Help Support a Ministry We Believe In

Adopting can be a very expensive journey that many good families cannot afford.  Antioch Adoptions has removed the financial obstacle for Christian families who desire to adopt children who need a forever family.  What an amazing ministry!

If you are considering buying gift cards for anyone, say as a Christmas gift, or just for yourself...if you order through the web site below, 8%  of your purchase goes to the ministry of your choice.  Please select Antioch Adoptions to help their ministry continue what they are doing.

Of course, you can always donate directly at www.antiochadoptions.org in which they will receive 100% of your donation.

Below is a copy of the email I received explaining how to order these gift cards!

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Celebrate Christmas with

Antioch Adoptions!

We need your support to continue helping children trapped in the foster care system find their forever family. What better way to do that than by purchasing gift cards you need and use everyday?

With every dollar spent by you, up to 8% will be donated to Antioch Adoptions. Purchasing with purpose will give you the opportunity to purchase gift cards and make a significant contribution to an organization that makes a difference in the lives of children.

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord.

Ephesians 6 : 7

How Does it Work?

MinistryHome allows Christian ministries to raise support and further their

ministry.  You will be able to log onto and purchase gift cards from nationally

recognized stores, including: Kohl's, Borders Books, Regal Cinemas,

Home Depot, and much more!

Visit www.ministryhome.org In the upper right hand corner, you will see

a drop down menu that asks you to "Choose a store from this list."

Click on the drop down button, choose Antioch Adoptions and start

shopping! MinistryHome will process your order and mail your purchased

gift card to the recipient with no extra charge. There is no hidden fee...

you simply pay the face value price of the gift card.

We Need Your Help!

Would you be willing to take some Christmas cards to your local church?
Or would you be willing to mail out our specially designed Christmas cards to your family and friends to help raise funds for Antioch Adoptions this Christmas? Please contact our office at

425-558-0921 or dbrumfield@antiochadoptions.org to request Christmas cards.

Thank you for your support!

A Tia to be...

I have been waiting for like 3 months to announce that my sister is pregnant! It was her news to break not mine, but I was so close to blogging about it anyway.  I am glad I had self-control.  I don't know how some people can hold back such huge news.  I know some people view me as too open, but hey.  I see that she finally posted it on her blog and most people already know anyway, but I still had to write about it.  And I will finally have the title of Tia (Spanish for Aunty).  And we will both finally be in somewhat of the same phase of life.  It is a little hard to imagine my little sister as a mommy, because she is my little sister, not because she won't be a great mom.  Does anyone else feel that way about their little sisters?

A Thanksgiving that looks like Christmas

We spent Thanksgiving at the Phillip's house along with the Mosseys.  It is so nice to be invited to celebrate this holiday with others when you are not able to be with your own family. 

My friend Heidi and her family have a rule that they can always invite others to be a part of their Thanksgiving each year.  All growing up, she can remember having other people come over for this holiday and become a part of her family for the day.  It is so easy to get wrapped up in your own family as large as it may be or become, but I want to try and remember to be mindful of this in our family.

It started snowing on Thanksgiving here and has continued all the next day as well.  It already feels like Christmas here.  We have our tree all set-up and what few decorations we have.  Ever since our last move, I think we are missing a Christmas box because we cannot find our Nativity set.  Hmmm...

Southcenter Shootings/Day 1 of Retirement

Anybody hear about the southcenter shootings yesterday?  Well, my mom and dad were shopping there when they heard 2 gunshots.  Instantly my dad and mom were looking for the fastest way out of Penney's.  My mom had 2 pairs of jeans that she was carrying to buy for my dad.  She somehow thought she would have time to pay for them on their way out!  When she came to her senses, she tossed them in the women's department and they were able to race outside, find their vehicle and get out of there before the lockdown.  It turns out that someone shot 2 people and I think one person died.  I feel for the parents of these teenagers.

