The Lives of Langs

I'm baaaaacccckkkk

A year and 2 months later....

Okay, seriously. The last time I blogged was March of 2010. I had 3 children then. Now, I have 4...and baby is nearing a year old!! Unbelievable. But I guess we have been a little busy. So, let's see, to catch up on our world...
Baby Georgia joined our family last August! She is so much fun. She brings incredible joy to our lives and is such a good baby! She endures being carted around the world to her siblings' activities, and she doesn't seem to mind. She has dimples that melt you like butter...she has blue eyes the color of the ocean. We LOVE having her in our family! What a blessing. She wants to keep up with the big ones...crawling, pulling up to stand, and trying to wrestle with Daddy like everyone else!
What a fun year....
Ella completed first grade. She had a wonderful teacher and really enjoyed it. She even won a math award at the end of the year. This is a feat in itself because math is not her mother's strong suit. She also danced in her ballet's production of Mary Poppins. She was one of the toys cleaning up the nursery. It was really fun to watch.
Owen completed preschool at our church. He loved learning and his teacher, Miss Tiffany. He is becoming more interested in letters and numbers now and constantly gives me a digital time update: "Mom, it's five two five (5:25). Mom, it's five two six. Mom, it's five two seven." Get the picture? I never need to wear a watch anymore...
Owie also completed swim lessons, along with Ella. What a fish. He would swim in our soft sided pool for 8 hours a day if I would let him. And some days I do! Let's just say he is sleeping well at night!
For some time we have been amazed with Owen's questions about heaven, God, and all things spiritual. He prayed today at lunch: "Thank you, God, for all the things you give us; for Your whole love; for Your Holy Spirit; and for giving us Your Jesus. Amen." Ella said, "Good job, Owie." Ava clapped. And Owen was basking in the praise, and said, "Thanks guys!" And Ella responded, "I couldn't have said it any better, Mom."
Ava is our sunshine. She will be 3 in a few months. So many funny things...loves Mr. Golden Sun....wants to know where he is if it's cloudy; loves to sing, dance, wear high heels, put on lipstick. But she also wants to be rough and tumble with Owen. I can't wait to see who she becomes!!!
Eric worked like a dog all year...short on staff....a very refining fire for him. I am so proud of his dedication and heart. I'm so glad he is my partner on this crazy ride we are on!!!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

February was a busy month for us. Well, that's silly to write because every day and every month feels busy right now. But, February was exceptionally busy, because of how it started, with:

THE BIG SILVER BOWL (insert scary music here)

We use the same silver bowl when our kids throw up. Yes, kind of gross, but you don't realize until you've cleaned up the carpet, the bedding, and anything else in its path that kids don't/can't aim very well.

Ella woke up and didn't want to get out of bed (very unusual, as she usually pops up) and didn't look very good. It was a Sunday and Eric graciously agreed to stay home with her...so I took the little kids and while we were at church, she began throwing up. So, Eric was quite the busy bee while we were gone. He did mounds of laundry, tended to Ella, cleaned the kitchen, etc. Have I mentioned how much I love this man? We were steeling ourselves for the dreaded, inevitable one kid starts throwing up and 4 hours later everyone else starts thing. But it didn't. And we were so grateful. And Eric, I'm grateful that your mom did such a good job training you!

On a much lighter note, Ella turned six on February 20. We had a fun day complete with swimming party, rainbow/ballerina cake (Ella's choice), and presents. Enough for one day? Oh, no! After our guests left, we began packing for an 18 hour trip to Florida with some of Eric's cousins in St. George Island. The kids traveled very well (maybe better than their mom) and we had a great time. Memories made. Sun soaked in. We needed that Vitamin D! Kids even got a sunburn (and baby Ava looked like a little raccoon because I didn't quite get the sunscreen all the way under her eyes). You would think that after three kids I would do better, but it was chilly that day, and they started out with hoodies on...I guess it warmed up enough for them show bare arms! Oh the guilt. One of the exciting parts of the trip was when a baby shark (dead) washed up on the beach. The kids touched it and Owen (who loves sharks right now but is also terrified of them) didn't want much to do with it.

A few funny things I want to remember that the kids are saying now:

Owen: Mom, I'm happy with you.

Ava: woof, woof! meow, meow. All gah (all gone)

Ella: Mom, I really want to ride a horse. I know how. You pull the reins back to make it stop.

Mom: Well, maybe at the family reunion we can try to ride a horse.

Ella: Mom, Jesus has reins too.

Mom: (thinking) I don't really understand what you mean.

Ella: Mom, you know. (sings) "Jesus reigns"

Mom: (trying not to laugh) Oh, I see.

And then I try to explain about homophones. or is it homonyms? I was a teacher! I've lost brain cells. But ask me to sing "itsy bitsy spider." I won't miss a word!

Finally, if you don't already know, we are expecting baby #4 in August. Funny how when I was pregnant with Ella, I recorded every movement, feeling, craving, pound, food eaten, milestone, etc. Now I really am not sure how many weeks I am. But oh what a blessing. We are excited...the kids are beyond thrilled... we are enjoying our sleep now. I can't wait to smell that little milky mouth baby breath again.