Wednesday, April 2, 2014

The big catch-up post

I have gotten so behind on this blog I'll just do a really quick update on every person in our family to get you all caught up:

Chad- continues to work hard in the AF.  He won several awards recently for being a great officer.  Teaching his 2nd semester at a local Christian university.  He enjoys teaching.  He also continues to preach at not only 1 but now 2 nursing homes once a month to encourage the residents there.  He is also a devoted mentor and friend to the men God has brought into his life.  Staying fit.  Runs and is eating healthy (lost 15 lbs).  Great Dad and husband...quite possibly the best that there ever was ;).  We just celebrated 12 wonderful years of marriage...praise God!
The love of my life :)

Sandi- continue to take care of the kids, homeschool and help out in church when I can.  Training to run a 5k with Anna soon.  Also trying to stay healthy by going on the Trim Healthy Mama eating plan (lost 11 lbs).  Highly recommend the book!  Passionate about Pro-life issues and want to get more involved with this much needed movement from volunteering at the local crisis pregnancy center to passing out gospel tracts at the local abortion mill, there is so much work that needs to be done to save more lives.
Running 3 miles on the treadmill

Anna- continues to excell in violin.  She recently earned a 2nd unanimous superior at festival.  She is also part of a piano guild and is doing well with that instrument too.  She loves learning about horses and still wants a pet dog.  We are hoping to get one in the next couple years.  She is such a big help around the house!  She is becoming quite the songbird and we are considering enrolling her for voice lessons.  She also is showing interest in theater and so we are considering that too for her.  She is doing well academically and breezes through Math and is becoming a great writer.  
Helping out around the house


Libby- excelling at piano.  Also loves all things "dog".  Loves to cook and recently took a cooking class for kids through our local community center.  She made all kinds of things from calzones to King cake.  She is quite social and always makes other kids around her age feel at ease in our church whether they are visiting or just quiet.  She is currently planning to host a tea party with her friends.  She is working hard to prepare to enter her first spelling bee.  She also is really helpful in the house and a tremendous blessing to us.
Making quail eggs for breakfast
Ice Skating with Anna and friends

Sophia- continues to lose teeth.  Started gymnastics (she's been asking us for years).  She has quite the sense of humor and is just as sweet as ever :). 
Lost her 2nd tooth

Warming up for her gymnastics routine

Christopher- very talkative and is a planner!  From the moment he gets up in the morning he is asking tons of questions to get our whole week's schedule mapped out in his head. He's such a sweet and helpful boy too!  He is leaning how to read and spell and has basically already done Kindergarden before he even officially started.  Smart boy!  He recently turned 5 and we took him on a first station tour.  He is still trying to decide if he wants to be a firefighter or an engineer when he grows up (see, told you he was a planner!).  
5th birthday fun

Making a bird house at a building workshop with daddy

Emma- starting to learn how to read too.  Getting more helpful around the house.  Loves riding her tricycle.  Loves the sandbox.  A good big sister.  Cute as a button :)

Playing with her little sister who just adores her :)

Having fun at the zoo

Adelyn- we have entered the "terrible 2" stage with her.  She tests the limits constantly.  We are working on potty training with her.  She is starting to enjoy her own Bible class at church and is starting to make friends.  She is becoming quite talkative.  

A good big sister

Showing her fingernails are purple, her favorite color

Evan- almost 6 months old.  Teething.  Rolling and playing with toys.  Will be eating solids soon.  Loves his mama and laughing at his siblings who are all too eager to make funny faces at him :). His big blue eyes melt everyone's hearts around him.  A joy!

Our sweet boy


Christopher loves making Evan smile and laugh

That's all I have for now.  As you can see, there is much keeping us busy here.  Will try my best to keep this blog up to date in the future but sometimes all I can get up is a picture or two.  





