Whew! What a Crazy Couple Weeks!!

This week has been a week of much rejoicing as we finally SOLD (signed, sealed, and delivered) the first Indiana Lesnet Homestead that we purchased right before we were married. Those of you who know us personally know how much stress this house has caused us through our 2 separate "lease to buy" sales. Two days after we were finally able to put it on the MLS open market, we had an accepted offer! The Lord blessed us with amazing friends who helped us get it ready for sale and list the home and were again blessed with such a quick non-contingent offer. Here is a photo of the home, it was a great house but it will not be missed.Kai has really been on a tear learning new words since his ear tube surgery. He has some great ones like; airplane, bike, amen, and animal. I guess that learning new words is a lot easier when you can actually hear them...what a concept!

It is hard to believe that summer is really officially over since today is Labor Day. We have tried to make the most of it with a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo (we skipped church to go...shhh, don't tell anyone) with Master P and his folks. It was great to go with them as they go quite a bit and were able to show us around. We had a fun time there and we will most definitely be going back as we are not only clients of the zoo but now we are members.

In additon to the zoo, we attended a chuch picnic for child care workers and Sunday school volunteers at Forest Park right here in Noblesville. The park is amazing, it has a "Tom Thumb" miniature golf course, sweet playground equipment, swimming pool, shelters with grills and volleyball sand lots, picnic areas, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, the "Little Beauty" Carousel and the Indiana Transportation Museum. The fellowship with our church friends was great but there was an added bonus of discovering such an amazing park right in our back yard. Oh yeah, Kai rode the carousel but was a little scared and had a white knuckle grip on his pony. After the ride was over he wanted to go again though...our little thrill seeker!

Last week Kai and I were able to spend a little manly quality time together as mom ditched us for a few days to go to Boston for "work". We did great without her but we were most definitely glad to have her back.

Kai's school was closed on Friday so that the teachers could have an in-service day. That sounds a lot more like a 4 day weekend to me, but sure...in-service, why not! This week we were blessed to have Auntie Jessica come down and hang out with Kai while school was closed and mommy and daddy went to work. She said that watching our little angel was easy but Kiki was a pain in the booty. Yep, it looks like Kiki is an equal opportunity pain in the booty!

We went to the Purdue football season opener on Saturday and Kai had a great time. He lasted through one quarter and two minutes into the second quarter. I think he could have made it longer but the good guys were up 21-0 over Toledo so he smelled a rout and wanted to go walk around campus instead. He enjoyed the big crowd and all of the noises and sights (especially the train whistle and the Boiler Up cheer). He also really likes his new Purdue fooball jersey.

We then drove straight to the Toledo area (a little irony) to see Stephanie's family and enjoyed some family time. We had this on the calendar for a while as Aunt Kathy and Leah were scheduled to come in to town from Washington state for a while but their plans changed. Hopefully they will be able to come soon as we had a great weekend together and enjoyed the holiday.

Kai would like to once again thank Sam who let him borrow his Cozy Cruiser for the weekend. He loves this "bike" and spent hours driving up and down grandpa and grandma's driveway.

The above picture shows Kai and his grandpa playing with some blocks. This picture is great but you need to notice Kai's threads. He is in a Detroit Tigers outfit that his grandpa bought for him when he was at Comerica Park for a Cleveland versus Detroit baseball game. Grandpa is a big Cleveland fan but he clearly loves his grandson much more than his Indians...such a big softie!

So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor. - Job37:7

Busy weekend!

Lots of big things happened this past week and weekend.

Kai used two words together which is a big developmental milestone - they were working on it at school and he said "more please". It's fitting that our big eater asked for more food!

Then, on Thursday night, Kai sat on his potty chair and went to the bathroom! It was pretty much a coincidence, but we made a big deal of it. He likes to sit on his potty every night before bath time and says potty, so we'll see if it continues.

Friday morning we had surgery to have tubes put in Kai's ears. We had to report at 6:15 am and surgery was at 7:00 am. Stephanie and I did not sleep well the night before as we were afraid we would miss the appointment and we were up well before the alarm went off - the sun is not even close to rising at that hour :) Kai left with the nurse at 7:05 and we were holding him by 7:25. He cried when she took him away, but the anesthesiologist said he stopped crying as soon as they turned the corner and he just watched what he was doing the whole time - even when they put the mask on him. The doctor came to see us and said "his ears were a mess!!" You never want to hear that from someone who does this all the time. He said we would notice a big difference immediately - and we did! Kai has said several new words this weekend - including "mine" and he has so much more energy. Coming out of the anesthesia was really hard as Stephanie was holding him, but he just kept screaming for "mama". They say that it is the common reaction when kids come out from under the drugs, but it was very heartbreaking. He took a nap and by 11:00 was good to go.

