2007'

Happy New Year Everyone. Hope you all have a great new year!

No matter what happens, what we strive for, what struggles may come our way, what new and exciting things in store, the memories we will make, let's put our relationship with God first in our lives. Let's go to Him first with everything that is on our minds. He is the creator of everything, of us all. He deserves to be our center.

My heart longs for you God. It's yours. Use me in whatever way you choose. I am nothing, Lord. Please make me into something this next year 2007, bringing glory and honor to your name. I love you.

Good Night ~

Smile ~

I just woke up to an email saying a friend had her new baby girl last night. Isn't it neat that an email can make your whole day!! But not just that, a new baby has come into the world. I can hardly wait to see her.

Josh really wants to get on my computer so this will be short. = ) Have a great day and if you haven't finished your Christmas shopping yet I will be thinking of you. I've heard it's crazy out there.

FUNNY, FUNNY ~

Okay I don't know how long this entry will turn out to be, but I had to post this. I thought it was just so cute. I took the kids to Walmart this afternoon they were great all things considering. We went by the book section (was looking for stocking stuffers) and Hannah says "WILBER, WILBER!!" what, where? "WILBER!" the pig? "YEAH!!" It was the Charlotte's Web book. She loves the movie. So I thought okay that would be a good stocking stuffer. Into the cart it went. Then we went further down the kids section and Hannah says "JOYCE MEYER, JOYCE MEYER!!" WHAT??? "OVER THERE JOYCE MEYER!!"" I laughed so hard the tears almost rolled. Umm... is she ready for Joyce Meyer at 2 years old??? NOPE not yet. You can guess who I have been watching lately. LOL! That made my day.

We've been pretty busy lately with the Christmas season and all. I am a part of a Women's Ensemble that is going to be singing Dec. 17th. It's exciting, we are doing some great Christmas songs. Christmas is my FAVORITE time of year. I know all the songs, I love everything that goes along with Christmas. I'm excited to introduce our kids to some family traditions. Hannah just started talking about Santa and pointing him out in the stores. Is she ready for Santa?? I don't know, maybe. It's kinda fun to pretend with her.

She is really into pretending now. The following is constant throughout the day: "Mommy, can you be Wilber?" oh, okay "Can you be pony?" oh okay "Are you a girl or a boy?" i'm a girl "You have to be a boy" but I am a pony with pink and purple hair! "You have to be a boy" oh okay "Can you be a cartoon?" "Can you be Mrs. Tabitha?" "Can you be Mary?" "Can you be baby Jesus?" Ah!! Who needs to act on stage when you are playing a character every 10 mins?!?! lol. That girl is extremely entertaining and so much fun.

Josh is starting to talk, (in his own way of course). This is what he is saying: "Austi" for Austin our dog, "Ma!!!" for mom, "moh" for more, "ah ah ah ah" for what Austin says (very cute!), "bawooon" for balloon, "Thanxsss" for thank you. "hmm??" for a question of some sort, "Hah" for hi. I know you might be thinking ya okay MOM! But I am convinced this is what he is trying to say right now. He is still my love bug. Into everything. I can tell that I am in for it when he starts walking. Way more than Hannah ever was.

So anyway, things are going good. I am going to start baking pretty soon. I have lots of exciting new recipes to try. I am hoping that we will be able to get a tree this weekend when Brian is off. It's not the same without a tree. I've put up the Christmas stockings and decorated the railing in the entry, but not too much yet. I had to start listening to Christmas music though. Brian isn't really into Christmas music so much. I think it is growing on him though. The kids and I have it on all the time. I guess it was just how I grew up.

Well, I better go do something productive, like the dishes or the laundry or etc, etc, etc... Til next time.

Charlotte's Web ~

I am hiding out in my room as the children watch this all time favorite movie in the Living Room. = ) No not really, Brian took the kids while I got to have a nice shower. I feel alive again. Hannah is so cute. She came running into our room yelling, "come back kitty cat, come back." I don't know why. Her smile is so contagious.

She is not feeling well today. She was whinning a lot this morning. A common cold. So I don't think we'll be doing much. Anyway, I better go blow her nose now. Till next time.

