How will you celebrate?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU&eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?sourceid=navclient&hl=en-GB&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GZEZ_en-GBUS287US290&q=adv&feature=player_embedded

When everyday life is so busy, Christmas can become an added stressor! So many things to do, so many things to buy, so many obligations and guilt! Why? I guess it is because someone, some time ago decided that that is the way it should be. If you think back to your own childhood Christmas memories, what are they? Are they full of anxiety, guilt and stress? Probably not! One of my most distinct Christmas memories is one of the last that I spent with my mom. It was Christmas Eve and my mom took us to get a Christmas tree. By then the lot was pretty well picked over, but she had waited until Christmas Eve to have us pick out our tree because the guy that ran the Christmas tree lot said he would give her a tree for half price on that day. For some reason, it didn't seem to matter to me that everyone else had their trees up weeks before or even that they had presents under them. I eagerly awaited the night that WE would get OUR tree! I don't remember what I got for Christmas that year or if we even got presents at all, but I do remember staying up late decorating our tree with my mom and my brothers and sister and I remember being happy.

Christmas, Already?

Faith's Feast!

Faith's kindergarten class celebrated Thanksgiving by having a feast with the 1st and 2nd graders yesterday. Faith has been talking about the feast for weeks now and has been so excited! She even helped me bake two pies to take along. Faith's class has been singing a "thankful song" everyday for the past week (giving each child in the class a chance to give thanks to God for the blessings in their lives). Faith was especially excited yesterday when her friend, Cayden, thanked God for her. She said that she was so happy that after the song she blew him a kiss and he got embarrassed! :)

Of course, little brother got a taste of the goods, too (with new little friend Hayden).

Fall is in the hair?

Cleaning up the backyard...pointless at this point with so many leaves left on our gigantic tree!

Mommy and Faith at the pumpkin patch.

Jaron at the pumpkin patch...a little too short!

Faith painted the little pumpkin she picked out at the pumpkin patch. She also "helped" Jaron paint his!

Faith and Jaron all dressed up!

Halloween Night Carnival at Christ the King Community Church. Trunk or Treating!!

Congratulations little fish!

We are happy to announce our little fish passed her first swim lessons (on the second try)! Yes, this is the same little girl who was afraid to run through the sprinkler this summer, for fear that she would get her face wet. It's also the same little girl who prayed several times a day on the days just before lessons started. Well, praise God! Now we can't keep her above the water!! She has gained soooo much confidence and we are so excited for her! I did have to tell her that when the teacher is giving them instructions she needs to listen carefully and not dunk her head or "practice" during that time. Her response was, "I can hear underwater." She starts her next session on Oct. 27th. Hooray!

Tyler, she loves the swim cap and goggles!!

Planning ahead = less stress. Who'd have thought?

It has always been my desire to have my family eat together around the kitchen table. This hasn't really been an issue because my kids are still small and not involved with a ton of activities yet. It is also my desire that my family eat healthy foods that I prepare. I don't want to spend time wondering what to fix for dinner every night and I want to save money. I've got to have a plan!

Today at MOPS, our guest speaker, Julie Sheldrup, talked to us about meal planning. She was very animated, obviously compassionate about the topic and so much fun to listen to. Of course, she was talking about one of my favorite things...FOOD! She introduced some basic ideas for planning meals, budgeting, and grocery shopping. She had some good ideas, helpful hints & fun recipes. Check out her website and blog!

http://www.mealplanner101.com/

"Frincess, I'm a frincess!" Jaron sang as he danced around me last night while I made dinner. Faith had dressed him up like a princess and instructed him on what a princess does (twirl around and wave). She played the part of the "Queen Mother" declaring her reign over the country of Mexico.

Kindergarten!!

August 26th, 2008

Faith's First Day of Kindergarten!

Faith walking to her new classroom.

Faith with her new teacher, Mrs. Squires.

*****
She started school this morning,
And she seemed so very small.
As I walked there beside her
In the Kindergarten hall.
And as she took her place beside the others in the class,
I realized how all too soon
Those first few years can pass.
Remembering, I saw her as
She first learned how to walk.
The words that we alone made out
When she began to talk.
This little girl so much absorbed
In learning how to write.
It seems as though she must have grown
To girlhood overnight.
My eyes were blurred but hastily
I brushed the tears away
Lest by some word or sign of mine I mar her first big day.
Oh how I longed to stay with her
And keep her by the hand
To lead her through the places
That she couldn't understand.
And something closely kin to fear
Was mingled with my pride.
I knew she would no longer be
A baby by my side.
But she must have her chance to live,
To work her problems out,
The privilege to grow and learn
What life is all about.
And I must share my little girl
With friends and work and play;
She's not a baby anymore --She's in Kindergarten today!
(Author Unknown)

*****

This poem captures the feelings I had today as Dave, Jaron and I walked Faith to her new classroom this morning for her first day of school. I couldn't help but think about all the times we have told her to "stop growing so fast!" She always follows with the same response, "I can't help it, God is making me grow." Thinking about her reasoning, I can't help but smile! I know there is truth in her innocent response, and that comforts me a little.

