dunes fun

We went to the Dunes with the Youth group. We were afraid it was going to be a rainy, cloudly day, but it ended up being a beautiful day. Even though I tried to stay as much in the sun tent as I could so I wouldn't dehydrate myself more than I already am. We all came home a little pink, even with 50spf sunscreen reapplied many times.

We had a ton of pictures on our camera, which usually happens when we are around the youth. Someone takes our camera and at the end of the day we have a bunch of fun pictures. More than I feel like taking these days. Here are a few.

Jacob my little fish, loved the water. I wasn't sure how he would feel with the waves, but he was okay. Got knocked down once, but after being picked up and reassured by Mommy, wanted to stand in the water again. The waves were a little rough. It started out as a yellow flag day and ended up as a red flag day. We enjoyed it anyways.

Jacob played a little game with the waves and sand- he did it for hours-

I was quite bored with it

Carissa and Jacob loved the sand




Editors note: I just realized I never hit post to this,so the date is when I actually did it. Can you believe it?

July update

I am getting caught up, As I am typing this, it is currently still July.

Jacob loved fireworks this year. He enjoyed them last year, but this year he was really into them. He loved the little poppers, that you throw on the ground. He calls them bam bams. He would used them for the start of his races, since he loves to run. He would say, On your mark, get set, and then wait for Michael to thrown one to the ground. He then couldn't wait for the real fireworks, his daddy bought. He kept saying, more Bams please.

My parents were camping over at Chain O Lakes state Park, so we decided to join them one night. It is always fun camping, even when you aren't feeling the best. Jacob is a natural camper, he knows right where the playground is, and loves going on walks (especially with his daddy- which usually leads to the camp store where he gets ice cream). Jacob even went on a paddle boat ride, and loved the water, however we were sure the boat was going to sink since we were over the weight limit with 4 adults and Jacob. With it starting to rain on the 4th and me not being able to keep much food down, we decided to head back, but my parents and the Fry clan they camp with stuck it out and came home later. At Chain O lakes over the 4th they have activities for Kids, on the 4th they had a bicycle parade, and everyone decorates their bikes in Red, white, and blue and they go on a parade through the camp. Jacob was so excited to see the parade, he was afraid we were going to miss it. It was probably the longest parade I have seen there, and my parents camp there almost every year. Jacob wants to be in the parade next year.

Also in July, I had a School Nurses Conference at Turkey Run State Park Inn, since the School was paying for my stay at the inn for 3 nights and the conference got over at 4 each day, I thought I would bring Michael and Jacob along and they could have fun during the day and spend time with me in the afternoon. Not to mention, It is really nice to have Michael drive because I get very nauseated in the car. Jacob and Michael had all kinds of adventures while I was in the conference. They enjoyed swimming everyday, pony rides, playing games in the game room, and the nature center. My hope to enjoy some of the activities after my conference did not plan out as well, since I was so tired from the conference and felt very green especially after supper, but it was nice to have them around anyways, and hear their adventures. They did reenact the pony ride for me and I was able to enjoy the pool with them one time, so the idea wasn't all lost, just not as planned.

Jacob is such a little fish, He never wants to get out of the water, and will swim in any weather

And of course daddy is a wonderful water playmate

We weren't sure if Jacob would like the pony ride or be scared, he has pet ponies and sees them all the time, but never rode one before. (Crazy since we could ride one for free up here about any time). Anyways, He loved it. He couldn't wait to ride the pony and did not want to get off. He wanted more rides on the wonderful pony Goldie.

Jacob also enjoyed the LaGrange county fair. He loved the animals, and the jumping rides. We stay really long at the fair and only went once, but then again, LaGrange county fair isn't that huge. However, unfortuately for Jacob it was a little shorter than he would have liked, but what can you do when you have a mother who feels sick all the time.

Grandma and Grandpa was going to take him the the Elkhart County fair which is much larger, but after they got soaked watching the parade they decided to return home to dry off. Jacob didn't mind the rain, He loved the parade, and kept shouting "Candy Please." For a rainny parade, he sure made out okay. We are thinking we don't need to do trick or Treating when you get this much candy from sitting watching parades. The cutest thing that happened was when Jacob saw a bus coming in the parade, he yelled"Papa your bus, Papa's bus," He had to make sure Grandpa knew a bus was in the parade because Grandpa drives a bus during the school day, and Jacob found it.

lagging behind (Part 3)

June:


Michael and I celebrated 6 years of Marriage on Fathers Day. Knowing that our actual anniversary would be difficult to celebrate as we celebrated Father's day, Michael had planned a little weekend Get-A-Way for us to Chicago to celebrate.


