Blogging break...

Ug, I went to post about Thanksgiving and got this message from google saying I'm out of space for pictures...so I either:

1) pay for more space to post pictures
2) have posts with no pictures
3) start a new blog

Until I figure out what to do, I'll be on a little break....

A time to be thankful

Thanksgiving this year was great.  The food was good, but the time our family had together for several days was wonderful.  We laughed, played games, snacked, did nothing, put Christmas decorations out, watched movies, and just enjoyed one another.  So today I mourn, just a little bit, normal life - work, school, cleaning (yea I kind of let the cleaning part go the last few days), etc. 

This year we made a "Give Thanks" tree.  I've never really been crafty, but one day in Sept when Isabel had a day off of school, we made this, tracing hands and cutting out leaves.  It wasn't grand, but something we did together.  Then during the month of November we added things we were thankful for.  Originally, I thought of writing one thing each day, but it turned into more like write something whenever you feel like it.  I especially liked the part on the trunk Isabel added all on her own, "Dad heart Mom."  

60+ degree weather on Thanksgiving was perfect for the park

And just like that Thanksgiving is gone and we start celebrating the Christmas season. 

DC

Last weekend Lee attended a church conference in DC and I tagged along.  Some of our church friends attended as well and I hung out with a few of the ladies while Lee and their husbands were at the conference on Saturday.  We rode the subway, walked, walked some more, and went to two of the Smithsonian's, and we didn't even lose any of the 7 children that were with us.:)  We had a great time and was fun to meet up with Lee and others at the end of the day at the capital. 

While we were there we had a quick dinner with Lee's cousins and it was fun to see them, even if was brief.  I hadn't been to DC since I was a little kid, and it's funny how you remember things or don't remember things.  We definitely want to bring our family back.

 

 

a 3 year long project

So several years ago now, we got from Lee's grandpa's farm some piano keys.  They came from his grandpa & grandma's piano, the piano Lee's mom learned to play on.  The piano didn't work or I can't remember why it was all disassembled, but we thought we'd take an octave of keys as a memento.  We thought one day we'd put them in a shadow box or something.  Then one day Lee had the idea of using the keys to make a clock, a big clock.  Some people don't know, if you've never seen the inside of a piano, that piano keys are really quite large/long.  This was maybe 3 years ago he came up with this idea.  So for about 2 years they sat in storage.  Then last Christmas I bought Lee clock hands, extra large clock hands, which was something I had to order from online.  You can't just find them at Hobby Lobby.  So fast forward 11 months, and after about half a day of work, we now have a very unique, very cool piano clock.  A piece of history from the farm and cool decor for our home.  I love my handy husband and his creative ideas, even if they take 3 years to unfold

Fair weather

Ok, so I admit it.  I'm a fair weather trick or treater.  Even though I remember as a kid going when it was SNOWING in MI.  We stayed indoors this year, but the girls I think had just as much fun passing out candy.  Tis better to give then receive, right?:)  They eagerly waited every neighbor as they came to our door.  We finally let them put their costumes on when people kept saying, "where's YOUR costume?"  We stayed by the door, drank hot chocolate, and went through bag after bag of candy until we ran out.  We did attend a fall festival over the weekend where they got PLENTY of candy.  All in all, it was a fun family evening and for that I am thankful.  Excited to focus more on being thankful as we head into November!   

Our two 50's girls (kind of)

A new farm

We celebrated a little friends birthday (Happy Birthday Kate) this past weekend by visiting a new pumpkin patch we've never been to.  It was fun to go somewhere new and there were lots of fun things to do, like a cornbox (sandbox but with corn in it), fun barrel kids train, baby cows to pet, and much more.  Our 80 degree weather had turned to 40 degree weather, but we all bundled up, pulled out the hats and mittens and had a great time.

 

Good buddies

That time of year

It's that time of year for all things pumpkin, including our annual small group pumpkin carving contest. We decided to go simple this year with a little twist.  Lee only carved a pumpkin this time.  With 3 kids to manage while trying to carve pumpkins, anything too detailed is impossible for us at this stage in life.  So, here's how it turned out...'N' with "projected" fall leaves.  We saw this idea (the projection part) online and I was surprised it actually worked, and actually looked cooler than I even expected because the leaves appeared to flutter around when it was lit.  We also did smaller monogrammed pumpkins for the girls by just shaving their initials in the pumpkins, and I'm kicking myself we didn't take a picture of them.  They were cute and then we found these "lite brite" type things at the store that they used to decorate their letter.  So cute and fun.  Here it is...2012 pumpkin.   

