Elastigirl

I've given this a lot of thought. Elastigirl is like the perfect symbol for what womanhood is. More specifically, a woman who is focusing on the task of home production. Think about it: What makes an elastic valuable? The opposing qualities of rigid structure, and flexiblity. If it didn't fight to retain its original shape, it wouldn't hold anything together. But if it wasn't flexible, it couldn't gather within its grasp everything it wanted to hold. Women of the world...don't you feel this way!? It's like, my family completely falls apart when I fall apart (which by the way is currently happening because NEWS!! we have baby number 3 on the way, which we are way excited about! But the elistigirl in our family is in a bunched up knot on the couch or in bed. I'm really not that sick, just sick and tired enough to be falling apart). Anyway, I administer (or not) any and all structure for all members of my family when it comes to home. Meals, training children to take care of their things, having fun together, family worship, clean socks in their place, etc. It is a fulfilling and challenging task, and women who pull it off well truly amaze me. And then there's the flexibility. I love Helen Parr and all the ways she uses her elasticity, it cracks me up. Because it's so a mom! Who doesn't hold their toddler sideways in one arm while they reach for a rag and then pour someone else a glass of milk with the other? What mom isn't the parachute and lifesaver for every issue under her roof? Even Mr. Incredible, a symbol of strength, fell apart without her. Here's the paradox: everything has to remain flexible in order to keep its stability.

I'm so thankful for my role. I'm so thankful that I am asked to develop what it takes to be an elastigirl. I want to reach out, to stretch myself!, to include every person and every joy available. I want to create that stable dream home, where children say, "Ahhhhh. I'm home. I'm safe. I'm loved. I'm happy."

And I guess what I'm learning now is that part of what needs to be flexible is even my expectation for myself. I'm not a very strong elastic, really. I'm more like silly putty that just keeps stretching. As I work on my discipline, I'm thankful for the hope I have that Someone wants to help bear my yoke. And I'm so humbled to be sealed to a partner who sees WonderWoman just by opening my eyes every morning.

Have a happy, happy day doing just what we do best: elastigate. :)

Unplanned....

So much has happend since we last posted on our blog, that it is hard to know where to begin. But, here's to more pictures and less blah-ging.

PHILLIP

This is Phil's dream car. People-mover meets power. I have a great future ahead of me!

This is Phil being an awesome dad. He is always an awesome dad!

Phil studies HARD, and he is doing great!
Phil also had a birthday....HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!

MARY
I am teaching a preschool. I could be long-winded about how fun this is, but I won't.
Let's just say I LOVE IT!!!!!!

For those of you who used to care, here's a "during" photo of my weight loss. I'm just shy of 15 pounds from my goal. I also cut my hair.

I made a birthday chair cover (see above; the embroidery was done by my talented friend Kim), and I recovered my couch. Now I only have 998 projects left on my list!

before

after

ELIJAH

Loves Preschool; he is beginning to tell me accurately what words start with.

Loves books (and being interrupted by our "angel in a chub suit" Caleb)

Is awfully handsome, don't you think?

And loves playing "house," cars, "Fire" (you run with pushing your truck yelling "fire!), trains, PBSkids.org, store/restaurant, hide and seek, and watching shows.

CALEB

Is learning to fold his arms for prayer.

When he's not praying, he's...emptying out the rag drawer, then the food storage, then the bread pans, oh, and then the tupperware. Wait! There's toys, too!?! Play coins and toy food also make a nice sound when dumped...etc. You get the idea.

And, last but not least, for you viewing pleasure......

Real Life

Before school started we took yet another road trip to finish up the summer! We visited Phil's sister Amy and her family who live in Michigan. We had a great time!

Now our sweet, wonderful hubby and dad is back in school! The boys cry every morning when he leaves, but he's been managing to study at home after class which has been good for us all! The boys have even learned to leave him alone! It's better for Phil because he has to spend less time setting up and packing up, less worry about food, and when he does take the occasional break, it's with us! I am so proud of Phil for all he is doing!

Elijah and I are going to be doing a little preschool together, and for a while, his friend Ayslin will join us! Preschool starts September 1st and I am so excited!

Bye Bye Bats!

After finding poop outside in the back,
A poor chipmunk gave its life in a trap,
Sixteen bats left their nest with a flap,
Never to return.

Professionals came and sealed their fate,
By putting a screen over their front gate,
Then, waiting until it was sufficiently late,
Let them all escape.

In our attic they had made their abode,
And regularly dumped us a toxic load,
Boy am I glad they have hit the road!
Never to return!

Portraits of our Boys

We were a month late, but we decided to try to do Caleb's "one year" portraits by ourselves. Phillip took the pictures, and we thought we'd share them with you. There are quite a few of both the boys as well as just Caleb. They're pretty cute and handsome, don't you think?! We're hoping to get some printed out soon so we can send some actual pictures on to many of you. Let us know if you have personal requests... :)
More posts about our trips, etc. to come. Sorry to jump around but I thought you'd enjoy these.

The Drive...

So as many of you know, our family had the wonderful chance to spend a large chunk of time recently in Salt Lake City with our families. We opted to drive, which allowed us the chance to visit a lot of historical sites along the way, as well as have our own car for transportation while away. True to our form, the volume of things we brought with us was, let's say, "substantial" despite having improved our efficient packing skills from past trips.

It's always hard to know what to bring. Do you leave home the multiple Costco boxes of diapers you've already bought if you know they won't fit when you get back if "technically" you have "room" for them? :) Well, packing became an artform (by force) - both going to and coming from Utah. We're proud of how we did though. School books, the jogger stroller, and too many other large things made the full trip, and coming back to WV we even brought an acquired-on-Craig's-List-for-a-really-good-deal play set and MORE! We're nuts. This video was taken just as we left a wonderful family reunion 2 hrs from Salt Lake when we really began our return trek. Take a look...

LOTS to come very soon... :)

Here's a good representation our lives for the last while. We're excited to update all of you on our family adventures! Coming soon on our blogspot blog...