Merry Christmas Photos & 2010 Letter

Can you find the flaws in each of the photos?
Can you guess which one we went with?
At the bottom is our letter.
Hard copies have not made it to everyone yet either. I have some scragglers and the stamp savers still on my dresser. That may be a goal for today. Hmm a goal. And for a clue, keep an eye on David, he might not be so photogenic...hmmm. Glad to have a timer on my camera and such a good looking bunch! I did spare the excitement and delete some great pics that the flaw was bustin' buttons on my shirt. Go figure it was the best ones. Wardrobe malfunctions at their finest.

Another year has come and gone? Are you kidding me?

Read on for an update and you will see...

Libby and Reany are becoming great readers,

with little ones they like to be leaders.

Reany is doing great in dance again,

Libby has been working with a coach in the gym.

The boys are ready for blizzards to help with the snow blower,

Adam and David also love to help with the mower.

Noah has matured into a sharp lil lad,

who thankfully decided potty training wasn't so bad.

Aubrey in dance for her second season,

to see her happy is really pleasin'.

Lexi keeps up her good grades and friends,

her skinny jeans tell you she keeps up with trends:)

Naomi, our Christmas baby now to turn one,

her mini couch and Bruno prove great fun.

Noah takes any chance to get into the boys room and find a treasure;

a lock on their door, is their pleasure.

Only problem is when they lock themselves out several times a week,

plus the lil' one has it figured out when the opportunity to sneak.

Camp Lebanon was awesome and we will always return,

Going to Yellowstone too this summer, ROAD TRIP! What might we learn?

Cousins were born, this was the year. For Naomi, a total of five with Zachariah, Eleanor, Emmett, Oscar, and Michael now here.

Both Libby and Reany got glasses, we are glad they welcomed such an accessory.

The boys loved fishing with Dad, a sore shoulder kept him from the golf tee.

Organizing; orchestrating; and overseeing three school calendars,

Mom will attest that staying home can be full of adventures.

Blessed as the best, our God is great and we want to spread the love,

help us spread it thick and give thanks above!!

From our home to yours we wish prosperity, peace, and joy for 2011!

Psalm 33:20 Our soul waits for the Lord, he is our help and shield.

Christmas Cousins

Ellie Bellie Babysitting Service

Wee! Ellie is cruising around and loved
being in the cool car with cousin
Naomi pushing!

The blanket rides were just not that amusing
for the girls.
Blanket rides can be a great thrill
and is one benefit of our
anti-carpet
theories.

New meaning of "baby blues."

Naomi really feels like a big girl around
lil' Ellie.

Mwah!
We all just loved babysitting Ellie and
hope that Eva keeps her on
call status with
Childrens
so we
can
help
babysit
another time!

Have I ever mentioned that my sister
stole her baby from Auntie?
Daddy's so smart he had
offers from many
prestigious
schools
and
he
chose
Michigan:(

Yeah for the opportunity, yeah for the big picture. Boo that Auntie
doesn't get to see this little Ellie Bellie more. But I will take what
I can get. She was so much fun and we just love her so much!!

One Pan Cooker

That is I, a one pan cooker. I just don't like the extra
clean-up. I am so efficient, that one pan will do! This is my newest
Three Meat Pasta.

The first time the name included "Three Cheese,"
but I didn't have the cottage cheese.

I love cooking a big pan o' food to feed my army!
And anytime there are leftovers
I made enough!!

Time true fact: boxes are the best imagination tool possible.

Do not report this! He is not up there often,
but I had to take the photo op.
Why else is there a big cabinetry in the entry?
For the collections on top?
hey, get those dust bunnies while you're up there!!

And the magical Christmas village!!

Naomi loves her Bruno!

Bruno the big baby...need I state my case that a Boxer is the best dog a family can have? We love you Bruno! He is 90# of pure love! I am not a dog person, but this boy is the best!!

Naomi loves her couch!

Naomi loves the $2 garages sale mini couch so much I feel like investing in a new one for her! After bleach washing it the peices are not even perfect anymore, but as you can see she loves it! Almost as much as Bruno, stay tuned:)

Mommy Chronicles

Adam beats Luke at some little racing game for our gamecube. He is most excellent with the racing. He is figuring out the snow blower too. We try and be helpful to neighbors and those that maybe don't have one.