Sunday ~

It is quietly raining outside. I've put the kids to bed and I think Josh has finally gone to sleep. It is just so hard sometimes to hear him cry in his bed. I know that it is normal and healthy for him, but the mommy warning alarm pounds in my heart and i have to conciously ignore it. Anyway, quiet, peaceful, priceless. Thank you Lord Jesus for these priceless moments. They're awesome.

What a stormy day it was at church. The wind was blowing pretty strongly and the rain was coming down as I took both kids to the doors of the church. Hannah had blood on her hand and I had some on my finger, thankfully there was someone to open the door for us. I must have got a paper cut or something without even noticing.

I really enjoyed the service today. The pastors team taught about communion and there were a couple great testimonies of how God has been so faithful through some difficult times. Isaiah 41:13 was a verse that stood out to me. I'd like to write a song about that verse.

Josh started crying again. I started him on whole milk. He usually has a bottle before bed, but I thought I would try a sippy cup instead. I am starting to think that did not work.

Should I go in there? Hmmm.... Probably, but I really don't want to. His crying has gotten louder. Well, good night my friends. I better go make a bottle.

p.s. Yep, I was pretty happy today. I'm not sure why. But I have to say that the "Weekend to Remember" conference was well worth it. It sparked up our marriage and helped us understand and appreciate each other more. It was great.

Ok. gotta go. = )

We're Home ~

Had an awesome time and the "Weekend to Remember" conference. The kids did great at grandma and grandpa's house. The conference was in Semiahmoo (spelling??) Blaine, Washington. We stayed in Lynden at a nice hotel. It was so good for our marriage. We needed a refresher, an encouragement, ya know? We realized that we were gifts from God to each other. That we completed one another. I would recommend this to everyone. We are fighting against the world's view on how marriage should be and God's view of how marriage should be. And God was the one who created it in the first place so his way will ALWAYS win out in the end. There were every age and every stage of marriage there. The longest married couple was 42 years and the youngest was 2 DAYS!! lol. We were all wondering why they were there??

Anyway, it was great. I think I am ready for what reality has in store. I think I can take it on now. he he. Like housework.

Well, good night. Looking forward to blogging again soon. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! = )

A Story ~

"Let me tell you a story. Once a pona time there was a trip." "Oh really, who went on this trip?" I said. "I can't tell you.......You'll have to wait and see," said Hannah. What a cutie. Her attention span was short so the story ended right there, but I wanted to write it down as a memory. Today I go for my citizen interview. I am nervous, but ready. I think. We will also be going to a Marriage Seminar this weekend. The kids will be at the grandparents. Oh boy are we looking forward to this!! Have a great rest of the week. = )

Defeating the Letdown ~

Have you ever gone to a conference or experienced something big and then you find yourself back to your normal life just spent and letdown? I am feeling that way today and fighting it. I had to really keep myself busy around the house and had to really pray and spend time with God to help with the emotions I was feeling. I took the kids to Dairy Queen and we got corn dogs and milkshakes, and then took them to a park nearby and sat in the car eating our snack and reading Psalms together. It was actually quite nice. Hannah got into it. Josh was a bit fussy. (he didn't get a corndog lol)

I gleened from Paul Baloche, Kathryn Scott, Brenton Brown, Charlie Peacock, and so many others, all I wanted to do is be back there to spend more time with these people. Do you know how many times I had to tell myself to calm down today?Unfortunately patience does not come easily. Working on it.

Anyway, it's exciting to be back and working on writing and arranging songs. Kathryn Scott said she just didn't work on writing with the kids around. How she keeps herself from doing that is beyond me. I can't get enough. I find myself going to the piano every chance I can get. Yes, the kids are all around me wanting to play, wanting my attention. It is such a discipline to defer to them and put my other passion on hold. I guess it's a healthy challenge. Builds character. Still difficult though.

Josh is so ready to walk. He is cruising quite a bit now. Did I mention how adorable he is. He is a smiler. Hannah is a thinker. She has to process whether or not she should smile back at you or not. lol. They're so different.

