Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Running out of space!
Even if we had a dresser for darling Elizabeth, we wouldn't have anywhere to put it! So these lovely amazon boxes with their artistically fashioned duck tape handles, crammed under her crib, will do for now. Yet another reason I am so looking forward to closing on our house!
Ethan of course noticed me taking a picture of her bed and suddenly needed to get in it! He loves to yell about monkeys jumping on the bed and then of course fall down. Here is a shot of him "falling down".Monday, February 27, 2012
Potential Homeowners?
It's hard to believe but we have been in Northern Virginia for almost a year now! Which means two things: our lease at this apartment is expiring, and we feel like we have been here long enough to figure out where we want to buy a house! After nearly five years of saving (fortunately Craig even longer) we plan to make that major financial investment and enter the phase of life known as "homeowners"--scary. (I can't believe how complicated all the options and the corresponding math is!! Thank heavens for all of Craig's accounting classes at the Y!) I am also looking forward to living somewhere with the intention of staying longer than a few months finally! We have been married for four years--almost five, and moved six times. I grew up with my family moving fairly often and it never seemed to be that much work:) Guess it's different when you are the one responsible for getting all that junk boxed up!
Anyway, after one failed attempt in a bidding war on a cute little house I was very sad. There are not many homes here we can afford (anyone who has been to this area can vouch for my sticker shock). Luckily another house in the similar area opened up--a house that is actually far better for us. We have put in an offer, had it accepted, inspected, and now we are pretty much just waiting to move in! I know it's never actually for sure until you have the keys in your hand but we are feeling pretty good about it. We will hopefully soon be owners of a nice colonial, two car garage, big fenced back yard home nestled safely into a quiet cul de sac! It's so much more than I even dared hope for! But, like I said....no keys yet:)
I will keep you updated--cross your fingers all goes well!
Anyway, after one failed attempt in a bidding war on a cute little house I was very sad. There are not many homes here we can afford (anyone who has been to this area can vouch for my sticker shock). Luckily another house in the similar area opened up--a house that is actually far better for us. We have put in an offer, had it accepted, inspected, and now we are pretty much just waiting to move in! I know it's never actually for sure until you have the keys in your hand but we are feeling pretty good about it. We will hopefully soon be owners of a nice colonial, two car garage, big fenced back yard home nestled safely into a quiet cul de sac! It's so much more than I even dared hope for! But, like I said....no keys yet:)
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| We are hoping this will be our new personal playground! |
I will keep you updated--cross your fingers all goes well!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Sword Fighting House Rules
A house rule we have instituted (which I believe to be quite fair) is:
Guess I hadn't thought of this option. At least he is trying to follow the rules...
No sword fighting unless your opponent also has a sword.
Guess I hadn't thought of this option. At least he is trying to follow the rules...
What ya doin' Mama?
We are to that adorably fun yet slightly nervous stage of "what will Ethan say next?" It is wonderful. After months of speech therapy Ethan has really exploded in conversation. He astounded me when he looked at me one day and said "Why dinosours die Mama?"
His favorite thing to say the last few days is "What ya doin' Mama" Yikes!! what am I doing?! I better get busy and do good things because he wants a detailed report! When I ask him what he is doing his favorite response is "I cutting" He loves scissors...I know, I better be careful!
I think another one of my favorite phrases from him is "too big". He insists on Craig snuggling in bed with him each night and when Craig falls asleep with him he usually wakes up to a foot in the face and Ethan mumbling "too big." A man who is 6'1" just doesn't belong in a toddler bed.
He also enjoys singing along with some songs now that he can say the words. His favorite song is "Girlfriend" He heard it on our Just Dance Wii game and boy does he love it. He runs around pointing just like the dancer and yelling "you, you, you, like a gil fend" It cracks me up.
