My pretty-pretty princess.

Yesterday SJ and I had some errands-so we decided to pop into Old Navy and check out this infamous sale their having on baby wears.

An interesting thing happened. We got back to her section (after shopping for a gift), and she started expressing her opinion. This is the first time she has chosen one color over another or said no or yes.

Wow! I feel a real change in the winds coming... and I'll be reminded every time my little gal wears her aqua jelly shoes-that SHE picked out!

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Hebrews 13:15 & 16 (NIV)

"Let's take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus' name. Make sure you don't take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of "sacrifice"—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets. " (MSG)

Schaeffer Jo's first pony tail

My Grandpa Jerry had a saying about little girls and pony tails... "Katie, do you know what's under the pony's tail?"

I can still hear him laughing as I'd yank out my elastic, "Grandpa!"

Cancun (+Packing fun with SJ)

As you can imagine, packing with Schaeffer doesn't lend itself to keeping too many items inside the suitcase.

Enjoy the pictures.

Schaeffer's 1st fluffer-nutter.

Yumm-O!

It's probably too good to be true...

You know what your mother said...
"if it sounds like it's too good to be true, then it probably is"
Well, that is what's going on here. I'm going to say that we're back in business on the blog, but I guess time will only tell.

As I say this, we're bulging to a family of 4 by tomorrow, so already my best of intentions could be waylaid. And, no, much to my mother's shagrin, we're not having another child.

Have you all heard about Linda? Linda is our new person-our new gal-she has been with our family almost two weeks now, living with Deb & Doug as their Foster daughter. That would make her my sister, yes? Anyway, while Deb and Doug are in Israel, LindaLou will be with us.
Should be a lot of fun.

In addition to the big news about Linda, we've also got big baby news! (see above, to avoid any confusion.) My sister, Nikki and her husband Josh found out the gender of their baby this week!

drum roll please...

It's a BOY! I've been told the name for now is Tobias ______ Austin (I know the middle name, but it's a secret) and they're going to call him Toby. Cute!
Congratulations, you two! We can't wait to meet your little guy in June!

Of course I'll leave you with one SJ story, to tide you over until my next post...

Griffin, Schaeffer and I are all walking downtown St. Joe. In the distance, we can see a large, burly man (in gym clothes) with two dogs, who are barking.
SJ gets excited, saying "woof, woof, dowg, dowg!"
me: "Yes, baby, those are dogs"
The dogs-and their owner get closer. Schaeffer still barking and screaming "Dowg! Dowg!"
Man and yippers (little dogs) now right next to us. Man stops walking, asks if SJ wants to pet the dogs-how nice.
Schaeffer looks up at man sweetly and says, "M-eeee-oooo-wwww". "Kitty."
Man gets red in face. Stomps off.
Me & Griffin: trying not to chuckle.

priceless.

Calling out from the cave!

Yes, we're alive (and relatively healthy)!

I apologize for the GREAT length between this post and the last-I wish I had a better excuse than I simply got out of the habit while on vacation and didn't get back into the habit when we got home.

We've been doing some crazy fun things-all of which I've failed to record for your reading pleasure.

I hope to get all caught up in the next few days... so, bear with me-I'll do my best to not leave out a single zany detail from the last month.

Love to you all,
Kate

How do I look?

I know I've been a little lax in posting new blogs, but I feel like our life has been very ordinary lately. We've been having a lot of fun together as a family, but nothing seems to stand out and scream, 'Blog me!'
We had a very busy weekend: Friday night was Aunt Sara's birthday party, Saturday we headed down to Michigan City for some pre-vacation shopping (which really could be a blog in itself), and Sunday was the Super Bowl! It was great to be with friends and family, and to get lots accomplished.
For me, the most stand-out event from the weekend was yesterday after church. Our family was invited to eat lunch with the small group of a family we know-to experience how our new church 'does' community groups.
So, in trying to keep Schaeffer occupied, we were walking up and down the halls when she got a glimpse of the 'big-kid' gym where many of the boys where playing basketball. Balls for SJ are like Starbucks for me- a MUST have. So, we made our way down to the gym floor. Unfortunately, she had no concept that: 1. the ball was bigger than her or 2. that the boys playing with the ball were 4 times her size. I honestly think she thought she could just jump right in with their game of pick-up. It was hilarious watching her chase the balls as they were shot at the hoop, all the while screaming 'baa-hll!'.
When it was finally time for lunch, I'm sure we made a delightful impression. Mommy: sweating and dirty from chasing child through gym. Daddy: knees of pants filthy from gym floor, hair totally disheveled. Baby: DISGUSTING.

too funny.

"But God told Samuel, 'Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.'" 1 Samuel 16:7 MSG

Move over toys-my Momma's got something better!

