My baby's 2!

We celebrated Gabe's birthday last night. It was a small party due to several being sick, but we Gabe enjoyed the spotlight. He got some neat gifts and ate chocolate pie. Here are a few pictures from last night.

While Gabe took his nap, Isaiah & I wrapped presents and Isaiah decorated the house with streamers. It was so cute to watch him enjoy surprising his brother. This pisture shows Isaiah's reaction when Gabe woke up from his nap and saw us decorating.
This Gabe's reaction to seeing the decorations

I told Shannon it looked a bit like a crime scene, but Isaiah was really proud of it!

Proud of ME!!! :)

photographer: Nathan Forbis

One of my stained glass customers homes was featured in a local magazine, "From House to Home". They even mentioned my name in the caption of the sunroom where the transom is! Unfortunately the photographer didn't take the picture with light behind the transom so you can't see how beautiful the colors are, but it's still exciting! Check it out! Go to the following link, click on more featured homes and then the one titled French Country Style. It will then show you pictures of the interior. The transom is in the navy blue sunroom.

http://www.fromhousetohome.com/

a great blog

I've been following this blog for a while now. It's called "Confessions of a Pioneer Woman". She left her high class life in California when she fell in love with Marlboro Man, her husband, and moved to his farm in the country raising wild mustangs and cattle... and four children! She's a great writer, photographer and cook. You really should check out her latest entry for Feb. 18th called "The Greatest Surprise".

www.thepioneerwoman.com

Homemade sidewalk paint

Last week it was really nice outside and I was trying to come up with something fun to do with the kids. I really wanted to go and get some sidewalk chalk and paint at the store, but I'm just slack and didn't feel like riding out so I went on the internet and found a recipe to make our own. It worked okay, not great. The kids enjoyed it and as you can see Isaiah and I worked on spelling his name. I did the "I"and the "S" and he was able to do the rest with me talking him through it. He's really doing well with his letters and sounds. He's so eager to learn, which makes it fun. He loves his preschool and his teacher "Miss Tracy". He's made lots of friends and has gained so much self confidence. I'm one proud mama indeed!

Some misc. pictures

one rockin' dude dancing to U2

Isaiah turned part of his scooter into a pretty cool gun!

Cuddling

Justin thought it was hilarious when he saw Alison and I doing "satin lips" from Mary Kay! I guess you could say it's like cleaning out a closet... it looks worse before it gets better! :)

Snow Day!

a Valentine's Day tribute to my love...

I had originally intended on posting a slideshow to honor my hubby for Valentine's Day, but Photobucket and Blogger didn't want to cooperate. ;) I went looking for photos of the two of us as a couple, and realized that I didn't have any on my computer!!! How terrible! But then I noticed something. All of the photos that I found of him were with our two precious sons, born of our love for each other. How fitting. So I found it not neccessary that I was not in the pictures, because at the same time, I sort of was! (i know that's not proper grammar, who really cares anyway?) I feel so lucky that I'm living my dreams right now. Life on earth can throw some crap at you every now and then but like my Dad said one day, if life on earth was perfect and free from suffering then what would heaven be? I'm so thankful that I'm married to a man with as much character, integrity and conviction as Justin. I feel at such peace knowing that my kids are being raised by the father they have just as I was raised by my precious, one-of-a-kind, brilliant, funny, selfless, silly father! (i love you dad) How blessed I am that he wants me forever.

More laughs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9WmKre5O2I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYxNMFbgLEM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeJPmSrHUQo

Love these guys!

I had to share this clip. I don't know if you follow these guys, but they're great. We don't have cable, but Justin and I watch clips from the Colbert Report online. He's my favorite. His comments and "insight" ;) into political news is hilarious and refreshing! Check out the show sometime, it won't let you down!

(warning moms, the word "ass" is used several times)
http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/player.jhtml?ml_video=155946&is_large=true

“A woman is like a teabag—only in hot water do you realize how strong she is.”
~Nancy Reagan

BestHomeschooling.org

I Took His Hand and Followed
~Mrs. Roy L. Peifer

My dishes went unwashed today,
I didn't make the bed,
I took his hand and followed
Where his eager footsteps led.
Oh yes, we went adventuring,
My little son and I...
Exploring all the great outdoors
Beneath the summer sky
We waded in a crystal stream,
We wandered through a wood...
My kitchen wasn't swept today
But life was gay and good.
We found a cool, sun-dappled glade
And now my small son knows
How Mother Bunny hides her nest,
Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.
We watched a robin feed her young,
We climbed a sunlit hill...
Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky,
We plucked a daffodil.
That my house was neglected,
That I didn't brush the stairs,
In twenty years, no one on earth
Will know, or even care.
But that I've helped my little boy
To noble manhood grow,
In twenty years, the whole wide world
May look and see and know.

