Spring is Here!!

Jeremy took Wed. off this week to finish his garden project with the boys. Jeremy had built a perimeter of rocks from the empty lots in the neighborhood and it just needed to be completed. We set out early to dig up the grass and then three truck loads of dirt later, our raised garden is ready for plants. The boys got new metal shovels to help unload the dirt and they stayed out and helped for several hours until it was finished and they were covered in dirt :) We're waiting to be sure there won't be another frost before we plant our vegetables. We've had some beautiful weather the past few weeks and we've been going full speed all day, it seems, playing outside.

Isaac

Here is a post just for Isaac...he turned 17 months yesterday. He loves to snuggle, talk, scream/yell, play hide and seek, read books, ride the 4 wheeler, eat, make people laugh, throw rocks, run, swing, be outside, and to know where Dada and Momma are, among many more things...and yes, that's a black eye he's got. The next picture is a better shot.

We were at a family birthday party and at the end of the night he must have tried to climb up on a bar stool. He fell first then it came crashing down on his face. So, he's got his first shiner and this is his tough guy face to go with it :)

We dropped Isaac's morning nap 2-3 weeks ago and this particular day I was sitting right next to him and looked over and he was asleep.

He opened his eyes for about 30 seconds, saw the camera and gave me this grin, then his eyes fell right back to sleep.

On our day with snow, Isaac was only happy in the swing, if we had to be outside.

Isaac has many faces he likes to pull out, often when he's doing something he's not supposed to be doing. The old distraction technique I guess...

Isaac is a great napper in the afternoon now and loves to hold his dog and lion while he's settling to sleep. Here's Isaac with his brothers waiting for the geese. I'm sure they're getting ready to throw rocks at them :) Isaac is starting to play with his big brothers more and more. While I'm in the kitchen, I often notice he's the one chasing his brothers with something and they are all screaming. Good times! Watching these boys grow is amazing and we are grateful for each one of them in our family!!

Red Envelope

I just found this project on a friends' blog. It seems like a powerful movement so I thought I'd pass it along to those who read our blog too...

Go here to read more, then follow the directions below! www.sendaredenvelope.org!!

Here is all you have to do:

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington , D.C. 20500

Seal the envelope and on the back, write the following message.

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.

Even you, President Obama, stated during the National Prayer Breakfast " There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being."

Put it in the mail, and send it. Then send this website to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president.

4 Wheeling

Jeremy has introduced the boys and I to the wonderful world of four wheeling...our friend loves to work on bikes, etc. and found this 4wheeler not running, but cheap. He and Jeremy got it working and it's as good as new! Elijah can ride it himself and it's so fun to watch him do donuts. They have discovered some great trails in the field next to our neighborhood.

Aron isn't big enough to ride alone, but just loves to be on it and laughs most of the time.

Isaac starts yelling when Jeremy gets the 4wheeler our and he gets pretty upset when his turn is over. If I can't find him while we're playing outside, he's usually in the garage climbing on it.

Blurry, but our only action shotOne Saturday, we went over to Scott and Erika's and we rode our 4wheeler and their go-cart all around their neighborhood. Isaac drove Elyse's little 4wheeler around and around and around...

Elyse was brave enough to ride alone and did a great job driving!!
I ride too and it really is fun! Somehow our family of 5 girls never had a four wheeler! :)

Snow!!!

Elijah and Aron took a peek out the window this morning and came running downstairs to tell me that there was snow outside! They were so excited to see the ground covered (2-3 inches) and snow started falling again as we were eating breakfast. The snow was truly beautiful falling this morning and I think I was as excited as they were to see some snow this year!

The boys really wanted to have a snowball fight and build a snowman, but the snow was too dry...I managed to make a little pile of snowballs and we had a few throws at each other.Isaac looks like he's having fun, but after I had to pull him out of the road, as a car was coming (he wandered out there shoveling), he pretty much cried for the next 30 minutes while the rest of us tried to play in the snow. Maybe it was because I discovered his hands were blue when we came inside, snow was not a great experience for him... Aron making a snow angel...

This was Elijah's snow angel.
We are so glad to have gotten some snow even if it was only for a day!!

New Year's Week

Elijah and Aron got boxing gloves for Christmas from Papa and Nana (our idea :) ) and were giving us their fighter faces...they are youth size and look huge on their little hands...don't they make boxing gloves for toddlers? :)

This is what they're for...

Getting some good shots on Dada

Isaac's proud face when he was starting to walk earlier in Dec.

We got a few good nap days...critical for how late we managed to stay up!

Isaac amidst his farm animal bowling set.

Even Isaac likes watching movies now (nice, but maybe not so good) and they love to share the blanket in front of the TV

We had a great time over Jeremy's vacation time and are now back into "routine" but are always thankful for our family time all together. We look forward to see what God has in store for 2009 despite some uncertainty. Though not always easy to grasp, God is sovereign regardless of what we think or feel about what is going on. We are grateful to know and live in the Truth as we face the new year!!

Happy New Year!!

After one of Aron's Dr. visits, we took Jeremy to work and went to look at the Christmas decorations in the buildings uptown...Bank of America has a Bear Orchestra that we got to watch play

We had a lot of fun while Dada was home...he was dragging the boys around the house on a blanket :)

Isaac putting decorations back on the tree. We loved having the Christmas tree in the house and the boys loved taking turns plugging the lights in each morning!

Here we are...Christmas morning!!!! All of the boys were excited this year to see the presents under the tree. We had so much fun watching their excitement! They're opening their skateboards here...
Had to try them out !!Working on their boards with their new Superhero t-shirts from Uncle DT and Aunt Heidi...a warm Christmas!

Aron opening his presents with his new cowboy hat.

Aron has some amazing balance and does quite well for being 2 yrs old!

Isaac flashing a smile with his new shirt from Grandma & Grandpa C.

Isaac enjoying every bit of his Hershey's kisses. He loves chocolate!!!

As you can see, we had a wonderful Christmas together here in NC. Since I'm soooo behind in my blogging, these are just a few pictures of the first week Jeremy was home and next I'll post the New Year's week.
Not sure if you could tell from here, but Isaac has been walking now for nearly a month. He really doesn't fall too much but seems to be happier and more a part of keeping up with everyone. He and Elijah had double ear infections again so Isaac's been pretty fussy and having a hard time going down for naps but is getting better with the meds.
Aron finally got his drain out from his surgery! What was supposed to be 3-5 days turned into 12 days, but he was such a trooper and really didn't complain much until the last few days. I think it was tougher on us having to keep an eye on it and make sure it was draining properly. He still has fluid in there, but the Dr. said his body should absorb it. He's got a pretty big scar, but hopefully it will fade. I don't think it bothers him now, but he still refuses to sit down in the tub. I think he's afraid it will hurt. We go back to the Dr. again next week for hopefully a final check.
It's late so I can't really think if anything else is new, but had to post before another month goes by :) Oh, and my sister Heidi is running her 2nd marathon in Disney on Sunday. Go Heidi!!! Wish we could've joined you and the rest of our fam, but I can't wait to hear about it! Have fun!!!