitors. They even took us to a Japanese dollar store called Daiso.

2. The Ortons come to visit

Some of our very best friends from Dallas moved to Irvine, CA this summer. They were in town for a quick work trip and I got to spend the day at lunch with girlfriends and window shopping at the mall together. It felt so good to pick up where we left. I miss Nikki and her twin babies a lot! We had Pizza with them for dinner and then said our goodbyes until Christmas.

3. A California Christmas

We are heading to California for Christmas this year with my family. I haven't been home in a long while so I'm excited! My parents have been working on a major renovation so I know they're excited to show off the progress at the house. I'm excited to see the tree decorated, walk down Gingerbread Lane, get Golden Spoon with my sisters, an run in the sunshine! 

Our month has been busy with family announcements, our family pictures, teaching Pilates, starting to job- hunt, church callings, and trying to keep runny noses wiped. I've been feeling a lot of things lately, and sometimes I just want to throw my hands up and say "this is too much- I'm not okay with the state of things" but then as I go to bed each night I cannot help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. I'm surrounded by little people who love me and need me and a husband who is grateful for what I do all day.

We went to the Arboretum this week- I planned to stay for a couple of hours and get through several activities but we found ourselves in one little garden and we never moved on. The kids have played in here before but we usually move along after a few minutes and before things get too dirty (there's sand and water which is really just a messy combination, right!?)

Hazel and Henry both played in the sand for almost an hour and yes they were filthy but totally engaged in it. 

Then Henry moved over to the water feature and my first thought was that I didn't bring a towel or other clothes so he shouldn't play. But then he ran through that water and his face lit up. I said whatever and watched him soak himself head to toe. He was alive and playing and loved all of it. 

Sure we had to undress and ride home in only a diaper and sure we didn't move on to other fun parts of the Children's Garden but I was content just watching them both play. I realized I probably hurry ourselves through activities just a little too quickly. That was a great morning.

:: hazel ::

1. Loves playing in sand right now but does not like getting cleaned up after.

2. She asks so many thoughtful questions- i feel like I'm having real conversations with her.

3. I  hope I can remember the way her little voice sounds forever.

4. Get to be in the Primary Program in two weeks.

5. She is singing " I love to see the Temple " in a trio and I kinda hope she sings so loud and proud instead of reverent.

6. Only has one pair of everyday shoes that fit her right now- but I"m hesitant to buy more shoes as her feet are growing daily.

7. All week she has said her best thing of the day was dad coming home from her work.

8. Her worst thing all day is that dad has to go to work. 

:: henry ::

1. I bought him some moccasins and he's obsessed. He wants them on inside all day.

2. Still getting out of his crib every few nights. He comes into our room so alert and happy.

3. Usually wakes up a little grumpy from his naps.

4. Wakes up in the morning starving for breakfast though.

5. I cannot feed him enough food- he always is hungry.

6. He's gotten for adventurous in the last few weeks- wanting to climb, run away from me, do the bigger equipment at the park.

7. loves playing in the sand too. This was at arboretum and I watched him just play for an hour.

:: hazel ::

:: henry ::

We were so happy to have Grandpa and Grandma Johnson here in Dallas the last few days! They got home from their mission to Hong Kong and Timor Leste just two weeks ago. We enjoyed a day at the Texas Stat Fair, lots of walks, Central Market, and the Arboretum. On Saturday we had lunch at Kylde Warren Park, walked around the Museum of Art, and took the trolley around downtown. We were so happy to see them with the kids and to see Hazel and Henry just adore them. Henry woke up early each morning and snuck right into their bed.

These pictures are only from the Arboretum- but 'tis the season!

I feel like I could sing, yell, and tap-dance out all my excitement. It's been two and a half years of us having only one car that Brice takes to work 19 out of 20 days a month!

We bought a Ford Fusion, barely used with low miles and I wrote the biggest check that I've ever written. It was surprisingly an easy process even with kids in tow at the dealership because we we're paying cash. 

It sure is hard to see that drop in our savings though.

I'm so glad that we have to safe cars and I hope and pray we drive safely! 

We can do hard things- although this is definitely not something I want to do again.

It's Hazel's FOURTH birthday and I can hardly believe it! 

We celebrated this morning with a low-key party at the park where so many friends came for treats and to play on the playground. Hazel's face lights up every time someone say "Happy Birthday" and gosh I just hope she feels special and loved today, but really every day! She's requested a family night and grilled cheese sandwiches for tonight.

Hazel is smart, daring, and kind. She loves climbing high into trees, jumping off of walls, and going fast on her scooter with her eyes shut! She loves to have her nails painted, to have matching outfits with mom, and to have sandwiches for dinner.

