Thankfulness

I know...a bit late! But, well, life happened.  These are the adorable turkey buckeyes that my kiddos made.  So fun and quite yummy! But, that is not what this post is about.  It's about a tree.  A tree that is becoming a piece of our family. It is our Prayer and Thankfulness tree.  It is really my attempt at helping my kids (and myself) to think past themselves.  Past what we are doing this moment and past our own circumstances. We are rotating each month between things we are thankful for, and things we are praying for.  Each day, we add to our tree (which is a beautiful giant sticker on our wall...that I will take a picture of at the end of December).  November what Thankfulness.  We had lots of paper leaves to add to our tree this month.  I thought I would write the list to give you all a glimpse of how my wonderful children think.  These are all things that they chose to add to our tree...no prompting, just encouraging to be thankful. Total randomness shall follow as I just pulled the leaves off and threw them on my desk last week to write this post.

Cousins, Lunch with Daddy, Our House, Pictures, Papa and Nana, Izabelle, Princesses, Daddy's Work, Discover (our Dog), Books, Crayons, Cherries, Drinks, Playing with Daddy, Butterflies, Smiles, Books (again!) Uncle and Aunt Lisa's New House, Cheese, the World, Niceness, Computer, Taekwondo, Jesus, Snow Flakes, Oranges, Nature School, Aunt Suz and Uncle Brad, Marker, Andrew, Birthdays, Daddy, Pumpkins, Wrestling with Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa, Food, Books (again!) Food, Marianne, Friends, Mommy, Medicine

This list blesses my heart!  I love the honesty, simpleness, and open heartedness that it involves.  Pretty sure my favorites are Jesus, Cheese, and all the time spent with Daddy.  It is very obvious what is important to my kiddos!  Love it!

Good Grief!

Ok, so I know I said I would try to post more....I guess I didn't try hard enough.
October FLEW by us! And here it is November is almost over, too.  Recap? Sure!
Marianne is now 3.
Andrew is doing GREAT in TaeKwonDo.
Marianne enjoys dance...usually.
Kiddos were successfully spoiled by the Nana!
*My Mom came for a week to care for the kiddos while I was recovering from a hysterectomy.  Surgery went well. Basically to sum it all up...our 3 kids are walking miracles. Ask me about it sometime, I will be happy to share.*
Paul is now 35.
Jon and Lisa moved into a fabulous new to them house just 2 1/2 miles from us!
Izabelle is sitting.

There ya go!  If I tried to do a photo update, I would have way to many pictures to sort through...so I will start over from here and do my very bestest to blog more often.
I have started a new blog for recipes and cooking fun.  If that interests you, please join me over at
http://www.expandingthetastebuds.blogspot.com/

Happy Thanksgiving!

Little Update

Annie loving on Izabelle. They are so sweet together. Izabelle is really starting to pay attention to her siblings and ADORES them! They are often rewarded with the smile they seek!

Family vacation in Montana was fabulous as always! We spent almost enough time in the mountains. All three kiddos (and their parents) love being outside. We enjoyed a trip to Yellowstone Park, a drive over the Gravely Mountains, hiking in Lake Canyon, time at the park, and a few other adventures in between.

This is my sweet boy! I am in LOVE!!! Andrew really enjoyed being outside. He went on a 3 mile hike with Daddy and Papa, and got to eat fresh wild raspberries. He also enjoyed throwing rocks off a cliff that we found near the head of the Ruby river.

Paul and I were able to get away for about 24 hours unattended! We enjoyed a hike, a drive to...NOWHERE!, and a quiet night alone at Jackson Hot Springs. We will be celebrating 10 years of wedded bliss here in just a few weeks and took the opportunity to celebrate early. Thanks to Nana and Papa for making it possible!

In other news...

