Gifts and a New Skill

 In January Annalina started being instructed in sewing. Her teacher

wanted to start her off with hand sewing and I am so glad she did!! Annalina

does BEAUTIFUL work! She has been learning different

stitches in embroidery for some time now like the chain stitch, french knot, 

daisy stitch, outline stitch, etc. 

She embroidered these pillow cases for Grandma and Grandpa J for Mother and Father's Day.

I am so excited for them to receive them in the mail!

She wrote them a note saying this was a "Thank you for all you do for me."

Annalina has an amazing teacher. She knows she is blessed with the quality 

of instruction she receives.

Spring Piano Recital

This recital the theme was music from around the world. They both did a great job!
Unfortunately, Annalina's video seemed to have a problem when uploading and gets cut off. :-(

Our Biggest News

I mentioned it briefly in the last post but in January I found out I was pregnant. I have been journaling my pregnancy in a post I have just kept unposted for now as I continue to add to it. It has been a typical pregnancy in that I have been really sick but the pregnancy became not so routine a few weeks back when I started bleeding and went to the ER to find out I was pregnant with twins!

They are adorable! I've been able to see them a number of times and they both have a very distinct personality. Baby A is a girl (mild mannered) and Baby B (CRAZY, show off and maybe a bit ornery) they think is a girl but not for positive yet. I was THRILLED to find out we were having another girl and I'll be thrilled no matter what Baby B is. My mommy intuition said A was a girl and B a boy before the ultrasound and one was right so we'll see how it all turns out!

Fatigue has been extreme this time around. Today I fell asleep on the floor while Ross was doing his math test next to me! I woke up to me making a snoring sound and Ross started laughing telling me he told me to Oink like a pig and I did. That is my Rossers!

Yesterday I read a break down of the Proverbs 31 woman in a book I just started Large Family Logistics and today I was exhausted and like you got to be kidding me!! Jedidiah has been really fussy. I think his top front teeth are getting ready to appear. A lot easier to deal with when you can just pick him up but I can't due to restrictions put on me by my doctor. Thankfully I have children willing and able but each time I ask the 4th grader it is another opportunity for her to lose focus for the next however many minutes. I think I spent over an hour today giving a first grader a spelling test, etc. Then a pink envelope came to my hands from my daughter and inside a thank you card.

Dear Mommy,
Your the Best! Thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for you. 
Love,
Annalina

That's my Annalina. Last night she told me "No one could replace you." This from a girl whose Mommy is a bit emotional at times these days and was annoyed the other day over how she was licking an envelope! She was allowing the spit to stack up and then smear it on! Nice job on my part being patient, long suffering, gentle, kind, etc., huh?! Reminds me of that prayer where they tell God all the things they haven't done that day and then say and now I'm about ready to get out of bed! Ha, to funny! I'm human. My kids know I'm human and they know I know I'm human. I often think this is part of why we have good relationships. I'm sorry is something Mommy says too.

Thankfully I know the hormones will dye down. My energy level will come up and Lord willing I'll have 2 beautiful babies to love on. It's all good and it's all worth it!



OK, a funny story from yesterday. I called Gabriel upstairs for a special mid-morning snack someone gave to us. Gabriel came upstairs and looked upset about something. I asked him what was wrong? "I've been getting distracted." Gabriel usually does well staying focused. I said "How did you get distracted in your school room?" He really looked upset (no joking). "If only I weren't in a library." I started laughing and laughing. I said if your grandpa and Daddy were here they would sympathize with you! He had been pulling a book or books off the shelf to read during his school time and knew it was not the right use of time and was disgusted with himself. Pretty funny. As Babe said when I told him the story and he also thought it hilarious was that if it was Annalina it would be paper clips and erasers that would distract her. Another difference to though is she wouldn't let it bother her as much as it did Gabriel unfortunately! :-) They are all different so different.

