My Family

Isaac's 3rd Birthday

2010-08-14T13:13:00.000-07:00

Isaac was a surprise, but special, birth. I was a few months away from not being able to have more children, then the dollar store prego test proved to work, despite the cheap price. The ultrasound showed it was a girl (we've seen the difference between Dom and Bri's ultrasounds and we all agreed with the tech, who had been measuring and looking at the fetus for 30 min, when she announced it was girl) I was pleased to be expecting another girl, a sister for Bri, a sweet Abi...but Abigail was never born. I was induced 5 days before Tyler's soccer daily doubles began so he could help me before he was "gone" working and coaching soccer for the next 3 months. It was a longer day than I expected. It started at 7am, but did not end until after 9pm. It was the most painful delivery, and when the midwife said "you're not going to believe this", and I saw...I went into shock.
Tyler took on the duty of deciding on a name. Trey, meaning 3rd, was our boy name before we found out we were having a girl, but nothing sounded good to me, except Abigail. Finally about 1am, he said "Isaac, it means God is laughing." I brightened up at the name, and I thought it fit perfectly. God doesn't always answer prayers, He gives us trials, but He never does it out of anger, He does it out of love and joy for His children. I decided then I would laugh with God, not sulk, for the child He gave me to raise. Besides, God knows what is best for us, and like everyone told me that night, "someday you'll say your family just wouldn't be the same without this little boy"

The fact we had a little boy instead of a girl hasn't stopped us from having fun dressing him up as a girl! And so far, he enjoys it...great blackmail pictures when he's older! :)Big brother and sister love their little brother!And so do his other big sister and brothers that have lived with us...He was my biggest baby and still the biggest in comparison...he loves to eat!All our kids grew up around soccer, but he has loved soccer more than his siblings, as well as all sports, since he could roll a ball to me. Probably because he tries to keep up with them, play with them, he is the natural athlete. And a natural entertainer, he loves to make everyone laugh, living up to his name!He's 3 now, but grew up so fast, he acts like he's older. Already a charmer to the girls, a pro at video games and wii, a boxer that can give you a black eye (yep, I wasn't quick enough to block), and good at all sports. But he's best at making messes, getting into everything, causing me headaches, a non-stop tornado, so I nicknamed him the Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil. "I tried to be good, but I got bored" a perfect shirt for him!guess who he got it from?! That's me, making a mess with noxema, in the bottom left:my favorite time of the day is when he is sleeping peacefully, and i get a few hours of peace. Despite his more than active energy, breaking things, humiliating me every time we go to a store, our family would not be the same without him! Isaac Trey you make us laugh, love and live more than we ever have before you came into our lives...love you!

Thunder and Lightning

2010-05-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

Dominick and Brianna played spring soccer. Dominick played on a u-9 boy's team, coached by his best friend's parents. They named themselves Team Lightning! Brianna's micro team named themselves Team Thunder! This made me smile. It was nice to have something in this season of life to make me smile and to get outside, enjoy the fresh spring air and play soccer with the kids! I will add pictures to this post soon. I haven't been as camera savey lately, and I am in a rush to get ready for Dom's last game and the award party this afternoon. Later! ;)

Willingness to change...

2010-02-26T17:36:00.000-08:00

...is a strength, even if it means plunging into total confusion for awhile," a quote I once read, and posted on My Quotes. I do a lot of quoting in my posts from songs, quotes, books, and scripture that I think explain, in better words than my own, what I am feeling, contemplating and learning in my life. My own words, I think, might lead to total confusion, because I am still a "work in progress." It just seems best if I don't say anything sometimes.

Living in Faith. Learning, maturing, then failing, then humility, grace and dependence on God. I will have struggles every day and weaknesses that God will not take away, to keep me dependent on Him. I will never have it "all together" or I'm just fooling myself, my loved ones and God. "Trusting God and others with who we really are" (from a book I am currently reading, TrueFaced), and accepting ourselves and others including all our failures and weaknesses might seem crazy but it is refreshing. God can use me even when I am weak, because He is strong, and when I fail, He succeeds. That is enough for me to live, some days in total confusion...

a typical night at our home: the kids painted themselves, and me, as wild animals, then went in the backyard and acted like wild animals! :)

looking back

2010-02-04T08:37:00.000-08:00

August 17, 2005. I have been a stressed-out, crazy mom this month, which makes me impatient and explosive. Brianna (2) is extremely sensitive, even if I yell at Dom (4) she starts crying. I left the room after I exploded one time and heard Dominick start singing a funny song to her, his "silly face" song and dance, until she started laughing. Then he came to me with a huge grin, "it's ok mom, Brianna is happy again!" As if all that mattered in his life was his little sister being happy :) Thank you Lord for giving Brianna a great big brother!

