Busy August

Well, it has obviously been a little while since I've blogged.  For the most part summer was really laid back and relaxing and a lot of time to just hang out.  But all of the sudden it seems like with August came being a lot more busy!  Gaetan taught his last lab about 2 weeks ago and doesn't work until Sept 5 when he starts school.  So we pretty much have him home for an entire month!  I think that he's getting a little cabin crazy being home all the time, but I know that he really likes being home with the kids this much. :)

We've been able to hang out with a lot of friends with his time off.  We were so lucky to spend time with one of our good couple friends from Ludington.  Its really nice spending time with them because they have a small child and they're our age.  A lot of people that we hang out with that have small children are usually at least 5 years older then we are, or our friends our age don't have kids.  So it's really nice to spend time with a couple that totally understand all the nuisances of being married, juggling life and having small kids.

Today we got a chance to talk about raising kids, education, cloth diapers and discipline.  It's awesome to be able to talk with them and know that their view points and their desire to keep Christ at the center of their lives is so in tune with ours.  Its also so nice to bounce ideas off each other and find out what has been working for them and have them ask for our advice as well.  I wish that they didn't live so far away, but its really nice to visit with them when we can.

I did get a chance to go out with a group of friends last weekend without the kids.  Lucy went down and Gaetan was putting Tristan to sleep and that allowed me to go out to eat with some friends I don't normally get to see :)  That was really nice and MUCH needed.  I think that I can handle being home a lot more then he can, but I do need to get out sometime.  Next Wednesday we finally get to go on our anniversary date.  Better late then never!  I'm really excited about it... will post more about it after the fact.

This weekend has been full of visiting with friends.  Last night we got to hang out with some good friends Quebra and Dizzy and swim... I experiment a lot of meals on them, and they're always so good with it :)  Tonight, like I said, we got to hang out with DJ and Hannah and tomorrow we're going to be hanging out with the Jousmas!  I think that Saturday we might do some little things for Tristans birthday and celebrate at night time.  Some friends are moving this weekend to the east side of the state, and I think that Gaetan will be helping them do that.  And next weekend is Baz's batizado!

Soon after that Gaetan will be starting school and hopefully we will get into a good routine for the school year.  :)  He signed up for classes so we will now see what his TAing schedule will look like.  Until next time

JVG

Happy Birthday my sweet 2 year old!

Today is Tristan's 2nd birthday! I can't believe that my little duder is already 2.  He continue to impress me everyday and bless my life.  He is learning so quickly.  He will pretty much repeat anything you say... which is good and bad.  It really makes you examine what comes out of your mouth and if you would want your toddlers repeating it.  He says, "what?" "oh man!" "yeah yeah" and any other random noise you make.  His "hi" and "bye" he says in the cutest most innocent voice you've ever heard... it's very endearing.  :)  Everyday he seems to be growing up more and more.

For his birthday he got this really cool bunk bed.  On top there is a canopy that has stars on it and then on the bottom is where he sleeps.  He really seems to dig his new bed!  We are hoping to get him a desk with some storage bins in there soon.  When Gaetan starts school (in 2.5 weeks!) I'm hoping to get Tristan doing some more school type things during the morning.  I want to take some time out of the day to really focus on reading, coloring, numbers and maybe some simple math.  I know that we do it during the day anyways, but I want him to get used to doing it and having some quiet time in the morning.  I know that he does really well on a routine so this is something that I'm looking forward to doing with him.

He also go a year pass to the children's museum.  I'm really excited about this one.  I figured it would be really good while Gaetan is in class/teaching this year.  There is so much cool stuff to do there that I don't think that he will get bored with it any time soon :)

I'm really looking forward to seeing what other amazing things our duder will do in the upcoming years! I love my little Lovebug.

JVG

Funny kidlets

Today Bugga was playing outside with Gaetan and he saw me watching from the slider.  He was so excited and went running to say hi and SMACK ran right into the slider.... not even close to stopping.  He looked pretty dazed and confused... but it was pretty funny. No worries, he was not hurt or anything but I Feel like its one of those things that you see on TV and not in real life.  He thought it was pretty funny after he realized he was OK.

When he goes to the potty and the dryer is running he likes to put his naked bunda on it because it's warm and says... "Oooohhh!!"  haha.  Its really funny.  He is also imitating noises we all do.  He's such a little sponge.  He can say Box, baby, big boy, bubbles, hi, bye and a random assortment of animal noises. :)

Lucy also is starting to do funny things.  She's been into this habit of covering her face when she eats... its pretty cute.  But lately she has been really wanting to stand up.. assisted of course, but really it's only for balance.  She's quite the strong little girl!  Now that she's been standing up for a little bit she thinks that she wants to be mobile... so she is 'walking'.  But backwards.  She doesn't walk forward with us, but I think all her weight distribution is in the back so she goes that way.  Its really cute... baby moon walking. haha.  She is also quite the cooer and has such a sweet smile.  :)

Gaetan and I are seriously delving into learning some Korean.  We got some Pimsleur CDs and are doing lesson each day.  Its definitely not an easy thing, but I think we're just getting going... so that's exciting.  I am looking forward to learning this!  :)

JVG

What a 23 month old is thankful for

Today in church during worship they wanted people to come up and write what they are thankful for... and they wanted people to be specific.  Bugga went up with Gaetan and when he was asked what he was thankful for he said, "Chocolate milk."  :)  Oh the simple things in life we should be thankful for... and how much I learn from my children.

Funny thing he did the other day... we went to a friend's house for dinner and he had gone to the potty like a big boy so they were applauding him and telling him what a good job he had done and everybody was clapping except little Lucy.  You can't blame her, she's only 3 months old, but he went over to her and clapped her hands for her.  It was hilarious.

Bugga is getting better and better about being potty trained.  He's been out a few times and has stayed dry! He is turning into such a big boy.  ::sigh::  They grow up too fast, but I there are always new and exciting things to learn and do with him.

JVG

They're home!

I was very excited to pick my parents up late on Saturday night.  When they got home they looked tired... although I probably would be too if I had been traveling for 30 hours.  Yikes.

Mom is SUPER tan... and Dad is Dad. :)  I've been hearing bits and bits of their trip throughout the week and I love it.  I know that I will probably be hearing more and more of it throughout the rest of the year.  Having an experience like that will be something that will take a long time to unravel... and I'm EXCITED about it.

I have been loving having them home.  I missed them a lot.  And I am so thankful that they are home safe and sound.

JVG

They're almost home

My parents should be in the air now flying from Kenya to London.  Their flight left 11 something Kenyan time, so about 3 this afternoon!  They unfortunately have quite a long lay-over in London, then they are on to Chicago.  I can't wait for them to come home and hear stories.  I never knew how much I was going to miss them... just little conversations that I would have with them daily, are very much noticed when I can't have them!

I am looking forward to having them home... love them very much.  Pray that their travels go well... and that everybody's luggage arrives at the same time they do!  :)

JVG

Girl time

Even though Lucy sleeps quite a bit (which is a blessing), I do feel like I don't get to spend that much time with her.  So when she wakes up to feed in the early morning I love having that one on one quiet alone time with her... sometimes i'm a little groggy, but I still love having that face time.  It's just us girls, in the quiet hanging out.  Her little cooes and smiles are worth the getting out of my nice bed for ;).  She is such a strong little lady too!  She pretty much can stand up by herself (with help balancing of course) and she has powerful little toes.  Cute, powerful, little baby toes.  She's my baby girl.

JVG