Today I heard Carson say to Annalina "I love you". Annalina said "I love you to Carson". About 5 minutes later I heard Carson say to Annalina "I like to play with you Anna." Annalina said "I like to play with you to Carson." Annalina walked over to me and said "Carson and I have a special relationship." I already knew that and had just told my mom that a day or so ago! They don't cross each other much and adore each other. Annalina has come to me and said how much she gets a kick out of Carson. Homeschooling isn't always easy but it sure has it's rewards. She has at times given him an extra copy of her math homework page so he can do "math" too.

Carson got hurt yesterday and I offered to kiss his owiee. I wish I could remember what he said! It was ADORABLE but after I kissed him everything was better. Wonder how long my super mommy healing power will last.

Growing in Wisdom and in Stature

Haven't been posting much of recent which means so much I haven't gotten down for my memories.  I am just going to get some down in this post and have to catch up with other things later.


A couple weeks ago Gabriel came to me one night with a fear that was really eating at him. We had talked about the same problem before and tried to figure out ways of helping him. He prayed and prayed about it, think of other things, etc. Then that night I decided to approach it totally differently. God gave me that divine wisdom quickly that He so graciously sends to us parents in times of need. I encouraged Gabriel to just trust in God's sovereignty. Another words hand over his deepest fear to God knowing that His ways are best not knowing His choice. Gabriel said something to the effect of "I know this will sound bad but that is even more scary." I told Gabriel actually that is not surprising. It is in indeed scary. Of course, it shouldn't be but the fact of the matter is it is. Our finite minds don't comprehend His ways. I told Gabriel if he can start doing this at 10 it will help him a lot that he learned it early!!!  I didn't hear anything for weeks and sure enough he came to me last night and said that there was only a little bit left now and acknowledged that it had really helped. I told him he'll have remnants that will attack from time to time. I also said that God doesn't like to see him with the discomfort and is thinking if Gabriel could only understand His love for him. I told Gabriel just because you may reach peace with this situation he'll have to relearn trusting in God's sovereignty throughout his life but the fact that he started that kind of faith at a young age would strengthen him in the future. I told him I was proud of him. He looked shocked I would be proud of him in this situation. I said I'm proud of you because working on this takes character.

He could easily just give into his fears. I told him I could tell him gimmicks to use to help with his mind but trusting in God's sovereignty is the good solution.

He told me just recently he wanted to grow up to be like David of the Bible. We've talked about how God called him a "man after his own heart" despite his failures because of his sensitivity of having a right heart with God. I told Gabriel David had a lot of fear in his life. I encouraged Gabriel to read in the Psalms when he was having problems and he has found encouragement in that.

Let me add to my thoughts on this. I talked to someone that was in need of prayer and I said that I would be praying for them. The response was one I had never heard before said something to the effect of "God is going to . . . " They were confident in what God was going to do. The faith is commendable but the statement bothered me and I pondered why? I came to the conclusion it was being presumptive of God and His sovereignty. Even if God has called us to something can't He call us to failure all to work together His good in our lives? We should rest in God's sovereignty but not presume to know the workings of it.

I am not Presbyterian. I have read books by conservative Presbyterians and seen their mode of worship. I will say conservative Presbyterians have the most amazing attitude toward events both in their lives and in the world. I love their spiritual perspective and it is an attitude I have worked on of late in my own life.

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Gabriel told me the other day that at night when the boys were laying in their beds Carson said to him . . . "Gabriel I think you are a good person." Gabriel is the first born and can be a bit hard on himself so this statement obviously meant a lot to Gabers as it should.

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Carson came to me the other day and said "coughing, brushing teeth, sneezing (and I think one other thing) all at the same time was a nightmare." I just had to laugh. That is so cute. That would indeed be a nightmare!
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I told Carson this week that he was growing bigger and he said to me with a goofy face "and funnier."