This explosive behavior comes from years and years, at least since junior high, of dealing with depression. I just started reading TrueFaced, the other book by the author's of Bo's Cafe, and it starts with addressing our dreams and hopes. We all have them, and some of us think some of our dreams come from God. The authors explain, if those dreams seem like they're just not playing out how you imagined, remember that "God's dreams for you are ultimately not really about you...But God's dreams take form only when they are about others, for the benefit of others." I have one of those dreams, if not more, that has not played out fully, yet. And it has everything to do with others, and as much as I believe I only play a small role in it "for" God, my pride has sometimes gotten in the way, and my depression always gets in the way. Depression is a state of mind that not only causes you to feel overwhelmed by everything, even the little things in your life, and to not have enough motivation and energy for anything, but to also always be thinking about "me". I struggle so much with it because I don't like to think about myself. I desire to serve others and think of others first, so it causes a huge battle inside of me. If I don't talk to anyone, it bottles up and finally explodes, usually in anger because I get so angry with myself for letting it control my thoughts.

December 17, 2005. Dominick came up with a great idea so I told him he is a good thinker. He said "I'm not a thinker mom...I just know everything!"

This is like the pride I have dealt with. I think I know everything! I don't need more advice. "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a [wo]man, I put childish ways behind me." 1 Corinthians 13:11. What does it take to become a man? Growth and maturity, learning new things, usually through discipline and instruction from our parents. The depression humbled my pride, but it also allows God to teach me new things. When I am at my weakest, I finally listen. I am still growing and maturing, leaning on God to teach me what He knows. "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" 2 Corinthians 12:5-10.

My changes

2010-02-01T20:33:00.000-08:00

I made some changes to my blog. I don't think it is fair to title it "our" family when it is "my" thoughts and opinions and views. Most of it was, and will still at times be about our family, our kids, and our experiences, but it is all written by "me". It is not selfishness, it is a new understanding.

I haven't written much on this blog lately. Typical for me, it's hard to write or talk when I'm in low places, trying to chase the blues away. This one is different, though. I understand fully now it's part of me, this is how God created me. These cycles are inevitable, but I have hope and find encouragement in knowing I can endure and survive (come safely through) with God's help, His grace and love...instead of getting angry that He would let me suffer something that also effects my family, and then want to give up because I wasn't who I thought I should be, then get angry again that I would let myself think that...on and on... "The bridge between our Faith and Hope [what I was missing before] is God's promises." I remembered God told me a looong time ago to serve Him even through the pain and that He is there, He is great and He loves me. Even. That caught my attention this time. God knew I would go through pain, but I needed to trust and learn more and let go of much. I simply needed to accept God's grace to work in me even through the pain. I can't give up because there are 3 special, precious kids that need me: I love you Dominator, noble Brianna and silly Isaac!

Love

2010-01-10T20:43:00.000-08:00

I mentioned in my post about Faith, written November 2nd, that Love is something I'm praying for more of. It became clear to me how important Real Unconditional Love was in my life. I quoted 1 Corinthians 13:13 "these 3 remain: faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love." but the actual scripture God showed me at that time was 1 Corinthians 13:2 "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."
When we pray for a Godly attribute, like patience, most of us know we usually have to go through trials to sharpen that character instead of just receiving it right away. Well trials I am in and it's hard.
I love Mark 12:30 so I framed it and hung it on my wall a long time ago and wrote it like this: "Love the Lord your God with all you Heart (emotional), with all your Soul (spiritual), with all your mind (mental) and with all your Strength (physical)." That pretty much covers every part of our being! In all our emotions, feelings, spirit, thoughts and body, our inner and our outer...we are to Love God! In fact, Jesus says this is the greatest commandment. "The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:28-31.
but right now, My heart is broken, my soul is empty, my mind is lost and my strength is weak and weary. What more of me can I give? I'm an exhausted mother who has been through too many trials. I feel like I'm going backwards instead of forwards. I feel like, I am nothing.

"Hungry" I come to You for I know You satisfy.
I am empty but I know Your love does not run dry.
and I wait.

I'm falling on my knees offering all of me.
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for.
Broken I run to You for Your arms are open wide.
I am weary but I know Your touch restores my life.
so I'll wait for You
so I'll wait for You

Our Family Christmas

2009-12-31T15:49:00.000-08:00

The week of Christmas we watched lots of Christmas movies, including Polar Express, and did all our Christmas shopping in 2 days!

