Sophia Rides...

I never uploaded this video. Sophia learned how to ride her two wheel bike in September. I can't believe that my three year old can ride a bike!

Found

I used to think that there was no God; that you lived, died and there was nothing. Even then, God was there.

Later, I realized that God was there and always had been. But then, I believed that my sin was too great and that it was too late for God to ever forgive me. Mercifully, patiently, lovingly, God waited.

Finally, I knew that God really loved me, already knew me, wanted to forgive me, it wasn't too late, and He had been waiting all. this. time. In faith, I took one very small step towards Him.

In God's greatness, He swept me up and carried me the rest of the way. And I rested in Him.

"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation" (Romans 10:9-10).


(I wrote this for my and Eric's baptism on Oct 24th 2010)

Allison's final

Here is Allison's final project for Design class. It is based off of Charlie Harper's art. I think it's really pretty...

I love this bird! :)

I am very proud of Allison!

Blessings,

A portrait of Allison...

I am continually amazed at Allison's memory. When she was little, she would memorize those National Audubon Society First Field Guides. Every single page would be dog-eared and bookmarked. She's also good with actresses and actors names and any and all movies that they've ever been in. The same with songs and song artists.

Two weeks ago, she had to pay a ticket (see, she's not perfect...lol) and it was near closing time at the DMV. She drove over there, at a safe speed, and waited in line. When she got to the front, she reached for her debt-card and realized that she left it at home. So, she asked the lady if she could just tell her the number. The lady said, I guess so, if you can remember it. She then proceeded to rattle off the number. The lady was pretty impressed but then said, I also need the expiration date too. Allison gave her that. Then, the lady said, Oh, I forgot, you'll also need to give me that security code off the back. Allison promptly gave her that without blinking an eye. As she was leaving, she heard the lady telling her co-workers about what she had done. I couldn't even tell you the first number on my card.lol

We have this game called Hyper-dash that the littles love to play. It reminds me of the game Simon, you know, with the flashing lights and you have to remember what order they flashed and copy it, but instead of lights, it calls out what color to press your bell-shaped wand on. It's a fun game. It'll say press blue. Then press blue-red. Then blue-red-blue. Then blue-red-blue-yellow. (and so on.) Well, Allison can go until it runs out of colors for that level. Level one goes to 18 rounds. It took her 245 seconds.lol

Just thought I'd write down some memories today.



Blessings,

The many faces of Mr. Wiggles

David is MOBILE! Not good.lol I know that at 8 months he should be moving, but it was still a shock. Now, nothing is safe and baby proofing is in full force...


What? I'm just playing with the ponies...



How am I going to get anything done? I'm starting to feel out-numbered. :)

It's done!

After a full month of knitting, I finally finished David's hat. It was a real learning experience.lol





Now I'm trying to finish a really big project before Christmas. I'm not sure that I can do it, but I'm going to try.lol

A Portrait of Allison...

Allison was in her first art show at school this past week. Her picture was for her design class and it was one of the first color pieces that she has ever done. Her teacher felt that it was so good that he placed it with the pictures from the painting class instead of the design class. November also brought in something new for her...glasses! Evidently, all good artists go blind. lol She was having a hard time in her classes, so we got her eyes checked and found she needed glasses. I think she looks really nice with them!

Here's an up close of her painting...


Blessings,

My Crazy Idea...

Seventeen years ago I was on bedrest with Jon. lol Yikes! I can't believe it was that long ago. Well, I had an amazing group of ladies who came to help with Allison while I was unable to do so. One of these ladies became a really good friend to me. She brought me really good books to read and would often sit and knit things while chatting with me. I was grateful for the company. (Thanks Carol!) Well, I asked her to teach me how to knit and throughout my pregnancy, she helped me knit my very first thing! A purple sweater for Allison. I still have it. :) That was the only thing I actually knit...until now!lol See, I had another wonderful lady teach me to crochet and I've been doing that for a while now but knitting seemed so hard. I am on a board that happen to mention Raverly and went on there for ideas to crochet and accidently ended up on the knit side.lol Well, I found these...



And just HAD to make them! I mean really how hard could they be? They are teeny tiny!lolol Well, I bought the yarn, the special double tipped needles in a four pack, and a how-to book. Then I took each step and watched youtube videos over and over until I could figure it out. I frogged the work so many times that I couldn't even guess how many times and finally ended up with the above little Sucky-thumb mitts. And I have to say that I have fallen in LOVE with knitting.lol For my next project, the cutiest little aviators cap for the baby.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aviatrix-baby-hat

Thanks Carol!