I think I shall go and rest. It is finally quiet. Ah..........

I'm Back And Committed ~

I don't know what happened, but I fell off the face the earth. Sorry. Thankfully I didn't fall far. Okay so now what am I suppose to say. Well, I've been changing diapers, trying potty training every once and a while. Still waiting for Hannah to be ready because I AM NOT!! She's showed signs, but nothing serious yet.

Ya know, my kids are awesome. What a blessing. I still have those times of "please be quiet," "please play on your own for a second," "please GO TO SLEEP." lol However, those are few and far between. They are my little joys that I have to bless me everyday. Hannah has the sweetest disposition. She is very sensitive and pretty creative. We are also starting to share moments if you know what I mean. I can just look at her and we both start laughing at something so silly like what I said or baby Josh and we know it's just between us. Plus, who needs a workout video when you have a 2 1/2 year old running around non-stop. = ) Josh is my love bug. I probably give him 100 kisses a day. I can't help myself. He has his dad's kissable cheeks. He is starting to talk now. He isn't even 1. (he will be though pretty soon. Messy chocolate cake. Yea!!) He says "Austi" for our dog "Austin," "Mama or Mamie," "Dada," "Ana" for Hannah, "HEY!" with his hand stretched out, so cute, and I think he has learned the ever popular "no." He has the belliest laugh. I love it. He is ticklish everywhere, to my advantage. he he. And the best part right now is that Hannah and Josh totally love each other. Makes me have the itch to try for another one. YIKES!! I don't think so.

Yes, I am consumed with children at the moment, but that's okay. I am finding complete joy and contentment in this season of my life. God is also blessing me with time to work on songwriting. I came back from a weekend worship leader/songwriter's convention. I felt like I was at Disneyland on vacation. (Do I get out much, ah NO!) lol. It was great. I know now what my calling is and it is exciting!! I also know I have lots of work to do. So what am I doing trying to start a Children's Clothing Resale business on Ebay?????? Ug.

Oh, yes, my dearest, loveliest husband has allowed me to invest in some much needed writing tools. I can hardly contain my excitment!!!!!!!! And they are COOL writing tools not just a groovy notepad and awesome pen. YEA!

Ya know, I just want God to get ALL of the glory for this writing venture I'm on. I'm not a writer, but HE is. I hope He will help me to express what the Spirit is placing on my heart through songs and worship songs. What an awesome calling. I was challenged at the Summit to strengthen my relationship with God. There is no excuse. And why would we need one, HE IS AMAZING!

Well, my baby is fussing. Here is the "PLEASE GO TO SLEEP," faze. Let's hope.

To Remember ~

Little things I don't want to forget. Sorry to anyone who is reading my blog. I just haven't had more than a moment to write what's been going on. So this will have to do for now.

* The sun was going down and Hannah said, "Is the sun going to wake up China?"

* I just put Josh down at 6:30am and was going to catch some shut eye when Hannah came into our room quietly and said, "The sun woke me up."

* I caught her talking to herself saying, "Jesus was born in a beeeeg (big) tummy and then died on a cross..." I had to complete the story for her so that she knew he became alive again and now is in heaven. So cute.

* "I love my baby Joshy. Can Joshy come over here and play with me?"

* Josh is now saying, "Da doo" lol. He melts me everytime.

Good night. = )

Kiddie Pool~

I have been exhausted today. Seems like I am just not catching up on my sleep. However, even though I was dragging my kids made me smile, laugh actually! Hannah is just the cutest. We set up the pool on the driveway and put some toys in there. We have a crabapple tree and picked some yesterday so she had to put them in too. She started taking bites of each one of them. I asked her what they tasted like and she said "Sour cream." Oh, that was funny. Then she got me all wet so I began to kick up water onto her. She loved it. She would say "Get me again" and when I would she would laugh histerically and say it again. She would get out of the pool and each time move back a little bit and then a little bit more until I couldn't reach her and then she would run up to the edge of the pool and start over again. One other thing, she threw out the ball and as she went to get it she would say "so that Riley (neighbors dog) won't get it" She then started to do this routine over, and over, and over again. I finally had to devert her attention and get her thinking of something else. So funny. = ) Josh, all I have to do is make a funny face at time and he laughs and laughs. He has completely melted my heart.

