Merry Christmas!

What a beautiful smile!!!

My beautiful 8 year old girl got her braces off today. She only had them on for 9 months, but she was VERY excited! Her pulmonologist suggested she have them put on to change the position of her jaw. He thought that it could change things enough to cure her sleep apnea and allow her to get off of her CPAP. Her sleep study is scheduled for March, so we will find out then if he was right. Amelia was so happy to have them off, and even happier to chew gum (thanks Aunt Kim!). We love Dr. Cohen! He did a fabulous and very quick job with her teeth.

Family pics 2008

Family pics 2008

Prayer Request

Please say a prayer tonight for my best friend since first grade. Her mom was visiting in Indy yesterday and had a heart attack. She is unresponsive and has no brain activity. As soon as her son arrives from San Francisco and says goodbye, they will turn off the life support machines. Her mom was always like my second mom. I spent about every other weekend at their house while I was growing up. Her boys are very close to their grandma and are having a very hard time. I would really appreciate a prayer for comfort for them.

Festival of Trees

The kids and I enjoyed a field trip to the Festival of Trees at the Embassy. I was so worried that Landin would try to touch all the trees and would break something. The kids were great! They really enjoyed seeing the different trees, and they especially enjoyed voting for their favorites. I am glad I took time out of our school day to take them. It was fun!

Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for! I am thankful for my adorable kids - and I am thankful that I can homeschool them! I am thankful for my wonderful, hard working husband! I am thankful that we are all healthy (a little coughing and breathing treatments don't count, do they? )! I am thankful that we have a lovely home and never lack food to eat! I am thankful for the rest of my family - what would I do without them? I am thankful for my great friends! I am especially thankful that God has blessed me so much. I don't deserve all he has given me, but I am going to make sure I thank him for it all! Have a happy Thanksgiving, and don't forgot the One who blessed you this year!

Our New School Room

We have made our playroom on the first floor into our new school room. We painted it sky blue, put up bulletin boards and a white board, and moved the cabinets in to store our school books. It is working out great! The basement is now a playroom only. We don't have to worry about kids getting into the school things when they are over playing. It is also nice to have the sun come into the room to brighten things up. Thanks hubby for indulging me and changing things around!

Happy Halloween!

Here is a picture of my beautiful butterfly and handsome chef. Riley was out of town, so I don't have a picture of him.

Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!

We have been married for 13 years! Thank you for being such a wonderful husband! I love you!

Halloween Parade

My aunt, uncle and cousins in Ohio own a pizza shop. Tonight there was a Halloween parade in Defiance, and they invited the family to be on the float with them. I took Kylie, Mikala, Brennan, Landin, Amelia, and Riley to the pizza party and parade. It was a little cold, but we had a really good time! I couldn't believe how many people showed up to watch the parade! The kids looked great in their chef costumes!

Jack-o-lanterns

I love the fall! It is my favorite time of year. I love the "beautivolous" trees ( yes, I know that isn't a real word. My kids tell me that all the time). My kids had fun carving pumpkins with Todd on a beautivolous day this week.

Please pray...

Update: Surgery went well! Another answered prayer! The doctor did not find anything abnormal. She hopes the procedure lessens Kim's pain, but if not, she at least ruled out some problems. Kim got to talk to Robert before and after surgery. She is home resting now. God is good!

My sister is having exploratory surgery tomorrow morning. Please pray that they will not find anything serious. Please pray for the doctors. Please pray for a quick recovery. Please pray for her husband, Robert. He is overseas and having a difficult time not being here for her. This is the second surgery he has missed because of his deployment, and it is very upsetting for them both.

Jelly Belly Factory Pics

The Jelly Belly tour! Yes, we had to wear the hats!

The kids on a sugar high at the sample bar!
Getting ready for a long drive home!

More Wisconsin pics - museums

The art museum with the wings open.
How cool! We watched them close!
Discovery World
Todd and Landin on The Challenge - a very cool schooner.
Amelia and Riley steering the boat.

More pics