Seth Riding His Bike

Nile's dad dropped off a table for us to use at our garage sale around 8pm on Friday night, so we all came outside to say hi. The kids were all in their pj's, and the boys were wearing their robes over their pj's. It was still so hot and humid, but they had snatched their robes out of the "to sell" pile and weren't giving them up for anything. Anyway, a little background...I did not think Seth would learn to ride a bike until he was, like, eight or nine. He didn't even want to ride his bike with training wheels last summer, and he just gets frustrated very easily and doesn't always enjoy challenges. So, we are outside, and S says, "I think I'm gonna ride this bike now." I can't believe it, and have a very bad feeling about how this will end up. But get it ready, and I tell him I'll hold on to him until he tells me to let go. We start up, and right away, he tells me to let go. I do, and he rides the bike down the sidewalk! I couldn't believe my eyes. He was so proud, and Gabe was just thrilled for him. This video is after about 10 minutes of practicing...I apologize in advance...I forgot to have him put on his helmet until after this was taken because I never in a million years thought he would actually do it. He did finally take off the cumbersome robe after nearly sweating to death.

We Love This Place

We had the dreaded garage sale today, and as I was watching a lot of our stuff go, the reality that we are moving started to really hit me. Nile and I both have been feeling sad about leaving this place we love-even in the midst of the excitement of seeing what God has in store for us. I liked the background of this picture of the Old Capitol...we can look back when we are feeling homesick. This was on Memorial Day. We had visited a cemetary (the one with the Dark Angel?) and talked about our soldiers and how they protect our country. The kids had so many questions, lots of funny ones.

Random Summer Stuff

These pics are after a long day of playing outside, water balloons (which frustrate me because they only pop upon hitting the ground and not someone's body),swimming at the pool, hanging out with Nile's sisters and mom, and home for baths. They were so tired they could barely keep their eyes open after snack time-with the exception of Josie's silly face at the end.

Seth was so proud of the award he got at VBS-he asked me if I would take this picture of him and put it on my blog so everyone could see it. Special thanks to Laura Broffitt and Jessica Miller for being great teachers! He loved it, and I wasn't sure how he would do without me being his teacher this year. I wish I had some pics of Josie, because she had a blast with Andrea and Alicia as her teachers-so many things to share...she remembered lots of the fun things they did, in order:), and she really loved her teachers. Gabe had fun, too, with Michelle Braun (spelling?) as his teacher. I had the pleasure of helping Carrie Sterner with games/recreation all week, and it was really fun to get to see Gabe and Seth every day during game time. Some crazy moments, for sure, but lots of fun!

I took the kids to Sugar Bottom, after some serious begging...it always seems like a good idea in theory and I was sick of the pool, but I forgot what a mess it is once you are done at the beach, especially without daddy there to tag team with me in the cleanup, sand removal process and carrying of the multiple inflatables, cooler, blanket/towels, etc. I should give credit to Gabe...he is very helpful as far as carrying things and with his siblings...Josie really has the desire to help, and is helpful if I have small stuff to carry...and then Seth, well...we will continue to work with him:) They were all very appreciative, which made it worth it for me.

Funny Stuff 6

Wow! I let too much time lapse since my last posting of their sayings, so I will save some for another day.

Josie:
"Mommy, did you get frustrated when you were a little girl?"
"Can I sit in this area or no?"
"You are not the parent, Gabe." (He was telling her something about her behavior)
"How do you give discipline?" (talking to her dollhouse daddy figure)
"I sure do love you, mommy."
"It's a type of animal and sometimes it lives in the water. Now, what is it?" (wanting me to guess which animal she was talking about...it was a hippo, by the way)
Josie had to use a porta-potty when my mom was babysitting once, and she did not like it. She calls it a porti-potty...anyway, every time we go somewhere and I ask her if she has to go potty (even at stores, etc.) she asks, "Is it a porti-potty or no?"
I've been taking J with me in the jogger stroller when I run lately, and sometimes we stop at a park by our house when we are done. Last week, I told her she might not want to come because it was too wet to stop and play. She said, "I don't mind about that. I'm just gonna sit and relax in the stroller." (and I would add, talk. Talk to your mom ALL the time when she is struggling to breathe and can't answer in full sentences.)
Also on a jog, she saw a dog up ahead of us, and wanted to pet it. "Mom, can you run REALLY fast so I can see that dog and pet it?" Me:I can't run much faster, honey, and I don't know that guy walking the dog, anyway. Josie: "But you could ask him, 'Could my daughter please pet your dog?'"

Seth:
"When I'm in heaven, will I still have birthdays every year?"
"I'll love you forever, mom. Will you still be my mom when I'm in heaven?"
"When I'm a man and you're an old girl, will your last name still be Heefner?"
"A magician never gives up his tricks."
"It's our duty to protect people."
"If we are ever in a dangerous situation, don't sacrifice me, okay?"
At Walmart, Seth told a worker there, "You can trust us because we love Jesus." Then Josie says, "Do you love Jesus?" And the lady smiles and says, "Have a great day, guys."
"Mom, Josie made a threat to me." (If you don't let me play in your fort then I'm gonna wreck your blocks, for example) Josie: Oh, I forgot I was supposed to say it nicely.

