Friday, August 25, 2006

Some pictures from the past few days... they're not in order (thanks, blogspot...).Joel playing this morning. Each morning we come downstairs and begin our day in the playroom. His toys, books, changing table, and pack&play are set up around the room. He picks something to play with, and when something else catches his eye, he goes and plays with that. Right here, I think he's in the middle of something new catching his eye.



This is yesterday when I was finishing emptying the dishwasher. Joel is quite a good helper. He decided that this was pretty interesting. (I don't think I've ever unloaded the bottom half of the dishwasher that quickly before... I looked behind me and Joel was on the prowl. Or, just wanting to do whatever Mom is doing.)





This is Joel on a bed at IKEA. He thought this netting was pretty hip.




And, more morning playing pictures. (When we come into the playroom in the morning, we rarely leave it for at least an hour.)




I guess these pretty much explain the past week of my life: we went to IKEA and Mars Hill in Grand Rapids last weekend. We stayed overnight at the Wengers' place in Lansing, which was marvelous. Mars Hill was great. We hit it on "funk Sunday", which meant that the prelude was the theme from Shaft, the opening responsive reading was: "We need the funk/Give us the funk", and the songs were all done in a funk style. The pastor who spoke, while not Rob Bell, was wonderful. (It's called "The First Game of Hide and Seek", when you click on the link.) IKEA was overwhelming. It was a fun place for the first hour or two, but if you don't like shopping like me, don't stay there any longer than that. Go back another time.

Joel and I went to MacQueen's Orchard today. I got some early apples and tasted some applesauce and blackberry cider. (Joel liked the cider, but was iffy on the sauce. I liked both.) We then took an apple over to Neil at his office and visited people there for a while.

Jennifer and I were talking yesterday about the arrival of the bug that makes us desperately pine for autumn. I have been itching for two or three weeks now for apple picking, leaves, cozy sweaters, and, dare I say it, a football game. Are we the only two who are actually happy that the corn is beginning to turn brown? Maybe I just want to make applesauce...

This coming week I am baking cookies with Bethany, making lunch for Jennifer & me, going to a book discussion, visiting a few of my former students at Wittenberg U (and taking the cookies to them), going to Joel's first swimming class, and getting ready for my parents & brother to visit next weekend. If you want to pine for autumn with me, stop by!

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

So Joel is a part of a cute baby contest this week. Go to www.photowow.com and vote for him! (He's #39008)

Thanks!

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

I love these girls...

Off to college, off to Costa Rica then college...

sniffle...

Saturday, August 12, 2006


Joel has two beautiful teeth. He has for over a month now. This is the only picture I have of them. And I love it.


My life lately has revolved around Joel and my home. And, surprisingly, I'm completely okay with that. My house gets a little cleaner and more organized all the time. Joel is happier and happier and is getting into a little routine. I've begun cooking dinner with some regularity. Perhaps I am indeed evolving into the 50's domestic goddess... (well, my house isn't THAT clean, and I have yet to vacuum while wearing pearls...)

Yesterday's highlights:
-I took Joel over to Neil's parents' house for two hours. I came home and slept. Bliss.
-Neil came home at 3:30! (I love Fridays!)
-I got another two pages done in my scrapbook of Joel's first year. (I love*love*love doing this. Who knew it would actually be fun?)
-Ryan & Holly came over and we all got super confused about Isaiah 6 and grilled out.
-I realized that it will be apple season in one month!