TIME

OH...the horror of time for me lately. It's sick. I'm simultaneously freaked out about how quickly it's all going...and how fast my kiddos are growing up...and at the same time, wishing it all away. One year. Geoff will be done with residency in one little year. Everyone I know whose husband's have recently graduated keep telling me how quickly this last year goes by. I'm glad to hear that..sooo anxious to see where God leads us next (Montana...please!:) and at the same time trying to savor all the moments of Greyson's fleeting days as a baby, and taking in the adorable and tender things that Reagans tells me daily. I can hardly fit Brooks in my lap. In fact...I thought I would show him how strong I am last night by carrying him to bed...and had to hand him off to Geoff half way there! I want to be mindful and purposeful with the gift of this time. That's my thought as of late.

6 Word Memoir

I've been tagged by my dear Christie...the challenge is to write a six word "memoir" to sum up your life...or your thoughts...or something you'd like someone to remember you by. I've been stirring this over for a couple of days...and I think, at least for now...here's mine. This is what He's been whispering to me lately:

**"When I am weak, He's strong" ***

ok sounds better to say He IS strong....but I was trying to squeeze it into six! :)

and now...I tag....Cory, Bryn, Julie, Laura, and Ann. You have to tag five people..and leave a link to this page...

Friday Flashback...I just love these

and now..to talk about these pictures. Here's Geoff's mom with the kiddos. I desperately needed to buy a bigger "card" to hold the pics on our new camera. durr...I have no pics of my mom and dad and stuff. I realize I look like fat turd in this pic with Geoff...but it was the first time we'd actually had our picture taken together in a long, long time. Cory, Nicole, Reagan, Brooks, and Kaden dancing at Cory's wedding. precious! oh...and my wonderful friend Ann on the bottom photo drove over from Great Falls (our husbands met in med school) Sorry we didn't get to see you, Dave..and thanks for the Macaroni Grill..Ann! What fun to see you! We hope God opens up the doors for us to move back to Montana next year. It was great to see everybody!

Montana Happenings..

VACATIOn

We're on one...well.....leaving today anyways...for Montana! Pics to follow...we're driving....kids are sick....say a prayer, will ya?

More Friday Flashbacks

These were taken in Feb of 2004. Geoff was a 4th year med student..and we were living in West Des Moines. Look at how tiny that apt. was! How'd we do that?? Reagan's torticollus (sp?) wow..we never thought THAT would resolve! also...loook at the NOT FROZEN pond! It really IS a cold winter this year!

The snow.....

see that mailbox??? do ya?? do you see it? Poor Rick...the mailman...he must be ready to quit about now. Oh...I hope he doesn't go postal!
Yes..I DO still have my Christmas wreath up okay? But check out the funky skinny snowman. P.S. we got five MORE inches since this.....wish I could say I wasn't bitter..

Grandpa's new Spider Man Valentine's Day "tat"
A mean game of "Membory" with Grandma...Reagan kicks everyone's boot on that one!
Grandma always loves a craft~
Sweet how they always squeeze in our big chair..

"sprinkling" the Valentine's cupcakes..Reagan and Grandma..

Can I Wake UP????

Reagan...
this is how she "wakes up"..rather...doesn't go to sleep when she's taking her afternoon nap!! I fear the worst. I'm troubled. Alarmed...frightened......I'm afraid..the afternoon naptime has come to an end. Reagan lays down now for about fifteen minutes..and then begins to hollar out, "CAN I WAKE UP?" She USED to just fall asleep! Yikes.....I really think her days of "napping" in the afternoon are over (not like Greyson will sleep while she is, anyways)..dangit. Oh..and today...I found her hidden in her closet eating her Valentine's Chocolate!! Where oh where...would she ever learn that kind of behaviour?????? :) Dear, Sweet, Reagan.

If you don't like the Weather....

just wait five minutes...it'll change? Ya know...we've lived in Montana, Texas, Colorado..and now, Iowa. EVERY place we've lived..the people love that phrase. I will say, however..that within FIVE minutes this morning....it finally rang true! (Geoff and I are always bugged, severely by this expression...just find it annoying to some degree) Anyways..weatherman "Schnackenberg" (yes....it IS his real name..I didn't make that up!) predicted rain today....although we just had about five inches of snow in the night. Being the conscious home owner that I am...coupled with the fact that we missed the little "window" of shoveling opportunity LAST time we had a big rain/ice storm predicted..I got my little hiney out about 6 before the kiddos were too roused to shovel! (G had already left for work about an hour prior..poor guy) anyways...I'm shoveling along like a regular person..when it started to THUNDER/LIGHTNING..and rain on me!!! about two minutes later...it hailed!!! True story.
and now..I'm getting old...because I'm a little too obsessed with weather.

Flash Back Friday...

I've always adored this little picture of Brooks taking a half time break. I guess the picture says it all.

My Mom and Dad are coming!

it's gonna be excited!!! (as Reagan would say) Hurry up and get here mom and dad!!! We can't wait to see you!! I'm gonna be exciting (again..Reago)

Six Month Old Greyson...

