Ouch, that had to hurt!

Isaac had such a fun day yesterday. He went to the park with Mommy and sister in the morning then to Gma & Papa's in the afternoon/evening for a block party. He had the best time riding his trike and playing with all the other kids' toys. Towards the end of the evening, he did a face-plant on a toy trash truck and drew a lot of blood. OUCH!!! I think this is like the 10th time he's split his lip (I guess that's better than broken bones).

The only reason he has such a big smile is because Gma & Papa's foreign exchange student, Hanna, brought Isaac a toy German police car that he now calls his "favorite."

Just the norm...

I realize that most of the posts are filled with outings and events...so I wanted to post some normal "around the house" pictures of the Koren kiddos. Days are filled with art, toys, laundry, feeding, cleaning, potty, cleaning potty, laughing, crying, sleeping, wishing for sleeping...it's always an adventure...we never know what is in store. Just last night, we played "Go Fish" for the first time. It was a blast!

Isaac paints...we took off his shirt after he got paint on it,
so he decided to take off his pants and underwear too.

Abigail was happy after rolling from tummy to back (only the 2nd time ever)

She does say vowels, and "M" "B" and "D" sounds...all talk, no action

She LOVES her brother and thinks he's so funny.
He tries EVERYTHING to make her laugh. On the rare occasion he can't, he says "Mommy, I can't make Abigail laugh; Abigail's not laughing."

"Mommy, there's poop in Isaac's 'bewl-lee-' get it out u there. I need to poop out some oatmeal and get a gummy...TWO gummies!"

Isaac always talks about what is in his tummy that he already ate that he will now attempt to poop out...his reward is a gummie bear from Whole Foods...he always requests "two"...especially if his pop is "a big one."

Going to the Dentist

Isaac went to a dental check-up and did such good job. His dentist is a mommy of young children, married to a dentist, and has such a way with kids that she could be a preschool teacher. She sang to him as she looked at his teeth. He actually told us that he liked the dentist today. He also got a toy, a new toothbrush and floss.

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I also wanted to add this picture because I thought it was fun. I got some sassy new things to wear for my bday...thanks Christina for the necklace...don't know who likes it more, Isaac, Abigail or me (though Abigail thinks they taste the best).



By the way, if you haven't seen them, Abigail has some top teeth in. :)

Isaac's buddy, Johnny

Today Isaac was able to play with his friend, Johnny, and I was able to visit with my friend, Bethany. It was really nice and relaxing. It's great to be a the same place in life as someone. Our kids are at the same place, and we tend to be going through the same things (probably because we are dealing with our children at the same stages).

I love how well Isaac plays with Johnny; there personalities just mesh. As we were leaving, Isaac asked me if Johnny could come over to our house to take a nap. It was really sweet.

I have to say, one of my favorite things about our play-dates is having lunch together. As a mommy, you are serving your children all day long!!! It was wonderful to sit down and have lunch that someone else made for me. Beth made a yummy hot panini and it tasted even better...because I didn't have to make it. :) I look forward to serving her in that way when we have them over to our house for the next play-date.

Papa, let's ride the train!

My parents blessed me with a day at the zoo this past Wednesday. Papa took Isaac for a train ride (Isaac loved it and sat on his lap the entire time) while Grandma held Abigail (leaving Me with the rare opportunity to walk around the zoo kid-free). It was refreshing, even if only for a short while. I also was blessed with sweet, precious one-on-one time with Abigail when Isaac went to see some animals with Gma and Papa without me. It was wonderful to be able to have some time alone with my daughter doing the simple things I always had time to do when Isaac was her age...pointing out things like leaves and birds, giving her kisses and making her laugh. It was fun to devote that short time 100% to Abigail. Thanks Papa & Gma for making the day so special for me!!!
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Hot, Hot, Hot!

It was so hot here the past few days (around 100 with humidity)...yuck! I sweat like a man and prefer the weather a bit cooler. I am not going to complain though, because I know that the hot days a few and far between (and I'll miss the heat when the rain comes back). That is one thing I love about the NW weather. Just as we start to get tired of the heat, the seasons change. I LOVE THE FALL in the NW...crisp, brisk air and all the colorful trees!!! I praise God for all the seasons He has allowed us to enjoy here.

So, the first hot day was Thursday. We went to Chris' company picnic. It was fun. I ate 4 veggie cabobs made with BBQ squash, peppers and button mushrooms. Both kids were really good, considering the picnic was during their naps in the heat of the day. When Chris played football with the guys, I took the kids and ran through the sprinklers. It was fun and refreshing. It's weird to go to events that happen only once per year because the kids change so much from event to event. Last year, I was pregnant with Abigail and Isaac was newly walking. They grow so fast!

Speaking of growing fast, last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to visit some friends (and their kids) I haven't seen in a while. It was a blessing to spend the morning together with these ladies I love and respect so much. It was an extra blessing because one of the moms just moved back here from a few years of living in Cali...it's so great to have their family back.

