Hello Again

Sure wish I could think up creative titles for my posts.

Thought I would post a little something. I know I have family members who like to peek inside our lives :)

I won't try and catch up everything, don't think I could remember anyways!

Jacob celebrated his 14th birthday on the 6th. I cannot believe that it's been 14 years since I became a mom. Wow! It is flying by so quickly, and though I'm excited to see him grow up and mature, I also miss my little boy. This past year seems to have been the quickest yet, and it's also a year where he changed physically(he's shaving now!) and mentally. He is getting quicker at catching on to new things, school is actually coming pretty easy to him at the moment, and he is coming more out of his quiet shell. He's still my quiet kid, but he's getting comfortable in his surroundings and being a bit more social. To celebrate we had a get together with his cousins while we were in Twin for Thanksgiving, went bowling and then had pizza and birthday cake. On his actual birthday, we went for pizza(yes, his choice!) after church, home for some presents, and then went and saw Disney's A Christmas Carol at the theatre. When we left the movie it was snowing. Perfect end to the day! We also got him a cell phone. He often will stay home when Abby has an activity he's not interested in, or goes to a friend's house, or on a youth outing, and we just felt it was time for him to have one. He sure was excited when we went to pick it out. He doesn't have internet or texting, but he's excited none the less. LOL

Abby has had quite a few activities going on. She's had some Bible Quiz matches, attended a couple of birthday parties, we went out for a nice dinner and saw the play "Annie" with our girls book club friends. She's keeping busy with school, she's doing pretty well, getting into some pre-Algebra things in math that kind of threw her for a little while, but we slowed down and stayed until she got it and she's finally moved on to the next section. She's been reading anything and everything and I'm having a hard time keeping up with having good books for her to read. She's really excited we found some affordable guitar lessons and will start next month. She took some a few years ago, and the teacher/class format just didn't work for us, she's been wanting to continue forever!

Paul has been working hard. Two of their units got their orders for Afghanistan this past week, so far his unit doesn't. They shouldn't before 2011, but the commander is working them hard to have them ready earlier. This past Saturday they had Family Day, and we were able to attend that for a little while.

And me? I still keep busy at home. Preparing lessons takes a good chunk of my time, I'm having to relearn quite a bit myself :) Trying to be a bit more involved at church. I got to attend a military spouses dinner, that our church put on last night, that was fun and it was great to get to know some of the other spouses. There isn't a huge military presence here, being it's just a reserve base, but there are quite a few reserve families at church. For the first time, I was the oldest with the most years in........(married to Paul for 16 of his 22 years in the service).

The weather has become bone chilling cold. The night time temps have been single digits or below zero. The last few days haven't made it out of the teens. Brrrr......we had a little bit of snow as well.

The house is decorated for Christmas. Almost done with gifts. Will start some baking soon :)

Not much else to share, so I will end for now.

Be Blessed!

November 1st

Wow! I can not believe it is November already!

I haven't been keeping up with the blog very well :( I think since I last posted, Jacob experienced the flu, we celebrated my 37th birthday, did the corn maze, then there was my grandma's bday, my nephew's bday and my bil's birthday is today. We had a children's evangelist at church this weekend, the harvest party last night, and that's about all I can think of right now! The end of October was full of many things!

Now on to November. This week is pretty busy. Paul flew to Ft. Lewis this afternoon, he will be home tomorrow evening. Just a quick trip this time. Tomorrow evening is the last day of the children's evangelist at church and there is also my monthly Keepers at Home meeting. Both of those we probably won't make unless Paul can fly in early. Wednesday of course is JBQ practice and church. Thursday our mother/daughter book club meets here at our house. Friday we are going down to Twin and spending the night, Abby has a quizmeet there on Saturday. Whew! We'll be moving along the whole week. I have all schoolwork for the week down in the assignment books and laid out and organized. So we should do well to get it done!