Hannah's Words ~

Okay this will be short, but sweet. She has been asking, "What is sprinkling all about?" or "What is ankle all about?" So cute. "I don't think so" coming from her mother. Oh, there was one more I wanted to write about, but I lost it. When I remember I will document that one too. = ) She sure is a 2 year old these days. ALL day long she asks "Can I go in the car?" "I want to go in the car." "Can I go outside?" "I want to go outside." What is a mother to do? I want my little girl to be happy and content to be inside for awhile. Oh well. Okay time for bed. Good night......(i hope)

Hannah Went Potty!~

Sorry it's been so long. I didn't think anyone read this blog anymore. he he. Really quick I have to write and document a milestone in our baby girls life. She went poopie in the potty!!! I was changing her and she was due for a bowel movement so I asked if she wanted to go on the potty. She said "little potty." So we got it out and put it in the Living Room, let her run around without a diaper and got her dolly and dolly's potty to sit right beside her. Well, it was cute to see Hannah and dolly come and sit on their potty's and then go play and then come back to sit and then go play. I really didn't take it seriously until the phone rang. When I got up to answer it I saw it!! Her poopie!! It's grose to talk about it, but ALL the moms out there will celebrate with me. I didn't know what to do talking to a gal who was interested in my bedset for sale and praising Hannah for her accomplishment and taking the little "token" to the bathroom to wait until I got off the phone and then we could flush it down the toliet together. LOL. I finally had to tell the lady what happened and she laughed and we ended up talking alot about that!! lol. Anyway, congradulations Hannah. Mommy is SOOOOOOOOO proud of you!!

Now we all are home sick with colds. Nothing too serious though.

6:30am-Nice Day ~

A refreshing morning breeze is seeping through the open windows into our living room. Ah, so nice after yesterdays heat wave. It's just Josh and I, still very quiet. The sun is coming out and the trees are coming to life. I can almost taste summer. = )

I finally have one room in the house clean and organized. I think I believe in the whole Zen thing, cuz my head clears and I feel so much more at peace when I am in a clean room.

Today should be a fun day. Brian has another day off so we'll see what we decide to do. I know there will still be cleaning in the equation, but maybe we can get a walk in there somewhere. I also have my dance rehearsal tonight. We are getting ready for our performance. he he. It has been such a great outlet for me since Josh has been born. When it's over I am going to look for a gym to join or something.

Anyway, I didn't want to say much, just document a peaceful moment in this crazy non-stop life of mine.

Happy Mother's Day ~

My friend Leslie inspired me to also wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day. Most of the time I only think of my mother to call or connect with on Mother's Day, but Leslie extended it to all the mother's in her life. It was really sweet.

I would never trade in a million years the time I have spent being a mother. My son Josh finally fell alseep in my arms this evening while I was rocking him in his room. Instead of putting him down right away and going to get ready for church in the morning, I was content to sit there enjoying the peaceful time I had with him. It hit me that he was going to grow up like Hannah and these moments were precious.

Us moms know our kids more than anyone. Brian is wonderful with our children. They adore him, but I have to say there is a special bond I have with Hannah and Josh that can only be felt by us alone. It is awesome.

So to any mom reading this blog. I give you my love. You love your children like no other. And I know that delights the Lord so much. Have a wonderful day tomorrow. I hope you will feel honored and special because you are. = )

My Daughter is not Sleeping ~

Just recently Hannah has decided that she is not tired when I say she is tired and needs a nap. Am I seeing the signs all wrong? She goes to bed late, wakes up early, and whines around the house with her blankey, rubbing her eyes. Is she tired? I think so. So I put her down in her room and she plays with her toys for a half hour, then knocks on the door saying 'Hannah's not tired mommy,' and finally after over an hour she is quite. I think sleeping. Am I being a bad mom letting her stay in her room til she finally goes to sleep. Or should I just let her get up when she wants and wait til she practically asks to go have her nap? What is a mother to do?

