A Few Things Chloe Said Last Night

To Ben during dinner:

"Why is Mommy laughing? Is it because she's fat?"

To Ben as I was preparing to take them to Grammy and Papa's house:

"Is Mommy safe to drive?"

To Grammy after she and Elijah both coughed:

"We are a bit under the wetter."

Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Lesson #3

"Wow Mom! This illustrator did a really good job. Look at these illustrations!"

- Said by my 5 year old, looking at a book, after only a few weeks in kindergarten.

Spirit Day

This week is homecoming week for Chloe's school. Today, the kids were instructed to wear school colors. Uncle Scott airbrushed this T-shirt for Chloe. On the front is the FCA eagle.
On the back is "Chloe" and "class of '22".

I was laughing on the way home after Uncle Scott gave Chloe the T-shirt because it finally dawned on her that Uncle Scott actually painted the shirt. She kept asking how he stayed in the lines. She mentioned that she is 5 and can't color nearly as good as he can.

Elijah Turns 3

Elijah's camera grin

Uncle Scott with Seth, Ethan and Elijah

Playin' the drums

Ethan, Seth, Elijah, Tirzah and Chaeli

Opening birthday presents

We had a jungle themed birthday party. Ben and I strung Christmas lights (blue and white) from the ceiling along with yellow and green streamers. The kids made animal headbands, played animal charades and had a dance off.

Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Lesson #2

When a boy hits you on the bottom with his lunch bag, it doesn't necessarily mean he is being rude to you.

Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten

Lesson #1

When you hit your classmate, stop, pray to Jesus and ask Him to take away your sin.

Forgive one another and stop sinning.

First Day of School and a Rockies Game

Chloe had her first day of kindergarten this past Friday. She did great and loves her teacher, Mrs. Johnsen. The day started with tears and lots of hugs and kisses and ended with excitement for her next day in kindergarten. Ben and I both feel so relieved that Chloe is loving school.

Chloe sitting at her desk with her water bottle, lunch bag and back pack.

Elijah and Chloe at the Rockies game. We had a great time sitting in the Rockpile.

Ben, Elijah and Chloe

I think the kids watched about 20 seconds of the game. The rest of the time was filled with nachos, cotton candy and lots of clapping and dancing.

See you next year, Rockies!

Hiking Hessie Trail

Last week we did about a 2 mile hike, one mile in and one mile back, to a beautiful water fall. The hike is called Hessie Trail, near Nederland. This is a great hike for kids. They were able to do the walking on their own, much to our delight.

Elijah is taking a breather. He loves to hike but wasn't feeling so good this day.

Chloe and her walking stick

Mike, Meghan, Ethan, Avery and Honor.

Aunt Jenny and Avery

Chloe, Elijah and me

Hearing God's Voice

Chloe is attending a seminar today for kids that teaches children to hear His voice. When I told Chloe about it, her eyes got huge. She was so excited, she couldn't sit still and asked if she really was going to hear Him speak to her. I told her we need to learn and practice listening to our Father.

WOW, I am really far behind

Here is a quick catch up for weeks 25, 26 and 27:

Week 25

Mon: jog 3 miles

Tues: jog 3 miles

Fri: jog 3 miles

Week 26

Mon: jog 3 miles

Fri: jog 3 miles

Week 27

Mon: jog 3 miles

Fri: jog 3 miles

Notice how the run has turned to jog? Weight gain for this pregnancy is currently at 31 pounds. Amazing, isn't it! I still have 12 more weeks to go. I won't be the least surprised to gain my usual 50 pounds like the other two. I must admit that I am not being oh so restrictive on my diet but on the other hand, I am not eating everything in front of me either. Scratch that, I am eating everything in front of me and then some. My appetite is HUGE.

A Shout Out to All the Parent Helpers


I don’t know how anyone can raise a child without family, including a church family, there to help. It seems like every week there some situation where I need to ask for assistance from someone. Take yesterday for example. Grammie went to pick up Chloe and Elijah from childcare and take Chloe to swimming lessons. Ben and I were busy working. When Helen got in her car, she realized she was driving the car without the car seats. She called Aunt Jenny to go and check Chloe and Elijah out of childcare so they would be waiting there, ready. Helen went to the mechanic to grab the car seats from her other car and when she arrived, had no key to open it. She called the day care and asked them to leave a message for Aunt Jenny telling her to only check out Chloe and then take her to swimming. Grammie had to run back to the office, grab the key, go back to the mechanic, grab the car seats, pick up Elijah at childcare and then go to swimming lessons.

