Rain & Shine Cold or Hot

Since last we posted we have had either hot or cold weather.
A lot of much needed rain with many dark and dreary days
but also some beautiful warm days.

A lot of activities this month including Erik's graduation,
closing programs for Adelynn and Olivia, Baptism for Emily,
and dance recital for Ava and Adelynn.  Still to come are
Oliver's dedication and the Janssen Reunion.  The reunion
was moved to Abilene so the "old folks" didn't have so far to
travel.  We had been looking for a place about half way between
Lawrence and Hutch and that seemed to fit,

We enjoyed work day and Mothers Day celebration at the pasture
and a big THANK YOU to everyone.

Day to day things continue about the same- Grandpa volunteering
at the library and I continue to work on the lawn and  garden.
With that said I want to include some pictures of the roses that I
couldn't resist taking.

Last of all  this is Molly relaxing

Adulting Hard

The Rutherfords have been having a seriously full load of things to do in the past 6 months or so. Where we normally have lots to report on work, we have even more to report on life! Adulting is the term that we have coined in all of the decision making that we have been doing as of recent. It's a Lot and nothing that most of you haven't had the joy of doing many times in many ways as well...just our first time!

Work is good for both:
--- Kurtis continues to work at Hudson Scenic with a promotion to Journeyman and swings in at Jersey Boys on automation whenever they give him a call.
--- Mary is full time dressing at Jersey Boys and part-time day working at American Psycho and Matilda. She intends to cut back a bit more as we head in to summer and baby takes more energy.

Life:
--- Apartment things are coming along. We had been very anxious about getting all of the changes made quickly when we closed on our home March 16, 2016 and we are finally seeing results that look as though we will be able to make our current move date of May 31, 2016 happen! 
--- Better still, our apartment is starting to really look like it is Ours and that it will be a beautiful home to raise our family in!
--- Baby Rutherford is growing beautifully. The technicians who get a peek all say what a great profile the baby has and always comment on how long the baby's legs are. 
--- Our trip to Kansas was so good! We loved getting to spend time with everyone and are really glad to have done that before the baby comes.
--- Currently our travel will be restricted to minor travel around New England, so you all got the last of the long haul until after baby arrives.
--- Now it's on to packing and baby classes for us. We begin the first of several classes tonight and I start sorting a few more things as soon as this is posted.

We are so blessed to have a home and family here in New York City. It combines all of our dreams together in a way that we never thought possible! 

Love to all,
Mary and Kurtis

 

At our closing - this is our stock certificate that states our ownership!

Early to bed, early to rise makes a man (woman) healthy, wealthy and wise.....

If only this was true, I would have millions of dollars (and definitely not working), be healthy (able to eat any amount of fried breaded food with no repercussions) and a genius!!!  That being said, I’ve been going into work as early as possible since this is the busy season and as usual we are shorthanded.  My earliest this week was 6:18 a.m.!  I actually loved it.  There are no phone calls, it’s quiet and no bothersome people around.  I wondered if I could make my work day from 5-1!  That’s enough said about my work.  My current hobby is word puzzles.  I’ve been doing the easy as pie crosswords but am thinking of trying the newspaper ones.   Ellie Mae and I tried walking for a bit but somehow that hasn’t been happening much lately.  Now Kate and I are thinking of trying water Zumba again.  The whole exercise thing is just not my scene but I know I need to. 

Tim has now moved out of his busiest time since everyone’s taxes should have been filed.  He is taken a liking to gardening and the yard looks great with lots of flowers.  He “inherited” some really nice large pots from Nancy Shears’ house, a friend of ours, and I think he plans to fill everyone with flowers.  I did request a zucchini plant.  Someday I’d like to try a pumpkin and see if I can grow a giant one to enter in the fair, of course.  For every duty he finishes, it seems he gets another.  He has added being on a new task force that is looking into bringing the breakthrough club house model to Hutchinson.  The Breakthough Club is a place that is open to those with a mental illness.  It provides assistance with school work, job training, and social skills and is a safe place for people to hang out.  The task force visited the one in Wichita and he said it was very impressive.