 

Being Together

We had our pictures taken a few weeks ago, by our talented friend Lauren.  She's always really good at being patient with our family, finding fun locations, and making my family laugh and smile.  The picture above is actually one of my favorites, and it's the only one she gave us like this, but it's just a "this is who we are, real life" picture.  We're trying to get it together before we all say "cheese," and 95% of the time, this is what our family looks like.  In the mist of emotions, drama, craziness of the day, this is one of the things we enjoy most, just being together.

 

One year later

Baby to toddler, how this little girl has changed.  She has so much personality.  I never really gave her 1-year stats, but she is a healthy little girl (in the 20th percentile for her weight, which I think is the highest any of my kids have been at 1).  She is an eater and will out eat her sisters at most meals.  She can be so sweet, but throw a fit two seconds later.  She loves being apart of our family's life and doesn't want to miss out on anything.  Thankful for this past year we have had with her, and look forward to many more. 

A fancy affair

One night this past week, Isabel asked me if we could have a fancy dinner.  I'm pretty sure she got the idea from a Fancy Nancy book, but it could be an original too.  We would all wear dresses (a tie for daddy of course), princess crowns, and use the fine china.  I was making somewhat of a fancy dinner that night (a new recipe, for me at least).  How could I say no?  So I said sure.  We sent Lee an invitation (via text message):) and told him to be prepared for a fancy affair that evening.

My dish was my friend's Chicken Tikka Marsala with homemade Naan.  Lee even put our sides of rice into fancy little mounds on each plate.  It was delicious!  I was probably not prepared enough for how much time I would have to put into the dish, but it all turned out well in the end.  It was a fun evening for all.

And just for all you Grace people, here was my kitchen sink after the cooking was said and done.  Keepin it real.  And for all you non-Grace people, listen here to our pastors recent sermon series, Gospel Treason. 

School

I think we've gotten into a rhythm of getting up, getting ready, and out the door.  We've been so happy with Isabel's school and her teacher.  She is learning so much and is like this sponge that just soaks everything in.  She'll come home and tell me an entire book that she has memorized just by listening to it read to her for like two days.  Or randomly she'll burst out things like the Pledge of Allegiance, and I'm like wow.  I mean, not to say I didn't think she'd learn anything in school, but it's been really great to see her learn these things.   I think the best part is she really loves going.  Sometimes I'll ask her if she wants to stay home just to see what her response is, and she never once has said yes.  She wants to go to school.  I mean the girl loves homework...come on.  It's definitely been different, but a good different. 

Ana is enjoying preschool as well.  She LOVES doing preschool and will ask me pretty much everyday if we can do it.  Lee and I joke how we think Ana is really a genius.  Sometimes we wonder where she comes up with things or think she isn't paying attention, and then all of a sudden she can tell or explain exactly everything you were talking about. 

And Klara Jane...I'm pretty sure I told her verbally today, "I don't think it's a good thing you are walking now.":)  If she wasn't so cute, she would probably get in a lot of trouble, a lot of times.  She communicates in grunts with a few words mixed in here and there.  99% of the time she gets her point across. 

I'm a blessed momma who tries to keep up with the craziness of life. 

This girl

This girl, sometimes I don't even know what to say about her!  She's the baby, all 12 months of her.  I love her so much.

Not my words

These are not my words, but the words of a sweet friend.  I wanted to share them because they were SO incredibly encouraging to me.  I hope they encourage you.  I only wish I had a ounce of her wisdom.   

The Lord has been working in me, I too like 

to think I  have control and think I am strong.  I had a rough day with 
physical therapy, and even broke down in tears. It is very painful. I am 
so grateful our Lord didn't leave me there.  Like Peter as we have 
often spoken of I took my eyes off our Lord and I started to drown as 
the sea of worldly fear crept in along with self pity. When were these 
trials going to end? Only by His grace and loving kindness did He nudge my mind

