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.

I really like to

Create! ReCreate! This is the doll house from my childhood. My dad bought it at an auction atleast a couple decades ago. My sister and I used to hand sew pillows and comforters, making little pieces of furniture. The house remains and I hope that the girls find a love in making this a home, but so far it is just waiting for renovations, thinking glam with pink and glitter?! It needs some work, but I am thankful to have it and hope that we will have some inspired girls to deck it out. The cats like sleeping in the rooms! I have pictures on my phone that may prove it someday:)

Cuddles! Snuggles! Giggles!

Going Places! Traveling! This action shot was from a trip this fall we took, and evidently there was some concerns, by the looks of my mini me. I love going places and getting out of the house, probably to make up for days like today when someone is home sick and it is so frigid cold outside- record lows this week- that I can't go places. I am looking forward to a trip with Luke this year, we are in the works of figuring out something and it sounds like Momma wins and the fraidy cat will be flying, for our anniversary I am really pressing that:) In the mean time I will take little trips to visit family and stay in hotels and adventure with our kids, trying to be a good sport when the dynamics challenge our expectations or ideas.

Upgrade! I enjoy saving money and being logical, efficient, and reasonable. The old van had seen it's better days and with our latest additions we upgraded. By fourteen years! And Ford has made some improvements I would say! Sonny is enjoying the old club wagon, and we like the newer model. Here is the generational picture, for all you sentimental readers. Oh how special!

Giving! I really like to give things to people, preferable things they like. I like making things and investments of my time to help others. I want to be a generous person, but these little bags of popcorn are the best I can do when I have tons of kids to give gifts at Christmas for teachers and such. Everyone loves the popcorn though! I did 5 huge bags this year, the jumbo bags of old dutch popcorn. It is drizzled and mixed with melted white chocolate chips and then sprinkled with crushed candy canes. NUM NUM!!

Some Captured Moments in Time

The littles, their last school year of full days together. Mommy savors this time because they are so sweet together. Fonzie just likes to have his picture taken.

Lillie went through a little stinker stage and would sit and protest naps, only to exhaust herself to sleep in gymnast positions; hence, her foot is up at her head. instead of waking her (rule #5,) I grabbed my camera. This little bundle is like another limb to me and I take whatever breaks she gives me!

The girls at church in their coordinating dresses. I know what you are thinking, how can we afford beautiful Christmas dresses, but I got all 4 of these formal style dresses for less than $25.00 total. SCORE! Plus, they can wear them more than at their formal events and look absolutely stunning. Thanks Sams Club and Kohls ridiculous clearance, you make people like us look good:)

He is ready to go for the knees, so stay clear! This little champ is rearing to get a trophy someday, and in the meantime just looks cute in the singlet...don't ya think?!

2012 and Happy 2013!

First of all I would like to thank God for his new mercies each and every day, I could not survive this world without knowing where my treasures are. I know we seem like celebrities, so popular and well put together, in our name brands for less, various vehicles, and cheerful faces. This is not a brag letter, but proof that we are survivors! This past year brought us unexpected gains and losses, we live a tough life and we are constantly reminded our needs of a savior. Our blended family has a fair share of pain and suffering, something that is not topic for a Christmas letter. We have countless temper tantrums, from the most and least expected. We have multiple weekly appointments for various ongoing therapies; we have some long term candidates here. Things are not always pretty, but we do pull it together for the most part and this is some of the more positive things to share with you We learned in February of Matthew, one of the original siblings to our adopted group, needed to be adopted again. Lillie Marie was born March 5th. Two months later Matthew moved in and we have been figuring out our new lives since then. With much to grieve, we as a whole family have navigated ourselves in and out of learning many new things. We continue to try and be a healing home while offering opportunities for growth and development to the scattered levels under this roof. Adam has joined adapted floor hockey, what a fun game that is! He looks forward to games and getting his picture taken. David is really excelling in his academics, the best thing for both boys was returning to the larger school district. Matthew keeps busy with his love for reading and playing with cars. He has bonded well and has a great security with our connections in the community. Lexi went out for swimming this year and took some first places, we are rooting for her to join other sports and continue swimming as well. Aubrey is on the dance team again this year and is doing some performing with the JV team, she loves it. Libby has taken up sewing and is very creative and even has a British accent down. Reany has been working on her dance routine and both girls continue with piano and look forward to basketball starting soon. Noah has been doing lots of bike tricks during the summer and is now enjoying wrestling and keeps us all on our toes. Naomi is growing fast and is eager to learn. She looks forward to dance class next year when Noah goes to kindergarten. Lillie just got her 7th tooth and is a very expressive vibrant baby. Luke will have been with the same company for 13 years in work, does that make him a teenager? We daydream of both working part time jobs and better parenting this wild brood; however, there has not been much alternatives to his hard labor field at this time. He was baptized this year too, which was a great testimony and example for many. Some have told him to be a street preacher, only the Lord knows! Katie is trying like mad to hold down the fort and keep everyone fed and in clean clothes. Most days she showers, but is ever thankful for the ymca membership that allows for greater occurrences of that. Her zumba addiction is at full force. We are still living in Clearwater, also day dreaming of finding acreage in the country and teaching the kids hard work and responsibility, shoveling dung, of course. Speaking of, we lost our beloved Bruno this April and he will forever be missed. He was the best dog in the world with no possible competition. In the mean time we have begun a little cattery of ragdolls. Hoping Ms.Lola and The Fonz make some pretty kitties this summer. Hobby breeding can be a rewarding experience; we are more than thrilled at the prospects. As usual, there is an open invite to those who dare. Just promise you will not snicker or stare. Our lives are rich with emotions and experiences. You will learn much. We are well, kicking off 2013, and awaiting the promises that God has for us, that we might serve and honor him the days of our lives, that we might further the Kingdom, that we might set good example, that we might walk in light and love.