Prayers needed

I am asking for prayer for the baby of a blogging friend of mine. By God's miraculous healing power, Stellan was healed from a life threatening heart condition he developed in utero. Right now he has been diagnosed with RSV and is being intubated because he is so very sick. Please join with me in praying for quick healing for Stellan and peace and strength for his family. Please visit her blog to get even more information -- www.mycharmingkids.net

We can't have a messy house for Santa!

I have so much blogging to catch up on but I needed to share the craziness going on in our house right now. It's GREAT craziness, don't get me wrong. All 4 of the kids are currently cleaning up the basement, including vacuuming, because they said "It will be embarassing if our house is messy when Santa comes!" Of course I welcome ANY cleaning help I can get....I don't care what the reason is.....although their reason definitely makes me laugh.

A couple years ago, Noah came right out and asked if Santa was real. Jeff and I had discussed when Noah was born that if our children asked us any questions, we would answer them honestly. This has been a very difficult thing to do sometimes especially when the question is about how babies are born, how did the baby get in my tummy, if I get the flu with a baby in my tummy can I throw up the baby, etc etc. Anyway, I disgress. When Noah asked us about Santa he told him the truth. We said that it was just a story based on a true story of a real man named St Nicholas, the "santas" we see at the mall are men dressed up, that the presents come from Mommy & Daddy, and that the reason we celebrate Christmas is because of Jesus' birth. He seemed to understand that and we heard no more about Santa. That was also the year we homeschooled him for kindergarten.

Last year we heard a little bit about Santa but mostly songs they were learning in school. Now this year is a completely different story! Noah is in 2nd grade (public school), Abby is in 1st grade (public school), and Joey is in kindergarten (public school). They all want to put out cookies and milk for Santa and Noah informed me that I couldn't eat them! Joey has been writing notes all day about "Joey loves Santa". Noah told me that he hopes Santa brings him something because he's been really trying to be good. Now they are cleaning so the house can be clean for Santa.

Part of me wants to laugh and thinks it's really cute. But another part of me wishes they weren't so focused on Santa and cared more about Jesus' birthday.

I was just thinking about how desperately they wanted to make sure the basement was clean for Santa but how focused am I on asking God to "clean up my heart" so I'm ready for Christmas. I need to take some time this afternoon to do that so I can get the full meaning of Christmas.

Thankful this Thanksgiving Thursday

Try saying THAT 5 times really fast. Anyway, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! On this Thanksgiving morning, I am reflecting on this past year....all of our ups and downs...and we have SO much to be thankful for.

I am thankful Jeff has a JOB! And especially one that he enjoys.
I am thankful I have a husband I am more in love with today than the day we got married.
I am thankful that our marriage has grown stronger through difficulties rather than fall apart.
I am thankful we have a Christ-centered marriage.
I am thankful we have a warm house to live in when so many people are losing theirs.
I am thankful we have parents who love and care about us.
I am thankful our children have wonderful relationships with their grandparents.
I am thankful I am able to be a stay-at-home-mom.
I am thankful for healthy children.
I am thankful for the excellent teachers our kids have.
I am thankful for the piles of laundry I have to do everyday because it means our house is full!
I am thankful for supportive friends and neighbors who are also friends!
I am thankful I was awake at 5am so I had time to reflect on all of our blessings.

What are YOU thankful for this year?

A blog contest

One of my blogger friends is having a "Fryday Contest" that I'd like to be a part of. She is giving away some photography stuff and a customized blog header! Wouldn't that be awesome?!?! Here's the link to her blog so you can check it out for yourself. May the best blog win --- that would be MINE of course! hahahaha

Actually I encourage all of you reading this to go back and read her blog entries about being told her unborn baby was going to die. By God's grace and amazing power her little boy was healed and born perfectly healthy! What an awesome God we serve.

Morning thankfulness

This picture of the sunrise this morning does NOT do it justice. The colors were so vibrant and splendid....reminding me that our sky is simply God's canvas. It caused me to reflect on what I am thankful for this morning.

I am thankful for my sight -- so I am able to see the sunrise.
I am thankful for children who wake up early -- so I am able to gaze upon the beauty of the sunrise.
I am thankful for a home to shelter us from the cold.
I am thankful for coffee! :)
I am thankful for the messes I constantly clean up because it reminds me that our home and our hearts are full.
I am thankful my family and I are healthy.
I am thankful for my freedom.

What are YOU thankful for this morning?

Out of the mouths of babes

Joey just came upstairs, very excited, with something to tell me.

Joey: "Mom! You know what? I just heard God talk to me and know what He said?"

Me: "You heard God talk to you?"

Joey: "YES! You know what He said?"

Me: "No, Joey. What did He say?"

