Wordle

I've seen these word images before, but never knew how they were generated.  Well, a colleague of mine showed me this online tool and I thought it was worth sharing. 

www.wordle.net/create

You can enter a large amount of text (say, if you'd like to examine the key words in a document you're writing) or you can type in the location of your blog, which is what I did.  Very interesting.

Its also possible to edit the shape, colors and size of your wordle.  And the best part?  You can click on individual words to delete them (which I did not do!).

Have fun!

Sweetest Girls I Know

The Little Things

I really love air conditioning.  Yesterday was 87 degrees and very humid.  We have been without air conditioning for five years.  Five very long years.  Did I mention our windows don't open.  Yeah.  So, no air conditioning and no breeze, what. so. ever.  Oh - and we live in a brick house.  A heat, death trap.

So, after five long years of saving (having children and depleting our savings) and saving more...we were finally able to put air conditioning in.  And the best part, we paid cash for it!

Last night we went for a walk with the kids.  We played at the playground, walked by the water and came home hot, sweaty and pooped.  I opened the front door and almost cried.  Cool, un-humid air met us as we walked in.

Oh, the joys of air conditioning.  Its going to be a good summer.

Question:  What temperature do you keep your air conditioning on?

My Kids

Man, I love my kids.  You know, you go through stages of life where you think it can't get any better.  And then the next stage is more fun than you thought possible.

We're at a really fun stage of life right now.  The kids are growing daily and I love to hear them say new things.

Even when those things shock me.

Like when Annelise told me a week ago that she wanted someone to die.  I almost died myself.  Obviously she didn't know what she was saying, and it was a tremendous opportunity for us to teach her a life lesson.  She seemed to get it.

Until today when she said something equally shocking.  I put her on her bed immediately and went outside to consult Matt.  I told her the next time she said that she would have a severe consequence.  I think she understood.  Until next time...

And Elli is keeping pace with her sister.  She can't speak full sentences yet, but she thinks she can.  She is a sassy one.  Who knew number two could be as spunky as number one.  Wow.

If you've met Elli, then you know she's never tasted a food she didn't like.  And she's learned to say "I'm Ungie" - I guess you know what she says all day then.

We're also looking forward to warmer weather here soon.  We've been researching swing sets and are hoping to bless our girls with one very soon.

Phew...how's that for an update?

I am Mom.

I don't roar, but according to Annelise, I sometimes scream. 

I lose my patience too quickly.

I expect my children to act like adults.

I expect my kids to treat our home like a museum.

I make a big fuss out of dirty dishes, laundry and unkempt beds.

I forget to savor the moments and focus on getting "more important" things like, getting somewhere on time.

I have my faults.  Lots of them.  Thankfully, Christ has redeemed me.  And his grace is sufficient for me (and my children) each and every day. 

There is no task set before me that is greater in responsibility or importance.  If I do it in Christ's strength, according to his word, I am called blessed. 

So, when I scream, I ask for forgiveness.

When I lose my patience, I take a step back and a deep breath.

If my children act like children, I will remember they will someday be boring adults.

When my house is a mess, I'll focus on the hand prints that won't be there in a few years.

I'll do my best not to make a big fuss, because my kids need to witness a joyful spirit.

And when I forget to savor the moments, I'll remember back to a time when I was once little.  It goes too quickly.

I am mom.

Our Life As Normal

Things are finally feeling a little bit normal.  I like normal.  We're healthy, happy and enjoying the sunshine that we're seeing more often than not.

Last Wednesday our church had a skating party.  Annelise jumped on those skates like it was nobody's business.  I was so proud of her.

And this has been my most recent project.  Spray painting the lawn furniture.  This pink table set goes with our lime green picnic table and our sun yellow porch swing.

The Tulip Festival starts this weekend and we are excited, as always.  We love living downtown during this festival and we get to enjoy lots of beautiful flowers along our almost nightly walks.  

There's that yellow swing.  Oh, and two beautiful little girls are on it.  Doubly sweet.

And who can resist a green, sugary, marshmallowy, bunny sucker at Aldi?  Apparently not Elli.

Leland.

My sister Leah went into labor on Saturday.  She was supposed to be induced at 8, but Leland decided that was too late.  I awoke to a call at 7:04 am from my brother-in-law.  

Hello?

Hey, its go time.

Go time?

Yeah, Leah's in labor.

I thought 8, they induced her early?

No, we came in early.  You better get here.  She's moving fast.

Uh, ok.

Click.

Panic ensues.  (This is when it occurred to me...the words "she's going fast" mean get here or you won't see it.)  I have to see it.  It didn't happen if I don't see it. 

Turns out we had a little more time...but not much.  After 15 minutes and only 5 pushes, Leland Anthony was born at 10:51 am.  And I didn't just see it.  I videotaped it.  I narrated it (by accident).  Sorry Leah, my annoying voice, choked up full of tears is on both of your birth videos.  My sister is a machine.  A baby birthing machine.  She is 100 pounds and 5'8" tall.  She has big babies, with ease.  Yes, you can all be jealous.  It figures she would be the one to stop at two.  A boy and a girl are enough for us.

We are so happy to welcome little Leland into our family.  He is the first boy...the first grandson on both sides.   

 

 

 

Proud daddy.

Aunt Sarah recording our guesses for weight and height.

Please note my guess, it is the most important.

Leah.  She looks too comfortable. No epidural yet.

Leland Anthony Parks. 8 lbs. 12 oz. 21 1/2 inches.

Such a content baby.

Big sister Alayna.  She loves him already!

 Anybody have baby fever?