My mom called me to let me know about the shootings and that they were close to it, but just fine.  My dad's comment in the background was, "Retirement is exciting!"  Dad can always find a way to make us laugh.

This brings back another memory of a similar situation when we were kids at the Puyallup Fair.  All of a sudden, my dad grabs my sister in a football hold and tells me to hold onto his jacket.  My mom is right there also and we are running.  Our eyes are instantly watering and snot is flowing out of our noses!  My dad and mom think it is some kind of poison.  So we are running out of the fair, past people that were not exposed to it, probably wondering why these people are running for their lives covered in snot.  It turns out that someone let off tear gas!

A Tribute to my Dad

All my life, (that I can remember), my dad has been a firefighter.  My mom, sister and I have countless memories of visiting him at "the station".  He'd go to work in the morning to work a 24 hr shift and by evening many a time we would hop in the car and drive down to visit him.  We've sat on the firetrucks and he'd turn on the emergency lights or honk the horn.  And as I have grown up, I have been able to bring my kids down to see "the station" and sit on the trucks. 

One of my favorite memories growing up was when one of our cats brought a rat into our house, a live rat!  My dad happened to be at work that day.  My mom called him and along came my dad with about 3 other guys to the rescue on the big, red, firetruck!  My mom, sister and I stayed upstairs while the heroes took tennis racquets and smashed the poor rat on our hearth!

Well, my dad now has a lot more free time on his hands as he has just retired after 33 plus years as a lieutenant firefighter!  While I am so joyful for him to be retired, I am surprised at how emotional it is for me.  My mom asked if it was because it makes me think of my dad getting older.  That did not even cross my mind.  If you know my dad, he is far from old!  It is just that he has always been a firefighter and we could always go to "the station" and it is just the thought of not having those times anymore or just that it is all I have known and maybe the end of making more memories at "the station".  I am really not sure.  Don't get me wrong, I am so glad he is retired.  It is probably like the emotions of moving from a house that you grew up in all your life.  Seeing dad in his uniform and leaving for work or coming home the next morning is a normal everyday memory, but it is special.  Or calling the station, before dad kept his cell phone on at work, and hearing him say, "Renton Fire Department, station 12, Lieutenant Dykes speaking", or something like that.  You get my point.

Thank you, dad, for working so hard all my life for us when we lived at home and always for mom.  I have always been so proud of my dad, the firefighter.  But really that was just a small part of the most wonderful dad that you are!  I love you!

On a funny note:  Our cat brought in a live mouse today and Toby was at work.  I called him and he came as soon as he could in his work truck and was my hero!  It is funny how certain moments can repeat themselves and create new memories for your kids.  Although, this scene did not require any tennis racquets!

Check out my Sister's blog for some pictures!

Ellie's Happa Birday!

(Said with a smile by Ayla)

Our girls get a friend birthday party every other birthday.  (Ellie picked a Tinkerbell theme.) And believe me, after Ellie's 5th birthday this year, I will keep that tradition going.  She had over 10 friends come and it was a screaming, running, yelling time.  Ellie was already running on little sleep from the two nights before, you add some sugar and you have over 2 hours of ....fun?!?  Well, the point is that Ellie had a great time and wanted to have another one the very next day, since that was her real birthday.  She didn't quite understand why we couldn't do it all over again.

We just love our Ellie Ana so much.  She is getting easier to take on errands with me.  We just drive along in peace down the road.  A little talking here and there, but we are both in our thoughts most of the time.  She loves going to "seco therapy" with me (physical therapy) and observe all my exercises for my knee.

Being one who has liked to wander too much in the stores we go to, last night I took her to Penney's with me.  While I looked at the curtains, she looked at the ornaments right by the curtains.  I'd check on her and we'd get eye-contact every few minutes.  Well, she came over to the curtain area with me and then I was trying to locate her after a few minutes.  I went over to the ornament area and she wasn't there.  I then headed back into the curtains and I could hear a lady saying, "Have you lost your mommy?"  And there she was surrounded by mommas and grammas choking back her tears.  She could hardly talk.  I felt so bad.  That is the first time that I can remember her ever showing fear at a store out of my sight.  I always feel bad when my kids go through a fear like that.  And I am also thankful for seeing that cautiousness grow in them when it needs to. 

