Happy New Year!

Happy New Year's Eve! 2011 is quickly coming to a close. Shawn, myself, Tad and Uncle Bill had a nice visit this morning with Sam, and Shawn and I enjoyed a nice, brisk early afternoon walk. This afternoon I hope to get a lot more accomplished on our business plan, we'll see how that goes! :)
A cute little something to remember at the close of the year for Noah. Every time we get into the car, he always asks me to put on the "Fleeting, flowers are coming down," hymn. That is one of my children's favorite hymns, "Time is fleeting, flowers are falling, life will soon be past." We can see how quickly this year went past, and see the truth behind this hymn. I would like to pause more often and ponder all the blessings I have, and consider where I am going and how I am going about in getting there.

Good ole days

Last week when I went through a stand, I found "real" film. Like, over 20 rolls of film that needed developed! I knew that would be expensive to develop all at once, so I randomly picked 3. I took them to Walmart, and picked them up last week. Would you believe one of the pictures was of a very, very round tummy, with Noah inside!!!! It was taken just days before I had him. Anyway, it was so fun, not knowing what was on the film. I like today's technology, take a picture and view it right away, delete it if you don't like it, and take a new one. But, I sorta miss the surprise of what will that picture turn out like, or in my case, what IS the picture??:)
Guess I'm old fashioned, but isn't it amazing the technology that has come out in the last 10 years??
Happy Holidays to everyone! Another year about finished, and we can only wonder what they will come up with next!

New heights!

Hannah has officially by passed me in the height department, with about an inch on me. That happened last week, literally in one week. She and Josh went through a major growing spell, with Josh popping up an inch and a quarter in two weeks and Hannah just about an inch. I knew something was up when Josh continuously wanted to eat, after 2 or 3 days of this(he normally eats next to nothing), I finally put him against the kitchen wall and marked him off. Two weeks later, the new mark was that much higher, and now finally, he is back to his normal eating. Hannah is now about 5'7". Josh is 4'2 1/2".

Wisconsin and back

Last weekend, we took a "quick" trip to Wisconsin, to spend a day with friends on their dairy farm. We were not there very long, but we did learn a lot while we were there. It took a little over 26 hours with stops to drive there and back, and we stayed 23 hours. We also had the privilege of a gospel mtg on Friday evening. What a special fellowship God's people enjoy, even if they have never met before. We definitely felt at home there, and we are so thankful Marv and Minnie opened there home to us. Thank you Minnie, for letting us come and all the work weekend help brings, and for letting me follow your blog! Thanks to Marv for putting up with 101 questions from me and for letting me "help" him fed the baby calves :). Here is our crew, Dad, my brother Tad, Shawn and me. Then a few pictures of the farm.

Week-end vandals

We had late night vandals visit on Saturday night. At 11:30 p.m., Shawn and I were getting ready for bed when a very loud explosion rocked our house. It woke up all the children, and terrified Noah. He thought a bad guy was coming, then he decided the Indians must be coming. I guess he must have thought of that because of a Thanksgiving virtual field trip we watched a week ago. The Indians were pounding on tom-toms. Anyway, after surveying outside and finding nothing, and listening to the scanner, and not hearing any runs, we decided to go to bed. On our way to meeting on Sunday(it was our rotation to go to Helen's), as we pull down our driveway, I noticed a white piece laying in the middle of the road. I asked Shawn what that was, he replied, "Our mailbox lid, now we know what the explosion was!" The mailbox itself wasn't in the road, it wasn't on its post either. After meeting, we went to Lowe's to purchase another mailbox. After lunch, we went down to find the mailbox. It was across the street, down in Dad's pasture field. Not sure what type of explosion was used, no evidence of that, just the black gun powder residue on parts of the blown apart box, turned mostly inside out. Dad heard the explosion at his house, and got out of bed to investigate. Noah had to stay in our bed to fall asleep, as I carried him to his bed and covered him up, he said, "I don't like that noise." Sunday night, when I put him to bed, he told me he needed to sleep by Daddy, because that noise might come back. So sweet, Daddy can take care of so much for us! Here is a picture of the sad remains, of what had been our mailbox for 10 years. It stood through sun and rain, ice and snow. Never complained through its many years of service, but it couldn't handle this challenge.The cat and chicken guarding the remains, at Dad's.

