"You were born to live a great adventure; You were created with a divine destiny; You are called to fulfill a great mission.  You were designed for a unique purpose...  Now you are called live it out.

- Erwin McManus

Farm Show

This week we took a field trip to the Farm Show.  My kids loved it, especially the fact that they were able to climb onto all kinds of gigantic tractors.  Kade loves tractors, so seeing the look of excitement on his face when we walked into a big room filled with tractors was priceless. =)  I did learn myself that next time I need to brush up a little more on farm equipment.  My son wanted to know what many things were, but I certainly wasn't much help.

Trend Setting

Many days (when we don't have a whole lot planned), my older children pick what they wear.  I never know what this may look like.  Some days they look completely normal and match quite well, other days they look something like this:

Kade wanted to wear pajamas and Kristin is wearing a dress with leggings and another skirt underneath.

1st Piercing

Kristin got her 1st piercing this weekend, just under her lip.  Of course this was not at all by choice.  Her and Kade were playing on the swings and she was hit in the face with a swing, which then caused her tooth to puncture a hole just under her lip.  I wasn't going to do anything about it until I realized that it went all the way through.  Never a dull moment around here.  So thankful for urgent care, we went to a new one and I loved it, they were awesome!!!  Kristin also did awesome, a little skin glue and a diet of soft foods fixed her right up. =)

Daily Randomness

Here are some random things you might see if you stop by our house.



You will definitely see a large quantity of art projects.  Kristin's newest obsession is drawing, coloring, and creating things out of construction paper.  She does this every day for hours.

You will also see homeschool in action.  Again Kristin will attempt to color anything, even her school work.  She loves journaling.

she loves birds, so lately her journal entries have been about birds

You will also see my little helper (aka my shadow).  He loves to be a part of anything I'm doing.  He really likes it when we do projects with tools.  Yesterday he decided he'd measure some random things with my tape measure.

This creepy thing continues to startle me.  I know it's fake, but my kids put it in the most random places and when I see it I tend to jump.

You might also find yourself being attacked by Darth Vader.  Pretty sure Kade is trying to harm me with this lightsaber.

You will also see this sweet heart leaning in for lots of kisses.  Anytime we say kisses he leans his head in so he can receive them, not give them. =)

 You will also see Kristin smoothering Kyler in lots of love.  She is very nurturing to him.

 Finally, you just might see some very interesting fashion statements.  Kristin chose to wear all 3 pairs of slippers the other day.  I guess this makes your decision process less stressful...

Cutest Baby Ever

I am a bit bias because I am his mother.  But isn't he just the cutest baby ever.  Love this little guy!!!

Serious Cuteness

1st Birthday

This weekend we celebrated Kyler's 1st birthday.  This little guy is such a blessing to us and we all love him dearly.  He's such a happy little guy who loves to make you laugh.  He has gotten to be a pro at walking.  He loves to dance.  He loves noises and enjoys banging toys on everything (a drum set might be in his future).  He is still smitten with his daddy and runs happily to the door when Luke gets home.  He's super smart and figures things out daily (new words, sign language, etc.).  He loves to mimic his siblings.  We also discovered that he LOVES cake.  He's an awesome sleeper and eater (this of course took time).  He's grown drastically in the last couple months, his weight was only at the 5th percentile and now he's at the 24th percentile.  This list could go on, but here are just some of the hi-lights.

Happy New Year

This last few months has been a complete blur.  So much has happened that it's extremely overwhelming to even reflect on it.  And as I attempt to look back, I see God's hand guiding us through it all, because without Him I would have lost sanity somewhere along the way.  So, instead of reflecting on 2011, all I can say is that I look forward to what this new year brings.  Each of our kids is an amazing blessing from God and I look forward to all the fun times we will share together in 2012.  Hope you all had a great Christmas and Happy New Year to you!!!

A Birthday To Remember

This last week we had the opportunity to celebrate our little girl's 5th birthday.  We are so blessed to have spent the last 5 years with her.  She is such a joy to each of us, including her 2 little brothers.  She's our little princess who loves to play rough with the boys.  She has the best imagination of any kid I know and she's so smart.  She's such a caring and loving big sister and she's daddy's little girl.

This birthday was super special just because of Kristin's excitement level.  Each day for the last month she'd remind us of how long it was until her birthday.  The week of her birthday these reminders came with great excitement that is was completely contagious.  So we were all excited.  Her birthday was a fun celebration, even though she did get sick during her party (all over her uncle) and I was sick the day of her party.  Definitely won't forget this birthday!

My Hero

Without him we have no reason to celebrate.  My King.  My Hero.  The best Christmas gift ever.

Finally Pictures

My computer is back and working wonderfully, so here are some pictures to hi-light the last couple weeks.

Tree Trimming

Normally the day after thanksgiving I eagerly get out the Christmas decorations, but this year it took me a few days to get motivated to do so, I spent that weekend in bed feeling a bit ill.

This year Kristin took it as her personal mission to make sure the back of the tree looked pretty, I normally don't put anything on it =)

Kyler was completely in awe of the tree and just stared at it =)

 Advent

 I've always wanted to be more intentional at Christmas, well this year we are doing that.  Each day we read part of the Christmas story.  I made this advent calendar, thanks to the many helpful ideas I found on the internet.

Quiet Time

 Since Kristin is almost 5 I told he she could have quiet time instead of naptime.  Well as you can see this adjustment as been hard on her body.  She still falls asleep many days.

Puzzling

 It wouldn't be an average week without Kristin doing at least one puzzle.

Multi-Purpose

I use lots of baskets in our house for storing things.  The kids usually dump everything out and find some other use for my baskets. =)

Brothers

 I love these matching shirts

Bundled Up

We had many days of temperatures in the negatives.  The kids don't mind getting all bundled up, Kyler hates wearing his hat though and he conveniently lost it in Walmart last week.  Pretty sure he did this on purpose. =)

Nutcracker

 I took Kristin to see the Nutcracker for the 1st time.  It was so much fun, her reactions were the best part

Sickness

Some kind of flu visited our house, hoping no one else gets it.

Bath Time

I love all the rolls this little guy has acquired in the last month, so stinkin' cute.