Reading

When I started teaching Gavin with this book, I thought we would do it every day. Well, that hasn't happened. There were many factors that stood in our way:

- our trip to Michigan
- a few busy days
- unable to renew the book from the Library due to someone placing a hold on it!

I ended up purchasing the book and we have completed 21 lessons. Gavin read these two sentences the other day: "See the ram sit." and "The ram is sad." It has been so fun watching him learn and get so excited when he can read words. I am officially recommending this book to one and all!!

My New-to-me Car

In the great state of Illinois, your car is required to pass an emissions test every few years. Apparently, if your check engine light is on it will not pass that test. Our van wasn't exactly a clunker, but we were tired of pouring money into it. It was just a matter of time before it died all together. It was time to start the hunt for a new car. Ryan was NOT up for getting another mini van. They are very hard to drive around in the city and don't even get me started on parallel parking. So, we settled on this cute little wagon.



Even though I would have loved to have a volvo station wagon (I am aware that I am a dork), I am happy with this car. It was a great deal! My first day running errands with it was somewhat of an adventure. It happened to be raining and I had to be out of the house all day due to new windows being installed. When I had my van and it rained, I could get us all in and close the door and then buckle Charlotte and get situated. I could literally roam around in the van at my leisure. Not so much in the new wagon. Let's just say, I got wet! But it was all good, I'd rather be wet and able to run errands than break down on my way to the grocery store!

God is Good

What a whirlwind these last two weeks have been. It all started last Wednesday when our five day old niece, Jayne was admitted to Children's Hospital in Detroit MI. I hopped on the train w/ the kiddos on Friday morning to head out there and be with the Dobbertin's. Jayne went through a lot these last two weeks (not to mention her mamma and daddy!), but God is so good and he answered so many prayers. Jayne is still in the hospital and is still recovering, but we are praising our Great Big God (as Gavin would say) that she is breathing on her own, nursing effectively, and doing all of the things a two week old should be doing. Still, there are some concerns and we are still praying. Please join in prayer with me for this baby girl that God loves more than we can even imagine. We need to get Jaynie girl home!

How old am I?

Because Ryan and I head up the children's ministry at our church, I am constantly telling people who are my age and older what to do. It seems VERY strange to me. I don't really like being "in charge". But, it is what it is and it is necessary. Well, the other day I was thinking about this one person who is my age and was wondering what they thought about me and taking direction from me. I started comparing my life with theirs and the differences between the two. I stopped and then started cracking up at myself. This person is a freshman in college and is 18 years old. 18 years old!!! I am 28. That is a 10 year difference! I never understood how older people could say that they still feel the same age in their mind, it's just their body that seems old. Now I understand. Apparently I feel like an 18 year old freshman!

Bored?!?!?!

My almost five year old (you know the one with one hundred and one half million toys!) told me that he was bored the other day! Bored. Are you kidding me? First I asked him where he learned that. Of course he doesn't remember. "He just knows it." Then, I did what any mom would do. I put that kid to work! Let's just say I don't think he'll be saying that EVER again. If he does, my work load will be drastically reduced!

Numbers

Gavin's new favorite number is "one hundred and one half million". I don't have the heart to correct him. I love it when he says it, which is at least twice a day. It cracks me up!
Here's a picture of Gavin and a sea dog - his favorite boat. We think it goes
one hundred and one half million miles per hour!

Content

My husband is the most content man in the entire world. I really love and admire this about him. I honestly have never met someone as content in life as he is. This does pose a problem when it comes to gift giving. He never says what he wants! I have the hardest time coming up with something to get him for Christmas. When ever I do think of something good, I realize that it usually benefits me as well. Last year I got him a really cool coffee maker. He loved it and definitely uses it on the weekends. Most evenings though, he is prepping the coffee for ME in the morning. I am at a total loss this year as to what to get him. He doesn't really even have any hobbies. I realize that Thanksgiving isn't even here yet and I have plenty of time but if you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it!