That is how August has felt...constantly moving.  My house looks like it has been hit by a tornado and I can't seem to get much done unless it is absolutely necessary.  The good news is, I'm enjoying all the activity that has filled August so full.

Grace, Evan, my brother, and I took on the 13 hour drive to SD to visit my grandparents and celebrate their 60th wedding anniversay with them.  Can you imagine being married to someone for 60 years??  Wow!  It was really great that we went.  When we got there we found out my grandparents had just sold their house and will be moving this fall to a larger city 1.5 hours away to live in a retirement community.  We are all really happy about this news for them and feel better knowing they will not be living on a lake in the middle of nowhere.  It is also sad b/c it was our last time at that lake.  We have been going there as an extended family every summer for as long as I can remember.  We did boating, fireworks, fires with smores, tubing, skiing, swimming, fishing, playing in the sand, moped riding, camping, Uno playing, laughing, and more every summer of my childhood at this lake.  The chapter of that part of my life is done.  Sad.  I just want to cling to my memories and knowing it is done makes them even more precious. 

And the biggest change has been starting preschool and working a little again.  Grace and Evan are adjusting pretty well to the change.  I am really enjoying being back in a classroom again.  We had our open house today and I got to meet children and families.  We've been setting up the room and I've been attending trainings and meetings and planning.  It's good.  It will be even better once we're into the new routine.

Hmmm, lots on my mind, but I've got a few more things to get done before bed so I better run.  ~G

This summer I've tried to cook simple, healthy recipes that don't use the oven too often.  I'm sure many of you out there try to do the same.  Anyways, I love talkin' food so here are some of my favorites this summer.

Paninis on the George Foreman Grill

-We've done several combos of meats and cheeses, one of my favorites is turkey with blue cheese

Salads

-Italian style salad with lots of veges and turkey pepperoni for protein

-Mexican style with black beans for protein and a lime vinegarette

-Tuna salad made with yogurt instead of mayo served on a whole grain pitta

Also, here is a recipe that someone made me after Evan was born.  Since then, I've made it a lot.  It is so fast and yummy.  Grace loves it too!  I just use the reduced fat version of Alfredo sauce in a jar to try to make it a little healthier.

Cheesy Ham Tortellini

I'm always looking for new recipes.  Give me some of yours!  :) G

So Andy and I were enjoying a nice fire outside one evening and stargazing when we heard some rustling in the bushes and leaves nearby.  Andy jumped to turn on the light and right there was a possum climbing up our wisteria.  If you know Andy and his lack of love for all things animal, you know that we had to pack it in and call it a night.  The next night I was out there with my friend Ruth chatting away and same thing.  Here comes our new pet the possum.  Anyways, I'm kinda nervous to go outside now, especially in the dark.  What are we supposed to do?  Set a trap?  I guess we have to figure that out.

Anyone else bummed about the economy lately?  Here is a nice article I read about healthy foods that don't cost an arm and a leg.

We had Evan's Dedication towards the end of June.  This is my favorite picture from that.  Enjoy!  ~G

I have to be one to get anything done.  It is totally different with two.  If I want to clean, do laundry, pay bills, read, exercise, anything then I have to do it after the little ones are in bed.  I am officially becoming a night owl.

I went out with a friend the other night after bedtime to this new cupcake place downtown.  So cute!  Very fun!  Just what I needed...sweets and girl time.  It is open 'til 11 most nights so if you want to go, just let me know.  ;)

At my mom's group we were randomly talking about having our children learn scripture and here are two sites I cam across when I was searching for helps.  Maybe you can use them too!  ~G

 http://www.kidprintables.com/bibleverses/

http://www.kidstalkaboutgod.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

today.  They grow so fast.  Time flies by.  All those sayings go through my mind and become even more real to me.

I just want time to stand still.  We were talking with some good friends.  3 years ago we could just hang out with them (husband and wife) and it seemed so carefree.  Now a gathering of 4 has become a gathering of 8.  Goodness!  Not as carefree.  We found ourselves talking about "the good ol' days" and it is easy to see how THESE days will be gone just as fast.  But, they will also beome "the good ol' days."  Soon I will just want back the afternoons of laying on the blanket in the backyard with Grace or the fact that my kisses can make boo boos all better.  I will miss the simplicity of life when I could be Evan's nutritional source and not have to pack a million things to feed him somewhere else.  Almost eveyday is a given for family time.  Will there really be days that our children will not want to be with us and prefer their friends?  Hard to think about...all that those days will bring.  I will just try to stay and live in the moments of the present.

Little Evan had his 4 month old dr. apt. today.  He is weighing 16 lbs and 3 oz and 25 in. long.  He has rolled over 3 times now from tummy to back.  He has been having some separation anxiety too...the dr said that was a little advanced but man he gets mad if I walk out of the room.  Kinda funny!  Grace can open door knobs and talks so much!  Her sentences amaze me like "Grace try it" and "Where'd Mommy go?"  She has some how picked up the concept of "mine."  Kids come close to her toys and she declares "mine!"  All part of the development process.  Parenting is the hardest thing I've ever done and the BEST.  Sometimes what is best for them is so hard to do.  Life really is not always about making them happy and those unhappy moments can be even harder for me than them.  

Here are pics of Grace and Evan at close to the same age.  What do you think?  Do they look a lot alike?  ~G