Homeward Bound

Cabin Fever has struck our family in a big way these past couple weeks... because we CAN'T leave the house when Jeremy is at work! Our van's transmission finally went out, and we've been home 9 days so far with no car (2 out of 11 days, I was able to get out to church and to a wedding.. woohoo!) 4 stomach flus including little Annika and way below zero temps and you've got the makings of an exciting bout of Cabin Fever.

I've been documenting our little homespun adventure through pictures.. and I know one thing for sure: I'm no Caroline Ingalls. How did Ma make it with her 3 girls indoors all winter? They didn't exactly have indoor playgrounds, libraries, and Target in the Big Woods of Wisconsin. Drew read "A Little House Birthday" (We collect the My First Little House Books along with the chapter books...) to me today and one page shows Laura staring dismally out the window at the winter scene. It says "The winter seemed long, and Laura and Mary began to be tired of staying always in the house." And I was thinking, "Preach it, girl!"

So here's to finally bringing our new van home tonight,

Jeremy just called and he's on his way home with it!

What have we been up to? Here goes:

The boys were so bored one day, they decided to dig through their toy box and take pictures of things they wanted to Ebay! I might add that we've never sold anything on Ebay, we're just buyers. But they thought it was a great idea, so we now have pictures of a pair of shorts, a Hot Wheel car, a Happy Meal toy, a jet, an Etch a Sketch, etc...

Morgan and I started playing with our camera flash and discovered that if you cover the flash with your finger when you're taking a picture in the dark, the picture turns out red! We took pictures like that for a good 20 minutes. And that was on New Year's Eve, we're party animals, we know it.

I even took a picture of Morgan's hair to document how long it's getting....

We let Annika drink out of a regular cup, she got really wet, but had a lot of fun!

Lo, and behold... visitors! Jeremy's sister Jen, Jimmy, and their friend Alex from Oregon were up for Christmas and stayed a couple days with us... it was great fun. We miss you guys already.

We have been watching our Amaryllis bulb grow like crazy over these 2 weeks. It started blooming today. This picture was taken yesterday. And of course I picked it because it's my fave color, RED! You should try one, they're so easy and pretty!

My first outing on the 7th day was to Victoria's wedding in Anchorage! Jeremy and I have known Victoria since she was around 7 years old, and she's 21 now and married! She attended our church in Anch at Chapel by the Sea. She married an wonderful man (so we hear), and it was such a joy to be there that day.

Yesterday, we decided to look cabin fever in the face and laugh at it.... We started the day off with school...

then headed outside in -17 temps like crazy people...

did some sledding...

played with our doggie and snowboarded... then headed inside to warm up and....

bake some Y U M M Y cookies! Seriously, the best I've ever had. Thanks Mom, for the recipe, plus she sent me all the ingredients!

then, our day ended with a sick, sick little sis. This is me holding Annika about 10 minutes before the poor dear threw up. Thank the Lord she was in her high chair with bib on! She has been sleeping all day... seriously. She woke up for 20 min. at 10am, then slept 4 more hours, then was up for 1 hr. and is asleep again! The only plus to this whole sickness is that I've had the pleasure of having my sicky baby fall asleep in my arms twice today. That never happens anymore.

It actually has been really good for me to be home all these days. And the kids don't seem to mind a bit. Drew said he prefers being home to going out anyways. Jeremy just pulled up with our new wheels! Gotta go!!!

Happy New Year! My New Year's Eve will by no means be as glamorous as this one, beautiful isn't it? We are staying home for a cozy night in... our van is broken down so we have no choice, but we're gonna make the best of it. The kids are planning a campout in the living room. I'm sure we'll watch a movie of some sort, we're a movie loving famly! And maybe I'll whip up some treats...

I'm not a New Year's resolution kind of gal... I figure, why wait to do the things you want to do or know you should be doing? But I thought I'd share a list of things I'm looking forward to in 2009:

• Annika's 1st Birthday
• trying out our new greenhouse this spring and summer
• celebrating our 10th anniversary by taking a trip somewhere (any great ideas? suggest away...)
• getting my body in the best shape since becoming a mommy (thanks to Edge)
• my hair turning brown again! (it's black, by the way ~ oops!)
• seeing my niecey Molly, but when???
• watching my kids grow into more proficient readers
• leading a new Bible Study group for Moms
• running this spring/summer
• getting some articles published
• spending time with Aaron and Abie after the new year
• being a more patient Mama
• being a wife that thinks of Jeremy's needs before my own
• getting this blog made into a book
• hiking this summer with J & the kids

That about sums it up. What are you looking forward to in '09? Do tell!

