Our 13th Anniversary

Celebrain 13 years with the best husband!  Toby has today off and this afternoon we are going to go out together.  Dawna will have our kids for us.  Thanks, Dawna!  And Toby is taking me shopping!  Yippee!  I feel so blessed to have a husband who is so good to me and so right for me.  He really does complete me!  I love you, Riverboy!  Thank you for our wonderful life together!

Sienna's Christmas Solo

Sienna was a part of the Christmas play at church yesterday.  It was also our "Great Bicycle Give Away" where children from the community come with their families to receive a new bike and hear the Christmas message, some maybe for the first time!  Sienna sang a small solo.  Of course, Toby and I get real nervous for her, but she did incredible!  We are so proud of her for using the talent God gave her. 

 

When I first asked her about singing, she said, "NO MOM, YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"  I told her, of course, I would not make her, but just to pray about it and just think on it.  So as we drove on that day in the van, she went from "No way" to "Ok, I think I'll do it, but get me more information."  After it was all done, she was so glad she was a part of it and would like to join the drama small group at church.

My First Goal!

So, I think this is my 3rd session of soccer and my goal has always been to score a goal.  Well, finally, I scored!!!  I actually usually play defender, so my chances of scoring have not been real high, but....last night I played up front almost the whole game.  To describe my goal...it is not very exciting...a team member tried to score, the goalie went down and deflected it and it came right to me.  All I had to do is tap it in!  But nevertheless, it was a score!!  Yoohoo!  And it was probably at 11:15pm.  Yup we had a late game.

Loved Karen's Post on our Family

Karen,

 

We just viewed your blog again and as I was closing the page, Ellie said, "I didn't know them had a beard dad!"  I can't stop laughing!!!

Happy Birthday Ellie

Ellie turned four in November!  And with that has come a much anticipated hurdle in potty training!  Somehow all of a sudden it is just so much better!  Maybe she knows she is older and just has decided to stay dry all the time.  We are just proud of her.  She has really matured a lot lately.  She loves going to Awana and learning her verses.  She loves animals.  We hope to get a dog next year, but first we need to put in a back yard. We had just put in a backyard at our old house, when we had no idea that we would be moving so soon!

 

Another blessing for Ellie at our new house is her new friend Ellie that lives across the street and she is 4 1/2!  She is actually the daughter of a friend from my childhood.  They moved in a week before us!  Small world.

 

Ellie is very into Diego and Dora, learning spanish words, and still definitely loves to run and jump!

 

We love you, Ellie Ana!

Update on our New House

We moved in October 6th!  This house is such a blessing for us!  We now have 4 bedrooms upstairs instead of spread out on 3 levels like before.  An attached 2 car garage, so we don't have to trudge through the snow to the house.  Toby and I have our OWN bathroom, which we will appreciate even more as our 3 girls get older!  Not to mention new windows, roof, doors and INSULATION. We had an old house before with lots of character, but character won't keep you warm, like a new house.

 

As far as our other house.  We tried to rent it, but then felt it would be much easier financially if we sold it.  So we tried to sell it, but were not willing to drop the price so much to get it sold, so then we had it for rent and for sale.  The day after we put up our for rent sign, we got it rented to some excellent tenants.  We feel real excited about getting to keep it!

 

It has been a real walk of faith lately in all these changes.  Our big hurdle was getting loans we needed for the new house. The mortgage world is very cautious right now, especially for investors.  We had to do a lot to prove that we are actully living in the house that started out as an investment.  Now, that we kept our old house, it is still a walk of faith to believe God to provide.  But we really feel at peace about keeping it.  Part of our heart's desire.  We will see what unfolds in weeks and months to come, but I am expectant!  We have already seen some miracles and I really believe what we need is no big thing for God to do or lead us in doing.

 

I will try and post some new pictures of our new home soon!

Happy Thanksgiving

We had the pleasure of visiting family for a week and a half over Thanksgiving.  Toby worked at his old job for the week, so we made it a family trip.  One of the best highlights was getting to have Thanksgiving this year with my sister and her husband, Shane.  We really missed Tyson, though.   We were also able to spend time with Toby's family the next day, including Aunty Sylvia.  It is always a special time with them.  Since we get to be here so long (we are still here), I have gotten to see some friends that we hardly ever get to see when we come just for a weekend.  We saw Brian & Laura, Toby's cousin Luke and Michelle, Jess & James, Jen & Mack, and tonight, Karen and kids!

