He likes stairs

I am going up mom !!!

Climbing, Climbing, Climbing

I made it !!! Yeah !!

Our Last Bike Ride of the Year

A couple of weeks ago we ventured out for probably the last time this year, on bikes that is. The weather was beautiful with it being a bit chilly but the sun was out. It was a pretty easy ride with little up hill battles. It was nice not to hear Isaiah screaming his lungs out and was relaxing. We found a cool coffee shop in Edina and stopped for a cup of coffee. I am gonna miss pulling the kids in the chariot. These are pictures are right after the ride. Everyone is in a good mood !! WOO HOO !! Good Bye Fall :( I miss you already :>(

Date Night- YAY !!

That's right folks !! My sweet hubby took me on a date. Our sweet friends, Nick and Ashley, watched the kiddos for us while we wined and dined. We went and saw the So You Think You Can Dance tour. I know I know. Alan and I are fans of the show and decided to take a leap and see how they performed live. It was good. Not great. Some of the routines were really good but in general I wanted to see a longer performance. Alan has been such a great hubby. This was the second time he went to an event with me where he was like one of ten guys.

We also went to a fabulous dinner spot called W.A. Frost. It was a great treat and anyone in the Minneapolis/St.Paul area who wants to try a new upscale restaurant -we definitely recommend this place.

Sorry I have no photo's of us looking gorgeous!! When you got kids, you don't waste time taking pictures before the event- your babysitters (i.e. Nick and Ashley) might try to bail once they see what they are in for!!!

So, we once again look forward to Thanksgiving time- our next victims- I mean baby sitters- Nana and Papaw !!

Great Grandma and Grandpa Spencer came to visit too!!

So, my Grandma and Grandpa came for a visit as well. They were somewhere in Iowa and stopped by for a short visit before heading back to Ohio. We had a good time despite Isaiah being crabby and not sleeping very well. We have loved being able to see family. I had been getting quite home sick !! I can't wait for Thanksgiving !!

Grandpa Dub and Grandma B come for a visit

Here is a picture of the lovely couple ! We took them to the apple orchard and had lots of fun. We also got to visit the arboretum. The leaves are so pretty right now. It was the perfect time to go !! No worries -we got a membership so come visit and we will take you there too!!! I forgot my camera on that outing but I am sure Grandpa Dub and Grandma B have some great pictures.



Here is Grandma B doing what she does best !! Not only did she read to the kiddos but she and Ru played with play dough for HOURS really !! They made plates, food, jewelry and who knows what else. Ru had so much fun.

Here is another picture of the Apple Orchard. Alan and E.W. also went on the men's night out at our church. They went to this thing called the Eve of Destruction!! Supposedly, school buses crashed into one another. Cars went through other cars- backwards and cars crashed into one another with trailors hitched to them. Yeah, they came back ALL vamped up. I can't say I feel like I missed much.

So family and friends, fall is about to leave us !! This is a great season to visit. It is beautiful here !! Much prettier than Texas. (Of course, in a couple of weeks Texas will be prettier !!) Thanks Grandpa Dub and Grandma B for hanging out with us. We loved it and love you .

QBP

Here's a great article on the company I work for, Quality Bicycle Products:

http://www.startribune.com/business/28666934.html?elr=KArksUUUU

Storytime

Okay, so Rachel's more or less taken over the blog and she's doing a great job. I had a spare moment though tonite and I wanted to share some stories.

I've been trying to spend time with Ru each night before she goes to bed 'cuddling'. In fact, each night before bedtime she says, "I want my daddy to cuddle with me!" And she gets upset if we have to skip it. We spend the time chatting about the day that's past and talking about what tomorrow might bring, and then we pray. We've had some sweet times together. She's used that time to open up about some things that she's been feeling, like when she told me the other night that someone had thrown a pillow at her. The someone was me. I'd thrown it at her while we were playing tag and chasing each other around the room. I'd thrown it kind of hard, and even though I'd apologized, I gathered it had hurt her feelings more than she'd previously let on. So we made peace again and prayed together. She also tells me about things that she's excited about, like someone coming over to play or going to preschool. And we come up with things and people to pray for. It's really quite cool.