Back to "Hot" day #2: Yesterday I asked Chris if we could pack up and go to the coast. He reluctantly said, "Yes." I have yet to allow Chris to spend one of his days off relaxing...it's always "GO, GO, GO!!!" So we make it to the beach and it is cold. That's what's funny About the Oregon coast...it can be cold no matter what the weather is around the rest of the state. It ended up being really nice after a while. It was almost 70 and we played in the sand, threw the Frisbee around, snuggled together on the blanket as the waves crashed and the wind gently blew, sat on a bench with Abigail as Isaac grove his dump truck around and said greeted all the people walking by, and went to the park in town and let Isaac play. It was a really nice day. Chris said that he was glad we went. I also appreciate the time we get to share in the car. It's really nice to hear the kids in the back seat making each other laugh. I also love the time Chris and I spend talking when the kids fall asleep. I cherish road trips.

Today is hot day #3. The morning started with a couple loads of laundry I had to get done before it heated up too much. Before Chris let to work, we were able to clean the kitchen, clean out the van from the beach, clean up Isaac's diarea in the carpet (it's been 1&1/2 weeks from the time he got sick and his system is still not right...I'm going to take him in to see the doc on Mon if he is not better), listen to a sermon, and eat breakfast (Chris spoiled me with some yummy pancakes). I took the kids to the library when Chris left for work. Isaac had dia in his pants and didn't make it to the bathroom (I am thankful he was in pull-ups). Still, we managed to check-out 20+ books and head to Costco. Abigail was crying nearly the entire time we were in Costco (probably because she was so sleep deprived from the past few days with missing naps). We made it home in time to feed the kids and get the groceries put away before naps. Just when I thought things were safe, Isaac's potty seat didn't shield his spray and he pottied all over the bathroom floor. :) I was able to do bills and sit down to write this while the kids are down...It's funny, the days that the house looks like I got the least done are the crazy days like today. I am working on enjoying it and not letting it stress me out.

It is easy to get tired of this job that feels so thankless, but I have to remember that I am investing in the PRECIOUS gifts God has entrusted to my care. It is a privilege and a blessing. It's not about potty and tears, it's about training little hearts and pointing them toward Jesus in all that I say and do. My husband also reminded me to relax and enjoy. I tend to mirco-manage so much that I miss the little joys of the day. I cannot change the potty at the library or the tears in Costco, but I can control how I let it affect my attitude. I need to be joyful in all things and pray that I would not let difficult circumstances sour my countenance. I have such a blessed life and I need to be thankful for it!

Sickies go to the Air Show

My friend flew home a day early because the Korens were stuck with something gross...fever and yucks coming out both ends. Daddy and Isaac had it BAD! Neither of them could eat or even keep down water. Chris could barely get up, literally.
All this started Thursday, but Friday night, Chris thought we could brave taking Isaac to the Air Show. Chris wasn't really able to eat yet and still felt bad, but he didn't want to miss taking Isaac to something we've been getting excited about for weeks. It was fun to see Isaac "drive" the military helicopters and see the airplanes flying. Isaac INSISTED on staying for the fireworks. It was so cold, Abigail was so overtired (and wasn't sleeping well because of the noise), Chris was weak from not having any food in his system, and I was exhausted from lack of sleep (and getting my first real period in 3 years...TMI).
Isaac kept saying, "It's getting dark...turn on the fireworks!" All this to say that we stayed for the fireworks, and (though it was an amazing fireworks show) Isaac didn't like them. The entire way back to the van he kept saying that he liked "ground fireworks" and the "big sky fireworks...scary and too loud."
Live and learn. Maybe we should have stayed home. In addition to Daddy being weak the next day, we were all a big mess. Pray for us...we had to stay home from church this morning because Isaac woke up with a mess from both ends...not a fun way to start the day...thanks for cleaning it up Chris!!! You are the best Dad and Hubby ever! We also praise God for sermons on the internet for mornings like this. If you ever need it, check out GRACE TO YOU

Nothing like OLD FRIENDS

It was really nice having Kimmy (a friend since 7th grade...16 years!) come to visit with her daughter. She left her boys at home and came for a few days. We went to my mom and dad's house with my friend from Hood River (who is Kimmy's cousin and also a 7th grade friend). It was fun to have our kiddos play together. We played games after the kids went to bed, and all the kids did so well.
There is NOTHING like old friends!!! It was a blessing to play cards with Kim while the kiddos slept and talk like we've never been apart. It's nice to spend time with someone who has seen me in all the funky stages of life and still loves me. There are a lot of amazing, godly, women I have befriended in the 5 years we have lived here, but there is something special to have that strong bond with long-time relationships.
It was the perfect time for her to visit because I've been in a little rut lately. I have an eternal perspective and the joy from Christ that does not change based on circumstances, but I have been in a little funk. Maybe I'm just at the stage where I'm getting mom burn-out. Maybe I have just been burning myself out with business this summer. Maybe I just need more time in the Word and get into a good Bible study with a friend...I'm not sure. Anyway, I praise God for the gift of being a Mommy, but a vacation would be nice. It's also hard because 99% of my girlfriends have school-aged kids and live just a bit too far away to make getting together convenient. Blah, blah, blah...this is not a "dear diary"...just pray for me if you think about it. I know Jesus will carry me though this and I will grow in it.

I'll add pics later*****