Examples of our Air Exchange

Winter grilling has been reduced to the grill on our little entry patio slab. When making burgers the other night, I forgot that the greasy little things make our grill go up in flames. We treat the flames with a drink of water and keep on grilling. I had it under control, until there was a smokey smell in the kitchen. I went to the laundry room and contemplated if the dryer was on fire since when I opened the door there was a white fog lurking. The grilling was done, but the entire main floor was saturated with the fragrant aroma of burgers. Open windows, turn on the ceiling fans, run the purifier, and when it gets too cold the windows get closed. Two days later the poor nursery still smelled like a burger. The overhang vents above the grill sucked up the smoke and distributed it nicely............................. The distribution began last night as well....................................................... It was 3am and I awoke to the smell of burning heat. I wasn't just dreaming of burgers, which happen to be my favorite food. I woke Luke and said there was something hot or burning. He said maybe a house was on fire. I jumped out of bed, dreading it was our own. I opened the deck door to smell the stench. I looked out the window and saw 6 firetrucks down the block. Luke is smart enough to shut off the air exchange at this point! Yey for Daddy! Luckily the home that was on fire was that of two adults that were unharmed, but they did lose 3 pups from their litter of Heelers. The good thing is that the home had been on the market for quite some time and was a slight eye sore, so while temporarily even more so, in the long run it should be a property value improvement. The air exchanger is great some days, but not when there is something stinky going on!!

Naomi Gladys Turns 3!!

Naomi Glady turned 3 on December 26th! She is a beautiful girl and is growing up so fast! She asked for a pink cake because she is such a princess! All of her grandmothers came to celebrate, except Great Grandma Gladys. We enjoyed celebrating Naomi. She had a great time of princess gifts! Grandma Cindy and mom put together a baby crib and high chair station she enjoys playing with. Grandma Ann put together a wonderful collection of dress up clothes. Grandma Linda gave her a beautiful princess doll on a fancy horse. Naomi is very sweet and brings much joy to our family. She is starting to make friends and is really good at labeling what is for boys and girls. She even thinks yummy or pink food (treats!) are for girls. She recently said she doesn't like boys. When asked why, "they're nasty." Seems like she has everything figured out. She loves taking baths and coloring. She loves play-dough, Dora, and dancing. Her hair is straight and getting really long; however, she doesn't like much being done with it. She asks for gum so often we have banned it on some days. She is delightful and loves to wrestle, in a gentle girly way. She is a blessing and we look forward to this year as she continues to amaze us with her inquisitive and creative qualities and sweet demeanor. We love you Naomi Gladys!!

mommy chronicles

Adam has been busy with floor hockey, what a fun sport for him! He even made the paper and they listed his game points. The team is called Slapshots and the coaches are great with the kids. Adam has been working hard in speech and OT again too, with crunch time being for his independence. On Christmas he said he was 17, because it is getting close, in May! ................................................................................................................................................................................................Aubrey was having back troubles and didn't get to finish the dance season, but is still rooting for their team! She is working on getting her drivers license and keeping up with her school work as a junior. Hard to believe next year is her last! She is thinking of working with children and possibly within the adoption field, wonder where she got inspired?! ................................................................................................................................................................................................David has been helpful with the baby and little ones, and Lillie chooses him often! He is really into his music and electronics. He has several memory bases. He is quite competitive and has won some boggle games, our latest game choice. ............................................................................................................................................................................................. Newby is getting along fairly well and continues to make great strides with his academics and choices. He will always have challenges, but we have many resources and opportunities that will likely afford him the success he always deserved. He got to make bowls for the community fundraiser and has enjoyed ice fishing this winter. ............................................................................................................................................................................................. Lexi has began piano again, which is great because she hadn't found a teacher in her area, so ours is giving her every other week lessons. She has a natural talent we would like to see her gain the confidence to share. She is wearing contact lenses and the latest eternity scarves, now officially a teenager too! .............................................................................................................................................................................................Libby made a basket at the final second at her game last weekend, her skills are improving nicely. She has been doing gymnastics too, but has been getting headaches with borderline excessive upside down work; unsure if that can be avoided or not. She has been checking out books, writing books, creating programs, and being a pleasure as usual (most of the time.) .............................................................................................................................................................................................Reany has two dances memorized and can go without music even. Her basketball defense and skills are improving too, very fun to watch- possible worth the Saturday dedication to that activity! She has Grandpa's dogs following her around too, whimpering when she left for school even. She loves to braid her hair for next day curls too. .............................................................................................................................................................................................Noah attended his first wrestling tournament and it was a trophy all, so he was delighted with that. He also has greater understanding of the sport aside from his practices each week. The piano lessons are not really as exciting for him, and although he wanted them we are now struggling to keep him interested, so perhaps too young yet? .............................................................................................................................................................................................Naomi amazes us each day with her conversations and sweet heart. She got a nasty burn on her ankle we were tending to for over two weeks, but is finally healing. Please hook your hair straighteners and do not let your kids do their hair on the floor with a mirror. Even the safety queens Libby and Katie didn't see that one coming. Naomi is excited about a new load of clothes we bought from a friend that are adorable, but don't think a lock will be necessary. When Noah was this age he was like his mom was and wanted to change clothes 5 times a day:) ............................................................................................................................................................................................. Lillie is nearly one! She is a demanding, smart, persistent, and charming little girl. She does not like cereals, but prefers meat sandwiches. She is learning to pull up on things but still isn't crazy about taking any steps unless you are leading her. She loves the kitties and books. She talks without knowing it and says: dance, mom, dad, kitty, david, thank you, more, all done, sad, and please! But not on cue of course. .............................................................................................................................................................................................

What's on my mind...get a beat...

I'm not into cocktail parties I'm not worried bout the clothes you wear What makes me real is my hazel eyes lighting up when I realize This. World This world is not for me.Its sad you see cuz here is me and my family Fighting to stand up straight Making it not look great, coloring inside the lines can sometimes feel like being trapped in the mines and what is that you over hear is it true what the lyrics say and the Disney shows just can't betray one another One another and do as they wish but in the end whose in the fish and a swallowing what lies be told by a world who died and can't be sold because I am bought Bought by the precious blood. Bigger than this and any problem you have mightier king than any scheme they sell Larger than life on earth or path to hell. What's the reason what's reality what's the difference between you and me. Entertainment has become a thorn in my side because you can't reverse once it is inside like a scandal that the scoffers enjoy, my heart is ripped and and if it doesn't serve my king it's not for me. But the others they follow what lies are told and low and behold wonder why it's a bust that you can't trust when the rain came down and didn't stop they knew it was too late. When's it too late for you to stop and serve the kingdom with all you got. It's not prime time and happy go, it's fight the good fight and you'll know you are not of this world but serve a higher king, stop what your doing and start to sing With me and the angels to declare God is bigger and he does care so strap on the armor and stop the schemes, your in a big trap and the devil screams it's cool it's funny it's just so popular. Hahahaha What you laughing at says the keeper of the gate when the fire is hot hot hot.