Memorial Weekend '09

We went to a bbq at Big Ir's yesterday. They has also invited their long time friends who recently took a cross country trip, she drove in the motor home while he rode his recumbent bike. We got to hear all sorts of stories about their trip, the places they stayed along the way, an the sight seeing they did as well. We had a really good time. The kids love being out at G-ma and G-pa's, they fed the horses, and drove Brooklyn's Barbi jeep all over the property. We enjoyed great food, thanks for having us out!
Keith and Toby
Sue and Judy
Brooklyn and Dylan doing some trail riding!
Brooklyn, Gma Sue, and Dylan

A few years ago I got to see Nicole Nordeman at Women of faith. She is an extremely talented artist. I have always loved this song about how God is transforming us into the person he created us to be. I heard it said that we should have "a tender and teachable heart", I love that! I really do want to be transformed and be smooth in Gods hands, although when the chiseling is going on, it is often painful. When we were in the midst of an extremely difficult time a friend was visiting with us and share a vision he was given:

There was a rushing river, the water was deep, flowing fast and everything in the river was being pushed down stream except for this one rock in the middle. The rock was solid and not going anywhere. The rock was God. He could see us in this river getting pushed all over and around, we were going to drown. We needed to hold on to that rock and we would be safe.

Boy, was he right we needed to cling on to God and the promises of His word. I love how this song relates to the vision our friend Shared with us. Sometimes the things we face in life are so rough in her song she says "sometimes raging wild, sometimes swollen high" and how Gods love for me and you is never failing "never have I known this river dry"


River God By: Nicole Nordemen

Rolling River God
Little Stones are smooth
Only once the water passes
through
So I am a stone
rough and grainy still
Trying to reconcile
this river's chill

Chorus
But when I close my eyes
and feel you rushing by
I know that time brings change
and change takes time
And
when the sunset comes
my prayer would be this one
that you might pick me
up and notice that I am
just a little smoother in your
hand
Sometimes raging wild
sometimes swollen high
never have I
known this river dry
The deepest part of you
is where I want to
stay
and feel the sharpest edges wash away

Chorus
And when I close
my eyes
and feel you rushing by
I know that time brings change
and
change takes time
And when the sunset comes
my prayer would be just this
one
that you might pick me up
and notice that I am
just a little
smoother in your hand

Sleep over

Friday Dylan didn't have school so we invited Colton Thursday evening for a sleep over. The kids had a blast, they always get pretty wound up when they get together. They are at an age where sleep overs are the coolest thing ever, it's only something they get to do with family. So we let them stay up late and watch Dylan's favorite movie Sandlot. I was hoping that they would sleep in the next morning, would I get that lucky....NO. They were up and going at sunrise and ready for breakfast too. LOL! They let me get things cleaned up around the house, laundry started, then it was lunch time and after that we headed down to the park. We had a little neighbor hood t-ball game and then the kids played on the park. By the time we made it back to the house Aunt Hannah was pulling in to pick him up.


Colton I hope you had fun at our house, lets do it again soon! ~Dylan and Brooklyn



Chase, B, Dylan, and Colton doing what they love most enjoying Popsicles on a warm day.
Colton and B take a break for a picture at the park.

End of the week house update

This is what it look like Friday afternoon, looks like they will finish up (framing)on Tuesday or maybe Wednesday.

House Plan

This is the floor plan and house we are building. We will have a second story with a bonus room. The stairs will go up through the laundry room (making it a bit smaller and with no closet).

House Update

We are 5 weeks into the house. It looks like the house we are building now, with all the trusses up. We went out to check the progress on it last night, so this is yesterdays picture.

T-Ball Opener

T-Ball season officially stared. This weekend we played two games, the boys did an amazing job. They are so adorable in their uniforms, I have to say that's my favorite part, LOL! Dylan really liked playing in the game and did very well. He played 1st base and pitcher (they bat off a tee). We will continue two play 2 games a week for the next month and a half. Dylan has a great coach, he is very patient with the kids and has taught them so much.
Practicing his swing!
In line to bat
Running in to home plate
In between bases.

Happy 5th Birthday Colton

Our nephew Colton turned 5 Yesterday! We are so fortunate to live close to most of our siblings, and really enjoy watching our children grow up together. Dylan and Brooklyn were eagerly awaiting the party all day long. They love their cousin Colton, thanks for letting us celebrate your special 5th Birthday with you Colton.

Colton and his Monster Jam Birthday cake!

Construction Week 5

This is Friday Night picture, I don't think much changed today. I few board were hung but not a huge difference, I think they only worked a half day today.LOL

This is a view from the east, driving up.

This is a view from the west side.

So much has changed in the last week, things are really going up! We are getting a roof on the house right now. It really looks like a house! The kids love going out and checking on the progress of their rooms and play room. It's hard to believe we are mid week 5, where does the time go? We love living with my parents, we spent a lot of time with them before we started this project so not a lot has changed. I have pictures from last night when we were out at the house, I will add some new ones sometime this weekend of how it looks today. I hope you all have a great weekend! We start T-ball games, and have 2 Birthday's ( Happy Birthday Grandpa, and cousin Colton) to celebrate this weekend, along with Chris being super busy in the mist of spray season, so we will be busy!

