winter

Well, I guess it's winter! Being outside you'd think it's January, but we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet! The last few days we've been blasted with snow, wind, and cold. But, I wasn't going to let that stop me from my plans for an overnight solo getaway! Last Thursday Mike found out that he wouldn't have to come back to work until this Thursday - I was thinking maybe we should do an impromptu family trip, but he suggested to go away by myself!  No arguments here.  :)  I hopped in Mike's 4WD truck yesterday morning, made my way to Holland, did a bunch of shopping, stayed in a hotel, and have done some more shopping today.  Right now I'm camped out in Panera for awhile.  Soon enough I'll have to head out for groceries, and then make my way home.  This has been such a wonderful time and I'm so thankful for Mike suggesting I do this and for his willingness to stay home with the boys.  :)

Last weekend was a nice family weekend.  And, looking at the calendar, the last 'slower' weekend until after the holidays.  Friday evening we had supper with my parents and started making plans for our vacation with them in March.  I already had an RV rented, and now I think we have a general route somewhat nailed down!  We're getting very excited about this.  I'm just a little nervous about the sleeping arrangements in the RV.  :)  Saturday Amy came over with her kids.  They played outside for quite a while, then got wild and crazy in the house.  It was nice that we could do a Saturday, since her oldest is in school during the week and the boys enjoy playing with him.  Saturday afternoon we went to see the RV we have rented, and then made a trip to Cabela's, and then Culver's for supper.  Sunday we actually made it to church as a family!!!  This is a rare occurrence this time of year.  Normal church responsibilities + winter sickness = we don't get to sit together in church much.  Levi "sat" through the whole morning service.  He's still a 2-year-old, so there's not much sit in his pants, but you gotta start somewhere!  Mike led our adult Sunday School class, and if I must say so myself, did a nice job.  :)

The boys have really enjoyed playing in the snow so far this year.  Definitely a big change from last year to this year in Levi.  Last winter it was just hard enough for him to get around that he wasn't a huge fan, but he's having tons of fun this year.  Mike is working on a fort in the woods and the boys enjoy 'helping' with that and playing in the woods. Roxy loves the snow, too.

Speaking of Roxy, she is growing LIKE A WEED!  Took her to the vet last Friday for a shot, and she had put in about 3 lbs in 3 weeks.  She's also not as innocent as she looks either.  She swiped a piece of pizza off the table when no one was looking.  And, she has a thing for socks and shoes, which she has access to because I just have a curtain instead of a door in the hallway closet.  She is doing VERY well with commands like "come" and "sit".  Probably the biggest thing we need to work on right now is not jumping.

Levi has been doing very well with potty training!  There were a few hit or miss days there, but now I think it's been a few days since he's had an accident.  Because of how things were going for a bit there we started putting him in pull-ups instead of underwear, but he's been staying dry.

Caleb and Logan will be 5 soon, and I can't believe it!!  It's exactly like they say, "The days are long, but the years are short."  SO TRUE.  Love my boys so much, but sometimes I wonder how I'm going to make it through the day, with all the fighting and disobedience and all, yet how has it been almost five years since they were born?!