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I was sitting at the dining room table teaching Ross his math lesson for the day and Annalina had come out of her school room to work at the table. She was listening to what I was teaching and said "That is the associative property of addition". Say what? I had no clue what she was talking about. What a smart little girl. I called Babe at work and told him. He said to tell Annalina he was proud of her. She was able to learn the concept and apply it! Good for her!!!! Math is not her first love nor her strong point but she is working at it and obviously learning.
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Carson (and Ross) is learning a short phrase for each book of the Bible that tells what that book is about. He and Ross have learned up to about Song of Solomon with Ross going a bit further. There is a picture associated with each book to help them but I know with time it will be totally committed to memory.
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"The joy you give me I can not say." Annalina to Mommy

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I have news about Rossers but I am going to wait for a future post.

Privilege

Annalina was carrying Jedidiah the other morning and she said to him. "We both have privileges. I get to have a baby like you and you get the best family."

Carson said to me the other morning: "Did you notice I love you?"

Gabriel to Ross as they are wrestling and fun fighting their Cousin Canon: "Protect me thin man!"
Ross is the only scrawny boy in the bunch. My brother Ben and I thought that was pretty funny!
Ross may be small of size but he is right in there with the rest of them and holds his own!

Gifts We've Made

This is a plate that I painted as a Thank you to my parents for their generosity to us when we went to visit them. The Christmas tree is made out of the kids hands and then has ornaments with their names on them. I had someone else do the lettering though. Annalina and I had a great day of painting together. We were there about 5 hours!

 Annalina spent time deciding on what to paint and she decided on these hugging salt and pepper shakers and painted them to be she and Grandma. She loves to come and hug grandma and cuddle up on her lap so this was an appropriate gift!

 Front of salt and peppers shakers!

 Annalina's done some wood burning also. She made did this duck scene for

her grandma and grandpa Lysne.

She did this ornament for Uncle Ben. I think it is so cute!

Lysne Craft Projects--Yep, my blog is NOT a craft blog!:-)

 Annalina likes to sew on her sewing machine and she decided to make me a bedtime hat. It was

a bit small but fit Jedidiah GREAT! She eventually did make one that fit me and Gabriel said "Daddy is going to get a good laugh when he goes to bed tonight!"

 What a cute little model he makes!
Annalina got fabric from Auntie Theo for her birthday and
she has put it to use!

 Ross made me this very creative craft. He LOVES

cardboard! LOVES cardboard! This sits on my nightstand.

 While the guys were on one of their hunting trips Annalina and

sat down and messed around with scrapbooking supplies I had given her.

She made me a really sweet card and I made . . .

 a Christmas card for our piano teacher and her husband. Don't laugh!

I bet they don't get another one like it!!

Hymn Sing with the Ferrins=BLESSING!!

Sunday was the Hymn Sing I had blogged about a little while back. Annalina did get the song (Arise, My Soul, Arise) memorized and was able to sing it with the others. It sounded great.

Mr. Ferrin LOVED it and wants them to sing again at a Hymn Sing in April at another church. I am going to try to get Gabriel, Ross, and Carson up to speed so they can be apart of it too!

Brian and I got to talk with Mr. Ferrin a fair amount at the fellowship time afterwards and realized we had a lot of similar walkings in life. It was a lot of fun to talk and figure this all out! He went to college in Minneapolis, MN which is near where my dad went to seminary and near where Babe and I were married. He and his wife had a church ministry in San Jose, CA and he was excited that we had just come from Monterey, CA. His dad was a pastor in Lakewood, CO and my dad was assoc. pastor VERY close to there (now we are different generations. They are about my parents age.) Later in life he was pianist at the church where my dad was assoc. pastor (Beth Eden Baptist Church) but way before that time. His dad was part of the conservative Baptist split which would be extremely interesting to my dad since one of his doctorate's is in baptist history (Minnesota though). Mr. Ferrin and his wife were such sweet people and it was fun meeting them.

The service they did was a blessing to Babe and I. What a blessing to just sing and listen to hymns and hear the history! We thoroughly enjoyed our morning of hymns and fellowship. Just what I needed to start out this week.

