Ice Skating Lesson

Gretchen had her very first experience on the ice today, and it didnt' go too badly! We joined some other moms from MOMS Club at Eagles Ice-a-Rena for a little lesson. I was curious as to how Gretchen would do. You can see from the first photo that being in skates on the ice was not her cup of tea at all! The instructor, Coach Berkley, said to have her just get on the ice in her shoes to get used to the feel of it. After that, she was much happier! She did really well - the lesson was an hour long, and Gretchen lasted about 45 minutes of it, so that was a success. And when I asked her if she would like to try it again, she said yes. We might have to go back again next week and see what she thinks - I'd love it if she started to really like it!

Baby is here!

8 month old Baby A came to us on Tuesday afternoon, and so far it's been good. He's a very good natured baby. The kids are just enamored with him! I keep telling them we are only babysitting until Friday, but I think they want him to stay. Gretchen especially has been the little momma to him, and it's cute to watch. But they all just want to get in his face, so we've been trying to establish "personal space" boundaries. Not an easy thing to do with three small children who just want to hug and squeeze the new baby! Right now he's trying to nap, so my three are upstairs watching Dora to try and keep it a little less chaotic for the baby!

Happy Valentine's Day!

So, true to our family tradition, someone was sick with a stomach flu on Valentine's Day, and this time it was me! It wasn't super bad, but bad enough to make me spend a lot of time in bed. I had such grand plans for a really special day, but didn't feel much like doing anything. I did manage to feel better by the dinner hour, so I pulled out some of the decorations I had gotten ready and at least made our dining room festive.

The table all decorated with scrapbook paper placemats
and a little vase of flowers and a mini candle at each spot.

Very fun and festive!

The heart people that the kids made.

The heart garland hanging in our dining room.

Sitting down to a yummy dinner
of rib eye steak and french fries.

Quiet Time Baby Play

Today Gretchen decided to pull out all of her dollies and stuffed bears to create a baby sleep time in her room. It was so cute!

Sunday Shutterbug - Drip

This week over at Sunday Shutterbugs they are looking for photos of drips. I took this photo on Feb. 12 of Gretchen washing up in the bathroom - I thought it fit the theme pretty good!

Another baby!

We have decided to throw our name out there to the state for respite care and emergency placement children under 12 months old. Not ready to adopt another one quite yet, but haven't shut the door on that idea completely, either. For now, though, we will just help out when needed. I know that respite is especially needed for families right now, so this will be good for us - I'll get my baby fix, and they can go back to their homes!

We got the first call this morning. Baby will be staying with us Tuesday through Thursday of next week. I'm a little excited! Just need to get the crib set back up in our room.

Valentine Cards

Austin and Daniel made homemade Valentine cards to exchange in their preschool class this year. And even though she isn't in school, Gretchen made one too. I think they turned out cute! I cute out all the hearts on my mom's Cricut, and then the kids glued them on the cards how they wanted. They were so proud of them!

Code Adam!

Well, we had a new experience today - one that I really don't carry to do over! After a morning of playing at the mall playcenter, and then eating lunch at the food court, I stopped off at JC Penney's to look at Easter shirts for the boys. I'm trying to get on the ball early this year! Anyway, I had Austin trying on a shirt, with Gretchen standing next to us, and I thought - thought - Daniel was right there too. After only about a minute of trying on the shirt, I looked up to find Daniel gone. I searched immediately around us, and he was nowhere. I yelled his name several times, and no answer. I was starting to panic. The store clerks noticed right away that I was searching, and they got on their walkie-talkies and declared a "code Adam". This put into place clerks at all doorways, with a description of Daniel immediately out to them. A couple other moms near me helped me search for Daniel, and we finally found him - totally engrossed in the display of super hero underwear! Yikes! My heart was beating so fast! He said he heard me yelling for him, but was too busy looking to answer me. But I have to say - I was very impressed by how quickly the store and clerks jumped into action to help me out. And I had a good talk with not just Daniel, but all three kids, right afterward, stressing the importance of staying near me and answering me when I call out.

By the way, we did manage to find one boys shirt that will work for Easter. And Daniel did not get to leave the store with any super hero underwear! And every time I see that shirt, I'll probably remember our little experience!

My goofy Daniel!

Daniel has always had an innate ability to really make people smile - he is so goofy so much of the time! At bathtime tonight, Daniel decided to really ham it up - his brother and sister were sick with the flu, and so he took full advantage of being the only one in the bathtub. I swear this kid is going to be the typical class clown!

Sick Kiddos

I had two sick kiddos on my hands today - Austin and Gretchen were sick with the stomach flu. Not a fun day! They look so pitiful! But Daniel was feeling fine, so while Austin and Gretchen cuddled on the couch, played a game of go fish until it was time for bed.

Joy, joy, where for art thou, my joy?