How is that possible?? My little baby...my last....my caboose....a half year already? Here's what he's into:

• pulling my hair til I'm forced into his face while he bites my cheeks
• "flubbering" my cheeks...or anything he can get ahold of
• NOT pacifiers
• sitting up
• working over the exercauser......he can make it move all across the living room by rocking it
• wearing 12 month clothing
• smiling whenever he sees Brooks or Reagan.
• loving the "wheels on the bus" song....especially the verse where the kids on the bus go up and down!
• not such a big fan of the solid foods as of yet...getting better. He doesn't gag on the bananas with oatmeal!
• he loves you to read, sing, dance to/with him
• he rolls...and kinda sorta..but not really crawls...but he does manage somehow to get places a little
• robs me of mine heart

Daily Occurences....

is that how you even spelll occurence?? occurrence? ocurrance? ocurrence? looks wrong for some reason...anyways. here goes:
The latest thing I continually hear out of Reagan is the following:...

• "When we go to Montana....can I bring my puppy and books?" (Not a real puppy..no to worry)
• and if it's getting dark out..because we once mentioned in passing that we'd either leave early in the morning or in the evening after G gets off of work...Reagan says..."it's dark out..can we get in the van for Montana now?" 15-19 times a day we hear this.

one might wonder...when ARE we actually really going to Montana?? yeah..that'd be the end of February..this has been going on about two weeks already. Maybe next time we'll wait to tell the kids we're going til a week or two before we're actually going to leave, ya THINK?

Greyson's latest work..

Greyson's been workin' overtime on these teeth. Go Greyson!

This "Ode" is for my ode Sister, Bev..aka "Aunt B" on her birthday...

Just a couple of reasons why we love Bev...

• She turns the "mundane" into a party!
• She took me to the Cayman Islands
• She is very generous....you can't "out-give her..."
• She laughs at my jokes....sometimes reallllly hard, even!
• She comes to all my major life events....(kids birthdays...births...and even massages me through them!)
• She is always encouraging.
• She's not afraid to admit her weakness.
• She'll always know the latest and greatest craft....or health food craze.
• She shows my kids soo much love...and fun!
• She takes my kiddos camping..even if its just in the yard!
• She'll take a reallllly long road trip with you...and make it seem like it's fun...as long as there's good snacks..."it's all about the snacks!'
• She's not afraid to try something new.
• She can drive a Harley...:)
• She takes care of people and anticipates their needs
• She always makes us feel super welcome in her home
• She gets excited about "juicing" things :)
• She lets my kids call her "Aunt B"
• She's the most encouraging person I know...always makes me feel like I can do anything.
• I LOVE you, BEV!! We're all so blessed to have you in our lives. Happy Birthday!!

last night of nights

Yippee!! tonight's the last night of geoff being on nights. Being on nights is incredibly difficult for soo many reasons. I've been feeling like "single mom". The kids are up giggling in the tent. I don't have the heart to bust it up cause it's such a treat to hear them up there actually getting along so well! Let's hope they sleep in til Geoff gets home (which is 7:30..and doesn't really constitute an actual sleep in in most houses) Tomorrow morning's "saturday breakfast!" I really hope G is able to get SOME sleep tonight!

Silly Announcement!

Ok...I know this is trivial..but I"m soooo excited!! I've been wanting to work out at the BEAUTIFUL new gym in N.L. ..she just called and to tell me I can start working there in their daycare. (this means FREE membership AND childcare!) I've been waitinggggggggg for a gym! Thanks, God! wooohoo! I'm encouraged.

So...
here's Mr. Greyson as of the other day. He's still growing at an alarming rate, yes. The following is Geoff's brother, Andy (Greyson Andrew...see?) with Geoff's mom, Sandy...aka "grandma magnet...due to the tshirt I purchased Reagan which somehow thinks that's somehow her new name)..and of course, Reagan.
The bottom photo is Margo (yes, she's available..tell your single doctor friends :) We miss you Taylors of Montana!! Thanks fer coming!

Visit from the Montana Taylors

Visit from the Montana Taylors

Here's a few little pictures of the visit we had with Aunt Margo, Uncle Andy, and Grandma "Magnet". (I bought Reagan a shirt with that on it...'grandma magnet, durrh :) and she thought that was Geoff's mom's new name or something)

update on stuff

So...Christmas was wonderful. Ok...not perfect cause I missed my Montana peops...but nearly! We had tons of snow (by the way...if I"m missing any "d's"...it's because something's going on with my 'd"..an I have to push it super har for some reason...grr!
Geoff's family (mom, Margo, an Andy) will be here tonight! wooopp whoop! The kids are soo anxious! Geoff's been on nights..but it's been the greatest because for some reason they haven't been doing much cases in the night...so he basically goes there to sleep! (I just jinxed it, huh?) Greyson's FIVE months old! He's a champ! He works over the exersaucer pretty good..and LOVES Brooks. I'll be posting some pics soon, I hope! Hooray for cable internet!!