Surprise! This house is for you to enjoy!

"For this is like the waters of Noah to Me..." Isaiah 54:9a  Back in 2000, the Lord gave me this verse.  The sidebar had a note saying...God is making a new beginning with His people so startling that it can only be compared to the new beginning and the new covenant He made with Noah.  At the time, I did not know all that it entailed and probably still don't.

 

As I have looked back at our last five years I can put many things under the heading Surprise.

 

Moving to a whole new area we never imagined we'd live and absolutely loving it!

 

One year later, baby Ellie was born and became ours through a miraculous testimony of adoption through the foster system.

 

A little over a year later, I find out I will be pregnant with Ayla through embryo adoption and experience a near pain-free labor and delivery with her!

 

I am sure there are other things, but the latest big news is that the house Toby had built as an investment...well, it seems the Lord intended it for us all along.  As we looked back at the details of the house, we can see how God took special care about things that would be important to us.  One being air conditioning.  We didn't opt for it to save money and they accidentally installed it, and we got it for cheap!  When we clued into the fact that this house would be ours, it was right when all the decisions needed to be made for paint, carpet, tile etc. 

 

We are very excited and our moving in this weekend.  Our current house just went on the market.  So we need to stand in faith for a buyer.  As I look at all God has done, it is amazing!  Miracle afer miracle.  What an insult to Him, when I fear things.  He remains ever-faithful!

Sienna's Baptized

Sienna wanted to be baptized last year, but little miss Ayla was born the weekend that it was to take place.  So this was the year.  She also requested that Toby be a part of baptizing her.  He felt honored and said a few words about how he was baptized at about her age in a swimming pool much the same as her.  And he went on to say how proud of Sienna he was.  We got it all on videotpae for her to see someday.  Such a little woman our oldest is becoming.  She is just a few inches shorter than I am!

Toby's Project

My visionary husband is doing something he has always wanted to do and that is build a house and sell it.  Developing on a small scale (for now).  So last year we embarked on this journey and it is almost finished.  Just a couple of details to finish, one of them being getting it sold.  Just a minor detail.  Ha!  It has been exciting and a little bit scary stepping out to do something you have never done before.  We do have faith that God works all things together for good...and that He teaches us how to profit. 

 

Now for all the fun stuff of picking paint colors and carpet, etc.

 

SOCCER!!!

I am playing soccer again!   I cannot believe how much I am enjoying it.  I was asked to play on an indoor team one night because they were desperate for girls (co-ed team).  I said, "If you really are desperate.  I haven't played in like 13 years and I have not exercised in a long time!"  Well, they were desperate and so I played.  It was exhilarating to me!!!  I was asked to join the team afterwards, and so I guess I did okay!! 

 

My husband was very happy for my happiness and now I am on the team!  What is so funny to me is how tired I was.  It was like my brain would say "Go after that ball!  But my legs were like jello and just couldn't do it!"  The first game there were no subs for the girls.  I was the only girl until we picked up some girls that were there waiting for their game.  But after a few games, my stamina has gotten better or rather I have learned how to pace myself better and not run extremely hard the whole time if Iwant to make it throught the whole game.  

 

I look forward to the next game all week!  I love how the Lord brought this new joy into my life unexpectedly.

 

My girls love to watch me play, too, and now they have talked about getting on a team!  That would be fun!

 

How Do They Know?

This is the perfect time....the kids are playing so nicely.  Everyone's occupied.....I'll go to the bathroom now all by myself.......then instantly....someone's crying...little hands are pounding on the bathroom door IF I have remembered to shut and lock it...otherwise they are there watching my every move....ahhh...how do they do know your every move?

Let the Little Children Come

The carpet looks so inviting. I think I'll lay down. Ahhh!  Here they come.  Little ones climbing, rolling all over me, thinking my head is a seat!   It never fails.  I have become an instant mountain, or kid magnet. 

