The Culprit

Here is the little guy that has been keeping us up.

Advice?

Okay, my little buds is not a good sleeper!!  Granted we have traveled a ton and it always seems like there is something to attribute it to- teething, growth spurt, cold, travel, etc.

Usually I gradually get him back into a routine and get him sleeping through the night again (if sleeping until 5 am to eat and then back to sleep counts as through the night!)   It’s usually a combo of getting him, patting him, and letting him cry.  I can handle some crying when I know in a few nights it will be worth it but I’m not one of those who can just let them cry like an hour or something.

So the new dilemma is Lucy and Elias are sharing a room now.  Letting him cry wakes her up.

What do I do?  And to be honest knowing we will be leaving this place in a month and have more transition makes me wonder if the work is worth it.  Because one option is just nursing him whenever he wakes up and putting him back down.   I’m open to your advice and suggestions!

BFF

This past week I was able to spend some time with, well as the title says, my best friend Jaime.  The kids and I flew to KY and had a great time.  I’m very grateful to God for giving us such a special friendship (just ask our husbands they have heard us expound on this many a time!). 

Things I love and admire about Jaime- she’s very deep, loves God’s word and studies it indepthly, caring- she’s not afraid to enter your pain, gracious- she knows God’s grace is big enough to cover my sin, totally wacky, a wonderful mom- firm and fun, a great storyteller, has a passion to really live life and see God glorified as she goes about doing it. 

Here are some pics.  Check out her blog too for a few more.   Oh and a big thanks to Doug for putting up with us all week.  By us I mean my kids and I but also Jaime and I!

Elias and Luke.  I thought the coloring book version was pretty cute.

The girls

Wolter family

So Much to Post

I have been so behind with everything.  Most of my time has been spent chasing Elias latley, packing up, sorting and taking to goodwill in between!  So here are some pics.

Some cute videos

You can’t see Elias very well but I like the sounds. 

This is Lucy and Zoe. 

Suggestions?

I was recently given an itunes gift card and want to make the most of the money!  So tell me what you all have been listening to these days.

BTW thanks Justin for this great gift!

I did buy this and really like it.

Tea Parties

Lucy has been having lots of tea parties in her room latley.  It’s pretty fun.  The other day she came running into my room and said Mom come quick.  This is what I found.

Summer Update

This summer has just been flying by and I have been so bad at blogging I don’t even know where to start.

So what have I been doing this summer? 

Mainly chasing the 2 kiddos!  And I don’t think chasing is too much of an exaggeration.  Elias is all over the place.  He started crawling in June or maybe before- it’s all a blur.  In no time he was up steps and pulling himself up to everything!  He spends most of his time crying – either he’s hurt or frustrated that I won’t let him do something that will make him hurt!  I love the little sweetie though.  He also says maa, ma, maum now too.  He means it about pretty much anything he wants – so it is directed at me at times!

Lucy is doing soccer this summer and loving it.  I’m really glad we signed her up- it’s a fun way to get her exercise.  She also just did swimming lessons this past week in Algona with her cousin Zoe. 

We have been to Iowa several times- once celebrating my brother in laws 40th- we had a great weekend at Lake Okoboji.  Another time visiting Dustin’s family and seeing his sister’s new house.  And this past week seeing dear friends, visiting more family and Dustin preached at my brother’s church.  He preached from the book of Jonah- maybe I’ll share more about that in another post! 

Between all the traveling I have also been spending time with dear Syrian friends who are helping me with Arabic most Thursday afternoons! 

On top of all that we are preparing for our big move in the fall.  It feels full but I am grateful to God for all the people he has put in our life!

2nd Mom

I think she would do everything for Elias if I let her.

Friendship

I was able to meet 4 good friends from college (before and beyond acutally) for a girl’s night a couple weekends ago.  It was a crazy 30 hours but well worth all the effort every one put in to be there.  I was a little tired on my 6 hour drive home after staying up until 3 am!  What did Lea, Jaime and I think was so important or so funny that we had to stay up that late for?