Prayers For Jack

Please be praying for Jack who will be seeing a gastroenterologist for consult at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle. Hopefully they will know more information after this appt. When they are done with the appt, the same doctor will be doing further endoscopy testing of his stomach to see for himself what is going on. This along with the other records they are bringing from their local doctors will be reviewed and they will meet with the surgeon at Virginia Mason on January 7th.

As soon as I hear from my Mom (Ruth), I will be updating here and on the side bar to the right.

Thank you to everyone and anyone who is praying. Our family really appreciates it.

A Picture IS A Thousand Words

Is this good enough reason for not getting up the post with our anniversary pictures and other catching up?


This is Baby N, who at the time of this picture was about 26 hours old, and is the son of my Sunday School teachers, A and C. (No I didn't make the hat, apparently there is a group called "Mad Hatters" that makes the baby hats for the hospital.) Don't you just love how babies come out with these long, perfectly manucured fingernails?

Blogger is doing strange things with photos tonight, so this is out of order, but proves that all the necessary cuteness parts are there!

Like my little Princess, he has to be encouraged to eat, so he is nakey in this picture and his Grandma is burping him.

Look at this face! He's kinda wishing he could go back to his warm, swimming abode! LOL

This is also out of order, but Daddy A is holding N as he frowns in his sleep.

Yes, he had all ten fingers and toes.

I got to hold the baby, smell the baby (hmmm... newborn straight from God baby smells so good!), change a poopy diaper... but I didn't get to take him home! :o(

Simple Woman's Daybook

Please visit The Simple Woman's Daybook on Mondays, to learn more and find links to other ladies who are participating.

FOR TODAY December 29, 2008...

Outside my window... it's dark, but it's still Monday!
I am thinking... of how nice it is to have Hubby home for his winter break!

I am thankful for... Baby N born today!

From the learning rooms... The kids are enjoying learning about numbers and reading new books.

From the kitchen... nothing exciting as I am working on lots of projects this week while Hubby is here.
I am wearing... sweats and a flannel pj top (it's cold in our little tin shack!)
I am creating... lots of digital scrapbooking pages still!
I am going... to see Baby N tomorrow and his Mommy at the hospital.
I am reading... Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola (Sounds weird but quite interesting!)

I am hoping... that I can get a lot accomplished with Daddy home this week to do school so I can organize.

I am hearing... Daddy reading to my children (melts my heart!) repeat from last week - still true!
Around the house... Moving my office and bedroom around and going through storage so lots of boxes and stuff in temporary places.

One of my favorite things... the smell of newborn babies! :o)

A few plans for the rest of the week: cleaning and creating

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I couldn't decide on just one, so I'm sharing two of my favorites from this week...

I made this from Jen Ulasiewicz' "Primitive Christmas" kit and my best friend Shelley's awesome snow pictures! She emailed them and I tweaked the lighting a little and this is the second layout I've made with them.

And I've made several layouts with this photograph of my great Grandparents' wedding in 1905, which is one of my all time favorite photographs. I made it sepia for this and I love it that way. When I saw the lace backgrounds from Jen Ulasiewicz, I thought immediately of this picture! I made this from about four of Jen's kits. If you want the details, hop on over to my ForgetMeNots Design blog, link at right.

Thanks for visiting. I'll try to catch up on emails soon!

Ten Years And Counting

There were many times in my single years that I never dreamt a wedding day was a possibility for me, let alone my tenth wedding anniversary. Now, I know ten is a drop in the bucket for a lot of people. I always loved it in church when the pastor would announce that someone was celebrating their 65th or some other large numbered anniversary. Such a blessing from the Lord. But when you get married in your thirties and you reach your tenth wedding anniversary, you celebrate! We celebrated with a trip together this summer and we'll celebrate with a meal out tonight, thanks to my friend Sonia who will watch the kids.




