within the next room there plays two boys. it is quiet ... so this might be a real REAL short post.

here are a couple of things. (i feel slightly reprimanded aaron - i hope you don't check my blog often ;) )

our new thing in the koerber home: PANDORA. we constantly switch between ck's folk station and mk's folk station. there, in reality, exists likely NO difference. hmmm... i think we are just sinful and selfish. want us to email our stations/preferences? let me know!

boys moved to this room. AND i just got handed the precious "doggie." her name is jo jo. or his? i just asked. "a grill," was my beautiful boy's reply.

i just returned from company meetings. man, i found that i probably talked TOO much about my boys. i LOVE them. i mean, really REALLY love them. LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE them. is this normal? anyway, the company meetings. three days before Christmas. tough timing... but a treat to see the people that i work with. we did have a good time together. theo was there for his second round. he did so well! i don't know that he did cry once during the meetings.

alright. christmas time! i'm ready... can you believe it? even cards were sent this year! (eeks - holler if you didn't get one and want one.)

much love. merry christmas dear friends.

ck

-Isaac-















-Theodore-
















-Isaac-
















-Theodore-

am I going to have to label my pictures OR WHAT!? these children are so similar!

It has been a while. Life is busy.

Theo is "crawling" - you know, that early crawl - where you don't really get anywhere at all but you've got the motion down. I love that he is not as dependent upon me helping him around... he seems far more happy now that he can navigate a room. He is also sleeping better at night, which has been a real blessing.

Isaac is wearing big boy pants right now. Elmo and a basketball on his hiney. It's funny how much he cares about what is on his bum. He doing well going on the potty without anything on his bottom... it's time to get him going on the potty with his big boy pants. (he still goes in them...) I don't feel like we'll get anywhere with it unless he has accidents.

Matthew is hunting! I talked to him last night... out of everyone in the family that is up there (30!) not a single person even SAW a buck. It was a pretty disappointing day for them all... Matt, my dad, and my brothers ended up staying an extra night... we'll see if this morning brings anything new. I'd love to see them get one! I'd particularly like to see my husband get one - we'd have to buy a freezer for the basement.
















Isaac is enthralled with video games. Diana didn't seem to mind him so much... he sat like that for at least 10 minutes watching her play. 10 minutes for a little boy - especially mine - is something!

This is by far one of my new favorite pictures of Theo. He and Isaac are really starting to look different. (I might get away with NOT labeling my pcitures now!)
















I am so sad... I thought I had saved on my computer a picture of Isaac doing the same thing during a bath with the SAME toy. Rats. I just can't find it. I'll have to scan it in someday.















Of course, my post will have to include a picture of my first born ...

I didn't take the time to get rid of demon eye.

Theo's sitting up now and actually seems very close to crawling. A mobile Theo... I don't know if I am ready for that. These two are interacting more and more every day. While getting breakfast this morning, I heard Isaac giggling hysterically... he and Theo were playing "catch"... which really was Isaac throwing the ball at Theo and Theo reaching quickly to grab where-ever it fell to get it before his brother took it away.

I love being a mommy!

I don't like the way the page changes with the videos, so I have deleted them! Thanks for the replies... I'll get more up as the children continue to entertain ;)

They have done it! The controversy uncovered... they have indeed intended to open a store here in Pittsburgh. For years, Pittsburghers have complained about the so-called myth that they'd get their very own Trader Joe's. There were even blogs about it! Now the rumors fly... will a second open in Mount Lebanon?

I love Trader Joe's.

Uyen made me fall in love with the salsa organic chips and their guacomole. Uyen made me fall in love with their many a fun frozen item. In fact, I think Uyen made me fall in love with the whole shi-bang! I remember many a Friday night w/ just the Korean Brandeis folk in Uyen's apartment in Brookline AND Trader Joe's runs. What were those frozen bean/ice cream thingy's - I think they were some kind of asian treat? They were green, with something inside!? Someone, help me!

OK.

I'm done obsessing. I can't wait to get out there, but don't dare with these two kids in tow knowing that it will be a madhouse. Or at least, it should be a madhouse. Crazy GOOD food crazy cheap. Right, I said I was done.

My brain, if I could even declare WAS ever right, hasn't been right since childbirth.