Blessings,

Remodeling...

In order to put the house up for sale, we've been clearing out and fixing up. First on the list of to-do's was the kid's bathroom. When we tried to recaulk the bathroom, the flooring actually tore. No problem we thought, we'll just buy new laminate flooring and have it installed. (Insert wry smile and snorting laughter here.) We went over to Home Depot and soon found out that they are scaling back this type of flooring for a newer type that was supposed to be really easy to install. So we bought a nice color that looked like wood and brought it home. Then life got crazy and it sat. Meanwhile, we told my Dad about the flooring and he promptly went out, bought some and installed it in their guest bathroom. It looks fabulous by the way but my Dad told my Hubby that it was NOT easy to install and that he would rather TILE than ever do it again.(Tile is a dirty word in this family after the big tile job of '08) Well, hubby came home and promptly loaded up that flooring and took it back.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we'd been without that bathroom for TWO weeks. Yikes!

Well, we looked at the tile, found a nice one and brought it home much to the dismay of our older, yet wiser kids. Then came the painting that I had put off for way too long.

Then last Saturday we began the discussion. I said, Allison, don't you think we could install this tile in a day? She says, NO, it'll take two days. I say, Why don't we try to get it done in one day? She says, it'll turn out bad, trust me. I say, Come on, let's give it a TRY?!!! And she says, Well, o.k., I'll try. All that talk took until lunch time and after lunch she and Eric started the job and finished it in ONE day! lol It was 9:30 at night but at least it was done. The next day, Allison and Jon grouted and finished by 4pm. Then, life got busy all Monday. On Tuesday, I sealed the flooring and that afternoon Eric tried to reinstall the toilet (yes, we had been without for the whole time) and broke an important part. lol After two trips to HD, it was fixed but there was a small gap in the tile that needed to be regrouted and then sealed. So hopefully tonight, Eric will be able to caulk the toilet and tub and MAYBE tomorrow it will be up and running. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, a full Month after beginning we might have a working bathroom again.

One down, two more to go. I so wish I was kidding.

Here's the new tile and paint...


It does look nice though. lol

Blessings,

An Update...

What can I say? It's been a crazy season for us. In fact, it feels like someone pushed the "fast forward" button. Whoever it was, could you please push "play" cause moving this fast is wearing me out.

Since it's already November, I decided that it was time for the photos. I've got everyone except for Allison but I'll get her this weekend. :) Here's some photos from the past few days...

Here's David at 7.5 months. He's such a cutie!


Love that cubby little face...


Sophia at 3.5


This is the face I usually see...lol


This one is getting framed...


Here's Isaac at 5.5 Boy, he's handsome...



Here's my favorite of Genevieve. She's 8 now...


I even got an elusive Jon sighting...


And finally, for anyone who still visits here...a family photo!

Mr. Wiggles

Is now 5 months old. I can't believe how fast time is going by. Here are a few photos of the little guy...

How we go shopping...


Wearing some big boy clothes...


With his big sister...


My favorite photo for now...


Grow Mr. Wiggles, grow. The littles are waiting to play with you. :)


Blessings,

The Many Faces of Mr. Wiggles

Here's a short video of my little guy. He's such a sweetie!

The Many Faces of Mr. Wiggles...

David is now 18 weeks old and 15.5 lbs. He's a wonderful baby! He is the happiest, wiggliest, most joyful little guy you could meet. He loves his brothers and sisters, loves to be held and snuggled, and has just started squealing and cooing. His exersaucer comes in the mail today and I bet he really loves it.

David...

My new little guy just rolled over today! I can't believe how fast he is growing. He's now almost 14 weeks old and quite the sweetie. He loves to be held and talked to. At 14 lbs, he's also getting pretty heavy. He has such a sweet temperment and has captivated all the other kids. Lately, he's been letting Genevieve put him to sleep.



I'll have to take a new photo of him after his nap. What a blessing this little guy is to our family!




Blessings,

A Portrait of Allison

Here are some photos that played during the reception...

Allison brand new...


First Christmas...


2years...


4 years...


7 years...


9 years...




10 years...


13 years...


15 years...


17 years...



18 years...


blessings,