5 minutes of peace

Just read "5 minutes of peace", to jacob (a book about an elephant family and the mom needs 5 minutes of peace..) and now I am eating my 2nd bite size dark choc. peanut butter cup, sitting down for a minute.

There is a reason I started to make our soup for dinner at 11:30 am today, it's almost 2 and I am still in process

Really it feels like a "normal" day- one that we've chosen to stay home all day- Caleb's 1st day of BOOT CAMP/ potty training

We've gone from big boy unds, to no unds for the greater part of the morning & now during nap time he's got on pull ups-

Huge plus is that he's gone in the potty #1, twice.. okay he did point the firehose straight at me, but eventually we hit the potty- we've had our share of accidents this am which is why I have pulled up the carpets and my hands smell like Lysol

Caleb's requested reward was that he got to watch Frosty the Snowman (whatever works)

Somehow Jacob and I got to play a game of Ladybug- that nana gave us- he won and is getting the hang of it! thanks Karen.

Gunnar is down for a half hour so far... he's Mr. I'm hungry, please hold, me don't leave me, naps are unpredictable, spit my food out unless it's applesauce or bananas boy.

Yes and we did finish lunch at 1:30 b/c, well we got started late and my boys- especially Jacob can eat 3 hot dogs, grapes, blueberries, and a cheese sandwich for lunch. No joke and he wanted more- can we say growth spurt maybe?

He will not stay in his room, keeps making reasons to get up during rest time- better go b/c my 5 minutes are clearly almost up!

It's a privilege to be a mommy, really we are doing pretty well- thanks for the prayers- hope you are having a good day and this gives you a smile!

Four hours till daddy gets home :)

From coast to coast we go!

What a privilege to get to see family on the east and west coast during the holidays!

Our Thanksgiving was spent on the west coast with John's family in the Seattle area. Snohomish to be exact. When we got there, to our delight, there was snow on the ground with the promise of sledding in the backyard the next day! The boys LOVED it! I got out there too, and so did John's parents and his brother, "Uncle Paul". Some people in this group even went sledding in their bathing suits!!! But those people will remain unnamed :) there was a hot tub near by which made it bearable! A thrilling Thanksgiving morning!

Karen, John's mom, made delicious pumpkin pie, home made rolls and an assortment of yummy holiday delights. It was a treat to be there. We did fit in some Auburn football- another thrill! so glad we won!

Soon we will be traveling to South Carolina to visit my parents. My sister, Emily, and her husband Wade will meet us there! We are driving... and so we are hoping that it goes well! It will take us a good 15 hours with our 2 year old Caleb, and nearly 4 year old Jacob.

They are a delight. And. Busy! Jacob keeps us laughing with his songs, phrases, and new expressions. Caleb is our sweet cuddler who adores his brother and will not be out done when it comes to being a socialite! All extroverts? really.. I need company here folks :)

Our newest family member , Lord willing, is arriving around May 8th! We are looking forward to the arrival of baby #3! Waiting until the spring to find out if this will be a boy or girl!

Many blessings and at the same time I am challenged to remember that my trust is not in all these good things. With a thankful heart for the blessings, I lean toward what's true:

"Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal" Is. 26:4

Merry Christmas!

Elizabeth

Canada 2010

This was our trip to Canada with John's fam after Christmas this year. The boys were pulled on sleds behind daddy and Uncle Paul. Sometimes I wonder how I ever got in to this active family.. but then I have probably never had this much fun either.. never a dull moment!

Yearly blog update!

Oh, I'd hope to do better at blog updates.. but here we are one year later!

John and I are still in STL :) It has been snowing and snowing! We are actually enjoying the snow very much. It's beautiful and make our back yard so much more fun- like a giant sandbox... well, that you have to layer up to play in. We have had fun making a snow fort, snow men, and sledding. Recently we are tromping in the mud and slush b/c the snow is melting!

Jacob is full of hilarious comments that just make me smile often during the day. Recently he was walking around in daddy's shoes enjoying himself so much, then he fell backwards. He explained to the shoes, "I can't have you in my life." -this from a little guy who just turned 3 yrs old.

Caleb is our cuddler. He is just starting to talk a little, but not walking on his own yet.. he's close! He is 14 months old and just darling. I can't imagine him as a toddler, but pretty soon he will be chasing his brother. He has always rebelled against sleeping, but thankfully he is doing well recently. We believe in earplugs for the middle of the night if we need them!

John is traveling with his work. He is learning a lot, and has been with Covenant Seminary doing fundraising for the last 5 years now. He is great at what he does, and it's a perfect fit for now- not sure how long the Lord will have us here. John needs mountains to climb- literally and figuratively. (which doesn't surprise all of you I am sure!)

I am working part time from home, and full time taking care of my boys! I'm glad that I can do this, and also glad that God has given me other women in my life to encourage me along the way.

I have found beauty this winter in ... building snow forts, watching snow fall, running in the snow, drinking warm tea, listening to baby talk, getting phone calls in the middle of the day from my sweetheart at work, eating dark chocolate, praying with friends on the phone who have moved far away, painting my fingernails (ok- i only did this once but it was fun!) painting with Jacob, cuddling with John watching the Olympics, and depending on the Spirit to help me through the rough moments of the day when days don't feel beautiful.

To friends who probably have learned not to check our blog because we do not update it.. send us a note, or better, come visit us in St. Louis!

Love,

Elizabeth

Waiting to SPRING forward!!

hey from the Ranheim family!

It has been an eventful winter!  We have enjoyed the arrival of our new baby, Caleb. We had a wonderful time with both the Ranheim and Ouimette family being here for Christmas. We have had some fun snow to play in outside during February. We have been entertained by Jacob's fun antics - he's now a true toddler... he says,  "I found me!!!"  (hide and seek)  Often sings "Zaccheus was a wee lud man..." and says, "I'm 2 old." Loudly he says," SHHH, QUIET, baby's sleeping!!"   Caleb is smiling more and more often- it just melts our hearts! So precious. He's now 3 months old! Praise God for helping us through the newborn months- it's been a challenge to have a newborn and toddler.  Ah! Another reason to look forward to the spring! Mommy, daddy, Jacob, and Caleb can enjoy playing outdoors- yea!

Love from the Elizabeth, John, Jacob and Caleb

New pics of our boys- February 08

Hello from Jake

"Hey there!"

With the temperatures cooling once again, Jacob decided he wanted to give a shout out to all his 'peeps'.  So the following is a video greeting from Jake to all his fans around the nation.  Enjoy!