All this to say that I love my Ellie.  As her name means, she is truly a light in our lives.  She loves to do flips on the couch, without arms, which terrifies Sienna every time she does it.  And she can run and run and ride her bike and be the quiet one in the van while her sisters fight for the spotlight to share their stories from Awana.  I have to stop them and ask Ellie if she has anything she would like to share about her class at Awana.  "No", she says.  So then I ask if they colored or heard a story or had snacks.  Then she will open up and start talking once she has a direction.  As my mom says, she is a lot like me.  In more ways than one.  She has been my hardest to potty-train, which I was for my parents.  But now, she has got it down.  And her reasons for taking so long, I think were the same as mine.  Not wanting to stop playing...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET DAUGHTER OF MINE!

Ellie Learns to Ride Her Bike

We knew once Ellie caught on, she would be a natural at riding her bike.  Here is one of her first shots at it with her dad.  Now she rides like nothing, except she nearly ran me down on a walk recently when she failed to use her brakes properly!

Summer Vacation

We took several days to visit my family.  It was a great time.  Shane and Olivia had us all over for a scrumptious breakfast.  My parents let us take over their house.  Cayman (their dog) let Ellie boss him all over the yard.  We even went on a double date with my sister and her husband into Seattle for dinner as my parents babysat for us.  It is very fun being together.  And as our family grows, it adds to the joy! 

We then traveled with Toby's parents to visit Aunty and her islands!  The girls enjoyed the ferry rides and beach combing.  Sylvia put together a dinner party for us to get to know some of her closest friends.  It was a very nice time all together as usual.  We got to stay in a beach cabin with Toby's parents.  It was a small 2 bedroom with a hide-a-bed which actually worked out quite well for all of us.  Sylvia has very generous friends that offer us this amazing place right on the water whenever we go.  We also enjoyed visiting Leeanne's farm with pigs, horses, sheep, and sheepdogs that are quite impressive to watch.  This was probably the highlight of the trip for the kids, especially Ellie our animal lover!

Thank you Aunty for your amazing hospitality!  What great memories were made!

Bornalivetruth.org

Not Sure How to Title This One

For those of you wondering on the status of us getting pregnant again...We found out yesterday that I am not pregnant.  I have shed a lot of tears and they are still coming at certain moments.  Please pray for us.  We were so looking forward to having a big family.  We certainly don't understand why we were not blessed with more babies this time.  Maybe it wouldn't even help to know why right now.

I really, really wanted to experience being pregnant again and nursing my baby or babies.  We had 3 embryos implanted.  We thought that surely one of them would take.  And to be honest, I felt pregnant for a few days and then I didn't.  I really believe I was pregnant and for some reason, it didn't last.  It is hard knowing we don't have any more embryos.

What we do know is we have found an even greater appreciation for the children the Lord has given us!  And I am so thankful for having gotten to experience pregnancy once and have an amazing time with it!  But it still does not make it any easier to have lost this dream.  I think I understand how people feel when they have miscarried.  It doesn't matter how many kids you already have, you want this new one just as much!

As I feared how I would feel if we were not pregnant this time around, I couldn't imagine how I would get through it. Now, that we are here, strangely, by God's grace, there is definitely the knowing that I will be okay.  Immediately I knew that. Thank you, God, for that!

Wednesday night before we knew if we were pregnant or not, I awoke with a start having felt a kiss on my forehead!  I immediately asked Toby twice if he just kissed my head.  He was fast asleep!  I think God kissed me!