She loves to learn. We've counted up to 30 and are working on counting by 10's. She loves to make lists of rhyming words while we're out on walks. Loves to ask questions about animals and learn about the different species. Play-dough, crafts, play-dates are some of her favorites too! She loves using scissors to open packages, and going to the library.

This last year she learned how to swim independently, her feet grew three sizes, and has leg hair! She says the funniest things, love to take baths, and gives Brice a hug as soon as he's home each day.

She can sit for hours reading books, playing blocks, or watching a movie. She loves pretending she's a superhero (wonder-woman currently), watching the soft-shell turtles, and playing princesses. She has abs of steel and more upper body strength than her mom!

She asks for running shoes like moms, wants deodorant like dad, and at least 10 more babies in our family!

Hazel- you are such a fun girl to be around! You keep us on our toes with thoughtful questions, your curiosity, and athleticism. You are a kind friend that always wants to include others and it makes me so happy to see you being kind to others. Sometimes you lose your wits  and get frustrated with your brother but are quick to apologize and include him in whatever you're doing! We are so happy to be your parents and I feel especially blessed that you made me a mom. It's been the most rewarding four years and I can't wait to see what else you can do!

We love you so much bug!

:: hazel ::

1. has started saying "no" to me a lot and i really don't like it. 

2. keeps asking about her birthday and wants to see October 5th on my calandar.

3. has become obsessed with Spanish and calls us madre and padre

4. loves story-time, doing gymanstics tricks, and having playdates.

5. is getting so many mosquito bites this last week

6. her favorite bedtime song... a peanut sat on a railroad track...

7. talked me into buying paints and brushes this week.

:: henry ::

1. figured out how to climb out of his crib so we've been getting some early morning visits.

2. ruins every pile of laundry I fold without hesitation.

3. loves following Hazel around and trying to keep up with her.

4. loves finding construction equipment trucks outside.

5. learned how to somersault and say tah-da (which just sounds like a grunt)

6. likes to be read to now and loves pointing at familiar things

7. seriously obsessed with him in suspenders. 

Yesterday was an exciting day- I registered for the 2017 Boston Marathon. So many people qualify and then apply so I'm not officially a race entrant yet, but I had a good time for my age group and don't see not getting in as a possibility. This marathon is on my bucket list but never did  think I'd be running marathons or running them fairly quickly. I started running to lose weight and de-stress and now it is my go to. 

I should find out if I'm in in the next few weeks! So hopefully I'll see you next April Boston!

:: hazel ::

1. We went to half price books on Labor Day and picked up "Wingdingdilly" by Bill Peet. She is obsessed with it.

2. really loves sorting and grouping things.

3. Gets really excited when she realizes I don't teach that day.

4. Has been sleeping in until 8:00 am for the last week or so.

5. loved playing at the splashpad at Klyde Warren Park on Labor Day.

6. She's really good at eating all her dinner of she knows dessert is up next.
7. I had her sort Brice's screws and bolts and thingawhats and she loved having an important job to do.

:: henry ::

1. has figured out if he dumps the dirty laundry out of the basket he can stand on it and reach the sink.

2. loves looking for trucks out the window.

3. loves playing with shoes and my accessories right now. He insisted on carrying around a reusable bag for the entire morning.

4. is finally sitting still and listening to books.

5. He really is still pretty quiet so I've been really trying to get him to repeat after me but every noise sounds the same.

6. has the most fun of any day after we put Hazel to bed and he gets 15 minutes of both mom and dad time. He turns real cuddly and really silly!

:: hazel ::

1. I bought her her first pack of princess figurines to play with during our move. They were a hit!

2. Loves baking with Brice and this week they made chocolate frosting together to dip into graham crackers.

3. Wants to go to school so bad.

4. She could listen to books for hours. We've been reading quite a few chapter books even.

:: henry ::

1. He has become obsessed with trucks and construction equipment. It helps that the city has been repairing a water line all week right outside our apartment.

2. He is so into everything- this week he burned a whole on our new carpet by holding my blowdryer to the floor. He also broke a blind and hour later.

3. loves being outside and runs to get his shoes anytime we ask him to.

4. this week at the library he pulled the stool over to the self-checkout  and kept gathering books to the desk to check out. It was adorable and then I apologized sincerely to the librarians for the mess.

We made it through another move... this one was a short distance but still a lot of work. We have most things back in functioning order and Brice is tired of hanging picture frames all ready. Our apartment was the exact same layout so putting things back together came quickly. We're grateful for Lisa and Ryan and their truck and our friends for helping!