*updated* Anniversary trip ideas:

from Chantel... Grand Coulee Dam (conveniently located close to certain good friends of ours!)

breakfast in bed

I've just come off of the yuckiest flu bug I've had in years and years.... and this morning my boys brought me breakfast in bed because they knew I had had a rough night and an even worse day prior. This is what they brought me! A perfect post-sickness meal, don't you think? 2 Saltines, applesauce, yogurt, a cup of Sprite and 2 Hershey kisses. Thanks, sweet boys!

Triple Date

My buddies Allison, Sarah, and I planned a surprise triple date night out for us and our husbands last Friday ! We started the night out with dinner and lots of laughs, then it was off to bowling... but not your regular run-of-the-mill bowling, it was "special" bowling! You know, granny style, left handed, eyes closed, sitting cross-legged, etc... It was so funny! And I found that I'm better at the backward granny than regular bowling! Jake was the most "special" bowler that night, coming in with an amazing score of 90!

Jeremy, Jake, and Ashley were thoroughly surprised! After bowling, it was off to a coffee shop for drinks and dessert. Then we played a HILARIOUS game of Apples to Apples, with Helen Keller stealing the show. (wink, wink) When you think of Sexy, you think of her, right??? I thought so! My cheeks hurt from laughing after dinner, then by the end of the night, my stomach muscles and cheeks were so sore from all the fun times.

Thanks guys for a memorable night!

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year beginning with a Christmas Eve dinner at my Dad & Marla Kay's home with Alli and some friends of theirs. It was a great night that ended with way full bellies of course! We had the kids open their stockings and read the Christmas story from the Bible before bed. We spent Christmas morning at home and opened presents, then Dad, MKay, and Alli came over to do presents together before we headed out to Willow to spend time with Jeremy's family. After dinner, at 5 pm the power went out until 2am! We spent an eventful night with all candlelight! Thank goodness they have a wood stove to keep us toasty. We decided to stay the night at the last minute... the deciding factor was whether we had enough diapers and formula to last until the next morning... we did, so we stayed! We camped out in the living room, all 6 of us.

This year, more than any other, I've been struck by the amazing reality of Christ coming to earth as a tiny baby, helpless as any other. Yet still fully God at the same time. As the song says, "this is such a strange way to save the world..." But a beautiful way. He walked, talked, hurt, loved, and lived in so many ways similar to ours. He gets us.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making a way for me.

puppies!

No, our Annabelle has not become a mommy! But our neighbor's golden retreiver gave birth a few weeks ago. We saw them right after they were born, then again on Christmas Eve... they are SO cute! The kids love them, and are so good with them.

December fun

After trying countless times to download pictures on to this blog to no avail... I gave up for a while! But I was able to today! Hooray! I've got some December catching up to do!

2 weeks ago, we spent a fun night in Anchorage with Jeremy's sis Heather, our bro-in-law Gerry, and Jeremy's parents Dave and Anita. We had a yummy dinner at Moose's Tooth and played a round of mini golf after! I am lame-o at mini golf, similar to my bowling skills. :)

Gerry had to be up on the slope during Christmas and New Year's, so we celebrated early with him.

Multi-tasking me.


Heather and Gerry

The kids were actually really good!

1st time playing dress-up with big sissy's things!

Annika and Nathan sharing a sippy cup drink over

sweet potato puffs!

Another one of Annika's baby buddies, Savannah!

It has been so fun to see these babies grow and change over this past year.

The amazing view the other morning off our deck. It's hard to see, but the sun

was rising over the mountains and inlet. I love our property!

Drewy, my big boy helper. He gets Annika out of her crib each morning and loves to do so!

My Elves

Something I caught myself saying today...

"Gavin, we don't attack the nativity!"

As he dive bombs our Playmobil nativity set with his toy. I laugh at all the funny things I say that seem crazy, but with kids? They make sense.

"_________, please get out of Annika's face!"

"Two hands please."

"Did you ________ and _____________ like I asked?"

"________ did you hit your brother?"

Those are the ones that are repeated almost daily, unfortunately around here. I feel like a broken record. I need to think of some new ones, or new ways to say them. Yesterday as we were leaving my friend Sarah's house... I tried a new approach, "Wow, Gavin your boots and coat must be invisible! I can't see them on you!" That felt so much better than, "GAVIN, how many times do I have to ask you to get your coat and boots on, WE'RE LEAVING!" Sound familiar? Or maybe it's just me. :)

Today was a day of frustrating and hilarious moments! Drew had to write out "I will not lie to my Mom and God." 20 times for blatantly lying about pajama pants (of all things) twice!!! Unbelievable! He's a piece of work sometimes, that Drew boy! But I love him to pieces! He always wants to "snuggle in" with me on the couch each night before going to bed.