That same day I had searched scriptures trying to find something to stand on as I feared I was not pregnant.  I kept coming to Zechariah 9:12 "Return to the stronghold you prisoners of hope.  Even today I declare that I will restore double to you."  What this means for me, I don't know, but I do feel it is a scripture for me to stand on, ponder, and treasure and someday look back on and know why God showed it to me.

A Wonderful Poem

I remember my friend, Karen, received a gift from her husband with this poem or something very similar on it and it inspired new thinking for me.  (I copied this from www.frugalhomestory.blogspot.com )  I love the heart of this poem.

1 Corinthians 13 for Mothers

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love,I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not love,my children learn cleanliness, ­not godliness.

If I scream at my children for every infraction,and fault them for every mess they make, but have not love, my children become people-pleasers, not obedient children.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh. Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window. Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk. Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present "mommy," the taxi-driver to every childhood event, the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.

Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in God's perfection of my child.

All the projections I had for my house and my children have faded away into insignificance,

And what remain are the memories of my kids.

Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture, dishes with missing place settings, and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters and markings, But the greatest of all is the Love that permeates my relationships with my children.

-Adapted by Jim Fowler

Kite Day a Few Months Back

Kites

My kiddos received some kites for Easter.  They had so much fun with these dollar store things.  You'll notice Ellie being persistent in trying to get hers untangled and ready to go.  Ayla thinks she is helping by turning over Ellie's kite for her, when, in fact, Ellie had already turned it over.  Then when you think Ellie is all set, the neighbor runs by and hits or tangles up Ellie's kite.  I love seeing that mechanical, persistent personality come out in Ellie.  She actually had many fun times with her kite, just not in this video.  And Ayla cracks me up, pulling the tail of her kite up and down the street thinking she is flying her kite!  And Sienna is helping others and having fun as usual!

Okay, Karen...

I have no good excuse like Karen for my lack of blogging, so I will try to do this tagged thing.  I didn't even know that terminology!  So let's hope this works!

This is called the Random Things Meme...and here's how it goes:

Rules of Engagement:

1) Link to the person who tagged you.

2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6).

3) Write 6 random things about yourself (see below).

4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.

5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.

6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

 

Six Random Things About April:

1) My parents didn't give me or my sister middle names.  (They said it was hard enough coming up with first names!)

2) I have always enjoyed shots.  Meaning needles!  I guess it is my fascination with medical stuff.  And, no, I have never done drugs.

3) My favorite animal growing up was the kangaroo.  I loved how they kept their children so close to them.  They should be the homeschool mascot!

4) My best friend lived with my family when I was in eighth grade.  We found new friends in 9th grade!

5) All my children are adopted, but I got to birth one of them.  Figure that out!

6) I used to consider myself a perfectionist, but now, gladly, I am definitely not.  You should see my house!

 

Now to tag people...hmm...

How 'bout Sabrina because she never ceases to amuse me,

Rachel you are on my mind because you are bringing my sweet girl my way soon--thank you, thank you,

Valerie my cousin that I wish lived nearby,

Jess who is so full of life,

Holly whom I always want to know more of, and

Jenni whom I never get to see!

I would also like to add a seventh, my sister, Olivia, as I finally tracked down her new blog. Check it out!

Let's hope I did this right, Karen.  That was fun and I've learned how to hyperlink.

Now, I am off for my nightly shot.  Really! We are believing for more babies and have started the process to be pregnant again with our adopted embryos.  That should solve the confusion for anybody out there who read #5!  Pray for us!

My Ayla Janey is Two!

I have been horrible at blogging this summer.  Hopefully I haven't made Sabrina's abandoned blog list yet!

Back in June, my Ayla turned two!  She is nearly potty-trained and can ride a two-wheeler bike (with training wheels).  It is very cute.  She can talk up a storm and scream bloody murder whenever she feels wronged or wants something someone else has.  Not so cute.  Ayla is full of hugs and kisses for everyone.  Even as Sienna is on vacation with her grandparents, she asks to hug and kiss her before she goes to bed.  I explain that Sienna is bye-bye and we move on.

