Aside from Food

Bunk Beds

2010-07-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

We took out the boys beds (1 single and 1 bunk with a double mattress on the bottom) and are in the midst of building some out of pallets. Aren't they cool?! I am really please. We still need to make some rails and shelves, etc, but it's coming along nicely. :-)

Sidewalk Chalk

2010-06-16T20:12:00.001-07:00

Jesse and Stephen did some artwork on the sidewalk today:

Our Etsy Shop

2010-04-22T11:29:00.001-07:00

(Visit our Etsy Store here)

I've been on a creative kick lately... maybe since I'm staying away from refined sweeteners I'm so oragnized that I have time to be creative. LOL Or, it could be that my husband has been out of work so I have more time to play around while he chases after Titus (who gets into everything!) I don't know. But I've been having fun! (BTW, he has found a job and I may fill my time with this type of stuff instead of those darn facebook games... and continue my creative kick!)

So I wanted to make a photo collage for this post, but our MAC is so old it doesn't run Picasa. Sad, I know. So I searched online for a collage maker and found one, but it made it too big and chopped half of it off when I published it on Blogger. I can't win. So I just uploaded some photos and here's my "sampling:"

So, please stop in and see the cute little aprons and baby things I have for sale!

Illusarts Quality Handcrafts

Easter 2010

2010-04-06T20:32:00.001-07:00

Here we are cracking our eggs: (Find out how to color them here and why we crack them here)

Hanna's Visit

2010-03-08T09:18:00.001-08:00

Our friend Hanna stopped by the other day and Titus was playing with some hot pads. So she joined him.

Titus' First Haircut

2010-01-14T14:02:00.001-08:00

I was quite sad to cut my baby's hair. But according to some people, he was looking like he had a mop on top of his head. So, I broke down and cut it.

Here is the sad little pile of hair...

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-26T10:18:00.000-08:00

Christmas Tree Hunting

2009-12-14T08:48:00.000-08:00

The creek was frozen solid!

Happy First Birthday Titus

2009-12-10T05:31:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe a year ago I was still pregnant, having contractions and thinking I was going to have a model birth... :-) He's beautiful, I am so glad he's in our family, God knew we needed him and he was worth that horrible 45 minutes of excruciating pain! (Brow Presentation- 45 minutes of pushing that didn't feel good in any way, shape or form.)
He is such a sweet baby, and definitely all boy! He loves to crawl into the bathroom and so far has not played in the toilet water, only because I run after him and grab him first. I have had to dig so much nasty stuff out of his mouth now all I have to do: "Say Awww!" and he opens his mouth and spits out his tongue... and whatever happens to be hidden away there, rocks, mud, wood, chunks of carpet...
He claps when he nurses, guess it makes him happy. :-)
And yes, he said "daddy" and still doesn't say "mama."

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-01T19:41:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-25T07:19:00.001-08:00

For more visit Wordless Wednesday.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-17T22:07:00.000-08:00

For more visit wordlesswednesday.com

More on Vaccines

2009-11-17T11:33:00.000-08:00

Last week I posted on vaccines. I've found some more information that I thought I would share:

From the CDC website:

Does MMR vaccine contain fetal or embryonic tissue? If so, what kind?
The rubella vaccine virus is cultured in human cell-line cultures, and some of these cell lines originated from aborted fetal tissue, obtained from legal abortions in the 1960's. No new fetal tissue is needed to produce cell lines to make these vaccines, now or in the future. Fetal tissue is not used to produce vaccines; cell lines generated from a single fetal tissue source are used; vaccine manufacturers obtain human cell lines from FDA-certified cell banks. After processing, very little, if any, of that tissue remains in the vaccine. Human Cell Cultures webpage and Summary of Vaccine Contents (2/27/03)

I would encourage you to read through the Human Cell Cultures webpage.

Jesse and Titus

2009-11-16T08:02:00.000-08:00

Jesse was carrying Titus around and he was really enjoying it- but every time he saw me looking at him he had to show off and stand up in the container.