The kids haven't had a regular schedule for a while because of sickness and late nights out. I am questioning myself, should I stay home more often and stick to a regular routine? Or should I live my life the way I would normally and have my kids conform and adapt?

Ah, the peace. I am glad Hannah is sleeping. She really needed it. I just wish it wouldn't take over an hour. Oh well.

Gotta get back to cleaning. = )

New Post ~

I am stairing at my computer, clicking buttons, looking at things that are blurry since my glasses are in the room where my wonderful husband is sleeping, and flat out tired. My kids are awake and thankfully acting beautifully thus far. We have all been struggling with colds, passing them back and forth to one another. The kids and I aren't sleeping very well because it's been hard for us to breathe through our noses. I feel bad for those two. They have been going to bed at 7:00p and 9:00p. josh woke up 4 times in the night. Hannah woke up at 5:30am because she couldn't breathe. Fun stuff happening over here.

I decided when this all happened that we would still live our lives and go do stuff because hey it was just a cold, but I am thinking it probably would have been wiser to stay indoors for a couple of days and try to recoupe.

Such is life. Thankfully the house is all painted and is starting to look like a nice place to stay in awhile. Before we had white walls. I always felt unsettled and frusterated to stay inside. Now it is nice to stay home for more than a day at a time. lol.

Okay, Hannah wants me to change dolly's diaper and Josh is done playing with his hanging bears so I'd better go. = )

So I Don't Forget ~

I wanted to have some quality time here at the computer to jot down some great stories of my two little ones, but it seems like I just never have enough time to do so. This little time that I have is really ment for my household chores. BORING! Oh well, hope this will make sense. I have to document these things before they escape my memory forever.

Hannah has been talking up a storm lately. It is pretty amazing. Even though she is a very bright little girl, she still is very innocent about things around her. We went to the coast with Brian's sisters a couple weeks back and when Hannah saw the ocean she was so suprised. She said, "Look Mama, a bath, a bath tub." It was really the cutest thing. How she made that correlation I will never know. We took her down to see it and the waves were coming pretty quickly that is scared her too much. Maybe next year.

Um...I caught her and Josh in the back seat of the car holding hands. Today we were playing in her room and she wanted me to go "night night" in her bed. So I played along and layed down. She said she wanted to "tuck me in" so she did and she gave me her favorite blanket. She said, "have a night night nap mom, close your eyes, good dreams." I closed my eyes and then opened them a minute later. She came back and said, "go to sleep, go see horses when wake up." (I sometimes coax her to sleep with fun things to do when she wakes up) Then I asked her if she would pray ,she said, "Dear Jesus, give mommy good sleep, amen." What a sweetheart she is.

Okay, I better go now. Josh is crying with Brian so I just don't know how long I actually have to clean the house. = )

Easter ~

Happy Easter Everyone!

I've really tried to get involved this easter season. Brian and I tried Lent. We did well for a couple of weeks then oops we gave in. I never did Lent before so I wasn't really committed to it. I knew God loved me even though I didn't observe Lent. I did respect the consept. It made me focus on why I was taking out something that was important to me. I focused more on my relationship with God. I respect the idea of fasting more now too. I sang a lead role in the oratorio Saviour last week which really got my heart in the right place. And today I am a part of worship. So I think I am ready. = )

Thank you Lord for your Son, Jesus Christ. I am so humbled and honored to be saved by his grace and mercy. May you be worshiped and honored today. Love you.

A Shower Would Be Good ~

I am definitely going to take a shower before I go to my moms group this morning. What a joy that will be! Guess what!!! Josh slept for 9 1/2 hours straight last night. YEA!! The night before he had a 5 hour stretch from 7:00-12:00a then we woke up every hour. So I asked God to help me get the sleep I needed to keep up with these kids. I asked for His faithfulness. Awesome eh? I know it was Him.

About Hannah's kitchen, she loves it. She asks "mom come room" pointing to her room "come play house." So cute. She also was very huggy yesterday without me asking for one. he he. I am starting to notice that I melt way too easily these days.

