this is where we used to live...

After several vehicles full of our possessions made the trek to Jenison, the "old" apartment is looking pretty bare. I gotta say, it's a pretty weird feeling to be moving. Aaron and I have been here for over 6 years and in that time we've acquired a lot of stuff - not to mention a child, who has also acquired a lot of stuff. We won't be totally out for two more days, but it already doesn't totally feel like ours anymore.

I'm totally excited about the new house, though! After being there yesterday just to drop off stuff, I was so happy to see it again and get used to the idea of actually living in a house. I can't wait to not live in white and beige! I don't care if we're only there for a year or two, I am PAINTING! I'll definitely post some pix.

Sadie has been great in all the chaos. She's super excited about her house - with the big yard, her own room, and the water fountain in the back (she repeats the list whenever she's asked what's in "her house").

The next couple days will be nuts, but I'll be so glad when the move is over. It's great to be entering into a new part of our lives!!

Home again, home again...

I'm finally caught up on all the laundry and putting away of all the miscellaneous things accumulated from camp! It was an awesome week and really a blessing to be able to serve God in something that's "work" but not, all at the same time. I spent the week at Lake Louise which is way the heck up north, just down the road from The Whippy Dip - yup, it's still there! - and a good 20 minute drive to the nearest Starbucks (I just counted three on the same intersection about a mile from our apartment... weird).

It was an all-around great experience and I was much more prepared mentally than I felt like I was last year. Aside from my cabin being borderline - okay, completely - out of control, I think I did a pretty good job. Next year I will plan to pack more warm clothes, less makeup, and a coffee pot.

On the 4th of July, we hung out with some friends and watched the fireworks in East GR. Sadie was a riot! She loved the noise. She started yelling "boom!" and "wow!" and was trying to blow out the sparklers daddy got her.

Now that I'm back home again, I'm just noticing more and more how much Sadie is growing up. She will be 2 years old in just over 3 weeks and I'm amazed how many words she's saying! She's pretty hilarious and she loves to do whatever mommy is doing. This morning she saw me shaving my legs in the sink and she managed to put shaving cream on her legs and face.

Having fun being a momma.

Sick Puppy...

My poor little peanut came down with a fever last night! I feel so bad for her because there's not much I can do for her - just lots of snuggle time and movies out on the couch. Daddy even surrendered his spot in the bed so she could snuggle momma.... what a guy! We're going to see the doctor this afternoon to see what's up - kind of a weird time of year to be getting sick. We all made it through flu season healthy (despite not getting the shot - stick it to the man!)

I leave for camp a week from tomorrow - I actually feel somewhat prepared. That's a little scary. I'm excited, though, and not nearly as nervous as last year.

Ok, this wasn't today, but I had to get this on here somewhere. Too cute to pass up!

Hooray! I'm back for more!

So I know anyone who reads this can tell that I'm obviously not a "professional" blogger. I'm not on here nearly regular enough to actually remember how to change stuff (it only took me the last couple weeks to get the background the way I want it and I just now, after much struggle, got our picture at the top to not be ginormous).

Anyhow, Miss Sadie is growing like a weed and the weather's finally really nice here so we've been spending a lot of time outside. I finally have a jogging stroller (thanks to a friend of mine who managed to find a great one at a garage sale) and it's been working out for Sadie and I really well. She kinda gets the better end of the deal, since she gets to ride while I sweat my butt off (hopefully that's what is actually happening - that's the goal, anyway). But it's nice to get into the habit of running again. I've managed to do about 45 minutes 3 times a week and haven't collapsed yet!

Other "news" of late is that I finally finished our wedding album! It's only been 6 years, give me a break. I'm pretty excited to see it finished, it turned out pretty nice. Now onto the honeymoon album! I'm also in search of a new album for Sadie after her first birthday... still got some work to do.

I'm getting really excited for camp this year! I feel way more prepared than I was last summer. I may even include some pix this year - after all, there is more to my life than just being a momma (but that is a pretty fun part!)

Another iron in the fire is homeschooling. I know, psycho, she's not even two yet.... I'm just doing some research now so I feel like I've got a little handle on the process before I actually jump in with both feet. I welcome any suggestions for reliable Christian homeschooling resources! The more prepared I am the better. I didn't realize how many different methods there are and there is TONS of support in this area alone. I'm excited to start, but I don't want to rush things, either. I'm definitely enjoying the toddler phase!

On the mend....

After a couple days on the couch (and LOTS of time at night needing extra snuggles), Sadie is starting to perk up a bit. I was happy when I came back home after just a couple hours away to find that she had made a nice mess again with her toys in the living room - a true sign of a happy kid!

Cookies with Momma

Ok, this was WAY too much fun to watch - Sadie and cookie dough! Although she wasn't much help with the actual production of the cookies, she was pretty helpful with clean-up.

A nice day to be at home

I really gotta get better about updating... I would love to be as talented as some of my friends with their super-cute blogs, but I have to admit, I'm a little ADD. I just can't seem to make myself actually keep up on this and make it witty and fun to look at.

But, I do love taking pix of my favorite little girl. She is getting so big! She loves to watch the Christmas tree and tries very hard NOT to touch the ornaments. But they're so tempting that she sometimes has to put her hands behind her back to resist the urge to grab them.

Snapfish Link

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

OMG!! Nobody wants to see that...

Ok, I admit that until now all I have talked about is my daughter which - as anyone with children knows - is pretty much par for the course. A little back-story...

I have worked very hard over my first year of mommy-hood to lose my "baby weight". I am very proud to say that it took me nine months to gain the weight (with baby, close to 50 pounds) and nine months to lose it all. Now, I am stuck at where I had been before I got pregnant, which is trying to lose another 15 pounds. After having a "fat day" yesterday and slacking on the healthy eating for a while I have decided that now is the time to crack down and get rid of the weight I want to get rid of. I am just going to take this one week at a time, but my goal is to go to the gym at least 3 days a week.

Now, going to the gym for me means getting up at about 6 so I can be there and back before Aaron has to go to work and Sadie is up and around for the day. So I was already pretty proud of myself when I made it there this morning.

Anyone who has worked out in a gym knows about the locker rooms and the fact that there's always at least one person who is WAY to comfortable in their own skin and feels the need to walk around totally or partially naked. Mind you, I have not been in the gym in at least 3 months. I managed - today - to see that same woman that I have seen on numerous other occasions in the same lack-of-clothes doing "the dance" that you do when you're putting your underwear on after taking a shower. Yuck!!! Right as I walk in after running on the treadmill, I've already made it in and out of the locker room once already, and there she is! I don't ever really see her actually exercising, just baring all in the locker room.

Needless to say, I am not that excited about going back tomorrow. Maybe I can just leave everything in the car....

my baby is now a little girl...

I've just been noticing recently that Sadie is really starting to look like a little girl instead of a little baby. I love watching her figure things out and do things for the first time. She's started walking a little - usually 4-5feet at a time - and yesterday she walked all the way out to the car holding hands with Aaron and I. She was so proud of herself. We've officially reached "toddler" status.

Aunt Rachel (my little sister who lives in Boston now) sent Sadie this super-cute hat the other day. I thought I'd take some pictures since it fits just perfect right now and I don't know for sure how long that will last!