The weather has been crazy. This last week it got really cold and snowed, but the last few days have been sunny and around 60 degrees. I never know how warm to dress or what to keep the thermostat set at! LOL

Kids are doing great. Jacob is over the flu, no one else caught it. Can't believe it, but I'll take it! He's been reading alot and staying busy with schoolwork. His literature class is taking up a big chunk of time each day, but he's doing it all on his own(even the typing!) this semester. He has divided the assignments up according to how many days he has to work on it, and also been looking at my planner/and asking about activities so those can be worked out too. Good lesson on planning his time wisely. I'm excited to see him take the iniative to do so. He sure is growing up. He's been talking alot more lately too. I've overheard him in conversation with adults and other kids at church. This just makes me beam inside, as he has not always been good at this and kind of awkward about it. I've had to learn to step back when someone approaches him and let him take the reigns on speaking. He no longer looks at me to save him! :) Abby is doing great as well. She got to help in the nursery at church this morning. In her Missionettes class they are learning about childcare and each are taking a turn in the nursery. She really enjoyed it and asked if she could help next year sometimes when she is no longer in the children's service. Jacob said he might like to do that too, so I will check into it. They both love to be around younger children.

Haven't made a menu for this week. I really need to do so, so we don't end up eating out with all the activies. As long as I have a plan, we should do well. So guess I'll go work on that now :)

Be blessed!

Sweet Sixteen

Today marks the 16th anniversary of the day Paul and I married. We received a card from my dad and he called it sweet sixteen :)



We had plans to spend the day doing some touristy things, but the Army had other plans and Paul ended up in Salt Lake City working a promotion board :( I did just find out he is coming home today instead of tomorrow though! Our weekend is busy so we can't reschedule our original plans but that's quite alright. His dad and stepmom are coming up to Boise on monday for an appointment at the VA hospital. They are going to stay the night and watch the kids, so we will get to go out kid free for the evening! Thankyou Papa and Grandma!



We have just been so busy. Trying to remember what all we did...... LOL. My mind is coming up blank though. Oh last week we went to a free Lincoln Brewster concert. It was alot of fun. I got to exercise my mama letting go skills as Abby met a friend whom we didn't know was going to be there. She asked and was granted permission to go sit with her friend and family, out of my sight... Heehee. I slightly know the parents (from church) and the concert venue wasn't too large, and I gave her my phone, and Paul thought I was being over protective.....LOL She had alot of fun and all went well. Best behaviour according to friend's parents :)



Saturday evening, we had some friends over for dinner and they taught us to play a new game, Killer Bunnies. I wasn't too sure about this based on the name of the game, but it really is a fun and innocent game(well except for getting your bunnies killed I guess!). We really enjoyed our time and will definitely have to get together again soon :)



School is going quite well. We have found our groove for the year, and as long as mama stays on top of things we run pretty smooth. I have to say that with these older grades there is a bit more prep than I'm used to, but then they are able to work more independently as well. And they are doing very good work. Jacob is taking more initiative with his assignments and even on his own broke down his Literature assignment from co-op into daily portions to work on and have complete before his next class. Go Jacob! So proud of him. He's also really starting to fit in and make some good friends at co-op and at church. He's always been so shy and quiet and had a hard time joining in, but consistent routine seems to be working well for him. When I went to get him from youth group Wed. night I was able to catch sight of him before he saw me and it did my heart good to see him conversing and having a good time with a group of guy friends!



We've had quite a bit of rain this week, but warmed up today and supposed to tomorrow too. Back to the low 70's. Have a busy weekend ahead. Abby is making crafts with the other girls from Girl's Ministries at church tomorrow to sell in the craft bazaar. I'm going to try and do some Christmas shopping after I drop her off. Sunday afternoon we have a membership class for church. Next week we have Paul's parents staying overnight, co-op, my birthday, a trip to the corn maze and my friend's "Pink" party along with our regular church activities and services.



My menu for this week was scattered. I didn't grocery shop, so we ate from freezer and pantry. Did mostly good on eating out, we will eat out tonight and we had lunch out with Paul one day last week.



Running out of things to share. Think I will go see what needs to be done before I pick up Paul at the airport.



Be blessed!

Crockpot Beef Stew

I stumbled upon this recipe when we were living in Chicago. But I cannot remember where exactly it came from!

