The Voices Within Me

Seriously...
I have NO weekends free until December due to photo shoots, I am filling up some weeknites already, I already do Wed. nite Bible study with the girl's in the youth group and now we are starting a 6wk. discipleship/ dinner program at our house on Mondays... aye aye aye!! LOL. I guess it is a good crazy though- right? :)
Oh... I have also been asked to lead a small group at the Mom's group I am attending...
Add all of those things to normal daily things like school and working out- I am beat by the end of the nite!!

Ok ok... I have probably said all of that before, but after scheduling yet another session today, I realized how soon Christmas will be upon us and how crazy my life will be until then. It never ends does it? :)

I had all of these "kid funnies" earlier and now, I can't think of even one. Hmm...
Oh- this isn't a big one but... if the kids are hungry these days they tell me they are going to run out of energy if they aren't fed. It is really funny to hear Addie say it b/c she really doesn't understand it in it's entirety... so she uses it in strange ways- like last nite when she got out of bed and told me she couldn't sleep b/c she ran out of energy. Umm... doesn't sleep restore your energy? LOL

Micah is still doing well with school- hard to believe but I think he likes it even more than last year! LOL. He is quite excited to go every day and then has TONS of stories to tell us each nite. I know he adores his teachers which makes me even more comfortable taking him there. He is such a big boy now...

Addie is really into "using her manners" these days. She thanks you for everything... giving her a toy or food, doing her hair, getting her dressed, or even if I just tell her that I love her. She responds with, "tanks you mommy" It is quite precious if I say so myself! :)

I guess I should go get the kids down for a nap... it is about that time and I have some work things to catch up on. I can't wait to receive back my most recent order, I love getting to see the pictures printed almost as much as the clients do... but these are special b/c they are of my best friend from high school and her family. If I do say so myself, they came out amazing!! :) Maybe I will share some of them on here someday... her family is gorgeous!!

Yes, Micah still says, "Micah diamond in the sky" in twinkle twinkle... Addie does call herself, "Addie Beth Elisabeth Beck" and you can't tell her she is combining a nickname with her whole name, Micah really can be that hyper, and yes, I sing that bad!

8/21/ 07

Addie:
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Food: Tomatoes
Favorite TV Show: Little Einsteins
Favorite Snack: Curious George Fruit Snacks
Favorite Movie: Veggie Tales (um... I have no idea when she last watched one of these)
Favorite Toy: My Little Tony, Elmo Toy
Favorite Football Team: Steelers
Favorite Song: Twinkle Twinkle
Favorite Outside Toy: Sandbox, ride bikes and her car
Favorite shoes: Pink Sparkle ones (jelly shoes)
Favorite Place to Nap: Tiger and Pooh Crib
Favorite Drink: Milkshake
Ice cream, cookie or chips?: Chips
Favorite Place to eat: Wendys
Favorite Ice Cream: Cookie Dough

Micah:
Favorite Color: Green and Red
Favorite Food: all kind of food (peanut butter, butter bread, noodles, pierogies, grilled cheese)
Favorite TV Show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Favorite Snack: Ice Cream
Favorite Movie: Curious George
Favorite Toy: Viewmaster
Favorite Football Team: Buckeyes
Favorite Song: Feraliscious
Favorite Outside Toy: Soccer ball, Bike
Favorite Drink: Milkshake
Ice cream, cookie or chips?: Ice Cream (Cookie Dough Flavor)
Favorite Place to go: Church
Favorite Restaurant: Golden Corral (Next to Bennigans as he says ;) )

sorted and such... here are a few Addie pictures from before vacation that I don't believe I have posted here...

Jiggity Jig.
We had a nice getaway to the Lake for Memorial Day Weekend- even though our numbers were small this year and most of the time was spent working ;) It was the first time for all but Tim's mom to be there without Ed, and although there were times when you just expected him to be around the corner, I think that we all kept ourselves so busy that no one really dwelt on his absence (and this is not to say that we simply forgot...)
We left for the Lake Thursday afternoon after Micah's last swimming class and got there early evening. The kids were way excited to be there and most of that day was spent re-familiarizing them with Lakeside. It is amazing how much they forget (esp. Addie who had just turned 1 last year) Tim and I woke up early Friday morning to go play golf while Tim's mom watched the kiddos for us. I guess I wasn't too horrible ;) but I definitely won't be going pro anytime soon- HA! Tim's sister and her children arrived Friday nite and from that point on, our time was spent either organizing the new bathroom/ storage room, cleaning out the shed, watching the kids ride bikes, breaking apart three rowdy children, making meals, or sleeping ;) I unfortunately didn't feel well much of the time so I often ended up in bed early while Tim and Abbey stayed up late chatting. Sunday took us to Beulah Beach to visit Tim's Aunt and cousins, thankfully we had wonderful weather and all of the kids had a great time. Monday was or course Memorial Day and the kids caught the end of the parade and then we had a cookout for dinner before everyone parted ways to return home. Things have been non-stop since then- you know how it is... you go on vacation only to return home to a TON of work ;) We still haven't gotten the grass mowed yet (on the plate for tonite ;) )

This week has been beautiful weather wise, warm temps, sun and perfect to play outside. We actually broke out the pool today since it hovered right around 90 and of course the kids had a blast. Addie has been asleep for the last 2 hours and Micah is working on about an hour right now. Hopefully it lasts a bit longer ;)