My friend, Jamie (you are a blessing to me), took some pictures for me for Ayla's two year pictures.  We think they turned out beautifully.  It helps when you have such a cute subject to film!

Ayla, we love you so much!  You really brighten up our lives and as a page in your scrapbook says...You fill a place in our hearts we never knew was empty!

2 yrs old on a 2-wheeler (with training wheels)

My Responses to Others Blog

Since I can never remember my usernames and passwords to leave comments, I thought I would take a moment to leave some comments so you know I have read your blogs and enjoy them.

Happy Birthday, Abbie!

Why the special diet for her?

Wonderful drawing Bethie.

Karen, you are such a good mom.  What a huge garden you will have!

Have fun in Cabo, Sabrina!  Your family is beautiful and I love seeing pics of beautiful Corrina.

Kim, wish I could hang out with you.  We're a bit like-minded I'd say.

Sister, time for another entry on your blog.

Rachel, I watched Boomerang.  And Pufnstuf rings a familiar tune as well!  You always are having an adventure on your blog or something fun!

Jess, you are the reason I am writing this blog today.  I wanted to put my vote in for a boy.  Only because that is what you have had before.  And to congratulate you on your pregnancy!  I could not remember my password or your email, so here we are.

Holly, your house is beautiful!

Jenni, speaking of Cait walking...I remember how you and Chris gave me a ride to my sister's reception last year (when my keys went to the reception before me) and you and I were nursing our little ones in your car before we went in.  Cait was just so bran new.  What a nice, rare memory with you!

Tammie, Grammy's are great.  We are blessed to have them in our kid's lives.

Amelia, I can relate to the pooping problems with our Ellie.  She has done much better in the last few weeks, but not sure why it has been a problem. Hang in there!

 

Well, that is all the comments I will leave, tho' I have looked at other's blogs so don't feel left out!

Prince Caspian

Sienna's review.  She and her grandma went to see it today.   She is giving me the low-down.

Mom: So, Sienna, What was your favorite part of the movie?

Sienna:  That's hard.  I can't have one.

Mom: You liked it all?

Sienna: Yes, except the witch part.  It was gross.  Grandma and I closed our eyes.  We didn't want to watch it.

Mom: So, did you still see some similarities between you and Lucy?

Sienna:  Grandma did.  And she thought Edmund looked like Jackson (a cousin of Sienna's).

Sienna: It was funny.  The mouse is funny.  It had a lot more fighting than the first movie.

Mom:  Could Ellie see it?

Sienna: No, probably not.  The witch and the demons are too scary.

Sienna:  The Narnians couldn't win without Aslan.  They tried, but couldn't do it without him.

Mom:  So how would you relate that to our life?

Sienna:  We can't have true happiness if we don't have Jesus.

Grandma Jane:  One of the best lines was when Lucy saw Aslan and Peter asked why Aslan didn't show himself to him, being the high king.  Lucy said, "Because you weren't looking?"

A Lot has Happened since Easter...

Toby had a birthday, I had a birthday.  My sister's husband is playing baseball in California on an independent league. We, or should I say, Toby, is starting to put in a backyard for us.  Huge job.  My parents came out to visit for my birthday.  We finished home school and are on summer break!! 

And I tore my ACL playing soccer, thus I have not had time to blog.  But now I do, since I had surgery on Friday and am in bed.  I am facing 6 - 12 months of physical therapy before I can even think about playing soccer again.

And I went cold turkey with weaning Ayla from nursing, so I am sore in more places than one.  I was going to get medications for my leg pain that would allow me to keep nursing her, but we would like to become pregnant again real soon and I will be on meds again for that, so I decided to take the plunge. It has actually gone great so far.  Toby's parents are here as a great distraction and I am in bed, so Sienna and Toby have been getting her down for naps and bedtime.

I can't think about it too much.  I have missed her.  Even though we only nursed 2-3 times a day, it is guaranteed snuggle time together.  I only hope, once things are back to normal that it is not too hard on her.  Maybe God will help her to just forget.