Beef Stew

2 lbs. stew beef
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. paprika
4 lg. carrots
3 lg. potatoes(I usually used 4 or 5)
1 cup beef broth
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 large onion
1- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1/4 cup bbq sauce

Peel and chop potatoes and carrots. Brown stew meat. Layer potatoes, then carrots , then meat in crockpot. Sprinkle with soy sauce, salt, paprika, pepper and flour. Spread chopped onion over the top. Combine beef broth and tomato sauce. Pour over top of all. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. During the last 30 minutes of cooking add bbq sauce.

If I used reduced sodium broth, soy sauce and tomato sauce then I use the salt, if I don't use the reduced versions then I don't add the salt. I have kidney issues and Paul is on blood pressure meds, so I try to watch the sodium. You can also add any other vegetables that sound good. I'm actually going to add a bag of frozen peas to mine today towards the end of cooking, if I add them too early they will get mushy.

Be blessed!

October 4, 2009

Menu for this week:
Monday- Beef stew (crockpot)
Tuesday- Enchiladas
Wednesday- Chili
Thursday- we are eating out, we have free tickets to see Lincoln Brewster, we'll pick up Paul from work with a snack on the way to the concert and then we have IHOP coupons to use afterwards :)
Friday-Meatloaf(different recipe, than last week)
Saturday- My mom's lasagna. We are having friends over for dinner :)
Sunday- Leftovers or breakfast for dinner.

What a week. It just seemed so busy! Thursday evening Abby and I had our second mother/daughter book club meeting. We read "My Louisiana Sky" by Kimberly Willis Holt. Misty(my friend who started the whole book club idea!) had set up a conference call with the author. It was so neat to be able to ask her questions about the story and about how she became an author. Abby liked it to, but what was too shy to ask any questions! We had a very good time. Paul and Jacob heard about a dirt track for racing their remote control vehicles and so they checked that out while it was still light out. I think they had a good time :)

Paul had drill this weekend. It was a MUTA 5 so he went in late Friday afternoon and came home this evening. It was a cold, wet weekend and he got to spend the whole time outdoors in it. He came home looking like he rolled around in the mud, couldn't even tell what color his uniform was supposed to be. LOL.. he went to shower and I took his uniform out back and hosed it off before putting it in the washing machine, it was that bad!

The kids and I played monopoly yesterday(the Star Wars version of course), we went to the library again and Abby found a book on making thumbprint pictures so they both spent the rest of the afternoon messing around with that(and have green and purple thumbs to show for it).

This morning was church of course. I laid in bed wide awake last night, always happens when Paul isn't home at night. So therefore yawned all through sunday school and the service. Both were very good, and I feel bad for yawning, I wasn't bored, just tired! We came home and had lunch, finished the grocery list and went to the store. I really don't like shopping on Sundays, but couldn't put it off any longer! It was a zoo and the pouring down rain didn't make it any nicer to be out. And then I couldn't get everything on my list so had to stop at a second store :( The price of milk has gone up, I noticed too. It will never end will it?

It's been pretty chilly the last few days. Finally caved and have had the heat on the last couple of mornings. It's gotten into the low 30's at night, barely reaching 50 if that during the day. Paul's parents in Twin Falls got snow today!

Well, need to close and get ready for the new week. I'm trying to be better about blogging, but haven't done many out of the ordinary things lately! LOL I'll have to try and get some more pics of the kids up soon.

Be blessed!

Pink for October

My friend, Misty, is going Pink for October to raise funds for breast cancer research, everytime you read her blog, money is donated to Susan G. Koman(Sp?) breast cancer research fund. Please go visit! I know Misty in real life and she is a beautiful, generous person. She also goes all out for anything she does. Her blog can be found here www.mistywagner.blogspot.com . Breast cancer hadn't affected my life until both of my mothers in law (yes I'm blessed to have two!) recently were diagnosed and so far successfully fought the battle. I'm sure we all have a link to someone who has dealt with this awful disease. Please go check it out :)

Be blessed!