Fall Piano Recital-Annalina

We LOVE our piano teacher Mrs. W. She is an amazing Christian lady. She is very soft spoken but uniquely also very direct. She only says what she means. I count her and her husband as one of our blessings in Colorado. They have been blessings to our whole family. You can tell by watching her in the videos she has a grandmotherly way about her as she stands next to the kids during their performance. It is fun to watch the kids play the piano and see how God has blessed them in being able to play at all. We teach the kids that nothing you do that is good is anything but God. They have a lot to learn but both enjoy being able to play music which I am glad about. Sometimes practice time can interfere with playing but for the most part they both really enjoy it. We are thankful for the opportunities the kids have had to use their playing for God's glory in the church. Annalina has played in two churches now and Gabriel will be at that soon too!  I am thankful God uses even little children and their small talents for him and thankful for being located where they are even given the opportunity.

Annalina did a great job on her pieces also and what a thing to be said about you in an introduction that "she is always happy"! She is a sweetheart and loves the Lord and lets her light shine because the joy is from the Lord. Reminds me of Gabriel the other day telling me that if we move to Germany he had a plan for witnessing . . . first become friends with people then he was going to tell them the story of creation, etc. Impressive that his heart had already thought that far ahead! I pray that my children will love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and mind. I don't know their future but my prayer is that it walking closely with Christ.

Annalina's 9th Birthday!!

 It really is hard to believe that Annalina is 9 years old!! She is such sweet and kind daughter. We celebrated her birthday between 2 days because of where we live and time. The first day we went to Olive Garden (her choice) and had a delicious meal and she opened her presents. The second day we had cake and ice cream and she got specially made steak.

My parents sent this cartoon with her birthday gifts. It is SOOOO ANNALINA AND CARSON! 

 I absolutely could not wait for Annalina's birthday this year so we could give her this American Girl doll. She never asked for one but would pour over the catalogs and she and I had looked online and she really like the indian girl "Kaya". I was so glad we were able to get Kaya for her. She was smiling so big she could not have smiled any bigger. Annalina's personality often does not show a lot of emotion concerning gifts but this time she was ecstatic which made it even more fun. She said thank you and that she had "thought about this all the time". It was obviously a dream of hers. I'm glad it came true for her. I am THRILLED! It reminds me of being a little girl and my parents getting a red headed Cabbage Patch Kid the year they were all the rage for Christmas. I also think it interesting that I picked the different red headed doll and Annalina picked the out of the norm indian doll. She and I are very different but we have a few similarities. It was neat also to see the boys so happy for her. Thankful for my kiddos.

 Annalina and her new doll Kaya.

 One Goofy Brother and another Goofy Brother.

 Annalina and Kaya got matching PJ's that are sooo cute!

 Annalina playing Kaya and with the horse Annalina has.

 Birthday cake time. Annalina decide to add red and green sprinkles to it!

The night we were going to have birthday cake Annalina was on the phone with Daddy as he was stopping at Safeway on the way home. She heard him say "One New York Strip please". He told me later he thought he said it quietly enough that she wouldn't hear but she did and she was again ECSTATIC on the phone and told me what she heard daddy say.  He came home and we all waited for cake until the steak had been perfectly prepared by Daddy for Annalina!! Annalina said "Daddy knows just how to make it" and that "New York Strip is my favorite" of course he knew that and she knew he knew it. When we go to Costco the two of them go off together to look at red meat. Of course, Annalina being sweet Annalina, she offered a taste to everyone. Ross sweetly refused it and said he wanted her to have it but she insisted and he got a taste. It was so fun to see Annalina 2 times during her birthday celebrations to be SOOO EXCITED she could hardly stand it.

Stories From My Day

This morning Ross and Carson got in a little spat about praying before they ate. Carson said to me that Ross said that "you [Carson] prayed to yourself". Carson annoyed said "I did NOT pray to myself I prayed to God!" Ross meant Carson had prayed on his own not actually to himself. It was pretty cute to see Carson's reaction.