Joey: "He said when you got to school, I will still be in your heart. And when you go to church I'll still be in your heart. And I love you. Isn't that cool, Mom?"

Me (a bit misty-eyed): "Yes Joey. That is very cool."

We just need faith as a little child. Thank you, Joey, for reminding me of that.

Halloween 2008

This year for Halloween, we skipped going trick or treating around the neighborhood. Instead we just went to church for their annual "Pumpkin Patch". The last couple years, the kids have complained about not being able to do everything they want to do at church because we didn't get there until 6:30 or 7:00pm.

Abby dressed up as Sharpay from High School Musical, Noah was a Clone Trooper, Joey was a Power Ranger, and Eli was a cute little giraffe.

At church they have the Sunday School rooms in the basement decorated as "trick or treating" doors. They also have a cake walk and preschool games set up. Then upstairs is an inflatable jumper, glow room, cookie decorating and crafts, food (hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, cotton candy) and music in the activity center, and games for older kids. Then outside there's a petting zoo and hayride. SOOOO much fun and SOOOO many good memories.

Girls Day Out

Abby and I had a great mother/daughter day today. The entire day was pretty much a surprise. The only she knew is where we were going to eat lunch. I took her to get pedicures together --- her first one ever! The 1st picture was her expression when we walked into the salon. She was shocked! The ladies there did a great job with our toe nails too....very impressive.

Then we had lunch at Olive Garden. We both absolutely LOVE that place. I had to chance to ask her many questions about school and friends and she asked me questions about my days at home too.

Then off to Kids Hair for a hair cut. They surprised her by putting some color streaks in her hair...pink, of course! She looked absolutely adorable. We went across the street to a pet store and fell in love with one of the puppies. Don't worry, Mom, we didn't buy it!!!! But we had lots of fun playing with him and holding him.

Dessert was next. Abby got some cotton candy ice cream with gummy bears on top and I had a frozen chocolate drink. We skipped and hopped back to the van, holding hands and laughing the whole way. A very very enjoyable day with my not-so-little girl.

A heavy heart

I am asking any of you who read my blog to please pray for some friends of ours, Dave & Lea. Their precious 4 month old baby, Johnny, passed into Jesus' arms late yesterday afternoon. I can't imagine the pain and loss they are experiencing right now. I don't understand everything that happened with Johnny but you can read all about it on their blog: http://dandlkids.blogspot.com/

Please pray for this young family in the next days, weeks, months.

Noah's 8th Birthday

Noah turned 8 on July 19 so I'm a bit behind updating our blog. I can't believe my first born is already 8!!!!! Time goes so quickly. He wanted a "magic birthday party" this year so we hired a magician to come and do a show for the kids. It was a huge hit!!! He did a 30 minute magic show and then spent the next 30 minutes doing "balloon creations" for the kids. At the end, there was plenty of time for practicing light saber fighting!

My precious Noah, I can't believe 8 years have gone so quickly. You are becoming such a loving, caring, responsible young man and I am very proud of you. Keep up all your hard work and I will be there to encourage you the whole time. I love you. You are such a precious gift from God and I thank Him everyday for blessing me by allowing me to be your mom.

Happy 4th of July!!!

We had a fun-filled 4th of July! Jeff actually had the day off which was such a blessing for all of us. He's been working an incredible amount of hours (about 70 hours a week) so having him around all day today is something none of us have taken for granted.

We started out going up to Big Lake so Jeff could show the kids where he grew up and he could see how much has changed around there! It was a trip down memory lane and the kids thoroughly enjoyed it. Sadness hit when we went past his old house and, not only is it in foreclosure, but they had put it up on auction in May. The house was really falling apart and the lawn was up to my waist. Abby asked why Jeff was sad and he explained that this is the house he grew up in and it's just hard to see it this way. She started to cry too and said that she never wanted to leave our house. What a sweet, compassionate little girl.

Then it was on to a park in Elk River where we grabbed lunch at Burger King before hitting the 4th of July "carnival" they were having at a nearby park. At Burger King Eli wanted nothing to do with sitting in a high chair. He wanted to be a big boy at the big kid's table! Jeff and I just watched the kids for a bit and commented on how quickly they grow up. At the carnival, the kids were able to go on a couple rides and they each had a pony ride. That was definitely a favorite.

At about 8:00 tonight we had our own little fireworks show with our neighbors in their driveway. That way Eli was able to witness his first fireworks! He absolutely loved them -- saying "oooooooh", raising his hands in the air, and clapping at the end --- until the last couple. They had a bit of sound to them and he clung onto Jeff's shoulder.

The kids are at a real fireworks show (as Noah put it) with Jeff while I'm here with Eli while he sleeps. It was such a wonderful day. Noah has begun a rock collection and was collecting a lot of rocks from the park in Elk River. Each time he found a rock he said "Another memory!!!" I really liked that...because today was all about making memories with our children.

