I'm back!

Oh my goodness- has it really been since December 16th since I posted my last entry!??!? Merry Christmas, everyone! I suppose with all the hussle and bustle of preparing for the holiday celebrations, along with preparing for our 1700 mile drive down to Florida, I didn't make much time to blog. But, hopefully now I will have some time to regroup and make time to put my thoughts down on - well, the keyboard.

As I type, I am actually sitting in the passenger seat of our van (no, I am not driving!!)... oh the wonders of wireless cards! We have not quite yet reached our destinati0n- but we are SO close! About 15 miles away. Prior to reaching our destination, we have to stop and pick up our wireless internet router... of course, top priority! Between my husband and I we can't go more than a few hours without a connection to the internet!

We've been bribing the kids with, "we're almost there" for - well- about 3 days now. I am sure the baby thinks we are crazy- or liars.

But- the truth is- we really, truly ARE almost there yet. And once we arrive- pictures to follow! So, heads up- if you don't want to see pictures of sand castles and swimsuits... check back in February...

Cheers!

determination...

... and a little Q & A

1. Did I move that chair over there for her?

Most certainly not! Once she discovered how she can combine the ability to slide the counter stools around on the wooden floors- along with her God-given, unbelievable climbing skills- there isn't any height this girl cannot reach!

2. Why is she wearing a swimsuit? Was this picture taken in the summer?

Nope, again. This picture was taken just yesterday when we enjoyed balmy temperatures of -11 below zero. And no, that does not include the windchill. That was just the straight temperature. However, when our friendly UPS man dropped off the packages yesterday morning and I opened one box up to 2 matching swimsuits (size 7 for the big girl, size 18 months for the little tyke)- I could not pry it out of her hands. In fact she insisted on wearing it... for the entire day.

3. Why are you ordering swimsuits in the dead of winter?

1 word... FLORIDA!

winter around here...

I have really fallen off the wagon. Not in the "I need to be committed" sort of way- just in the "it's been really cold here and not much to do so I've had nothing to blog about" sort of way. Of course, I could always find something to write about- but, seriously, how many of you really want to hear about "we did school again today... for the 92nd day this year" or "we went to Target, and then we got pizza for dinner" - because that's about as exciting as it gets around here, folks. But, if for nothing other than updating my sister in Texas, I thought it had been enough days where it was time to at least get SOME pictures up here.

So- anyway- lately it's been nothing more than snow, snow, and more snow. Honestly, I have to tell you- for all of this talk of global warming, I can't help but chuckle and wonder what happened to it. Did Obama fix it already!?!? He's fast! Growing up, I remember winters just like this.... snow early, often and LOTS. And so it is, again, for the youth of my children. For a good 10+ years we've really had mild winters. For our wedding day, December 4th 1999, it was so warm we had many pictures outdoors... in my sleeveless wedding dress!! It was 50 and beautiful. And for many years, we rarely had snow on the ground for Christmas. But, for better or for worse, we've seemed to revert back to the weather that I remember growing up. And the kids are loving it! I tell them, enjoy it now! In 3 more weeks, we're outta here!

when two became one...

1... the number of dates it took me to be "crazy" about him!

3... the number of days before I realized He was "The One"

7... the number of days before we exchanged "I love you's"

6... the number of weeks from our first date, to the day we became engaged

137... the number of "up in arms" and "whoa is me" phone calls and emails I received from my sister and mother

0... the number of reservations I, personally, had about marrying him

6... the number of months from our engagement to our wedding day

9... the number of years I've been happily married to the man of my dreams, my very best friend, the father of my children... the absolute LOVE OF MY LIFE!

________________________________

And it begins...



I will never forget this moment. So many tears. So much emotion!



Two become one...



The Happy Couple!

the midwest...

Because it's cold.

Because there is nothing else to do.

We like to do a lot of this in the winter...

- wrap up in blankets and do... well, nothing.

we are family...

... all my brothers, sisters and me

i got you babe...