This evening I was in the office looking up some baby gate info. for our very soon to crawl little one! I could hear Gabriel and Annalina talking as they were doing their jobs and they didn't know I was listening. I have some candles that are VERY old and are in the shape of carolers at Christmas. I have one from my childhood and I found another one in amazingly excellent condition at Salvation Army. The sight and smell takes me to my childhood. I was telling the kids about them and talked about the smell reminding me of my childhood. Anyway, they were discussing making me a Christmas card and how they could get the smell of the candle in the card since they knew that was important to me. They discussed rubbing it on the card but weren't sure. Annalina told Gabriel she didn't think it smelled nice. It was so sweet hearing them talk and try to figure out how to make something special for their Mommy.  Hearing all this meant A LOT to me. A LOT. What sweet kiddos I have.

 This afternoon Ross didn't want me to come in a room because he was making something for me. He came later to me and asked "What day is today?" I told him it was Thursday. He told me that he decided that every Thursday he was going to make me a craft. To sweet. He has started writing me the I Love Mommy notes which I just love. The other day we were doing school together and he told me that "the reason I can read so well at school [homeschooling group on Wednesday] is because you teach me here. That meant so much to me. Ross and reading have been a process. He and I have come a long way in the journey and that is so fun to see the progress in reading and the growth in our relationship. Again what sweet kiddos I have.

Carson is still coming to me and saying "My Mommy" and hugging me. He has done that for quite awhile. It will be sad when he moves out of that phase. It all started about a year ago when he and I were out shopping just the two of us and I said "You are my Carson" and after that I was HIS Mommy. I love that and love hearing that. Today Carson was crying at nap time that he wanted me to stay with him. That is NOT common. He does a great job going to sleep. I sang him some songs and he settled and went to sleep. Not sure what was concerning him about being alone but thankful that Mommy can make it better.

Jedidiah is SOOO close to crawling. Today Gabriel was working with him and encouraging him to give it a try. It could be any day now that he takes off. As always he brightens everyones day with his easy smile. He LOVES LOVES LOVES paper. He found a stack of Gabriel's math paperwork and got a hold of one of those to crinkle and chew and had to get it away from him. Annalina was talking to Jedidiah today and said the sweetest thing and I thought I have to blog that and of course now I can't remember! I hope it comes to me because it was absolutely TOOO sweet!

 I was thinking the other day how different Jedidiah's life is from the other kids. He has 5 people in the house that carry him around and care for him!! Way different than the older kids. Five people is a lot of attention and care!!! Carson can't carry him around (he did the other day and I put a stop to that) but he does pay attention and give care to Jedidiah. He sings and talks to him. Carson is our big time singer. He sings and sings Christian songs and I LOVE that. Annalina sings a lot too. She came to me tonight before bed and told me she didn't think she could make it if someone told her she couldn't never sing again.

Tis The Season

It's hunting season. A few weeks ago Babe and Gabriel were off somewhere in Colorado hunting antelope for some days. Gabriel is not old enough in Colorado to actually shoot big game. Twelve years old is the age to look forward to for big game hunting but Gabriel can tag along and hang out, have fun, and learn. They didn't get an antelope but came close just not close enough. They saw a fair amount of antelope but they were either the wrong gender for the tag they had or in the wrong hunting area. They did one time find what they needed for their tag and in the right zone but couldn't get close enough for a good shot. Nevertheless they had a GREAT time!!! They came back with stories of stars, bugs, antelope, and the game warden. I guess the stars in the middle of nowhere where just amazing. The game warden got to know them some and tried to help them out. He seemed to like Gabriel and it was good for Gabriel to learn about game wardens and what they do. They saw a truck of guys being chased down by the game warden!

Yesterday Babe, Gabriel, and Ross headed off to near the Nebraska border for deer hunting. Babe and I decided to let Rossers go and he was SOOOOO excited to be going with the big boys. It was fun to see how happy and excited he was. We'll see how he holds up to early mornings, etc. I've prayed they'll have a great time. Ross told Daddy that if he gets a deer that he will give him a penny. Cute.

Well, poor Carson had to stay home. He is used to at least Ross being home but with Ross gone I think it was a little harder. Even though Carson adores Annalina she is not one of the boys. Today he said a couple of times that he wanted to go hunting which he has never said before. When Annalina, Carson, and I were sitting at dinner he said "I am a big boy that has to stay home." Annalina and I got a kick out of him.

