Our big boy

Derek is 10 months old now! On his 10 month "birthday," he took 20 consecutive steps! BIG boy! He did it a few different times--I am not ready for this. I am not ready for the babyproofing-things are pretty babyproof around here, but I don't have to watch Shane's every move...but moreso, I am not ready to have my baby grow up! Since this is probably our last baby (we will see!), it makes me sad! By the way-this bunny, from Great Aunt Mary and Great Uncle Don has been used in all of Derek's monthly updates!

I believe...

So, as you probably know, my dad died when I was 5, which was 15 years ago :) Ok, so in March 1983...I have never experienced his presence, but strongly believe he is here with us. Last night, we were playing, and out of the blue, Shane asked me, "Mommy, do you remember when I saw Grandpa who lives up in the sky?" (I reminded him that Grandpa Skip lives in heaven)..he said, "Yes, I saw him at Brandon's baptism." (my girlfriend's baby, who was baptised this summer). So I thought a minute, wondering if maybe someone there looked like my dad, which I couldn't think of anyone, so I asked Shane if he was inside or outside, he couldn't remember. I asked him if they talked to each other, he said no. But I do believe that my dad was there, somewhere-maybe at the church, at Miriam's house afterwards...somewhere, letting Shane know he was there! I told my mom, and she feels, as I do, that kids can see this, because they are open to it, so Shane's open to the idea, and he saw him. Maybe this is too out there for some of you, but I have hope-I hope my daddy, as I call him, is right here laughing at this post as I type it! Have some hope...

(photos taken right before this conversation-we were making oatmeal raisin cookies)

And more..

And a photo of Shane (because, like I said, this is new and I don't know how to post 2 pics at once)!

The pumpkin patch

We visited the pumpkin patch (Didier Farm in Lincolnshire) on Friday with Auntie Jane, cousin Jillian, Miriam, Ethan and Brandon. The boys had so much fun! We saw baby pigs, born the end of September, Shane and Ethan rode the rides, and all the kiddos, of course, had their photos taken in a sea of pumpkins! It was fun!

Our boys

Ok, so the Cubs didn't do so well, but we hoped...I was hoping to bring some luck to the Cubbies by taking this photo, to someday say to the boys, "This was the year the Cubs won the pennant, 100 years from the last time they had won it." Oh well, next year, right?

Shane's first field trip

Last week we went on Shane's first field trip. We visited Didier Farm, which we have gone to every year with Miriam and Ethan (going back tomorrow, with Brandon, Auntie Jane and Jill, too this year). Shane had fun picking his pumpkin in the patch, looking at the baby pigs (5 days old) ,and visiting the petting zoo. Surprisingly, he fed the animals--llama, donkey, goats, pigs, ducks..

Too cute

You all know our first born, Kona, is such an important part of our lives. She's like a junior Mommy..she is so protective of the boys! She is the calmest, quietest dog I know, when someone knocks on the door--not anymore! She's so worried that someone is going to hurt her boys! She's too cute! And, the fact that she isn't fixed, and we tried to mate her, and it didn't work, I think she's a surrogate Mommy to the boys. Here is a perfect example.

My other job...

And, my other "job," besides being Mommy, I babysit Jillian, my beautiful niece, two days a week. Here is a shot taken today, before we went to Shane's school for "Vehicle Day," which was fun!

My new job...

So I started a "job.." I am selling lia sophia jewelry. My girlfriend, Katie, has been selling for a year, and makes really good money..I like their jewelry, so I figured I'd give it a try! I started with my own home party-had some friends here, and got tons of bookings from that-thanks to all! I now have 7 parties booked through the end of the year!





It's a good way for me to get out of the house, and make a little money. Being home with Shane and Derek has been the best thing for me- I always knew I wanted to be a stay at home mom, and I love this..but I do need a little time to myself. And, it does feel kinda nice to have my "own" money..

This photo was taken the first night that I "worked." I feel funny calling it work, because it really doesn't feel like work. When I worked as a teacher, I would make sure I was in bed on time (you know me, anal retentive), had everything all ready for the next day, and planned my whole day around work. I also worked full time, so my day was consumed by work. My shows only take about 3 hours out of my day. So anyway, here is a photo of me and the boys...again, not the greatest.

You can also check out my website for my business:

www.liasophia.com/melissasvoboda

I know this is new..

I know this is the new thing, so we decided to try it! Welcome to our blog! I try to send updated photos, but sometimes it just gets to be too much-then I forget who I sent to, when I sent last, and it takes so long to send, and I am sure as long to open! SO, we are blogging! I hope to figure this out, post fun stuff we are doing, post pics, etc! So please, take a look and let me know how it looks!

Here is a photo of the boys taken yesterday--sometimes it's so hard to get a great shot with both of them looking at the camera! Well, here they are both looking-that counts, right?!