Big Summer Project

We decided it was time to finish the basement with the third babe soon arriving. Without our friends, we would never be able to accomplish this monstrous task. Ben is so grateful for his friends willingness to commit time, talent and tools. He mentioned last night that he has only had to buy 1 - $20 tool. I am grateful to all of my pregnant friends who are "allowing" their husbands to come over for hours on end. What a sacrifice for them as well!

Craig framing a bathroom and laundry room.
Justin and Aaron doing a little demo work.

Ben punching down a few boards.

Week 23 and Week 24

Life is getting very hectic in the Strait household. We started the major task of finishing our basement. Not only will this require time and effort but it will also require quite a bit of finances during these unsure economic times. Currently we live in the upper floor of our condo in a 2 bedroom, one bath home and really need the extra finished space. Ben and I feel like this is one of those times where you get to trust in the Lord's provision and go for it. If you are ever looking for something to do on a Saturday and want to burn some extra calories, give us a call. We can use lots of help!

Week 23 exercise
Sat: 3 miles
Mon: 3 miles
Tues: 3 miles
Fri: 3 miles

Week 24 exercise
Mon: 3 miles
Thurs: 3 miles
Fri: moving boxes around in the basement
and taking loads up and down the stairs.

I was off this week with the kids and decided to take advantage of an actual week off of work. To prove my point, I just polished off an entire milk chocolate bunny with a caramel center. Yes, I did find this in the basement while going through junk. No, it did not bother me that this has been in the basement since Easter. On the bright side, at least I am not eating paint chips.

Chloe

"Isn't it amazing? God is so strong and He doesn't eat anything! Isn't it amazing! I want to be God!"

Estes Park - Memorial Day Week

Week 22

I had a doctor's appointment this week and received some not so shocking news; I gained 7 pounds in 4 weeks. I guess that is what one does when one eats 2 bowls of cereal for breakfast and loves to snack on popcorn at 10 o'clock at night. The baby's heartbeat is strong and beautiful.

As far as the workout goes, everything seems to be going well. My biggest complaint is a lack of time. I hardly think this will change when the babe arrives.

Sat: ran 3 miles

Mon: ran 3 miles

Tues: ran 3 miles

Chloe graduates from Preschool

The red eye in this picture is pretty bad but her profile is adorable.

My little girl is surely starting kindergarten in the fall and it hardly seems possible. Her preschool class had a night to commemorate all of their accomplishments. Chloe recited scriptures, the Pledge of Allegiance and then sang a collaboration of songs. It was very precious.

Makin' cookies with Mom. I love Chloe's new apron that I picked up at Paris Street Market.

Here goes for week 21:

Mon: ran 3 miles

Tues: ran 3 miles

Fri: ran 3 miles

Weight gain: lots. Have a doctor's appointment next week to get the official results.

Week 20

Sun : bike ride with family

Mon : ran 3 miles

Tues : ran 3 miles

Fri : ran 3 miles

weight gain: 3 pounds since last doctor's appointment

I am running about 10 minute miles and certainly have lost any semblance of a waist. It is amazing how quickly your body changes. I feel great when I run and don't have any pain in the belly from all of the bouncing. Probably the hardest part of running at this point is motivating myself to go.

A Good Nightmare - as defined by Chloe

"I had a good nightmare last night, Mommy. I dreamed that I got lost but then found a nice mommy who helped me find you."

Week 19

It’s a boy!!!

Our family is now referring to the newest Strait boy as Elisha. He was the prophet that came after Elijah in the Old Testament.
A side note: Ben informed me over dinner last night that it is the woman’s responsibility to bear the children. It is the man’s responsibility both Biblically and traditionally to name the children. I will be waiting with the rest of family and friends to hear my newest son’s name.
Exercise schedule:
Sunday walked 2 miles up & down a mountain
Monday 2 and a half hour hike up & down a mountain
Thursday ran 3 miles
Various small hikes throughout the week in Estes Park
Weight gain ?

Week 18

This was another blur of a week with family in town and a trip to Estes Park later in the week. Exercise was slim again and the next week isn't much better. I am definitely slowing down with my mile times. I am running 10 minute miles at the moment. Not too impressive but at least I am still moving. Just like Elijah, I'm sure this baby will want to be jogged to sleep.

Weds ran 3 miles
Friday ran 3 miles
Weight gain ?