Friends on the Southside

Last week, the girls and I spent a day catching up with some of our friends on the southside...of Indy that is! We started out the day at the Martin's house. They have two girls Maddy (6 weeks older than Jac) and Abby (1 week younger than Izy). It was fun watching them enjoy each other!Izy and Abby have not quite bonded yet, but hey...give it time!
Jacklynn loves getting in and out of Maddy's truck, but she generously offered the bed of the truck to her friend!
After that, we headed to Martinsville to catch up with Eileen, one of Nic's best buds from college. It was so great to see her, meet her husband, and introduce her to the girls! She and her husband will be heading to Costa Rica as missionaries towards the middle of next month, so keep them in your prayers! We ended up the night with Matt and Sarah...some of our closest friends that we love dearly! You know, it is so fun to introduce your kids to friends that you had before they were even a thought in your head...and then see how they become an important part of their life. I love it...and I can't wait to share in the lives of their kids as well! On a different note, we are now letting Izy sit in her very own high chair (which she was not enjoying in this picture) next to her crazy big sister (who is covering her eyes because I asked where she was). Little girls are just the bestest!

A Great Week!

Last Sunday, July 6, the door bell rang. When I got up to answer the door, I found my sister Steph there. She had flown all the way from Colorado for a surprise visit! It was such a great present! We hung out until Wednesday. Thanks for coming sis...you are such an encouragement to me!While Steph was here, we took Isabel swimming for the 1st time! She actually LOVED it!
OH and did I mention the bathing suit Izy is wearing was mine when I was a baby?! Craziness!
I have to share that on Wednesday Becky was burping Isabel over her shoulder, when she felt her pass gas. She did not think anything of it until she looked down at her shirt...Izy had pooped all over her! Lovely!
At the park, we decided to try swinging together! Izy loved it...Jac seemed like it was cramping her style a bit!
To end the week, I headed to Chicago for the weekend to celebrate my friend Brooke. She is getting married in August, so we had a weekend long bachelorette bash! It was so fun...and relaxing! I don't remember the last time I woke up on my own...I mean, without a baby's cry causing me to get out of bed! This picture is of her going out outfit...all dolled up! Congrats Brooke! I love you girl!

You know your a parent when...

Today at lunch I was ordering my meal and realized I said "I'll take the kid's chicken sandwich" when I really wanted a regular chicken sandwich off the adult menu. Cara laughed at me and gave me the idea to start a list of things that happen to us as parents that all parents understand. So here are a few of my favorites...please add yours so we can all laugh and sympathize together!

You know you are a parent when...
1. You constantly are wearing dirty clothes because there is some sort of food or bodily fluids from your children on them at all times...and in the weirdest places I might add!
2. You quote Baby Einstein, Brainy Baby, or any other very repetitive movie that your child likes with the exact tone and excitement as the woman on the video.
3. You have had to hang up the phone because you simply could not hear the other person over 1 or more of your children's noises.
4. You know how to open an oven while fending off a toddler.
5. You get joy in a poopy diaper before naptime!
6. For all you stay at home moms, you count down the minutes until daddy will be home...starting at 8:00 AM!
7. You know all of the people by name that take your tickets when you enter the Children's Museum.
8. You wish every restaraunt had a drive thru.
9. You find yourself always saying, "what does a ____ say?" everytime you speak any noun!
10. And finally, you have ever had to push that stupid, massive red cart at Target with the 2 seats attached that doesn't even turn and makes you feel like you are driving a school bus down a narrow alley!

I hope all you parents out there know that everytime one of these things happens...and you survive...you are making God smile by showing Him just how thankful you are for your children!

Fourth of July Festivities

We had an awesome 4th of July week celebrating our country! It started out at the Fishers Freedom Festival with one of the LONGEST parades I have ever seen...but it was still fun! Jac enjoyed it for sure and Izy was ...well, indifferent!We also hit up the Carmel Fest parade that was a little shorter, but rainier and still a good time!
The evening of the 4th we went over to Nic's Uncle Bruce's house on Lake Morse. It was a relaxing time with the family.
Living in the USA really does rock!
To watch the fireworks, we walked down to the dock and me be the overly parannoyed mom that I am, when it comes to water at least, made Jacklynn wear her life jacket. She was a little unsure as noted by the following face...
The fireworks were a lot of fun though! Jac LOVED them! Her facial expressions were priceless throughout the whole show!




On Saturday, we spent the day at the barn playing poker and hanging out with some more family. Jacklynn and Isabel love their Aunt CA!

To wrap up the holiday weekend, we went to our sister church downtown, Brookside, to serve breakfast. Jacklynn really enjoyed helping out...
It is so great to be able to spend the holidays with family! We are truly blessed to live in a country where we are allowed to live and worship as we please...and run around naked...:) You gotta love naked babies!!!