Lastly, my husband and I took these Myres Brigg personality tests two days ago. I came out to be an ENFP, he was an INTJ. Quite different. He had a handful of president's that had his personality and I, well let's just say Dr. Suess made the cut on my end. LOL. And that's okay with me. = )

Giggles are the BEST! ~

I needed to write this post before I went to bed because today marked the first time Joshua full out giggled. It was the cutest ever. He was in his bouncer and Hannah was eating dinner in her high chair. I was playing with him, trying to get him to smile and I guess I did something that suprised him and he laughed a hardy laugh. I just melted. His laugh was very simular to Hannah's when she started, but it also sounded like a boys laugh. I can't explain it any better than that. He's already got my heart, but this just was the icing on the cake. I called Brian right away to see if he could hear him over the phone. He did. = ) Hannah didn't start laughing til she was 5-6 months old! Josh is starting young. = )

I also found a play kitchen for Hannah's birthday on craigslist. We were going to go take a look at it this afternoon, but the weather wasn't the best so we decided to hold off til' tomorrow. Hopefully the roads won't be too bad. I am really excited about it.

Love My Kids Day ~

Some days I look at my kids and just want the day to end so we can start over with a brand new day. = ) But there are other days when the weight of the world fades, time stands still, and I am consumed with love for my children. Today was one of those days.

Hannah was so cute. She always is, but we had fun together just hanging out. I never realized I could laugh hysterically the way I would with my best friend with my baby daughter who isn't even 2 yet!! She also has a silly, sarcastic sense of humor like I do. For example, she would see a dog in a book and I would say 'oh is that a duck?' and she would look at me and laugh, shaking her head and say 'No.' Oh forget it. You had to be there. Anyway, there are some other things that probably wouldn't translate, however I want to include them for documentary sake.

Like the way she'd ask me to blow a 'big bubble.' Her expression was just so adorable. She also likes to say 'uppies on the bed, uppies on leg, uppies on mom, uppies on crib, uppies on chair', you get the idea. She was "helping" me make pizza dough this afternoon (almost choked on a handful of flour!) and I gave her a couple of gummy bears for a treat. She, for whatever reason, now calls them 'gummyaches.' Don't ask me how she got that. It was soooo cute though. I can't bring myself to correct her. It is just too much fun to listen to. When Josh is crying and I am in the other room, she will say to him "It's okay Josh, you're alright. Ahhh, It's okay." She is starting to want to help me around the house with little cleaning projects. Today she learned how to jump on the bed for the first time. She has always been more of a verbal child than active. So now she is really trying to jump up and down. It seems to help when she is on the bed. A couple of times she has tried to jump on the floor and has landed on her bumb. How do us as parents stop from laughing when these funny things happen to our children. I hope I don't end up giving her a complex.

Josh loves to be kissed by his mouth. He loves to be tickled. He is already reaching for my plate when we're eating at the table. He kicks and bounces a lot in his bouncy chair. He loves to cuddle with his mommy. He is starting to hold his head up. Still a bit wobbly, but getting better. I have to say that since I've had Josh I love being home more with the two of them. Don't get me wrong, they definitely can be a handful, but they also can fill my days with joy and fun.

On days like today Hannah and Josh make me want to have more.!?!@?! Crazy, but cool.

Hello again

So much has been happening since Josh has come into our lives. I have to pick and choose what things are important to get done during my few and far between hours to myself. It is either sleep, do the chores, or get out of the house for some peace and quiet. I really want to start writing again, but it has been really dificult to find quality time to. For instance, Hannah is having quiet time in her crib because she was not minding me and I couldn't deal with it any longer. Josh is in his bouncy chair just crying at me. It's been one of those days. Brian doesn't get home for another hour or so. Will I make it? I hope so. Maybe Oprah has something great to watch. lol. Anyway, I wanted to vent for a sec. What do you do when your nerves are shot and you just want to get away and chill your brain for at least a couple of hours? Right now I have no idea? I will try to write again some positive wonderful things that are happening even though it might not sound like it right now. = )