I've also been finding out just what Ru knows about God and what she doesn't. She's been on a mommy and daddy kick lately, asking "What's Maddo's daddy's name?" and "What's Alex's mommy's name?" and "Daddy, what's you're daddy's name?", etc. Last night I asked her what Jesus' daddy's name was. She answered pretty quickly, "God". And then when I asked her what God's daddy's name was, she also answered "God". So I got to try my hand at explaining to a not quite three year old how God is different than ever other person in that he has no beginning and no end.

I'm often impressed with how these simple conversations present opportunities to teach profound lessons (both to Ru and to me). Today she asked me to read her a story and brought over a big children's bible we have. I asked her if she knew what the book was about and she said "God". Score one for Ru! But then we were about half way through the story and she became distracted and started fighting with her brother over a toy. We have a rule and a principle that we're learning in our home that goes like this, "people are more important than things". I find myself often asking Ru, "What's more important, toys or your brother?" She doesn't always get the answer right, but we keep asking the question. But in this moment, I asked a new question. I said, "Ru, what's more important, learning about God or being nice to your brother?" I think she really thought about it for a bit and said, "learning about God." To which I replied, "No Ru. We can learn all we want about God, but if we're don't love people, if we're not nice to our brother, it doesn't matter." And then I thought, "Wow, how did I just put that together so easily and do I live that?" I'm learning that God really wants to see Ru know the truth and he's empowering me towards that end.

My girl can be really fun and she can be really tough sometimes too. But I love her. I love her because she looks like me, because she acts like me, and because she likes to be around me. But most of all, I love her because I love what happens when I take the time to get to know her - I get to learn about love itself, by teaching her what I know and watching it reflected in her! So please keep praying for us, that we'll keep growing up together, learning together to love and bless each other and the world around us.

I love you kiddo!

Burdette's go Hiking

KINDA. Well, we let Ru walk so we didn't get very far. Maybe two miles. But it was fun to let her explore. She even walked across a little log bridge. So for the funny part.

Mom: (to get her to walk faster) Let's go on an adventure !!
Ru: Like Dora and Diego?
Mom: Yeah
Ru: Are we going to find treasure?
Mom: Yep (I am thinking a long stick or acorns!!)
Ru: You got the key mom
Mom:Sure
Ru: You know what the treasure is?
Mom: No, what?
Ru: (satisfied that I have taken the bate this far) A LOLLIPOP!!
Mom:Hmmm.. well we don't have a lollipop.

Ru at this point leaves it to rest UNTIL we get to the car then while riding in the car

Ru: mom, remember we go on an adventure like Dora and Diego. We look for treasure. And get a lollipop.
Mom: ok, Alan we better stop at a gas station for her treasure !! (Such a sucker !!)

Isaiah did great though! I was wondering what he would do but he was pretty chill. We stopped at a barbeque place for dinner called Famous Daves and he had quite the appetite. Corn, corn muffin, a WHOLE chicken tender and some green beans rounded out his meal. good thing I had given him some Summer Vegetables baby food for breakfast ! On his list of favorite foods include: Whole Milk Yogurt, black beans, chicken, sweet potatoes, cheese sticks,Pears and Mangoes and summer squash. The only food he refuses to eat so far is bannas.

I thought it was funny.

Ok, so on our way back home from Sam's (we had to get diapers for Isaiah) Ru goes, "Mom, my bottom is coming out of my underwear." Ok so I thought that was hilarious. Maybe it is just because she is my kid:)

*NOTE* She had a wedgie !! (Alan said I should clarify )

Ru's First sleepover guest

Well it was bound to happen !! Ru finally had her first sleepover guest. Ru and Mado did a great job. We took them to Chuck E Cheese for pizza and games and then came back to wind down for the night. Maddo did so much better than RU though. Maddo wanted to go to sleep while RU kept turning the lights on and went around playing with toys and trying to get Mado to join in. Finally I went upstairs and cuddled with Ru til she finally went to sleep. What time was that you ask?? Oh around 10:30 or so. Both woke up and came down to tell us around 7. Alan then bought some donuts and off to church we went.

My Snuggler !!

Isn't he adorable. I love this picture. I had to take it. He might hate it when he is older but he just loves to snuggle. He even sleeps longer when he has the baby doll next to him. Unfortunately, it doesn't take Ru long to snatch her baby dolls away from him. I have tried a blanket but to no avail.

