amsdjs's Xanga

1st visit to dentist

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:25:04 GMT

This week Joel went to the dentist for the first time. I wasn't sure how it would go . . . but I was able to finish looking at my magazine during the appointment if that tells you anything! He was intrigued with the suction, tooth polisher, and water sprayer. So she was able to get through the whole cleaning without a problem. No cavities! The bad news is that he has a significant under-bite that will need to be corrected through a number of steps . . . eventually leading to braces. :( Hmmm . . maybe we should look into getting dental insurance.

David has been auctioneering all day at Schrader Marketing Center's summer consignment sale. We went to Freeport's farmer's market this morning and bought some triple berry jam, zucchini bread, rhubarb, and lettuce. Then we found a few garage sales on the way home. Joel did not take a nap today and it is showing in his emotions so he will go to bed EXTRA early tonight!

It's cooler but I'm feeling unmotivated to do anything requiring much energy today.

Only in the country

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:03:42 GMT

A few minutes ago, as I was folding laundry in our living room, something unusual came trotting down our lane. A fox! David hopes that he wasn't out feasting on the baby lambs. Joel was in the room with me, so he was able to see it with me.

Big steps . . . .

Tue, 13 May 2008 23:03:52 GMT

It seems like Micah woke up this morning and thought, "Hmm. . .since I'll be 15 months on Saturday, it's time that I be like my mama and big brother (who both started @ 15 months) and start walking today!" Over the past two weeks, he's been taking a few steps here and there, but today, he has really taken off! He just walked by pushing Joel's toy lawnmower.

Random Photos from March & April

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:50:06 GMT

What a deal!

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:06:50 GMT

Last week, after Micah got his 1-year shots, I stopped by a indoor rummage sale. Look what I was able to buy for only $14! (not including the wooden chest)

A little grand piano/bench, a lawn mower for Micah (that is identical to one that Joel has), a cash register complete with play food, a practically-new drum set, a tricycle, Etch-a-Sketch, and a basket full of Mega Blocks with a wagon

In other news, Joel had the stomach flu last Sunday and I thought no one else would catch it. I was wrong! Micah starting throwing up yesterday, continued this morning, and is finally stopping (I hope!). I feel like I haven't been to church in a long time.

Not a baby anymore!

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:49:45 GMT

On Sunday, our little Micah turned one. Last Wednesday, David gave him his first haircut. Then, we had a little family birthday party for him on Sunday evening.

Before the haircut. . . .

On Sunday evening. . . . .

Demolishing his piece of cake . . .

Trying out one of his gifts . . .

The rest of his gifts . . . the framed print in the back is a Timothy Botts print from the Book of Micah.

This is what we look like

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 22:01:32 GMT

I have not been very good about posting pictures lately. So, here are a few recent photos of our family at David's ordination service on January 13th.

Where have we been?

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:36:19 GMT

Wow! It's been a while. Here are a few of the things we've been doing since my last update . . .

* We attended Rosedale Bible College's Anabaptist Evangelical Symposium and had an early Thanksgiving with my family.

* Continued to drive to Oakbrook Terrace/Chicago every other week for adjustments of Micah's band.

* Celebrated Thanksgiving around here with some of the Schrader and Graybill families

* Had a large branch fall through our dining room window and shatter it during an ice storm (thankfully, we were gone at the time).

* For family Christmas celebrations, we traveled to International Falls, Minnesota - - came home for one day - - traveled to London, Ohio - - stayed for several days - - traveled to Grantsville, Maryland - - stayed for one day - - traveled back to London - - spent the night there - - traveled back home. Hmm. . .don't think we'll be doing that combination with a three-year-old and a 10-month-old again.

* Attended three physical therapy sessions; his torticollis (neck tightness) is considered a mild case now and we just need to continue doing neck exercises at home and go back for a checkup in two months

* Micah finally got his cranial band off on January 10 and his head looks much better - we enjoy having a bare-headed baby now! From the beginning of August until the beginning of January, we made the two hour trip to Cranial Technologies 11 times.

* David had his ordination service on January 13 and we had family members (both Schrader and Swartz) around for the weekend

Bands and Boys

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:47:29 GMT

We are beginning to decorate Micah's Band by themes. He had tractors for the first several weeks. I just redecorated it with playground toys - sandbox, swing set, sports equipment, etc. If any of you want to "sponsor" a week or two with cool scrap booking stickers, feel free to send them to us! (Clear-backed scrap booking stickers are recommended because they are easy to remove later.)

When these three get together, they just laugh and laugh!

Do you see a little boy somewhere under the coffee table?

A Joel Quote

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 18:08:38 GMT

On the days that we are home, I've been having Joel help me with several small house jobs in the morning. This morning he was upstairs emptying several small trash cans into a larger one. In an effort to motivate Joel, I was having him show David how well he does this.

Joking (and mostly to amuse me), David said, "Joel, you do a great job with that. Maybe when you grow up, you can drop out of high school and be a garbage collector!"

Later, after David went downstairs, Joel seemed upset. He said, "NO! I don't want to be a garbage collector when I grow up! NO!"

Trying to figure out what he was thinking, I asked, "So, what do you want to be?"

"I want to be a BOY!"