Vaccines

2009-11-08T03:26:00.000-08:00

I don't take the kids to the Dr. much. I don't really believe that there is a valid reason to have well child checks. Most mothers watch their children very closely and if they notice something isn't right, they take them to the dr. Well Child Checks are there for the children who's mothers don't pay enough attention. If you have a group of 1000 doctors, I bet only 1 would be able to say "yes, I found something the mother didn't mention". Mothers watch. They just do.
I did delayed vaccinations with the boys. Japan raised the minimum vaccination age to 2 years and found that SIDS decreased GREATLY. Also, the same amount of vaccine is put in a baby as it is put in a 5 year old. Why?
I had given Luke his 2 month shots and he reacted SO badly. It was a completely horrible day for him. I didn't give him any more until he was 2- in fact, I waited with Jesse and Stephen until they were 2. Stephen got a fever with one. That was it. They didn't react so horribly.
Naomi turned 2. I didn't want to take her in. My trust in the medical and pharmaceutical community has decreased greatly since the boys were little. I finally decided to make an appointment. I have a doctor that I know and like listed on all the kids papers for school, etc but figured I better get them all in, so we have "established care" with her, so I can have her as their dr. in case something ever does happen.
I had to research vaccines again.
I found this article to be one of the best I've come across.
Also, we were hearing things about what the H1N1 vaccine (which appears to be fine) was made with and so a friend looked around and found this list of ingredients for all vaccines. I remember hearing that vaccines were being made with aborted fetal cells, but then I remember hearing that they quit because people threw such a fit. How naive I am.
It makes me sick to my stomach to know that I have allowed some of these to be given to my children and also to myself. How stupid of me!

Naomi...

2009-11-04T08:29:00.001-08:00

Naomi is quite bubbly and sweet. In the morning I normally hear her sing-song voice saying "Nomee's awake!" "Nomee needs a juice!"
Brian left for work this morning and I was standing at the door with him when Naomi who just finished eating said:
"Nomee's all done Mom!"
"ok"
"Nomee's all done Mom!"
"Ok, just a minute"
"Nomee's all done Mom!"

Brian was laughing. So I related what happened a few days ago: She was sitting on the pot and I was doing something. I hear:
"Nomee's all done Mom!"
"Ok, just a minute."
"Ok. Nomee's all done Mom!"
"Just let me finish this one thing."
"Ok. Nomee's all done Mom!"
"Just 30 seconds Naomi, Mama's almost done with this."
"Ok! Nomee's all done Mom!!"

Brian laughed and then reminded me of a commercial we saw the other night in which I laughed so hard. I don't like Family Guy, I don't watch it- but this had me rolling on the floor:

Guess Who Guessed Correctly?!

2009-11-04T07:58:00.001-08:00

Saturday we went to the mall and there was a "guess the number of candy" contest.
Brian guessed 250.

He won!

The amount was 242.

Now how am I going to get rid of all that candy???

Playing in the Leaves

2009-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Fall 2009

2009-10-22T07:26:00.000-07:00

We headed out to the pumpkin patch last night. I love traditions like that!!

New Back Door!!

2009-10-19T08:03:00.001-07:00

Yesterday our friends Sean and Laura came over and helped up put in a new back door. I'm so excited about it! Our old back door was an interior door and it would swell and shrink depending on the weather. During the summer we could barely get it open- one had to yank on it and plaster would fall off the wall when one would try to close it.

Laura and I took the truck to Home Depot while Brian and Sean tore the door out. It took about 6 hours total and only 2 trips to Home Depot, so not bad. :-)

Thanks Sean and Laura- you guys bless us in so many ways!

Stephen's Country

2009-10-03T09:22:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know how Stephen's extended studies activity went.
This last Thursday was the 4th day of it and he needed to take some type of food. I was out of everything! Hadn't gone shopping and was cooking with other things, so hadn't thought about not having white flour or sugar... So I searched for Swedish recipes and found Pickled Fresh Cucumbers. YAY! There are so many other things I could have made him, if I had put more thought/time into it. Like: Swedish Raisin Rye or Snickerdoodles. Oh well. He enjoyed the pickles. I confess, I haven't tried them, he said they were sweet and I really don't care for sweet pickles. But he was happy with them, so that's what mattered. :-) Makes me happy.
Stephen had all the kids (8 of them) guess, then he showed the Swedish flag and one of his friends figured it out, then he told them it was by Findland and Norway and all the kids got it. They had just studied geography earlier in the day.

Naomi napping

2009-10-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

I often find Naomi asleep with her feet touching the floor like this.

A typical day for Naomi and Titus

2009-10-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

Sing Hallelujahs!

2009-09-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

Bashful Crawling

2009-09-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

Each time he would notice me smiling at him he would "hide" his face.

The kitchen is done??

2009-09-28T07:57:00.000-07:00

School, continued.

2009-09-27T07:39:00.000-07:00

So instead of having to bake something, Stephen needed to take a saying from his "country". We did 2- one of them I can't spell, but it means "we go now." My grandma used to say it every time we got in the car to go somewhere. :-)
The other is "var so god", which means "please come and join us, come and dine with us, help yourself to the food, your welcome." Alot, eh? I think it's really interesting that we as english speaking people have all kinds of words and they have more of a set saying that sums them all up.

School

2009-09-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

The boys are really doing well in school. Being home schooled it's a little overwhelming for me still.

Stephen is in extended studies this year, this month they are doing a family history project and he has chosen Sweden as the country of his heritage. So we need to send something swedish each week. He has taken a horse and a candle holder. He has to take something tomorrow too, I'm not sure what to send. I know he would love food... so we'll see.