David is PuMpeD for a ski trip coming up. I am going to have to tell him that it may be really tough too and about the chair lift. I remember that sneaky thing being tough to get!

Aubrey is a ghost daughter, between her eager dance schedule (which is really trying since she is an alternate and not even performing:(), bad weather, travel plans, and what have yous...haven't seen the girl in a long while. Looking forward to seeing her hopefully this weekend. Hard seeing theses young women grow up and only have such a small time with them- since they are at their moms. As much as I love their mom, her and I are kinda at two different galaxies on some things.

Lexi lu, recently did some fb games and it has been determined that her purpose is to make people laugh, she is 85% popular (OMg like seriously we do not want our children thinking of that! who cares! set the standard, baby!) I believe she will have 8 children and her first baby will come at 19. Aubrey scored that her first baby would come at 35. I would love to see what that junk says about me, but I already have a slow computer and can't have that, plus- well, I won't get into that. She is really funny though and like her father, she is good at anything she wants to do.

Libby, liberachy (once asked someone to not use that nick name though because it sounded too much like "crochty" ha. She is my traving mate. She is my nanny, my bilingual angel. Who refuses to wear her nice nike tennis shoes. And I paid only $8 for them so I feel like monetarily she could get some shoes she would atleast want to wear...but the nikes are cute! I don't know why she is a big stinker on articles of clothing.

Reany had to get glasses too! Now both the girls have glasses. Her class goes to a nursing home to read to the old folks. At school she is reading "Arthur's" Pet Business or something. She is doing just great at that and is looking forward to wearing a pretty dress. The school got a grant for the kids to visit two different nursing homes for reading. Have I mentioned that my girls attend one of the best public schools my tax dollars can buy?

Noah seems to have conversations beyond his years and knows how to use that twinkle in his eye. Clearly ready for some out of the home structure, looking forward to some shifts at the Montessori next month. Seems to be interested in taking pictures and playing David's dsi.

Naomi is my chimpanzie! She has an awesome hook one leg one arm crawl thing going, and at this rate walking would slow her down! Looking forward to a visit from PT auntie to do some evaluations on her. We know a professional naturally assesses people around them, but I am curious of her muscle tendancies related to walking. I had baby casts on my feet when I was a baby, so I hope that we didn't miss anything on her. She also went to the chiropractor and has some issues with ear infection. Which now we are using special drops since 4 days of anti biotics only gave her some diaper yeast spots- which along with her hydro-doo-doo (yeah, that's official mom lingo there!) has now been corrected with some refrigerated powder DF. Am I a sucker?
Whatever works! And it seems to be. She is now sleeping more than

Granta= Grandpa + Santa

An equation any child would love!
2009

2010
This year Noah really understood it was Grandpa Deno behind
all the fluff.
Not only does Noah have a more mature
look, he also has great
conversations.

C'mon everybody! Here is just 10 of the 18 grandkids!
Happiest Santa in town!!
He is a jolly old man!

Last year, Noah was not so sure, thought
it was kinda weird, but in a soft
affirming voice
under his breath said,
"hi grandpa."
This year though he was just tickled pink that he
knew that was Grandpa...

The legion in town puts on a nice little Christmas party with crafts and cookies. The axillary actually does
and Grandpa plays the
Santa!!
SO FUN!!

Rapid City Black Friday

Katie was performing a most excellent song and dance duo
that the children were intrigued by.

What a sweet boy!
Oscar!
5 months

Notice the sisterly love attempt
to get Naomi to look.

The Katies and our babies:)

I passed up Black Friday and am minimizing the amount of gifts this year. I have only missed one other in over a decade, but me and my travel team woke up and left at 330 am still! Naomi stayed in her car seat for over 6 hours each way,

not a pipe outta her! Libby is my nanny and was there at an impulse to help out too. We made the trip in only 9 1/2 hours each way, and on the way home a Pizza Ranch stop was included. There were perfect travel conditions by way of road and companionship. Libby and I played countless games of hangman.