Gabe:
"Josie, you need to come to me the first time I call you."
"Hey, that looks like the guy who portrayed Jesus."
"Now try to make it sound realistic."
"You're the specialist mom ever. I love you."
"Look at the all the stuff surrounding it."
My mom was complimenting the boys on their band (they made tickets to come to their concert and everything...I'll try to post some video of them soon) and saying how in sync they were and how they sounded so great together. Gabe said, "Yeah, I think it's in our blood."
Gabe was telling me that he didn't like summer because it was tornado season. I was talking with him about it, trying to alleviate some of his fears, and I could tell he was still worrying about things. I asked him what exactly he was scared of, and he said, "I'm worried about who I'll live with when you all die in the tornado." Sometimes using humor really helps Gabe see his fears in a different way, so I said, "How nice for you that you survive while the rest of us perish." Sheepish grin from Gabe. It was a good conversation about trusting God in all things, about fear, etc. We are still working on fear of tornadoes, as evidenced the other night when the sirens went off.

I sang at a wedding in Dubuque a month or so ago, and Gabe made a little friend (girl) at the reception. He was dancing up a storm, drenched in sweat (those of you who know him can picture this well), and having a ball. A girl came over to dance with him, and they had a little routine going. It was so funny. Gabe probably danced for over an hour straight. On our way to the van to head home, Gabe said, "Mom, I wish I could get to know her better. Do you think God would ever let her be my bride? Oh, man, I don't even know her name!" I told him if God had chosen her to be Gabe's bride, He would make it happen, but that he has plenty of time to consider these things later...Then Gabe said, "She was so nice! When I messed up our dance routine, she just nicely said we could try it again and showed me how to do it the right way."

Slip n Slide Fun

North Liberty Fun Days

We went to check out the fire trucks, police cars, and ambulance at the North Liberty Fun Days last weekend. At first, Josie wouldn't go inside any of the vehicles, and I couldn't figure out why because she is usually game for anything. I asked her one last time if she wanted to go inside the firetruck, and she said, "Only if I don't get killed." Seriously. I said, "Josie, they are in the business of saving people, not killing them." I did reassure her with more than just that comment, but I thought it was so funny she said that. She wasn't real sure, but did go in after seeing the boys' lives weren't in danger.

Seth not wanting to hear the sirens

Josie Elisabeth is Three!

Here is the birthday girl! We love you!

More birthday pics...

My dad, step-mom, brother Griffin and Josie

My mom with Jos

Nile's parents

Aunt Anne with Seth -we are SO glad she's back to visit!!

My step-dad and Josie

Josie with Uncle Jerod (my brother) I know we look alike-when I visited Jerod's school, his students said, "Wow, you look just like Mr.Garland!" That stung a little. Not that Jer's not cute and all, but no girl wants to look like a dude. Someone thankfully qualified it by saying I looked like the female version of Mr. Garland.

Hanging with Aunt Leah (my awesome sister-in-law)

Seth and Cayla

Gabe and Cayla

Happy Birthday, Josie!

Josie is three! Her actual birthday was June 10th, but her party wasn't until the thirteenth. She had lots of fun with grandparents, cousins,and aunts/uncles and was SO excited about her presents. For the last month, every time I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she said, "The biggest dollhouse ever!" I was hoping she'd change her mind, because I knew that would be the only present she'd get (from us) due to cost, but that's all she kept saying. It was very worth it-she loves it. After everyone left, Josie looked around our trashed living room and said, "Wow! This was a GREAT party!" Thanks to both our families for making it so special for her. She is incredibly blessed to be loved by you.

Everyone helping/playing with the dollhouse. I think the

adults loved it as much as Josie did...it is really fun.

Baseball

So this is Gabe's first year of baseball, and it has produced some funny moments. Last week, he played first base. He spent lots of time talking to the opposing players while they were on first, and the opposing coaches...while the game was in play. He talked to the catcher while he was up to bat, as well. He somehow managed to make some good plays, which is truly miraculous and he went 4 for 4, so he was proud. This week, he played catcher. It was hilarious, the poor kid. He got up to get every ball that went past him, even as his coach continued to pitch whether or not Gabe was there to catch. For the first few innings, he had no clue what was going on in the game because he was back retrieving all the balls while the game continued on. He also got up and walked the other team's bat over to them every time it was laying there. Nile and I don't want to be those parents who are always hollering at their kids and giving them advice, but after a while, we couldn't take it anymore. Gabe didn't even know he was supposed to cover home plate. Finally, as a runner was coming home and Gabe was at the back fence picking up loose balls, we yelled, "Gabe, go cover home plate!" And as he was holding three balls in his glove, he looked at us and said, "I can't! I'm all filled up!" So cute. He worked so hard that night. The coach from the other team even came over and told him what a great job he did. He must have felt sorry for him, considering that he (the other team's coach) stood behind his catcher, told him what to do, and got all the loose balls for him the whole night. Well, I don't want to get negative, so I'll stop there;) I also think it's so funny that every game night, instead of asking who his team is playing, he says, "Who are we battling tonight?"

Getting some advice and encouragement from Daddy and Josie

Secret Agent Scooter Fun

The kids have spent HOURS playing Secret Agents on their scooters. Nile scored a scooter for Seth at Stuff for 15 bucks, and he was thrilled! Gabe spent last week sharing (sometimes grudgingly) his scooter with Seth, so he was equally thrilled. Josie pushes her little "bike" with her feet-she's the villain, so the boys chase her and try to capture her. Then they do these fake falls to make her feel sorry for them and come check on them, at which point they get up and chase her again. Who would have thought this game would provide so much fun!

Sorry-sun in the eyes, but the only one I got of her.

The chase is on

She actually gets that little bike moving pretty fast, considering

she is not using pedals.

Here are the fake falls I was referring to, and they had some great ones:)

Kitchen Fun

Grandma Nancy got Josie this cute little apron, and she had so much fun cooking in her kitchen. She was all business until the end, when she said, "I'm gonna do some of my moves". A girl can only slave away for so long before she needs to bust out with some dance moves :)