Moving

I know we are long over due for an update on this blog, but I only have time right now to notify you all that we are moving this week across the street. The only thing that will change in our address is the number on the house. It will now be 2334 rather than 2323. Our phone numbers will stay the same of course. The official day we will be all moved in will be Saturday. This week is going to be a bit of a whirlwind.

I have much to tell you all, so hopefully we will send out a great entry soon.

Angels Among Us

Yesterday Gwen and I were at the zoo. There was a situation I want to share with you all.

I noticed a man, woman and child looking around at the animals. He was African American and the woman looked Hispanic. The child could have been their child.

The zoo closes at 5pm, and Gwen and I were cutting it close to get out. I was in a hurry, but not frantic or anything like that. We had to walk by this said group of people, and when we did the man asked me if I was doing alright in a concerned and caring way. It was strange. It took me off guard.

Then Gwen and I were looking at the ducks and geese outside of the zoo, and I noticed these people were staying inside the zoo and were looking at the ducks from there. It was like they didn't have to leave.

Then when I was loading the stroller and Gwen into the car the man was walking out into the parking lot by himself and smiled and said something like "have a good day". He was walking out towards an orange newer looking truck. When I was backing up in the car I looked behind to make sure I wouldn't run into him. The truck was still there in the parking lot, but I didn't see the man. I thought, "that's odd". Then when we were pulling out of the parking lot I saw that he was in an old small truck also leaving. I didn't see the old truck in the parking lot.

I just had this funny feeling like he was an angel or something like that. It's like he was with that woman and child, but didn't relate with them when I was around. Also, they didn't walk out with him. Then it was like he paid attention to me in an out of the ordinary kind of way.

When I was home I thought what if he was an angel. I haven't been praying like I normally do or like to. I feel out of touch in the faith department a bit, and I thought this is an opportunity for me to share a possible encounter of God trying to reach out to me and remind me of him.

Has anyone else ever had a circumstance with a possible angel?

Also, I'm working this week and have Gwen while Adam's in Boston and Connecticut, so maybe I'll get some pictures up later.

Sunday Ease

It's been a while since the last posting, so these are just some pictures of a Sunday morning fun picture opportunity. Gwen looked so cute there on the bed while I was cleaning up the room. Her personality is showing through. She's 7 months and 1 week old right now.

Some Things to Share

I don't have any pictures today, but I have some things I want to share with everyone.

Today Adam had to leave for work around 4:30am, while he's getting ready I sort of am awake but mostly stay asleep. Then he left the house. Shortly there after I hear "Kim" whispered. It freaked me out, because I was close to a dreaming state. It was Adam outside our bedroom window, because he left the car key inside the house and he needed back in. It was comical.

Also, a random piece of information is that I have determined that Gwen has Adam's hands and feet. This is a huge relief to me, since I have bunions. I wouldn't wish that on Gwen. It's fun seeing her develop and grow.

Another thing is that I went to a knitting and crocheting meeting at a nursing home this last Tuesday. It was so great! It's every other Tuesday, and I plan on attending again. I went to get some guidance on how to knit mittens for Gwen. I've only knit scarves and 1/2 of a sweater so far, but plan on getting into this hobby more. I really like it.

Kaden Olson Turned One

Today our neighbor and friend, Kaden, had his one year birthday party. We all went to the zoo. Here are some pictures.

Anne Marie and Kaden are in this one. I put carpet samples from the presentation boards I've been working on on his gift rather than bows. It was great for them to chew on....he he he. It doesn't unravel....don't worry.

Here are the two kiddos when we were setting up for the party. It's handy to keep them in the strollers until you're ready for them.

Matt is about one and a half years old. I thought it was cute how Gwen is looking up at him and reaching for him.

Here she is enjoying that carpet sample. It had a rubber backing, so that probably feels good on the gums. She wore long pants and shoes this morning. It is a high of 84 degrees today. Once we came home we took all of that extra gear off, but it was fun to dress her up in those items. The shoes were a gift from Anne and Lance Steinhausen.

Jasmine is 26 months old. She's enjoying some baby yogurt.

