Family of 7

Yes - we are expecting another addition to our family late summer. I am pregnant and starting to feel the wonderful affects of first trimester pregnancy. It is going to be an interesting time around balancing puking over the toilet and 4 over kids, but what a blessing. Seriously - we are so excited. Silas and the baby will be about 17 months apart. Our closest yet, do I hear any gasps yet, or your crazy? Don't worry, we already did that too, but we are thrilled and praying for a healthy baby. Yes I would be amiss to not say, I would love a little girl and sister for Naomi, but know God has it all figured out for us already. A little brother for Silas would be so sweet too. We announced a Christmas to our families and everyone was suprised and excited.

Gingerbread Houses

I have fond memories of making gingerbread houses from scratch when I was little. Thanks to Walmart, my life is much easier, and the kids can have fun making memories of their own. They each enjoyed decorating their own. For some reason I don't have a picture of Noah making one, but he made a great one too.

Eskimo Dinner

The boys were out playing over the weekend and I had picked up Chinese takeout. When they didn't want to come in from the cold we decided to let them have their first "Eskimo" dinner. They lasted a few minuted and then came inside to finish :)

Iceland

So we woke up this morning to a winterland full of ice. The trees look as if they were turned to glass. It is utterly beautiful. Here is a view from my back door. Also one of Naomi as she wanted to be included.

Charles Misikir Kaufman

Congratulations Jeff and Abby - my sister in law and her husband (who is also my first cousin but that is another story) on officially adding another child to their family today. They are adopting Charlie from Ethiopia and let me just tell you, he is just the cutest little boy ever. They passed through court successfully today and to follow their story visit here.

The kids had Christmas programs that celebrated Christ's birth at their schools. Naomi did alot of waving, hair flipping and twisting around, some singing as well.

Been Awhile

So it's been awhile so here is a hodgepodge of events and pics of the past few weeks. We visitted a children's museum and the kids loved it. Naomi and Iris are trying out the sports car and below enjoying a carousel ride. Silas is doing well eating finger foods but still enjoys eating of all kinds including milk, formula and baby food. He has crawling around fast now, even managed to fall down the stairs, (catch your breath, he's just fine) and is pulling up on things. Above Naomi was sent to time out and when after awhile when things were too quiet and went to check and much to my enjoyment she had fallen asleep in her chair.

Happy Thanksgiving

So glad to share what I am thankful for this year. In no particular order:

1. Jesus - His blood that washes away my sins, His love, His desire to know me and commune with me, His, grace, His goodness, His mercy, the list goes on and on. Where would I be without His guidance in my life.

2. My husband Tom. Lately I have been standing back and taking a look at our family, and I am so thankful for what an awesome father he is to our children. He is a get down on the floor and wrestle kind of dad and a take some quality time to have meaningful talks with you dad. He is also a great husband who I just have lots of fun with and a Godly husband who desires fruit in our lives.

3. My family : our boys and our girl. I am thankful for their unique gifts, personalities and that they live in country where we can freely teach them about the love of God.

4. For health- it is a gift and right now we have it and for this I am thankful.

5. Daily blessings: warm home, plenty to eat, clothes to wear, running water, toilet, dishwasher, washer and dryer, aren't we blessed?

6. Our families: Godly mom's and dad's who taught us about Christ, live out Godly marriages and give of their precious time for our families. So blessed to live close by to them as well.

7. Chocolate and Mountain Dew, what would I do without them.

So I am sure the list could go on and on, but that's it in a nutshell.

I tag Jill G,

A few more pics from the apple farm. Horseriding, boys enjoying their snow cones and N and I playing. Also some Halloween shots. Silas was a cozy monkey, although for the first time even it was rather warm for the evening instead of cold and rainy. I think he was a little hot, but hey we'll take the warm weather. The boys were Star Wars characters and Naomi was Ariel. We actually did some neighborhood trick or treating before we went to a fall party at our church. It was a fun evening.

Fantastic Fall

It's been awhile with pics so here are some from our great fall. The weather has been absolutely splendid in these parts. Here are some shots of the boys playing soccer and a few from our trip to an apple farm when Ad and Ann came home. T and N, check out Ady's face as she loads up on the sugar syrup for her snow ice. It was a hit for all the kids.

Sick House

So I was going to post this yesterday and yet another one of my children "bit the dust" this morning with the flu. My fingers are raw from washing and sanitizing everything we touch from the phone, lightswitches, door knobs, to sheets towels etc. As you can imagine, my washer and dryer have been on overload the last 48 hours. How did this all begin? So take yourself back to last Saturday morning. What were you doing, well I was battling the flu for most of the day and ended up in the hospital for fluids by around 2 that afternoon. You know, it's just how I do the flu, I can't stop, I get super dehydrated and must have intervention to get over it. That is how it all began. Fast forward 5 days. Tom, Oliver and Noah come down with the flu. My prayers, please Lord, do not make our home a sick house like last year. I feel we came down with every last thing there was. Here we go again. So today I am thankful. 4 out of 6 of my family are now done with the flu. Hopefully that will be it. Everyone seems on the mend. We are eating soup, 7up and watching a lot of tv. Oh, and I could never be more thankful that my turn is over, at least for now:)

VOTE

So today is election day and yes I already voted. I am anxious to see what the day holds and what will unfold as the votes are counted. Knowing God is in full control makes it so much easier. Still hoping it comes out the way I'm hoping. Go Mccain. My kids had a mock election yesterday and it was really cute to see them so interested and hear who voted for who. I am proud to say, there school voted overwhelmingly for Mccain. Praying the day away.