I turn 31 this weekend. Matt loves getting older. I, on the other hand, often still feel like I'm in college... or a couple of years out. I can't believe that I am thirty something.

Isaac's mean Stillers face.

I love being a mom.

I love Grandmas. I cannot believe how blessed we are in this department.

Campaign for Beauty

It's brief.

It's worth the view.

NEW MUSIC:

i just ordered these new albums. it has been nearly a year since i've last bought an album. it's stinkin' time.

• AMOS LEE i've heard a couple of times on WYEP and through Paste - Amazon describes him as the male counter of Norah Jones. i love his tone.
• OVER THE RHINE when asked, i always claim them as my favorite musician/group. i have owned albums in the past, but do not currently HAVE a single one. my dearest friend recommended OHIO as her fave. it's on its way!
• ERIN MCKEOWN she WAS a local Bostonite, i wish i would have seen her...phenominal music. if you have never heard of her, you MUST visit her website and listen to her voice. she truly is amazing.
• JOHNNY CASH Folsom Prison (live) - reconciliation album for the love of my life. i just bought three albums for myself. heehee... he's excited!

erin was in town a couple of weekends ago. if linso were around i'd be spending too much money going to shows. i suppose my bank account is thankful that i haven't found like-minded music comrad just yet in the 'burgh. matt generally likes the same things... but even bruce came and went and we didn't get there! why?

so if you can't read my post below -- i miss my korean sisters. it's true. i have to admit it... this summer we had our first korean come to our church. poor guy probably won't come back because of psycho pastor's wife pretty much begged him to stay. they are all probably laughing about her at the neighboring korean church. psycho pastor's wife. all we need is a bunch of you to move from boston (& baltimore) and create a bit of a korean contingent... we could eat kimchee and bulgogi. my guess is because there is such a small korean contingent in pittsburgh that it is more comfortable and attractive to be with one another. maybe ya'll could help shed light on why our church wouldn't be attractive? love my noonas! (i know it only means older sister....)

나는 나의 한국 자매를 놓친다!

So... It IS okay to just write a little bit. It really is. Every blog entry doesn't have to have crazy intelligent remarks or crazy amounts of words. I'd like to write a bit more... (frequency wise) but really less.

Here are a couple of things that are going on: completely random.

1) Music blogs... People post tidbits of what's going on in the music world. Like Paste on-line but from different sources, real people. It has been fun to browse... BUT, here's a question for Salada's and others (who have shaped my music "sharing" dramatically!) are what they doing right? I love being exposed to new music... and sometimes I'm tempted to download songs. I suppose as I'm asking the question, I'm answering it. It has got to be wrong to not pay for the tunes... but, OH... what a temptation! A free Beck song... or a Dylan gospel tune... or how about a mah-na-mah-na tune?!

2) Nancy... It takes a LOT to distract me from cleaning my home. However, I have found that I must have a presentable home on weekends. (The definition of presentable for the Koerbers is probably messy for most.) I think I need a housekeeper ;)

3) Life is busy & it seems to only get more and more so. I am grateful, though! It is busy with dear things. I love my family...

4) I LOVE where we live. We have an Iraqi family across the street: "Say-ba" is 9 years old and frequents the home to "pet" (torture really) our cat. She is here in Pittsburgh for cleft surgery at Children's. Last night was date night and we went to Gullifty's for dessert and got to watch a great jazz show alongside a very diverse crowd and then sat in the car to watch Hassidic Jews worship. When we go to the park, Isaac plays alongside Chinese, Muslims and children from India.

I suppose that's enough.















Say-ba! (I'm sure that's not how you spell her name) She is such a dear girl! She's come over and literally cleaned up Isaac's toys... (I suppose she doesn't like our mess neither)

Have I mentioned how much I love our church?

Here we go Stillers, here we go!
















Little Sibling lovin'














Theo's first rice dinner - "I want my milk!"
















There is nothing like this smile a bizillion times a day!

Boulder was delightful. I was overwhelmed by the mountains... they certainly are breath-taking. The time with my dear friends was so nourishing. We had such sweet times of sharing, tears and prayer. It truley was life giving.

