Moving right along

Little ones at play

My high-maintenance passengers.

Sorry for the minimal pictures - I deleted my whole picture card (on purpose don't worry, they're saved). Anyway, we are alive and well and having a wonderful fall.

Let's see, Hannah June (which she says constantly - everything is "Hannah June"s cup/bowl/bike/shoes/sheep"..)turned 2 on 10/24. Pics to come, sorry. She did great at the doctor and was telling them all about Tigger and Daddy. She's actually on the charts for height now:) She is still quite intrigued by TRYING ON SHOES. All day. She feeds herself now which is a tad messy but so nice too. Girl loves BOOKS. She would have me read to her for hours on end if I would. She's always asking "Go outside walk?" I wonder what she thinks when she sees other kids bigger than her actually riding in their stroller or cart. Unless I'm on a mission, I appreciate her being able to expel a bit of energy. LOVES church.
m: Hannah, who do we learn about at church?
H: Hevy Fah-er and Jee-us. Teacher. Sit down and listen. Dress. Mommy. Daddy. Eh-wee.
She knows and says her colors constantly and counts to 13 various different ways.
Favorite movie is Aristocats. She was Simba for Halloween and wouldn't say "trick or treat" but would just shake her bucket for candy.

Ellie is not far behind her big sister. She is so quick to smile and laugh but is a smidge too dramatic if you ask me. Like if she falls on her bum or I wipe her face you'd think she's getting her fingernails ripped off one by one. It's funny to see her personality. She LOVES Hannah and her favorite game is when H runs up to her and she just about tackles whoevers holding her and squeals with sheer joy. She takes 2-3 naps a day and sleeps 10 hours a night. Crawls faster than I can run and pulls herself up alot but no standing on her own or steps yet. (Part of me wants that and part of me doesn't).

Nate has a new calling that requires Sunday meetings so I won't be able to work my Sat nights anymore. Back to Fridays I guess. His job is wonderful and the Vikings are winning more than losing (for once:) so he's a happy man.

I'm holding my own I guess. For the first time since Ellie has been born (except the first 2 weeks) I've actually been struggling with trying to find a balance between everything. The girls, the house, myself, and Nate. I don't know if anything changed but I'm struggling with there not being enough hours in the day (welcome to earth, right?) I feel like I pick up the house all day...but it's never clean. I want the house to be spotless (because I just can't stand a mess anymore) and I want to make a yummy dinner but don't want to neglect the girls. And I want to have structured play with the girls (read books, go outside, sing, dance) but I want time to myself too. I want to make crafts, make my own baby food, read good books, work out, organize my house - OH the things I want to do...but just can't find the time. I will say this, there is something so wonderful about being completely worn out at the end of the day (8:30 p.m.) For the last few months I think my average head-hit-the-pillow to "unconscious" time is around 45 seconds. I love that. I honestly feel like my days have never been so "busy." Even in high school/college, nope, because at least I only had myself to take care of. Have small kids is just it's own kind of busy I guess. The thing I love about being a mom (besides my 2 little monkeys) is that it requires that I draw nearer to Jesus Christ. The attributes that He has are the same ones that a mother requires:(patience - "if I have to wipe up ONE MORE MESS, I'm going to scream!", kindness, "Hannah, be NICE to Ellie. Don't hit her on the head with the toy, that's not nice. Yes Nate, it's fine that you have meetings yet again tonight. Doesn't bother me at all. Have a great time socializing with adults honey," selflessness - "let's see, just getting my teeth brushed and it's only 11:30 a.m., not bad.") Oh, it really is a beautiful thing isn't it?