QUILTED STOCKINGS

I finally finished the last on the four stocking I was making for Christmas! Just in time with a week before Christmas. Here is a look at them. The two Red ones are for Aunika and Alayna and the black and pink one is for me, and the black and blue one is for Brett.

A precious moment I shared with Aunika

Aunika and I baked some cookies this week. Peanut butter drops. She had the job of unwrapping all the hershey kisses! As we were doing this, she asked why we were making these cookies. I told her for church on Sunday. She then replied "ya, because mommy likes cookies, daddy likes cookies, I like cookies, and JESUS likes cookies too"! "Yes sweetie, and why do we have Christmas I asked her." She replied, "It is Jesus' birthday", "and what did he do for us," I asked. She said, "died on the cross for our sins, and now Jesus is in my heart" as she pointed to her chest and said "right here in my heart." I said you are sure right and she began to sing "Jesus Loves Me"

This is a moment I will not forget...I did not prompt her, she just said these things by herself, and began singing!

I Love Toddlers!

Quilting is my new hobby

I say to all you stay home moms, that you need to find something you really enjoy to do. There is only so much cleaning, cooking, laundry, diaper changing, and playing with the kiddos that you can do before you go crazy! You need to find something that allows you to escape and feel like you are accomplishing something. Don't get me wrong, my kids are my joy and love...but I have found that you need to let them play by themselves too!

So I have taken up quilting. Here is a look at some projects I have made for Christmas. A Table runner and some stockings.

nothing like it

I never imagined myself being a stay at home mom. Not even once...no one in my family was. Now that I am I can not say it enough...it is fantastic. I say to all you out there who say it is impossible, can't afford it...etc... there is always an excuse. If it is a desire for you, you can do it. We never thought that it would be possible here, but the Lord has provided. If this is a desire and a calling for you. Trust in Him and know He will provide. Not saying that is has been smooth sailing, we have had our share of kinks and difficulties, but there always is in "life".

Home Sweet Home

In early October the girls and I traveled 8 hours to Montana to visit the Grandparents and Uncle Ben and Uncle Jacob. Ben was going to be turning 18 and it was homecoming, and he starts on the Football team. It is his senior year, so I wanted to make it down to one of his games.

While we were there Aunika got to feed the horses and puppies
everyday. When she woke up she would run to grandpa and ask if she could go and feed the horses! Here is a look at our trip :)

Nana and Papa's House for the weekend

In September we took a trip to nana and papa's house, and boy oh boy did the girls have a blast. They got to ride the scooter, pick apples, have a tea party, and play with papa! Here is a look at some of the things we did. Brett and I joined in on the fun that weekend, by playing in a golf tournament with Larry.

After a long time, it seems

Well, about 3 weeks ago we traveled to the in-laws and then out to Montana for a week. When we came back home we were hit with a serious of illnesses, cold and flu, and now I have a sinus infection. This is why there have not been many blogs for awhile. We have been trying to recover and in the mean time I think a tornado hit the inside of my home :) So that needs lots of attention! I hopefully will be able to give a report with some pictures about our trips that were a month ago already!

Splish, Splash, We're Taking a Bath

For the last couple months Alayna has just hated taking a bath. It has been screaming from when I start the water (before she is in the tub) till we have the pj's on and are going to bed.

Tonight was a success story.

I am not sure what was different, but she sure was! It has been so hard, and at times I think to myself; what am I doing wrong as a parent? Tonight she fussed when the water started, but shortly after I got her to play in the tub with bubble and even splash...I kept thinking oh, when is she gonna start to cry. I washed her body and hair and still no tears! I even was able to dry her off, brush her teeth, and get her dressed with no crying. That my friends was a huge accomplishment after two months straight of hating the bath-time. Now we will see if that stays or goes tomorrow night.

This Week

Well, this week we are going to have lots of play time for the girls. I am watching Natalie and Ben today and Wednesday. The girls should not be bored or be whinny! Unless, (like today) Natalie hit Aunika on the head with a toy penguin (hard) not a stuffed animal, but a hard plastic toy! I love watching the girl play together. Ben and Alayna just kind of watch the big girls and follow them around everywhere. I feel really bad for Ben, the only "boy"!

Tuesday we have gymnastics

Friday we are headed to nana and papa's in Cando, ND.

Aunika's Gymanastics Class

Practicing Tuck Jumps, it is never too early to start our cheerleading training! Just don't tell daddy, he thinks we are working on coordination for basketball!

The New House

Moving was not part of our plan for another 10 years or so. God had a different plan for us than what we would have ever thought of. Instead, we felt called to sell our home and move toward downtown and plant a church. If you would have asked me a year ago if I would do this, I would have said no. The Lord has worked in many ways to change my heart and mind to be more Christ-like and focus on what He would want us to do. What I once would have thought this to be crazy, I call a blessing. After 3 weeks on the market our home sold! Wow, 3 weeks while most homes are on the market for 2 months or more. The Lord was assuring all our doubts and making sure that we knew that this was his plan. For now we are renting the upstairs of a friend's home, which is located close to downtown Fargo. Praise God for his Greatness and provisions. Here is glimpse into our new home.

Camera is here, and so are the pictures!!

waiting on a camera

I really need to start posting more. I think I lost my followers because of such slacking in the updating world. I last asked anyone if they think I should write a book? No one responded.

Well anyhow, we are getting a new camera. Our other one was broken by our lovely 2 1/2 year old. I actually was happy that she broke it. It was a bit out dated and the quality was very poor. But at the time it did the job. It has been about 2 months without being able to take any pictures and keep up with our youngsters changes. So as soon as we get our new camera I will post new pictures.

Here is the camera we are getting. Let me know if you have any comments our feedback on the camera, Thanks

What do you think?

Hey all you mommy thought readers...if there are any of you! I was thinking about possibly writing a book. What do you think? On what you ask? On my life experiences till now.

A Call to Change

Life goes up and down and fast then slow. It seems just like yesterday I was in college. Brett and I have been married for 6 wonderful years. We have been called by the Lord to serve in Metropolitan Baptist Church for those 6 years. Brett and I have been praying about what the Lord would like to see us do. We have spent the last 6 months watching God open doors to a new ministry and a change in life.

What is this change you ask? Well we are selling our home, moving closer to downtown Fargo, and planting a church in the heart of town. River City Church; is going to be our focus in sharing the Gospel of Christ with the people of Fargo, living life with the people of Fargo, and building a community of people within our city that love God, serve Christ, and serve each other.

Rocky Mountain High

It was a great blessing to take a week and go on a vacation with my husband and our good friends Steve and Kami Pederson. To top it off it was with no kids...I will tell about the girl's vacation with the next blog. We took a road trip to Colorado. We first stopped off at Mt. Rushmore, but it was so foggy that morning we were unable to see anything :( We then took off for Denver and spent a day and a half in Denver exploring downtown. We then continued our journey to Colorado Springs and stopped in to see the amazing rock formations of the "Garden of the Gods". When we completed that journey we went around many windy roads and ended at our cabin 35 miles west of Colorado Springs. We stayed at a beautiful 2 bdrm 2 bthrm cabin. We spent one day just resting and relaxing. It was absolutely fabulous to not have to get up early and not have any commitments for the day

The next day we went golfing just outside of Colorado Springs. Our last day we traved up to Pikes Peak, and elevation of 14,110ft. Wow talk about altitude sickness! First we took a train up the mountain (roads were closed) it was a blizzard up on the summit and about 30 degrees. It was beautiful scenery and a great ride. We were a little bit dissapointed that we did not get to see any wild life on the ride. None the less is was a great trip.