Baby Giggles

No one can make Molly laugh like her big brother!!!

Fun Things We Did in Colorado

While we were in Colorado, we had our weekends off to do whatever we pleased. There are a lot of fun things to do in Colorado Springs! 

We went to the Garden of the Gods.

We hiked in Cheyanne Canyon.

We went to the Seven Falls (although we did not make it up the 200+ stairs).

Chad and Graham drove to the top of Pike's Peak (I was not interested, scared of heights!).

It was just our kind of "vacation." Lots of time hiking and being outside.

Paradox (para-ducks)

In our very first day of SPLICE missionary training, our instructor Robin brought out two rubber ducks. He explained that doing missions overseas often involves paradoxical feelings. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." I immediately identified with what he was saying, and was so glad to have someone articulate it in a way I understood. I often feel filled with excitement and adventure, and almost in the same moment feel heartbroken and full of sadness. 

Here's the "para-ducks:" "yuck-duck" and "yay-duck." For example: yuck-duck - I'm taking my children away from their amazing grandparents; yay-duck - I'm giving my children an incredible experience. We at SPLICE all used these terms daily during our training. That was one of the things I appreciated most about SPLICE, the terminology they provided that just became part of our vocabulary, making it easier to talk about the things we are experiencing. 

So here's one from my heart today. Yuck-duck: I can't stand the thought of saying goodbye to my friends. Yay-duck: I'm excited to see what new friends The Lord brings into my life.

Molly 5 Months!

This post is almost a month late. I actually typed it a few weeks ago, and I'm just now getting around to adding the picture and posting it...enjoy it!

Molly is 5 months old! We are so proud of her. My post this month will not be including the usual plethora of photos because our computer is on a container somewhere en route to Africa. Plus we are in Colorado for missionary training and I am typing this on our ipad. :)

Molly is wearing size 9 mo/6-12 mo clothing and size 3 diapers.

She is nursing 6 times a day.

She sleeps 12 hours each night (with a quick feeding at 10:00 PM). She is taking 2-4 naps a day. Her naps have been very sporadic because we have been traveling so much. 

For the past week Molly has been going to the nursery (at our training facility) from 8:30-4:00. I am close by so I can step out of our trainging sessions to nurse her and take care of her at any time. This has still be hard, even though the nursery workers are amazing here! I miss having my baby girl in my arms all day, but its only for 3 weeks. Our lessons have been so intense that keeping her with me would be impossible, and she has done better in the nursery than I expected.

She is rolling both ways. 

She is pushing up on her hands. 

She is grabbing her toes every time I change her diaper.

She has traveled to a new state (Colorado).

She has moved twice (we moved in with my parents and then my parents moved).

My mind is so muddled, this is all I can think of right now! We sure do love our girl and we are so proud of her. All of our new friends at our training have just fallen in love with her and ask to hold her. We are excited to see what new things she'll be doing this month!

SPLICE

I'm taking a break from the usual business of our lives here to give you glimpse into what life at SPLICE missionary training has been like.

Imagine taking 39 future missionaries, complete with their 34 children (yes I'm not kidding!) and putting them to live together in a large house for 3 weeks. Make them eat 3 meals a day together and attend trainings together 8:00-4:00. Don't give them any TVs or internet (except in common areas). It's a bit like being at camp or in college, except everyone's grown up with kids. We have missionaries who are bound for Napal, Spain, Costa Rica, Japan, the Ukraine, South Africa, and many other places. We're all as different as can be, and yet the same. We have formed many lasting friendships.

Our trainings have been a bit like trying to drink water from a fire hose. Each day has been emotionally draining and heavy. We've leaned about paradoxes, resilience in adversity, how to exit one culture and enter another, signs of stress and stess management, conflict resolution styles, and and expectations vs. reality. And we are only half way through!

Chad and I are sharing a room with our two kiddos. I was very dissappointed when I found out that's how it would be, but it's turned out to kind of be a blessing. In the evenings when our kids go to bed at 7:30, we are forced to spend our time in the common area with a baby monitor. We have spent every night staying up late talking and playing games. It's a fun way to relieve the heaviness of our training sessions. 

Our instructors are amazing! Our main instructor has the uncanny ability to make his students come up with all the answers and conclusions. Our sessions have involved lots of tears. We also have small growth groups we meet with and a personal coach that meets with each family. 

So there it is! A glimpse into our life. We dread entering back into our "real world" and yet we can't wait. Another paradox! Friends and family: we miss you terribly. See you soon!

Graham is turning 3!

Graham doesn't turn 3 until Monday but we will be out of town so I'm posting a tad early. :)

WOW! I can't believe it. No really, I can't believe it. How can Graham be 3 years old already?!

I'll never forget this special day when this special boy was born on April 15, 2010. 9 pounds 15 ounces, 22 inches long. 

And here he is on his first birthday. Such a big, happy boy.

And here he is on his second birthday (he wasn't much into getting his picture taken that day).

Here are some things about Graham's third year:

*Note: There's a lot! I'm writing this down for myself and for Graham to be able to look at later. I understand it would probably be boring to other people. :)

He weighs 38 pounds and is 41.5 inches tall. Well above the 95th percentile, as usual!

He wears size 3T-4T clothes, size 6 diapers (we haven't tackled potty training again yet) and size 10-11 shoes. 

He stopped napping 2 months after Molly was born. :(

He goes to bed at 7:30 and sleeps 12 hours or more at night. He has to have his stuffed animals, car blanket, and noise maker. He is sleeping in a twin bed. 

He eats 3 meals a day and 1-2 snacks. Some of his favorite foods are: pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries (he likes salty, savory foods!), goldfish, cheese, pretzels, broccoli, asparagus, ham, apples, strawberries, and fish sticks. He will pretty much eat anything I give him with the notable exception of pasta. 

His speech has improved tremendously. He speaks in sentences that just get longer and longer. He is always learning new words! I love to hear all of his thoughts and ideas. Being able to communicate with him so well is just a joy!

Graham had speech therapy twice a month (we're done now!). We both love his speech therapist Lori. She comes to our house and Graham loves to play and read with her. She gives me lots of great tips on how to help Graham improve his speech. 

He has started going to school at Young Children's World, the mother's day out program at our church. He loves it!

Graham has some pretty special friends. He loves to see them and play with them at play group every week. 

He is a very active little boy. He can, and will, climb just about everything, he runs, jumps, walks backwards, turns summersaults, and can stand on his head (while leaning against a couch or chair). 

He became a big brother! Graham loves his "sissy" and is extremely sweet towards her. He even offered one day for Molly to sleep with his stuffed animals (his prized possessions!). 

He is a such a good helper. He is now old enough to help me with lots of things like cleaning up, dishes, setting the table, feeding the dog, etc.

Some of his favorite things are trucks (duh), trains, Mickey Mouse, Elmo, Thomas the Tank Engine, books, and being outside. 

WE LOVE OUR BOY SO MUCH! We are so incredibly proud of him. He is a blessing from above and we are enjoying every day we spend with him. Pics of birthday party to come!