I got you to hold my hand...
















I got you to understand...








I got you to walk with me...

















I got you to talk with me...

I got you to kiss goodnight...

I got you to hold me tight,

I won't let go.

I got you to love me so...

I got you, babe

I got you, babe

I got you, babe.

Dessert..

playing with a grizzly

Wouldn't it be cool if you could watch a grizzly bear frolic in his natural habitat (enclosed with fences beyond view and a 3 inch wall of glass, of course)? They are such amazing, majestic creatures...



And wouldn't it be even cooler if he came to say hello??

And if, being the Gentleman that he is, he charmingly reached out to shake your hand?

And proceeded to show off his massive, strong and impressive body as he swam past back and forth...

Wouldn't it be cool if you were this close?!?!?!?

Yes. It would be.

And it was!

After the encounter with the grizzly, we were off to explore more of God's creativity. This time at the sting-ray tank. One of the kids all time favorites...

Little dude had his fill of cow petting...

And baby girl was delirious with glee at such close interaction with the goats. We literally had to pull her away (kicking and screaming)- oh, the joy.

Wow- what a fun day. Grizzly bears. Beautiful weather. Matching coats. The day couldn't have been more perfect.

easy listening...

I voted for Life...

This morning, I thought about the three biggest blessings and miracles that have occurred in my life... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about the moment I found out I was pregnant with my first child- a mere 16 days after conception- and how I clutched my belly and fell in a heap on the bathroom floor, sobbing tears of overwhelming gratitude and JOY for the gift God had given me... and I cast my vote for life.

I remembered, with clear distinction, the first time I felt my first child move inside of me. Only 11 weeks into my pregnancy... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about the joyous day Mike and I saw our first baby on the ultrasound screen - sucking her thumb at 20 weeks - and we praised God for the life that was growing each day inside of me...


... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about my many friends and family members whose children's birth mother chose life and I thanked God that these children were given the chance to live - and to live with the parents God intended and planned all along for them to have... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about other friends, who have tried tirelessly and endlessly month after month and year after year for a miracle child... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought about a courageous young woman in Texas who chose to keep her baby despite the horrible and traumatic circumstances that resulted in conception, and I pictured her beautiful, precious baby boy's face in my mind and I thanked GOD for her courage and bravery... and I cast my vote for life.

I thought of the 50 million children- whose voices have forever been silenced... and I cast my vote for life.

I rocked my baby girl to sleep for her nap and as I laid her down in her bed, I wrapped my body around hers and snuggled close. I watched her sleep and I thanked GOD Almighty for the miracle and the blessing of my baby girl, my son, my older daughter my stepson- and for all children whom he creates with authorship and authority... and I cast my vote for life.

Because the economy, taxes, health care, and education are all important issues- but none is more important than the sanctity of life... I cast my vote for life.

Because life begins at conception... today I voted for LIFE.

"You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother's body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well." Psalm 139:13-14

Sal...

Being a home school mom, and all, I'm always looking for non-conventional ways to "teach" the kids about the world around us. So, when I nearly backed over a slimy 6 inch black amphibian - I knew I had hit jackpot! The little bugger had somehow made it into our garage! It took some coaxing and some scheming, but I finally got him trapped in a bucket.

I was so proud! I ran inside, like a kid with candy and shouted to my husband and kids- "Look! Look what mommy found!!" And we all gathered round to explore inside the bucket...

There he is! Sal... the Salamander. What else could we name him but Sal? Seriously, isn't every salamander named Sal?

Ariana was, perhaps, the most excited out of any of us...

Let's get a close look- shall we?

Let's pet him, shall we? On second thought- no, no, Ariana!

Of course, we did not keep our little buddy. We carried him safely down towards the pond...

And off he went!

Halloween 2008

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

theory...

Behold - a typical meal time in our home...

standing...


walking around...


pestering her brother...

goofing off...

messing around under the table with the dog...

hanging off the table on her daddy's chair...

Do you think this might be why she's not gaining much weight?