Optimus Prime & Bumblebee tatoos

more great poems by Connie Faust

"God commended His love toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED
There are four words that bring to me
an awesome sense of peace!
Just one small phrase that tells it all --
the song of my release!
I do not know the reason why
God chose this wretched soul,
But I can thank my Father that
Christ's blood has made me whole! ---
ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED! ! !
In me there is no good thing --
no righteousness; no merit;
But Christ, the Son of Righteousness,
condescends to share it!
He -- righteousness imparts to me --
that my sin may be hidden;
And I am called a son of God!
I, who was sin-ridden! ---
ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED ! ! !
~Connie Faust



THORNS
There was no hint of beauty
in the crown of thorns He wore,
as His sacred head was bleeding
and the crowd cried out for more;
No loveliness in Jesus
as He hung on Calvary's tree,
but the cross He bore
and the thorns He wore
make Him beautiful to me.
When the thorns that I encounter
pierce my heart with grief and pain,
I will lift my eyes to Jesus;
He'll renew my strength again.
As I lean upon my Jesus
He will make my trials grow dim;
and my heartfelt plea
and my bended knee
make me beautiful to Him.
~Connie Faust

pictures from the 2nd snow day

making snowballs

our "frosty"

our neighbor tristan playing with isaiah in the snow

"Office" withdrawal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENphCznlfek

finger-painting...i must have been on crack

what was i thinking? they would have rolled in it if i let them!

glad that's finger paint and not what it looks like!

this is not even funny... now he actually has to take it off so i can wash it!

and then I actually turned my back on them... what an idiot!

bragging on my hubby

I had to share this beautiful window Justin finished for a customer here in town. He gets credit for the design too. He's amazing...

it snowed! ...sort of

Here are some pictures from yesterday morning when the kids and I woke up to everything covered in snow. Isaiah has been asking for snow recently so it was a great surprise for him, although it wasn't quite the texture he was hoping for. By the time we got outside it was just beginning to drizzle and everything was getting slushy. Oh, well, there's still plenty of winter left to get one good snow.

the bunkbeds are back!

Isaiah has been petitioning for the return of the bunkbeds for some time now. It's gone surprisingly well. For the past four nights Isaiah has slept on the top and Gabe has slept on the bottom! Gabe had absolutely no trouble transitioning from a crib to a bed! I wasn't expecting it to be this easy. He still uses a passy when he sleeps, but he's still a baby to me even though he's almost two. I'm not going to rush breaking him of the passy. Baby steps. And I must be honest, the beds are actually made in this picture... they never look like this.

"Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse." ~Philip Yancey Where is God When it Hurts? ....great book (thanks Jon & Shannon)

I found this today and it really spoke to me. Enjoy.

Walkin' In The Valley of Beracah

I live in the Valley of Beracah;
It's the valley of blessings and praise.
Sometimes I encounter fierce battles;
Then my hands in true worship I raise.
My enemies, honed to engage me,
are stronger and smarter and fit,
But my great Commander has trained me,
and at His feet calmly I sit.
At times, they will boldly approach me;
at times stealing in from the rear.
But always I stand in the ready;
I'm wearing my full battle gear.
My spiritual armor protects me,
for the warfare is spiritual, too.
My Commander's already prepared me--
alerted, I know what to do.
I know my position's surrounded;
I feel the pain of each blow.
So I trust and I praise my Commander,
and He comes to vanquish the foe.
Battles aren't fought by bravado and strength,
but the Sword of the Spirit, and praise.
The shield of faith still protects me
as I follow Christ all of my days.
The more that I call on my Jesus,
the clearer His vision I'll see.
As I walk in the Valley of Beracah,
He will fight all my battles for me.

