Catching Up!

Woah, it's been awhile since I've updated this! A lot has been going on in the last month. I'll try to fill you in with all happenings:

Elliot is walking like crazy. It's more like a perpetual run. Always in motion, always into everything. Some of his favorite things to do right now: put items in/take items out of the recycling bin (we finally caught on to this, AFTER a pair of his shoes went missing for days), emptying the kitchen drawers, putting stuff in his assorted boxes he has collected, and bringing toys to whoever will accept them. OH, and STORIES. He LOVES to be read stories. Today I read 10 (yes TEN) books in a row after naptime. It's AWESOME (remember, I was a reading teacher!). He also thinks the park is the coolest place ever, now that he can walk. He has to check out all the equiptment now.

Kyle has been busy at work lately. He had one audit this week and another big one coming up soon- in other words- STRESS! He's also working weekends at that place that sells all the cool electronic stuff. He's got his eyes on one monster of a TV, so we'll see if this job pays off.

I (being Anna) have also started 2 part time-jobs. I work at Lane Bryant (8, sometimes 12 hours a week) and at Sylvan Learning Center. It's nice, tutoring. I feel like I'm getting to use my teacher brain again, but still don't have the requirements (i.e. time) of a classroom teacher. AND, Sylvan is just down the street from us so that's an added bonus. I really miss Elliot when I'm gone though, and I'll be happy to go back to being "retired" once we get some bills paid.

Elliot gets to spend a lot of quality time with Grandma and Grandpa Domeier when I'm at work. He LOVES it when they come to visit, he loves it more when he gets to go to their house (because they have chickens and a big flight of steps to climb). Sometimes, Ellliot gets to go play with his friend Lauren on days when I go to work at Sylvan and it's only an hour until Kyle gets home. He loves playing at Lauren's, he doesn't even notice when I leave! Lauren came to our house one evening this week while her mom was teaching a night class. We took Lauren to baby sign class with us, and then it was time to get all ready for bed- including bathtime!

Labor Day weekend we braved the pre-convention (more on that in a bit) crowds and visited the Mall of America for a bit of shopping. My brother Aaron met us there for lunch and we enjoyed some tasty sushi. Elliot got new shoes (the ones he put in the recycling bin), Kyle got Heroes Season 2 on dvd, and I got a pretty, pretty new diaper bag.

Last weekend we went to West St. Paul to see our friends the Klemmes. I went to college with Deacon and Kendra, and their little girl Annika is just one week younger than Elliot. Deacon coaches the high school football game, and we went to watch them play. It was Elliot's first footall game. He LOVED it (yes, he loves just about everything).

Ahhhh, that darn convention. All eyes were on St. Paul in the aftermath of that crazy man's selection of a runningmate. And then she gave that darn speech that people are still talking about (and she's been repeating that same speech at every campaign stop since then). I hope and pray that all this excitement dies down and we can get down to the real issues again. Which candidate is going to be better for our country? Who is going to solve our economic issues? Who is going to be able to mend international relations that have been stretched thin after the last 8 years? Who is going to fix (or better yet, get rid of) No Child Left Behind? Who is going to make healthcare available to all Americans? I don't just think about how I will personally benefit from a candidate, I have to think about those less fortunate than me. How can things improve for them? What about equal rights for all Americans? I don't want a leader I can have a beer with, or find out where she shops. I want a leader I can believe in. Those that know me well know that I'm showing a LOT of restraint here. :) Let's just say....this Momma is for Obama!