We're Back!

I haven't been posting lately. The hard drive on our little laptop crashed, so I didn't have access to the computer for a little while. I must say it was kind of nice in some ways. I seemed to accomplish more random things that I might not have gotten to if I'd had the computer to fall back on. Still, I missed reading about all of you. It's been so nice to be in touch.
For those of you who actually read, here's a little update...
Taylor has been working to get the yard in. We are hoping to get grass and a fence out back ASAP. It will be so awesome to have a safe place for Kellen to run free while I stay inside getting stuff done. Plus, we can have friends over for food and games and the kids can just go wild. I'm also hoping for a garden this summer. Lots to do! We'll see! Tay has been awesome. He put the whole sprinkler system in all by himself with no experience to help him. It was a huge undertaking, and I so appreciate all of his hard work! Thanks, Babe!
I've actually been doing a lot with music lately, which has been nice. I sing with an all female choir called Musettes. At first I wasn't so sure about the group. It's a show choir... yeah... not really my thing. I just really wanted to get involved in something musical again and this opportunity presented itself. Despite my initial doubts, I have been pleasantly surprised. The ladies are all so fun, the music is a blast, and yes, I'm even getting into the dancing a little bit! I know I look absolutely ridiculous, but I don't care! Recently the Musettes had a panel of prestigious judges come to listen to us inividually for evaluations and an opportunity to win voice lessons. I haven't found out the results yet, but the experience of auditioning was fabulous. It felt just like old times. Even my singing felt smooth and easy, which shocked me. A tender mercy from the Lord, I think.
I've also started up teaching again. Voice mostly, but also five piano students, and soon I'll have several violin students, so I've worked up quite the clientele! The hard part is getting really organized, which I must do to make it work! I've been hesitant about teaching for some time. It seemed too hard to balance once Kellen came along, but things are so different now. I'm ready to take on more and it actually makes me feel more balanced. Taylor teases me because a lot of my students don't actually pay me... with money. One family offers babysitting, which rocks because it's a family with four girls, all home-schooled, so I have free sitting any time! One friend is going to start bringing me dinners in exchange for violin lessons. Another is helping me coupon in exchange for voice lessons! Cool stuff! It's like the law of consecration, right?
Kellen has been such a good boy lately. He tells me he "wuvs" me several times a day, and I never tire of hearing it. He has such a great sense of humor and a happy demeanor. I don't know what I'd do without my little Buddie to keep me laughing! His newest phrase is, "Mom, I so hungwee!" He says it all day long! This is coming from the kid we would call "Anorexic Boy", so he must be having a serious growth spurt. The best part is that he's eating a much better variety of foods. I'd been told that kids go through picky stages (Kellen's "stage" lasting two, out of his three years of life!), and that I just needed to continue offering those "yucky" foods. I did as I was told, and I'm so glad! It's like all at once he likes everything we put in front of him! His latest discovery is strawberries! How he ever disliked them is beyond me, but it's all good now!
Jane will not be so picky, I think. She is already showing way more interest in food than Kellen ever did! She gets all excited at dinner time, kicking her feet and breathing fast, hoping she'll get a taste. Thanks to Daddy, she usually does! It reminds me of a puppy, plaintive eyes and all. She's not even six months old yet, and has already been sitting up on her own for about 7 weeks. It must be all the chub giving her extra support! :) She coos and squeals and giggles all day long. My heart does flips just thinking about her. She's such a sweetheart, and never gives us any trouble. She's truly an angel.
So, there's a "little" update! Feel free to go take a nap now! ;)