Annalina was excited for them to get a deer and liked spending time with just me but she still likes it when everyone is home. I told her that is a good attitude  . . . she's excited for them and thankful she and I can hang out, but will miss them. She and Carson had a great time doing "gymnastics" on the couch in the evening. Annalina and I stayed up and hung out which was fun. She and I have a few crafty things we would like to do during the coming days.

The big event of the evening was that I fed Jedidiah dinner and then he had a big spit up so I had to take off his clothes so I left him in his crib in his diapers to play around while I got some stuff done. When I came back he was on his belly with YUCKY stuff on the mattress under his mouth. I thought that was weird he seems to have thrown up but that is weird looking throw up. Since the mess was under his face that is what it looked like. It was under his nose and around his left eye (a Big chunk of it!). But he was so happy to have just thrown up. I went to pick him up and saw he had pooped out the back of his diapers and it ended up on the mattress and then he had flipped over and put his face in it!!! Carson was disgusted!!!! I got Jedidiah into the baby tub and got him cleaned up. Jedidiah loves baths now but wasn't so keen on them when he was really young. The kids and I sat around and watched him play for awhile and then Jedidiah peed while in the bath. What a baby! He sure was happy though!!

"Send the Light" Like You've Never Heard It Before!

Yesterday Carson was with Annalina while she practiced her piano. Annalina asked me to listen to them both play "Send the Light". I thought it was sooooo cute!!! Annalina played her piano and Carson played the recorder. Watch Carson's fingers as he plays beautiful music with his Sissy. He LOVES his Sissy and for good reason.

Annalina's New Haircut

 Annalina Before

 Annalina After.

She got 10 inches cut off. She had met a family who got their haircut for Locks of Love and she REALLY wanted to give to them too and help kids who lose their hair due to illness.  Daddy needed to be asked first and he was fine with it. I think she still looks feminine and cute and it is A LOT easier now for her to keep her hair untangled which is so nice.

Thoughts

As an "epic fire" (words on the news) burns in Waldo Canyon we have been on alert to if the fire comes west to us. We have our van packed and ready to go if the fire turns more west. How horrifying to watch as the wind went east and burned peoples homes down on live tv.  Brian is away out of country for a short time but we have talked and we both agreed that if our house was to burn to the ground we would be fine with that. We just want our family safe . But still you hurt for those that are losing so much. One of the kids was talking about if the fire burned down our house and I said it would be ok. God gives and Gods takes away and we could be thankful for the time we got to spend in it. I doubt the fire will come up this far but I know this fire has been aggressive and I have to stay alert.

I told the kids as they headed off to bed tonight to pray for the fire fighters. Little Carson was heading down the stairs and he said "I pray for the firefighters to be safe and me to be safe." I told him "that was a good prayer". I thought that was cute that Hey I might as well pray for my safety too! He has been so cute lately with his thankfulness in prayers . . . chocolate milk, chocolate bars. Today I asked him what he wanted to thank God for and he said "uncles".

Annalina said to me "God is showing his power over the earth . . . people need to get saved. I want to grow up and go to China." She expressed to me that maybe revival was coming. What a huge thought and passion for such a little girl. Annalina said a few days ago about the fire and evacuating that if she had to leave she would take her Bible, her Strawberry Shortcake blanket (from her Grandma J), and "you Mommy."

Babe flew into an airport on Sunday and on Monday people dressed as police came into the same airport and mowed people down with guns. Isn't it calming to know God is in control of our lives?! He guides and guards our steps! God is so good.

Today was a good day working with my kiddos. Gabriel, Annalina, and I worked at cleaning our refrigerator. Gabriel and I worked on laundry for a good while and later Annalina and I worked together on laundry. I enjoy working with the kids. Annalina took Carson underwing and let him watch her work and help some then took him downstairs and worked with him on cleaning the boys room without being asked.

