Hmmm... I'm rude

Okay, so that last post was just meant to be some of my rambling thoughts. I've since come to the realization that it could be read as me complaining that my birthday was not fun. Since I spent it with family down in sunny Arizona this year, let me point out that this year was definitely great! As I said- I got cake! I'm just saying that nothing can really come close to the little kid birthdays you have. You know, the kind where all of your friends come with beautifully wrapped TOYS, and you get to play games like "Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey" and "Clothespin Drop." And don't forget the cake and goody bags! It's just, no matter what, nothing will ever come close again. I guess that means I'll just have to continue on with the tradition and live vicariously through my kid! ;)

Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na Yesterday was my Birthday!

Hello Readers! Yesterday I spent my birthday traveling to Arizona. It's much sunnier and relaxed here than it was at my home, so I'm happy to be here! However, as I turned 30 (!), I couldn't help but be reminded of the fun times a birthday brought when I was younger. Growing up we had parties, and cakes, and fun-fun-fun! There's something about being an adult that makes birthdays seem, well, a little drab (if I'm honest). I got a great dinner and a cake with candles this year! I don't believe I've had anything like that for the last couple of years. I guess the point is, if we have to continue to get older and keep track, how come it's only fun to do so when you are little? Why does it stop being a huge big deal? Just my rambling thoughts on the subject.... Now, I think I will go find a sunny spot to relax in. ;) Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. There is a new little box on the right side of my blog. If you're an on-line shopper, please consider shopping through my link to help raise money for my students who can't afford the 5th grade Eagle Bluff trip in the spring. Thanks!

The Joys of H1N1

So I thought I'd pop on here to share the joys of sickness. I went down like a ton of bricks on Friday. I dropped Malachi off at daycare and came home. Then I sat on the couch and slept for 3 hours-- totally strange for me. I checked my temp-- yup, past 100. So I continued to be sick all weekend, and spoke with a coworker Sunday night. She came down with the same symptoms starting on Friday! So, she went to the doctor today, and found out she has H1N1. So I thought maybe I should go too. Yup! They tell me it's H1N1. So far the boys don't have it, but oh dear Lord, I pray they don't get it! Anyhow, I feel a little like I am whining on here, so I'll get off now.
-Sarah

He's Walking!

Hello Everyone,
Here's a little video clip of our little man doing some walking. He's still wobbly, which I find adorable. This video was taken last week.

I'm back with pictures!

Here are some of the aforementioned pictures from late August!

Holding him so he doesn't crawl away!

Melting down, but still cute!

A prop he wished actually rolled!

With one of his favorite toys!

Oh, what fun!

After These Messages I'll Be Right Back

Hello Friends! It's been a while again. I've been busy back at work, although I do need to say that so far things are going better than last year. Even so, there are always the growing pains of turning 4th grade "babies" into 5th graders. It's definitely a bumpy experience...

Malachi is busy growing and learning at home and at daycare. He's trying to say more words all of the time, and we figure he now has more than 20 words (if you count what animals say). He also enjoys books a lot more than he used to, especially the ones with lots of pictures to point at. I got him a used Little Tikes Cozy Coupe a few weeks ago, and he loves his car! The way he says "caaar" is super cute, too.


We took the above pictures on one of the warm and dry fall days of September. Now it's rainy and wet, and he doesn't have much opportunity to play with the "caaar." Soon he'll have an indoor playground, though, as I also found a used one of those that I cleaned up and now need to put back together. As soon as that is done I will get some pitures of him with it.

Speaking of pictures, about a month ago we took Malachi in to take 18 month pictures. Uh... not as easy as it used to be! He is too busy, and didn't want to sit still for the camera. It was quite the ordeal. I'm having trouble with adding pics to this post, so I will post some in a separate post when I'm done. They turned out very cute!

The biggest new is that Malachi is beginning to walk!!! He walked a couple of steps for me a week and a half ago while John was gone, and then he returned the favor by walking for Daddy later in the week while I was gone. Grandma and Grandpa Carlson were here on Tuesday, and he was showing off by walking a few steps for them, as well. It has been very exciting! I'll try to take some video of him to put on here.

Another important event is that we went to see Malachi's cardiologist about 2 weeks ago, and things are looking great. There have been no negative changes, so we won't need to go back for another 6 months! We are very glad about that! God has been good, and we continue to give Him the glory!

Time Flies- again!

Hello to all of my friends. I'm sorry there haven't been any recent updates. I kept thinking I should write, but I really had nothing to say. What I wrote in late July still seemed true for me through August! I continued house projects and playing with Malachi, and there was really nothing exciting to report. My computer also died in August, so that complicated matters for updating purposes. Dr. Dad brought the computer back to life, though, and I'm in business again!

Now we're in mid-September. I'd like to believe it's early September, since school just started, but the calendar is telling me a different story. I have to be honest with you, too- the cool summer really messed with my head. Although I normally love the fall and going back to school, I dreaded it this year. That could have been for more than just that reason, but I know the cold didn't help. I am starting to embrace the Fall now, but it's certainly been less of a smooth transition than most years.

I have spent 4 days with my new class- and PTL! I think I'm in for a magnificent year. We really had a fun week filled with smiles and new inside jokes. If you spoke with me over the summer, you know I was dreading teaching 5th grade again, but God knew what I needed, and HE directed the way. I really have a positive outlook after the last two weeks. :)

Another thing that happened in august- I bit the bullet and joined Facebook. I know, I know! I wrote a whole post about how I wouldn't! I found that I wasn't connecting with some friends who had moved away, and that they used Facebook to keep in touch. I figured I would try it. I am certainly not addicted, and am only visiting it about 1-2 times per week, so I'm feeling okay about it. I also am writing a post here on my very own blog, so I haven't abandoned my true love of blogging. :) I think it'll be okay.

Malachi still isn't walking yet, but it's more of a confidence thing, we think. He's practically running when holding on to something, and he can stand if you let go, but as soon as he figures out he's on his own he panics and squats to the ground. He's picking up new words all the time. He likes to say "beh-ba" for belly button and "mou" for mouse. He also loves his mommy and daddy very much, and hates to see them go. He usually gets over it about 2 seconds after we leave, though.

Well, here's hoping that you are finding joy in the Fall season! Here's hoping I also don't wait so long to write again! :) I'll definitely be writing again soon- we took family pictures again, so I'll have new ones to post soon!