This is the layout I created to celebrate my ten wonderful years with Hubby. The background paper is from the Nancie at ScrapArtist from her new silver and gold kit. Swirls and snowflakes from Digizines by Teri (A Winter's Night), Poinsettias and ribbon from Silvia Romeo and evergreen branches from Verena Karolyi.

When we were planning our wedding, I considered Twila Paris' song, Bonded Together, but we decided upon Steven Curtis Chapman's I Will Be Here. Thousands of couples marry with that song, but we chose it because we both wore the scars of childhood where the people who were meant to be there weren't. When we chose the song, we never knew how much we would be challenged. Every time I hear the song, my tears well up in my eyes. And it is the one thing that I appreciate the most in my Husband - He shows up for the job! If you have ever been abandoned, you will understand exactly how important that is!



Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark, we lose sight of love
Hold my hand, and have no fear
'Cause I will be here


I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winning, losing and trying
We'll be together
I will be here


Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I will be here
Just as sure as seasons were made for change
Our lifetimes were made for these years
So I will be here


I will be here
And you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older I will hold you
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here

I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the One who gave you to me


Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I will be here
Oh, I will be here






Here is a layout I made with Lynn Griffin's Cottage kit for the gallery at HeritageScrap.com


Four days before our wedding, Hubby's Mom died of a massive stroke unexpectedly. I told Hubby we could cancel everything and just get married with the pastor, Shelley and my Mom and Jack in the Pastor's office. I was willing to go to the church and wait at the door to tell the people who we couldn't contact in advance, what had happened. But he did not give up. He knew, as did I, that our marriage was God's will. And now that I understand exactly how shy he is, I am amazed that he did that - standing in front of over 300 people, holding my hands and offering me the communion cup as we made a covenant with each other and God. We were sad. We were grieving. But on that day, nothing could keep my heart from bursting with all the joy that was a gift from the Lord. You can see it in the left hand picture above.

This layout is made with Julie Jorgenson's Vintage Bride kit paper and corners from Scrapbook Elements and evergreen branches from Verena Karolyi and ribbon cluster from Teri Hanson's Winter Wilderness kit.

The words on the bottom of the layout read "Sometimes dreas really do come true!" I felt like Cinderella that day! The ball is long over and there have been tragedies worse than losing glass slippers to face. Our journey of falling in love began in 1996. Our journey of growing in love began in 1998. Together we have:

*Lost a mother

*Lost a father

*Endured critical illness

*Endured chronic illness and pain

*Fought infertility

*Struggled financially

*Lost one of my dearest friends ever, to cancer

*Lost several cousins and other friends to cancer

*Borne premature children

*Faced our children's medical concerns such as congenital heart defect and two two year olds with glasses

We have also:

*Traveled up and down the I-5 corridor and many scenic places in northern California

*Photographed adventures

*Given birth to three beautiful children

*Nurtured each others' creativity

*Grown in our relationship with God

*Become even better friends

*Become a family

*Been blessed by God's providence, sometimes miraculously

*Been protected in our crazy neighborhood

*Learned how to enrich our relationship while surrounded by kiddos

*Seen the Holy Spirit working in our lives

This layout was made with Lynn Griffin's Warmest Wishes kit.

Yes, I did write "Happily Ever After" on that page! It's how I feel, but I do not take it for granted. All good relationships take some work and maintenance. You can't just sit back and let it all slide. My experiences cause me to be acutely aware of how quickly young love can fade and how even Christians are not immune to life changing and grievous divorces.

This last year I have started praying that God will help me love my Husband more. Love is not a feeling. Sometimes it feels good. Sometimes it doesn't. Love is a choice. I choose to love my Husband and God blesses me abundantly.

This layout is using Digizines by Teri's Faerie Holidays kit.

My wedding was one of the last few times that my Mom, Grandma and I were all together. This picture is so precious to me. Also important on that day, were my best friend Shelley, who was my maid of honor and my cousin Wendy who was my bride's maid. I don't have any other photos from our wedding scanned, so sadly I cannot show you. Standing up with Hubby was his big brother and our niece was the flower girl.