I regret that I have not been blogging and recording my memories better lately. I have things about Ross I haven't blogged, cute things the kids have said, a wonderful anniversary night out with my hubby, the conversations the kids and I have had during devotions, and our hilarious yet not so hilarious trip through Walmart that will be etched in our minds for quite some time, God's watch care for me throughout this week through family and military and the lady that called me whom I've never met that offered me an abundance of care and kindness!

My Budding Musicians

The duet Gabriel and Annalina are playing is called something like Bluebird on My Shoulder. When my dad heard them play it he said "I can see the bluebird on my shoulder!" The other video is Gabriel playing Oh, How I Love Jesus. I'll have to get one of Annalina playing a hymn too.

Just Cute

On Sunday I was helping Annalina with her hair before church and I was curious why she didn't bring me a hair band to pull her hair up on the sides and then hide it with a flower clip. She told me seriously . . . "I want my golden rays to be down . . . I'm the only one who has them!" I had to laugh. Thankful that I have a little girl! (She is the first girl born in Brian's branch of the family in 100 years!) She reminded me of Anne of Green Gables MAJORLY! Love it.

One of my nicknames for Carson is "my Scrumpcious". I asked him one day if he was my Scrumpcious and he told me no, that he was now "a big boy". I asked him again a few days ago and again he informed me about 3 times that he was now a "big boy". I asked him who would be my Scrumptious and he said (let's PRETEND we were naming the baby Johnny) he said "Johnny be!" I thought that was sweet he was giving up his special title to his little brother.

Annalina Learns to Ice Skate!

After school this past Monday we went to an ice hockey rink to meet up with Annalina's friend. Her friend K taught her how to skate and she caught on sooooo quickly and she really enjoyed it!! I found the figure skates at Goodwill for her. NICE!

From what I understand the rink we went to is kept open by a former professional hockey player that moved up to this area and he pays to keep the rink maintained and it is FREE to the public! I thought that was pretty nice of that athlete! The video was taken by Annalina's friend's brother and he is a nice kid it just doesn't come across in the video at least patience doesn't come across:-)

More Funnies for My Memory Bank

More funnies from my week.

We were on a base this past week and were walking past a ladies hair salon and Annalina said to me "You don't have to go to a saloon to be pretty." I thought that was hysterical. Kids slips of the tongues are so funny.

One morning we were all in the kitchen getting ready for the day and all of a sudden Gabriel breaks into song to the tune of the children's song "Father Abraham has many Sons" . . . "Father Brian has many sons, many sons has Father Brian I am one of them and so is Carson . . . " at which time Brian broke in and and helped sing. It was tooo funny and so Gabriel!

Ladies Tea

Annalina and I had an absolute BLAST at the Homeschooling Ladies Tea. The food was beautifully spectacular, the fellowship a blessing, and the speakers encouraging. Annalina had never been to anything like that and thoroughly enjoyed herself and learned about tea manners. We worked on refining the manners some. So funny at one point she whispered to me where to put trash. I said that she could just put it on the table (thinking it was a tea wrapper or chocolate wrapper). I said what is that on your finger? Her answer "A booger". Ok, it is good we had this tea to practice!!:-)

The fellowship with the other ladies was such a blessing to me. The women that came to this tea and spoke were so humble I was so blessed by their Christian spirit. I sat next to a lady whose husband has a very important job for a nationally recognized and respected organization. She was so kind and normal. The speakers encouraged me in what I was doing right and I was challenged in areas I saw myself failing or falling short. I was challenged both as a wife and mother. I needed that spiritual lift so much. It gave me a huge boost focusing me in on where I needed hand things over to my Saviour and things I need to be actively working on with the kids.

I waited to check my messages during the day for awhile and by the time I checked them. I found out that Brian had ended up at the ER with a broken ankle. He broke it while elk hunting with Gabriel. That is another story! It has been weeks and the ankle still has not been repaired because he has been to swollen for them to fix it. Now we are waiting to find out if it will need to be rebroken or have surgery. We'll soon see.