My hardworking Man/boy.....and Addi keeping warm

We took a trip to Ritzville to see my sis on Saturday and came home with WORK!!!!..... Thanks so much SIS and Uncle Jimmy for getting the wood from the mountains-- we really do appreciate the warm evenings by the fireplace. It is was a great trip to have a short visit, eat lunch (on us), and of course exchange firewood.... for chips and dip.....(Hope you guys enjoyed the salsa!)

Tony had to chop up all the wood -- yep, in the snow....

While our little man --- hauled the wood via 4 wheeler and wagon to the back door where I unloaded and stacked it by the back door....(I don't like to go to far to get the wood).

Of course he had some mechanical issues with the snow packing onto the wheels and not being able to pull the wagon.... but the problem solver that he is --- worked out the issue.



So why we are working hard outside in the falling snow... Addi is playing inside by the door, very close to the heater vent with her babies... (keeping warm - is she the smart one or what!!)

She was so content and a dish towel works great for a blanket for Emma and Annie... {they finally have names}

With teamwork we got the job done in no time flat....

Facing Life with Faith......

don't you just wonder how we face life without it.....

Faith to have patience....in what ever you are waiting for
Faith to be able to forgive fully
Faith in God's plan
Faith that you are on the 'right' path in life
Faith that you are listening to 'Gods Word' fully
Faith in yourself to make the 'right' decision with Gods guidence
Faith in human love
Faith that God only gives us what he thinks we can endure
Faith that {our} health is in God's hands
Faith that God gives us everything we {need} and not what we {want}
Faith that we have the power and strength we need
Faith that HE is the Truth and the Light

We all need to have Faith in this Journey we call LIFE...... Enjoy each hour, each day, each week and each year --- be positive, patient, laugh, live life to the fullest, give of yourself, let down your gaurd, forgive, be kind, be gentle,
Trust and have Faith that God is on your side, sit quietly and listen.... he will give you the answer.

Just Because......I {We} Love You!

My husband came home the other day with the most wonderful surprise after picking up the kiddos from daycare and after going to the store for 'bagels'. This beautiful boutique of roses was in one hand and the other was holding onto Addison. It was such a surprise. When we sat down to eat dinner a little later- I asked Austin, "why did you bring mommy flowers?" Daddy leaned over and whispered in his ear --- out blurted "just because {we} love you mommy!!!"

I must say I think I must have the most wonderful husband in the world. He surprises me once in awhile with a boutigue of flowers and the most wonderful smile...
I have been looking at these flowers all week and it makes me feel so special.

Tag Your It

I am home today -- A Holiday and No School..... am I working - yes, I have typed up a report, done the dishes, swept the floor, did some laundry, folded some clothes, made the beds, cleaned out the suburban, started in the garage, and of course talked on the phone. However, I am going to take some time to do this little Tag {Thanks Kristie}.

The rules to play the Fantastic Four Meme are simple:

Copy/paste the questions into your blog
Type in your answers
Tag four people on your list
Don’t forget to change the answers to your own!

FOUR PLACES I GO OVER AND OVER AND OVER:

The bathroom (me and with both kids - Addi is potty training)
Good Shephered Hospital (majority of the time DayCare)
Wal-Mart
Gotta Stop (my morning Diet Pepsi)



FOUR PEOPLE WHO EMAIL/IM ME REGULARLY:

My Sisters Tia ; Teresa (mostly forwards/jokes)
Mary Loomis (mostly forwards/jokes)
Becky
?????? bill notices


FOUR PLACES I LIKE TO EAT:

La Palma (I love mexican)
Papa Murphys
Good Shepherd Cafeteria (it's good and cheep)
Wednesday Night Family Dinners at New Hope

FOUR PLACES I’D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:

Sleeping
Anywhere with my family
Anywhere warm, sunny, and relaxing
Having a massage - just relaxing

FOUR TV SHOWS I COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER:

Any home improvement show - (Channel 229 or 230 on Direct TV)
CSI
Greys Anatomy
Survivor (I'm pretty competative)



FOUR PEOPLE THAT I THINK WILL RESPOND WITH A LITTLE LINKY LOVE:

Shirley
Dorothy
I don't have too many blogging friends that haven't already done this!


So please play along.... these are fun ways to get to know one another. :)
Hope you all are having a great day-- now back to my housework :)

Unkie Jmmm

Will you read us a book?

No, it's David!!! Not Austin. (Austin has this book memorized and he was actually reading/telling them the story.)

You can see the enjoyment in these two little ones faces having special time with their Unkie Jmmm. They think he is pretty cool.... they definately enjoyed their time with him reading and playing. Thanks for the {FUN} visit come back and see us again soon.