Thank you Auntie Tocha!

My dear friend, Tocha, sent us a package with some things for me, inspirational things to read, and something for all the kids.

Tocha, here's just a sampling of the kids enjoying the presents from you. They all LOVED them and can't wait to take a vacation to come visit you guys. (hehehe) You are such a wonderful, sweet, caring, dear friend. I am blessed to have you in my life. HUGS!!!

Happy Father's Day!

I wanted to give a special message to the Dads in my life.

To my dad -- I couldn't have been blessed by having a better dad, and friend, than you. I have so many memories of times we spent together.

1. Many trips to Seattle to visit Grandma & Grandpa -- and you letting me get the fruit punch in the Space Needle cup even though it was a bit spendy -- going on the Mattherhorn ride with the clown and getting him sick after going in circles so many times.


2. Summers spent together since we both had the time off.


3. Sitting next to you at the piano going through choir music, kids music, etc.


4. Parasailing together in Florida!


5. Taking a hot air balloon ride -- such a beautiful experience.


6. Going to Gopher basketball games together when Dick couldn't go -- I was always really excited when you would tell me he couldn't go to a game -- I always knew there would be an ice cream cone or a dish of ice cream waiting for me at the concession stand at halftime.


7. Watching "Father of the Bride" the night before my wedding.

There are so many more memories, Dad...that is only a sampling. I thank God that He put us together. I have been so blessed by you. Thank you for always making me feel special. I love you!

To my husband -- I love sitting back and watching you when you play with our kids. You know how to have fun with them...to make them laugh...and to listen to them when they are scared, have problems, or just need to chat. Everytime you guys spend time together you are making memories. Noah has great memories of going bowling, going on the roller coaster at MOA, sleeping downstairs on the hide-a-bed after watching Star Wars movies to name a few. Abby has great memories going on bike rides, going on the roller coaster at MOA, and just being "daddy's girl". Joey also has great memories of going on bike rides together, going on the bumper cars at MOA, and all the tickle/wrestling matches on Wednesday nights when Noah & Abby were at church. And this is only the beginning!!! You are an awesome dad and we all love you so very much!

They grow up so fast!!!

It really hit me yesterday how fast everyone is growing up...especially Eli! He is my little climber and the "trick" he has perfected is partly shown in the first 2 pictures. He climbs up on the coffee table that's behind the couch and flips himself over the couch onto the cushions. He just laughs and laughs when he does it, slides off the couch just to climb up and do it again!

Then this morning he did NOT want to eat breakfast in his high chair. So I brought his cereal downstairs to the little table, thinking he would give it a try and want to be back in the highchair. Nope! He sat there very nicely and ate his cereal proud as can be.

With the other 3, I can't believe that in the fall I will have a 2nd grader, a 1st grader, and a kindergartener!!! Are they really old enough? I remember my mom & dad always saying how fast time goes but I never really understood that until now. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying every stage with them but many times I wish I could freeze time and just enjoy this stage a little bit longer.

The statement that keeps going through my head is what my Aunt Pam said a long time ago -- "I worked at giving my children deep roots so I could give them wings later." Thank you, Auntie Pam! I think about that often!!! I pray I do as well with my kids as you did with yours.

Day brightener

How can this little face not make you smile and giggle?!?! I was giving Eli some oatmeal & applesauce this morning and we were having so much fun together. Noah and Abby had gone off to school, Joey was playing with our neighbor,Hannah -- so Eli and I had some time just the 2 of us. What a sweet morning with a precious little 16 -- no, almost 17 month old little boy!!!

Cinderella

This weekend was Abby's first dance performance. They performed the ballet of Cinderella. It was beautiful! Since it's her first year, she was only on stage for about 10 minutes but she shone for those 10 minutes. She looked comfortable, at ease, and poised up on stage. Could she be a "theater diva" in the making??? She told me a couple weeks ago that she wants to dance until she's one of the "older girls" and can drive herself to dance class.
She was one of the chickens in Cinderella and did the cutest dance.
The top picture is this afternoon before we left for the show. I had done her hair and makeup and she just looked so old!!! I'm not ready for her to grow up this fast!!! The next 2 pictures are of her in her costume right after the performance tonight. She got a carnation from the woman who owns and directs the dance studio. The next picture is of her and Cinderella and the next picture is of Abby with her dance teacher, Laura. Laura also played the part of the Queen.
It was such a fun-filled, busy, exhausting weekend. She is already looking forward to next year when she'll be able to be in 2 songs -- 1 ballet and 1 tap.
Good job, Abby. You have such a precious spirit and I am so very proud of you. I love you, my sweet girl!!