Every girl needs the perfect accessory...


Don't you hate it when your bra gets tangled in your toys?!?


Bra. Toys. Can't Choose.



Just a hard day's work... got my bottle, my bling, and my bra.

Little gal and I had an action-packed day, we played hard, she napped hard and we laughed hard. I posted some photographic evidence of the hilarity that happened today-I was doubled over laughing, it was too funny.

I think I've got a mini-me on my hands...

"So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much, but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect the exemplary, a life Jesus would be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:9-11

Schaeffer + Live Cat = Raaa-rr!

Last Thursday we headed to Grand Rapids with a car full of family to have another round of photos done by the great Ben Harrison Photography (more on this later). Great Grandma Jean, Grandma Debbie, Griffin, Schaeffer Jo and I all packed in for the event.

It was a great, but a difficult day. SJ was exhausted by the time we reached Ben and Laura's for the photography- she had reached the 'pre-meltdown' stage. You can imagine with the multiple wardrobe changes, the manhandling and the overall wrangeling that goes on in a
non-kid friendly house, that it compounded the problem.

However, we reached the breaking point when a real kitty was added to the mix.

Let me tell you how little 'Ellie' the cat was nearly squeezed to death by my darling daughter. Weezie the cat (ref. older posts) had made the trip to G.R. with us, and had accompanied SJ upstairs for the photo session. Schaeffer Jo, sitting in the black & white patterned chair below-took a dive to the floor, hitting her head.

Schaeffer is wailing, I'm thinking about comforting and how much this is costing us in photo dollars, and Ben disappears, only to return with their live cat-who looks freakishly like Weezie.

Schaeffer, not understanding the difference between W and new 'kitty-toy' reaches out to give Ellie (real cat) a good squeeze. Ben wrangled Ellie away and got her back to her room with the door shut with Schaeffer Jo only a few steps behind-she was determined to see the toy.

Wow. Talk about the unexpected. But, as always, we have some great photos. Ben & Laura do such a great job! They stay patient, kind and give us great work each and every time!

Enjoy the pictures!

Vanilla Wafers, anyone?

Yes, I know it's upside down- we were upside down. Thought you might get a

chuckle out of this picture.

I didn't realize that my little gal had so much of me in her-she has become a brand snob. At dinner tonight, I said, "Schaeffer would you like a cookie?"

"Coookie!" she replied. So, I went and got the box of Vanilla Wafers- she knows the box from Grandma Debbie's house. When I got back to the table Schaeffer yelled "Wooo-hoo!".

I captured a little of the cookie joy for you- it is more delicous than a soggy old vanilla wafer any day.

"I'm thanking you, God, from a full heart, I'm writing the book on your wonders. I'm whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I'm singing your song, High God.' 'Sing your songs to Zion-dwelling God, tell his stories to everyone you meet: How he tracks down killers yet keeps his eye on us, registers every whimper and moan." Psalm 9: 1 & 2, 11 & 12

Pictures! Memories of Christmas Break 2008

Crayons. Crayons. Crayons. We MUST have crayons.

Daddy and Schaeffer Jo playing in my shoe box. Recycling, anyone?

Schaeffer, say "Cheee-ss-eee!"

Using the 'big-girl' potty-with lots of paper!

All daddy's girls

Uncle Scott & Eli (who has shifted status from 'dog' to 'bay-bee' to 'Ee-wi')

JoJo's first ride in her new 'super' wagon. Thanks Gram & Papa!

Little Gal's first time on down hill skiis

Schaeffer checking out her new 'digs' @ Gram and Papa's condo up north.

Much ado about nothing (or much to-do for nothing to get done)

Somehow the weekend has already passed us by-it's almost Monday again.
And, the most remarkable part-we did nothing, I mean nothing, at all.

Sure, we caught up on sleep and we went to church. We played with 'Weezie' the cat and unleashed the colors of crayola countless times.

So perhaps it was a weekend spent how weekends are supposed to be spent-filled with nothing but what makes you really happy-like hugging on your girl and snuggling in bed and staying in our jammies until noon.

It has taken some time, but I am starting to realize that these are the moments that are especially precious-I'll treasure the memory of Griffin and me pulling Jo around in my shoe box-or watching her 'dive' into the covers on our bed. Yes, it is her infectious smile and her kind spirit that cause me to find her irresistible-even when she eats an entire white crayon.

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." (NIV)
"Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people. " (MSG)
Proverbs 3:3 & 4

Monkeys at Martins and other wild adventures...

We MUST get out of the house, I decided this morning, and schemed a plan to take Schaeffer Jo and I somewhere-anywhere other than 708 Wayne Street.

