kiddos

this is Caleb new favorite thing when he does not want to listen...talk to the hand.
daddy teaching Caleb to play great grandpa Aaras madalin.





the diva girls
We are such a BEATIUFUL bunch!
Pastor Shawn Craig and "Miss Audrey Elizabeth Rose" at her dedication and him presenting her to the church and to our AWESOME LORD!
Audrey and her dedication dress. Her special blessing. THank you Lord for providing me with this dress. Bless the lady who sold it.

I'm back

WOW, long time no post. Things have gotten away from me this week. So much to do and so little time.
Audrey has been trying to sit up on her own and she is only 3 months. UGH!
Caleb is going through a growth spurt.
Michael is getting ready for hunting season.
Me....well....same ole same ole. WORKING.
These days it is hard to tell if we are coming or going.
On 10/22/06 we had Audrey dedicated, she had the most turn out of family. and yes she was the most beautiful little girl there.
Caleb has decided he is bigger now and will be going hunting with daddy. This weekend we are going camping and he is extremely excited about that.
it has been 1 month since I started doing the nerve conduction studies at work and I do have to say that I am enjoying it. the interaction that I have with the patients has turned out to be alot of fun. still have more to learn, but it is pretty good.

cards

Wow. Card are in the World Series. So hard to believe. I guess that just goes to show you that you should never count the under dog out. Caleb was so very excited about them playing, he has been playing baseball all week long. However his version of it has a mix of football as well. If only he could play baseball, football, and golf all at the same time as a living and still have time to hunt, he would be on cloud nine. not to mention make his mommy one rich lady. he is just to funny. On firday night my mom and dad came over and for a special treat my brother came along....well that made Calebs entire night to have uncle Nate there. they played the entire time he was here. Nate took him out side to play baseball even (something mommy does not do). played foot ball, just the fact that Nate took time to play was the best thing for Caleb. he talked about uncle Nate all night long after he left. Then when he saw Michael in the morning he told Michael all about it again. He kept telling us that he "striked him out", when he was asked who he struke out he would laugh and say "uncle Nate". He sure does love his uncle. Thanks Nate for taking the time to make Calebs day. The pics are from thursday night. the cheese one is his baseball look , the other is his boxing stance.

monday

Rams game...lost, Cardinals game....lost. Well that is okay, hopfully we will get them next time. I do have to say one cute thing that Caleb did during the cards game. Dasvid Eckstein was up to bat and I was trying to cheer him on...."Go Eckstein go" to which Caleb added ..."yeah go NEXTTIME, Go". then he continued to ask "where is NEXTTIME". I had to laugh. kids says the cutest things.
There is just something about being told you are loved. Even though you know you are, being told just makes you feel extra special. Caleb told me he really loved me, and was glad I was his mommy. talk about heart melting.
This Sunday is Audrey's dedication service and I am so excited. Excited for her and what God has in store for her. Excited to share this special moment with family and friends that are more like family. then to have Joseph and Julianna dedicated next weekend, to see God bless them and keep them. What awesome times these are.
S

sunday sermon

OKAY.....So we go to church this morning and low and behold the sermon is about "HANGING ON". Talk about GOd speaking to you. Pastor talked about how when people ride a bull the goal is to stay on for 8 sec. and they have to hang on with 1 hand and try to balance with the other. Well sometimes we are litteraly hanging on by one hand or even less. When we feel like letting go God is just wanting us to hang in there for a couple more seconds. When we pray and we feel like no answers are there, hold on a few more seconds. WHen we are searching for answers and none can be found, hang in a few more seconds. WHen we can't go on and we can't hang on, he is right there. He gave the example of the Hebrew boys and the furnace, they did not want to go in, they probably prayed for the furnance to go out, but God was there. When things happen it is not because GOd has forsaken us, but he wants us to hang in there. Not always for "OUR" good, but for us to focous on him and not the problem. then the real kicker came when pastor used.......WHen the enemy comes at you like a flood,,,,,,,,,,,,,,God will raise up a standard. When we read the scripture we miss a important part........it is the COMMA. when things are not going our way we are just mearly in the COMMA! It seperates what is happen and what is about to happen. WOW! Needless to say that I was even more encouraged today. Alos......praise report.....though it may be small but........Caleb went to his sunday school class today by himself and had no problems......PRAISE GOD! We sang it is well with my soul today. WHile I love the new songs, there is something about those old but good songs. We sometimes forget the meaning behind them. thank God for those that have went before us and paved the way. Lord help me to be as faithful and perservering as my grandparents, and others that have taught me to love and honor you! Thank you for my heritage.

more pics

Here are a few more pics. Audrey and her adorable toothless grin.











Caleb & Mommy self portrait, Caleb wanted to take a picture but he wanted to be in it at the same time. Then decided he wanted me in it. Sorry I look so scary. was getting ready for bed.











