Way Back Wednesday

Welcome to Way Back Wednesday! This is a picture of all the cousins (minus Hannah since she wasn't born yet). I think Josiah was 10 months old and Eliya was 2. Also in this picture are Tim's kids-Teagon (I think was 7), Jade (who probably just turned 6), and Jagger (2 1/2). My sister-in-law was on wardrobe duty and I think she did an awesome job. They look great!

My Blessings...Revisited

On this Fourth of July, the birthday of our nation, I thought it would be appropriate to revisit the blessings that the Lord has given me. (this is from an earlier post). I am truly thankful for all he has done for me...

My God and his great mercies

My husband for being everything I need him to be

Eliya for teaching me how to take charge and take care

Josiah for showing me great determination and total faith that God answers prayers

Hannah for showing me that it doesn't matter what anyone thinks and the most important thing is being yourself

My parents for having faith in me and being proud of me no matter what

My brother for showing me how to love children

My sister-in-law for showing me that no matter what happens, what matters most is family

My nephew Teagon for showing me what a great brother is

My niece Jade for showing me how to adapt to things no matter what comes along

My nephew Jagger for showing me what both a leader and a follower looks like

My house and everything in it

My cars

My needs and a lot of my wants provided for

Safety

Health

Prosperity

Peace

Being in a place in my life that I love

Knowing that the future is taken care of and already planned

I am also thankful to be living in the United States-One Nation Under God-and for the freedom and liberties it allows me. MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Way Back Wednesday

I was reading some other blogs out there the other day and I came across this idea of every Wednesday putting an old picture out. I thought it was a cool idea and decided to try it. So here it is...



Eliya-2 1/2- at the play place in the mall in Des Moines. This is when we were practically living in Des Moines.

Oh, the funny things they say...

Kids just have this knack to say something funny and no matter how horrible your day was, you can't help but at least crack a smile. I have been meaning to write down some of the things my kids have said but so far, I haven't gotten to it. Here are a few things I remember that still make me laugh:

At the soccer game from Hannah- "mom, why aren't we cheering? Are we cheering in our brains?"


While playing the Leapster from Hannah (very frustrated)- "The man inside the leapster keeps telling me to do something but I can't do it!!"


Complaining about the noise his sisters were making from Josiah- "Eliya and Hannah are hurting my brain!"


Hannah, while going up a hill on her bike- "Go Hannah go! Go Hannah go!"


Josiah, while upset at the soccer game he was playing- "I don't want to be a firefly (his team name)!" -when asked what he wanted to be he said- "the coach!"


The kids have been getting money for finishing their chore chart each week. Eliya asked "Mom, what do you get when you finish your chore chart?"


My kids are hilarious! It amazes me what comes out of their mouth sometimes! Hopefully, I can write them down better so that I can show them what they said when they grow up. Now that would be fun!

Wasn't it just yesterday?

Where does the time go? My oldest daughter is 7 years old today. How did that happen?

Wasn't it just yesterday that she was laying on my bed holding her Pooh brush?

Wasn't it just yesterday you were playing in your froggy pool and was barely able to sit down in it because she didn't want to get too wet?

Wasn't it just yesterday that she bundled up from head to toe to experience playing in the snow for the first time?

Wasn't it just yesterday she was sitting at the table in her blue booster seat?

Wasn't it just yesterday that she turned two and got her first dress up outfit and a wiggles car?

Wasn't it just yesterday that she graduated from preschool?

When did she get big enough to pour milk into cups, or make frozen waffles, or was my dishes in the sink?

When did she get big enough to channel surf for her favorite programs?

When did she learn how to read? and do math?

When did she get big enough to ride a bike with no training wheels or help her little sister get dressed?

When? Because yesterday I had a baby but today I have a 7 year old.

Happy Birthday my Eliya! Thanks for making me a mom and for being my friend and the best daughter anyone could ever hope to have. Please don't grow up too fast!

10 Years Already????

I can't believe how time flies! Ten years ago, Jared and I were married! It seems like yesterday, but a lot of things have happened in that time. We both completed college (me a bachelors degree, Jared his masters), we had three children (rather quickly, I might add), and we have fallen deeper and deeper in love with each other.

Since we have been married for 10 years, I thought it appropriate to share with you 10 pictures of us. So here they are:

A picture of us while we were dating, taken by a friend of ours.

One of my favorite pictures of us while we were dating. This was taken at a local coffee shop, Java on the Coast. I don't even think its there anymore.

Our engagement picture

A picture from our weddding, June 11, 1999

The day we came home from our honeymoon. . .gift opening day!

Jared and I with our first born, Eliya, born June 16, 2002

Our baby boy was born, October 9, 2003

Another one of my favorite pictures!

On Ham Lake in Minnesota

Family time

I hope you enjoyed our pictures! I'm excited to see what the next 10 years brings!

Happy Birthday My Hannah Rayne!

Four years ago, June 3, my darling Hannah was born. I was glad she was finally here since she was 3 days overdue and I just endured an induction. (it was actually my easiest birth. . .imagine that!) She was my biggest baby weighing in at 7 pounds 12 ounces and she had the chubbiest cheeks.

And now today, she turns four. She is my only blonde curly haired child and the one who looks the most like me.

Hannah has two mottos in life:

1. I can do it myself

2. All the world is my stage

I love my Hannah Rayne and I can't wait to see what this year will bring. All I know is that it will be interesting and entertaining!

So happy birthday my littlest big kid. May this year be your best ever. Thank you for letting us join you on your journey of life. We can't wait to see where it leads!