We wanted to choose a hymn that the wedding guests could sing along with us, to take part in our Covenant, to join us in our celebration. It was difficult to find the right one. Many hymns we cherish, but felt that for our wedding it should convey, not only love, but God's Love in sending His Son for us. We chose Love Lifted Me...

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,

Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,

But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,

From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Refrain:

Love lifted me!

Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help,

Love lifted me!

All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling,

In His blessed presence live, ever His praises sing,

Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul’s best songs,

Faithful, loving service, too, to Him belongs.

Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves,

He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves.

He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey,

He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.

This last layout was made with Digizines by Teri's Winter Wilderness kit with Evergreen Branches from Lynn Griffin's Christmas Cottage kit at HeritageScrap.com

We put a lot of thought into a Scripture for our wedding too. Not only should it reflect or admonish on the wedding day, but we wanted something that would be a guide for our entire marriage. With that in mind, we chose Colossians 3:12-17 and asked Jack to read it for us during the ceremony.

12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NIV - Thank you Biblegateway.com)

Lord willing (and the creek don't rise!) Hubby and I will have many more years together, growing in friendship, faith and love. We chose the following quote from Robert Browning to feature on our wedding program:

Come grow old along with me, the best is yet to be!


I love you Honey and look forward to finding out if that is really true!

Family Pictures

Phew! We don't celebrate the whole deal of Christmas and we are exhausted! I don't know how families go on and on and on without going insane with exhaustion and overload.

The kids woke up bright and early on the 24th, not wanting to miss a minute of playing! Here's Boogie with his Mars Mission Legos - all 759 assembled! He has been having a lot of fun with them.

Our church has a Christmas Eve service and we went to enjoy the singing and fellowship. It's always nice to go and see visiting friends and family members of our friends or people who go to second service (we go to first).

Here is Pastor Mike in his non-Abrahamic clothing! :o) He's holding my friend L's daughter L, who is a tiny little cherub with big brown eyes!

Speaking of tiny little cherubs with big brown eyes - look at my friend S and her daughter C! Doesn't C look like one of the Precious Moments figurines? She was just getting over her tears because she thought Mom and Dad had left the sanctuary.

When we got home the kids were anxious to open up the boxes that came from Aunt Shelley two weeks ago. They are left to right Sunshine, Boogie and Princess.

We were all tired but wanted to see what was in the big boxes!

Our neighbor's girlfriend gets something for the kids every holiday. Here's Princess with her bear and candy.

Here is Sunshine with her bear and candy.

Princess is looking at the cool wood and magnet dress up doll set from Shelley. The girls have had fun with that.

You can see in Princess' face that we were all tired. Here is Boogie with his model set. He also got a cool schooner wagon model and another one that I haven't had a chance to look at. These will be fun projects with Daddy and for school.

I always hate seeing families open gifts and it becomes a shark frenzy, free for all. So I had the kids sit on the couch and open one present at a time. The kids actually are excited to see what their siblings are getting. This is Sunshine and Boogie concentrating on getting it just right!

This is so Mom knows I exist and that it's not just a robot uploading pictures on the blog! LOL

Boogie made us ornaments his Sunday school class. Mine is a cross and Hubby's says WWJD.

Boogie and Hubby with handmade ornament.

Let the games begin! Even though they could hardly keep their eyes open, we let them put on jammies and play for half an hour before going to bed.

Thursday, Hubby's Instructional Aid came for dinner as her husband is out of town. This is she and Sunshine.

Here is Hubby, Boogie and Princess. We had homemade turkey barley soup, fresh made Spelt bread rolls and fruit salad with real whipping cream (a holiday tradition from my Mom).

After our friend left, we opened our stockings in the evening. We just give the kids a few small things. Aunt Shelley also sent bags of stocking stuffers too. Grandma and Grandpa sent "Jesus - The Greatest Gift" tshirts for the kids. Princess, Boogie and Sunshine.