Apple Orchard Time

So, one of our favorite things in the fall time is going to the apple orchards. This year we went with some friends from church. We had a blast and I fell in love with apple smores. It pretty much explains itself but basically it is a roasted marshmellow in between two slices of apple. For variety put in some peanut butter and you have one yummy snack. Also, a good healthy alternative to regualr smores. ( Ok, so I know marshmellows aren't healthy but at least you nix the chocolate and graham crackers (a.k.a. cookies)).
In this first picture is: Alan, Isaiah. Molly, Ru, Alex and Cory. Doesn't Alex look adorable with that piece of straw in his mouth !!

I hurt but I got a new pair of shoes !!!

We put in a cool 35 mile bike ride today and i am spent. Alan took the day off since he was out of town last week and we decided to go galivanting today. SO with the kiddos in tow we made our way through Minneapolis, Richfield, and Bloomington to the REI. What was my reward?? A cool new pair of Born brown leather shoes. So worth it !! The trip went well except for one mishap when I threw away Alan's wallet at Jimmy John's. He was a trooper and went back to salvage it from the garbage. Good thing or I wouldn't have gotten my cool new shoes. AHH . . . I love fall. Cool weather, Apple Orchards, and brown clothing is in. That's what I call one good season.

I decided to put in a pic of the cute kiddos for kicks. Oh and Ru has already learned her first thing at Preschool. I caught her shaking Isaiah's hand and saying " Nice to meet ya Isaiah. My name is Ru Carmichael Burdette." So cute. She won't say it to strangers but hey one day at a time. Maybe by the time Grandpa Dub and Grandma B get here she will be a pro !!

Thought for the day

So, Ru and I listen to a worship c.d. in the car alot. She has started singing some of the words. Her favorite phrase that she always sings at the top of her lung is " I am running. Running after you. You've become my souls delight. I am running running after you. Here with you I find my life." So one day I asked her who we were singing about. She didn't say anything so I said " are we talking about Jesus." In a very matter of fact tone she says "NOOOoooo".

So while I love hearing my daughter sing and even more so hearing her sing words about Jesus, I do pray it is a sign of what will actually happen in her heart one day. Sooner than later I hope.

This also brought up a good reminder from the Lord. While Ru sings these songs, she doesn't believe them with her heart. Jesus isn't real to her yet. It is good for me to remember that. It is good for me to remember that the words I sing are more than paying lip service to God. It is saying those things that I believe with my entire heart.

Ok that's it. Peace Out.

RU's First Day of Pre school

Ok, well here it is. Ru's first day of Pre school. She did a great job and so did I !! I stuck around for about fifteen minutes before telling myself I had to leave or I never would. Isaiah and I went to a coffee shop and read a little. We then went on a bike ride and then rode over to pick Ru up. She had lots of fun and came home with enough energy to play some more. I told her she gets to go two times a week and she was super excited. I don't think I will have a problem making good use of my time while she is at school. These kids grow up so fast. Crazy man crazy!

The GOOD, The BAD, and THE I am not even going to try it

That's right folks the state fair has come to Minnesota!! This was our second annual fair and though I don't have any pictures of us eating food- but food we did eat. And to make the money stretch farther we shared everything and could not go back for seconds. This was hard for Alan !! So while I am too ashamed to post everything we ate, I will post the tops in each category. And just to make us feel a little better about all the food we ate we parked in the free lot and walked two miles there and one mile back. SO on with the list

THE GOOD
1. The Pronto Pup (Alan's Favorite) What is the Pronto Pup you ask. It is basically a corn dog on a stick but the batter is wheat based instead. He wanted more but I convinced him we had way more experimenting to do.
2. Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake (Rachel's favorite)- That's right folks. It was delicious. Ru thought so too. Alan didn't even try it !!
3. Cheese Curds (Both of our favorites) What is a cheese curd you Texans might be asking?? IT is basically squares of cheese deep fried in a batter of sorts. IT is way better than cheesesticks so don't even try to compare. So, for all of you Minnesotans Alan and I have finally figured out that to get the best cheese curds you must go inside the food building. Any stand alone vendors WILL NOT be worth it.
4. Blue Rasberry Frozen Lemonade (Ru's favorite) She really did drink almost the whole thing by herself. I know we are horrible parents.

