Quick add-on

I added a couple pictures to the site from tonight. I got a picture of the flowers Steve sent me, but it had to be done with the flash- and we all know you never get true colors that way. So I'll take more tomorrow in natural light and it'll be much better. But Katie on couch...she climbed up there all by herself and was very excited about it. And of course the walking holding on with one hand- this is her favorite mode of transportation. And whenever the camera is on her- you get some sort of giddy face. She cracks me up. You'll never guess who picked out Ellie's outfit in those pictures, too. Where did these goofy girls come from? Their facial expressions and the things they do- they just make me laugh. My guess is Katie will be walking by her first birthday. Isn't it interesting how different two kids can be? Ellie was already walking for 2 months by this point. And that was a big deal. But since Katie can crawl- what's the big rush? Anyway- I thought the pictures were great and wanted to share. They're in the "February Continued" folder on our site :)

Happy Anniversary

So, today is our 4th wedding anniversary... our second apart from each other. And I just got a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to my doorstep from Steve. Purple with daisies- Steve knows me well! It is sad that we're apart on this special day, but we decided our last date before he left would make up for Valentine's Day, our anniversary and the birthdays we'll miss. So no need to feel sorry for us :-)

I write this today to tell the world what a wonderful husband I have. Steve has been the greatest blessing in my life- by far. There are so many attributes I love about him and so many ways that he makes me want to be a better person. I wish everyone could be as happy and have as incredible a relationship as Steve and I share. And on top of being the best husband he is also the best father our little girls could have. Ellie tells me every day that "Daddy take forever come to Papa's house. My sad Daddy not here" (word for word...). And I have to agree with her every time. It is amazing to know that even with these long separations we have eternity to look forward to and these years apart will seem rather inconsequential.

It has been a busy four years, that's for sure. We have lived in Texas, Georgia and Kansas together. Then separated we have lived in Iraq, Utah and Illinois. The longest we have lived anywhere is 15 months, and that was our last post. We are already on our third baby (whew!) and are excited to welcome that third girl into our family.

More than the flowers or the dates, an anniversary is the perfect time to reflect on our relationship (I watched our wedding video with Ellie, which she loved) and give thanks that a little over 4 years ago Steve found me and we have been given the wonderful opportunity to learn and love and grow together forever. I consider myself to be the most blessed girl there ever was!

So... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! :-)

Every kid gets to do this at least once...

Okay, so we're getting ready for dinner and the girls are being rather quiet. So we peek in to see what's happening in the bathroom and this is what we came upon: two girls thoroughly enjoying my makeup bag. Luckily Katie was given the eyelash curler and the empty makeup bag. Ellie kept the good stuff for herself. It took a lot of scrubbing to get the makeup off her face, but how can you get mad at a cutie like that? As you can see, when Steve was about this age he decided to try out his mom's lipstick. I could have had it a lot worse! Like I said, every kid gets to do this at least once...

Oh- and Katie has learned how to smile for the camera :-) You can see that cuteness at steve.elgans.com.

Ready for Parenthood

I received this from Diane awhile back and it made me smile as I read through it again tonight...

How To Know Whether or Not You Are Ready to Have Children

Mess Test:
Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer.

Toy Test:
Obtain a 55-gallon box of Legos. (If Legos are not available, you may substitute roofing tacks) Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream. (This could wake a child at night.)

Grocery Store Test:
Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop at the grocery store. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage.

Dressing Test:
Obtain one large, unhappy, live octopus. Stuff into a small net bag, making sure that all arms stay inside.

Feeding Test:
Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend from the ceiling with a stout cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal (such as Fruit Loops or Cheerios) into the mouth of the jug, while pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on the floor.

Night Test:
Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and fill it with 8 - 12 pounds of sand. Soak it thoroughly in water. At 8:00 PM, begin to waltz and hum with the bag until 9:00 PM. Lay down your bag and set your alarm for 10:00PM.Get up, pick up your bag, and sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more and sing these too until 4:00 AM. Set alarm for 5:00 AM. Get up and make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.

Physical Test (Women):
Obtain a large beanbag chair and attach it to the front of your clothes. Leave it there for 9 months. Now remove 10 of the beans.

Physical Test (Men):
Go to the nearest drug store. Set your wallet on the counter. Ask the clerk to help himself. Now proceed to the nearest food store. Go to the head office and arrange for your paycheck to be directly deposited to the store. Purchase a newspaper. Go home and read it quietly for the last time.

Final Assignment:
Find a couple who already has a small child. Lecture them on how they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet training, and child's table manners. Suggest many ways they can improve. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their children to run riot. Enjoy this experience. It will be the last time you will have all the answers.

Potty Training

Okay, so for most of you out there, this will be a boring entry- but I need help! We had Ellie completely potty trained for about 2 weeks before Steve left. Steve took off, we moved and the potty training has gone out the window. I studied family science in college, so I completely understand the concept of regression during stressful times. But COME ON!!! There has to be a way to get her back on track! We've tried bribes, punishment, removal of things she loves like movies and treats, you name it. She just doesn't seem to care. And it doesn't phase her one bit if she wets her pants- or worse. So anyway- if anybody out there has advice for me, I'd love to hear it. This is one very frustrated mom!

It begins

Okay, so Steve and I had the idea that since we are all so horrible at keeping in touch, this might be a good way to accomplish that easily. It takes only a minute to sign up for one of these and we can all have the heads-up on what's happening in each others' lives without taking the time to send emails. I'm going to keep bugging you all until you do something about it, too. The great thing about this blog is that you can make it secure, so only those you invite can read it- no public reading. When you're ready to do it, just go to: http://www2.blogger.com/create-blog.g and begin. It's really easy- took about 15 minutes to set up. To make it secure, go to Settings and Permissions and just add those you want :)

And FYI- we added a few more pictures to our website in the last few days... steve.elgans.com

I look forward to getting your invites soon!