Be Strong and Courageous

Our good friend Katrina from Portland got married in may and we went to celebrate with her. She loves Disneyland and even had a cinderella topper. The kids got all dressed up, and I love seeing them smiling together, I hope they stay close as the teen years come on for Andrew and Emma. Right before the Wedding Emma and I went and got our very first Pedicures together. Emma insisted that we match. It was a nice treat, but probably won't do that again any time soon. This is my girlfriend Laurie and her daughter who took us for the fun. Laurie was in the wedding and got her toes done to match the blue bridemaid dress.

We are 24 hours away from closing on our new home!!!! For that I am extremely excited. It is the tension of packing and cleaning and stayng on top of 5 kids and the household of 9 that is wearing on my soul a bit. I have to laugh at yesterdays mishaps and conundrums and just move on with the morning. I would like to sit and watch Martha and sip on a good cup of Starbucks, but the baby needs her bottle and the 2 preschoolers are running - RUNNING around like little chickens with their heads cut off, but wait their heads must be attatched with the noise level coming out of their mouths. I wish I could send them out for some play tme but it is only like 45 degrees and just about to rain. Well off I go to back up a few things in the garage I have an hour before Martha, and I really do want that coffee. God has been good to keep us all healthy these last few days and with moving everything this weekend we need all the strength He can give us. Blessings of health to all.

This has been the longest winter of my life, and I been through some winters. I know that God was preparing me for this journey and strengthens me everyday. Not that by anymeans I am perfect in my response to the everyday that gets thrown my way, but knowing God Has a plan that involves life lessons I never thought I would encounter. I am thankful to my friends who have prayed and leant a hand and had the right words of encouragement along this path. As we prepare to move, literally and figurativeley into a new phase of life, I am thankful to God for the provisions of all things.

Wow there is so much going on in our life and do not have a whole lot of time to blog anymore, facebook yes a bit more interactive, but anyhow. We have decided to build a new home big enough to house our family of 5 along with my mother and sister and her 2 young children for now. Building is an exciting process and we have learned alot in the passed 4 weeks. They break ground next week. This is just house of similar layout in the neighborhood.

In the last week I have experience great joy in the birth of my neice Jillane and great sorrow in the loss of my brother William. And as the title says life as I know it has changed forever. My God is with me and I know I am strong only by the prayers of others directed Godward on my families behalf. Thank you dear friends.

Fall means: more reasons to drink coffee and cocoa or both, staying inside wrapped up on the couch for movies, more game nights (Addysen love to get games out and demand we all play together - last night it was yahtzee but not for points just for the fun of throwing the dice), soccer is over - good thing too, it looks like snow out, the short rainy season cleans the air (great for my allergies), Daylight savings - can I get an AMEN to the extra hour that I actually slept through this year, oh yes and Fall means Thanksgiving, My Father's Bday (he has been gone 4 1/2 years now - still miss him dearly), My wedding anniversary -14 years and counting - I love MY MAN!, and the rainbow in the trees -even here in the Yakima valley, I LOVE FALL! The kids trying to look at me and keep their eyes on the HUGE COWs that were on display at the fair, you could walk right up to them, that is crazy I think. Albino River Turtle - he was huge and so cool to look at - reptile exhibit at county fair. ...

Hosted by Peggy @ The Simple Woman Outside My Window…The warm afternoon breezes of a September day. I am thankful that…the blessings of life and family and friendship. From the kitchen…ready for dinner to begin, just not sure what that will be yet. I am wearing…a red tee and plaid shorts, no shoes or make-up and hair in a pony. I am creating…a set of coasters, 3 years of scrapbooks simultaniusly and a somewhat organized plan for the 1st year of preshool. From the learning rooms… I am not sure we have an actual learning room, ours is more about living - play house here, color there, read over here and so. I am going…to really try and encourage my husband and I to take our health more seriously. I am reading…my new MOPS book about the Adventures of Mothering, blogs daily about how to be more of the Woman, Wife, and Mommy that God wants me to be. I am hoping…to finish staining our living room furninture this next week before it gets too cold out for it to cure quickly. Around the house…...