Check out my new blog:  http://raderville.blogspot.com

Weekly Achievements

I am proud to share some of my achievements this week.  (Sometimes I have to write them down to remember that I've done something.)  We picked blackberries and made blackberry freezer jam.  So yummy!  The kids and I went to Fernley to see Lindsay's new classroom-very nice!  ADR had an office lunch with their families.  D got to ride a pony.  And the best for last.  I am so excited that I made a ditty:  Amid praise...hugs...kisses and tantrums galore, my boy has learned to use diapers no more!!!!

This afternoon I attended a baby shower.  I returned with much added appreciation for my children.  I held a very wiggly D and told him how I counted every finger and toe when he was born and how excited we were to welcome him to our family.  As I rocked R before bed I thought how glad I am that she is till "mostly" a baby and sometimes lets me cuddle with her.

Hooray for making history!

New Blog

Please check our family's new blog.
www.raderville.blogspot.com

Volunteer Reno

I've been thinking about where to find volunteer opportunities in our community and I thought it would be nice if there were a one page 'go to' place to see current needs. I plan to do more with this but here's my first effort.

Some websites that post current needs:

http://www.rsgm.com/index.php/contact-us/ways-you-can-help

http://www.rsgm.com/index.php/contact-us/volunteers

http://northernnevada.wish.org/ways-to-help/donate-treasures/

http://www.newtoreno.com/nonprofit.htm

More coming soon!

Poem for my Dad's 60th Bday

It was so fun writing that I wanted to share.

Thank you so for such a nice stay
When we all came for your birthday
We enjoyed the nights rest
and way awesome breakfast!
We adored our nice strolls
amongst produce in bowls.
The swim in the pool
was refreshingly cool.
With children you adore,
we took pictures galore
With our old Shannon dear
you assuaged all our fears
By locking her out
with nerry a pout
We hope you all know
that we still love her so.
You ward was quite kind
our cries they did not mind.
How kind were their greetings
in all of our meetings
For presents- Hooray!
That came on your birthday!
Here’s one more little treat
Extra yummy and sweet!

Enjoy!

Quiet time ideas?

I am in the midst of trying to find quiet activities during church. It's a little tricky for our 19 mo old I'll share some that we've tried with a certain degree of success: reading books, coloring, putting beads on a pipe cleaner-tie one end first, leading the music during songs, babooshka dolls, quiet books, small things to open and close. Any ideas you'd like to share? I'm collecting all the ideas I can get.

Sumer Fun

So many good memories! We visited the Sacramento Zoo on our way home from the Bjarnason Family Reunion. Lions and tigers and... giraffes and zebras. I don't think D fully appreciated his close proximity to our feline friend.







The cousins LOVED the water at the farm.


We attended the Fresno Temple for family sealings.




Monday was beach day. Bryce and I both got a chance to ride the waves. I am the one pictured, on the far right.







We ate dinner with several family members at Pea Soup Andersons on the way home.



Sat we had family festivities with a dance at the end. D helped Spencer "DJ".




Fun pics of the kids, music in the park, and Bryce's high adventure with the scouts in Arc Dome Wilderness.


Last pic is from the Sequoia Forest in CA from 2008. Not sure why it decided to join our summer fun pics, but out of respect for its level of 'totally cool picture', I didn't have the heart to take it out.

Happy Fathers Day!

Fun pics

Did I mention that D loves to kiss Rachel? When she cries, squeaks, grunts, or just catches his attention, he hurries over and kisses her head. And tries to grab her hands and her face. He is now a pro at finding ways to get to her.

Insights

Not too long ago I had the thought that life would quickly become busier and one way that I might maintain some level of sanity and cordiality would be to write down thoughts, impressions, and frustrations in my journal. I just had a few extra moments and wanted to share what I wrote tonight.
Rachel is 11 days old. I love this time of counting by days, not months, or years. Maybe it's because I know that life will get crazier as our kids grow up.
But today I am cherishing the moment. I just put Devin down to bed. I still rock him in the rocking chair before naps and bedtime as he drinks his bottles, (even though he doesn't really 'fit'.) I highly value that time with him, especially now that he feels competition with his sister for my attention. I thoroughly love his long eyelashes, blue eyes and poignant gaze as he looks up at me while slurping away at his bottle and I hum "I love to see the Temple" and "You're the end of the Rainbow." I love my precious boy!
Rachel is resting on her pink bouncy seat on the table. She fell asleep sucking on her binky and looking at the light. I LOVE how babies love the light. Devin did and so does Rachel. She stares at it and I wonder if it reminds her of where she just came from.
Rachel is fussing-one last quick thing-Bryce chased Devin around on our new couch after dinner in the five minutes before he had to run off to a meeting. My heart rejoiced in their laughter. Precious, precious moments!