new year!

Wow--it's almost the end of January and here I am finally getting around to posting! There goes that new years resolution! :)

Anyway, things have been busy here on Prospect. Busy chasing a toddler! We love every second of chasing her around though; watching her explore new things and being amazed at her great little mind as she figures it all out. Here is a video of what we think is her biggest talent right now at 15 months...



And, she is walking, but still thinks crawling is faster. I like this video because it shows off of few of her skills... :)




As for other things that have been happening, I'm still getting used to the not-having-homework lifestyle while Jason is diving into his studies at Davenport. He is taking on-line courses which makes it easier to schedule our lives--but much more difficult for me to take my "turn" on the computer! :)

For now--we're staying cozy in our warm home while the cold & snow persist. We've had Leah out in her sled a couple of times, but most of the time it's just too chilly for little cheeks, fingers, & toes.

All in all, 2011 is starting out great!

it's time...

It's time to return. Time to return to a normal life. Now I ask, what is normal? My normal for the past 4+ years has been work, life, church, parenting, and overshadowing it all: grad school.

It's hard to describe what part time schooling does to a person who is living a full time life. I think it is best described as a cloud hanging over your life of "normal" activities. Always that nagging feeling that you should be doing some type of studying, research, or reading some article or textbook. I honestly don't think I've truly comprehended yet what life is going to be like now that this cloud has dissipated. My mom said to me, "You mean I don't ever have to hear again how you have homework to do?" I know she said it with all the love in her heart--so, yes, mom, I will never have homework to do again. :)

So, it's time to return to those things I've set aside: writing (journaling, blogging), scrapbooking, photography, playing the piano, reading a novel, exercise.....oh the list boggles the mind! Can I remember how to relax? How to enjoy and set goals in my hobbies?

It's also time to be a parent. Not that I haven't been a parent for over a year now, but I've never really felt that I've been the best parent. The cloud even overshadowed that. I look forward to every moment with my daughter, encouraging her and being the mom that I always wanted to be.

I also look forward to once again continue sharing the adventures that occur in our home on Prospect...it's time.

Happy 4th of July!

summer!

ah...summertime!! It has arrived and I'm thoroughly enjoying the time home with my little girl.

We welcomed summer's arrival on Memorial Day weekend with a camping trip to Higgins Lake. It was Leah's first time camping and she loved it! She even got her first boat ride in the little fishing boat...daddy can't wait til she's old enough to actually go fishing!

Summer also came with the arrival of the first little tooth! So far nothing else has poked it's way through, but it sure does make her smile that much cuter. :)
As for big plans this summer--there aren't any. I'm working on my "student teaching" for grad school which takes place two days a week through the end of July. So, I have my list of projects to work on around the house this summer and with a few beach trips tossed in, that will pretty much be the summer!

Mothering in May

So, time to update again! :) Life still keeps on at a busy pace, with not much big news to report. Leah is totally at one of my most favorite ages right now: everyday is a new adventure with new discoveries for her. She sits up very straight & tall, loves to play with her toys, being read to, and jumping with all her might in her jumper. The latest "trick"? Pulling herself up to a standing position! Sit her in front of her play kitchen and the next you thing you know, she's doing pull-ups with as much upper body strength as she can muster to get her little feet under her and with a final grunt, she (usually!) can get herself up to standing! We know it's not too much longer and she's just going to take off on us. She has very little interest in being on her belly to try and crawl anywhere--she'd much rather stand while holding on to something.

We also decided to embrace our Dutch heritage with Leah. Celebrating Tulip Time in Holland was a perfect way to do so: complete with the wooden shoes!!

Leah is my amazing daughter; I was able to reflect and ponder on this while celebrating my first Mother's day. How lucky am I to have been chosen to be the mother of this unique and amazing little person? I cannot wait to see what adventures God has in store for her & I!

sun day!

kind of like a snow day...only the opposite! :) Actually, my cousin wasn't able to babysit today, and since I have a few comp days to use, I'm home with my girl today. And, we're so lucky to be able to enjoy warm, 80 degree weather as a bonus to our weekday together!

Since she is working on nap number 1 for the day, I thought I'd take a moment to update the ol' blog. I am sticking to my promise to keep it lower on my priority list during this busy season of life, but I'm finding that I have no record of what's going on in our lives then!

So, a brief look at our month of March:

• super busy at work with teaching classes, a state review of the health center, work with nursing students, and couple of trainings for myself--busy month, but rewarding!
• Graduate classes continue--homework, homework, & more homework
  
• Celebrate my 33rd birthday
• Go to Crystal Mountain for an overnight stay in a beautiful cottage with friends & all of our kids. So fun!! Leah experiences swimming for the first time and loves it!
• Leah begins sleeping through the night--12 hours straight!
• Our other "child", Harley, has to be put down. He had been growing a tumor for a few months that we had chosen not to treat, but the end was rather abrupt--not something we had expected so soon. We still have moments of emptiness...in our lives and home. I just picture him in heaven--chasing all the squirrels he could ever want!

And, now we're into April! Spring break was last week--we stayed home and thoroughly enjoyed doing so. I love watching my babe grow and see her experiencing all life has to offer in her little world. She is not quite sitting up on her own yet, but loves standing up while holding onto our hands. In fact, most of the time that's all she wants to be doing! She's just a little peanut, but loves to watch & observe everything around her. I know it won't be long until she's off trying to explore everything too!

I also had to make the decision to not involve myself in our church's easter musical. This was a tough one for me as I so enjoy singing in choir; but, I'm learning that other things have to be priorities right now. We often talk about the seasons in one's life--so, this season is about being a working mother and finishing my commitment to graduate school.

I miss writing too. This blog has always been that outlet for me, but finding the time to do it is tough! I know season will change soon though, and I can write a backlog of the multitude of things that I have wanted to write about. :)

In the meantime, it's time to go and enjoy this season's weather with my girl!

laughter is the best medicine

so, we are sharing our love of laughter with our daughter...how can you have a bad day when you share laughter with this cutie pie? ;)