It's Time For More Coffee!

We have been having a lot of fun! Most every one who knows me know that my very favorite non-church holiday is Independence Day. Part of that is because I’m married to a pastor, and this is one of the few holidays that he does not have to work (unless it is on a Sunday…like this year.) But truly, I am a patriotic girl. My dad was a Navy man, the Rev. has two grandfathers who fought in WWII, and I truly, truly, truly am happy and proud to be an American. 

I cry during the national anthem, and I stand up with pride when I see our flag flown. 

Last year was probably my least celebrated July 4 in history.  We were getting the storefront space ready for our church, and I was pregnant, but not telling anyone, and I WAS SICK AS A DOG! I wrote a little about it here. I promised that this year would be different…and I delivered, big time!

Sadly, I once again missed the parade. The holiday DID fall on a Sunday, and we just can’t get out of church and home by noon. It was hot, and we do have to take into account the set of twinfants entrusted to us…so we had a pretty quiet afternoon in. I played some of my favorite music, drank a beer or two and we had fabulous steaks on the grill, with corn on the cob and watermelon and tuna mac! Food always wins in our house! 

At night we did make it to the State Capitol Grounds for the Bismarck Symphony concert, which is always fabulous. I walked there with the girls. I knew the fireworks would bee too loud, but I wanted the boys to get to enjoy them. As we walked home at twilight (which was 10:15 if you can believe it!) I was able to see all of the fireworks across the Missouri River in Mandan, and as I was nursing the girls down to sleep I was able to watch the Bismarck show from my front window!

Monday we decided to have a family adventure. The Rev. and the big boys loaded up on their bikes to cycle to the wave pool in town and I packed up the van and drove the girls and Ethan to meet the big boys for a day at the pool! It was a great idea…but after a week of hot and humid weather…Monday was windy, overcast and perhaps a bit chilly! We did brave a few hours at the pool (the water was warm), and the girls had their first swim. They LOVED it. They even liked sitting at the very edge of the shallow end while the waves were going. They took a good nap afterwards as well! 

By the way, I thought the girls were getting big (they wear 6-9 month clothes now) but the size small swim diapers are HUGE on them!

In other firsts, I am going to note Elizabeth as a crawler as of today. She does not really crawl with tummy off the floor, but Owen never did…so we might wait forever if that is what is needed. The fact is, that girl can get across the floor if she wants something…and that something is usually an electronic device or a bottle of Coca Cola*. Emily is content to lay on her blanket and look cute. 

Emily, however, has won the tooth race. As of tonight she has a little slit of white that can be seen and felt on her lower jaw. Funny thing is…she has not shown the drama or signs of teething that her sister has! I’ll be curious to see what tooth Elizabeth cuts first, and how soon it occurs.

Both girls are eating vegetables and cereal (mostly oatmeal) regularly. I generally take a portion of whatever vegetable we are eating as a family out before I season it and blend it up each night. Sometimes I toss some plain pasta in the blender as well. They also get unsweetened applesauce and plain yogurt at breakfast mixed with their oatmeal. They LOVE to eat! I love making their food. The cook in me comes out. I’ve spent the last five and a half months providing all of their nutrition, and cooking their baby food seems a continuation of that.

I hope that you all had a wonderful July 4! I know that we did and we count our blessings every day. We are so blessed.

*Please note…said baby has never had a drop of Coca Cola, but she really likes the bottles.