New Link

Just wanted to note a new link on my sidebar. I'm one of the planners for Walk for Kaz. Please check out our website and consider registering for this great event! You can also find us on facebook. Here's a brief summary:

Come join us for the first annual 5K Fun Run/Walk for Two Hearts for Hope! It's September 25 at the beautiful Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis! It will benefit the orphans of Kazakhstan and will be an awesome whole family event! Spread the word and help raise money and awareness for the orphans still in Kazakhstan. Everyone is welcome! We are also looking for sponsors - individuals, families, or businesses.

Obviously, this cause is very important to our family. We are absolutely passionate about providing care for orphans. I'm so excited to be a part of this fundraising effort that will directly benefit the orphans of Kazakhstan. I do hope you'll consider joining and partnering with us for this exciting event.

The Boys Take Over the Blog

Today I'm having two guest posters here on my blog - my 4 & 5 year-old boys. These are their words and what they wanted to share with you.

Patrick - I love playing outside with my friends across the street. I like to play games with Mommy & Daddy. I love going to the Children's Museum and to Conner Prairie. It's fun to cuddle with Mommy. I love my Mommy & Daddy. And I love Titus and Pippi and Calvin. And I love the rest of our family. We are going to Conner Prairie today.

Calvin - I really want to go to the circus, the zoo, the museum, and Conner Prairie. I love Mommy and Daddy and I love to cuddle. Daddy is going to Conner Prairie with us and it will be much fun! Yesterday I went to the dentist and I got lots of cool stuff. I love to play with Patrick. I love Mommy, Daddy, Titus, Calvin, and Patrick.

Soccer

The big boys just finished their first soccer season. We signed them up for a rec league and they played for the Blue Sharks. The beginning of the season was tough - especially with one of them. :) However, we watched them make huge strides and really begin to enjoy the game and understand it. They have both asked to play again in the fall and so they are registered. We love that it helps with their coordination, encourages team work & spirit, and burns some energy!

It was so hot (90 degrees!) for their last game. Despite their sweaty-ness and frustration with my picture taking :), they were super proud of their trophies!

An aspiring soccer player - he seriously can't wait until it's his turn!

Summer Has Arrived...

...and with it new haircuts and lots and lots of dirt. They are covered in it! That's when the backyard pool comes in handy!

Lots of fun was had today!

Ch...Ch...Change

The last several months (well, really the last couple of years) have brought much prayer and consideration. We knew that something needed to change. And so, here we are. Andrew will be starting a new job in a couple of weeks. He will be working for the state and leaving private law practice. It is a welcome change and we are thrilled. It will take some lifestyle adjustments for us but we are ready for that. As we've considered what God has for our family and for Andrew's career, we knew that this was a necessary and "for the best" job transition.

After keeping much of this to ourselves and experiencing quite a lot of stress, we are grateful and excited for the future before us!

Congratulations to my sweet husband!

Does It Get Any Cuter?

Despite not feeling very well, Titus was super photogenic yesterday. He is such a sweet guy. I worry a little that he's not talking much but he definitely communicates and understands. He uses some sign language. All three of our boys have been very late talkers. We may end up having him evaluated by our local intervention program - if he qualifies, they would come to our house for speech therapy. Somehow I have a feeling once he really starts talking he won't stop and I have a feeling he will catch up pretty quickly.

Really?

I spent all of yesterday at a continuing education seminar. And, much to my chagrin, a lot of it was an interactive seminar. Not so much my style of learning - makes me nervous. :) I spoke up once and earned myself a pin, "Goddess of Gums." I wore it with pride. :)

For the afternoon, we broke up into groups by our profession. There were only five hygienists there. We chose a spokesperson - thankfully not me. Unfortunately, our spokesperson had to leave before the seminar was finished. Somehow, I happened to take her place and share one of our points. Big Mistake. The seminar leader then asked to role play a scenario with me. This was my worst nightmare. So, in a room full of dentists and other professionals, I had to come up with what I would say in this situation (completely off-the-cuff). It was probably only a couple of minutes but it felt like 10. And it went fine but it was torture. Thankfully, I made everyone laugh at the end.

I am not a public speaker - I do it when I have to and it makes me horribly nervous. I accept speaking engagements because I believe it is part of my professional responsibility; however, I am always terrified right before them. Despite my fears, I do still go into schools etc. for presentations. I am getting better - kids are less intimidating than adults. But honestly, I skipped speech in college because I could take interpersonal communication at 7:30 in the morning instead. :)

Perhaps as I've become more introverted, my comfort level has changed. Whatever the case, I survived the continuing ed.

Blessings

We are fighting some kind of fever and cough virus around here. It's made for some grumpy, tired little boys and for a busy and full week. But we feel so blessed and thankful. Our boys amaze us every day and I love being their mom! I love the way they are so excited to see me after a day of work, I love how excited they are when Andrew gets home, I love that one of my sons wants to marry me :), I love that their excitement about learning and about family activities, I love their hugs and "I love yous," - I love my sons! They bless me (us!) every single day.

Moving On

I think I'll take a break from posting about my trip. It's hard to put in words as I mentioned and it seems of little interest. I will finish it eventually for my own journaling and may post the remainder of it here at some point.

In the mean time, the boys have finished school and are eagerly anticipating kindergarten. According to their teacher, they are both ready to progress. So far, I have been asked by one or both boys every day if it's time for kindergarten. :) I should be channeling that energy into some good review and learning - I will. Here's a picture from their final program:

My new job is going well overall. It's a big learning curve since we are a digital and paperless office. It will be good in the long run but it's proving challenging for me for now. The office is gorgeous and I'm really enjoying being in a new office! If you are looking for a great dentist in the area, let me know!

It's been very rainy here but hopefully it will dry up enough for us to get things planted. I purchased plants on Saturday and have yet to get some seeds. We are a little later than usual but then again, last year we had to re-plant due to some frost so later is probably better.

Finally, I just want to wish my parents a Happy 35th Anniversary! What an example of commitment and love. They met on a blind date many years ago and the rest is history. :)