Happy Fourth Of July!

Matyas Family July 2013

The Sunday before the Fourth of July we were able to take a family photo.  The first picture is before church, the second is after.  Both times the kids were in good spirits.  We had a wonderful Fourth of July.  On July 3, Albion celebrates with a $10,000 display of fireworks.  The whole family was invited to watch them at someone's home, but the kids are little so Mommy got to go, and Daddy stayed home.  The gathering included an ice cream social and lawn games.  I had a smashing time.

On Thursday we shared the morning and afternoon with the Soppelsa family.  We relaxed talked, ate and had an enjoyable time.  There were more pictures on the camera of that day, but they were lost when Dennis put them on the computer.  Oh, well.

Olivia was curious about the fireworks.  And all of the noise.  She is three years old and her favorite question is "why".

    "What is that noise?"  We were outside, playing with sidewalk chalk.  Random pops and booms had been happening all week.
    "Those are fireworks for the Fourth of July."
    "Why are people using fireworks, Mommy?"
    "To celebrate, the Fourth of July is America's birthday."  Olivia likes birthdays, she is able to play the Happy Birthday song on the piano if I point out the keys.
    "Is that your friend?" Olivia asked.
    "Is who my friend?" I asked confused.
    "For the birthday."
    "It is America's birthday," I repeated.
    "Yes, is that your friend," Olivia looked at me patiently, as if I was the child.
    "No, America is a country."  This is when I realized we might be in over our heads.
    "Oh." Pause. "Why?"
     I fumbled through some explanation about Michigan, Missouri and Colorado (all states she knows a little about and can identify on Ethan's floor rug which portrays the United State of America) being a part of a country.
    "I was born in Colorado," she declares boldly.
    "Yes," I agree.
    "We live in Michigan," she rattles.
    "Yes."
    "But what about the birthday party?" She looks confused again.
    "Today, is America's birthday," I try to say it with confidence and finality.
    "Yeah, you're right, Mommy."  Well, at least we can agree on that.

My questioner, comedian and late night eater.

Isaac is 2 Months Old

Isaac with Bearome at 2 months

At Isaac's 2 month check-up we were told we have another "big kid" on our hands.  He now weighs 15 pounds 1 ounce and is 24.5 inches long.  Those stats put him in the 93rd percentile for weight and 95th for height.  I knew his 0-3 month clothes were getting snug, but after I saw the scale I realized it was officially time to graduate to the 3-6 month clothes. 

Isaac smiles and coos and has won the heart of everyone in the family.  He remains a good eater and sleeper.  Someone recently commented on his two chins...it makes a nursing Mommy proud.  Happy two months Champ!

Happy Father's Day 2013

We enjoyed a wonderful Father's Day this year.  When I asked Dennis what he would like to do he said he wanted to eat a delicious meal.  The menu included steak, sweet potato fries, green beans and banana cream pie for dessert.

The Family on Father's Day

The delicious meal.

Daddy and the boys.

Isaac is One Month Old

Mr. Isaac hit his one month marker on May 21, my 28 birthday.  At his 2 week Dr. Appointment he weighed 10 lbs.  The pediatricians desire wee ones to have returned to their birth weight by this time.  Isaac surpassed this goal by 1 pound and 2 ounces.  Olivia and Ethan are smitten with their new baby brother.  Isaac is a good sleeper and eater.  He has fallen into our routine swimmingly.  His outward appearance matches Olivia but his personality lines up with Ethan.

Isaac and Bearome

Isaac Visits with Three Theologians

During our trip to St. Louis, for Dennis's graduation ceremony, we had the opportunity to visit a handful of our St. Louis friends.  One of the visits included a stop to Dr. David Schmitt's house.  Dr. Schmitt frequented two of our homes in Missouri to lead book discussions for Seminarians.  We had a delightful afternoon filled with great conversation.  Isaac's Godfather Tim was able to join us at the house.  Dennis and Tim both graduated with their STM degrees later that night.

Happy Mother's Day 2013

The three reasons why I get to celebrate Mother's Day...

3 Kids and a Mommy on a Sunday

So inevitably, I had to get three kids ready for church for the first time on May 5.  Isaac's first Sunday was his Birthday, his second Sunday was his Baptismal Birthday, his third Sunday forced my to put my Mommy organizational skills to the test.  We succeeded and had time to take a picture.

None of the pictures are first-rate, but they are proof that I have earned the "Got 3 kids ages 3 years and younger ready for church by herself" Mommy badge.  Whoot, whoot!

Olivia is an amateur photographer.