Jesse is getting on top of things this year, he's been coming home with no homework the last few weeks because he's been getting it done at school. I'm so proud of him!

Luke is in band this year, he is playing a tenor saxophone. One of our friends had one and is letting him borrow it. He's in Honors Math and right now he is in Cross Country as well. His day is really busy.

One Day at Lunch

2009-09-25T08:01:00.000-07:00

Brian and Rachel

2009-09-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Yet Another Blog

2009-09-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

So I started a new blog. It's my money making attempt.

In order to make money I do have to have an original blog post between each advertising post, so I will be writing things and posting pictures. I also need to have it going for 30 days before I start posting the ads.
I didn't want to do it on my cooking or family blog, just felt that it cheapens them a little- so I started a new one.
If you visit- Thanks!

Life in This Busy House

Our Family

2009-09-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

My favorite picture from this summer. Left to Right: Titus (in the backpack), Luke, Stephen, Rachel, Jesse, Brian and Naomi.

Just Like Mama

2009-09-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

7th Anniversary

2009-09-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

Brian and I have been married for 7 wonderful years. God truely blessed me by bringing him into my life.

A Midwife's Hands

2009-09-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

I notice hands. I just do- it's one of those things I notice about people. When I think of them, I often think of their hands. Weird? I'm guessing, either that or no one talks about it...
I've wanted to do this picture set for probably the last 5 years or more. I was going to take them when I was pregnant with Naomi, but we ended up having her 3 weeks early, at the hospital. My midwife (from another state) made it, but she was just with us at the hospital. So I was glad when I got pregnant with Titus, because then I could have a homebirth again and take these pictures. Because Naomi was so early my midwife was here for a couple weeks before Titus was born (3 days before his due date).

Most midwives are very special to their clients and vise versa. It's a different relationship. This is the woman that was with them in their most vulnerable time. There is a sense of respect and awe, and for me, I longing for her approval.
Karen is not just my midwife. I met her when I was 17 and started apprenticing with her. She has been my mentor all these years (15 now), helped me through 4 miscarriages and 5 births, a very difficult marriage and break up, being a single parent, learning to trust again, growing in my relationship with my Heavenly Father and His Son, and now some of the happiest years of my life.

All these years though, I have noticed her hands. The way she touches women's beautiful pregnant stomachs to feel where the baby is, the way she gently touches the perineum to prevent tearing, the way she holds babies and carefully checks them over.

These pictures are her hands:

Feeling Titus, before we knew who he was.

Folded on a Bible, because I know that she relies on God to guide her in the ministry of being a midwife.

Her hands holding Titus, who looks huge, but was really less than an hour old.

Retro

2009-09-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

My Little Princess

2009-09-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Titus at 8 Months

2009-09-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

Back to School and it feels like a whirlwind!

2009-09-03T13:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys, no pictures this time. I feel like I'm going crazy. Some might argue that I already am. :-) Luke is in Jr. High this year and I just don't feel on top of things. Brian has to drop him off before work in the morning, I could drop him off, but Titus is typically sleeping at that time and the other 2 are needing to get ready and get out the door as well, so it is a bit easier. Except that I have to have breakfast completely ready by 7am and lunches made by 7:25am, because that is when they leave.
Jesse and Stephen leave the house at 8am, some times with lunches, sometimes not. I think they would prefer sack lunch each day, but right now it still saves alot of money to get the free school lunch. I do send a sack lunch on the days they only offer junk foods. The day time is pretty easy, I have really been trying to be more productive while the kids are napping- which is really only 1 hour a day that they are both down. We collected a bunch of pallets and are planning to use them to build everything we need for our kitchen- cupboards, shelves, pantry, doors, etc. So far so good. My mom came down and we built a door for my laundry closet, I know, I need to post pictures! I started a window seat for the dining room last week, haven't gotten too far. I was going to work on it today while the kids were down, but it was about 90 degrees outside and I wussed out.
Naomi needs to get up from her nap at 3pm, (or she doesn't sleep at night- because she would nap until 5pm if I let her!) then Jesse and Stephen get home at 3:30pm. Dinner is normally started around 4pm, but now Luke is in Cross Country so he gets done at 4:30pm, so I have to have dinner going and mostly done because it takes me 20 minutes to pick him up. Then he's in Band so needs to practice his tenor saxophone and all 3 are still in piano (I told them they had to be in piano until they graduate high school) so they have to practice. Homework needs to be done and chores- it truly makes my life easier if they do their chores! I changed it once again- they know rotate: Wash dishes, dry dishes, clear table, take out trash, vacuum, fold laundry. Then they have one jar chore, which typically doesn't take long- things like "swish toilet" or "wipe off stove"
Then Brian comes home from work.