Toby, his parents and my kids have been taking good care of me.  The one thing I don't have is the book I was totally into.  I left it at the hospital.  Toby put it on hold for me at the library and I hope I get it soon.  It was a David Baldacci book called The Winner.  I have never read him before, but the plot was really good.  So, sleep, tv and the internet have been my past times when no one is around.

Check out my dad who has always been a hero to me!

YouTube - Medical Rescue
When 18-year-old Nikki Veldwyck went into cardiac arrest, the swift response of the Renton Fire Department and Medic One made the difference between life and death.

Easter

We had a wonderful time on Easter for the second year in a row celebrating with some good friends.  It is so nice to have friends include you with their own family on such a special holiday!  We are truly blessed to have such fun and sharing people in our lives.

Not to mention, wonderful food.  My friend enters recipe contests all the time and her dad used to be a baker.  My husband made two incredible apple pies.  We had a great time.  And the message of Easter was presented to the kids in such a special way with picture boards and then a scavenger hunt complete with Bible verses to guide the way. 

Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice for us!

Amen, dister!

Ellie burst into song at the dinner table the other night just out of the blue.  Sienna and I were just cracking up!  So, we tried to recreate it on vidoe so Toby could feel the moment when he got home later!  Not exactly the same, but towards the end she got quite dramatic (especially at the 45 second mark).  Ellie appears shy to others at times, but she has lots of personality!  As do others in our family.  I won't say any names!

Amen, dister!

The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom

Sienna said, "Mom, you really are a soccer mom! (Because you PLAY soccer, not just drive kids to soccer!)

Anyhow, has anyone seen that new show?  I had to watch it to see what decision the mom would make at the end.  In case you don't know what the show is about...the mom goes away from her family for a week and does the career she has always dreamed of having.  The career she gave up to be a stay-at-home mom. Her family thinks she is being pampered at a spa.  The twist is at the end, the mom is given a choice to make.  She is offered her dream job.  It starts on Monday and only has a few minutes to decide if she wants to take that full time job and give up staying home to raise her kids.  The mom does not know about this twist. 

The first episode...the mom was shown saying how being at home with her kids is so great and all...but when given the chance to take the job...she takes it!  I was shocked at how quickly she made that decision.  I really felt so sad inside.  So, of course, I had to watch the next episode to see what decision that mom would make.  I was overjoyed to see her decide that nothing was worth giving up the chance to mold and shape her kids as bad as she would enjoy the job, her kids came first.  YES!! 

I know this is a controversial subject for many, but I feel the show may put thoughts in many a stay-at-home mom to consider a different life.  Yes, it would feel exhilarating to be offered an amazing career at something you loved and were really talented at.  I could see how some would feel so enticed to take that "once in a lifetime" opportunity.  But I wonder if those who say yes, end up missing that time they used to have at home and regretting that decision.  I wonder even more, how those kids feel about losing what they had.  And is it really a "once in a lifetime opportunity".  I believe God can fill that desire He put there when the timing is right.  If it is something from Him, it will happen, but not at the expense of your kids.

I wish I were eloquent with my words to convey my heart.  I just hope that those who are blessed to be at home with their kids would not believe the lie that a job is more valuable or worth giving up the gift of yourself to your home and family.  When your kids are grown, they will have cherished that security and love of having their mom, not the nicer clothes or extra piano classes you could now afford.  If God wants your kids to have those, He will provide.

And there there is the argument of doing something for yourself.  I think that is another viewpoint that gets us to be even more self-focused.  I love playing soccer, but true fulfillment really does come from serving others.  The world has it all backwards of serving yourself first so you have more to give.  Is that what the Bible says?  What if Jesus would have done that?  Where would we all be?  He came to serve.

