Busy, Busy, Busy

Several years ago, Mike and I were in a Bible study through which we did a study on busyness. At the time Mike and I worked together and Bible study was generally the only event on our calendar. I remember often during that study commenting that 'this doesn't really apply to me...' Oh how the times change!
For me, work, the kids, and now schoolwork have kept me very busy. I started summer session classes a few weeks ago and have had some late nights trying to keep up. Luckily, my class right now is on-line, so I can listen to lectures while I wash dishes, do laundry, and update my blog :)




As for Ally and Aaron, they have been busy too. Two weekends ago we went out to Illinois for Aunt Jamie and Uncle Josiah's wedding. Before the trip I had visions of two kids screaming for 6 hours straight in the car. Thankfully, I could not have been more wrong! Our kids were awesome. Most of the car trip you would not have know Aaron was there. We had to check to make sure that he was still in the car a few times. He woke up to eat and when we stopped, but other than the last hour on the drive home he slept the whole time! Ally was really great as well. We borrowed a portable DVD player from Micah but put off using it until after lunch the last 3 hours to Illinois. Before then, Ally played with some toys, looked out the window, chatted with us, had some snacks, and took a nap. She did enjoy the DVDs though. I had to make sure that she knew it was only for special really long car rides. Since then if she asks for tv in the car I tell her no and she says 'only for really long trips!'

Sleeping was my second concern. Other than Nana's house Ally has never slept well away from home and Aaron has never slept (other than short naps) away from home. The first night we stayed at our friends house in Columbus. They had some twin beds that Ally loved as soon as she saw them. I was a bit worried as she has never slept in a bed, but she climbed right in and went to sleep. She woke up when bear got lost in the covers, but Mike found him and she went right back to bed! The next two nights weren't as easy, but she did fall asleep without too much trouble and slept all night. Naps were a different story, but we weren't as concerned about those.
The wedding itself was beautiful, despite being outside and really hot. It was nice to see some family we don't get to visit often. Aaron really took to my Uncle Bill. They spent quite a bit of time together at the reception. Ally hung out with whoever would play with her and was thus kept busy. We decided that if we ever decide to go on a vacation, we are taking some family along, it made things so much easier!
Ally also enjoyed visiting with Jamie and Josiah's pets. She was really cute with their cat Charlie who would lay on the floor. She tried to pick him up and carry him around and would then lay down next to him. The dogs were very entertaining for her as well. She went outside with them and would call for them to come to her. Then she would start running and yell 'Wally, chase me!'
Now we are back to our normal/busy life. The kids have returned to sleeping in their beds (from 9 to 9!) and taking naps. This past weekend was the 4th of July. We didn't do much special (and I took no pictures). We did go to the wading pool and then to a picnic with the ABF on the 4th. After the picnic we counted up that there were 14 kids there plus one on the way. Talk about a lot of playmates! When we got home, we saw some fireworks in neighborhood. Ally really liked them. We also let her watch some on tv. Hopefully, next year we will take her to see some.
I'll try to post more update about the kids soon, for now, time to sleep!