Please don't tag me

Ok -so this tagging business has been spreading like wildfire through the blogger world the past few days. The only thing I could keep thinking was, please don't tag me, please, no. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy reading everyone elses random facts, but, not so much wanting to take the time to do it for myself. Well I was tagged twice, and it's been awhile, so here goes.

1. I love, love, love to be prego and have babies, and yes the hospital stay, Ab. I am blessed with easy pregnancies, minus my first when I was on bedrest for 12 weeks and on a strict diet for gestational diabetes. Even then I was thrilled beyond words to carry a life inside of me. Oh and the smell and feel of a baby in your arms, what could be greater.

2. Mushroom jack fajitas, endless chips and salsa and a pepsi with a lemon from Chili's is possibly the most wonderful meal in the world for me.

3. I used to love many animals, minus dogs that is, but nowadays don't care so much for any of them. Save, horses, it has been awhile, but I love riding horses.

4. I really enjoyed playing softball when I was younger. I have often thought it would be a blast to get a bunch of people together and play organized sports.

5. I graduated from college with a teaching degree, but you couldn't pay me to work in a classroom. My real heart lies in hospital care. I would love someday to get a degree in nursing and be a labor and delivery nurse.

6. I love to return things, ok, I don't necessarily love it, I often just find the need to do so. I have returned things as large as couches and as small as a bottle of as a spice. Have a question about a return policy? see me:)

7. I am not a morning person. This does net mesh too well with 3 kids and a baby. Often I find myself sleeping over the side of a crib or sitting on the edge of a bed. Who am I kidding, most days I am not a night person either. Where did those college days go?

So there it is. I am sure you are all so happy to know those random facts about me.

so I am not sure who would be left to tag, so I will just tag a couple: Faith, Jill and Janelle

It's a girl

Congrats to some great friends of ours who just welcomed into the world this afternoon a little baby girl that very soon will be theirs. The birth mom delivered a healthy baby girl 7 lbs 6 oz and this evening T and J are hoping to be able to meet her for the first time. Please be prayerful that the adoption process goes smoothly and for grace and peace for the birth mom. What a wonderful blessing she is giving her daughter by giving her to our Christian friends to raise to know Christ. God is Glorified. To follow their adoption story follow this link tjgerst.blogspot.com

I am an aunt again

Great news. I got an exciting call a couple nights ago from my sister-in-law about a beautiful little boy in Ethiopia that is to be theres. He is just the sweetest and we are thrilled beyond words for their family and our family as a whole. What a special time for all of us to be part of. I can't believe I am an aunt again. My kids were so glad to finally see what their new cousin looks like. We are all praying he can be home for Christmas.

food firsts and to the zoo

Silas gave cereal a try and from the looks of his face, was not to fond of the stuff. He actually does better trying to get table food into his mouth. I am not sure he is getting any nutritional value out of the deal, but he is not hurting quite yet:)
We went to the zoo with M, L and T, as well as T, S and B. We had a great time seeing the animals and playing in the water. It was a beautiful day and lots of fun. Also a pic of Naomi asleep with her babies.

Festival Fun

A few pics from the festival this year, if you can call it that. It rained nearly the whole time, stopping for a few evenings of rides and the parade. We'll take what we can get!

my bubba

So Silas is now 6 months old. He weighs in at a whopping 21 lbs. He is 95 % for weight and height. This guy gives new meaning to pleasantly plump. What a buddy.

San Francisco

We were in San Francisco over the weekend. We met T and N there and had a great time. Some highlights were Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, Sonomo wine country tour, Sausilito, Golden Gate Bridge, Muir woods (very tall old redwood forest), trolley ride, Ruth's Chris and a big dessert at the original Ghiradelli Square. We crammed all of that in two days with 6 month Silas in tow. He was such a good boy. Thanks T and N for meeting us. It was just like old times.

starting preschool

Naomi had her first full day of preschool this week. She has been waiting for her turn to go to school and loved her princess backpack. She even gathered a few school supplies of her own when we picked the boys stuff up. She goes to a great little school that emphasis God's love. What could be better.

School's In Session

So Noah and Oliver went back to school today. I can't believe how the summer flew by. It seemed especially fast this year. I can't believe I have two that will be gone all day. Naomi is going to be in preschool a couple of days a week as well. Things will be really quiet around here. The boys had a good day. Here is a shot of Silas. He is nearly 6 months. Can't believe how big he is getting. Also a shot of him and Tillie from the other day.