His favorite thing to say the last few days is "What ya doin' Mama" Yikes!! what am I doing?! I better get busy and do good things because he wants a detailed report! When I ask him what he is doing his favorite response is "I cutting" He loves scissors...I know, I better be careful!
I think another one of my favorite phrases from him is "too big". He insists on Craig snuggling in bed with him each night and when Craig falls asleep with him he usually wakes up to a foot in the face and Ethan mumbling "too big." A man who is 6'1" just doesn't belong in a toddler bed.
He also enjoys singing along with some songs now that he can say the words. His favorite song is "Girlfriend" He heard it on our Just Dance Wii game and boy does he love it. He runs around pointing just like the dancer and yelling "you, you, you, like a gil fend" It cracks me up.
Toothles Smiles
People who know me well have probably heard me complain about my teeth. For some reason this topic puts me on edge--I have truly rotten teeth. So as usual (despite my prescription toothpaste and regular dentist trips) I visited the dentist only to learn I had more cavities than fingers. This meant multiple return visits and several pretty pennies. Anyone with a little baby can relate to the challenge of leaving for hours several times. I was worried about leaving the kids in the middle of the day while Craig had to take off work to watch the kids.
The first dentist appointment didn't go all that wonderfully. It took longer than expected, my mouth hurt like crazy, and Ethan was screaming when I left. On my drive home I said a quick prayer that things would be alright when I got home. I huffed and puffed up the stairs to our apartment and to my surprise came home to two happy children. Craig had done a wonderful job taking care of the kids. I walked in and my precious Elizabeth gave me the biggest toothless smile I have ever seen. It was beautiful. My eyes immediately filled with tears and I was overwhelmed with love for my kids. It was a simple reminder of what is truly important. These two little miracles in my life made me feel so much better. Ethan even came and hugged me and the smile and giggle Elizabeth offered took away all my dental worries.
I will inevitably have dentures--this I know--but look how happy and beautiful Elizabeth is with no teeth! It can't be that bad.
The first dentist appointment didn't go all that wonderfully. It took longer than expected, my mouth hurt like crazy, and Ethan was screaming when I left. On my drive home I said a quick prayer that things would be alright when I got home. I huffed and puffed up the stairs to our apartment and to my surprise came home to two happy children. Craig had done a wonderful job taking care of the kids. I walked in and my precious Elizabeth gave me the biggest toothless smile I have ever seen. It was beautiful. My eyes immediately filled with tears and I was overwhelmed with love for my kids. It was a simple reminder of what is truly important. These two little miracles in my life made me feel so much better. Ethan even came and hugged me and the smile and giggle Elizabeth offered took away all my dental worries.
I will inevitably have dentures--this I know--but look how happy and beautiful Elizabeth is with no teeth! It can't be that bad.
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| 4 months old--can you believe it?! |
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
A new year of love and miracles
A quote by Willa Cather says "Where there is great love there are always great miracles."
Another quote that I have always loved by Mother Theresa is "We cannot do great things; only small things with great love."
I appreciate these quotes so much I have decided to make this the theme of this years Marshall Family Blog. I think often we fail to see the miracles around us or we sadly fail to even experience many miracles because we are closed to love. I believe God's love enables miracles to occur frequently in our lives if we are aware of Him. One of my goals this year is to see and be worthy of these miracles.
In my effort to start the year in the right direction I read one of my favorite books The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. If you want to learn about love and miracles this book is excellent. It is the story of a woman and her amazing family who strive to help people during WWII. She sees and experiences many miracles through her life. Amazingly, the miracles do not end even after being sent to a concentration camp.
I think one of my favorite pieces of this inspiring book is when Corrie tells of her sweet sister Beth; who after arriving at the death camp Ravensbruck, thanks God for the many fleas. Corrie can't understand why her sister would do something so crazy, but in the weeks to come they discover because the fleas were so intolerable the guards would not enter their barracks--thus enabling Corrie and her sister to read the smuggled in bible to many people hungry for the word of God. Amazing. Read this book--you will cry, but you will be a better person.