End of September Already!

Wow! I cannot believe how quickly this month flew by. Our temps are finally dropping and I was cold most of today.

Before I forget, here is this weeks dinner menu.

Monday-turkey burgers

Tuesday- tatertot casserole

Wednesday- homemade potato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches

Thursday- homemade chicken pot pie

Friday- sloppy joes

Saturday- meatloaf

Sunday- ravioli

We've really been doing well on the not eating out! Though I've been tempted a few times and then I think of the cost of that one meal out compared to how many meals I can make at home for the same cost! The kids haven't even been asking to eat out either, which is a surprise!

This weekend was busy. Saturday, Abby participated in her first Junior Bible Quiz meet in Nyssa, Oregon. She did pretty good for her first time, she needs to just be quicker on the buzzer, but her team took first place in their division. We all went with her and got to help out, Jacob even ran the buzzer box once. That pretty much took up the whole day! Picture of Abby with her ribbon is above. Sunday we got up for Sunday School and Church. We came home made lunch and then just worked around the house, this week I started working on cleaning out our bedroom closet and the bedroom, Paul and Jacob worked out in the yard, and Abby helped everyone.

Yesterday, Abby had gymnastics again. She did very well, they worked on the balance beam and the swinging rings. Her arms and calves are sore today! Last night Paul's dad and stepmom came into the airport from their trip to Georgia. We had their car here while they were gone the past couple of weeks. So Paul and Jacob picked them up last night and brought them here. They stayed the night and drove home early this morning. They had a great time and sounds like a highlight of their trip was visiting the Kennedy Space Center in Florida over a couple of days. The kids loved the souvenirs they brought back, Jacob got an autograph from a real live astronaut ,so he's been asking to go look for some astronaut books all day(library trip will be tomorrow!) . Abby got a really cute tote bag that says "I Need My Space" on it. They were both surprised and not expecting anything. I can't wait to see their pictures!

Today, the weather has turned. It's cold and windy and looks like rain might be coming. We've just stayed home, worked on school lessons, played some math games, just about finished laundry, and some picking up that needed done. Just a cozy day at home. Actually put on a sweater late this morning. It was warmer when we got up at 7 then it is now!

Well dinner is in the oven and just about done, need to go steam some veggies and Paul should be home soon.

I almost forgot! Happy Birthday to my sister, Jessica, today and to my brother, Jason, yesterday! I'm still older than both of them! LOL

Be blessed!

Zucchini Corn Cakes

Here is the recipe for those that wanted it. It's out of the Woman's Day magazine.

Microwave 1 shredded small zucchini for 2 minutes on medium high. Drain.

Combine zucchini, 1 pouch(6.5oz) cornbread mix, 1 large egg and 1/2 cup milk. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Heat oil in a pan, drop heaping Tbsps of batter into hot oil. Cook 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on each side. Makes about 14 pancakes.

Enjoy!

Be blessed!

Thankful for Health

The kids and Paul had been sick with colds since the middle of last week. So far I have managed to escape this round! Paul usually ends up with a sinus infection every time he has a cold. We think he missed out on the sinus infection this time around! WoooHooo!

Today was a fairly normal day. We did school and then Abby had her gymnastics class after lunch. She is still a bit timid but the teachers are great about getting her to try. By the end of class she was doing really well and flipping on the tramp. She did hit her face with her knee a couple of times though!

It was cold this morning. The air conditioner has been off all day. Hoping to not have to turn it on again. We switched the sprinklers to every other day and are anticipating a call from our landlord that they will be coming to blow out the sprinkler system for the cold weather soon. Had Jacob go through his cold weather clothing and looks like he is pretty good for this season, his growing has seemed to slow for awhile. He's almost 14, so I think he will grow a bit more, but probably not alot. I still need to have Abby go through her things.

Made some zucchini corn cakes to go with dinner. It was a new to us recipe, very simple and very good :)

Paul and I got in a walk after dinner. Hoping to keep that up. The kids are doing well at home for short amounts of time. They get along. Jacob likes staying home, Abby not so much yet, but as long as it's not for more than 30 minutes or so, she doesn't fret too much.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I don't have to go anywhere! LOL I did move laundry day to Tuesday though, because it just wasn't fitting in Monday's schedule anymore.