My Baby is 2

Boy, time flies doesn't it. It was 2 years ago today when this sweet little girl joined our family. She has just been a precious gift from God from day one. I didn't think I would know what to do with a little "girl" but I am learning. She doesn't like me to comb her hair, but is getting better. Once in awhile I am able to put a pony in her hair and most mornings either Dad or I can get a brush thru it if she is distracted. She is a "Tom Boy" most times and goes thru her little girl moments with playing with dolls, brushing my hair (and dads), putting on her 'makeup', and wearing her 'pretty shoes' the next. She loves to play with her brother and of course her brothers things. She is all about "Dora" right now. She is full of energy and is talking up a storm....yes she even sings "Rock a bye Baby", "Twinkle Twinkle" and can count to 7 {1, 5, 7} ok, well not in order. She is now potty trained and yes, I haven't had to buy diapers in a couple of months now.... we are so happy. She still has a few accidents but they are pretty minor. Today, was a major step in her little life -- She threw out her BINKI-- yep, brother and I encouraged her to throw them (there were 2) into the Garbage. Austin has been prepping her since Sunday. She didn't even cry and she said " I a Big girl" when she was done. Tonight is our first night without it..... pray it goes well. I am not going to address {Sally} she is her little doll, and she goes pretty much everywhere or sits in her carseat when she has to go for a ride. She truly is a joy in my {our} life and I look forward to the years ahead -- even when she goes thru the "BLACK PHASE" of Life.

I love you Addison!!!!

My 2 Precious Gifts from God

As I started my day today in our normal routine - Austin watching Diego and the Wonder Pets, and Addi, well I just try to find something that will keep her interest while I get dressed, blow dry my hair and get things organized for the day.

I went to a funeral of a relative that I have not seen for sometime, however I did get a chance to visit with her a week ago with my grandmother, (however she was not good when I saw her and she barely spoke to me or my grandmother). You know how you always say "We need to get together for a visit or I'll come out to visit soon" and the next thing you know 5 years or so have passed. Well, I realized today that those words come out of everyones mouth with good intentions and honest to goodness heartfelt truth, however life gets in the way, we get caught up in a whirlwind of activity. Yes, it is pure selfishness, however it is sad that sometimes families and close friends only get together at funerals and weddings.

The words sung at the funeral struck a cord with me today.... George Straits'

You'll Be There.
Well, hope is an anchor and love is a ship
Time is the ocean an’ life is a trip.
From the beginning of creation, I think our Maker had a plan,
For us to leave these shores and sail beyond the sand.
An’ let the Good Light guide us through the waves and the wind,
To the beaches in a world where we have never been.
Well, you don’t bring nothin’ with you here and you don’t take nothin’ back.
I ain’t never seen a hearse with a luggage rack.

I never thought of the sand as "us" human beings and the ocean as "God" -- but it really did make me think- he really does have some powerful words in this song. While we are here on this earth we get so caught up in Life, possessions, work, trivial things, but when it is our time to go we can't take nothing with us (unless I've mistaken I've never seen a hearse with a luggage rack either). We really need to focus our life on the things that really matter, because in a blink of an eye these two wonderful little creatures of mine will be adults and doing their own thing. I don't want to take a single thing for granted. I want to take time out for the things that are important -- visit an old friend or relative, laugh 'til my stomach hurts, sit down with a book, relax on the couch with my husband, snuggle with my children, look at the brighter side of a situation instead of digging my heals in when it really doesn't matter, and just plain Enjoy Life.... with Gods Grace. In a 'blink' of an eye it all could be gone. I heard once before, that it doesn't matter the date we were born nor the date we died what really matters is the "dash" that lies betweeen those numbers and what did it mean to the people around you.

FYI: my aunt was 90 years old and lived a wonderful fulfilled life, her last few years she lived with her 96 year old sister and she had over 65+ years of marriage. She had a wonderful faith and she really was wonderful woman. Sorry to see her go but I do know she is in a wonderful place with God and her husband.

Patience-Laughter

Ever have one of those moments, when you're kids on your last nerve, your tired, your blood pressure feels ski high and you have no patience. I had one of {them} this evening after picking up my kids from daycare.... we went into the hospital to see Tony and of course my kids are excited to see us-- and went running around practically climbing the walls in the hospital like two little wild monkeys. Anyway,,, after scolding them several times we finally left and loaded into the suburban and I just needed some quiet.... so I had the radio off and told the kids to play a quiet game and I looked into the rearview mirror and just had to smile... Addi is bouncing up and down in her carseat bobbing her head back and forth "dancing" and Austin is trying to reach for her hand and is joining her with his own "moves". It really struck me -- I need to have patience with my kids, trying to capture each moment enjoying them and appreciating them no matter what they do. I pray daily that I am a good role model teaching them proper behavior, right from wrong, to love Jesus, to respect others {especially adults} and molding them to become wonderful adults in time. Sometimes I faulter and wonder why I choose the battles I do and sometimes I feel like I'm too strict and other times not strict enough. I love my kids with all my heart and just want to be the Best Mother and parent I can be to them. I want to enjoy these two precious Gifts God has given Tony and I and appreciate them even when they are being little monkeys on a rampage.