Gavin was wired from the moment he woke up, as if he needs any more energy! And then I remembered what it was! He had 1/2 a bottle of chocolate milk leftover from a treat from yesterday and he asked if he could drink it when he woke up. I said "sure!" then I paid for it! Any amount of sugar wires that boy like you wouldn't believe. He was like Twitchy in the movie Hoodwinked if you've ever seen it. (one of our faves) He was non-stop noise and chatter, sound effects and singing. I kept saying, "Gavin, calm down!" Then I realized what had hit him. The good chocolately stuff.

That same little man asked me earlier this week if he had to go to college to be a singer! I said "no", and he said "good"!

Good stuff. It was uneventful in the Morgan department today. But she did paint an amazing picture today, if I do say so myself. Thanks to the disposable gel paints we snagged at Target. Thank you, Crayola. It comes with three strips of gel paint that you peel open, use and toss. We have one strip left. It's perfect and you don't need water either.

FU-NNY

Lately I've been thinking a lot about writing... I love putting my thoughts down on paper (or laptop) and have been realizing how much $$$ could be involved in getting an article or two published! (Much more money for the time spent than my knitting ventures!) I've submitted two articles for publication this fall. It has felt so good to actually follow through with something I've dreamt about. So here is my latest article, it's kinda scary putting yourself out there, but I figure you all are my friends... who better to try things out on??

If the magazines don't like them, maybe someone around here will. :)

Now and Later

“Mom, I never want to live away from you and Dad.”
“Drew, you can live with us as long as you want, but you may change your mind later.”

This is a typical conversation with my eight year-old. The topic comes up every few months, and often brings tears to my son’s eyes as he imagines his life outside of the here and now. It is hard for him to see that he will grow in a way that leads him toward independence. He will actually want to have a life of his own outside of us! I understand his anxiousness. Sometimes things that are imminent and unfamiliar seem terrifying. Like getting your wisdom teeth removed, giving birth for the first time, sending a child off to college, or middle school for that matter!

Those thoughts of my son mirror the thoughts I have about my imminent future. What will my children be like as teenagers? Will they be the same, just taller? Will they still love the closeness of our family? Will they make good choices? Will they have good health? Will we have good health? No matter how many of these thoughts swirl around in my head, I know that the answers will be obvious later. Later. That little word is used so rampantly by us mothers, isn’t it? That little word is so hard to hear sometimes. Later you will get a full night’s sleep for an entire week. Later those extra 20 pounds from your last pregnancy will be lost and not found again. Later you will be able to read all of those books you’ve been dying to devour.

Later is later, but what is now? Now is yours to breathe in and enjoy. This past year since our youngest was born has been a year of savoring. We savor each hug, chubby wrist, giggle, and even her adorable tears. We now know that those newborn days fly by in a flurry of sleeplessness and emotions, and the days we are in now will be a sweet memory all too soon. I’ve been taking mental snapshots of my sweet baby girl all year. Like the time on last Mother’s Day when she fell asleep unexpectantly in my arms. Like the time she was poised on her hands and knees looking so small not quite knowing how to crawl. And like the time she sat in a crate of mini pumpkins her first time visiting a pumpkin patch in the fall. Now is a time to be savored. The simple, yet busy life as a mother of preschoolers is sometimes overlooked and viewed as mundane and chaotic. Yet, if you stop to look closer you can see that the little hand needing help down the stairs will not need your help forever. Those little noses that seem to run like Niagara Falls will soon be wiped by bigger hands that aren’t yours. Know that the child that screams and clings when placed in the care of another will one day delight in his freedom. Your home that seems to bustle endlessly with activity, noise, messes, and laughter will eventually fall silent. Then we will stop and wonder why we couldn’t go back and relive those simpler times. Now is awaiting your attention. Later will come soon enough.

On Monday, Drew was writing the Pledge of Allegiance and he needed help with some of the words, I started reading what he had written to lead up to what he needed help with... and from behind me I hear Morgan reciting the entire thing! I couldn't believe it! We had recited it a few times in September because I wanted to make sure the boys knew it and could say it... but I had no idea that Miss Morgan knew it and remembered it without any help from a few months ago. I asked her if she would say it again for me... and here she is! I love how she enunciates the big words even though she has no idea what she is saying. And at the end... she paused with that "I think I forgot something look" , but the "with liberty" with forgive you, sweet girl. :) Enjoy! (you may need to go down to the very bottom and pause the music player)

she crawls!

Annika is almost a year! Holy smokes. Well, 10 months old next week... it's getting close. Where did this year go? Here's a pic for my Mom who sent this pink corduroy dress for her. It's so cute, thanks Mom! She started crawling yesterday. It's slow, but the real deal. I'm not sure I'm prepared for this, she has been such a happy roller since she was 4 months. No cabinets have been raided, drawer contents have stayed in tact, no stairs have been attempted (insert baby gate), and no Lego creations have been annihilated. Bring it on... I love crawling babies!