Monday they have boy scouts, which I need to have a snack ready for.
Tuesday Piano lessons, gone from 3pm-5pm
Wednesday Youth group, AWANA, ladies Bible study
Thursday typically free- thankfully!
Friday every other Friday is YAMS (Young Adults Married and Single)
Saturday I don't know, but it seems to be super busy!
Sunday Sunday School, Church, lunch, naps, church, bed.

I've never been a super organized person. I am about some things- like the towel cupboard (I hate it when they stuff the towels in!) and when I get groceries I like all the fruits together, frozen together, canned together, etc. and I liked them bagged that way.
But then at home I have always struggled keeping the dishes done and laundry- I despise it!!
I love to cook but hate to clean. Perhaps hate is too strong of a word... I'm just never "motivated".
Well, a few months ago I was listening to Dr. Laura and she said something like "No one does things because they're motivated. They do things because they are disciplined. If we all waited for 'motivation' nothing would ever be accomplished." That hit home. I am perfectly capable of doing these things- why don't they get done? I can blame my kids... I have 5 after all.
But I can't now. Titus is napping well, moving around and content. Naomi loves to help me and it really doesn't take much longer to have her "help". It really doesn't. And they do nap together for at least an hour each day.
For a long time I was helped by Flylady. I need to do that again. I have gotten rid of my 2009 things for this year (because the toilet overflowed and went into the basement and we decided to tear out the carpet/subfloor which meant I had to clear it out- and thanks to Laura I was brutal and got rid of TONS of stuff!) and I read most of "Get Rid of 50 Things, Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life". Which was another big help. So now I'm down to not much stuff- but have to stay on top of paper work (ugg!), dishes, laundry and typical cleaning stuff. Oh and working on the kitchen...
And throwing a whole new schedule on top of it all is wearing me out!!
There. There is my ramblings for the day. I have to get Naomi up now and start dinner.

Going for a walk

2009-07-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

We've been really busy this summer, working on the house, etc. Today we decided to take a walk- and I actually took a picture and am posting it! Amazing! :-)

Talent Show at School

2009-05-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

Jesse playing "Snowfall".

Luke playing "Zip a Dee Do Dah".

Stephen playing "Mack the Knife".

Naomi dancing to the music!

The Wisdom of Jesse

2009-04-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

Jesse came home from school one day last week and said excitedly: "Mom! I have the best homework ever!!" My first guess was "none?" But I was wrong. And he did have alot of fun doing this. He had to finish the sayings:

As you shall make your bed so shall you... eat breakfast and go to school.

Better be safe than... incinerated.

Strike while the... chance comes.

It's always darkest before... the sun comes up.

Never under estimate the power of... the Dark Side.

You can lead a horse to water but... he's scared.

Don't bite the hand that... plays in the mud.

No news is... two words.

You can't teach an old dog... new words.

If you lie down with the dogs... you'll get up with the dogs.

Love all, trust... the geek.

The pen is mightier than the... big brother that sits next to me.

An idle mind... is useless.

Where there's smoke..., there's a BBQ.

Happy the bride who... marries a nerd.

A penny saved is... a bigger collection.

Two's company, Three's... company, four's company, Five's.

Don't put off tomorrow... what you can put off today.

None are so blind as... a rocking horse.

Children should be seen and... not forgot.

If at first you don't succeed... pound your fist into the ground and cry.

You get out of something... what you forgot to take out.

When the blind leadeth the blind..., lead them.

Crocheted Bedspread

2009-04-25T15:51:00.000-07:00

January 2007 my Granny had a stroke, fell, smacked her head and laid in her house for a couple days before someone found her. She was in a type of coma by then, she would respond now and then by squeezing someone's hand or looking at people. My parents were gracious enough to fly me down there so I could see her before she died. I hadn't seen her for about 9 years- I had been pregnant with Stephen at the time, now I was pregnant with Naomi. I am so thankful I was able to be there.
My granny crocheted alot, when I left there my family sent me home with a huge suitcase stuffed full of yarn, crochet patterns, hooks, etc. I went through a couple books and found the pattern to this bedspread. I finished it right before Titus was born- I had started it sometime in the fall of 2007. I got through half of the blanket before I had to go buy some yarn and then I still mixed it with some that Granny had.