I have been struggling with my joy lately. I want it back. This last year and a half has been a stressful one for me. As much as I trust in the Lord, and know that he is protecting me, it has still been hard. I've been dealing with really bad insomnia, although I'm glad it's not every single night. But the nights I have it - yuck! That's the best way to sum it up. Yuck! So I'm praying for my joy to return, and return big! I have a lot to be joyful about - a wonderful, patient husband, beautiful children, great friends, and above all else, a God who loves me and protects me and brings miracles into my life. Believe me, I am very, very thankful for all of that. But just the everyday struggles - that does me in some days. God gave me three children so much like me - stubborn headed, independent and moody! - and wow! Talk about a test of patience! I know I'll get through it, and I'll look back on these days with fondness, but if I could just laugh more about it instead of stressing about it, life would be so much more pleasant!

So if you are a praying person, keep me in yours prayers. I would sure appreciate it.

My Future Engineer

Austin loves to build - mega blocks, trio blocks, regular legos - anything that he can snap together and build towers and robots with. Before he could even get out of his jammies for the day he started in on building. I tell you, this boy is an engineer in the making!

Marker Art

Gretchen got a fun new book for her birthday - it's one that she can use a dry erase marker to write on the pages. I thought she would have fun with it while I was making dinner, and it would keep her busy and away from the stove. I should have known trouble was brewing when she was way too quiet with it. Here is what she decided to do:


This has now become a supervised book - yikes! It was hard to get really mad at her when she gave me a face like this!

January 2010 Quilt - it's done!!

My first quilt of 2010 is all done. Just in time for Gretchen's birthday party! To see the phots bigger, just click onto them. Here is a look at it:
Hanging up on the wall next to Gretchen's bed, just so I can take a good photo of it! It measures about 43" square. I decided not to pre-wash the fabrics, and instead washed the whole quilt at once when it was all done. I wanted more of a puckered, well loved look to it. I like how it turned out, although I think I will use a heavier batting on my next quilt.

It was machine quilted by a friend of mine from church. She did a great job on it!

This is the backing fabric.

All ready for Gretchen to snuggle into bed!

And here she is, sleeping peacefully under her new quilt!

Starbucks Mug needed

Last year, after our trip to Portland, I bought the kids mugs from Starbucks with zoo animals on them to commemorate our first trip to the zoo. I packaged them away for Christmas presents, and even got them into each of their stockings without any problems. However, when I went to give them their first cup of hot chocolate, guess who broke the first cup? Yep, me! I'm so bummed! I got these mugs on clearance, so I can't re-order one to replace the broken one. So now, I'm just hoping and praying that I can find another one somewhere. If anyone sees one, please let me know, or buy it and I'll pay you back. I'm a little desperate!

**UPDATE 2-1-10** I found another mug! A friend of mine from MOMS Club received three in a raffle basket she won, and didn't need all three of them. So not only did I find one, she just gave it to me, so I didn't have to pay for it, either! What a blessing!

Moose Sightings

Grandpa made Moose for the boys' room, with little dowels that they can hang their jammies and stuff on. Grandpa actually has one of these in his bedroom, maybe a little larger, but the boys have always loved it. So for Christmas, this is what came out of Grandpa's woodshop! They are perfect, and the boys love them. Now, if I can just keep from hitting my head on them when I help pick up their toys - ouch!

I'm actually quilting!

On Friday night I got together with some girlfriends, and instead of the usual scrapbooking that we do, we all decided to start a quilt. We used the pattern "Yellow Brick Road" by Terry Atkinson. We all came with our fat quarter packs and started cutting, piecing and sewing. On saturday night after the kids went to bed I worked on mine some more, and got all the blocks pieced and sewn together. Last night during the season premiere of "24" I put the borders on. And today I went out and bought the backing and batting for it. And now it is ready to have quilted! I am so excited! I've done lots of quilting projects, but have never really managed to finish anything. And now, this looks like it will be done by my daughter's birthday party in two weeks! Yeah! Now my goal is to make one quilt a month, so we'll see how I do. I started cutting out pieces for Austin's quilt last night - his will be a Monkey quilt. This is fun!

What do you do when it's raining?

Inspired by a friend's blog post, I decided to take some photos of what we do at our house when the weather is not cooperative for outdoor play.
Click on the photo to see it bigger and to see my descriptions.

Pajama Program service project

The Pajama Program - read about them at this link

My MOMS Club took part in a service project recently to gather pajamas and books for the Pajama Program. We kicked it off with a pajama party, complete with moms & kids in their jammies, popcorn & juice to snack on, and stories to read with our blankies and stuffed lovies! It was lots of fun!

Happy Anniversary Honey!

Wow! 16 years ago James and I shared our I do's, and although the road has not been paved with gemstones, we have grown so much together. Here's to many, many more years together!