My Girls

Sophie is growing so fast. I love these little people. Remember the song that goes "Oh, you can't get to Heaven in a limousine...". I think about all the things I spend (money,time, focus) on. Many of those things I can't take to Heaven and many times those things will not be "storing up treasures" for me in Heaven. So, I find yet another great reason to be in love with my little people. I WILL take them to Heaven and they are absolutely helping me to store up my treasures.

I love this last image. School starts this month (October) officially. I am only concerned about trips to the library. Some how I can't convince Sophie to Shhhhsh. Such a rule breaker! So, she made an unfavorable impression her first trip (screaming!!!!). I took two steps inside the door and she let it out. I ran, got my item on hold and gave the other two the get over here NOW look, that I learned from my mom no doubt, and out we ran. I need the library! I sure hope little missy sissy gets her act together or I may pull a few hairs out of my head. My fall back plan is to always get the librarians to do my work for me by placing every item I want on hold. This way at least I can move fast and think very little.
We look forward to my mother's visit in a week!!! Family is fabulous!!
Oh and just as a side note; I love my husband. He makes the best...well most of the things he applys himself to are quality. He made a lovely pathway staircase up the steep embankment to our garden today. It was free, as the property had literally, tons of broken concrete, and pavers from a previous wall. I need to buy a few flowers now. He probably didn't consider that in the end it would cost him.

#3 and #3

So, this is a documentary view of my pretty girl.

Samuel acting like a clown, more like a clowny mime.

Samuel's Birthday

I am amazing...I can say it, and I mean it. On three hours of sleep I did the unthinkable, made a Boston cream pie (joy of cooking style) from scratch. I think it was such an amazing feet that I really ought to give all the credit to the Holy Spirit for keeping me focused enough to follow the recipe.

Samuel was pleased.

But more pleased over his bike and his boat.

Nick and Lillian worked on making this great boat for Samuel. Nick just took a block of wood on a whim and played with the block and a few tools and we had a boat, by-golly.


Samuel was very excited about his BIG BOY bike. It is all he asked for, and cheeseburgers and a chocolate cake (but like a doughnut).

Growing Family

Pretty sure I know why all the pictures of Sophie are open mouthed.


This past week and a half, it has started to sink in, the idea of a family expanded. Sophie is becoming more person like every day, Lillian and Samuel are responding to the expansion in their own way, I am responding in my own way to my own expansion (which I hope is not permanent), and Nick is hanging in there trying to ignore the flashing sign in his periphery that reads "Shrinking" blink blink "Too Tight" blink blink "Reduction"...and variations on this theme.

But, look at all the fruitfulness that is possible with this increasing family. And Nick and I are both sober and thankful as we consider the great blessing and responsibility entrusted to us (a little speechless and pop-eyed as well; imagine...well maybe I will treat you to an actual illustration sometime).

On the "fruitfulness" note. Nick took/had some time off and boy was he productive. He brewed his next batch of beer (he made a slight error with his liquid measurement, but is hoping he accidentally discovered the "Redmond Imperial Stout"), He took the children on their first camping trip, Nick style (oh my gosh, we are such pansies!!!) in the back yard. We are hoping to expand our camping territory at some point, but with a camp stove and some smores it was beauty to behold. Samuel hopped up on chocholate at ten o'clock, running lapps around the tent howling at the moon; seriously, my children have problems with sugar. Nick is such a fun Dad.

Samuel eating Gumbo.

I find it intresting, and when I am finding it intresting it is becuase I am not in the middle of it, merley observing, what emotional/conversational situations our particular personality traits, isolated and directed back at us with an indapendant will, are capable of creating on a day to day basis.

For instance, Nick and Lillian, mirroring eachother with a furrowed brow, arms crossed...I can almost hear the whistely western gun fight music in the background. And it is not always negative, Samuel maticulously painting until he is satisfied with the quality and complet and thourough coverage of paper, 45 min later. For that matter, the fact that in the same 45 minutes Lillian will have painted through an entire package (minus the one page Samuel is using) of copy paper (hey, art is from the heart). That is only the first two, what transpires when you throw in an odd number? By the way, I have also observed other traits that are loosly tied to our own by blood (or maybe directly). Nick had a chuckle when I told him Samuels idea of fixing every thing that was broken was "well, we could glue it!"...I will leave that a mistery.

Samuel's "Ice Skating" performance.

My vibrant curly girl.

Se is so cute!

To be vulnerably honest, my brilliance is totally dependent on the "spell check" function on my computer (or Nick which ever is handy at the time). Neither are working for me today!
Enjoy-

Week Old Pics

I will let the pictures speak for themselves. However, I will say Nick and I are so glad to have finally received our 2008 Christmas surprise!

AND

Just for fun. One of the pictures bellow is Sophia and one is Samuel. If I had a digital image of Lillian I would throw that one in as well.

My smiley gassy girl...She is so great!