Here's the summery of my trip that I sent to some friends after I returned:
I went down to Redding on Sunday, was met there by my Aunt, 2 cousins and then my parents showed up at the airport too right after I got off the plane. The trip had been ok- though leaving Billings was really rough- bumping and moving the whole time. I don't think the baby liked it too much, when we took off the baby started moving all around. But
didn't seem to be bothered with the rest of the flights.
The first night there, just my dad and aunt went in to see Granny, she was in ICU. My dad had a really hard time with it, he couldn't be in there very long, my aunt seems to have the same problem and my mom
can't because she has to care for the kids. A neighbor, Trudie, called that night and wanted to let us know that she had shared the gospel w/ Granny on several occasions.
I was able to sit with her a long time on Mon and Tues. Monday was hard, I talked a little bit, but every time I tried to I just would cry. Tues I was better, I sat a long time with her and read the book of 1 John and some Psalms. I talked about how to accept Christ as savior and prayed with her.
She slept the whole time. They took her off everything, except morphine Monday afternoon.
Wednesday I went in again and told her I had to go home, etc, and kissed her forehead and she turned toward me right away. She opened her eyes and looked at me, I think she wanted to say something, but she just couldn't. She didn't look comfortable (had been throwing the blankets off her- laying there naked, I was a little irritated they didn't have her in a gown, she would not have liked that) so my mom called the nurse in and I was telling him what to do (because I'm good at that you know!) and Granny kept looking at me. (I don't think she had ever seen me be assertive. Something I've learned to be in the last 9 years.) He didn't think she was uncomfortable, but I know she was. I put some chapstick on her and lotioned her face, she turned so I could lotion both sides. I talked about how I had looked at her photo albums the night before and saw all the pictures of when she was a dancer (her family was very wealthy and by 12 she had the most beautiful professional photos w/ her dance
partner, and news paper articles on how they were the entertainment at classy social events. As she got older there were hollywood headshots- she was even in a Marilyn Monroe movie!) and I told her how beautiful she was- and there was a slight hint of a smile! LOL
It was really hard to leave her that day, but I'm sure once she got some pain killers she rested again. I did pray with her again before I left. I felt better about seeing her though, I needed to talk to her about the Lord, I just needed to do that before she passed and God let me.
I got some of her jewelry. Most of it was inexpensive, she loved it, so she had tons! But I did get a really pretty ring, but get this, it's PINK! lol. She was a little lady, so they all fit my little fingers.
It was amusing going through her stuff (we looked everywhere trying to find a key to a safe- never did find it, they had to bust it open)- her socks were all stacked by color, bras were lined upright like at Victoria's Secret. I opened on drawer and there must have been 100 panty hose-- plastic packages lined up on one side, egg shaped one in a box on the other side. THen I opened the next drawer and there was a ton of ziplock bags w/ more panty hose- and notes in them. One read: "has runs above the knee, do not wear with black skirt that has slits above the knee." he he he- they all had stuff like that. She wrote
notes like that on everything.
Everything was perfectly organized- the whole bathroom was dedicated to makeup. One drawer full of brow/eye liner and lip liners. I guess it took her 3 hours to get done up in the morning. I don't think there was a day in her life when she didn't fix herself up.

Titus

2009-04-09T13:00:00.001-07:00

Once again, our adorable little boy:

Naomi's Birthday

2009-04-07T12:22:00.001-07:00

Trying to blow out her candles...

I made her a Carrot Cake- just like I did last year. I was going to do something different- but Brian asked why... and I couldn't come up with a good reason- so this was partially for him! :-)

Mormor got her some beautiful ruby colored shoes- Naomi loves her shoes, so she was really happy with them!

Grandma and Grandpa got her a rocking horse- it even sings a coyboy song and shakes it's tail! She loved it- she must have sat on it for good hour pushing the button and rocking to the music!

Sean and Laura got her a baking set. It's neat because it has a bowl and wooden spoon just like I do- she has been enjoying feeding people "Cake!". :-)

Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien, at church, have adopted our kids as grandkids. They were both out of town when we had Naomi's party- so they gave her a gift at church on Sunday. Naomi loves tea stuff, cooking stuff, etc, so this is right up her alley!

Playing Peek-a-boo

2009-03-30T20:51:00.000-07:00

Stephen always gets the little ones to laugh. This is only the 3rd time Titus has laughed- and Stephen got him going really good!

Titus Enjoying His Mobile

2009-03-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

We have some good friends who are missionaries, and after Titus was born they sent us this mobile. I'm not quite sure where they got it from, but we think it's very cool... and so does Titus!

Talking to Titus

2009-03-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

Brian's 30th Birthday

2009-03-05T09:56:00.000-08:00

Brian's 30th birthday was last month and we decided to have a surprise party for him. The kids all chipped in to color and draw on the banner as well as Sean and Laura.

Sean made Brian this awesome cake. We are huge Lord of the Rings fans and so when Sean was trying to decide what kind of cake to make he came up with the One Ring.
I borrowed 12" round cake pans from a friend who bakes them professionally. I made a chocolate cake and a vanilla cake and bought some bavarian creme filling from the cake shop. I was also able to get some gold shimmer powder to mix with vanilla and brush on. I gave the cake and supplies to Sean and he worked his magic... he was cutting the cakes and ended up slicing half way through his finger... so the cake was definitely with his blood, sweat and tears. LOL

Notice Sean in the background with his bandaged finger.