Colorado Trip

We had such a good time in Colorado.  Toby's family places quality time extremely high on their list and family meals.  It was fun having everyone working together in the kitchen preparing food, cleaning up or just talking.  Aunt Judy & Uncle Bill have such a great house for all of us to gather at.  We even had our own little house above their garage.  It was great for Ayla's naps and for all of our stuff.

 

Some of our highlights included swimming on the ranch and swinging from a crane into the water.  Even Sienna tried it.  Her first try landed awesome and then the second gave us all a scare as she lost her grip too early and went head first right at the water's edge.  God was watching out for her, as the water was deep enough for her.   I thought her head was going to be stuck in the mud!  But she popped right up and was fine.

 

We also visited Bent's Fort on the Fourth of July.  It was the neatest fort that we have ever been too.  With so much set up and activities going on.

 

The best part about the whole trip was just all the family.  We truly wish we could see each other more often!

I Miss My Husband

Toby had to go back to work today after having two and a half weeks off!  We were busy the entire time.  We camped, my parents visited, did yard work and went to Colorado for a week for a family reunion!  Life was great being all together so much.  I missed  not having my husband with me today.   Why is it then that when evening came and he was home, that we were grumpy at each other!  Maybe it was realizing we are back in the rat race again.  Now let's hope we can get more motivated to get out of it, so we have more time together again!  (Plus it didn't help that it was nearly 100 degrees today!)

Ellie's ER Experience

We have never had to visit the ER for any of our children until last week.  Our adventurous Ellie was upset that she couldn't go on a walk with her big sister and her friend.  So, she proceeded to pull the curtain on our front door as she was crying.  I heard a noise and thought the glass door had broken, but it was the curtain rod clanging on the tile floor.  Ellie came running into the kitchen and was bleeding and I took one look at her and knew we were getting stitches.  The curtain rod had impaled her face just below her right eye.  It was quite deep, 'though the pictures don't do it justice.  Oh, and Toby was home early from work that day, which was a miracle in itself, so we were able to handle this emergency with ease.  Sienna went to her friend, Chloe's, because she does not like medical things.

 

Ellie had a blast at the ER.  She layed still throughout the whole procedure.  We were amazed.  They had 3-4 extra nurses in to hold her down if need be, but they ended up just getting to watch her be such a big girl.  I had told her beforehand that they would probably give her a lollipop if she was a big girl, but they gave her a real nice Barbie.  She almost started crying because she didn't get that lollipop I had told her about, so they found her a popsicle and she was okay.  (Forget the Barbie, I layed that still and didn't get my lollipop!)

 

Ellie is amazing when it comes to pain tolerance.  Once, she had blood drawn and didn't even flinch.  She loves to study things and climb and jump, so I think it is fun to her, perhaps, or at least a new adventure!  I liked shots when I was growing up, so maybe we are alike in this area!

 

(Also on the pictures, you can see that we are putting in a garden, or I should say Toby and the girls are. And a new lawn is coming.  I can't wait to let Ayla crawl/walk around out back.  She began walking at 11 1/2 months!)

Happy 1st Birthday to my Ayla!

We cannot believe it was a year ago that we went to the hospital and had the amazing experience of having a baby.  And not just any baby, but our beautiful Ayla Jane.  I get emotional for others when I have heard they have just had their baby because I can relate to the labor/delivery and the joy of birthing a baby experience now.  As I also get emotional when I hear someone has adopted the traditional way because that is equally amazing, 'though a different experience.   A new baby in the family is just the most wonderfulest thing in this world!

 

Ayla, you are so loving.  You love to give such wonderful neck hugs to us and overflow in kisses for us.  In fact, when you kiss me, you immediately look to see who else is in the room so you can kiss them.  So, we can't resist running you to whomever your open lips are pointed towards.  It really cracks us up and is so special!

 

We are going camping this weekend with some friens, the Larsons, and we will celebrate Ayla and my dad's birthday on Tuesday when they arrive at our house.

 

The whole family loves you Ayla and you are such a sweet baby!

Grandma Jane is Retiring!!!