  Last night as we brought groceries home it was all worth it as we didn't have to make the trek up those flights of stairs :)

It's been a while since I've been so overwhelmed/stressing out but the days are here! 

This last weekend we did some overnight babysitting to earn a little extra cash and to help some friends out. It was a lot of fun but going from 2 kids to 6 kids and back down to 2 has thrown us off our usual routine. 

I totally tripped and fell last week when I was out running and while I will totally survive I got pretty banged up.

We move this weekend which is exciting but a lot of work to prep for and actually do. Hoping everything goes smoothly and hoping I don't forget something important that needs to get done.

We have a car at a mechanic this morning to get a pre-purchase inspection. If all checks out we will be buying a car sometime before Friday! funny enough its another Volkswagen. 

I also recently got called as the Visiting Teaching Coordinator and woof! I'm already feeling like a deer caught in the headlights. like huh? what am I doing? We had 20 new sisters move in the last few weeks that need assignments and all the other parts of the calling have me scared to start but I know I just need an hour of quiet time to get things going.

I'm still teaching three evening classes every week which is so fun but keeps my evenings busy.

Here's to taking one thing at a time and hopefully a productive naptime today. Sometimes a nap for myself is more important though :)

I'm "nesting" big time right now- and no I'm not pregnant. We finally get to move off of the third floor to the first floor. We're moving next week and it is literally two buildings down in our parking lot. I know its still a lot of work to move but I'm not too worried about it. 

Our "new" place will be the same floor plan so its not really like a lot is going to change but I am just having the biggest urges to DIY and decorate and buy some new things. Our apartment will still not be my dream- hardwoods, "bright and lots of natural light", open kitchen- but still! 

Here's some ideas floating through my head.

Having my parents around was a much needed break for me and Brice was more than ready for a few days off work. I'm so glad Hazel and Henry love them and am so grateful that they took the time to come visit us... and sleep on an air mattress...in the living room. 

:: hazel ::

1. learned how to swim this week on her own.

2. We did a week of swim lessons and she's got it down.

3. Loved swinging on the swings at Magnolia Market in Waco.

4. Got ice cream from Grandma and Grandpa 3 times last week and just loved their company.

5. Is so eager to make new friends. Yesterday afternoon at the pool she went right up to some people and said "Hi, I'm Hazel and I'm three and a half."

6. Gets super excited on the evenings I don't teach classes.

7. Wished in a wishing fountain for a new car and new shoes. #priorities

8. Asks so many questions and is just wanting to learn things so badly.

:: henry ::

1. His big swimming highlights are blowing bubbles, floating by himself, and putting his head in the water.

2. He loved snuggling with Grandma and Papa all week.

3. Has ripped two library books this week.

4. can now say water and snack.

5. His size 5 shoes are too tight so time for some new sneakers. Loves putting away our shoes in the evening for us.

6. Every night when he's done with dinner he chucks his spoon or fork so hard. We cannot get him to stop, but I want him to use a utensil.

:: hazel ::

1. we signed up for the summer reading program so we've been reading through books at lightening speed.

2. One of the prizes for the week was tickets to the Dallas Children's Theater to see Pinkalicious. Brice took her and she loved it.

3. Staying up until 9:00 wasn't fun the next day though.

4. Loves swimming especially doing cannonballs.

5. Helps make lunches now and can do the peanut butter spreading.

6. She has gotten quite impatient with Henry and gets so frustrated at him.

7. Tells me that Saturday is her favorite day because nobody has to work.

:: henry ::

1. This cute guy has turned into a little pill.

2. He gets into everything and does it just to irk me.

3. He unplugs the blow-dryer about 20 times while I dry my hair. 

4. Loves swimming too and isn't scared to jump right into someone's arms. He's very cautious about getting into the water until I say "okay ready!"

5. Is repeating more animal noises now but still pants like a dog instead of doing a bark or "woof " sound.

6. We have a pile of sticks under our staircase outside that he adds to daily. I am a mean mom and make him keep them all outside.

7. His separation anxiety reached its peak as we started with the nursery drop-offs.  He has a few tough minutes at the drop-off but we make him go and he seems happy as can be later when we check on him.

We got a day at the park this week which is pretty much unheard of all summer long in Dallas. The playground is usually too hot by 10 am but we got some cool weather and clouds so we went straight to our favorite park.

 I do try and take pictures of Hazel still but she's a little too fast running around. Henry is the perfect age for the camera. 

Hazel has learned how to pump her legs on the swing so that's big news.