Commitment

 

Tonight for Care Group we all went to see the movie "Fireproof Your Marriage - Never Leave Your Partner Behind" movie at The Assembly of God Church. It was an Awesome movie, well worth it, and very touching to both of our hearts. Marriage is not only a commitment to each other but also a covenant we make with the Lord. As Tony said "it is so easy to take a relationship for granted -- we become selfish in our mind and actions because we know the other person will always be there because of the commitment made." Marriage is full of challenges, struggles, sadness, emotional ups and downs, and at times it almost feels easier to {GIVE UP} walk away, however with God in our hearts those elements in life that create negative emotions are easily concurred with Our Partners so we enjoy the GIFT that God gave us HIS "Forgiveness".
I just want to pray for God to build a good healthy and foundation in me so that I am and will become a better WIFE to my Husband.

I would highly recommend the movie to everyone.

Hand in Hand

 

I have been reading a daily devotional book and this morning the title of the day was "Keep in Touch with God". It seems as though some days I forget to keep my focus on {Him}. The struggles of marriage, being a mother of 2, working full-time, friends, housekeeping, and dealings with family all overwhelm me at times. I sometimes feel as if I have no time to myself.... peace, quiet, laziness, nothingness, just {me} time is no longer available.... so to have time to keep in touch with God seems to be put on the back burner. I have made a committment this year {2009} to make time for HIM and to make time for ME.... enjoy the life I have and to find happiness and laughs in the struggles and challenges that I may encouter. So this picture represents {OUR} Life this year -- we are devoted to each other and we will work out our differences calmly, growing together in God, and with each other become the best parents we can to our children. Life is a journey and we do need to enjoy the ride "hand in hand" with our Trust in God to lead us down the fulfilling path of {our} Life.

Short Distance Huge Benefits

Ok, now you may not get the picture until you read this blog.... I attempted to go for a run this morning with my two little ones.... last summer when I attempted to run/walk at all, Austin was able to ride his bike and I had a difficult time keeping up with him with my {bad} hip...well anyway it went something like this.... Austin was on his bike and Addi in the stroller and my goal was to go down about a mile this morning, however it was cold and windy and I did not take the time to really look at Austin's bike sooo anyway we took off on our little exercise adventure. Austin was just pedalling as fast as his little legs would go and about 2-3 minutes into the run he says to me "mom can you raise my seat up my legs wont go staight. I can go fast when my legs are straight." So imagine the picture -- he's riding this little bike with his knees practically in his chin and he is pedalling as fast as his legs would go... well we made it about a 1/4 of the way I wanted to go and he then says "mom my hands are cold, let's go back home and warm up by the fire." We did turn around and then he says "mom I want to walk." So guess where the bike ended up while he ran beside me. Yep, on the back of the stroller. So we made it about half way home and we stopped in to visit with some great friends Gramma and Grampa Chuck and to warm up a little.... anyway the last little bit of my running when we left their house, now this is where you'll have to use your imagination..... Addi was in the stroller, the bike on the back and Austin was sitting on the foot rest in front with his feet on the wheel nut.... that short little distance coming back from G & G Chucks was only about 3-5 min away but up hill and we no more than get 50 yards from their house and Addi has to go to the bathroom..... yep, I practically sprinted the rest of the way home.... we made it safely home and to the toilet without an accident for Addi.... so I guess it is not how far you go it's the effort you have to put in it.

First Day of the Year -- Run, Run, Run

Today was the first day of 2009. Tony and I managed to make it down for the 1st Run of the year at the High School. We actually signed Austin up for the mile run and he ended up running 3 laps he was about the youngest competative runner, however his sister wanted to also compete and ran 2 laps.... she ran 1 completely the whole way the 2nd lap was a bit of a struggle at the end until she spotted Dad and Austin and then ran the last 100 meters. As you can see they were pretty proud of the metals they received. Tony and I completed the 2 mile run/walk and yes.... I hate to admit it but I had to walk two short times secondary to hip discomfort not necessarily out of breath but it was good timing when the pain came on. Tony managed to push Addison in the jogger stroller with Austin on the top straddling the sunvisor thing, he was a trooper and definately was tired pushing them both. I came in first in {my} age group and Tony came in second in the male group. It was a wonderful morning cold, wet and fresh air..... I have at least completed the first day of getting back into running again after an almost 3 year sabatical (oops on spelling if that is wrong). Other than running this morning we had a fairly lazy day-- sitting around playing games, eating, keeping warm by the fire, watching a movie and also Addi and I took a short nap.


As I sit and remenence over the day, I was remembering Addison singing {little monkeys jumpin' on the bed}, as we walked back into the high school after the race. She is growing up so fast hard to believe she will be 2 in a couple of weeks. She is almost potty trained, she continues to have a few little accidents when mom and dad forget to take her every couple of hours and she is too busy to take a break from playing. We are not going back to diapers we will just struggle thru.....

Austin is getting so big as well, we measure him today with his tape measure and he walked around for several minutes repeating I'm 39 inches. He is so full of energy now days... trying to push the limits of all boundaries. I guess boys will be boys. It took over 15 minutes to complete a 3 min time out this morning...persistance from mom paid off.

I am trying to enjoy the last few days of my two week vacation from work. I have cleaned the house, reorganized the kids' rooms, made cookies last week and trying to finish them off this week so I can start my {d-i-e-t}, or should I say my new wellness program.... I am going to work on improving my overall health in many ways in 2009.