Tricia use to work with Adam, but now had Chance who is just one week older than Gwen and Jasmine in that picture above and is staying at home with them full time. She's great to talk to about our kids.

Matt and Lauren are moving like crazy and there's our little Gwen just sitting and watching in the corner of the picture.

Anne Marie read this great book called "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" out loud to us all. I suggest this book to everyone with babies. It has a lot of rhyming, and that's what they love to hear. It is so great and if anyone is looking to give a gift to a new born I recommend it.

Once we came home Gwen took a nap, we ate lunch and now she's playing in this picture. I'm introducing the concept that the bowl can be full or empty and that you can dump it out or fill it up. It's only the second day of it, so she's still trying to catch on completely.

Here are some pictures of Adam feeding Gwen this last weekend. She gets more messy when he feeds her, but she eats larger quantities from him I believe. She was eating prunes here...stage one...which means really pureed.

Look at the color of her eyes. I still am not sure what they are turning. Now that she's almost 7 months old they might be sticking to a color.

Trip to Texas

We spent a week in Texas due to a conference Adam had. Gwen and I toured around the area of Dallas and Fort Worth. We stayed with our friends Sheila and Vince Taylor on the way out. It was so nice to see them. Sheila is due November 9th with a baby girl. Sheila and I grew up together in Battle Creek and have thankfully stayed in touch.


Gwen and I visited the botanic gardens of Fort Worth on Tuesday which was Adam and my third year anniversary. The weather ranged in the mid 90's, and of course the humidity was nice and high. We sweat a lot and had red cheeks a lot too. We didn't have any pictures of that. Most of the flowers had past their peak beauty, but it was still nice to experience the grounds.

After the gardens, we picked Adam up for dinner. We went to one of our favorite restaurants P.F. Chang's. Gwen was asleep at first, so it was nice to have some time together alone. Then once Gwen woke up we ate and played with her. These are some pictures at dinner.



The next day Gwen and I visited the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. The art in the back ground is a glimpse of what we saw. It was absolutely fantastic to spend time and not be rushed with each piece of art. I would read about the art out loud to Gwen. The security guards were chatting with us. Most days the people we talked with were a highlight as well. Gwen is a magnet to chatty people who just want to talk about her. It was fun for me.

Both pictures above are from the view where we ate lunch. It was delicious. They had a cold pumpkin soup and a citrus vinegrette salad and lemonade. The sculpture is an example of just the kind of thing I loved looking at and admiring. We had a good time getting some culture in.



Then Gwen and I still had some time before Adam would be ready to be picked up for the day, so we put the blanket down outside of the museum and played with some toys, read and stretched Gwen out rather than sitting all day in the stroller or such. There was a nice water fountain in the back ground too.




Now we are to Thursday. We gals headed to the Fort Worth Zoo. It was fairly large and had a great variety of animals. I heard that one was the best in the area. Another spouse and 2.5 year old joined us, so that was fun. It's only the 2nd time I had spent time with them, but it was really nice to have the company.

These parrots were in an enclosed area where they could fly freely around you. Of course, one zoomed right by my head and made me scream. Heidi, the other spouse, thought that was funny.
































Friday, we gals ventured into new ground in Dallas this time. We visited the Dallas World Aquarium. I thought the admission was atrocious, but it was really worth it. It really meant WORLD aquarium. They had the different locations labeled and in individual areas. They had a sloth...it reminds me of "Ice Age" the movie. They had a waterfall with black necked and white bodied swans floating along, but then you could go down a level and see the creatures below the surface. There were enormous catfish, a manetae, large turtles and other large fish. Then you could view sharks in a tunnel atmosphere....where they swim all around you. Gwen didn't like that one much. They also had spiders and snakes, sea horses that were 3 months old...super cute...one of my favorites. There were so many wonderful animals that I can't begin to write about them all. It was a blast to say the least. Here are some pictures of the experience.












Spotted sting rays and turtles together.

Poison blue frogs. The glass had moisture on it, so it's hard to see them.

They even had penguins.

Oh, I could go on and on....just like when you get me talking sometimes. ha ha ha