I thought this picture was funny. Who knew a plastic dinosaur could elicit such responses.

Even though he's "more of a Mars mission fan", he was very excited with a new Indiana Jones tshirt!

Princess got an as of yet, unnamed dolly, which she just loves.

Sunshine wasn't sure what to think of a boy doll. She had never seen one before and wasn't quite convinced of his vintage cute-ness. Look at Boogie though. He's pretty interested. Negotiations were held after picture taking was over! LOL

As you can see Boogie hides his emotions well - ha ha! We got him a new cover for his Bible. He had out grown the big green Larry Boy cover with the huge eyeballs on it, so we opted for a more "boy-ish" one that looks like a blue back pack. He loves it - not that you could tell or anything! LOL

I gave each of the kids a tube of Flick's. When I was a kid I think they were made by Ghirardelli, but they aren't anymore. Do you remember those? After you were done eating you could put your nose up to the empty tube and drink in the heavenly aroma of chocolate! They kind of taste like cheap, yucky, fake chocolate now but the kids got a kick out of them. At first though, as witnessed in this picture, they didn't know what to think of them!

Aunt Shelley's snow is starting to melt. Grandma and Grandpa are still snowed in. It's still brown and wet down here. I miss the snow!

Tomorrow is another celebration for us. Hubby and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary!

Video For Grandma and Grandpa - Boogie's First Solo

This is my first time posting video. I hope it works!

Over The River and Through The City

Growing up in Everett, we had to cross the Snohomish River and go up Cavaleros Hill (much more of an adventure than it is with today's engineering!) to get to our Grandparents' homes. So, we always sang, "over the river and up the hill, to Grandma's house we go!" The car knows the way to take us today..." :o) Corny, but when you are a preschooler, corny is allowed! lol On Tuesday, we went over the American River and through the city/ies to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Lou's.

We left Abbie like this. I'm sure she was relieved to have us go, because when we left, we took Pixie with us.

Pixie is my friend S's Sheltie. This is the third Christmas that she has been with us and this year we had her for four days. She is such a good dog, especially when she was tempted to eat the cat but didn't! She settled for sneaking two bowl fulls of organic cat food! :o) On the way to Aunt Kathy's we took Pixie home.

Here is Aunt Kathy's house.

Aunt Kathy is Hubby's older sister - we have her to thank for taking care of him as a baby and preschooler.

Princess, Boogie and Sunshine. The girls wanted to wear their new skirts again. I forgot to say that Princess has zebras and Sunshine has horses. Boogie chose his new polo shirt when the kids and Daddy went to pick up last minute stuff for Mommy.

Princess, Boogie and Sunshine.

Kathy has a lovely home and I wanted to show my Mom her new curtains, which were very pretty. The stain glass in the window is one of Kathy's creations.

Buddy was VERY excited to see the kids and had to be given a "chill pill". Poor guy. He really liked Sunshine.

Boogie wouldn't go near him and Princess was quite cautious. Here she is getting protection from Mommy.

Daddy and Boogie... my two handsome guys!

Uncle Lou entertained the kids with magnetic balls. L to R, Lou, Princess, Boogie and Sunshine.



Princess and Sunshine excited about trying it themselves.

Of course the kids were excited about their gift bags and were eyeing them all afternoon. We made them wait until after dinner... mean parents!




Of course the most exciting event was when Boogie got his Mars Mission Ultra Drill Walker. This is the Lego set of his dreams that he has been obsessing about for a couple months! We practically had to pry it out of his hands to get him to go to sleep! LOL

Boogie giving Uncle Lou a hug. Uncle Lou avoids the camera so I had to sneak this one in! LOL

Aunt Kathy

After we left, we drove through their neighborhood. It wasn't like previous years where you could probably see the light from space it was so lit! But it was pretty to see.

Trains for Grandpa Jack.

Noel - for our soloist!

Glory to God in the Highest!