Front stoop people

So, I am definately a front stoop person as soon as the weather gets remotely nice enough to sit outside. The benefits of the front stoop (as opposed to the back yard) are numerous:
1.) a LOT more space for Joshua to run around (all the way up and down the block)
2.) more sidewalk to chalk up
3.) the possibility of seeing and being friendly with the neighbors

Now, on to a rant: No one else on my block appears to be a front stoop person (or they are at a secret time and not telling me about it). Sometimes I see older kids riding their bikes up and down the block, but not a lot of hanging out is going on. My theories are that (a) everyone works and by the time they get home, they are too tired to sit out (b) we have an unfriendly block :( I really hope more people are out this summer. Cmon everyone, can't you see how much fun it is? To prove the fun factor, here are a few pictures of Joshua enjoying an icypop (popsicle) on the front stoop.

Vacation only 3 weeks away!

I am getting excited for our upcoming vacation! I even created one of these silly tickers to keep track ;) Now if either Andy or I can remember to bring a camera, I will post pictures after the jet lag wears off.

Girls weekend

 

I just got back from a great weekend catching up with some of my college girls in Philly. Here are some of the highlights:
1.) Laughing until our sides hurt
2.) Yummy crepes
3.) Staying in bed until 10am (I was still up at 6:30, but the ability to stay in bed was AWESOME!)
4.) Finishing an entire novel in less than 2 days
5.) Wandering around with no objective, just being able to enjoy each other's company without kids distracting us.

It was a great trip and I really appreciate that we all worked hard to make it happen!

Been quiet here for a while

So, I am not committing to getting back into blogging, but it has been quiet here for a while and I decided to post occasionally again (more than every 6-7 months). The big news around here is we are expecting baby #2 (I at about 15 weeks) and that has been my excuse for not doing anything around the house, calling anyone, cooking, reading, or bothering to feel guilty about not doing the things I want / need to do.

A brief update on our lives

Don't worry, pictures will be shared soon, I just thought I would let anyone who cares know what we have been up to. This is NOT an excuse for being such a blogging slacker, I REFUSE to have blogging guilt.

* Joshua and I have been very busy this fall with mom's group at church, a gymnastics class with our good friend Miles, Community Bible Study, and a swimming class we can never quite seem to get to regularly (we go 1/2 the time). I also do a baby swap bi monthly with Emily, Miles' (and Eleanor's mom), so we are busy most days of the week.

* Joshua really likes Bible Study, not because of the bible but because he has developed a crush on another 2 year old named Evey. When you ask him "What did you learn about in Bible Study today?" He will answer "Evey". Sometimes he says "Evey and Moses", they just did a Moses unit.

* I am beginning to get used to the fact that I am not working outside of the home, and am giving myself grace that I DON'T know what I want to do when I go back to work. I am trying to enjoy my time at home and the opportunities I have to be more available to volunteer at church

* I am leading a small group of 4-8 girls, ages 2nd-6th grade, on Wednesday nights at our church's rebirthed midweek program. I am having so much fun as I really missed hanging out with the kids. My girls are all so bright, some shy, some talkative, but it has been really fun to get to know the new ones and get to know some old friends better (some of these girls I have been a leader to off and on since pre-school! wow am I old!)

* In between all the craziness I am trying to coax Joshua into more regular naps (3 for 3 since we got back from our trip) and keep homefires burning as Andy has been travelling a lot lately. I am so glad that God brought the crisis at work which lead me to quit because otherwise I would be a wreck trying to juggle work and being a single parent. Single stay at home mom beat single working mom any day of the week.

* Finally, we just took a brief, but wonderful trip to San Francisco to visit Andy on his project out there. We had a blast and I gained the knowledge that I can travel across the country with a toddler by myself, I am tougher than I thought! More details on the trip soon, once pictures are posted.