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It's been a while since I've last posted because a lot has happened. We returned from our beach vacation. We bought a new car ~!! Oh and our computer crashed.


Thats of course the real reason I haven't written in a while. All is well though, we are all healthy except for a recovering double ear infection in Asa. Unfortunately he was sick throughout the vacation and let everyone know how he felt. The weather was wonderful, we all got very tan and had a very relaxing time.


The new car is awesome, it's a Honda Pilot and it's silver, we fit so well now. The friday before we left for Ocean City I was driving around doing last minute errands when my car started making a strange noise. I just started thinking about how I needed to make the long(ish) drive to the shore in it and then I started to think about how squished we would be. So I drove home and told Mark(who had the day off for school) that I would really love a new CRV. I asked him if we could run over to the Honda dealership and shop around just in case we see something to take on vacation. Well it was a crazy time but we did it! Then our trip to the beach was so LONG but comfortable. it took us 4.5 hours when it normally takes 1.5!!

Anyway we're home. Mark turned 30 last week and we surprised him with a family and close friend party at his parents. It went so nicely! After barely any notice so many of his childhood friends were able to make it for burgers and dogs and a great cake!

Tomorrow is the start of our church VBS. We have Tyler this week so it will be really nice. I am a crew leader(supposedly) but I might be doing other things instead. Hopefully Asa will do well. I am pretty excited, our church theme is Avalanche Ranch. The funny thing about that is almost every church with a VBS is doing the same theme...even in Ocean City!!

We're at my parents now after a nice church service and sunday school class. It's sunny and warm and we're probably going to swim.

The Joy of Peanut Butter

Ever since Asa turned one, and maybe even a little before, people around me have been moved to curiosity over why I won't let him have peanut butter. When I say peanut butter, I mean peanut butter crackers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and other candies with peanuts, or any foods with the nut it in. The reason I stayed away from it though, was because I was convinced that children should wait till they're three to have peanuts, especially if they have other allergies.

Until recently I stuck to my guns about it. Today I was feeding my nephew peanut butter on toast(one of his favorite foods) and I was feeling kind of weak as to how other people around me affect me so that I change my mind on things, basically just to please them. He certainly was loving the toast though. Asa made his way over to it as well, he grabbed a piece and smeared it on his face. I told him to put it back, and that it was not his.

He has had crackers in the past few weeks with PB in them at relatives(on both sides lol) homes. I kind of just let him have it as to not make me look crazy, and also to make other people happy. (Very sad, I know)

So after Luke is done his food and I am done cleaning up the mess, I notice that Asa's face is red super bumpy with his upper lip all swollen. I freak out! I grab him and hold him, he probably thinks I am crazy. I grab my purse and dump out all the millions of business cards from the pocket of my wallet. I search through them frantically yet come out empty handed. I run over to the phone book cabinet, my hands shaking wildly. I keep thinking his throat is going to close up I won't be able to do anything about it. I find the book, and the doctor's number and quickly dial it. A busy signal?! For a doctor's office? Something is not right! I set him down on the table while I run around in aimless circles trying to think of what it is I should do. I decide to call them back, and this time it ends up victorious. "May I speak to a Nurse, or Doctor please?" I say in my most calm and sweet/cheerful voice. What's wrong with me?! Am I afraid I'll offend the receptionist if I act more emotional? After what seemed like way too much time I was answered by a nurse. She told me to give him Benedryl, call and Allergist and that if he has any breathing problems to go and pick up the Epi-pen Jr she was about to call in for me. It seems so simple in one sentence, but it actually was complicated to get those directions when the boys were both screaming bloody murder at each other and I am getting a call on the other line blocking out her speech. I also realize I don't have enough medicine. After scribbling down some allergist's numbers and hoping I got them right(especially since I completely missed their names) I realized that I had to drag two almost-two -year-old boys into the car and down to the pharmacy. I call my hubby and start to cry.


I obviously survived the ordeal. Thank God Asa's reaction mellowed out and I was able to give him Benedryl and pick up his Epi Pen. He's sleeping right now, and I feel like doing the same.

The Moral of the story: Don't be easily moved from what you think is right, just to make other people happy, comfortable or even for your own appearance.

humidity

It's amazing how a beautiful sunny day with temperatures perfectly warm can be spoiled by high humidity. I have two little toddlers today instead of just one. Maybe that's also a reason why I am sweating. Luke got here around 6:45 am and although it was earlier than expected, I was happy to have such a spontaneous start to my day. I got most of my "chores" done while he was playing with cars and Asa was sleeping. It was nice because I had more time to play with them. They did this funny thing this morning; while I was taking socks off of Asa, Luke pulled his toes to his nose, sniffed and said "EW STINKY!!" Then Asa did it and they both started laughing hysterically. It was really cute. Later on they did something else, (I think it was another bodily odor) and Luke said " EW Yucky!" then Asa and he started laughing their heads off and saying "Ew, Stinky, Yucky". It just made me think about how inherently male or female we are made...without being taught.


Is it bad for me to be using other people's photo's on my blog? If so, I won't hesitate to stop. I just figured that since it's actually a link to the original site, I have sited it enough. (that was almost a pun) I am planning on going to Wissahickon again and taking pics myself to redeem myself. Wissahickon is actually part of Fairmount Park in the city limits of Philadelphia.

I have to go food shopping today. I really dislike food shopping. Asa is usually good company though--as odd as that may seem.

I better get back to tending the boys.
Lauren

Monday

Today is Monday, Asa and my "try to get work down" day. So far it hasn't been a very efficient day though. That's my fault.
So,big surprise, we went to Wissahickon again on Saturday. This time exploring new places and witnessing to car break-ins (after the fact). That was scary. We brought my brother John with us and hiked about 9 miles. I forgot to unload my camera so we didn't get any pictures :(

I got these pictures from the Internet, someones Flikr page, but these are some things we saw on our hike. The Indian is a Lenape and the bridge is the only covered bridge in any major city in our country(Wissahickon is in city limits).

Mark's car also broke down this weekend. I am so ready to trade it in. We need to get it fixed though and then try and sell it on our own so we can get more for it. We were looking at the a new Honda CR-V then some used Honda Pilots and a Toyota Highlander. I would prefer a larger car to a smaller one, but we'll see how it goes when we go shopping this week.

The fourth of July is coming up, two days away, and less then two weeks till our family vacation to the beach, I am so excited. I believe we are going to my parents for a BBQ on the fourth.
The weather has been absolutely amazing the past two days. Very comfortable and clear. The humidity is almost non-exist ant.

I am so upset. Our basement is gross. I don't even want to go down there. It's very moldy and there are these flying bugs down there--a bunch of them swarm the lights when I go down to get my laundry. I can't wait for these problems to be fixed, it's very disgusting. Hopefully the landlord will take it seriously.


Well Asa is doing well, yesterday he heard Tyler ask for drink and then he said "I...Have....Juice...mom?" I was very impressed :)Usually he just says "More Juice..please"


Well I am going to go now and make this inefficient day of mine do a 360 :)


Lauren