It was great to see my little brother Reed, his wife Katie, and their precious son Oscar!! He is just a love and kept giving Libby kisses too. She quit counting after 10! I am looking forward to him coming to visit us so everyone can love on him!

decembrei

Or something close as my Spanish lessons continue, I have the macarana song down too! I try and work on those things with the little ones, the alphabet, numbers, colors are a given...so Naomi has some great dance moves and likes it. Bilingual too...should help her out. Luke says that Libby is the only one doing immersion.

Can't decide if that is maybe just an attempt to get my goat, so the discussion hasn't occurred. I hardly doubt that I would deprive any of my children the privilege to attend immersion program primary schools. We are blessed that it is free with our district and our awesome elementary school close to home! A fluent 7 year old is inspiring!

I love December!!!!

I love having a reason to try and find a gift that will be loved by my loved ones!! I wish that I could buy everyone I know a present, I would love that!

December also marks our PCA assessments, so that is annoying though. This last week I had meetings exceeding 4 hours all about special needs. Luke asks what we possibly talk about for that long. I say fun things like social situations, hygiene concerns, safety issues, vulnerability factors, psychological and emotional behaviors, incontinence, intentions, and other exciting topics; next year he can do it. haha

Our hours may decrease minimally and evidently next year we will plan to lose most of them, as behaviors will phase out of the qualifications. With the boys being TEENAGERS now, we are being referred to the DD worker and will look at probably a waiver for some independent lifeskills assistant. I was like, really?! We thought we were just on our own! We are blessed to have access to some programs that may make a huge difference in our kids lives.

Before we adopted, the one thing that we wanted to know is if they would be self sufficient. We should have realized that even with a 20 point increase on IQ they still are borderline. But the school staff who knew them for all of 5 months assured us they would be independent adults. We are blessed that our property has a double lot and are envisioning a home there?!

Only God knows, and so we patiently TRY and serve him and spread the love. Our kids are great and I would not trade my life for the world, no matter how icky the MN weather is!!

We are healthy again...yey!!! All 9 (Libby said she has the "strongest unit system." were laid up for a nasty 24 hour bug or two combined with some lovely symptoms.

Even Bruno lost his cookies. Undecided if that has any relation.

Dixie girl is visiting too, we just love that doggie!

the baby caught it too?

Prisoner of my own home... isn't that sad what I call it. I love my home. There are times though when you want to leave and you cannot. Sick kids, nasty weather. We must win the good immune system award though, I know no other family less sick than ours. Other families have traveling bugs definitely 3-4 times to our one, so I am fine- just as long as I don't get it!

When we came home- which I do want a whole post to the awesome road trip I took with Lib and baby. Naomi had started a little cold symptoms and David (the one who is sick most at our house...we blame it on his hygene?) I like to blame things I guess. But I do not blame illness, Adam keeps track and acts like he wants the original ill person to be punished or something!!

Regardless, this nasty little 24 hour puke a couple times thing has swept across 3 families from one exposure and I DO NOT WANT IT!! I don't even remember the last time I puked and I don't want to!

This really bugged me though- they escorted David out of speech therapy because their policy is that if you are too sick to go to school than you cannot come to therapy. ooohhh Like I am disrespectful to their rules and compromising their health! They have higher standards than school. He was up making cereal right on time yesterday. Luke had to pick him up around 1 Monday. So it hadn't been the 24 hours since any puke. So I didn't let him go, hours past and his 5pm appointment is refusing our business? Anybody else think that is rude?

I hope I am not too sensitive, because it is so NOT ABOUT ME, I do want to praise God for what he continues to show me. And I hope that I am not really narrow minded as my mother has accused me of being. I just want to raise my kids the best I can and to give them an opportunity to see Jesus and know that their lives can impact the world. I realize not everyone believes that, and that is their business. But I do envision a day when everyone will be praising our creator. Sorry!

But two more complaints: I cannot find my cord to the camera- that thing should just permanently attach somewhere!!! And the mouse double tap is broken on my laptop so I have to click it only manually with the button. Kinda stinks. Have some online shopping to do, but this day and age I am glad my gift giving will not suffer due to being stuck at home.

Praying that God allows us to be healthy here, that I do not get the inevitable flu. Prayers that Naomi quickly recovers. Thank you Jesus!

