A lil' bit o' Christmas

(The new football jerseys!)

Didn't want to pass up on a couple cute pics of my boys from Christmas.  I know it's long overdue!  I've gotten really behind at posting, life just gets too busy somedays.  We had Christmas with my mom and brothers at our house and then headed to Michigan for Christmas day.  My dad also came over to spend a short day with us.  We were actually home for New Years - first time in 5 years!  We even had an extra little guy with us.  We watched our friends son so they could help chaperone our churches jr. high retreat.  Our boys just loved having him follow them around!

(with Grandma!)

(The grandkids + a few significant others = 29)

(Ringin' in the new year...2010...in case you didn't get the hand gestures.)

(Drew playing cars with our guest...they played cars alot!)

(Trent gave great sled rides!)

THE 'VILLE

Last weekend we braved the elements and traveled to Ohio.  We spent some time with my mom, brothers and dad.  It was alumni weekend and so we got to have a special dinner, go to the basketball game, and we even got a free "gold rush" t-shirt.  GO JACKETS!  The boys had fun at the game and we've already discussed the new moves they want to try out at their next game.  Drew asked Mike, "Dad, can I do a fake on little kids?"  He's shown us several times exactly how it should play out as he goes up to fake a basket.

We even had some time to put a puzzle together...Trent's a pretty good helper!!

Friday night we went up to the Field House.  The boys shot some hoops while my mom and I walked the track.  The boys REALLY needed to get out some energy, and we had a great time doing it...and I didn't feel so guilty eating a bazooki (cookie & ice cream dessert) when we got home.

Here we are with the new and improved Yellow Jacket. 

There were tatoos (of the old mascot though) on every table and Drew put this one on all by himself!  He ventured to the bathroom and came back with a "bee" on his forehead.

FUN TIMES HAD BY ALL!

Here's a pic I found from just one year ago.  Boy, they've both grown up a bit, huh!

B-BALLin'

Trent & Drew have been playing b-ball at the Y.  It has been loads of fun to watch them learn and play and SCORE!  Here are a few pics from the last few weeks.

Tooth Fairy...

Trent lost both of his front teeth within a week.  His first tooth came out at school with a little help from the school nurse.  She put it in a little treasure box for safe keeping.  After getting off the bus, Trent realized he must have left/lost his tooth at school.  In passing, trying to reassure Trent all would be fine, I said he could just write a note to the Tooth Fairy.

Fast forward to bedtime...I was tucking Trent in and he pulled something out from under his pillow. The note was SO SWEET! He did it all by himself! I read it, tried hard not to laugh, and ran out to the living room to show Mike.  The sticker attached to the bottom of his note was the one he got from the nurse and proudly wore all day.

The next morning as I was packing his lunch, I found the treasure box in his lunch bag.  He had not yet looked to see if the tooth fairy stopped during the night and so I snuck in and put the tooth under his pillow too.  When I asked Trent if he had looked under his pillow, he was SO shocked to see what was there with his money.  He said, "How did she find it?  She must have searched and searched all over ____ Elementary!  How did she know to bring it to my house?"  He was so excited.  Can't wait to laugh about that with him in a few years!

The other tooth came out after much convincing to let me JUST wiggle it.  I promised that was all I was going to do.  As I wiggled it forward, barely touching it-I might add, it just fell right out on my finger.  What a relief, I was getting really tired of hearing how it "hurt" when he ate anything.

I just LOVE this TOOTHLESS grin!

New Face...

So I've been wanting to give my blog a face lift.  I found some online tutorials and templates for designing a personalized header.  Can I just say, Photoshop Elements was the best B-day present!  This was fun :o)  I think, for my first attempt, I'm pleased with the results.  I tried to change the background to a funky pattern, but I kept running into snags after I changed the HTML - so the light yellow will have to do!  I think it will be fun to change it up every now and then.  I started with my favorite flower - the Gerber Daisy.  They always remind my of my two little ones.  This pic was taken just the DAY BEFORE I went into labor with Noah.

So, let me know whacha think?

Would You Dare to Believe...

I Still Have a REASON to Sing.  It's been six months today.  Can't believe how the REALITY of my life has changed from what I thought WOULD be.  So I'm sittin'...thinkin'...cryin' today as I remember my little girl...BUT I can say I DO HAVE A REASON TO SING!  So, I choose to continue...even when the tears come...



I've head this song a few times now and I really like it!  I've said this before, but music has helped me so much as I process this thing called grief!  I'm so thankful for the HOPE I have.  When I went to youtube I found a link to the story behind this song...why it was written.  If you have time, check out this 10 min. video.  I love what the mom, Paula, says to her husband..."If we can trust God with our eternity, we've got to trust him with our NOW."  What a good reminder.  God knows right where I am NOW (not so much physically, but emotionally and mentally) and He's HERE carrying me through the hurt.

Do you wonder why you have to
Feel the things that hurt you
If there’s a God who loves you where is He now
Maybe there are things you can’t see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending
Someday somehow you’ll see you’ll see

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming


So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning
 My friend you know how this all ends
You know where you’re going
You just don’t know how you’ll get there
So say a prayer


And hold on cause there’s good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot
It might take a little time but you’ll see the bigger picture


Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory


Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming


Come on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the the pain that you've been feeling
It's just the hurt before the healing
Oh the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning

Thanks for letting me share...

And before you think this blog is only about sad stuff...I've recovered my pictures from the hard drive crash and I'll try to post more regularly :)

Here's a sneak peak of what's BIG in Trent's life these days.

Under Construction...

So I'm gonna go for a new blog look in 2010...but I'm still working on it...just wanted to let you know you're at the right place in case your missing all the GREEN :)