Well, there are a few of my thoughts.  And I know there are great homes out there where the families are strong and the mom works.  I don't want to start a big controversy.  I would just hate to see the family structure broken down even more than it is in today's society by pulling more moms away from the heart of the home.  I am not sure if my conscience will allow me to continue to watch a show that may promote the very opposite of what I believe.

Our Baby Girl is 10 Years Old!

We remember the day like yesterday, when daddy carried you in his arms into our home for the first time and "Ben-Keilah's" family was there to welcome you along with our immediate family.  Other's dropped by to see this new little gift sent from God that made me a mommy and your dad a daddy for the first time.  Really, it can't be 10 years already.  In 10 more, you'll be the age I was when I met your daddy!

We are so proud of you.  You have a beautiful spirit and I love to see your graciousness...

Last Saturday, I took Sienna to the mall for a surprise as part of her birthday.  She did not know where we were going.  As we drew nearer to this drop-in childcare place at the mall with really cool playhouses and such, Sienna made a joke like I was taking her there.  I, with all the seriousness I could muster, told that, in fact, that was her surprise.  She had always wanted to go in there because she loves role playing and it just has looked so fun to her, but, of course, it is for little kids.  You know what my gracious young lady did?  She immediately acted so grateful and thankful so as to not hurt my feelings.  Then I told her I was only kidding.  She was relieved.  That spoke so much to my heart about what kind of heart my daughter has.  I took her by the shoulders and steered her to the right and we went and had our nails painted together.  A little more age appropriate! 

We are so blessed that you are our daughter!

This year was not a friend birthday party year, but a family birthday.  But we did invite some of her favorite friends to have dessert with us at a place that serves homemade ice cream, karaoke and the wii to play.  It was a great day!

Ayla's Second Commercial

Ayla and I were in another commercial.  Our whole family was in one when she was six weeks old, but this time they just needed an ethnic baby and mom, so we were chosen.  Here is the link if you want to view them.  There are two versions.  It was a lot of fun.  Ayla enjoyed taking a bath and we got to go into a really neat, large house where the shoot was taken.

 

http://www.avistautilities.com/services/gas/pages/default.aspx#naturalgas1

Back Home

As planned, Toby brought my soccer bag to the airport and then it was off to play soccer!

When I changed in the bathroom into my soccer clothes, someone else's shoes were in my bag.  Or so I thought.  Toby had surprised me with brand new soccer shoes.  A late valentine present.  He knows me well.  Forget the roses, get me some soccer stuff!  And when we finally got home that night, there was a love letter under my pillow!

It is nice to be missed and to miss your family.  You realize how much you love what you have!

My Grandma's 80th Birthday Celebration!

Ayla and I were able to go to California for my grandma's birthday.  My mother's family is so big that we rented a hall to celebrate in.  My grandma had 13 children and has about 35 grandchildren and I don't even know how many great grandchildren, but a lot.  I am so bummed that I did not get pictures of everybody.  I took pictures, but missed so many special people.  I really love my relatives.

My grandma loves Jesus and loves her family.  She always has her door open to those in need.  Never has she lived alone that I know of.  She always has family living in her home when they need a place to stay.  I should nominate her for a home make-over.  She deserves it for sure!  Even though we live the furthest away of all the relatives, she has made us feel special and loved along with everyone else.  I love my grandma!

My parents flew down with Ayla and I, and my sister and Shane flew back up with me.  It worked out quite well.  Ayla was a handful.  She asked about 40 times a day.."Ah Daddy?" (Where's daddy?), "Ah, Eyyie?" (Where's Ellie?) and couldn't say, but wondered where Sienna was too!  Since she was confused and because she is 20 months, she was quite fussy!  But I survived and it was sooo nice to be back home with my family.  They made a MOM sign and AYLA sign to hold up when we returned  to the airport.  I couldn't wait to see their smiling faces!