Another quote that I have always loved by Mother Theresa is "We cannot do great things; only small things with great love."
I appreciate these quotes so much I have decided to make this the theme of this years Marshall Family Blog. I think often we fail to see the miracles around us or we sadly fail to even experience many miracles because we are closed to love. I believe God's love enables miracles to occur frequently in our lives if we are aware of Him. One of my goals this year is to see and be worthy of these miracles.
In my effort to start the year in the right direction I read one of my favorite books The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. If you want to learn about love and miracles this book is excellent. It is the story of a woman and her amazing family who strive to help people during WWII. She sees and experiences many miracles through her life. Amazingly, the miracles do not end even after being sent to a concentration camp.
I think one of my favorite pieces of this inspiring book is when Corrie tells of her sweet sister Beth; who after arriving at the death camp Ravensbruck, thanks God for the many fleas. Corrie can't understand why her sister would do something so crazy, but in the weeks to come they discover because the fleas were so intolerable the guards would not enter their barracks--thus enabling Corrie and her sister to read the smuggled in bible to many people hungry for the word of God. Amazing. Read this book--you will cry, but you will be a better person.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Family Pictures
While we were in North Carolina Craig's talented sister Gina took our family pictures. Even with Ethan constantly trying to escape, I think she got some pretty good ones!
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| Wendy said he looked like a little GQ model with his sweater--I think so too:) |
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| Here is a perfect display of Ethan's personality! |
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| It was a little chilly so miss Elizabeth went dressed as a polar bear. |
Sunday, January 8, 2012
National Museum of Natural Science
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| We were pushing nap time if you can't tell from these happy pictures:) |
We spent our New Years Eve (my birthday) at the Smithsonian down town. Ethan was dying to get in with the dinosaur displays, climb on everything available, and run like mad down every hall! It was a fun day! Elizabeth of course slept like a little angel and I would say we all had a pretty good time. We especially enjoyed the gem section. The "Hope Diamond" was my personal favorite next to Marie Antoinette's diamond earrings.
2011 Christmas
It was a busy season! Ethan wore a shirt the few weeks before Christmas that said "Santa takes cute into consideration" ...lucky for him! He is a regular two year old boy! At church on Christmas morning while the choir was singing, Ethan ran out into the aisle to sing along with the choir. While they sang "Joy to the World" Ethan stood, feet apart, and belted "tol me ra ra ra pum!" (his version of little drummer boy) as loudly as he could. Needless to say, he got to finish his little solo in the foyer.
We drove the six hours to North Carolina and had a great time. Plenty of Christmas cookies and parties made for a great celebration. And of course Ethan enjoyed the big boxes more than anything.
Probably the most special piece of our Christmas celebration was blessing Elizabeth on Christmas Sunday. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the birth of our Savior. All of Craig's family was there and my Aunt Beth and her family were also able to make it. I am so grateful for a husband who is worthy to bless my baby girl and family to support us. As I am considering what to write and share from the experience my eyes fill with tears. It was a very special day--a Christmas memory I will always treasure.
We were glad to celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. He is the savior of the world and he came to us as a little baby--just as our babies come. He is our perfect example and we hope to be more like him.
We drove the six hours to North Carolina and had a great time. Plenty of Christmas cookies and parties made for a great celebration. And of course Ethan enjoyed the big boxes more than anything.
Probably the most special piece of our Christmas celebration was blessing Elizabeth on Christmas Sunday. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the birth of our Savior. All of Craig's family was there and my Aunt Beth and her family were also able to make it. I am so grateful for a husband who is worthy to bless my baby girl and family to support us. As I am considering what to write and share from the experience my eyes fill with tears. It was a very special day--a Christmas memory I will always treasure.
We were glad to celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. He is the savior of the world and he came to us as a little baby--just as our babies come. He is our perfect example and we hope to be more like him.
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