Theo came home with a wheeze... I wonder if it was the change in temperature, altitude, or even moisture? It got bad. I thankfully have really happy wheezers. hmmm, thank you Lord? I think Isaac is on his way to getting the cold again too... UGH! Will this end?

Have I said lately that I LOVE my church? Sure, the pastor is hot, but wow... the people overwhelm me with their love for this city, for those that don't know the Lord, for college students, for young families. It has been really exciting to be a part of what the Lord's doing here.

I promise an update and some posted pictures REAL soon. Life is busy! Blessings dear friends...

Finally further west than Dallas...

Theo and I are heading out to Boulder, CO to visit with some dear, dear women in my life. I am looking forward to this opportunity to connect with Jennifer, Jane and Katie (& Owen) after too many years! We enjoyed and struggled through seminary together...

Isaac and Daddy will have some really good, intentional play-time!

Why is it so hard to even take a shower with two children? I'm not kidding... I have dreds!

I had mentioned in my book tag that the one book that I wish had been written would explore motherhood from a reformed perspective. I know it sounds drab, but seriously... I'm not sure enough books have been written about motherhood period! I yearn to be a better mother... I yearn to do the best I can to fulfill this role that the Lord as called me to. Does any one have a recommended read?

Isaac has his 5th cold of the summer. It's driving me batty. He is pretty darn sick - he has been asking to go to bed all morning & has already taken a good long nap. (It's 11:30am!!) He really is downright miserable and I feel SO badly for him.

I love my church. I love the people that I have the opportunity to worship with every Sunday evening. I was struck during the service last night that I look forward to that time of the week more than any other time!

Fantasy Football season BEGINS

Oh... the thrill of a new football season! We drafted last night and thanks to my dear and gorgeous husband, I can boast of a pretty rocking team.
QB M. Hasselbeck - Seahawks
WR S. Smith - Panthers
WR D. Branch - Patriots (unless he miraculously gets more money from someone else...)
WR K. Johnson - Cardinals
RB C. Williams - Tampa Bay
RB J. Jones - Dallas
TE H. Miller - Beloved Steeler
RB C. Brown - Tennessee
WR I. Bruce - St Louis
RB R. Dayne - Denveer
QB P. Rivers - San Diego
TE M. Lewis - Jacksonville
RB D. Staley - Beloved Steeler
K D. Akers - Eagles
DEF Pittsburgh Beloved Steeler

My weak spot - RBs...

We've beem humming the Monday night football theme song all week ;)

Don't ya'll wish you had a beer in your family? I've been tempted on numerous occasions to order a case of this (I'm sure FINE) brew. I meant to for Koerber family vacation!

Nancy, I shamefully didn't read this until just this morning (while in pursuit of that sermon mp3).... I must agree that my most frequent reads consist of the morning paper and Sandra Boyton (as well!), but here goes:

1. One book that changed your life: I have to go with the good ex-CCO staff answer - "Tranforming Vision" by Welsh and Middleton however, Nouwen's "Prodigal Son" comes in a close second.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once: "Jane Eyre" Charlotte Bronte -

3. One book you’d want on a desert island: The Bible

4. One book that made you laugh: "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson - I was embarrassed by how much I laughed out loud!

5. One book that made you cry: oh, probably some sappy Christian novel - I must confess that yes, I do read them sometimes. Francine Rivers is a good distraction...

6. One book that you wish had been written: something regarding motherhood from a reformed perspective. (I struggle with finding "purposefullness" and "rest" in being a mother often.)

7. One book that you wish had never been written: I think there is a slew of literature that should never have been written - you can usually find them on metal racks on paperback with half-nakedness all over the cover!

8. One book you’re currently reading: "the Case for Kids," Paul Tripp (I am actually watching the video series with Matt - does it count?)

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Matt's latest Jack Miller read regarding Evanglism. The name of the book escapes me.

10. Now tag five people: I don't know how to add links http://mmdemontaigne.blogspot.com/, http://aaronreinard.blogspot.com/, Gusmom (http://www.xanga.com/gusmom), oaksusu (http://www.xanga.com/oaksusu), and Jeana (http://www.xanga.com/jeanayah).

Momma and "Tee-oh" as Isaac would say.




Mommy and Isaac on the New England beach.



Isaac not enjoying his ride.... :(



Daddy and his boys...



I love my little men and their daddy...