We headed to the state fair and had a great time walking around and enjoying the beautiful weather. We forgot the camera, so no pictures this year, but a fun tradition to start.

I also got to play some golf Friday (may have broke 80 for the first time ever if I could have got the putter to work) and while in the middle of my round, my dad texted (yep, he's hip) to say they were thinking of coming to visit. It was a great surprise and they were here Saturday and Sunday. Kai had a wonderful time and it was especially nice they were able to babysit and Stephanie and I went to Symphony on the Prairie. We sat at a table of Purdue alum - we were the youngest by about 25 years, but had a great time getting to know them.

Here are some pics from Kai's weekend with his paternal grandparents:

Oh yeah, we still have our dog. I don't think that she has had any mention in here for a while.
Here is Kai with his grandparents right before our breakfast at Perkins this morning!
Everyone in this picture has the same middle name and the same last name. 3 studly Lesnet men!

Sunday was busy at church, but did include breakfast with Grandpa and Grandma. All in all a great weekend!

And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: - Genesis 9:12

August Already?

Another month since our last blog post...life is busy.

Here is Kai's 18 month picture - this is the only one that turned out...he only wanted to run around and did not want his picture taken.

We had a good month spending some time with family and at a family reunion for the descendants of John Elmer Briner [Chad's family] (bounce house included!!). Kai got to meet his great aunts from California (it was close to nap time and the end of our visit when we tried to take pictures, so he wasn't very happy).

Kai playing Redneck Golf with Grandpa Lesnet

Kai meeting his newest cousin; Melissa.
Kai with cousin McClain
Here is a couple with Grandpa and Grandma Eridon

Kai continues to grow taller and eat constantly - he's not gaining any weight, but the boy can eat. A typical day includes a peach for breakfast, all of his lunch at daycare and then constant eating from the time he gets home until he goes to sleep (pasta, blueberries, zucchini and 15 oz of milk). He is also starting to talk more and more and repeat what he hears. It's very cute when he says "Amen" after we pray at night, and not as cute when he repeats "out, out, out" when he is done sitting in his highchair. He definitely has an ornery streak in him (not sure what side of the family he gets that from...maybe both).

The CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) we joined this year has been lots of fun and we are receiving many vegetables that we would not normally purchase. Stephanie has had fun each Monday researching what we should make with our share. This past week we made a rice dish with okra and a squash and zucchini casserole with fresh garlic and tomatoes as well. Kai likes okra - even if its not fried.

On Saturday Kai attended a birthday party for a couple of his friends. It was a princess party and there were lots of little girls and only one other little boy. Kai pretty much ignored everyone else and plays on his own as you can see below; he's the one in the back in the blue shirt.

Kai goes in to get tubes in his ears on Friday. We found out that he has some hearing loss in his right ear from all the fluid behind his ears and all the ear infections since March. It should be totally reversible, and we are looking forward to seeing him feel better.

On Saturday, Stephanie heard Kai talking after his nap and then he got quiet, so she thought he went back to sleep. Then she heard more talking, so went up to get him out. Surprise!! He took his diaper off. Luckily there was nothing else in the crib with him, but we will definitely have to make sure he always has shorts on over his diaper in the future. He likes to run around without his clothes on before his bath - this week he wanted socks on, but nothing else. Here is a good shot of the shenanigans (Mom's call on this one little man, daddy tried to keep your nakedness off of the Internet)!

He fled naked, leaving his garments behind. - Mark14:52

Happy 18 month Birthday Kai!

Dear Kai,

You are becoming such a big boy and have grown so much over the past few months. You wear size 7 shoes and 18 - 24 month clothes. Most people comment on your hair when it's longer and the nurses at the pediatrician ask to touch it because it's so cute. They also comment on your eyes and long eyelashes. You rub your hair when you are tired and it is very comforting to you.

Your dad has given you three haircuts and you have 12 teeth. You do not like to get your teeth brushed, but this has started to get better as we are singing the ABC's while brushing them. You have grown so much taller in the past few weeks (drinking 10 - 20 oz. of milk before bed each night). You eat constantly from the time we pick you up from school until bed time and you love any fruit, apple butter, applesauce, hummus, chickpeas, couscous, hamburgers and you eat homemade blueberry waffles for breakfast every morning. You still use your pacifier, but only at bedtime and nap times. In the morning, you throw your pacifier back in the crib and wave "Bye-Bye".