Well, I will close as I'm sure you were all so excited to read about my normal day! LOL

Be Blessed!

Weekly Dinner Menu

Thought I would post my dinner menu for the week. We've been working hard the last 6 months or so on not eating out so much. It was very draining on our food budget, especially since the kids don't eat off the kid menus anymore!

Monday- Taco Soup
Tuesday- Breakfast for Dinner
Wednesday- Sub Sandwiches(this has been a hard night for dinners, Abby and I leave for JBQ practice before Paul even gets home from work. Then Paul and Jacob meet us at church. We weren't eating unitl after 8:30 or later and that was too long for the kids, so I'm trying to find things I can make for Abby and I to eat at 5 before we leave, and then Paul and Jacob can eat at 6 before they head out to meet us at the church)
Thursday- Chicken Fajitas
Friday- Homemade pizza
Saturday- Spaghetti
Sunday- Pot Roast

I saved $17 in coupons at the grocery store today. We've started putting what I save in coupons in the savings account. May not seem like much, but it's adding up!

Be Blessed!

Saturday, Sept.19, 2009

Couldn't come up with a title. LOL

All day yesterday I thought it was Saturday, so now I'm really off today.

Since Paul is off on Fridays, we usually don't do sit down school work, unless we've gotten behind. Abby forgot though, and by the time I got up had finished most of her math. LOL She was mortified that she did so when she didn't have to, but I told her I wouldn't give her a new math assignment for monday :) LOL Paul took the van in for it's oil change yesterday. I for some reason was worried I would get a phone call saying it needed X more dollars worth of work done, but I didn't. Just an oil change. Which is good because we just replaced tires and had a bunch of work done a few months ago!

Abby went to a sleepover last night with the other girls at church. She came home tired, but had a great time. Paul took Jacob to the Hobby store last night, needed some paint and glue(and I'm sure looked around quite abit), I stayed home and worked on some Christmas gifts. While at the hobby store Paul heard about a dirt track for racing their remote trucks. So I'm sure they will be checking that out soon.

Today has been slow. Paul hasn't been sleeping well because he is so congested, so he's not wanted to do anything. Jacob as well. Abby is a bit tired from her sleepover, but we did go up to Michael's for a little while. They were doing American Girl crafts. There were three of them, but when we got there, there was only one left. She was still happy though. I was able to pick up some stocking stuffers too. They have the clear rubber stamps in a bin for a penny each! Couldn't pass those up! Dropped some books off that were due today, renewed ones online that we still needed, so didn't go in to get more. Stopped at Winco and bought ice cream. I was excited to find they carry the lactose free stuff and it was so much cheaper than at Albertsons! It's usually around $6 at Albertsons and the same was $2.67 at Winco! So had me an ice cream cone today :)

It's been a nice day weatherwise. It's kind of cloudy but still warm, not too hot. Have the a/c off and the windows open. Hoping Paul will be up for a walk after dinner. Well, that's all that's going on around here. Hope to post again soon :)

Be Blessed!

So maybe I should blog again.....

It has been way too long, I know. I got out of the habit and I also started pen and paper journaling again during my Bible study time. The kids do that with theirs and I was setting the example(or trying to anyways!). Just didn't get it done online too. Then Facebook exploded and I know most of who read my blog are on there, but not everyone! So, yes, I need to blog again. I WANT to blog again.

