we really love these monkeys.

they are always taking care of each other.

wilbur thought it was so cute when they hugged.

and then kissed.

he thought it was funny when they did this.

orville thought it was funny too.

mommy did not.

next we made our way the orangutans.  they were very active.  one of the females, kayla, was visiting with one of the zoo workers.  he was showing her his iphone.

she seemed to really like it.

she reached out to him.

and she smiled.

the boys got in on the action.

kayla reached out to wilbur.

he mimicked her.

orville reached out to her too.

then kayla bonded with this lady.  she gave me her email address so i could send the photos to her.  she was so excited about their interactions, but disappointed her son wasn’t there to see.  in this photo she and kayla were sticking their tongues out at each other.

then they made kind of serious faces.

then they kissed the window.

they touched hands.

kayla was very happy.

she moved away from that part of the windows.  

she visited with her male friend tiram.

and then the unthinkable.  she picked up a piece of poop.

and threw it at the window, right at the head of this boy who was waving at her.

yes, poop.  

and then, she smelled her fingers.  

it was hysterical.

and the boys slept all the way home.

that night, orville found this pile of wilbur’s clothes on the floor in their room.  he yelled out, “oh no, wilbur’s gone. look he’s not here.  we can’t find him.  he’s all gone.”  we found wilbur.  he was in the bathroom. he had to go so bad when he was changing into his pajamas that he just left his clothes in a pile in the middle of his room. and orville thought he disappeared.

Q. five names you go by:

1. kir
2. kirst
3. mom
4. mommy
5. babe-by my husband

Q. three things you are wearing right now:

1. gap black turtleneck sweater
2. pink rib-knit tank top-under my sweater
3. khaki pants from target

Q. two things you want very badly at the moment:

1. to be sleeping
2. a date with my husband

Q. two things you did last night:

1. went out to dinner with my sister and her family
2. watched an old episode of the office

Q. two things you ate today:

1. leftover chinese from new years eve
2. chai from starbucks-i know that’s a drink, but this is my blog.                        i’ll “eat” what i want.

Q. two people you last talked to on the phone:

1. my sister
2. erin

Q. two things you are going to do tomorrow:

1. laundry
2. work in my basement

Q. two longest car rides:

1. ormond beach florida
2. tucson arizona

Q. two of your favorite beverages:

1. chai-from starbucks
2. coca-cola classic

Q. the people you’d like to respond

1. elizabeth
   
2. cinnamon
   
3. lee
4. ann
5. jenn

i come to the garden alone
while the dew is still on the roses
and the voice i hear, falling on my ear
the Son of God discloses

there is none like You
no one else can touch my heart like You do
i could search for all eternity long
and find there is none like You

You speak and the sound of Your voice
is so sweet, the birds hush their singing
and the melody that You give to me
within my heart is singing

there is none like You
no one else can touch my heart like You do
i could search for all eternity long
and find there is none like You
watermark

i am so thankful i can still hear God’s voice in the midst of all of the noise in my life. and even though it’s good noise, it could still drown Him out. but if i do not continue to listen to Him and to follow Him, i will get nowhere. and if do not lean on Him while i parent, what kind of parent would i be? and being a parent is my highest calling, right now, and maybe always.

not that today was horrible. we actually had a really nice morning. first our daughter, c1 had speech, and then we met some friends at the park to play and have lunch. (oh yeah, i just decided today that from now until we can share the kids names, our daughter will go by c1, our middle son c2, and the baby, r. someday it will be clear, but for now, that saves me from typing extra words.) then we went to the grocery store for a much needed potty break, and a few food odds and ends.

once at home, the boys went down for their naps, but not before c2 needed some poopy cleaned out of his underwear. this happened again before dinner and again after dinner, and again after that, right before bath time. at this point, we opted for the pull-ups so we can avoid poopy underwear throughout the overnight. anyone have any poopy training advice? we are all ears!

also before bath time, c1 was outside playing with special bubbles she got from her Sunday school teacher last night. dad needed to come in for a second, and i was getting the bath water ready. during this time, c1 decided to pour her bubbles out onto the front porch, and onto my shoes. yeah, my shoes. this landed her in time out, with no more bubble playing for the night. then i found out from josh he had told her not to pick the bubbles up while he was inside, because he didn’t want her to spill them. so, she deliberatley disobeyed that AND poured the bubbles on my shoes. yes, i know, it’s kind of funny. but, we are working with trying to teach appropriate behaviors here.

things could be worse, i am well aware of that. they could be setting fires and cussing and destroying our lives. but they are really good kids. and we are very blessed. and tomorrow will be a better day because every day is a better day. and, tomorrow is a preschool day which means if the boys will take a nap when i put them down for a nap, i could have two hours on my own. whoo hoo!

p.s.
i’ve had 85 hits today so far, but only three comments on the post i posted last night.  who are you kirsten’s blog readers and where are you coming from??

i am back, and i am hoping it’s for good. every Sunday for the past few weeks, i have contemplated trying to blog every day. this always happens in church because that is the main place i am always reminded of who i am, why i am here. then monday hits, and the daily grind comes with it, and i lose sight of many things. but every day, God still speaks to me, still works in my life, and i feel like i need to share that more often. yes, i can share these things with those around me, and i do. but, i feel like i can broaden my horizons and share here too.

there is lots of inspiration behind all the words i share here. lots of inspiration behind this life i am living. the main inspiration is Jesus. i feel like i haven’t said that clearly enough before. i don’t know, maybe i have. but, sara groves, of course, can help me sum it up.