Andrew has started TaeKwonDo and is really enjoying it. We look forward to his twice a week lessons at a great Christian school. Marianne has started a dance class. She dances once a week, ballet and tap. She is way too funny about it, but it promises to be a good time for here. Both the bigger kids are involved in Wednesday night ministries at our church. Andrew is very proud of his book with lessons to do at home, and Annie is excited to go on Wednesdays because one of her favorite people is one of the teachers! What a blessing as this girl usually fights being left at church. I am in full swing with the Youth on Wednesday nights and am excited to see what God does this year in our small group.

Praying all are well!

Sand, Sun, Slugs...An Update

Beach Bum Baby! Izabelle is such a joy and blessing to our family. She is growing like crazy and sleeps really well. She LOVES to be outside. Her little personality is very fun to watch develop!

Two months old now! She loves her bath, sleeping on her tummy (daytime naps only), and has recently found a new friend....her thumb!

Marianne has become quite the little card! She is such a sweet little girl with a fantastic spirit. We are so blessed. Daddy is already making the list for his arsenal as she is quite the beauty! We have been told many times lately how pretty she is. Our job will be to teach her that beauty comes from the inside! She loves her brother and sister so much. Her Daddy is wrapped rather tightly around her little finger!

ALL BOY!!! He loves dirt, bugs, and now his new found friends...slugs. Gross! He is growing up very quickly. He is reading simple words and is so very proud of himself when he sounds them out! He loves anything nature...just like Daddy! He is very happy, and very busy. We are in search of ways to channel his determination and energy. He's gonna keep us on our toes.

I know it's been forever since we updated...so here you go.

I hope you are happy, Aleen!

Introducing...

Ok, so it took me 3 weeks...but here she is. Our sweet little Izabelle was born on June 3. She was 3 1/2 weeks early and required a bit of extra loving from DeVos Children's Hospital. After a 5 day stay in the NICU...she is perfectly healthy and beautiful. Andrew and Marianne are very proud of her! My parents have been here for 3 weeks and my sister is here for the weekend..so pray for me, ya'all....I will be home alone with these little munchkins all on my own starting Tuesday. Paul will be home at night of course, but it is the busy season at work...so, um...here's to sanity. I will TRY to update again soon with more pictures.

Take a Moment

Here is an opportunity for you to help the earthly Orphan. Please check out this blog, they are having a HUGE giveaway! You don't have to give money...though appreciated...just a simple refrence to her blog and you are in! Thanks for your time.... www.nogreaterjoymom.blogspot.com

Long time Photo Update

I know its been a really long time since a photo update...so I thought I'd throw a hole bunch of stuff into one post and pretend that makes up for it. So...for those who care, here you go...
Andrew loves to pick out gifts for people. He is as much of a giver as any child I have ever seen. He picked a necklace for Great Gram, who is my maternal Grandmother. He was very proud to give it to her. For those of you who do not know my Gram, she is a lady of grace, poise, and love. If I come within a mile of her inner beauty as I age, I will be thankful. I am so lucky to have such an amazing example in my life...Love you Gram!

While at my parents house in December/January, my Dad and Paul made a little sledding hill in the yard. It was so fun for the kids...this is Marianne refusing to miss out on the fun. She requested her "Deedee" and "Nonee" and rested in the tube for quite some time just watching. She probably would have napped if it were a touch warmer!

An attempt at curly hair. She was very proud of her curlers!

And the crazy results! Yes, she slept in her curlers...no Aleen I didn't drug her, and yes Dawn, she looks like a flash from the 80s with her crazy curls and jean jacket.

These kiddos are keeping us very busy! Andrew is actively learning to read, and in the off time, we are working on shapes and colors---Aunt Kerry, Aunt Ev, and Aunt Sue...be proud. He is loving the thought of the snow melting and spring coming.

Marianne is, well, busy. For those who are wondering, the "parents curse" works...you know, the one where the Mom says "I hope you have a child just like you someday." Apparently, I deserve all I am getting. I love every minute of it, but could do without the sass!

Baby #3 is doing well. Growing, sitting low, chilling out. And no...we have NO names picked out...we might work on it someday.

Thats about it for this update...Will try to do better!