THE BAD
1. Soft Pretzel - that's right. You would figure you could get a good soft yummy pretzel. To Alan's dismay it way dry and yucky. One bite and I wasn't looking for any more. Alan on the other hand went ahead and ate it. I would have thrown it out. BLAH
2.Chocolate chip cookies- So here in Minnesota these cookies are RAVED about. Last year we passed on these treats and we should have again. They were good. Come on they are cookies. But the break and bake cookies you get at the store tasted just as good.

Not Even Going to Try It
1. Pig lickers. That's right folks I said Pig lickers. It consists of cooked bacon then dipped in chocolate and refrigeraterd. Let's all say it EWWWW GROSS
2. Fried Spam Balls. Need I say more??

All right so that sums up our lists for this year's State Fair Food O Rama. Stay tuned for pictures of Ru on the kiddie rides at the fair.

Happy 29th Mr. B

Well, I must make a tribute to my awesome hubby who turns a young cool 29 today !! I gotta say he still is a kid a heart. He (or you could say I) bought a toy remote control car and a fire pit for his birthday. And while we did go to best buy and he literally salivated over the the apple laptops and GPS systems, I was able to convince him that his new super cool bike which he hasn't had time to put together was quite special in and of itself!! Maybe next year Mr.B ...or the year after that !!!

But in all seriousness, I am quite blessed to have such a great guy in my life. He is a great provider for our family, a loving and super active in our kids life daddy and an awesome husband (proof of that would be in the post below this one). I was telling God last night that I am quite unworthy to be married to him but was also thankful for his grace in giving him to me. My next prayer request was that Alan would be around for a long long time!!

So hopefully Mr. B when you are 92 and I am well you know 90 we can look back over our days together and continue to bless the Lord. I love you !! Thanks for such a servant humble heart. I, Ru and Isaiah are blessed by it. Cheers to you - you deserve 20,000 super cool tricked out bikes!! Thanks for settling with two. -Mrs. B

My Faux Pas!!

Got a story for ya. So we had a couple over from church-Angie and Dave. Anyways, I always like for the house to be at the very least picked up when company comes-especially if I don't know them very well. I consider myself to be a decent entertainer when it comes to having people over. I usually put in time and effort. Anyways, I think I am officially losing my gift !! So back to the story!! I decided to not go anywhere that day with the kids. So the day goes by quickly of course and I have everything ready to go. I decide to take a quick shower before they arrived. So I do that and get dressed and everything is good so I think. Well, it looks like I overlooked one thing. At the end of the night after Angie and Dave leave-meaning after they both use the restroom, I go into the bathroom for the first time since I showered and to my horror I find that I left my stinky clothes lying on the bathroom floor. Not just my shirt and pants but my undies and nursing bra as well. My shirt was on the top which I am thinking meant Angie, being the sweet girl she is, probably put it on top so as to hide my dirty unmentionables!! OH the horror. Really I can't get this out of my head. Everytime I think about it I just cringe. Really!! Will they ever think about coming over here again? Would I go over to someones house again if I saw their unmentionables lying unabashedly on the floor? Ok well I would but not everyone is a mess I like me. Which brings up my next thought. Does any mom actually have a clean house? I mean do you really vacuum the floor after EVERY meal and wash the table cloth after EVERY meal. Clean up the kids toys or better yet make them clean them up EVERY time they finish playing with them, meaning like ten times a day. I can not get a handle on this house keeping thing. I really want to have people over lots but that would mean them seeing a not even close to perfect house. I think I need to be like the Proverbs 31 wife and get some MAIDS !!!! WHo's with me!! All the wives needing maids throw your comments at me !!!

HECK YES !!

OF COURSE I LEFT HER THERE!!! She slept for 2 whole hours before she came tumbling down the stairs. Here is her reaction. Good thing she won't remember any of this. She is okay. No bumps or bruises. When I told my friend Nancy she asked why I didn't put pillows at the end of the stairs. I didn't even think about that. Smart !! If it ever happens again I will. But did you see the comment section. Four whole comments!! More than I have ever gotten before

To Sleep or not to sleep

So Ru has been not wanting to take naps now. So this was what happened yesterday when I went to check on her. She fell asleep on the second to top stair to her room. So wanting to try and boost the comment section of this blog. Tell me friends and family- What did Rachel do?? Did she go up stairs and get her and put her in bed and risk ruining the nap OR did she leave her there at the top of the stairs?? Check back tomorrow for the results!!!