I don't have any exciting things to share at the moment. Just in the middle of our regular day to day life. Paul was gone more than half of the summer for work related things. He was home most of July, and with help(gas money!) from my dad, we made a quick trip back to Washington to visit. We stayed a week with my brother and his family and tried to fit in seeing everyone. Had a great time, we did find that while we very much miss all of our family and friends, we do not miss living in Wa. state! That was a shock to me, as everytime we have moved away, I've desparately wanted to get back there. This time, not so much, looks like Idaho was made for us :)

Anyways, Paul is finally home to stay for at least the next year. I commented the other day to him that it felt like summer just passed us by and we didn't get to really enjoy it at all. I mean the kids and I stayed busy while he was gone, but he missed so much of it :(

We finished up our last homeschool year in June when my sister came to visit for a week. We started back up with our newest year(Jacob 8th grade and Abby 6th grade) the first full week of August. We took the week before Labor Day and half the next week off since Paul was home and off. We are in the swing of things and our co op starts back up next week. Abby started a homeschool gymnastics class this past monday and we are still waiting for the archery schedule for Jacob. Abby and I are participating in a mother/daughter book club that a friend started up and Jacob is looking at maybe joining the teen advisory at the library with a friend of his. Both children would like to have music lessons(Abby-piano and Jacob-drums) but we are waiting to see what our full schedule is like and also to see if we can fit them in finance wise. There are so many great opportunities and options for extra curricular activities out there but there is not enough time or money to do them all.

We are really enjoying our church and talking about becoming members when the next membership opportunity comes around. We started attending sunday school this past sunday when they started back up after breaking for the summer. We all enjoyed our classes a lot. Jacob really likes the youth group on wednesday nights, Abby loves her Girl's Ministries class, and Paul and I both really like the Pastor's Bible study. We had to miss out tonight as both kids have colds and Paul is starting to feel one coming on as well. Abby is also participating in Junior Bible Quiz and is doing a great job with it. She memorized all of the first set of questions very quickly. I liked them because they actually correlated with what she was learning during her Bible time. I knew she was actually learning :) She's working on the 20 point questions right now and getting them down quick. Jacob is picking them up quickly too, and had the opportunity for Teen BQ, but is not quite ready for something like that. He just does not like performing in front of others. That's okay though!

So that's about it for right now. Nothing profound, but thought I'd catch you all up with what we are doing around here. I'm going to make a point to post more often. And hope to include some pictures as well.

Be Blessed!

Zucchini Pickles

This is for Jennifer :) I haven't tried them yet, but going to see if I can get some jars and give it a try.

Zucchini Pickles from the Ball Blue Book of Preserving.

Yields about 4 half pints.

2 pounds of zucchini, sliced(about 8 small)
1/3 pound onion, quartered and sliced(about 1 small)
1/4 cup canning salt
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons mustard seed
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon tumeric
3 cups vinegar

Combine zucchini and onion, sprinkle with salt, add cold water to cover. Let stand 2 hours. Drain, rinse and drain thoroughly. Combine remaining ingredients in a large saucepot. Bring to a boil. Pour vinegar mixture over zucchini and onion. Let stand 2 hours. Bring all ingredients to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Pack hot vegetables and liquid into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Adjust two-piece caps. Process 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner.

I Don't Do Cake...But.....

Abby saw this cake in Family Fun magazine last month. She HAD to have it for her birthday. I don't typically make things like this, I'm not too creative and I'm easily frustrated, plus I don't think I've attempted something like this since my mom died. Costco cakes have been my friend! But she got sooooo excited over it, and it didn't look TOO difficult. So I said I would try. Here is the masterpiece. LOL I even woke her up a few minutes ago so she could see it. She squeezed me with biggest hug. So worth it! Now to keep it nice until her party on Saturday!

Be Blessed!

Happy 11th Birthday Abigail!

Some pictures in honor of Abby's 11th birthday. In the above pictures, the first she is at the zoo in 2006, and then in her Uncle Michael's canoe on the Snake River during summer of 2006.

Abby at the Kangaroo Farm and then trying to touch a snake at the Reptile zoo. Both taken in 2006.

Spring 2003, I think. This is one of my favorite expressions of hers. The baby I think is my friend Jolene's daugther.

Abby on the first day of first grade, August 2004. Then cleaning out her pumpkin in October 2005.

I believe both of these are from 2004. The top is Abby and daddy riding a camel at the pumpkin patch in Chicago. The bottom is Abby and Mom riding the giant ferris wheel at Navy Pier in Chicago.