to the promises and treasures He is allowing me to store 
in my heart, the heart of flesh that He gave me in place of my heart of 
stone. Ezekiel 36:26.  He promises that His grace is sufficient for me, 
for His strength is made perfect in my weakness.  2 Cor 12:9.  He 
reminded me in 1 Chronicles  29:11-14 that it is in His hand power and 
might, In His hand it is to make great and to give strength to all and 
to therefore thank Him for all things for all things come from Him and 
to praise His glorious name. These trials are a gift, my job be content 
in all things, in my own strength that will not happen I must draw on 
His strength for it is with the enabling of the Holy Spirit that I will 
have strength and reassurance to know He is at work in me, 
conforming me to the image of His Son and that is something to rejoice 
over. Hebrews 12:10  reminds me that our Heavenly Father disciplines us 
sanctifying us "that one day we may share in His holiness." Now that is 
amazing.  2 Cor 3:18 tells us He is at work in us,we progress from one 
stage of glory to the next. To look to Him first and foremost and 
remember He is my first love, that I am dependent on Him are the 
important lessons He is graciously teaching me at this time, I am 
thankful He is so patient with a hard nose like me.

Psalms 62:5-8
find rest oh my soul in God alone,
my hope comes from Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be 
shaken.
my salvation and my honor depend on God. He is my mighty rock and refuge.
Trust in Him at all times, o people, pour out your hearts to Him, for 
God is our refuge.

Headed home

It's one of those days you try to have a good attitude, but it's a bit of a sad day when Lolo & Lola are headed back to the Philippines.  We're praying they have a safe journey back to their home there.  We've enjoyed having them states side the last few months, and are thankful for all the times we got to see them.  We joked last night while skyping, "Well, you can visit us here, or we can visit you there, or we can just never see each other again, except for Skype."  And Skype we are thankful for you!

I was talking with my brother a few weeks ago (who also lives in the Philippines).  He was joking, "yea, you have a savings account, and then you take a trip to the Philippines and you don't have a savings account anymore."  Unfortunately, it is expensive and it is a LONG trip, one I hope we get to make again very soon though.  

Just a few memories from our summer and the times we were together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

O-N-E

Klara Jane is one.  What a blessing she is to our family.  She always exudes so much joy.  She is a happy girl, but likes to get her own way sometimes too.  She puts up with her sisters doting over her, and often loves it too.  She loves to climb.  Her favorite thing to climb in is our rocking chair in our living room, in which she will climb in and just sit there.  She took her first steps (3, maybe 4) at her birthday party.  Help me!  She says a several words, but likes to say them on her own time (ball, baby, mama, dada, bye, slug bug, more, papa, etc).  She will often answer you in yes or no nods.  Her favorite toys are big kid toys, and she LOVES music.  We love you Klara Jane! 

It's my party & I'll cry if I want to.

I'm happy now.  The most delicious chocolate cake ever!

How dare you take my paci away for a picture

Super special to have Lolo & Lola here to celebrate with us

Watch out world...

"She's steady, she's ready, she's up on her feet." - In the words of Isabel (ok, actually from the Barbie movie)

Growing up

Last week Isabel started kindergarten.  Really, where has the time gone?  All these people tell you how fast it is going to go, and truly it has.  I've enjoyed being blessed enough to have Isabel home with me up until now and am so grateful for that time with her.  We've made many a memory.  She is such a bright, funny, creative young lady.

She was suppose to start her first day on Wednesday, and Monday morning she woke up so sick.  She had a fever and had come down with croup.  We prayed and prayed for her.  We warned her that she might not be able to go to school her first day if she still had a fever.  I took her to the Dr. and she gave her some medicine to help with the croup side effects.  Thankfully, the morning of school she was fever free.

I think she had been getting anxious about school because she would say, "Yea, Mom and if I'm sick for two days I can't go to school for two days."  Like, being sick was going to be an excuse not to have to go.  So when she didn't have a fever and we gave her the, "you're going to go," she got very anxious, almost to the point of tears.  We just kept encouraging her all morning though, reminding her of how much fun she would have and how nice her teacher was.  We laughed and told jokes.  It calmed her nerves and when it was time to go she was excited and ready.  Lee dropped her off and she went skipping in to school.  What an answer to prayer.  I picked her up at the end of her day and her impression of kindergarten, "It was so fun!"    

 

 

 

Not only did she start kindergarten, but she also turned 5 this past week!  To celebrate we spent the day at the park, including boat ride, a picnic lunch, splash park, farm animal zoo, playgrounds, and tractor ride.

 

 

 

 

Isabel came home today telling the story of Pete the Cat that she learned in school.  Here is her retelling of the story at my mom's birthday party, which we also celebrated today.  She has memorized the story in a short time, which always amazes me.  When she comes home from school and says, "I don't remember."  I tell her, "Isabel you remember everything, that is not an excuse."  She is hamming it up a bit here...just a bit.