The surprise came out pretty good. He suspected a little I think, but quite a few people came, so that at least surprised him.

Naomi's Blankets

2009-03-02T13:04:00.000-08:00

Naomi has a blanket that Linda made for her when she was born. She is really quite attached to it and at night when we check on her before going to bed ourselves she is normally wrapped up in it. She has learned how to wrap it around herself, so she does. When she wakes up she wants to hold her blanket while she sits on our laps. Maria, an adopted grandma at our church made Naomi a blanket recently... so then she was walking around with both blankets.
"Blanken" she calls them.

Titus

2009-02-12T08:16:00.000-08:00

Naomi's smile

2009-02-10T20:10:00.000-08:00

I caught a picture of Naomi smiling with her wrinkly smile. It's only half of her face- but at least it's not blurry!!

Braiding Naomi's Hair

2009-02-05T10:33:00.000-08:00

When I was a girl I had really long hair. My Mom told me a story of why: we were shopping in the store, her and I, and she ran into a gal she went to high school with. They visited, and mom told her that she had 4 children, 3 boys and a girl. The lady looked at me and said "Oh, and this must be one of your boys!" I had a bowl-cut, I believe. I don't think my mom cut my hair after that. It was really quite long, when I got my senior pictures, I could sit on it. I had learned to braid it it pretty much any braid imaginable. I figured if/when I had a girl, I would fix her hair. But I didn't think I would enjoy it quite so much. I really want Naomi to handle sitting still as well as not having a sensitive head, so I fix it every day. Some days more braids, other days just pony tails. It stays in fairly well, but after her nap it's a little crazy. Oh well!

Christmas Presents

2009-02-04T07:03:00.000-08:00

The boys got Lego Star Wars stuff from their grandparents for Christmas. They enjoyed building them and playing with them all week.

Luke

Jesse

Stephen

Naomi in the apron I made her.

Christmas 2008

2009-02-03T08:36:00.000-08:00

Naomi

2009-02-02T21:01:00.000-08:00

Kristy and Naomi

2009-01-30T05:39:00.000-08:00

My friend Kristy and Naomi have a special bond. Naomi loves her and they have alot of fun together.

Titus

2009-01-29T05:37:00.000-08:00

Boots!

2009-01-28T05:32:00.000-08:00

Naomi has a thing for shoes and she loves her boots that Grandma got her. She wears them all over.

Oh No!

2009-01-27T05:30:00.000-08:00

To be or not to be...

2009-01-26T05:28:00.000-08:00

Luke

2009-01-25T05:55:00.000-08:00

Luke and Naomi

2009-01-24T05:48:00.000-08:00

Jesse

2009-01-23T05:38:00.000-08:00

Stephen

2009-01-22T05:34:00.000-08:00

New Chair

2009-01-21T09:25:00.000-08:00

During hunting season we went and spent some time at my parent's house. I didn't bother taking Naomi's portable high chair, we have very little room in the vehicle anyway. But my mom had this red chair, so we used it. Naomi sat really well on it, waiting to be lifted on and off. My mom isn't using it any more and offered it to me- I was happy to take it. After all, it had been my chair when I was little- and I had loved it.
Naomi now happily sits in her chair at the table with us at meal times.

Naomi Let me Pose Her

2009-01-21T05:31:00.000-08:00

Naomi's Apron

2009-01-20T05:28:00.000-08:00

Naomi is just such a sweet girl- and girl she is! She loves to be like Mom, she likes wearing her apron when we cook and she likes her pretty dresses.

Video Games

2009-01-19T05:26:00.000-08:00

Look, Titus is already annoyed that he can't play with them.

Dad and Titus

2009-01-18T05:21:00.000-08:00

Titus Meeting Family

2009-01-18T05:18:00.000-08:00

Aunt Johanna

Uncle Alex

Morfar

Mormor and
L-R: Simon, Lydia, Andy & Mandy,
very impressed with their new nephew.

Naomi's Christmas Dress

2009-01-17T05:17:00.000-08:00

Babies

2009-01-17T05:05:00.000-08:00

A while ago I posted a picture of Erin and I while we were pregnant. So I thought you guys might like to see us with our babies.