These are 2003. The top is right before we left Wa. for Chicago, the bottom is Abby at tap lessons.

I think these are both 2003 as well. In the top she's at the petting farm at Forest Park. The bottom is Abby and Jacob at Woodland Park zoo.

The classic fell asleep in her high chair picture. I think this is around 2001. Then her first Christmas picture in 1998 with Jacob.

Easter 1999 and visit with Papa summer 1999, I think.

On the top left is her hospital pic, just hours old. Then her first portrait, 2 weeks old I think. The bottom one is her one year portrait.(and one of my favorite pictures of her before she got all her curls!)

Christmas 2001, I think. I love her curls in this picture. (yes they are natural!). Then mom and Abby on her first day of Kindergarten.

Abby's 8th birthday, and then camping with her cousins in the summer of 2006.

Soccer and Softball awards ceremonies in 2006.

Remember to click on the pictures to bring them up in a new window to see better.

Happy Birthday Abby! I can hardly believe you are 11! I thank God everyday for the blessing of my daughter. I love you and love to see how you are growing up into a beautiful, young lady.

Be Blessed!

Becki

Rainy Day In May...: How I made my daughter, and six of her friends, fear for their lives...

Rainy Day In May...: How I made my daughter, and six of her friends, fear for their lives...


The above is a link telling about the bday party Abby attended this past weekend. She hasn't stopped talking about it yet! Thankyou Misty :)

Happy 40th Paul!

Here are some pics of Paul. You'll have to click on the pictures to bring them up bigger in a different window to see them better. This first one above is Paul with Abby at her Student of the Month breakfast back when she was in 2nd grade at Fairmount.

Paul and kids with a snake. I think this was the Evergreen State Fair back in 2005 or so.

The four of us at an Aquasox game. 2006 I think. Ignore the dates on the pictures the old camera would never hold the right date!

Getting ready for a boat tour on Lake Michigan. 2004 I believe.

Leaving Everett, Wa. for Chicago, Illinois. May 2003.

Jacob and Daddy. I think Jacob had just lost his first tooth, or maybe it was his second!

Jacob giving daddy a kiss. I was newly pregnant with Abby, so sometime during the last half of 1997.

In the receiving line at our wedding reception. 1993.

Our engagement photo. 1993.

Paul, I'm not sure what age, he thinks around 9.

Paul at 2 years. And first Army photo 1987.

I'm not sure where this was taken. I think it might have been Germany, 1988/1989.

Hope you enjoy the pictures. There were so many I want to use. We even found a box we had forgotten about. I will never get around to scrapping them all. So will start just putting them in safe albums and getting them out of the boxes.

Happy Birthday Sweetie! 40 years! I remember when that seemed so far off and so old. LOL Doesn't feel old now though :) I can't wait to celebrate your 8oth with you!

Be Blessed!

One more, Abby wanted scanned in. This is camping, I think in 2007.

Be Blessed!

Christmas Pictures !

Abby with some flower pens we made to send to a missionary friend for a women's conference in Sri Lanka.

Abby waiting to receive her first badges earned in STARS at church.

Paul and Jacob with one of Jacob's completed models.

Jacob just finished shoveling our neighbor's driveway. It was getting dark...

Just our walkway lit up a couple of days before Christmas.

All the F family cousins on Christmas day! Jacob(13), Nathaniel(12), Jordan(11), Hannah(13). Front row, Levi(6), Aaron(8), Abby(10), Noah(2).

Jacob on Christmas morning at Papa and Grandma's house with his stash from "Santa".

Abby with her stash from "Santa". She's missing some art supplies and clothes...hmmm...

Jacob trying out his new snowboarding game on the Wii. Yes, all of us right handed people set it up wrong for the lefty kid! We managed to turn it around after this pic was taken! LOL

Abby(back row left) singing at the Christmas Party for our Co-op Christmas party. Sorry my pics are fuzzy!

I know it took awhile. Sorry. Christmas pics in February, what can I say! I'm going to try and be more diligent about the blog. Check back soon, I'll be putting up a post for someone special's birthday in the morning!

Be Blessed!

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!