You have a very sweet, laid-back personality. You sit back and observe everything around you before going to play. You give lots of hugs (with arm pats) and have started giving kisses (complete with sound effects). You have a great belly laugh and mom and dad love laying on the floor with you and laughing and wrestling. You love it when daddy throws you in the air and catch you. You would much rather run everywhere and like playing outside and going to the pool. If you want to go outside, you run over and try to climb in your stroller until we get the hint. You love the slides at the playground and have amazing balance when playing on wood bridges. You like swinging and start crying if we take you out before you are ready. You like swimming, but are more interested in walking around the pool and picking up the toys and shoes on the side.

You love sitting on mom and dad's lap to read books. Some favorites are "Moo, Baa, La La La", Curious George goes fishing, Is Your Mama a Llama and Red Hat, Blue Hat, Green Hat, Oops, and Guess How Much I Love You. You love dancing - especially to Alice the Camel and the ABC's. We read I Love You Through and Through every night before bed and you love the little boy in the pictures since he looks like you.

You definitely have a mind of your own, but save your temper tantrums for mom and dad. I asked your teacher at daycare (Ms. Cassie) if you ever throw a tantrum at school, and she said she could never imagine you doing that. Mom found you playing with the toilet plunger in June and you looked up at her and said "No, no" and then walked out.

Your are a man of few words, but have started saying more in the last 6 weeks: Dada, Mama, Kiki, no, this, ball, balloon, Detroit, bird, truck, school, happy, baby, book, squirrel, dog, more, blue, purple, apple, bye-bye.

You love your school and bring us our shoes each morning when you are ready to go out the door. You give Kiki a treat and clap when she takes it. You then stand by the garage door and wait for us to open it so you can get in the car. Your teachers have been great and we are so thankful that you are happy and learning and playing during the day. This summer the school has had two petting zoos (loved the bunnies), water day every Wednesday, the Westfield fire department (you liked Sparky the dog) and puppet shows. You eat all your food every day at school and love to play outside and help the teachers pick up the toys. You are a great helper at school and all your friends say "bye Kai" when you leave.

Kai - we love you more than you can imagine and God knew exactly what he was doing when He blessed us with you.

David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, 2 Samuel 6:14

The Indianapolis Zoo

Kai and mom went to the zoo for the first time on June 27th. They went with our friend and neighbor Jenna and "P".

Kai and P are the same height, but there is about an 8 pound weight difference. Kai enjoyed riding in the wagon with P pushing him, but was not as happy when he tried to push P and couldn't move him anywhere.



We spent the week before reading lots of animal books and working on animal noises, but we're still not sure what sound a bunny makes. Kai enjoyed seeing the ducks and fed some crackers to the ducks. We also saw a rhino, giraffes, polar bears and komono dragons.

Kai loved the dolphins and had a lot of fun running around the area with the dolphins above him. He did not like the dolphin show since mom did not let him run around the stairs and bleachers like he wanted to. He threw himself on the ground and started screaming. Stephanie dropped her cell phone and it broke apart with the battery flying underneath a wheelchair. As Kai continued to scream in front of the entire crowd (several hundred people), Stephanie crawled under the wheelchair and searched for her phone. After picking up a screaming Kai and carrying him to the top of the bleachers, he decided he did not want to stay until the show started and they left to go see the walrus. Looks like the terrible two's may be starting a little early.

Kai said "bear" for the first time and really liked the bunny and goats. He did want to go swimming in the shark petting tank, and Stephanie decided the day at the zoo was done.

Both boys fell asleep within 2 minutes of being strapped in their car seats and slept for 3 hours. It was a wonderful day and we will be getting a family membership.

While the zoo adventures were occuring, I was in Arizona for a guy's golf and poker weekend. I played 54 holes of golf on that Friday and managed to only burn my ankles and one spot on my legs.

4th of July weekend

The Lesnets had a great 4th of July weekend. We spent Friday as a family as Kai's daycare was closed. Grandma and Grandpa Eridon came into town around lunchtime and we all went out to lunch. This is a big deal for Stephanie's family as it is probably only the 5th or 6th time she has been out to eat with her parents.

Kai had a great time with his grandparents. He loves having Grandpa read him books and snuggling with Grandma before bedtime.

