MIA

Sorry I've been missing! Just so busy. Had a great Christmas, the first one we've ever spent with Paul's dad and family on that side. We made it back home safely, very treacherous drive, worst I've ever had to drive in, counted way too many cars that had slid off the side of the road, took way to long to get home, but we did get there! We've had alot of snow, thought it warmed up and rained the last couple of days, so it's almost gone. Paul is doing very well. He's off all pain meds, just an occasional ibuproferin here and there. Still in the neck brace while up and walking around, riding in the car and sleeping. He still isn't cleared to drive, will have xrays done on the 27th and they should clear him after they see those. He went back to work this week, 2 hours a day, next week 4 hours, the next 6 hours, and then back to regular hours. I think he's glad to be back, though it's been a logistics nightmare with our homeschool activites to drive him there and back! It's working though, he has a bit of flex with the time, and we dropped two activities this week to make it work. The kids have been very understanding! Paul is actually at a second sleep study as I type, we dropped him off a couple of hours ago and will go pick him up at o dark thirty in the morning! He had one done before his surgery and the results were very severe sleep apnea, so much so the doctor order oxygen at night until he gets the studies finished and Paul can get put on a cpap. Paul has always told me that he almost never dreams. He's woken up every morning for the last week and a half, well rested and says he's been dreaming! I can't wait to see what the cpap does for him! (And I'm kind of hoping for an end to the snoring! LOL)

The kids are doing well. We started back to our homeschool work this week. They got a three week break since we took the week of surgery off too. They were actually a little bit eager to get back to the books....of course it only lasted the first couple of days. LOL! Thankfully, it doesn't seem anything was forgotten over the break :)

Jacob has missed the last month of Boy Scouts, well really only two meetings, because they took a break for Christmas and New Year's weeks. He's looking forward to his next meeting. He's even talking about doing one of the campouts even if Paul can't go. (This is something that has caused Jacob a bit of anxiety in the beginning, but he has finally started to settle in and get to know some of the boys and feel more comfortable) He received a remote control mustang for Christmas and is eager for it to dry up so he can give it a spin outside, it's just too big for inside the house. He's also been busy reading still. He got many new books for Christmas. He's also been a big help to me and Paul around the house. Not only does he jump up to help when asked, he has come to us asking what he can do to help! He also all on his own went to help our neighbor lady shovel her driveway of snow when she was having problems getting her car in . So very proud of him. I get lots of nice comments about him :)

Abby has also been reading lots. We've been to the library twice since Christmas and she's ready to go back, she also received some books for Christmas, though I think they are already read. She keeps disappearing and I go to look for her and she's usually on her bed with a book or in the schoolroom on the couch with a book. LOL She is looking forward to playing Spring soccer and we got her all signed up for it yesterday. She's been attending Stars (Missionettes) on wednesday nights and is really enjoying it. They have their first awards ceremony for this year in two weeks.

Well, we have company coming this weekend and I have a few more things I need to finish before bed. I have lots of pictures to share, but they are still on the camera. I hope to get them on here soon. Just wanted to check in and let all know that we are still around. :)

Be Blessed!

Real Quick

I just wanted to say that surgery went well. He was in and out quickly, home wednesday afternoon of last week, and is healing nicely. He's in a neck brace and pretty bored! He hasn't needed much pain medicine the last two days and has a post op appt. in the morning. Afterwards we are leaving for his dad's house for Christmas. I have lots of pics from the last few weeks, I will try and do a nice update with pictures when we get back home. Please pray for our drive down and back, we have finally got the snow you all got in Wa! And I get to be the one driving........

Merry Christmas!

Be Blessed!

Quick Post

I just wanted to say I will probably be MIA until after Christmas. Paul will be going in for a cervical fusion in his neck on Tuesday morning. Paul's parents are coming to help out with the kids. He hopefully will be home by Wednesday evening, but depends on how well he does. I'm pretty much a complete mess, but with God's strength been holding all together and getting things that need to be done, done. I was disappointed to miss church this morning because of the snow, but the day turned into a very nice, unrushed day of family time. Thankyou Jesus for that Blessing!

I will try to update when he's out and I can get internet. If you are close family I'll call, I'll try to update my facebook and on myspace. Will probably check my email as I can.

Prayers for Paul and the surgeon, me, the kids, and my inlaws with the kids would be very much appreciated. His surgery will be at 7:45 am mountain time(if they are on schedule).