Titus and Aliyah born 3 weeks apart

Reading a Book

2009-01-16T05:16:00.000-08:00

5 Blessings

2009-01-16T05:03:00.000-08:00

Titus

2009-01-15T13:01:00.000-08:00

Life Happens

2009-01-15T10:12:00.000-08:00

Well, since I have not been posting for so long I have a build up of pictures- so I'll be posting them randomly over the next month... and they will be random, because the ones I have ready to upload right now are from this last week and then after that I'll post Christmas. :-)

Jesse's craziness

2009-01-08T07:49:00.000-08:00

This is what the boys do when I'm not around. LOL! Jesse was trying to take a goofy picture of himself, but the camera was on video. I actually picked this one out of 4 videos. Ones that he "took" before realizing it was on video instead of picture. You can see that he posed, clicked the camera to take a picture, but instead turned "record" on... then it didn't "click" so he checked what button, posed again and clicked to take a picture- turning "record" off. It was rather amusing looking at all his videos this morning!!

Our Heavenly Father has richly blessed us:

2008-12-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

Titus Michael

Born at home December 10th

9 lbs. 2 oz.

20 inches long

We are all doing well, sorry- no pictures of Naomi with him, she has been really sick with a cold, so we haven't had her hold him, though she really wants to. She hasn't been jealous of him in the least, but has been a wonderful big sister and very helpful.

Thank you all for your prayers!

Braids!

2008-12-09T10:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas Tree Hunting

2008-12-06T05:06:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite traditions- Christmas Tree Hunting. We got up into the mountains, find the perfect one and enjoy the fresh air. This time Luke got to cut it down and carry it back to the car. Most of the time there is alot of snow, which makes it much prettier- but it was easy to hike around this time.

Thanksgiving

2008-12-06T05:06:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving 2008

Left and clockwise: Sean, Luke, Brian, Rachel, Naomi, Jesse, Stephen, Karen, *Suzanne's seat* (she was taking the picture) and Laura.

It was a good day- any day with that kind of feast is a good day!!

Where's the baby?

2008-12-05T05:05:00.000-08:00

My midwife and I have a great bond- I apprenticed with her for about 7 years while I lived in Washington and we grew to be such great friends. Since I moved out here, she has come out for my births. Here is a picture of her showing the kids what position the baby is in- they all got to feel the butt and the head and could tell where the baby was. Naomi was enthralled and touched my stomach as well.

Bosom Buddies

2008-12-05T05:04:00.000-08:00

My friend Suzanne came for a visit this last week. We have been friends for almost 20 years- seems so crazy to be able to say that! We were really hoping to have the baby while she was here, but God had other plans. Suzanne is a Personal Organizer- which is something I am not. While she was here she rearranged the kitchen and the livingroom and cleaned- kept all the dishes done, etc. What a blessing! She says she's OCD, I really had never thought of her that way. More of gifted!
The livingroom arrangement was rather funny... my midwife was here as well and I left to pick up the boys from piano lessons, 20 minutes later I walked in to a different livingroom. Why? What do I expect leaving 2 OCD people in the same room? Oh and because the way I had it set up before was not conducive to conversation. Ok. I change the livingroom every couple months anyway- so it's nice, just funny!
I really enjoyed her visit- we end up just being able to see each other every couple years, so it's always refreshing to be with her. We hadn't planned much- since I was thoroughly convinced I would have this baby as early (or close to it) as I had Naomi. The week was fairly low-key and we just enjoyed each other's company.
Naomi grew quite attached and started saying "Suzi" right away, it was very cute.
Anyway, my heart was blessed by having her here- so thanks Duncan for sharing your lovely wife for a week, it was a great gift!

Update on Erin-

2008-12-04T09:34:00.000-08:00

My friend Erin had a beautiful baby girl on November 18. Aliyah Joy. They are both doing really well.
When a baby comes into the world, it's not just a birth of a baby- it's a birth of a mother, a father, a child and a family. Bryan and Erin are committed to raising Aliyah for the Lord, and it is such a blessing to see them grow!

A shelf to sit on

2008-12-04T08:08:00.001-08:00

Hopefully not for much longer!

Flower Girl

2008-12-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

Naomi was a flower girl for our friends wedding in November.
She really enjoyed wearing a pretty dress.

My New Purse

2008-12-04T08:02:00.001-08:00

My Mom is so talented- she can do pretty much anything! She made me a new purse for my birthday- I just love it and had to share a picture!

Luke's First Deer!

2008-12-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

Luke was able to go hunting Saturday night with Brian and a friend from church. Brian sat with him in a tree stand and Luke was able to shoot this 2 point buck. He dropped it with the first shot!

Masks...

2008-11-15T05:06:00.000-08:00

We were sick the other week and Sean and Laura had planned to stop in, but I told them to stay away- it was really not something anyone else wanted. That was early in the week... Saturday morning they decided to stop in and bless us with Cinnabon Cinnamon rolls but still didn't want to get sick...

Pony Tail!

2008-11-14T05:05:00.000-08:00

Naomi's hair is finally able to be put into a pony tail!! Granted, it comes out pretty easy... but if I put it on top of her head she keeps it in fairly well- as long as she's not trying on a bunch of her hats.