Well before I go any further I should explain that Michael and I gave our parents another special gift. The gift of expecting another grandchild. We were hoping once I found out I was pregnant that this pregnancy would be different from the last one, but in June showed since that it wouldn't be much different. So our weekend away from Chicago, was fun, even with the puking in public bathrooms, cars, our hotel room, resturants,etc. Michael had business on the way out there, and with me not feeling too well, I didn't mind I just slept in the car. Besides not feeling well, we did enjoy a nice movie together (we haven't been to the movies in a long time), walked the magnificant mile, ate at the bottom of the john hancock building, ate cheesecake from the cheesecake factory on Navy pier while watching fireworks, and slept in each morning (one morning not even leaving the bed till noon). My husband even brought me Breakfast in bed. It was so nice to get away, even despite the illness. We just wish we didn't have to travel. I am sorry I don't have any pictures to share from our little adventure, but they probably wouldn't be posted anyways, since I was very green.



Fathers day was great. Jacob and I gave Michael Breakfast in bed, with a little help from my brother Brian, since cooking food is a little nauseating to me. We spent the afternoon, with family, just chilling. My Dad is a great dad, and has been helping me out tremendously this summer with Jacob, since I don't feel up to running after a 2 year old and feel like I am letting him down. It is nice to have him home for the summer too. Michael is an awesome dad. Jacob loves playing with him. It is so cool to see them interact. I know Michael will be great with this new little one on the way too.


In June is also Brian's (my brother) birthday. Since he is home from college for the summer we decided to celebrate. Chris, Rachel, Malachi and Ruth came up to enjoy the party. Jacob had so much fun playing with his cousins. He gets so excited when he knows they are coming up.

Feeding time at Grandmas when all the grandkids are present

Chris, Rachel, and Brian took the kids outside to swim in the kiddy pool. Jacob thought "Hmm, I could use this float from the slip-n-slide to relax"

But Ruth fit much better

"Now what are you goind to do with my slide, Ruthie?"

Malachi decided to stay out of the pool drama and relax swinging

We also found out what happens when Jacob's aunt and Uncle come to town and spoil him with Icecream, before supper, then about an hour later let him have icecream cake. Jacob was crazy, and wanted to "March the Porch" for hours missing his bedtime a little. He litterally said " I march the porch" and would march in a circle around the front porch. It was kinda cute, because Ruthie would sing, I'm in the Lord's Army. But Jacob continued even after Ruthie was done singing and had left for Muncie.

lagging behind ( part 2: Matt's Wedding)

Here are some more pictures of Matt's wedding. I know I went a little overboard showing you all the pictures, but really this isn't very many in comparison of how many we took. What can I say, we were excited Matt was finally Married! And very proud that Lindsey is part of our family.Their first dance as a married couple

taste testing their cake

Jacob's reward for going down the isle was a ring pop sucker,

and well he wanted it immediately, but was in no mood to have it after throwing his little fit, so he enjoyed it outside after he was dismissed

During the ceremony

taking off

Jakers and Daddy- Can you sense the frustration in Michael's face

The Bride and Bridesmaids

me and my brothers

Grandpa helping Jacob with his tie

the Groom and Groomsmen

My brother waiting nervously with our parents

Last minute touches for the bride

For the Wedding we told Jacob that we could go swimming at the pool in the hotel. So anytime before the wedding Matt's name was mentioned or anything was said about the wedding, Jacob would say, "Yeah, Matts wedding, pool, swimming." He was so excited that the wedding was actually here. And we got plenty of swimming in with our little fish.

lagging behind

So I apologize for all my blog friends that keep up to date with me by following our blog, I have failed you. I know I have no excuse, everyone is busy and some are still able to keep up with theirs, or keep in touch in other ways. I haven't been good at any contacts lately, but I will do my best to try and update you over the next several blogs. And hope you will accept my sincere apologies and my commitment to trying better to stay in touch across the many miles that connect us.

So for May....

Mother's day was great. We didn't do a whole lot, but sometimes that is the best. I got to spend wonderful time with my mother and My awesome husband and adorable son. Here are a few pictures we captured...

My Jakers, He is so special to me. I am so blessed that God gave me the responsibility of being his mother. He amazes me each day in what a gift he is. He is always learning new things, and it melts my heart when he says " I love you mommy" ( even though it still sounds like I woah vu mommy). He does the cutest things- that just laughter to my face- even when I am not around him.