~ Connie Faust ~Copyright © 2007, All Rights Reserved

pictures from Christmas

Isaiah's new bike

Gabe's new bike

the new tent from Grandma & Grandpa

Gabe sneaking candy from Mychael's stocking Christmas morning

Some misc pics I found on my camera

falling asleep watching a movie together

Isaiah sneaking chocolate milk after bedtime

Isaiah and Ange napping on the couch

Isaiah setting up the manger scene

My Great Dad

Blessing in Disguise

We got back from New York last night. It was great to see the kids but very difficult to feel so far away from my Dad. Isaiah climbed into bed with me this morning like he usually does, but instead of cuddling, he threw up all over the bed. To be honest with you, I hardly even flinched. After seeing my Dad on a respirator, I think I can handle just about anything. I cleaned Isaiah up and brought him out to the couch. I was rubbing his legs and Gabe joined me. I prayed for Isaiah that Jesus would touch his body and take away the yucky feeling. Less than two hours later, he was asking for food and keeping it down. He has been playing today as if nothing ever happened! He kept asking for more and more food, and I kept telling him to slow down so we can make sure his tummy doesn't start hurting again. He said that he was all better and that it didn't hurt anymore, with a smile. It was the perfect teaching moment to show him that when we ask God for something he always helps us. For a child, it helped that our prayer was answered so quickly, I think he really understood. Not to mention what it did for my faith. I was literally able to feel all of your prayers when I was up with my Dad. We saw answered prayer and ask for continued support, as he still has a long way to go. God's been gracious to me, showing me the bigger picture of what is going on. I know that he would never let my father suffer in vain and that He will use this situation to accomplish something beautiful. I also strongly believe that He has granted a special grace and mercy for my father to endure this time. Our hearts have been postured beautifully to express our love for each other and to maybe re-examine our priorities. My Dad is a precious man who loves his family and I'm proud to be his daughter.

answered prayers

I just wanted to update you all on how things are going. Justin and I have been up here in New York all week. My Dad has been diagnosed with an inoperable cancerous brain tumor. They believe the cancer to be aggressive and will be treating it with chemo and radiation. They did a biopsy this morning and had to make a bigger incision than they had planned. When he started to come to after the surgery he got very aggitated and began ripping out his tubes and IV's. It was the doctors plan try to take him off the ventilator after the biopsy but my dad ended up ripping it out himself. Three nurses couldn't keep him from doing it! He's a fighter! It's been wonderful to ba able to talk to him and have him off of the sedation medication. He's been hilarious! Still very hoarse from all the tubes, but much more comfortable than before. He still does not have most periferal vision on his left side. He is also seeing visions of us even after we've left the room. Almost like his brain is remembering images. It will be another week before we know whether the abilities he has lost are just from swelling or from the tumors growth itself. This has been the most surreal experience. I kept expecting to wake up, like from a bad dream. My body became physically ill trying to process all of this. We're all now at a better place, being able to see his eyes open and talk to him. Our eyes are all dried up, no tears left. We need to be strong for him anyway. He does not yet know about the aggressive cancer. That will be a difficult conversation. All he knows is that he had a mass or lesion on his brain. The tumor is actually part of his brain and not removable. This will be very hard to tell him. Right now it's as if the world has stopped turning. All of your prayers have blessed my family in ways I can't describe. For example, let me tell you what happened wthis afternoon. We had been telling my dad how pretty his nurse was and when he looked at her she said, (a whipser voice is all he can get out)"Thank.. you.... very... much.. you are pretty". About a minute later "But my wife's prettier!" my mom was right there to hear that and it was great. We were able to realiz that even though this tumor has taken away some of his abilites, the core of who he is is still there. We're extremely thankful for that and cherishing every moment. Keep praying, we still have a long way to go. Thank you all from the deepest depths of my heart...

Reality check

It amazes me how we've managed to find every disraction from the real reson for the season and focus on ourselves and "getting" instead of celebrating what we've already been given, the Savior. I got some difficult news last night about my fathers health that really shook me up. I would describe it as a silent, stunned, shock. Oh how I need divine direction on how to raise my boys up in this world to have their priorities straight. I guess it would help to have mine straight first. Anyway, pray for my dad. After all, Jesus came to overcome sin and death so that nothing would be impossible.

inspiring

my sister-in-law, shannon, sent me this clip. you've got to check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek1iIOTsiRo

Why is it...?

Why is it that my crying 3 year old isn't as sweet as when he was a crying newborn?
Why is it that my kids don't want to play with something until I'm trying to clean it up?
Why is it that my husband thinks he's doing me a favor when he brings home tupperware with 4 week old Brunswick stew in it that he never ate so I could have my tupperware back? (it went directly in the trash)
Why is it that I can sigh and give an encouraging smile when I see another mom's kids pitching a fit in the store but when my kids are doing that I want to wear their butts out until my arm is tired?
Why is it that a glass of wine never tasted so good after a temper tantrum?
Why is it that after what has happened this past hour, I still want to have a third? ...child, that is, not glass of wine... well, on the other hand... ;)

This is adorable!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uISuvTiTYJA

Silly Sayings

Isaiah calls envelopes "umpelopes", and the buckles on his fireman jacket "clotches". Just thought I'd share with you some of the things that brought a giggle to my day today. The boys were so well behaved today. They got their pictures taken this morning and we had a great rest of the day. I was so proud of the way Isaiah acted today. He used his manners and shared well with his brother and our neighbor. If only this proud feeling would last through the days when I want to find a dungeon somewhere.. oh, no, I did it again. Just kidding, not really, but just kidding! ;) I love them everyday. I love my "job" :)

At a loss for words...

...and trying my absolute hardest not to laugh!