So after the mandatory hat, vest, coat, and hood were all in place we trudged off through the snow to Target. Not a moment after entering the building, Schaeffer Jo had to have every article of winter clothing off her body. And I mean had to.

I'm stripping her clothes, she is meowing with Wheezie the cat and straining to reach da-doh all at once.
No, the cart did not tip over, but it was close.

Items purchased, child re-winterized, and off to next stop: Martin's Supermarket.

Again with the undressing, the cat yelping, but this time add an open box of raisins.
We're cruising through the produce when SJ fixes her eyes on the over-stuffed monkeys they've got hanging from the ceiling above the banana display.

"OOO-eee-aa-hh" "OOO-eee-hhh-aaa" again and again, with increasing decibels as we get closer. Then, Schaeffer notices an older man a few yards away and screams "Hiiii!" no reply.
"HIIIIII!" still no reply.

Why do people not respond when children talk to them? They obviously do not know the havoc they wreck.

Through the rest of the grocery, "Hiii!".
But, not only would the folks reply, they would stop to chat with the cute talking baby.


"My grace is enough, it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift-it was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size-abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks- I just let Christ take over. And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become." 2nd Corinthians 12:9 & 10

an ode to sugary confections

It happened again.
I'm not sure how-I'm even take great care in closing the cubbord that contains all the baking supplies.

But sure enough, before I knew it, a sprinkle explosion had happened.
The sprinkles of choice today were my very nice Christmas cookie sprinkles-the variety that have the segmented container with the large crystal sugar, the snowflakes, etc.

It confirms my suspicions that like her Mommy, Schaeffer Jo has impeccable taste (yes, it was a pun).

While I was doing my best to contain the explosion with the dustbuster, SJ was two steps ahead of me, shovelling them in as fast as she could-all the while saying, "no, no." "no,no."

Hilarious.
At least she knew it was wrong?

"I urge you to live a life worth of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:1 & 2

Schaeffer Jo loves her Grandmas!

(Post from 01.11.09)

Ok, Schaeffer Jo also loves her Grandpa & Papa (so don't feel left out!)

This weekend my mom, Gram, stayed with us. It was great fun- we laughed, we played, we created lots of great memories.

Arguably the most hilarious happening of the weekend was Gram teaching Rena (SJ) how to make her book toot. I know, I know- it's not going to get her into college-but it sure made us laugh.

Schaeffer would point to the bum of the bunny on her book, and make the loudest most obnoixous tooting noise-only to be encouraged all the more by Gram. They had a great time! Surprisingly, the bunny book has vanished! (I'm sure it'll make an appearance next time Gram comes for a visit.)

As if our weekend hadn't been enough fun, Sunday afternoon the family packed in the car and headed to the big Ott ranch for some sliding. We figure if we've got to have the snow, we may as well enjoy it.

We had a zipper-trauma free dressing, and had a great time pulling SJ around on her new sled. Little gal and I even went down the hill on a tube twice! Each time at the bottom she would stand up and bounce, "Moe, Moe, Moe".

I would hands down say the best part of the afternoon for Grandma Debbie was the snuggly hug she got from SJ-I know it just melted her heart. Schaeffer has even begun to pucker her lips! We hope this means the slobbery open mouth kisses will soon pass-but boy, any kiss from her, I'll take!

Oh, this child. She is our beloved blessing.

"So then, just as you received Jesus Christ as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Colossians 2: 6 & 7

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

(Post from 01.09.09)

The snow hasn't stopped falling for two days!
Schaeffer Jo and I have enjoyed long mornings in our pajamas and lazy afternoons in her playroom.

Gram and Papa Schaberg gave their Rena (Schaeffer) a traditional wooden sled for Christmas-so we bundled up and hit the snow together today.
As we were getting dressed, we had a great trauma. The zipper. And SJ's chin. Not pretty.
After the tears subsided, she finally sqeaked out "Booboo, Momma". I'm not sure who it traumatized more, Schaffer or me.

Griffin recently refilled the birdfeeder-it has been wonderful to see how alive our backyard is, even admist the deep freeze that winter has brought us. When the movement of the birds catches Schaeffer's eye, she'll say "bid, bid, momma".

Something new seems to be brewing in our snowbound house-Schaeffer Jo has been going 'potty' in her bumbo (the bumbo is a formed and moldable foam chair that is used for infants to learn to sit up).

She'll walk over to the toy shelf, pull down her bumbo, say 'poop' and sit in her bumbo. Very modest, my gal.

In addition to the interest in all things potty related, little gal has also started to count along with me-she'll even count her fruit at meal times. Being that the number 2 is her favorite, all items are grouped in twos, Ha! A piece of her daddy's particular nature coming out. "Tao, dadda, Tao."

