Thursday, March 31, 2011

Bath Time




I. Love. This. Little. Man. His life, his journey to this world......they've been some of the hardest and yet most beautiful times of my life.  As I watch him squeal with delight and splash around the tub I am overwhelmed to the point that my heart might actually explode. This boy is a gift! What can I say? God is good.  Life is good.  I am so in love with my beautiful family.

The Wall

Until I can get around to painting these walls in a cheerier color (buttercream!), we'll just have to settle for perking things up in other ways! I juggled things around a bit, so now when you walk in the front door you're no longer greeted by my 1930's secretary desk but by these pictures. (My favorites? Amarra's watercolor on the top right and Dashiell's "live long and prosper" hand print on the day he turned 6 months old.)  It's a hodgepodge of what we had on hand ( I drew the girl on the bottom and painted the zebra the morning I threw this wall together, but the frames were already hanging around.) so when the walls get dressed in their new color I may buy some frames (any excuse to go to Ikea!) and change things up a bit. In the meantime, we're having fun with this!  I love using/rearranging what you've got in unexpected new ways. Plus, it keeps Joel on his toes...who knows what will be different by the end of the week.

The Eye Doctor




Elora, at the wizened age of seven, got to go back by herself for all of the tests at the beginning of her eye doc's appointment (after rockin' the Highlights magazines in the waiting room). Like her ensemble? She won over the entire staff and left most of the office covered in sparkles from her new tutu. When I went back for my exam she announced, "They said to wait RIGHT HERE until the doctor comes and I'm NOT MOVING A BIT!"  This girl makes even the most mundane activities entertaining.

Dash & Sissy

Every time Dash is smiling with one of his sisters it amazes me how much he looks like them. I guess people aren't foolin' when they say "those Juhala kids sure have a look!"  I love these kids!!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The Ice Cream Party


































Ice Cream is such a fun party theme, I must say!!  Everyone had seconds (some of the parents had thirds, fourths..) from the ice cream bar and we had pretty much every topping you could think of.  Gallons of ice cream were consumed, and nobody was shy about it!  We all had a lovely time celebrating Miss Elora's seventh year!  She loved her gifts, loved her friends, loved her pinata (which she has requested I put pictures of on the blog, so you'll get to see some of the action!). Good times had by all!!!  We love Elora Kay!

Monday, March 28, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELORA!


I can't believe it! Seven whole trips around the sun! Our sparkly little Elora Kay is so big!!  Happy Birthday, Elora! WE LOVE YOU!

Friday, March 25, 2011

We Will Miss You!

Goodbye, Mary Jane! Your love will live on in the lives of those you have touched so profoundly. Thank you for your love, your light, your smile.......your spunk and sense of humor.  This world is a better place because you have been a part of it.

"To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch... to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.  This is to have succeeded!"  -Ralph Waldo Emerson

You were indeed a success. You will be greatly missed.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Mr. Mobile


 


We've entered a new phase of babyhood: Mobility. Dash isn't crawling yet, but that  isn't stopping him.  He is sitting up, rolling around, and scooting to wherever he seems to think he needs to be. On occasion he entertains us by yelling at his target until he finally reaches it. I figure it's the baby version of trying to use the force.......Dash is having a grand ole' time!
(Taking pictures of a moving target is getting tricky, let me tell you!)

For those of you waiting for updates on little man's health, he is doing well.  He has moments where he has difficulty breathing and has to gasp for air, so we keep a close eye on him. Something is definitely awry with his system, but we seem to be out of the life threatening stage and we now know what to keep an eye out for. We're still dealing with red tape, but will see the pediatric specialist soon. Thank you for your continued prayer for our little guy!