Indiana-Illinois-Indiana

Our family trip to see Joel and Becca +3 kids on the way to Illinois, our time with Sean's family (grandma, aunt, uncles, cousins), and then our return to Joel and Becca's on the way home was such a special time! 

Aunt Kelly took us to the children's museum in Rockford, IL

This is the cemetery where Sean's grandpa is buried.

This is downtown Cherry Valley, IL ~ snowy!

Downtown Cherry Valley again - Uncle Randy and Aunt Kelly took us to eat at a yummy Italian restaurant.

Taking a picture of 3 little ones is challenging!!!  I took a ton and well this was the best one.......that says something about the rest of them...i.e. terrible!     Grandma and the fam!

The following 5 are at Grandma's house in Cherry Valley, IL

On our way back to Indiana, we stopped in Chicago and went to the Sky Deck at Sears (Willis) Tower.  It was AH-mazing! We splurged and got fast passes, which was worth it, even with feelings of buyer's remorse!  The next 6 are all from there.

Standing on the glass ledge was scary!!!!!

For me and Hunter any way; not so much for the rest of the family!  BUT me and Hunter DID do it!!!!!

Joel and Becca, Grandma, Uncle Randy and Aunt Kelly, and Jeff and Taryn were so gracious and awesome hosts!  We appreciated their hospitality and the time we got to spend with them.  We also got a few days at a really nice hotel.  We got to take the boys down to the hotel pool, which had a spray park area.  We got to eat Chicago pizza (yum!!!).  We got to take the boys to Coco Key (an indoor waterpark).  Becca and I had some lovely girl time getting pedicures and going shopping!!!  We ate out  a ton and had fantastic meals at Grandma's, Aunt Kelly's, Taryn's, and Becca's.  The boys enjoyed playing with Darby and Fletcher and Kenzie and Xander.  They are still talking about them!!!  The Lord blessed us with safe travels, sweet fellowship, and fun times.  It is nice to be home now and comfy cozy in our bed.  So goodnight!  :)

 

It's Officially Spring!!

Well, today marks the first day of spring, although our thermometer begs to tell us otherwise!  We are choosing to cherish the cool weather because when we are in the midst of a scorching July day, we will long for the brisk day like the one we are experiencing now.  The boys got to color eggs and then go on an egg hunt and they really enjoyed it!! 

Andrew Joseph - 6 months

I'm growing fast!!!!!  I've got two teeth coming in, I am eating solids, and I'm trying really hard to become mobile!  I've gotta catch up to my two big brothers!!!  I just learned to like my pabu, which my brother Hunter likes to steal, and I am slowly learning that car rides aren't all that bad after all (just in time for a road trip!!).  I'm sweet, lovable, extremely cuddly, and I enjoy sleeping with my mommy!  Please don't forget all these special moments and find joy in each second because before you know it, mommy and daddy, I'm gonna be all grown up! 

We love you Andrew!

Psalm 139:14

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

And the celebration continues

This is the cake Hunter requested......a basketball cake.  It was super easy to make!!!

Friday night we took the boys to the community pool to go swimming.  Hunter never even got in the water.  Me and Andrew didn't last long; it was freezing!  Sean and Ryan had a blast! Saturday we decided to take the family to the zoo for Hunter's special birthday.  We ended up getting season passes......really a good deal!  This is the first time we have gone to the Knoxville Zoo, and we really enjoyed it!  There are a ton of things for the kids to do.  Lots of play areas.  Lots of animals, too.  I think we will use our season passes often!!!!

What do you see?

Marty

Melmon

Andrew and Hunter went for their well baby checkups on Friday. 
Andrew:  Height of 27 in and weight of 16 lbs 10 1/2 oz.  He is all healthy, praise the Lord!  He is our first child to actually laugh immediately after being poked by a needle (vaccines)!!!!!!!!



Hunter went goat brushing!  Hunter is 36 in and 29 lbs.  He had a CBC and praise God, is all healthy, too.  He does have an ear infection though. 

We ended the 3 day birthday celebration with dinner at Golden Girls.  The boys were done after that and went to bed early!

Oh and I forgot!!!!  We purchased bunk beds for Ryan and Hunter!  We still have to get mattresses, but soon they will be in their new beds in a room together!!!!  Exciting......I think!

Milestones

Waiting for his first meal.....baby cereal and mama's milk :)

Happy 6 months baby Andrew!!!!

His face shows otherwise, but he really did do well!  lol

The birthday boy!  He had apple strudel muffins made by daddy, opened some cards and a gift, played hard in the playroom, and has had marshmallows and chocolate milk so far today.  He is snoozing away now. 

Big days around here!  We have had some snow.  Didn't take any pictures this time.  AND we've been sick.....again.  Or maybe it's not again because I don't think it ever left us.  Oh well.  We will praise God that it's only colds.....and a few stomach bugs.....and not anything really serious.  This time all three boys are sick with colds.  Andrew has a pretty yucky cough and so I finally took him to the pediatrician yesterday.  He's been sick for about three weeks, but I have been monitoring him.....listening to his lung (clear), no fever, eating well, good diapers, breathing fine, good mood, sleeping well, but his cough was just bad so I took him.  Nothing they could do for him.  Gave me a precription for Zyrtec in case it's allergies, but I didn't feel it was, and my FIL said no need to try it, babies usually don't develop allergies until 2 years.  Soooooo we continue with Little Noses, the mean ol' bulb syringe, and Vapor Bath.  I think at this point the boys think it's abnormal to not have Vapor Bath poured into their tub every night!!!!!  And today.........  Hunter is 2 years and Andrew is 6 months.......whatta day!!!!!  First food for Andrew, lots of treats for Hunter (it's food day!!! lol), and new to them wardrobes have been taken out of storage!  :) 

Finally, I just want to say I am realizing how important it is to read God's word when I am struggling.  I have a KJV app (free app) on my phone and I have favorite'd (word?) a bunch of favorite verses.  I am purposing to go to these when I need to turn from sin or whatever is going on that is a bad character quality.......like impatience, anger, selfishness, and stress.  It is amazing how much God's word changes things and leaves me with peace and joy. 

Some of my faves are:
1. Deut 6:5
2. Deut 7:12-14
3. Psalm 1:2
4. Psalm 8:3-9
5. Psalm 16:8-9
6. Psalm 23:1, 4, 6
7. Psalm 78:37-38
8. Psalm 86:5
9. Psalm 101:2
10. Psalm 108:1
11. Psalm 113:9
12. Psalm 118:24, 29
13. Psalm 127:3
14. Psalm 128:3
15. Psalm 130:5
16. Psalm 139:14
17. Pro 3:5-6
18. Pro 4:23
19. Pro 15:1
20. Pro 16:3
21. Pro 21:23
22. Pro 22:6
23. Pro 25:24
24. Pro 27:1, 2, 23
25. Pro 28:13
26. John 3:16
27. Romans 8:28
28. 1 Cor 13:2-8, 11, 13
29. Gal 5:19-23
30. Phil 4:13

To name a few :)

Happy 2nd Birthday Hunter Matthew!!!!!!

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Hunter over the past two years!  He is a joy and a blessing!

Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.