I have been trying to nab some pics for Addie's 2 yr. old portraits, of course she has other ideas at this age. So... I have just gathered a few pics from the last week here for you to enjoy and I will soon decide which one, if any, will be printed as the "official" photo for this year. I still can't believe that she is going to be 2... maybe if I don't decide she won't have to really turn two already ;)

I need to upload Micah's soccer pics and video of his last day of school as well... maybe tonite if I remember to get back on here and blog. If not, I promise to get it up soon :)

This week brought about the end for all of our usual activities... and the end of Micah's first year of preschool. Monday was Micah's last classroom day at school, Tuesday brought about the end of soccer, Wednesday was his year end picnic for school, and now today brings about the end of swimming. WOW- where did this year go? Seriously? I have been getting all teary eyed when I think about the fact that everything has ended, esp. when I think about the fact that he is through his first year of preschool... I mean seriously... where did my baby boy go? Wasn't it just yesterday that I found out I was pregnant with him? I swear that it was... how can it now be that he is 4 years old?

It has been absolutely gorgeous here the last few days... today it is supposed to be in the mid-80s. I am definitely ready for summer now that I have had a taste of it ;) We went out and picked up a few things for Addie's birthday this week- I am excited for her to get them now ;) Yep- I am a kid at heart aren't I? I would be giving them to her today if it wouldn't mean she wouldn't get gifts at her actual party. Speaking of her party, we are just having out family here- she is so young still and really doesn't care what goes on... so... why spend the time planning a party when she will be just as happy with her grandma,papa, grandma, and a few Aunt's/ Uncle's and cousins? She is insistent on a Strawberry shortcake theme though... so... I picked up some plates and napkins and just need to figure out a cake :) Little girl parties are so fun.

I have been so consumed with editing pictures from the wedding (which are finished and links delivered ;) YIPEEE!!), making sure things went smoothly for the year end activities and then thinking about Lakeside that I haven't done much else. I did sit down and make a chore chart for Micah (which seems to be working thus far!!) and spent time playing outside... but that is the extent of our excitement.

I still have tons of small things I need to get done today so... I guess I should work on some of them when only one kid is awake ;) Micah is ready for breakfast anyway so... I will take the hint and move on along.

that we have this cloud of sickness surrounding our family :( My mother's day was cut short due to having to take Ms. Addie to stat care for breathing issues. This is the second time in about as many months that we have dealt with a similar issue. She was coughing and couldn't get her breath following each coughing fit which in turn made her loose facial coloring and her lips start to show a sign of lack of oxygen :( After an emergency call to our Dr., we took her to stat care while my parents watched Micah. As presumed, they are believing it is another bout of croup and she is currently on a decongestant, steroid, and antibiotic (which our Dr. has NO idea why they gave that to her?) Anyway... after talking with our Dr. today, they are still having us play the waiting game to see if it was a happenstance occurence (her breathing problems all began in winter...) or if she has something happen again during summer, we will be referred to a specialist to determine more of what might be causing her issues. So... just be praying for the poor girlie.

On a brighter side, I photographed my first wedding on Saturday and all in all, I think that things went really well :) It was definitely and long day (which all weddings are ;) ) but it was a good experience and I am enjoying the editing process thus far. I would share some sneak peeks but I don't want to spoil any suprises ;)

Micah had a fun little carnival at school Monday and I was there to help with the games. Kids that age are so cute :) and we had a great time. I can't believe he only has 3 more days of school. WOW!! Where did the year go? My baby boy is growing up- that is for sure!
Next week is his last soccer and swimming class and then we break for summer. He had a really good nite there this week (and loved having Grandma there to watch him!) and hopefully swimming will go smoothly as well ;) We have been playing outside enjoying all of the weather and really waiting for the day when we don't have to wonder if we need jeans and long sleeve shirts the day after 90 degree temps ;) Gotta love Ohio!! ;)

I have TONS of pictures to edit so I should probably get back to that but just wanted to give a quick update and let you know what is going on here in our lives. Hope to write more soon :)

we have been spending a lot of time outside this past week or so. I thought I would share a few pictures of the fun we have been having :)

to record Addie singing for quite sometime... I attempted it today- and of course she really wouldn't do much. i was having a heck of a time trying to upload the seperate clips- they were too big...so I merged them into a semi-video (5 1/2 mins) and figured out how to upload them to share here with you. Hope you enjoy!! :)

(oh and sorry for the quality- I have no idea why it is that bad on here : ( )

Ok- I have NO idea what is going on... I have it uploaded two places- so you can try either. It may be that when there are too many people accessing it- it shuts down. I hope that at least a few of you can see it ;)



Ok...Photobucket was working fine...but now that YouTube is up- I am using that b/c I can show the full thing. Photobucket was cutting off the last 30 secs- where Addie says goodbye :)

from the park on Saturday. We actually had a bit of nice weather so the kids and I headed to the park in hopes of capturing some fall shots. These are three that I grabbed out so far (I took a TON) but have to go through the rest. Neither kid was being cooperative- Micah was his usual silly, anti camera self, and Addie just wasn't herself- she is getting her eye teeth in and just is out of sorts. My goal was for the hand in hand shot- i want to print it large for above our bed... Anyway... Hopefully I can go through the others sometime this week...I first need to finish proofing Saturday's session.
Until then, hopefully these will hold you over ;)

Micah playing "Peek-a-Boo" with Addie


Serious Boy



and now...I need your opinion...
Which one of these for a large 16x20 print for above our bed? Or neither?