Our Family Unit
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  • May15th

    The day started out exciting, in my book.  The kids and I went with our homeschool group to tour the ACME Bread Co bakery.  It was a great tour, the guide was exceptional with the kids and we all got free bread to take home.  How much more excitement did we need?  Apparently more was to come…

    When we got home, I opened the door to the house and immediately could smell burning plastic.  Then as I looked up I could see the smokey haze that was filling the house.  I told Kade and Berlin to go back to the car and buckle themselves in their car seats and I ventured in to find out what was on fire.  The craziest thing – I could NOT figure out what was burning.  I went through the entire house, checking appliances, cords; feeling outlets and walls; sniffing like I was some sort of bloodhound.  I couldn’t find it, but something was definitely burning.  So I called Kyle.  He came home and did the same thing.  His best guess was the fridge.  So we called our rental company and discovered that we “had” to call 911.  They wouldn’t come fix the melting fridge until we did.

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    Kade could not have been more excited when the firetruck rolled up.  Three fireman hopped out and immediately handed out hats to the kids, even before heading inside.  Talk about marketing!

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    Kade and Berlin couldn’t wait to pretend to be firefighters.  Of course, the minivan made an exceptional truck!

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    The firemen used this huge fan to blow out the smoke.  They completely validated Kyle’s detective skills and agreed it was the fridge.  A relay had gone out in the bottom and was causing all the trouble.  I wanted to get Kade and Berlin’s picture next to the fan, so I asked them to sit next to it.  This is Kade’s “Firefighters don’t have time for pictures, Mom” face.

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    After it was all over, the firemen let the kids sit in the front of the truck for pictures!

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    Berlin was not as enthusiastic as Kade, she got super shy and nervous even when Dad was holding her.

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    This was the culprit.  But all’s well that ends well and it did end well.  The fridge was fixed later that day and no one got hurt.

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  • May3rd

    koen playing-4

    Here’s our little man, slouchin’ in his desk and looking like he’s too cool for school.  Growing too fast for my taste…

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    Giggling on the front porch at 5 months.

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    He likes to suck on his bottom lip a lot, but when he pops it out it’s adorably pouty.

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    Feeling like a ‘Big Man’ in his bebePOD.  I’m so glad he loves this thing because I love this thing!  We finally put away the swing this week and I feel like there is SO MUCH more floor space in our living room now.  Three cheers for learning how to sit up!

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    Look at the pure creamy skin!  Berlin is at this stage where she’s noticing more details about people.  If she sees a spot on my skin she says, “Me no have freckles.  Koen no have freckles.  Kade no have freckles.  Mom has LOOOTS of freckles!”  Umm, yes, thanks for noticing.

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    He’s learning all kinds of new things lately.  I have pretty much finished weening him, which means he is finally drinking from a bottle.  We’re still trying to work out the right formula though, so as not to create more tummy issues for him.  We’ve gone back to using Colic Calm again which is still helpful, but now that he is more aware of what it tastes like, it doesn’t go down nearly as easily as it did before.  He rolls over like a champ now, so you can’t lay him down anywhere but the floor or his crib and turn your back.  He isn’t a huge babbler yet, but when he does talk the volume is at 11.  Berlin and Kade think it’s hilarious and their giggles keep the cycle of hollering going.

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    We’ve also started some solids, which as you can see is his favorite!  Kyle was taking pictures of him the first time we tried it and I love that he gives his dad this look like, “Did you know what she was going to put in my mouth?  AND YOU LET HER!?”

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    On the front porch again, this time at 6 months.  He’s our little tank!  At his doctor appointment, he weighed in at 18 lbs 2 oz and measured 29.5″ tall, still off the charts.

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    Koen, we all love you so much.  Dad loves to see your face light up when he comes home from work.  When he picks you up, you press your forehead against his and grin with your whole body.  Kade loves to sit in front of the bouncy seat and read books to you, showing you each page and asking you questions (then answering them for you).  You watch him so intently, just bouncing away with those chubby legs.  Berlin’s favorite thing is to dance for you.  She turns on your music machine, then runs to get her dress-up sparkle skirt and then returns to give you the performance of a lifetime, at least once a day.  Dancing and twirling and falling and flailing, both of you giggling.  My favorite thing is still to hold you.  When you’re cuddled close to me, my heart just melts.  I love smelling your baby head on my shoulder or feeling your baby fingers wrapped around mine or seeing those baby blues staring up at me and then watching as those drop dead gorgeous lips part into an enormous smile.  We are so blessed!

    koen 6mo-2

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  • April22nd

    Five years ago, our dear friends, Jay & Katherine Wolf, experienced a tragic and life-altering event.  Their story is truly miraculous and their spirit is awe-inspiring.  Today they launched their new website, Hope Heals.  Please take a few minutes to check it out and… if you haven’t already…discover that God is still doing miracles!

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  • April18th

    I love infographics!

    Homeschool Domination
    Created by: CollegeAtHome.com

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