Dear Maya and Makenna

Hello my dear children.  Mommy has taken a very long break from updating the blog as I have been enjoying spending time with you and your daddy.  The month of July came and went so quickly that I wanted to savor the time I had spending it with the family.

As you both know, we have been busy enjoying the summer weather.  The first part of July we got to fly on a plane all the way to Philly to visit our good friends Steve, Amy, and Bailey.  I was highly impressed with how both of you traveled and only having one meltdown by Makenna on the way home wasn’t so bad overall.  I’m pretty sure the other passengers were treading the flight home but you all fell fast asleep once the plane took off.

On this trip, you both also experience the Jersey Shore (ocean) for the first time.  I loved seeing your beaming faces.  Maya, you had a blast picking up seashells and Makenna, we couldn’t keep you from sprinting into the water.  Thank goodness we had lots of people in our group to help keep an eye on you as you were fast!  I also loved seeing you enjoy the small amusement part.  Maya, you loved every single ride and were so daring.  Makenna, did you ride the horsie?  I believe you did as you made sure to tell us every other minute afterwards. 

Our family fun didn’t stop there as we got to spend more time as a family at the EKC Mehabar in Minneapolis, MN.  You girls had a great time meeting new friends and seeing old friends.  Of course the jumping things sure made an impact on you as well.  Maya, you had fun swimming with daddy and playing with your Ethiopian friend Addie at the indoor park.  We all had fun meeting a great family from IN who traveled far to be at the picnic.

You girls also have enjoyed your new Barbie jeep.  I love watching you attempt to drive it around the neighborhood.  Maya, you are a crazy driver!  Daddy really spoiled you!

Makenna, you turned 2 in July!  I cannot believe my baby is 2!  I hope you had a great birthday considering your aunt Tori and her family came to spend the night and next day with us.  Going to the lake, swimming at the beach, eating at Zorbaz, and diving into the Dairy Queen cake seemed to have been enjoyed by everyone including you!

What else?  Oh yes, Maya you have been loving soccer.  I am so glad Daddy picked out a great soccer program for you that really teaches you the game of soccer.  You have been doing so well and I’m glad you enjoy it!  You both have also enjoyed our bike rides, playing at the parks, seeing friends, and relaxing at home.  We had a great month didn’t we?

Love you girls more than words and thank you for the wonderful memories we have created as a family. 

Love,

Mom

Wordless Wednesday - Love these smiles!

Wordless Wednesday - My Crazy Picture Doing Power Jumps (for those not on Facebook and haven't seen it)

Water

My blog post today is to ask for prayers for all the people in my state who are battling the worse flood since 1969. My mother and grandmother live in a city who is demanding 10,000 people to be evacuated from their homes by tomorrow morning. These people are going to lose their homes and everything inside that isn't taking with them. The city has asked them to turn off their electricity, lock their doors, and leave. Officials will be going door to door to ensure everyone is out of the evacuation area and the companies who supply electricity and gas to these homes will turn ensure the electricity and gas is turned off. This means no sump pumps running and nothing to help keep the water out of their homes.

This makes me sick inside and terrible sad. No one should ever have to lose their homes but mother nature has other plans. I am incredibly thankful that my family is safe and should continue to be safe. The mayor was on the radio this morning and commented that this city is now trying to save the infrastructure and any public buildings. The city does not have time to increase the height of their dikes or to sandbag. Sad. Really sad.

So I ask you to just pray. Pray that the water doesn't crest like they have predicted. Pray these families will be able to find temporary homes. Pray the families and the city can rebuild once the water level is back down. Please pray.

Family Weekend

Well we survived a 20 hour car drive weekend with both kids.  I have to say they both did pretty well considering.  Makenna actually did great except when she was beyond tired.  At that point she just had to cry until she feel asleep as there was nothing we could do for her. 

This weekend we visited Dave's family in Iowa. It was a short visit but we did manage to see Dave's two sisters, his mother, and their families.  I am so glad they got to meet Makenna again and see what a beautiful child she has grown into. 

 Maya with Grandma Linda in front of a scary bear!

 too cute if you ask me

 Thanks Linda for taking a great picture!  I love this one.

 Maya loved spending time with cousin Alicia

 Dave with his mother Linda

This picture might just be my favorite one from the weekend.  Maya is with her Aunt Judy at Judy's baby shower.



Join Us Over...

at our fitness blog today.  All you have to do is scroll over the fitness tab in the navigation bar and click on fitness blog.  Have a wonderful and fit day everyone!

Random Thoughts

• Where is summer?  I am tired of wearing the same thing day in and day out, pants, summer shirt, and a cardigan.  Is summer ever going to come and stay?
• I miss my boat.  I am craving to get out to the lake and enjoy a boat ride.  Dave finally picked up our boat last Friday and now it is sitting nicely in our garage.  Refer to my first bullet point as to why we have not yet used it.  
• I'm tired.  Maya has been busy each night of the week with swimming lessons.  She is doing a great job and loving it.  I can not believe how much she is learning this time around.  Having a lesson every night for 2 weeks minus weekends is apparently the key.
• Wishing I had more dedication and time to devout to my Beachbody business and working out.  Dave and I are doing our 3rd round of Insanity which I love but my back is giving me some issues so I have to take it slow.  I'm frustrated.  Thankfully I have had 3 great workouts in a row with very little back pain!
• We are busy planning.  We have decided to really decide what is important and how we should best spend our hard earned money.  We have decided to let satellite go and give over the antenna TV watching a chance.  Scary.  Has anyone done this and do you miss satellite or cable?  
• We received our first box of vegetables from our farm.  I am in love.  So excited to have fresh vegetables delivered to me each week.  This is a must have!
• I am having a chocolate attack.  It seems I am craving chocolate like there is no tomorrow.  I have always loved chocolate but have been able to keep it under control until recently.  My new goal is to get off of my chocolate addiction starting now!

I guess that is all my random thoughts for now.  Until later...