Below is Audrey and her look of...mmhmmm mom, whatever!

Next we have my little man just chillin! it must be nice to relax like this!

The JOY in my life

I've got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart! My children are so wonderful, even at their worst. Caleb has been a trying little feloow this week, but had some precious moments as well. Audrey has been a little spit fire, but she too has had some great moments. I was able to capture some moments. Here they are. I hope you enjoy them as I did.
You really cannot tell but Caleb is reading Peter Cottontail to Audrey. It was just to cute to pass up!







Caleb's favorite so Bernstine Bears was on and Papa Bear had just dumped honey on Mama Bears clean floor. OH NO!
Here is Audrey, notice the pinky in the air, as if she is posing for some social magazine!

When the devil comes in like a Flood......

God will raise up a standard. Please Lord raise the standard. Since I have decided to really change my life, way of thinking, etc. Nasty ole,Satan really has not liked it much at all. It seems like he has been pulling out all the stops(he must have gotten permission). WELL that is just fine, because I think that I am more determined then ever to beat him. I am convinced that I am going to make it. GOd is on my side how can I loose!
NOt matter what road I am on in this life, I still manage to find my way home. And once I am there God just simply wraps his arms of love around me and says what took you so long, and I love you.
WOW. how awesome is that. Thank you God for loving me inspite of me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank you for molding me daily. COntinue to shape, mold me. Take all the impurities out until I shine like gold. Thank you for the tests, as they will only make me stronger. I ask that you bless my sisters be with them today, speak to their hearts. Let them feel your strength and hands around them. Be with my family as I cannot. thank you for hearing my call. God you truly are AWESOME!!!!!!

these are the days

I was off work today and even though I have so much to do, I still find moments to share with Caleb and Audrey. These moments are the ones that I want to just sit there and cherish. Testing me as he(Caleb) may be and wanting to see what I will do, he still is my pride and joy. Everytime he got into something he knew he was not to be in, he would look at me and say...."Mommy, I'm sorry and I love you." UGH! But then I had to remind him about what is right and still punish him. Then coming back with I love you too. I cannot count how many times today he told me he would listen and be good. The constant "WHY?", the "I will help" only to make things worse, then to have him fall asleep and me just sitting there looking at him. AMAZING. Then my little miss, she loves to talk and be talked to (like her mom), but boy oh boy, when things are not her way she has her moments of hissy fits. Then she too falls asleep in my arms and again I sit and look, GLORIOUS. so needless to say I have not gotten much accomplished today. But in these still small moments I have a glimpse of Jesus, the miracle of a child. My children, my blessings, my heritage. Caleb I love you dearly for being who you are and who you will be. I know that God has his hand on you and my prayer is that you will always allow his hand to guide you. Be happy, be sure of yourself, be content, be faithful and most of all be Godly. Audrey, I love you more than I can express, I love you for what you are. I cannot describe in the few short months you have been here how you have blessed me. God has great plans for you, let him fulfill those plans. Thank you Father, for my blessings. You have given me great joy. Like Hannah in the bible I prayed for them and you answered my prayers. thank you from the bottom of my heart. Help me to be the mom that I am to be, and the Godly wisdom here on earth that will guide them as they grow. AMEN!

willowing process

You know how sometimes you just feel tossed about. Our sermon on Sunday was about this. When we ask ourselves about it, is it the devil that is testing us, or is it God, the answer is YES! Both. Though the devil must get permission to test us. Just like with Job, Satan must ask for permission to test us and try us. God know what we can take and handle, we doubt ourselves and we even doubt God at times. That is how I have been feeling lately. TOSSED, like a salad. My lettuce(spirit) was wilted. Well I must say that God works in small ways. Whether it be through friends and he places you on their hearts(thanks Monica and Karen) or through a stranger who tells you to be encouraged. Goal of our church is to tell each other to be encouraged and to have a great week when we are leaving. It is such a simple process, look around count your blessing however small they are, then determine in yourself that whatever may come you are going to have a good week.
So now that I have settled back down,knowing in confidence who is in front of me, around me, behind me, I will not mind being tossed as much. Thank you God for shaking things up, waking me up. God must have confidence in us for even when we are weak he is strong. I am so encouraged, I know that I have a long way to go, but I am determined to get there.
Karen and Monica know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers, I love you both beyond words. It is so awesome to know that not only are we friends, but we are sisters in the Lord and that is the most important. Sandy know that you are included in this sisterhood and that you too are in my thoughts and prayers.
My children are doing awesome and growing day by day. Caleb sure does come up with some cute things. He likes to go to garage sales. Thanks Aunt Niece for going with us on Saturday, mom thanks for coming and keeping the kids for me Saturday night. They really love their MawMaw.
Audrey has her daddy wrapped around her little fingers and knows how to play him:) He is so good to her and to Caleb. He is crazy about his kids. Thank God for good husbands that make good daddies. I am truly a blessed person.