Have a great first day, baby girl!

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Berry delicious!

Today we took the kids strawberry picking. It is the end of the season for strawberries here, but there were still tons of berries to be picked and at $1.00/pound it was a great deal! Most of the berries ended up in little mouths instead of little buckets, but we still collected enough to enjoy them fresh for a few days and froze some for later, too.

Washington State Residents!!

(Faith & Jaron at Whatcom Falls Park, one block from our new house)

We're Back!! After 7 seven years of living out of the state of Washington and away from family, we've moved back! At the end of June, we relocated to Bellingham, WA. After living in 4 states for a total of 9 moves, we are hoping this will be our last "Big" move. Bellingham is about 90 minutes north of Seattle and about 45 minutes south of Canada. It's a beautiful town of approx. 70,000 and home to Western Washington University (that's where Dave will start teaching this fall).

Our new address is:

3821 Idaho St.

Bellingham, WA 98229

Thank you for all your prayers for a safe move for our family!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Jaron!!!

Go Rockies!!!

Earlier this year, Dave and I decided it would be fun to start touring major league ball parks with our kids. We want to see how many we can visit before our kids leave home. We started our ball park tour right here in Denver. On Saturday, May 24th, we saw the Colorado Rockies play the New York Mets at Coors Field. We spent the entire day with our good friends, the Kanagy family, and had a terrific time! Faith loved the food (snow cone, kettle corn, peanuts, & cotton candy). Jaron loved the company and his new surroundings as we sat in the "rock pile" seating, way above center field.

Faith writing her name with prezels.

Faith wanted me to put this picture of her writing her name with pretzels on our blog (taken a few days ago). After viewing our blog with her new picture posted she said, "Ummm, that makes me hungry for pretzels!"

Boys will be boys!

Jaron Standing on our desk (he used the office chair to climb onto the desk).

Jaron Climbing his bookcase to reach his box of cars.

Jaron balancing along the railing...just for fun!

Jaron helping mommy and sissy make brownies. What a terrific helper! :)

Weekend in Eugene!

Our family took a trip to Eugene Oregon so that Kristin could run in the second annual Eugene Marathon. We had a busy but wonderful visit! It went something like this: Fly to Seattle, Drive to Nanny & Papa's (Dave's parents), Visit family for one day, Leave Jaron with Nanny & Papa, Drive down to Eugene, Visit with friends & family who also drove down to run & cheer or who live in Eugene, Run the marathon and cheer for everyone else running, Drive back to Seattle (sore), Pick Jaron up and fly back to Colorado (still sore). Below are a few pictures that help illustrate that nutshell!

Faith and Jaron on the plane. They were great travelers!!

Hanging with cousins!

Eating at Cafe Yumm. Yummy!!
(Rom, Ofek & Faith)

Yael & Kristin

Leeraz - Too Cute!!!!

Brian (post-race)

Caryn (almost done!!)

Kristin & Caryn Survived!!

Post-race group shot. We are

missing Beth & Judy in this pic

The trip was a quick one and we didn't get to visit long with anyone and some friends we didn't even get the chance to see. We miss you all and can't wait for our next visit to Track Town USA!

Crazy Colorado Weather (April 17)

We spent yesterday morning playing in the snow. School was delayed when most of the Springs received 4-12 inches of snow the night before. As fast as it came, it was gone even faster. Today, all that is left of our snowman, is a small pile of snow. :)

Jaron's New Do!

Jaron sporting his new hair-do. This was his first big boy haircut with the clippers!

Game Face

Dave and Faith were racing around the living room last week when Faith stopped and said, "Wait a minute Dad, let me get my game face on!" Dave and I have no idea where she heard that but couldn't stop laughing. I made her show me her "game face" in this picture. GO FAITH!!

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero. ~Marc Brown

How do people make it through life without a sister? -Sara Corpening

A brother is a friend given by nature. -Legouve

All for one and one for all

My brother and my friend

What fun we have

The time we share

Siblings 'til the end.~Author Unknown