Kindergarten Train Field Trip

Today was our kindergarten's big field trip day, every spring the four classes take a special field trip together. They get to ride the Amtrak train up to Salem, then are bussed to the river front park where they each get a chance to ride this wonderfully restored carousel, have a picnic lunch, play in the park, and then are bussed back to the school. It is a great field trip and I think all the kids had a fun time. It was a long day, Dylan and I were exhausted by the time we got home.

Dylan and one of his best friends Chase, on the bus and headed to the train station.

Dylan and Chase.

Loading the train.

What cute boys!

We got our seats, the kids are pretty excited to get going.

Chase and Dylan having some breakfast on the train.

Dylan and Chase in front of the horse carousel.

They hand carve carousel horse Christmas tree ornament that are sold in the gift shop. Dylan and Chase getting a first hand look on how they carve them.

Second Story

Brooklyn in her room.

I can only imagine what Dylan was doing?!?!

This is the back of the house.

The house is going up! Second story is up, it kinda looks funny, it sticks out like a sore thumb. When the roof goes up it will blend in, it just looks so tall right now. Brooklyn helped take pictures this evening and I have to give her credit for the creative shots! Its amazing what a child can capture with a camera.......but then again in a minute time frame I would normally take 1 picture and she takes 10.......I guess if I took as many pictures as she does I might capture some of the images she manages to get, I always get a laugh when I get my camera back from her. LOL!

Ballet Recital

Brooklyn is far right, hands on hips, and down on her knee.

Performance time!

A picture in the yard before dress rehearsal.

Brooklyn just completed her second year of dance lessons. She has really enjoyed her creative dance class, absolutely adores her instructor, and has really broken out of her shell this year. The year end recital was over this past weekend and Brooklyn did an amazing job. The whole performance she had this huge beautiful smile on her face, and loved every minute on stage. She was front and center stage in a group of 7. B. made sure to keep an eye on the girl right beside her the whole performance so that she wouldn't make a mistake, she was absolutely adorable. She was very proud of herself and Chris and I are too.

Construction week 4

Well the first story is all most completely framed, just the east garage wall left to go up. Today stairs should be built in and then framing of the second story should start. It's starting to look like a house, and walking though it you can now understand the floor plan layout.

Update on B

As Chris, Brooklyn, and I drove my stomach ached, while fear, anxiety, and "what ifs" rushed through my head. I kept telling myself God Will not give me more than I can handle, and then praying to God I just don't think I can handle this. Let me explain just 2 weeks earlier at Brooklyn's 5 year check up her Dr. noticed some moles on her head that concerned him. His words were "these are typically a mole that we see turn into melanoma, and it is not considered normal to see these on such a young child, just 5 years old" So we were now on our way to see a dermatologist, not knowing what to expect, are they going to remove them, if they do how much of her head will they have to shave, are they melanoma? We arrived a few minutes early to fill out all the new patient paper work, getting that all completed, we waited. After waiting what seemed like hours, it was probably 30 minutes, we were taken back to an exam room. After a thorough body exam, the Dr. told us that all of her moles were perfectly healthy. THANK YOU GOD!!!! We are so relived! The moles will be watched on an on going bases, but they are nothing to be concerned about unless they change. She needs to be covered up in the sun, just like any other child, and she should be just fine. As Chris and I returned to the car with B, we both let out a sigh of relief, and praised God, our baby girl has a clean bill of health.

We Have Walls!

Framing started today and we couldn't be more excited. This evening we went out to check on the progress, we have the south and north facing walls up. I would guess this phase will go really fast and by the end of next week it will all be framed. Today was 3 weeks since construction started.

Monster Truck's

This weekend Uncle Ryan and Aunt Kate invited Dylan and cousin Colton to the Monster Jam (a monster truck rally), the boys had a blast. They were familiar with some of the trucks from watching them on TV, but now after seeing them they each have their very own favorites. Dylan's favorite truck is this huge blue Ford "Blue Thunder" and Colton's favorite is "Turtles" the teenage mutant ninja turtles truck. They each got DVDs and we are now reliving the monster Jam over and over, Thanks Uncle Ryan and Aunt Kate! LOL, it's really not that bad. What little boy wouldn't want to go to a Monster Truck Show!

Keeping Busy

It's been another busy week, is it already Friday again!?!? Dylan is playing T-Ball and practices twice a week, he doesn't seem to enjoy it like he did Football. He hasn't had a game yet, so maybe once he plays in one he will like it better? He really likes kindergarten, his teacher, new friends, and has learned so much. His teacher has made the comments he a great student and friend. I get the opportunity to help out in his class each week, I love watching him learn, and interact with his classmates. Brooklyn is just finishing her second year of ballet. She has a recital next week, and is really looking forward to showing off her moves. She didn't attend pre-school this year, so her and I have been making a special time in the mornings to do some school work. We registered her for Kindergarten yesterday, and she is thrilled about it. The kids will both attend a new school this fall and were both curious about it, after visiting I think we all are excited about the new school.

Construction Week 3

We are into week 3 already! The foundation is complete, all the plumbing (under the house) has been finished, and a trench for the well and septic lines has been dug. Framing should start Monday, I can't wait to see walls go up : )