Expecting Mamas

2008-11-12T05:07:00.000-08:00

My friend Erin is about 3 weeks ahead of me with her pregnancy- It's not often that I am so close in due dates with someone- The guys are already planning play dates. :-)

Naomi's Baby

2008-11-11T09:32:00.000-08:00

Naomi's baby was sitting in her high chair- so Naomi gave her a drink. She makes a good mama.

Halloween

2008-11-10T11:07:00.000-08:00

I have to confess, I didn't get a picture of Luke and Jesse in their costumes- we had a wedding rehearsal on Halloween, so the boys stayed with their grandparents. I'm hoping to get a picture from them. Jesse was a sword. Luke was a knight, but on Halloween he went as a cowboy. These were taken during our Annual Costume Party- Stephen was an Eagle. Pretty cool, huh?

One of our friends came as a chicken (his wife was an egg!) Naomi liked the chicken head.

Naomi was a pumpkin- I know, she was a pumpkin last year, but I had the costume... and she makes a pretty darn cute pumpkin! She liked it too. :-)

Pumpkin Carving

2008-11-09T14:04:00.000-08:00

From Right to Left:

Naomi's, Stephen's, Jesse's, Luke's, Rachel's and Brian's.

Pumpkin Patch

2008-11-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

We've gone to a pumpkin patch every year- until we started our garden. Last year we had enough pumpkins just from our own garden, which was alot of fun. But this year our garden didn't do too well and we had 3 tiny green pumpkins... so we went to the pumpkin patch again. Sean and Laura went with us- it was a windy day, but other than that, very nice.

Naomi loves dogs. She just stayed next to this dog and said "puppy!"

A rare shot of the whole family!

Naomi and Jesse.

All my pumpkins!

Stephen and Jesse helped Naomi- she enjoyed "jumping" over everything in the path.

Luke always picks the biggest one...

Trying to decide- it's a rough life!

Jesse and his pumpkin.

Naomi in the pumpkin patch... with her pumpkin hat...

Dad and Naomi found the perfect Naomi pumpkin!

Working on Halloween Costumes... well, not exactly.

2008-11-06T09:28:00.000-08:00

Our friends Sean and Laura (you'll probably hear about them alot- we do alot together, pretty much family) brought a bunch of cardboard for the boys to make costumes with.
Each year they make their own costumes- rather than buying them. But this time... they got a little distracted...

These days...

2008-11-05T08:44:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let you all know that if I'm not posting on here- it's because I'm sleeping all the time. When Naomi has been taking naps, rather than playing around on the computer I have been napping too. :-) Only a few more weeks before we meet this baby!

Jesse's snow fort

2008-10-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

Jesse built this up and then was digging the bottom out. As you can see it was pretty warm out, (like the gloves with the t-shirt?lol) so the snow was melting fast- not cold enough to hold the shape of a fort. I know they were hoping it would snow again right away- but the snow is all gone now.

Stephen's Birthday

2008-10-20T09:07:00.000-07:00

Stephen had a birthday this week. Friday we made his cake- he picked a Greek Lemon Cake (will post on my cooking blog later). We mixed it up together- he was completely involved in making it. After it was cooled we made the frosting and we both decorated. He added all the finishing touches. I was very much reminded of myself around his age- I loved decorating my own birthday cake.

While we were baking he said to me: "Mom, you know what the best part of a birthday is? You get the biggest piece of cake!" I laughed to myself, because the day before Brian had made Stephen a birthday card- and it had said exactly that!! Yup, we've got him pegged.

Stephen loves food. He just does. And he loves making it. (Takes after me- I love it too.) We've gotten him gift cards to his favorite restaurant before for his birthday, and thought he would jump out of his skin in excitement. Last year I got him Rachael Ray's kid's cookbook. This year I went shopping and got all the ingredients to make 4 of the meals out of it, ones that he hasn't made. The fridge is stocked. He wants to make dinner tonight.

Later on Friday, our friend Kristy took Stephen to the rodeo- he got all decked out in his western wear to go. He had a good time, talking with Kristy and her friends and munching on candy. (More food...)

Saturday we had a birthday party for him. He invited a couple friends from school. They got here, made their own pizza and then while it was baking Brian had them play some games. The first one we had teams and they had a balloon between their backs- the fasted team to pop it was the winner. Turned out to be a challenge.
The next game we had a string tried to our ceiling fan with a clothes pin on the end. They each had a fruit roll up they had to eat, from the bottom up with no hands. The fastest won. Jesse was the fastest (of the kids) with 10.2 seconds, followed closely by one of Stephen's friends at 13.8 seconds. They ate their custom pizza and then enjoyed Stephen's birthday cake- and yes, Stephen did get the biggest piece. So much so, he couldn't finish it all.