Happy Easter

Here are some Easter Pics. What a great looking family! We even make pond scum look good. The kids had a great time hunting eggs at their Gram's house. The picture at the bottom is the kids with friends from church. That is rare footage of them hugging and not hitting each other. They do have moments when they are sweet to each other. Hope everyone had a great Easter.


 

Duck, Duck, Goose!

Today was beautiful...the first taste of spring. I am so ready! I took Harrison and Julia to feed the Geese and a few ducks. Harrison was beside himself he was so excited. He got the hang of thowing one, eating one. At one point he got up on the picnic table to be able to eat his bread in peace (he does the same at home with the dog). He was enjoying the scenery when a goose snuck up beside him and ate his bread out of his hand (2nd picture). He laughed. After that he would try to get them to bite his hand thinking it was really funny.


 

my baby boy is gone

Harrison finally got a hair cut. He had such beautiful curls. I am somewhat sad, because he has lost his little baby look...he now looks like a big boy. He keeps touching it like he knows it is different. He sat still pretty well for the cutting. I had to keep feeding him in his highchair. It is not the best cut in the world, but I didn't go to beauty school either.
 

I love my family

Here are a few pictures from the other day. Julia got a new dress for her pictures at school and Easter. She was so excited she came home and put it on and insisted we take pictures. I love these pictures with Paul. I don't have that many with him and the kids. I love how the he loves on the kids and they love on him. Times when I can watch them playing around are so special to me. It makes life all seem perfect at those moments. Nothing could be better. I love being with my family.

 

Yoda classes and flossing - what next?

Paul and I joined the YMCA about 3 weeks ago. I have actually really gotten into it.
I have been trying to work out at least 4-5 days a week. It is a lot of fun....
Yes, I never thought I would hear myself say that. On Monday's I have been attending a Yoga class. Julia calls it my Yoda class- I pray that I don't end up looking like Yoda at the end. Other than that I have been doing cardio and weight machines. I plan to be buff by summer- we shall see! The Y has free child care - that's a plus. I think what I like about working out so much is that it is ME time. It has been a long time since I did anything for myself, and BY MYSELF!!!
It has been great to say the least... As far as my buffness - well, I've got a long way to go.... So far I have gained 5 lbs., but I suppose it is muscle mass. (I hope)

With Paul gone a lot now, I am getting more done around the house. Today I had to get a new vacuum cleaner after the other one died last night. I don't know how I ever lived without this new one with all the bells and whistles - most importantly it is self propelled!

Julia started swim lessons. Today she did great. She actually went under - big accomplishment for someone who doesn't like her face wet - Grandma can relate! She desperately wants to take ballet class, but we told her she has to finish swim lessons first.

Life seems to be good at them moment. I feel good, starting to look good, and I actually flossed my teeth tonight!!!

I blew it!

I had a really rotten day today. Work was terrible. I sat in traffic for an hour and a half in the pouring down rain. I got home and blew it with my family. Paul went to work.
I blew it with the kids again.
I am sorry to my husband and my children.
I reacted poorly to everything tonight.
I managed to get the children in bed without killing them...That is a plus!
Then I took a long hot bath and read - yes, you heard right...I can read.

I am in the middle of Waking the Dead by John Eldridge.
It is exactly what I needed to read. The book is a lot about freeing your heart and really learning to experience God. He talks a lot about spiritual warfare and realizing that we are in a constant battle for our heart. The enemy wants nothing more than to destroy our heart. Our heart of course is at the middle of everything. Without it we are hopeless and doomed.
Satan did a number on me today and I was losing the battle for my heart.
But God rescued me once again and reminded me that my heart belongs only to HIM!
I pray that it doesn't take me as long to realize next time. I know that Satan wants to destroy me, and my family. He does not want to see us happy and loving to our children.
So he will continue to whisper lies and send me tough stuff during the day.

Lord, please protect my heart and my family. We are doing what we think is right for our children. Give me patience and endurance. Give Paul and I strength and some time together.