My Mother- I can't give enough admiration to this wonderful woman. She has molded me through prayer and wisdom into the woman I am. Her example is exemptemary enough, but she offers more encouragement and love than anyone I know. She is such wonderful God fearing person and I am so blessed I got to be her daughter. She has carried me through prayer through some of the toughest times in my life, and physically didn't have to do anything but yet offered hugs, a warm hand, or a gentle rub on the back. I hope I am at least half the mother she is.

And finally my Husband, My life long partner. He is such a wonderful support. He showers me with love and even kisses. He is an incredible man that I get to share the wonderful journey of parenthood with. He is such an encourager and a wonderful Man of God. You must know he would be an incredible man by willing to put up with me for a lifetime, and empty my puke buckets often when I am pregnant.

Mothers day was great. At the end of May we got to enjoy my brother Matt and Lindsey's Wedding, as well as concluded my first year as a school nurse.

Jacob was in the wedding and we practiced beforehand and thought we had it down. Little did we know that the sound man would cue the wedding march a little early and everyone would stand up and Jacob would get scared and throw a temper tantrum in the middle of the isle. Well what do you say, He is two. Not to mention because of pictures he didn't get his usual nap. We were doomed from the start.

It was a beautiful wedding anyways, and My Brother Chris did an excellent job as the officiant. Congrats Matt and Lindsey.. Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure

The bride and her mom

Practicing while we wait for the photographer- we should have probably let him take a nap instead if we knew how long it would take for the photographer to get there

See, He didn't do too bad for the rehearsal

(okay I am finding I should probably have devoted an entire blog to the wedding so I will add more pictures in the next segment of lagging behind- don't worry it won't be all 100 and some that we took)

Easter Fun: Part 2

So With Michael not feeling well we decided to limit how many places we visited on Easter, and only went to the place that was only 15 minutes away from Home. It was a nice afternoon visiting with the Lehman side of the family at Aunt Julies house. Aunt Julie was a wonderful host and there was plenty of yummy food.All the Sisters with their parents


They Even had an Easter Egg hunt for the little ones (even though there were only 2)
There was enough candy and eggs though for about 50. Needless to say Jacob made out well and was even able to share his findings to make 2 bucketfulls for Ruth and Malachi who were unable to join us.
Mommy was busy taking pictures and Daddy wasn't feeling well, so Uncle Brian was great help with the hunt for Jacob. Not to mention, Jacob loves his uncle Brian.

Making sure he didn't miss any

after Jacobs 3 buckets were full- He even helped to make Remmy's Full

Don't let Jacob fool you, Remmy made out well for himself too!

It was a little difficutl to have to scan the candy, making sure no peanut butter substances made it into the batch. Poor Remmy probably has a bucket full of Peanut Butter candy. Hopefully he likes it!

It was a nice day, with wonderful weather and great company!

Easter Fun: Part 1

Easter was so much fun this year with Jacob. He enjoyed all the little activities. The unfortunate part was Michael was sick. I had big plans to take him to the local Easter egg hunt, to visit lots of family, etc, etc. But was a little distracted with taking care of Michael on the side that and Michael not wanting to be out much, that we didn't do all that I had planned. Probably better though. WE still had a wonderful Easter.

Here is Jacob coloring Easter Eggs Saturday Morning. I have to say it was nice to kinda spend the morning in our PJ's and relax, instead of running around like Crazy which I had planned to do.

Jacob had so much fun dipping the eggs. He didn't so much use the dipper that I had encouraged, but none the less, he got the job accomplished. He was actually a multi-task'er, He redecorated Grandma's Kitchen. He pretty much made a rainbow of about every object in Grandma's Kitchen (Sorry Grandma) Good thing was we were able to get most of it up after trying multiple cleaners. If you notice closely you can even see them in the background.

Sunday Morning, He actually slept in. I couldn't believe it. I had to wake him up to get him ready for Church. We were even late to the sunrise service because we didn't have enough time to complete our traditional Easter morning routine so we ran through it really fast (good thing there was only one child at home or we would have been really late).
Here Jacob is trying to explore what the Easter Bunny brought him,

A quick little Easter Egg hunt before we head out to Church. Good thing we had plenty of time for him to explore his goodies after church before we headed to Aunt Julies for our Family Easter celebration.

Our family Easter picture after Church.

It is really funny, usually Jacob is the one not cooperating, but with Michael not feeling well. He was the one that was not cooperating with me. Sorry the picture is blurry. My photo session was cut a little short so I had to pick the best one and when I edited it I thought I was making it all cute, but it turned out a little more blurry than I like