Checking out the flooding in Chaska

Boogers and Troy, ha!

As Kiera and I were taking a break while our oatmeal raisin cookies were baking she found a wash cloth and decided I needed my face wiped. When asked what was one my face, she said, "boogers" clear as day! Josh and I giggled and Kiera proceeded to wipe my face and check my nose for boogers!

On another note she is very intrigued with Troy, our neighbor. Troy is fixing the wall in her room and was there with Josh earlier this week when we got home from daycare. Now when I say should we go home to see Kali and Daddy, she says "Troy?" (She associates Troy with Daddy)

Today she took a trip with Daddy and Troy to IKEA, I am sure she was so excited. She also got to see Oliber (Oliver) and Boof (Booth), Troy and Ashley's dogs. Anytime Kali barks at someone/thing outside, Kiera says "Troy" thinking he is out with the dogs. While playing with her phone last night she said "mommy, daddy" Troy" and then looked at us and smiled :-)

Kiera has been such a little ham this past week. I just want to squish her, hug her and kiss her, so I do!

Josh is having fun playing with the DSLR, so look for some pictures of our loveable, kissable, hugable Kiera!

On this March 17th...

...I took the day off in honor of our 17th week of pregnancy, St. Patrick's Day and the fact that our little miss K hasn't been sleeping well and I needed a break :-)

I have felt guilty even thinking about taking a day off for the last 2 days and laid in bed for 20 minutes this morning, when I should have been sleeping, debating on whether I should call in or just go in to work. I made the call and I am SO glad I didn't go to work!

This has been my day of celebration!

Kiera woke up at 5:45 wanting mommy, after I had slept on the floor with her for most of the night, and had been in our bed for 30 minutes. As I made the call into work, Josh laid down with her, then I came in and after about 1/2 an hour she fell back asleep and we slept until 8 a.m. We enjoyed breakfast together and brushed our teeth, dressed in green and headed to "Shell's" so Kiera could play with her friends.

Kali and I proceeded to the dog park, crazy idea since it has been in the upper 40's all week! We walked for about 10 minutes and then headed back because it was too icy to walk and Kali started rolling in the slop. Luckily for Kali I found a mini chuck-it, that someone had left, and she got to retrieve for another 20 minutes.

When we came home, I was motivated to sweep the winter sand away from the deck and garage. It is so nice outside. I opened the windows and tackled the icky smell that was coming from our kitchen, eeewwww! I love lemon and baking soda!

I put away Valentine's decorations and set out Easter and spring decorations. I love this time of year! Everything will soon be fresh and new.

I did a few loads of laundry, the dishes, made a healthy meal in the crockpot, watched some March Madness basketball, mailed a package AT the post office, worked out and got gas-not early in the morning or late at night.

Then I enjoyed a Shamrock Shake. This has been such a lovely day!!

Josh just got done with some training early so we can hang out for abit before we go get our beautiful little girl, eat supper and go mattress shopping!

I may make this holiday a celebration EVERY year!!

One word

I am not so great with words, so when I saw this idea on a friend's blog for the second year in a row, I thought I might give it a try.

Pick one word to focus on for the year.

So after 3 weeks of thinking about this the word that keeps coming to mind is TRUST. There are many things I am not in control of in my life and I know that when my trust is in the Lord I feel more at peace. I know this year will be filled with many adventures, memories and trials - I'm looking forward to it!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Kiera Catherine

Our little munchkin is growing by leaps and bounds! She cracks us up daily and is definitely showing us her personality and independence. Here's to our beautiful 20 month old :-)

Some of her more recent words - She's had a word explosion in the last week or so...
Snow (No, but sounds different then, Noooo)
Hat (and she makes sure mommy and daddy wear one too, it's cold outside)
Tree (Tee) She gets so excited when she sees them.
Please (Peas)
Shoes
Door (She said this one clear as day when leaving Michelle's on Tuesday and proceeded to point out every door the rest of the night)
Couch
Shower
She is constantly naming Daddy, Kali and Mommy and all of her childcare friends
Backpack (Bapa)
Boots
Baby
Dolly
Snack
Snake
Bird
Bug
Milk (Mo)
More
Owe (O-ee)
Cold (then promptly points to her hat, because that's what you wear when it's cold)

She kisses her dolly's o-ee's

When we get outside she says brrr and tucks her hands in and cuddles...I LOVE it!

She can identify many animals - Some of the most recent - Bird, Snake, Bug, Bear, Giraffe

Favorite books - Where's Spot? and The Busy Bible Story Book

Favorite Game - Poee (Ring around the Rosey) When you play you must fall all the way to the ground even if she doesn't :-)

Throws the chicken for Kali and runs (pumping her arms) and hides!

She is still a wonderful eater...Mom and Dad need to follow her lead and eat more veggies!

For the past couple weeks she hasn't been a great sleeper or wanting to go to sleep, which is out of the ordinary. We think it is because her brain is learning/processing so much everyday it keeps going through the night and she wakes up and can't go back to sleep. It's hard work to learn SO much about our world!

She LOVES dolls.

Really wants to be doing chores or helping us out - throwing garbage, dusting, wiping, sweeping, folding laundry.

Kiera is such a wonderful little person even when she is really asserting her independence!

Love you to pieces Kiera bug!

We are blessed, but sometimes...

Today was a wonderful day. Kiera was feeling better after a stomach bug sent her home early from daycare yesterday, I got to spend time with her for a whole day and Josh was enjoying his time as an insurance agent-which make me SO happy! Then someone decided to break the window of our CRV and steal Josh's bag, which he NEVER leaves in the car. I really hope whomever took it is happy they now have the video footage of our daughter's 1st birthday and a coin holder Josh got from his grandpa, among other things. I know these are just things, but lately it feels like the odds are against us. It just makes me sick to my stomach and feeling so violated. Here's to hoping life can only get better-sometimes I wonder.

Tea and Cookies!

What a nice weekend at home. Kiera enjoyed almost a 3 hour nap today. After her nap we decided to make cookies, I am so glad we did. I often don't do things because I think it will take time away from our little girl. Today gave me the confidence to do the "to do" list with her. She makes everything so much more fun!

Tea for mommy, daddy, elmo and dolly.

Baking cookies.

The mixer is neat.

Washing the dishes, the fun part!

Enjoying a cookie!