“the only thing that isn’t meaningless to me,
is Jesus Christ and the way He sets free.
this is all that i have, this is all that i am.
it’s all that i have, and it’s all that i am.”

and it’s that simple. and it’s because of grace. God’s grace. and by His grace, He has allowed me the privilege of motherhood. and there is nothing else in my life right now that can so easily show me how much i really need God’s grace.

i am hoping there are still a few of you out there who wonder how things here are going. i am pleased to tell you, things are going well. it’s been four months now, and we all really seem to be bonding. it feels like we are really a family.

our daughter, the eldest, just started preschool on wednesday. she loves it so far, but it’s only been two days. we started swimming lessons saturday, for our daughter and our middle son. our ‘baby’ is 19 months old now. he’s changed so much since we met him and he’s becoming a little boy now. we have days that we stay home all day, and they are actually good days.

it’s still hard sometimes, still an adjustment. but, it’s very worth it. it’s fun to watch the kids grow and change. and it’s fun to watch josh and i grow and change. we parent so similarly it’s crazy. it’s great and it makes things much easier. but sometimes i am amazed at how easily we make parenting decisions because we are really on the same page.

so as things continue to meld together, i will share about them here. and the kids say and do the craziest, and cutest things. i need to share those too. and God and i have huge, great moments together, and i want to share those as well.

and i hope you’re all still out there, and doing well, and still interested in stopping by and checking in on our lives.

and i hope you too are experiencing God’s grace.

]]> http://www.gitgan.com/kirsten/2006/09/17/i-will-not-be-silent/feed/ 3 http://www.gitgan.com/kirsten/2006/08/13/three-months-down/ http://www.gitgan.com/kirsten/2006/08/13/three-months-down/#comments Sun, 13 Aug 2006 12:22:18 +0000 kirsten http://www.gitgan.com/kirsten/2006/08/13/three-months-down/ only 204 months to go, at least.

and for some reason i am thinking that’s all this post needs. it sort of speaks for itself. especially if you live nearby and see us and the kids frequently.

no complaining, it’s just a long road. one that some days seems like it will take longer than 204 months. and one that on other days seems like it’s going to be traveled way too quickly.

none the less, it’s our road, and no matter what obstacles we run into, we know the journey will be great.

and we had a great night away last night. the poor people that we are now, we were only able to travel to a hotel 7 minutes from home, but it really did feel like a trip far off somewhere. we ate dinner out, went swimming in the hotel pool, and went out for ice cream. we slept in and had a good hotel breakfast. we watched a family with 5 children eating together and we were thankful for the break from our 3. you always hear people say getting away every once in a while is a very good thing and now we can testify to that. it’s only been 3 months, but the break was needed already.

and, we needed time to be just us.

and we had a really good time.

thanks baby.

looking forward to next year!

five years ago today, josh and i got married.

five years.

it’s almost hard to believe.

ten years.

ten years ago, josh graduated from high school.

the reunion is tomorrow. not dreading it, but not looking forward to it much either.

three months.

on Sunday, it will be three months since the kids came home.

the five years and the three months really jump out at me. our marriage is stronger now, we are closer now, than we’ve been before. in some ways that’s surprising because the last three years have been the most challenging. full of challenges that would drive some marriages apart. thankfully though, the Lord has used all of our trials, to build us up.

our daughter and i spent some time watching our wedding video recently. my eyes filled with tears as i listened to the pastors talk about how God brought us together for a purpose. how He has a plan we can’t see, but He will use us to build His Kingdom. how He created us invidually, and how He made us into a couple, to bring Him glory. and i watched the video with my daughter. five years ago i could have never imagined where we would be. i always wanted to be a mother, but never dreamed of it happening the way it has.

and i never could have imagined the way God has chosen to use us in other areas of life as well. He has provided us with amazing opportunities to be involved in work for His Kingdom. and He has shown us together that living this life for Him is what life is all about.

and He has given me a best friend in my spouse. i wasn’t sure in the beginning if i’d literally be able to say that someday. today i can say it for sure. our marriage is good and strong and safe and fun and stable and growing. and i couldn’t ask for me.

thank you josh for five great years. i am looking forward to the next five. and the five after that, and the five after that, and on and on.

happy anniversary.

i love you.