You Are Not Going Anywhere

Says the Lord when he glares the roads with ice and after several attempts with the whole family in the back seat of the van we cannot make it out of the driveway. We enjoyed heading back in the house and staying home. We practiced the girls Christmas songs, had devotions, and played a game. Now Luke has all but Adam and Naomi (including Bruno!) on a walk. I hope they make it home by dark. Split pea soup is on. Just kind of a cloudy white day all around.

Sorry guys, you are not going anywhere. Hence the van parked on the iced lawn. We just didn't want to take any chances, if you can't get out of your driveway it is better to just stay home. The day continues to be wet and frozen. Minnesota nice right here folks!

Catching that hour...

Once I heard a Native American joke about only white man is stupid enough to think if you change your clock you get more daylight or more time or something. Naomi is still adjusting, since she wants to continue getting up about an hour earlier, she is gradually adjusting.

Which is fine if you have a baby bjorn and she is only 22 pounds and they outgrow it at 25. Why? Because the art of responsibility is slightly defected with the attachment of a mobile 22 pound child strapped to your chest. Luckily making lunches can be robotic and I could possible do it with my eyes closed. Next experiment.

With the holidays around the corner we are finally into our fall routines and doing pretty good. Adam has bowling for school, second year in a row and we were try8ing to decide if his lack of interest had any motivation, bowling should be his best sport!

So first of all he had no regard for his permission slip and never directly gave it to me. Said it was $8 and I said he might have to use his own cash, as I only had $5 cash. We are just not cash carrying people these days. So then a week goes by and he is tight lipped about it. I said that if he didn't want to go enough to spend his own money why should I spend mine. Then the teacher sent me an email. Said don't bring it up because she thought he wanted to stay back and get to hang out in her room. That is not the case though and he seemed disappointed when she shared that the kids that don't go are doing some other thing in another room.

Ironically enough, he locked his money and the key to get in the room this morning. So guess what? Adam got a check for the bowling and I am left wondering if this is p.a. /r.a.d. /a.s.d. related. Why analyze, to hold it against him? No, I just like figuring stuff out!! Unfortunately there is no big answer key. It is only by the grace of God and his new mercies every morning that any of us can share oxygen and try our best here on earth anyhow.... Good Morning to you and May God bless your heart and mind today!!

Conversations

Libby: everytime I went to get a drink she was doing flips. she was just trying to show off.
what does show off mean?
Reany: that she is trying to be pretty

Yesterday when Noah and I were leaving, I realized it was ridiculous that I would assume he was talking about guns, but it really did sound like it, and he really does love firearms.

"see here the snow is all gone," in his precious little voice... and I heard something totally different, thinking he was playing and ask,

"who is shooting a gun?"

Seven Years...Wow!

For some reason it has been years and this is the first time I remember slipping a little love letter in the kids lunch. Maybe I should be ashamed to admit that, because I know many great moms that do cute things like that all the time. While I have always thought it was cute, and said, yea- I should do that. After the storm calmed I guess I would forget about that. Infact, every one I wanted to sign my name, like a foreigner to signing mom. I want to do this more! I know that each of them will be excited to find that, so I should try and do that again...this year.

Seven years today of marital bliss. Seven years ago I was in my awesome decked out wedding dress, hanging in my closet still. Maybe for the anniversary I should get it all boxed up. I suppose it will be years yet before I hope my girls want to wear it. It was a designer gown that I stole. Wow! Seven years? Somedays it seems like yesterday, and the others like seventy years. hehe

Our seven years have been eventful, to say the least!! I am still awed of God's wedding gift of three children within a year of marriage. That wouldn't even be physically possible, well...maybe, but given their size I would venture not. hehe

We have moved, raised puppies, had three babies from birth, have had rollercoaster issues with rollercoaster kids, have deepened our foundation in Christ, have grieved kids torn from the system, and more importantly, we have even further continued to dream together and love together for what blessings we can be for others and to be committed to our marriage as we intended, not to fall prey to a world of mememe.

And it is not easy, but somehow we manage and we often thrive. We will always have our little quirks, but God chose us to be eachother spouses and he is using us to slowly refine eachother for his purpose as he intended. Like for example, I understand that Luke will be putting virtually nothing back in the place he found it, and I don't need to worry about it.

Goals are the most important thing in life and in marriage. If you have no goal, what are you doing? We are called to our creator and I am excited that Luke and I can be one! Thank you Jesus for Luke!