Today? The Christmas tree is going up... providing hours of fun and destruction for our baby girl! Note to self: glass balls up a few branches.

armoire resurrected

It's finally finished! This summer, my Dad and I had a special mission.... to raid Salvation Army and snag an old, white, sponge painted, mess of an armoire! I was in SA randomly searching for cheap picture frames in different sizes to paint and fill our family room wall... when I saw it. I've always wanted one of those armoires. But, the ones I saw in Pottery Barn for a thousand $ were usually the ones that made me drool. I decided $44 was alot for an armoire that looked like that, well... that was until the cashier told me about the 1/2 off sale the next morning. The whole store. Hmmm.. I thought, is it worth it? And will it still be here?

I roped my Dad into coming over with me first thing when they opened. And would you believe it? There were lines of people waiting to get in!!!! You'd think they were handing out free gas for a year! You could tell some of these folks were on a serious mission. Some actually ran to get their hands on an item once the doors were opened! We laughed our way over to the armoire and got it for $22!!! So here it is, resurrected.... it's a miracle! It's amazing what a little black furniture paint, a sample can of red paint, new hinges, and new knobs can do! We love it, and it sits in our living room. Now if we could only decide what should go in it. I am determined to have our stereo fit in it. But it's a bit crooked for now. :)

Thanks, Dad for fixing one of the drawers... and thank you, dear husband for hinging and knobing today.

Thankful

These past couple of weeks I've been overwhelmed when doing things as mundane as the dishes, thinking... I have running water. Amazing. Imagine how thankful a mother in the Amazon jungle or in a village in Africa would be to do my pile of dirty dishes? I have heat. Amazing.

Why me? Why us? Why aren't I trying to be a wife and mother in the midst of poverty, pain, and hunger? Why am I here living an amazing life, with a beautiful family? Why did God choose me? Do you ever wonder the same? I know he holds the answers... but sometimes I wish she, whoever she is, could taste the goodness.

I've taken for granted healthy babies, and safe pregnancies.

I've taken for granted my devoted, doting, loving, serving, amazing husband that chooses to be home with us every second he can.

I've taken for granted being able to own a Bible and read it at my own will. Drew and I had a conversation about China this week, and about our friends who live there, and how they don't experience our same freedom of religion in China.

I've taken for granted a pantry full of food. Lately I've been broken-hearted about Ethiopia in particular and the millions and millions of orphans there. (America has around 130,000 legally free to adopt orphans.) I've read that a famine may be coming that is worse than the 80's.

I've taken for granted my transportation. When others I know walk. Even in our snowy wonderland.

Taken for granted no more! I am so thankful for all of these things and so many, many more.

I know God has me plunked down right in this very spot for a reason, whatever may come my way.

Well, we got a little Martha-y this week.... (stole ideas from Sarah C. and Rachel K.) The other day, we made Thankful Wreaths with the kid's handprints. We wrote on the hands what they are thankful for. Even little Annika let me trace her chubby hand. She thought it was kinda funny!

Some of the things they are thankful for were hilarious and some were beautiful and sweet. I guess that sums up our kids pretty well: funny & sweet!

And here are our Turkey Cookies. We made them tonight to put at each place setting tomorrow. They are super easy to make, the kids had fun jamming the candy corn into the double stuff oreo as feathers. I think the directions are found at Family Fun. Right, Rach?

Usually, I think about these kind of things to do with the kids, then don't get around to getting the right things from the store when we need them... but this time I was determined to make them in time!

Happy Thanksgiving!

precious moments

I love this pic of Drew and Annika. He was doing some reading

for school and Annika didn't want to miss out on the fun.

My almost officially crawling sweetie. Today I had one of those "I never want to forget this" moments. She was up on all fours, ready to crawl and looked so sweet and tiny that I wanted to imprint that moment on my brain forever.

Last night, the kids were into horsey rides and piggyback rides... we only had a few crashes. Only a couple tears. :) I love this pic of Drew's two missing teeth! I explained to him the other day that now he'll be able to sing "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth!" He said, "How'd you know that song, Mom?" I laughed thinking that everyone knew that song! But I guess not. We'll have to pass it on. Hmmm... big life lesson to be learned here.

Gavin and my crazy haired Morgan.
The other night when I was shredding some cheese on a cheese grater for dinner, Gavin comes into the kitchen and asks, "Mom, can I try scratching the cheese too?" Ha hahahahaha

"I want to make my cheese sprinkly too!"
I love the things that come out of this 6 year old's mouth!