Bits and pieces

We've been keeping up with our studies, and between that, work, and "farm things", I haven't taken much time to post. Looking forward to some future plans, hoping for a lifestyle change for Shawn, the kids, and myself. More on our exciting adventure when we know more "for sure" data!
I get the privilege of having Thanksgiving here again this year. Looking forward to time with my mom's side of our family. We enjoyed Saturday evening, 11-19, at Shawn's mom's house. Had a great time looking through her old photo albums of when "the boys"(Shawn and Shane) were growing up. "Mom" always does so much for us every year, I am blessed to have such a wonderful mother-in-law.
Today, I helped Hannah lose 2 of her baby teeth. She looks a little funny with 2 teeth missing from the bottom. She has around 7 left to loose before she gets braces. Josh had a series of dental work done last week, the rest to be done this week. He had a serious amount of decay that occurred from just 6 months ago. He had 4 teeth filled last week, 4 more this week. Not sure what caused this issue, he does brush his teeth, I wonder if it is a combination of soft teeth and our well water.
We spent2 weekends ago at Dad's, gathering stuff for an auction. It was a very fun day playing remember this?! My dad, both sisters, one brother(and his daughter) , Shawn, the kids and I spent roughly 15 hours gathering treasures!
We had our annual weiner roast a few weeks ago. Wonderful to spend time with true friends, that share in our fellowship. Glad for the same faith that unites us and binds us together. Many had to miss this year due to a funeral. Thoughts of sympathy to Lindsey.
I also finished the goat project Shawn helped me start. We added a lean to addition on to the old swing set we had for the goats to climb on, and put tin over it for additional shelter. Zach and I spent a day taking down our electric wire fence and put up more fence posts to make the pasture bigger. Shawn helped rewire and finish putting up the fence posts I didn't get to.
So, that's a summary of what we have been up to for the past month. Doesn't seem possible there is only 5 weeks left in this year. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Flurries

We haven't had any "real" snow yet, but last week on our way to town the kids were happy to say they saw snow flurries. Rather big flakes, that you would have missed if you blinked your eyes! This is a picture from last year, I hope our driveway is easier to navigate this year!

Looking back-1 year ago

Fall 2011

Wonderful weekend

We had a very enjoyable weekend. Zach had a harmonica/piano recital on Sunday, and Hannah played her violin in the same one. We also had some very special company drive 2 hours just to spend the day with us. So very thankful for their friendship and the fellowship we enjoyed together. Monday brought visits from the brothers, for supper and the night. I hardly know how or why we have been so richly blessed, but I know I am very thankful for it.
Hannah and I enjoyed a girl day on Saturday with my sisters. We went to a factory outlet and bought some new pictures for my newly redecorated bedroom. After lunch, we went to JC Penny for some bargains of the day, like a beautiful quilt for Hannah's room for $10, new thermal lined curtains for my room @ $4.99 a panel, a new comforter set for my room for $22, shams included, pillows that were $50 for $7.99 and another for $2.99. Diana gave me an awesome gift of her bedroom suite, after I had called asking if she knew anyone with a headboard. I repainted our room, and decided to move the bedroom around, after moving the bed, I broke the headboard. So, we moved her furniture here on Saturday evening. We have misplace our camera, once we find it, I will snap some shots of the new look. I wish I could have taken a before and after shot, but I'll just have to show an after shot.

Our 15 year anniversary

Shawn and I celebrated 15 years of marriage with a weekend getaway. Just the two of us, how "little" we felt without 4 little ones to look after, but how wonderful to have time with just each other, walking and talking, and more walking. :) Pictures to follow, school demands time right now.
Thank you, Shawn, for all you sacrifice for us, what a perfect pick God had planned for me. I am truly blessed to have you and our little ones to love, and live with in this life.

Happy 40th Birthday, Honey!

My dear Honey(after hearing me call Shawn this, lately Noah will hear Shawn's backup beeper on his van when he comes home, and yell,"Honey's Home!") turned the big 40! My aunt joked at the party with me that she didn't know I married an old man! Poor Honey. I like to think of you as not getting older, but getting much wiser. I have treasured watching your walk with God getting stronger through the storms we have been through together, from you taking your first steps with Him almost 12 years ago through today. God picked the perfect man for me and I am so thankful to be blessed with being called, "Your wife."