New window boxes under are back window

Looking ahead for us includes such things as cleaning out the garage, Tim’s trip to Colorado and another grueling summer for me with camp.  If there is room for more gray hairs I’m sure they will be added.  And the best most exciting event of all-Theresa and Chris' wedding reception at the pasture on August 20.  You are all invited-details to follow.

Ellie Mae with her summer "do"

Liza-just because Tim adores her!

Spring Update

Hello everyone! We completely missed our January post, so it has been a while since we have blogged on here.

We have lots of Frequently Asked Questions being asked to us these days.

Q. Is it hard going from 2 kids to 3? You must have your hands full!
A. Hands are SO FULL and it's SUCH a blessing! It hasn't been as hard going from 2 to 3 as it was going from 1 to 2. I think because the girls entertain each other. They are truly each other's best friends. The hardest part is readjusting to the newborn stage again with 2 independent and nap-free kids. You forget how often babies need you. Everything is done in short increments before the baby needs to be fed, held, diaper changed, etc.

Q. Is Oliver sleeping at night?
A. He sleeps like a baby :) Actually he's starting to slip some longer stretches in there. Usually from 10 PM - 3 AM, but it's a stretch! (If he would move that stretch from 2 AM - 7 AM, I wouldn't be mad!)

Q. Is he a good baby?
A. I've always thought this was a funny question. Are there bad babies? Of course he's a good baby! He's super relaxed when he's awake. He's only upset by being hungry or gassy. He just hangs out at bath time and diaper change time. He's very alert. He started smiling at me - intentionally - today!

Q. How old is he now?
A. He was a month old yesterday.

Q. Who does he look like?
A. The two most popular answers on this are that 1.) He looks like Dave from the top lip down, and me from the nose up. 2.) He looks like my brother, Kyle.
He is definitely a Yutzy. (My Mom's family.) He looks a lot like my Grandpa, which is why he looks a lot like my brother. So I guess he looks like me? Never thought I would say that! His mouth is Dave's and Dave gets credit for his eye size. :) Once we were having a discussion about who he looked like and Ava piped up "Him just look like All-ver (Oliver)!"

Q. Is his hair red?
A. His hair is staying red and I'm crossing my fingers so hard. Mine was also red by a month old.

Q. Is he named after someone?
A. Nope! I just read the name online. However, my Grandpa Yutzy had a brother named Oliver. I didn't even think about that! His middle name is obviously after his Daddy.

Q. Will you call him Ollie?
A. I think we will. I am pretty sure we will. We are just waiting to see if it fits him. We called Adelynn "Addie" for a few months before it was clear that she was much more of an Adelynn. So this time we are waiting to see.

Q. How are the girls adjusting?
A. About like normal I would say. Some days and moments are better than others. Other transitions have been hard for Ava too - like going to dance and Sunday School. Not sure if she is feeling out of control of her life and putting her foot down where she can, or if she is just 3 :)

Q. How are you doing?

A. Overall, really good. We are sleeping more, we are on time more frequently. We are figuring it out!

Adelynn lined up several of her ponies to welcome her guests to her My Little Pony birthday party.

Steve Cat sitting up on the couch with the remote.

Dave's company party included a balloon guy this weekend! He didn't ask any of the kids what they wanted, he just made things for them. He couldn't have made a better choice for Adelynn.

Ava would have loved wings like Adelynn's, but she has been surprisingly happy with her cow headband!

We have a lot of excitement happening in Spring. All 5 of us have our birthdays within 2 months time. So aside from birthdays and welcoming Oliver, we haven't had much time left! Adelynn is finishing preschool in a couple weeks and the girls have their recital at the same time. We have gained 3 family members in the last 6 months. A cat, a dog and a baby. Our hearts and arms are so full.