I was trying to gather my lesson plans for the kids into something grandma and papa could jump in and help with and just decided to scrap school this week! Christmas vacation is starting early in our house!!

Be Blessed!

Finishing up a birthday and a Christmas Program

Thankyou Grandpa and Cheryl for the gift card! Look at all my new books!

Birthday bowling.

Gift from Grandpa Terry and Grandma Debbie.

Abby in the Christmas program at church this morning. This was lining up to sing. My pictures all turned out bad this morning, so bear with me!

Abby had the part of the puppet pig!

Abby with her pig puppet.

Toys for Tots drop off. The kids thought the tank was cool!

Christmas tree pic! Except they just about hide the tree now! LOL

Be Blessed!

Happy Birthday Jacob!

Jacob and Grandpa Jim flying kites at the ocean. I think he's about 3 1/2 here.

Daddy reading to Jacob and Abby.

Daddy holding Jacob. This was at his 3rd birthday party.

Grandpa Jim and Jacob reading Winnie the Pooh.

Jacob helping Aunt Jessica with her homework.

Jacob and Santa at 1 year old. There is a pic of me the same age, same expression with Santa somewhere. I'll have to find it and scan it soon. LOL

One of Jacob's famous, goofy looks. He's about 6 months old here.

One of my favorite pics of Daddy and Jacob. Again I think he's about 6 months old.

Jacob at 3 1/2 weeks old.

Jacob, 5 days old with Santa at the mall. This was not planned! Paul had to be at church early for a rehearsal of the Christmas cantata he was singing in. So my mil and I dropped him off and went to the mall to kill time until church started. People couldn't believe I had a 5 day old baby at the mall! LOL

Jacob and Daddy only hours old.

Jacob with mommy, daddy, and grandma F. only a few minutes old!

Just thought I'd share some baby pics. I can't believe my baby is 13 now! Maybe next year I'll share pics from 3 years old up. I just didn't have a chance to finish going through them. I hope to make another post later today with pics from the last couple of days.

If you click on the picture it will bring it up in a new window and larger so it is easier to see.

Be Blessed!

Mama's Angel Anniversary

In loving memory of my mom, Nicki, February 26, 1952 - December 4, 1998.

The picture above is my mom and my younger sister. I'm not sure of the date, but I'm pretty sure it was within her last year.

This is my mom, my grandma, and my aunt. I think the baby my aunt is holding is one of my cousin's kids. Which would make this Easter of 1998, I think.

This is Jacob with my mom. He was probably about 2, so I think this was Christmas time of 1997.

Mom and Dad's wedding portrait. They were married August 22, 1970.

A family picture. There is no date, I'm guessing I was about 4 and my brother 2. So maybe 1976? It was before my sister was born.

My mom holding Abby. Sometime in 1998. The picture is kind of dark, but I don't have many of mom with her.

I think this one was Mother's day 1975. The picture on the back says I'm 2 1/2.

Dad was in the Army. I think this was a visitation day, the pic is dated October 1970.

There is no date on this picture either, but I believe my mom was pregnant with my sister, so that would make it sometime in 1978.

The kids and I enjoyed looking back through the pictures. It was hard to find many with mom in them, I think she was the one taking everyone else's picture all the time. Spurred me to make sure to get in some pics even though I dislike having my picture taken!

10 years ago today, mom got to go to Heaven. I miss her very much and think of her each and every day. There are still days I want to pick up the phone and call her, it's hard having her missing out of my life. I can hardly believe it's been so long, it seems just like yesterday. So many changes in 10 years!

I miss and love you mama!

If you click on the pictures it will bring them up bigger in a new window, so you can see them better.

Be blessed!

Random Recent Pictures

Jacob opening an "early" bday card and gift card from Grandpa Jim and Cheryl.

Kids putting ornaments on the Christmas tree.

Jacob opening up his Ipod on Thanksgiving during an early bday celebration with his cousin Noah.

Jacob and his cousin Noah on Thanksgiving.

Abby's cookies. She saw the recipe in a Taste of Home magazine and had been bugging me to try them. They turned out yummy and she made sure the recipe went into her recipe box and not mom's. LOL

Abby painting. You will find her doing this often! She was painting winter scenes this particular time.

Hope you enjoyed the little peek into what we've been up to.

Be Blessed!