Papa’s Birthday

Happy Birthday, Papa! We had an early celebration the weekend before my dad’s birthday while the whole family was home! I wish this happened more often! Emerson hasn’t stopped singing ‘Happy Birthday!’...

Life in the North Pole

Fall-ing into a new routine: Emerson made herself right at home at Papa and Gaga’s house. She has no problem climbing every imaginable surface, emptying drawers, filling Cooper’s kennel with her books, and sneaking out of bed to set the table with paper plates. As usual, she’s very busy! She’s had a great transition into a new daycare and loves seeing her cousin, Jackson, every day at school! His awesome parents have invited me to share their BonFire Web Company office space which I couldn’t be more grateful for!  Earlier this week we had a play date with them at the pumpkin patch… so this is what it’s like to...

A Bittersweet Turn of Events

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. – Reinhold Niebuh Normally I wouldn’t write anything this personal for the world to read, but I’d like to briefly share our recent journey so that we might possibly begin moving forward again. It’s been difficult to blog in the past month as our family has been experiencing many changes. I am thankful to have had the wisdom to know that separating from Emerson’s father was the right thing to do and that we’d all be better for it eventually. I didn’t realize...

2 Year Truths

Truth:  24 pounds (25th percentile) / 35.5 inches (98th percentile) Truth:  Experiences sudden and unpredictable urges to remove diaper. Truth:  Counting fingers sounds like this, “eight, nine, eight, nine, EIGHT!” Truth:  She named all of her babies ‘Amanda.’ Truth:  Big into singing, especially ‘Single Ladies,’ ‘Ring Around the Rosie,’ and ‘ABC’s.’ Truth:  Prolongs bedtime by asking for milk or water every night. Truth:  She would live outside in her beem (swing). Tears ensue at the end of this activity. Truth:  Any colorful animal/puppet monster on TV is automatically Elmo. Truth:  Escaping through the sliding patio door is a daily activity. Truth:  Cries for Papa when she knows she’s in trouble...

Birthday Weekend: Sunday

The final birthday event of the year (I haven’t even begun to cover birthday celebrations in Spirit Lake and Humboldt the previous weekend) began when Mimi Meg and Mimi Jor arrived Sunday morning. Papa and Mark also joined us for a BLT feast before opening more gifts. When my sisters weren’t busy having a photo shoot in the curtains, a new tea set and bowling pins entertained us for the rest of the day. Finally after several days of anticipation, we ate cake! We enjoyed all our guests throughout the weekend, but by Sunday night I was ready to order pizza and kick my feet up!  ...