Life is Changing

Eric asked me the other night why I'm so busy reading other people's blogs and not writing on my own blog.  Good question!  I told him it could be because when I sit down to write something I feel like no one will want to read it, or I've just been so busy doing other things during my computer time that I don't have time to blog.  Or, it's that I'm waiting for some great photos so I know what stories to tell.

Well, we finally bought a new camera.  Even though it wasn't the optimal time, it was a great deal, and we're happy about it.  Plus, I feel like time is passing me by, and I need to at least document the highlights of our last month.  So here is a glance at what's been going on with our family.

Mother's Day was a simple but fun day.  My only request was mint brownies, and I got them.  Eric did an awesome job getting the kids to cooperate for photos that night.

We've been spending as much time outside as possible.  The kids play with their neighbor friends every chance they get.  And it's a good thing, too, because three out of the five families are moving this summer (and one of them is us!).

Jolie finished up her last year of preschool.  She got a completion certificate and a special binder full of photos from her year.  We came home and compared this year's photos with those from her first year of preschool, and we couldn't believe the difference!

It was fun to be outside and play after they handed out the kids' certificates.  It seems strange that we won't be back at that preschool.  It's been a great three years that the girls have gone there.

We've also had a little down time now that one of the classes Eric was teaching is over.  Jolie no longer needs to ask if Dad is home every single time we pull into the driveway.  He's still teaching twice a week, but it's been nice to have him home a few more days.

Mierae and Jolie are as silly as ever, but are also understanding more and more how much they love and need each other.

Holding a caricature done at Mierae's school's Fun Fair

And Henrik is as fun and happy as ever.  He is sure growing up.  He is all boy, loving his balls, anything on wheels, and being outside playing with rocks.  We love having him in our family.

As for me, I've been busy growing Taylor baby #4!

And this baby (whose gender we decided not to find out!) is due one week after Dr. Eric begins his new job teaching at Kent State University in northeast Ohio!  So we have big things coming up this summer.  And we're preparing ourselves for a big change.  The kids have been so great about it--they're excited for the move and to start a new school.  And everyone is excited for another brother or sister.  (Mierae wants a boy; Jolie wants a girl.)  Eric is anxious to see how he fits in at his new job and how well he likes it.  And I'm looking forward to finally buying a house sometime this next year.

We'll keep you updated on our adventures in the west this summer and our crazy, busy August to come.