Just a quick note to say that we are so thrilled to have more time with Grandma.  She is retiring and is at a surprise retirement party right now thrown by a co-worker.  Toby and his sister flew/drove to be there and completely surprise her.  (Thanks to Grandpa organizing that part!)  Wish we could have all gone, but we can't wait to hear about her reaction.  She has been such a wonderful ELL teacher and she will be incredibly missed by her students and the faculty.  BUT...we are so happy that we will be able to see her so much more anytime of the year and Grandpa, too, since he is already retired!  We love you, mom/Grandma!

My Sister is Married!

(This is for Tia Cathy)

 

In case you haven't heard....my sister got married this last weekend!  It was truly a celebration!  So many relatives came in from out of town to witness this event.  Almost all of my mother's siblings came, which is an event in itself as she comes from a large family.  My dad comes from a much smaller family, but his dad (my grandpa) and his aunt were able to come as well.  One of my most favorite things in the world is being with family!!

 

My sister married a wonderful man named Shane and with her marriage she also gained a son named Tyson!  Our whole family is just thrilled as my sister has waited and waited for God to bring along her husband.  And Shane couldn't be more right for her!

 

The wedding was incredibly special.  My dad gave a touching speech during the wedding and during the rehearsal both sides of the family expressed their love for the spouse joining their family tree. 

 

As special events seem to go, we did not get many pictures.  But the photographer took over 700 pictures and will have them up on his website.  I will post the link if I can and upload what little we got.

 

I had the honor of being my sister's matron of honor.  Sienna was the beautiful flower girl and Toby watched over the other girls during the wedding, complete with Ayla deciding that as my sister was walking down the aisle to throw a fit, which she doesn't do too often.  Poor Toby.  But it was probably not noticed as my sister looked so beautiful and my dad was holding back the tears as they walked in to the song "At Last" which has words like "At last my love has come...."  couldn't have been more perfect.

 

Thank you to all the family who came and to my Tia Rosemary for doing Sienna and my hair that day!!

 

I miss everyone already!

Ayla

I had Ayla weighed just before she was 8 months and she is very healthy.  She is almost 19 lbs. (what Sienna weighed at 1 year!)  I just love how cuddly she is. 

 

She does this cute, funny face when she wants your attention. She scrunches up her cheeks and eyes so tight for a few seconds.  It cracks us up.  I am going to try to get a picture up, but wanted to journal this so we never forget.

Me, Sewing? Who would have thought!!

So, I decided that I wanted a sewing machine for Christmas!  I never thought I would be so excited about sewing.  I always thought it was easier just to find a good sale.  Which for clothes, I might still agree.  But for other things it is simply just fun!  I sewed crib bedding for Ayla.  I am so proud of myself.  There is a real satisfaction about making something yourself, especially for your family.  I may just want to quilt someday.  As for now, I have no desire, but that is how I felt about sewing.

 

For Valentines, I surprised Sienna and made a nightcap like Laura Ingalls wore.  She has always wanted one and was so excited when she received it. Now, I will make one for Ellie.  Maybe even Ayla ! 

 

To tackle dresses like Bethie and her friends is amazing.  Maybe someday I will try that! (See Erik & Karen's blog).

 

 

Not One, but Two!

So, we are definitely a multi-cultural household now.  Not only did A Hyun come to us, but New Years Day Van from Vietnam came to stay with us.  She was going to just be with us for two days until her host family was available to have her move in, but what often happens is the first family that a student stays with is usually where they would like to stay permanently.  And so is the case here.  We are happy to have her.

 

A Hyun can speak a little bit of English and she uses her translator dictionary to help us.  Van is very new at speaking English and even with her dictionary we are still at a loss most of the time.  We are curious to see their improvement a year from now.

 

I will try to get pictures of them so you can put names to faces.  What a fun experience!

 

In case you are curious how this all works.  We live near a local college here and international students come to learn English and some go on to regular college classes.  Many of them don't speak much English and it is very helpful to them to live with an American family.  This not only helps them get acquainted with our ways, but really speeds their English vocabualary along.  Some may stay a quarter, some may stay a couple of years or more.  It is neat to see whom God brings our way.