If anyone out there reads this blog...Please pray for us.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Here are a few pictures from our snow this past weekend. The kids enjoyed their first real snow experience. Harrison loved eating the snow and Julia made snow angels.

 

The King and the Princess

Here is Harrison on his throne - doing what he does best...eating.
While Julia is wearing her crown jewels mopping the floor.

Four Miracles!

My friend Shari came to visit this week from California. It is the first time we got to meet each others 2nd child (the ones in the middle of the picture) It is amazing to me to look at this picture. We both had pregnancy losses and struggled with wanting children and here are four gifts from God. It was great to have them all together. It seems like just yesterday Braeden and Julia were little babies. Now look how big they are. Time goes too fast. We had a great visit.

The many faces of Dora

We have way too many Doras in our house!
A week ago Julia and I decided to gather up the Doras and have a Fiesta. These were only the ones we could find. It doesn't include the Dora house, sheets, blanket, clothes, bags, plates, silverware, underwear, sprinkler, hats, fruit snacks, toothpaste, the ones embedded into the ceiling....etc, etc. They are making a killing off her face! Stick a Dora on it and kids want it and we buy it. Some day we will have one killer Dora garage sale. By then no one will like her and we will be throwing it away!
Please no more Doras this year!

Mommy-Daughter Day!

On Monday Paul and Harrison went to his dad's house to watch Football.....So Julia and I actually had a day together - ALL By OURSELVES!!!!
We photo documented our day...here are a couple of pictures. We decided to go to a movie on our day. We went and saw Chicken Little. Julia said she liked it, but I think she was a bit bored with it. Here she is with her popcorn just after spilling it on the floor because the seat flipped her up when she sat down. So she sat on my lap the whole movie eating her popcorn, m&m's and sprite. I think that is what she likes best about movies. After the movie we went to Michaels to pick out a craft for her to do. She picked a "make your own goldenbook - Dora theme." I drug her through a linen store that was closing. By this time she was getting crabby so we picked up lunch and went home. After lunch we crashed on the bed and took a nap. It was a fun day with my baby. She is so sweet right now. I need to do more individual time with her. I don't even remember the last time she had alone time with me. It was nice.

Coconut Cake

This is my very first totally from scratch cake.
It was a lot of work, but it was beautiful. I did bake it a little too long (according to directions) so it was a bit dry - but the icing was fabulous!

Happy New Year to me!

Since Paul was complaining that I have not posted....I will post now at 12:50 AM on January 1st. Our company just left and I finished cleaning up the kitchen. I am a bit tired....
We had a good time tonight. Friends from Small group and friends from the past came over to eat and play games.
Another year goes by.....
Time is going so quickly now. My kids are growing faster every day. The last year was a challenging one, but a good one. Harrison has grown into a little boy this year. Going from 4 months old to 16 months old. He is so wonderful. Julia is almost four and has gone from rotten earlier in the year to the sweetest thing ever. She is so thoughtful of other people right now. She wants to snuggle and says she loves me all the time. It is a nice new phase!
Paul and I have had lots of together time. It has been 10 months since Paul quit TCC. It has been a journey to say the least. God has been so good to us. I have learned a lot this year. It is hard with him out of work- financially and just the fact that he is home all the time, but on the other hand I love having him here. Paul has also grown this year spiritually and emotionally. We have grown together. Our marriage is better than it has ever been. I love him so much. I know that we made the right decision when he left TCC. I know he has us in his hands. I pray that this next year we will be open to what God has in store. I think this past year has been preparing us for our future. I don't know what is out there...but I am ready.

Happy Birthday to ME!