I spent most of Saturday at the old house with my father-in-law working on lots of projects. We accomplished a lot of the "to do" list, but there is still more to do. I replaced the light in the dining room - the house is looking a lot better and we are praying it sells quickly.


We also gave Kai his 3rd haircut this weekend.

It's amazing how the haircut makes him look like such a little boy. He rubs his hair when he is tired, and it took him a while to get used to how short it was on Sunday.

We had a great cookout with friends and it was a momentous occasion as it was the first party with kids attending. There was only one other little boy, and Kai just watched all the girls play together.

We avoided any meltdowns (by being the first to leave). It was wonderful to catch up with friends and see them as parents. Thanks to Eugene and Kim for hosting and letting our kids "childproof" their house.

We also had to say goodbye to the first appliances we purchased when we got married.


The washing maching has been smoking for the past few months and we decided to make a preemptive strike and purchased these:

Stephanie has been breaking them in this weekend and is a big fan!

It was a busy weekend, but great to spend time with family and friends.

It's July already...

It's been a long time since our last post, so here is a brief summary of our lives since March Madness.

- We went to Ohio to see the grandparents in March - Kai got to meet some lambs and a cat.

- Stephanie was diagnosed with mono in early April after 3 different sore throats and antibiotics. She still may need to get her tonsils out, but it was a rough quarter 1 end at work. Kai had 2 ear infections and croup and I probably had mono, but didn't go to the doctor. Everyone is healthy now. Stephanie only missed 2 days of work and Kai missed 4 days of school.

- Stephanie had a birthday, she had to work on her birthday, so I went to a Purdue Track&Field reunion with Kai. He wanted to run on the track, and not be held by dad. The next day, I took Kai to the Lesnet Easter celebration in Bluffton, IN.

- Dad gave Kai his 2nd haircut.

- Stephanie went to Boston for a few days in May for work, and the guys had fun at home playing basketball. Kai also said four new words while mom was gone. He also started blowing his nose in a kleenex when I asked him too.

- Went to Ohio to see the grandparents in May and attend cousin Molly's baby shower. We can't wait to meet baby Melissa in August.

- We turned Kai's car seat around in June - he loves facing forward and seeing what mom and dad look at through the windows.

- We watched all of the Stanley Cup Finals...stupid Penguins!

- Kai had a 104 degree fever in June and erythimae multiforme (really bad skin rash) and missed another 4 days of school. We had fun reading books and spending cuddle time at home.


- We have been swimming at the neighborhood pool several times already. Kai really enjoys walking around the pool vs. swimming in it.

- Stephanie and I celebrated the nine year anniversary of the first time we talked (June 24, 2000), well I think we talked before that, but Stephanie doesn't remember it.

- We had to evict our tenant from the Brownsburg house and I have spent every spare moment trying to get it ready to sell. All the carpet and flooring needs replaced, inside and outside painted, mulch and landscaping updated and some other minor repairs. We hope to put the house on the market July 13th. Thanks to all the friends and family that have helped get it ready to sell. Please pray for a quick sale.

- At the same time, my airline purchased two other airlines and work has not been "slow"

- Stephanie and Kai went to the zoo (see a post later this week) and I went to Arizona for the golf "Endurathon" in June. We were all planning to go, but since Kai got sick, I made the weekend trip by myself. I have played 6 rounds of golf so far this year and am looking forward to the "Old Married Dudes"outing on July 18th.

- Stephanie has become more crunchy and green - see a post later this week on cloth diapering and a CSA.

It's hard to believe so much time has passed since we last blogged, but look for several posts later this week. We are thankful everyone is healthy again and look forward to life slowing down after we sell the other house.

March Madness

March has been a very action packed month but not necessarially in a good way.

Kai started preschool on Monday, March 2nd. He has transitioned very well to the classroom except he has picked up a bug. He has had a day off and a couple of half days but we are confident that he will pull through it and thrive with his new friends at school!

Although this post will be dated March 15th, it is actually Easter Sunday today so I am just going to go ahead and sign off on this post and let you all enjoy the photos of kai during the first half of March.

Here is Kai with his favorite food in March, apple sauce. He has now graduated to grapes and bananas.

One of the neighbor girls won this glove and gave it to Kai. He should get a lot of use out of it if he winds up being right handed!

This will be a great picture to show his prom date!

His stocking hat is awesome!

Kai loves his animal book!
So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the droves before me and that of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir." - Genesis 33:14