Mountains and cousins

So, please excuse the underlines. I don't have an underline choice on any of my menus and I can't figure out how to make it go away!

I'm finally back. We've been busy having fun and going here and there and I've chosen to nap when I can instead of blog. Today, the man across the street has decided to chop up his tree, again, during naptime so ... I am blogging. Maybe I'll squeeze in a few moments of shuteye ... we'll see.

So we escaped to the mountains for a few days of rest for Father's Day. It was so nice and very needed. We had very weather, but the place had an indoor pool and we had it all to ourselves for the whole weekend. Evan was so happy to go "shimmin" every day. Gabe really took to the water this year and can get anywhere in his swimmies. We even got to see a mountain bike race. All the competitors were COVERED in mud, but the boys thought it was great! I love spending time with my hubby and my boys. Happy Father's Day, babe. You are the best Dad our kids could ever have and I couldn't imagine my life without you in it every day. You are such encouragement, support and love to me. Thanks.
When we got home, we did all our laundry and then got ready for a GREAT visit with Julie and her clan. It was SO much fun. We had a barbecue, played outside, played inside, went to the mall ... the guys played Frisbee Golf and Julie and I even snuck off for Coldstone and a chat ALONE!!! It was great. My nephews are so cute and great to be around. I love their smiles. All the boys got along great and we had a blast.
I miss my family, having them so far away, so any time with them is a treasure to me.

While Julie and I were eating ice cream, my other sister, Anna was running a 5k in Rochester! I am so proud of her. Everyone seems to be running and getting into shape and I seem to be getting bigger and bigger! I suppose my time will come.

Here are a few snapshots of our time.

Gabe ready to swim

Both boys at the pool

A very interesting hole in the lake that we just had to stop and see

Uncle Vince and the boys at the mall after the escalator ride

She's still a girl !!!!

So today we went for another ultrasound to see our little girl. (And yes, they double checked and she is a girl!) She is healthy and fine and everything looks good. She's weighing in at 3-13, so she measures a little ahead of the game size-wise (both the boys were too at this point so... maybe we'll have another early bird). She is beautiful.
I hope you can decipher the pictures, she has her head pushed up against the placenta all cozy and comfy!
Here she is!

On another note, Tag was lost last night in Gabe's bed. It was the last one we had, and we've decided not to replace it. He is in mourning for the day. We talked about how Jesus could fill that hole in his heart for Tag. He said that he would really like Tag to fill that hole, and he keeps thinking of all the good times that he had with Tag, and it makes him sad. He knows that Jesus will fill his heart though, eventually. Pray for grace for him as he transitions to a tagless life.
(And if you are clueless about Tag - tag was a small, beloved, 1-2 inch, piece of white ribbon that Gabe slept with)

The race ... and beyond

Evan's "wobe" on a chilly morning

Praying at breakfast

Okay, since waiting for digital race pictures to be given to me seems to be taking forever, I thought I'd just go pictureless (on that front). The race was a great success. There were close to 100 runners and at least that many walkers. Greg ran a great first race and came in the middle of the pack, 2 minutes under his fastest time! I am so proud of him. Unfortunately, they had a water station, and he is not used to drinking and running. He got a major cramp and ran the last half of the race in pain from it. But he did such a great job!!!
There was a great show from Team Evan and they ended up finishing first!! (We have some guys who run a 19-20 minute or very close to it!) The Vascular Birthmark Foundation was blessed and so were we.

So ... you're thinking ... that was three weeks ago, Mel. What's happened since then? Well ... we had the Advance. Thanks for praying . It was a wonderful time away with our "kids". Greg preached his heart out and I even had a chance to share a session with one of our youth leaders and talk to the girls about the love of God and how God created us as women to have tender hearts (which are best revealed when we experience God's love and allow Him to work in us). We came home tired, but very excited about what God is doing in Generation Church.
Hmm ... what else ... oh, I had my glucose test. It's fine, but once again I have very low iron. So, it's my vitamin with breakfast and an iron supplement with dinner. Hopefully it'll help me perk up, since I've been pretty tired lately.

The boys had their yearly physicals. They did great. Gabe was so brave getting his shot! No tears even! The nurse was wonderful and she made every part fun. (We have a great pediatrician and the boys love her too!) They are right on track for growth and development.
Evan is talking up a storm ... when he wants to. He had a shy moment at the eye doctor's office ... right when they were asking him what pictures he could see on the chart. Oh well, we'll go back in six months and try again.
All day long I hear, "Mom, wah ahhhh you?" to which I answer, "in the shower" or "in the kitchen" or ... wherever I am. Sometimes he says, "Mom, you sit a nex a me?" and I do when I can. He is in a very lovey stage. He kisses me all the time and always wants to cuddle. I'm treasuring it while it lasts, knowing that he'll someday outgrow this stage. I want to take the time to love on both the boys in special ways, knowing that the new baby is not too far off either.
Gabriel asks me many times a day whether the baby is asleep or awake. He loves to talk to her and tell her that he loves her. At least 2 times a day he comes and kisses my belly and says, "Hello baby. I love you." In the mornings when the boys come in our room and start chatting, she always starts moving around. I think she likes to hear them. Gabriel is very intent on talking to her so that she will know who he is when she's born. He practices rocking her (with nothing in his arms) and then Evan imitates. Sometimes we have to have reminding conversations that she'll be very little and they won't be able to carry her around (especially since the practice rocking usually ends in them throwing the "baby" and running and jumping into something or wrestling) and they should ask Mommy before they pick her up. They always nod very seriously and tell me that they'll remember.
I love my boys and even though some days are tough, I am loving the stages that they're in. Evan has been asking why about everything and if I don't give him a satisfactory answer he says, "A Jesus a may it dat way?" and Gabriel has been telling us things that Jesus told him in dreams. They love to read the Bible and are rediscovering "Children Can You Hear Me?"

Oh, while I'm on that topic, have you discovered Seeds Family Worship? It's a great way to memorize scripture as a family. Greg listens to it as he runs and drives to work and we listen at home during the day. Each CD comes with 2 copies, one to give and one to keep. We love it. It's not uncommon to hear things like, "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks, the mouth speaks" or "Call to Me, and I will answer you ..." coming from the corners of the house from little voices. It helps to set a great atmosphere in our home (and the music isn't dumb or boring).
So ... are you caught up? Hope so!!!