OK, I am two days late writing about my birthday - as it is on the 12th.
However, I wanted to post how great my birthday was.
I can't remember the last time I had a good birthday. Normally they are just the same ole day and somewhat dissapointing. I guess I usually set my standards to high!
Monday Harrison woke up early so I went downstairs with him.
I soon hear little footsteps coming down the stairs -
"Happy Birthday Mamma!" Julia had the biggest grin on her face.
She then gave me a big birthday hug and proceeded to bring three presents down stairs one at a time. She was so proud of each one.
We spent the rest of the day going to Toys R Us and the mall to let the kids look at toys they might want for Christmas. We all had fun shopping and playing with toys. Julia has definitely picked her three things she wants for Christmas. I know she is getting at least two of them, the third is up for debate.
Harrison played with several things, but hasn't told us what he wants - besides a bag of pacifiers! So, he is going to get what we want him to get! I think he will have a stronger opinion next year.
So, why was it a good birthday???? It was fun being with my family. I got presents for the first time in about 5 years or more! I think the biggest thing was the excitement Julia had for my birthday. She was happy for me and talked about my birthday all day.
So here is a quick photo of me on my birthday. By the way, I am getting old. Aghhh!
If you are wondering what my gift was - maybe you can tell by the photo - Paul bought me a hair straightener. I love it!

Two little Indians

Julia had a Thanksgiving lunch at her school. They made Indian Head Dresses...
She had a great time. Her PawPaw suprised her and came with us.
They are so cute!

Christmas time is here.....

After a great Thanksgiving weekend (we went to my parent's cabin and took our friends Josh and Chanda with us) we drug out the Christmas tree. Julia begged us all the way home from the cabin to put it up. So Sunday after church she and I started to decorate. This has been the first year that she has been able to really participate in decorating (actually helping, not just getting in the way!). We hung pine cones on our little tree outside. Put up the nativity on the mantle (up high this year away from Harrison). We put out her Little People Nativity also. She loves that thing. She acts out with all the people. Most of them usually have boo boos and need band-aids. She sent all the Kings out for band-aids last night because Mary's boo boo on her leg really hurt. The angel kissed it, but it wasn't better yet. She just cracks me up.
Harrison is officially walking. He is so cute. He is so proud of himself. It is nice that he can get around a little easier. They both managed to climb into the middle of the tree tonight. I don't know if that is a good or bad thing to let them do.
Well, I am off to bed. It was a long night last night and I have to work tomorrow. Julia was begging me tonight to not go to work. She said she was going to miss me. She is also in this habit where she wants to "say goodbye on the road" which means Paul has to stand out with her in the cold, on the driveway, and watch me drive away. If she doesn't get to do that she has a melt down. So Paul does it for her.....good Dee.
Good night.

Beauty and the Beast

Here is my pepto bismol princess and the puppy.
This was the fall festival at church.

blah blah blah

I haven't posted in a while so I thought I better.....
We have all been sick at home. I think we may be on the mend - hopefully.
I have been working more this week. It will be nice to have a few extra dollars, but my body is not used to getting up that many mornings. The kids are a bit confused also. I missed getting to take Julia to school this week. That is important to me to connect with her teacher and pray with her on the way to school. One more day, then back to normal.
We have small group tonight. I am looking forward to connecting with everyone. It seems like it has been a long time since last Thursday. We are talking about "the joy of the Lord" tonight. Interesting topic. I think we tend to get joy and happiness confused. They are not the same thing. Happiness is a conditional thing and joy is a constant that is not based on situations. It doesn't mean that we are to have smiles plastered on our faces all the time. I think it means that when we are in tough situations we can still think about the Lord and what blessings we do have and what we are promised in the future and still have Joy in the hope of Him no matter the situation. It doesn't make the situation any less difficult or painful, but gives us hope.
There is my sermon for the day. It may be theologically incorrect, but that is what I feel God says to us in the bible.

My beautiful kiddos.

They are into taking every bit of tupperware out of the cupboard and getting in it. You are also warned that my tupperware is not sterile!
Julia and Harrison like to play outside. Julia makes sure that Harrison gets the broken car.
They are really starting to play together well. Julia is getting a little rough with him, but he will soon be bigger than her and will get her back I am sure.
I am not bias to Harrison, I just have more pictures of him right now. Julia is not big on the camera and he is such a ham.

Vege Day

Here is the picture of us when we went to see Bob and Larry at the mall a few weeks ago.