Friday, March 28, 2014

Thursday, December 19, 2013

To Encourage You to Keep Pressing On, Whatever Your Trial May Be Dear Christian

"Cheer up Christian, every day you are so much nearer to your eternal home! Never was the end of the journey so near as now; never were there so many troubles behind you, and so few before you, as now. It is all up hill until you reach the celestial city--you will therefore find it more or less difficult unto the end. But, 
  when you arrive at home, 
  when you enter into the holy city, 
  when you see your precious Lord Jesus, 
  when you enjoy the presence of God
--then all will be well, and well forever!

You will be in your Father's house--your holy, happy home! You shall know no lack, nor will your desires remain ungratified. There will be . . .
  no toil there, 
  no crosses or burdens to carry there, 
  no foes within nor without to face there, 
  no tears or pains there, 
  no conflicts to endure there. 

Five minutes with Jesus--and then what shall you think of all your earthly temptations, toils, trials, and troubles? One hour in Heaven, with the certainty of being forever holy, and forever happy--what will all your earthly afflictions be then? 

Then, then, shall you understand the apostle when he says, "I consider that the sufferings of this present life are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be conferred on us!" Romans 8:18 

-James Smith

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Christmas Recipes


We had a great time making Christmas tree ornaments and peppermint bark!  Recipes here:
Clay ornaments- http://nurturestore.co.uk/diy-clay-heart-bunting
Cinnamon ornaments- http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Other/Cinnamon-Ornaments
Peppermint bark-constantly stirring, melt white chocolate over low heat, stir in 1-3 tsp pure peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.  Pour onto parchment or wax paper and allow to cool.  Break up and store in a zip lock baggie.  
Enjoy!!

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Enjoying this time of year :)


Snow angels

Homemade hot cocoa

Icicles

Gingerbread 

Cozy story time 

Bundling up so we can go out and play in the snow!

Monday, November 25, 2013

A little family history

Yes, we have 7 kids...a large family!  One interesting fact is that my mom also grew up in a family with 7 children too.  She was a "middle child" and the first girl after several boys.  My Grandmother grew up in Shanghai, China and my Grandfather met her while on a trip there with the Navy.  He brought her back to the US and they settled down in Idaho where he grew up.  They were a Catholic family.  
Here are 2 of their family pictures when my mom was little.  My Grandfather has since passed away.  My Grandmother is doing pretty well and still lives in Idaho (my Mom is the only one of the siblings who does not currently live there).
My mom is the oldest girl on the bottom row in the middle

Here they are a few years later.  My mom is in the blue dress on the left


 

Recent pics

Emma turned 4

Evan will be 7 weeks on Tuesday


Our older 3 girls performed their piano recital at the university where Chad teaches.  



Thursday, November 7, 2013

Quick Update

Where do I start?  
-Our dear Lord has provided help for us during this busy time of life and the remainder of my 6 week recovery.  This sweet young lady is helping with the kids, housework, homeschooling, meal prep and just about anything we need...we are so thankful for her!  She's been here almost 2 weeks and will be here another week.

-Chad was promoted to Major recently and the AF put on a nice ceremony for him.  Congratulations honey!


-Anna played the Star-Spangled Banner to open up the ceremony

-Anna did great job at her most recent recital

-Libby really likes to cook and has even mentioned she wants to attend culinary school one day.  Here she is making cookies for dessert.

-Sophia (at age 7) finally has a loose tooth, 2 at the same time actually!  I don't have a picture of this but I might post once she loses her first tooth/teeth.

-Kids are enjoying the fall weather and raking and playing in the leaves

-Evan is a month old now!  Getting bigger and is so loveable :)


-Some family members starting to come down with colds...praying Evan stays healthy and germs don't spread too much through the family.

Love you dear friends!

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Hospital Pictures

Evan is 3 weeks old now but we wanted to share the pictures our friend from church took of our whole family in the hospital (we just got them back)!  This is the first time I saw our older 6 children since being in labor and their first time meeting and getting to hold Evan.  He is less than 1 day old here.


Precious Memories!