Toby's Thoughts

Hello all,

 

I decided to sit down and write a few words (or more) about our wintery weekend we are having.  All last week we were hearing that a snow storm was coming in to the area on Sat. around noon.  We were out with the girls at swimming lessons then to Starbucks for hot chocolate for them and coffee's for us.  Little flakes started to fall and we were all excited.  For once I was not on call or out of town so I was pleased to enjoy it and have fun with the 4wd on the 4runner.  We then ventured out to a wildlife refuge.  By now it was really coming down and the road was totally covered.  We drove through the 5.5 mile auto tour which we had pretty much to ourselves.  Sienna said as we swooshed through the woods that it was like driving through Narnia.  April spotted about 6-7 white-tail deer on a distant ridge but they jumped a small fence before we could show the girls.

 

After stopping at the Library and Safeway for some apples and basic groceries we navigated our course for home.  April had mentioned before we left for our little journey that it would be fun to make a apple pie.  When we arrived home we had a few inches already and I was busy shoveling the snow and the girls were making lunch.  I decided to have a little fun with Sienna and have a pie competition.  We both got on our aprons and went to work making the crust and then slicing the apples up with our corer.  Sienna was like a little Martha Stewart but our kitchen did not look camera ready like hers.  Later we enjoyed hot pie with milk. 

 

This morning I woke up to hearing the low hum of snowthrowers churning their way through about 10 fresh inches of new snow.  I on the other hand had left our snowthrower with the folks that rented our home on Alice (as we call it).  So needless to say I wasn't really looking forward to shoveling the driveway.  It took me about an hour to shovel it all out.  I talked with the two neighbors across the street and they have lived here about 10 years and have not seen this much snow.

 

I think I will be looking for a snow blower soon on Craigslist!  I have enclosed some pictures that I took earlier this morning and a couple from swimming lessons.

 

Have a great day

 

Toby & Girls.

 

 

 

Christmas and Beyond

We had a great Christmas this year, except for the fact that we did not get to spend it with Toby’s parents. My parents, my sis and her hubby, and Toby’s sister came out to our new house for a few days. We had great food and it snowed on Christmas day for everyone! We watched The Bourne Ultimatum, and The Christmas Story (tradition).

We also had great quality time with a game my mom made up called Open Mic Night. This is where you had to go up to the mic (our lamp) and talk for 3 minutes straight about anything. Well, it was easy to find out who the hams are in our family. I am proud to say that we have one more just added last May, Mr. Shane. I don’t know who was up at the mic more between my sister, Shane and my mom! Sienna wasn’t close behind.

Of course, it took a lot of urging before Toby, myself and my dad would go up. And as usual, I cried during my 3 minutes. I can’t help talking about something from the heart. I spoke of my dad telling me, after I quit soccer in high school because I was insecure, that I was actually good. Anything coming from dad, you know it is the truth and heartfelt. And after he told me that, I was kinda taken aback. I had thought I had only made varsity because I was fast, but with no real talent and thus no real confidence. After he told me I was a good player…it stuck with me and now I am playing again and with a lot of confidence and having so much fun!!! Anyhow, I hate talking in front of people because of my tears, but it was worth it, and if the night would have went longer I would have gone again. It was neat to hear my dad talk as well. He doesn’t particularly like to talk in front of people, ‘though he is good at it. We learned how much he likes to watch the weather, not the news, but stare outside at the snow falling for hours and how he can predict the weather long before the news does and how he has loved ponds since he was a boy, that he would literally shake with excitement when he would get to see his neighbor’s pond growing up! Anyhow, I love quality time like that. It really made my Christmas for me for all of us to be together and talk!

If you peruse the pictures, you will see that we have had tons of snow this year! It is so great! Also you can view the spot sisters (Ellie and Ayla in their matching pink pajamas). Also one picture of me in my pj's and no make-up, but I had to add it because Sienna bought me one of my favorite movies.  We did a lot of baking together and now whenever the oven beeps, even if it is just the kitchen timer, Ayla runs to tell me “Num, Nums!” which means the num, nums are done in the oven! It is really cute!