How everything seems to be changeing. What a great stage of life-we just cannot get enough of our Schaeffer Jo.

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insightm so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ," Philippians 1:9 & 10

Merry Christmas G.G. Jean!

(Post from 01.06.09)

It is Christmas at the Ott house!
Today we celebrated Christmas with Grandma Jean-it seems we have a knack to extending holidays as long as humanly possibly (ref. kate's birthday).

Determined to not allow the snowy blowy weather to deter our plans-we forged ahead with our evening festivities, ordering pizza just as Grandma Jean had requested.

It seemed fitting to have our last Christmas celebration for the 2008 season on ephipany, a day from my childhood which marked the end of the great journey for baby Jesus.

As the evening wound down, and I found myself packing away the residue of Christmas-the ribbon, wrapping and boxes, I was reflecting on the way our family had celebrated the birth of our Savior this year.

Had we done enough to impart the foundational truths to Schaeffer? Had we focused enough on giving and less on getting? Had we been intentional about being a family who remember not the hustle but the joy and love of Christmas?

It seemed that I needed something, well, an epiphany of my own.

e-piph-a-ny 
1. a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day.
2.an appearance or manifestation, esp. of a deity.
3.a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
4.a literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight.

life's a beach in the 'big-girl' pool!

(Post from 01.05.09)

Schaeffer Jo + Swimming Lessons = Crazy Amounts of Fun!

I've realized there are many reasons Mommys enroll their offspring in classes which require physical activity-especially children who are under, oh let's say, the age of 5.

After Jo and I have a great time splashing around in the pool, jumping off the side, playing with the toys and doing the aquatic version of 'ring around the roseie', a typical day at our house would look like this:

Swimming lessons end @ 11am
wrangle SJ into her clothing, mangle to get myself dressed- find car keys. 11:15am
Get home, Schaeffer is asleep. 11:28am
Get inside, take of little gal's coat-she is awake. 11:31am
NANO! NANO! NANO! (if you don't know, this is SJ code for bottle) 11:31 and 30 seconds
bottle + dado blanket 11:33am
bed. nap.
Schaeffer wakes up starving for lunch. 1pm.
Finishes lunch with face on tray.
NANO! NANO! NANO!
repeat.


Yes, managing the sporadic tantrums aside, structured class days are great. And, the plus side is that I'm raising the next Michael Phelps-she just happens to be female.

Look out world.

"I lift my eyes up to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over you will neither slumber nor sleep." Psalm 121:1-4

back home, in good ol' saint joe

(Post from 01.03.09)

Well, I wouldn't say life has returned back to 'normal' but, we are back home and we are almost unpacked. Notice I said almost.

It is just so much more fun to play with SJ than to do laundry, or to fold laundry or to sort laundry. Yes, than to do laundry of any kind.

Griffin and I went out last night for Ott Insurance's 'Christmas Party' which left Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Doug at home with little gal-I know, you'd think if it was their party, they would have been invited. Long story.

Anyway, today we ventured out through the snain (that is snow + rain) to Caledonia for Aunt Gayle's Christmas Contada-which was cancelled a few weeks before Christmas due to inclement weather.

What a fun day we had! The car trip was half the fun-eating doughnuts and drinking Starbucks on the way there with Grandma Debbie and G.G. Jean- and then being packed to the roof on the way home.

Because, as I'm sure you know, when the Ott's are within a 50 mile radius of a Costco, we MUST stop and shop- and shop we did. We even drug Aunt Gayle along. Great memories.

However, the highlight of the day HAD to be when Schaeffer Jo said, "Gayl."
It only took some minor prodding from G.G. Jean-and out of her lips it flew. Unbeliveable. What a delight for Aunt Gayle on her big day.

Too fun.

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." Psalm 105:1-4

the ball has dropped... now what?

(Post from 01.01.09)

Happy New Year!

Yes, it is officially 2009-and with it has come a resoultion to record the days of our life in a way that our family can keep up with-even the ones who don't live in our own backyard.

Schaeffer Jo, Griffin and I have spent the last week at Shanty Creek with my parents-we've skied, tubed and pulled Schaeffer on her new sled. We've played wii, cards and swam in the 'big girl' pool nearly every day. What fun!

Alas, it is time to get home to our life-to our Ruthie dog-and to the new year! We've got so much to look forward to in 2009... if the coming year is anything like the past year, we know it'll exceed our wildest dreams.

Schaeffer Bear, we know this year will again hold many firsts for you-and I can't wait to see what God has in store for you.

"And now dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident in him and unashamed before him at his coming." 1John 2:28

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Thessalonians 5:23