Surprise party for Shawn

Shawn's mom and dad helped me host a surprise 40th birthday party for Shawn. They had pizza and cake for him, I did the easy part of calling and inviting. We had a great turn out- around 70 total, kids included. His boss and 2 co-workers were among those in attendance,Rick,Dave, and Rick. On the guest list included his brother and sister-in-law, Shane and Christy,their son, Jason, my Dad, 2 sisters, brother and his daughter, Shawn's grandma, his step dad's mom and her step mom, Shawn's uncles and aunts Dave and Joy, and Mike and Cathy, with their grandchildren, his aunt Heidi, her daughter,Brittany with her husband, Adam, his cousin,Elizabeth, with her 2 children, my uncles and aunts, Bill and Marilyn, cousin Leigh, and her 3 children, Harold and Marvis, cousin Becky, and her husband Greg, friends from meeting included Troy and Jody, their son, Brandon and his wife,Brittany and their baby Landon, Vanessa and her 4 boys, and Rick and his 2 sons, and also Shawn's best friend, Scott, and his wife, Deanna. 2 of his firefighter friends, both Jeff's, wandered over toward the end of the party. I think that was the guest list. Hope I got everyone. I will add more pictures to this post later, my children want supper!

School pictures

Waiting for Emily to get off the bus.Emily, my brother Tad's daughter. I get her off the bus and keep her for Tad while he is working. This little lady is like my second daughter, and my kids sister. I quit my job at the bank when we found out my mom had cancer, so I could keep my children, and help Mom. I took over babysitting for Emily when she was 10 months old. She is 8 now, and I think of her and the future struggles she is sure to face, with the events that are going on in her life right now. Children are truly the ones to suffer when things like this happen, very thankful she has a better chance than most, help that most don't depend on. Glad her Dad is taking steps in the right directions, steps we pray Emily will one day walk in.

First day of school, success!

We started school on Monday, August 29, 2011. We had a very good day, this year is going so much smoother than last. A new school room was most of the reason, and one year under our belt with the school program we use was another. I am very glad and thankful that I have the time and oppurtunity to help our children with their education. I am so fortunate to spend my whole day with them, and get to see their minds developing. I know these days are speeding past, and one day my little ones won't be little ones, I want to value the time I have with them more.

Wonderful start for a new year, refreshing at conventions

We had the privilege of 2 full conventions in August. So much was shared, our cups truly run over. I love how God knows exactly what we need to hear, and can speak to us through others laboring with the gospel, that we haven't even meet, yet they speak of things that are in our hearts. At Y.S. on Saturday, Aug. 20th, 2011 during the evening gospel meeting, our oldest 2 boys made their choice to serve God. Zach is 10, Josh is only 6. There were 4 that professed, or rufessed as Josh calls it :)., one of the other 2 was our friends little boy, Jayden, who is only 9, and a 15 or 16yr old girl. My friend Amy's oldest boy,Weston,15, was one of 5 that was baptized. On Saturday, Aug. 27th, 2011, Hannah,12, was baptized (only one). Then that evening, Tad (my brother), and Ellie(Hannah's friend) professed. So, our little meeting has 3 new ones taking part.
A few thoughts that have stayed with me: You can't lead someone any further than you are willing to go yourself, God is trying to get us to stop talking and start listening, You don't have to be perfect parents, with the perfect home, to raise perfect children, The faith God's people have is not just words on their lips.
I don't know why God speaks to me, or has blessed me with a man that walks with Him, and has given me 4 children that I long to return to Him, (thankful for 3 that have felt their need to live for Him((Noah tries, but at 3, he has a bit more to learn))), but I owe Him my life and am so thankful He does want me to be His child.

Moved in pictures

My favorite reading chair.

ABC's and 123's
Zach's desk
Josh and my work area

Hannah's desk and the classroom pets, 2 birds and 2 guinea pigs

Noah reciting ABC's

Here is Noah saying his ABC's. You'll notice he does great until he reaches r, then instead of s, he goes to x y z!

New pond

Well, the pond project is almost finished! After we add some rolls of rock to the side walls, and some blue solar tube lights, it should be done. I laid out the heart shaped scheme, and started digging(with a flat shovel to boot!). I got pretty far, but I'm glad Shawn came to my rescue and helped finish digging it. A cheap roll of 4ml plastic, doubled, from Tractor Supply, that we used as our liner(regular pond liners run around $300 +, this was $29.99) with river rocks gently laid out in a single layer, and larger rocks put at the edge of the different levels(there are 4 altogether), lighthouse put on the top level, pump to circulate the water, turn on the garden hose, 12 little goldfish, and voila, we now have a nice fish pond!