Christmas Eve-Eve we had dinner with Great-Grandpa and Mackie.

Christmas Eve we celebrated Christmas with the Eymann family.

Christmas Morning we opened our stocking presents (not too early, we all slept in from a fun Christmas-Eve) then the Lewis family came to our house to celebrate Christmas. I think the Smashing Hit this year was BOZO!

12 Days of Christmas

2009-12-14T00:38:00.000-08:00

last year I wrote about the meaning of each of the twelve days of Christmas. You can see all 12 posts here.

this year, on the 1st day of Christmas, we have no snow and the kids get to go to school. We got our perfect Christmas tree from Grandpa's Christmas tree farm again:Brianna was kinda cold and grumpy, but she enjoyed watching Uncle Sam breaking an ice block (from a water bucket that froze last week) and helped him carry our Christmas tree: but it's not fully decorated yet because I'm missing my merry elves! My 3 playful reindeer would rather play with the Christmas train!

No Shame

2009-12-07T08:23:00.001-08:00

I recently finished a great book, Bo's Cafe, which is for those who "harbor a longing to be authentic", who want to live an open, honest life and have genuine, true relationships.
As usual, with my writings, I didn't know how to start this post, or title it, but was given the answer last week, right after I finished the book. We were relaxing at the kids' Christmas play practice, talking about getting cookies for after the performance. Pastor Bob said he could get them because he loves going to Costco. He likes to go in the middle of the day when they have all the samples of food out. He goes around the whole store sampling everything, does his shopping, takes off his coat and/or hat, then goes around the store again, getting to sample everything a second time! :) big smile by me. Brenda says, "no shame! hehe" That's it, I say! no shame. Why do some people have a hard time being open and honest, whether it's a matter of morals or sin or just other people's opinions?! I too have gone back for seconds at Costco, especially for another drink. They always have plenty of food samples, but only one juice sample! How many people would not confess they've had more than one sample of their favorite thing at Costco because they're worried about people judging them?

"Down in that city, millions of people are hiding stuff, presenting only what they think they can control. They carry around guilt or anger or bottled-up hurt and don't have any idea where to put it. It eats at them..." I was one of these people for a long time. Just ask my husband. He thinks I still am ;) But I know where to put it now. Jesus took it from us. I believed in Jesus at a young age, but it took me a long time to truly receive God's gift of grace (God's Riches At Christ's Expense) Like the book says, "will grace finally win?" This is a quote from facebook: "you have to pass through a dark night of the soul. Everyone does. A time comes when what you have always believed is true melts away underneath you. When you cast in doubt even the most obvious, the most simple. When it seems that dark night is all around, and you are all alone, take heart, this journey through the abyss is the final barrier before your emergence into the heavenly light of a new synthesis of your being. God is waiting for you on the other side."

A Safe Place. "If you're tired of the cycle (I am!) and actually consider some of this, you might just get healthy....What if there was a place safe enough to tell the worst about you and still be loved just as much, if not more, for sharing it? Safe is a place where you can get out the worst about you and they don't run you off or talk you down...it's having someone to stand with when you start to face the shameful stuff...where you don't have to hide or fake or pretend or bluff...It's real hard to watch someone cover pain with something that makes them hurt even more." I want to be a safe place for others and long for being in a safe place.

What is Grace? "It's a lot different than trying to love others or God enough. It's learning to say, 'if God says I'm worthy of being loved, then I'm worthy.'" The definition from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary is: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification. Another definition is: unmerited favor; kindness from God we don't deserve.

So what happens when you receive God's grace and you can share openly and honestly in a safe place? "Your stuff starts to get resolved! It'll feel like you've opened Pandora's box. Because now you know you, and all the garbage inside. And you're terrified someone else will now see it. But here's the difference-It won't matter to you anymore. If they see the truth about you, you'll actually be happy...because you'll see all your junk now only through God's eyes, through the eyes of love, not condemnation...Protective Love creates vulnerability. It'll begin to free and heal you."

The book is mostly about the husband, who has anger issues, but it kept nagging at me while I was reading, what about the wife? I saw myself in her and knew something wasn't right with her either. I'm not pointing the finger saying I'm suffering from the same, or even different, issues inflicted on her, but at her reactions. Finally, at the end of the book it was addressed. It is precisely what I need to work on. "I became convinced I was a better person than____And I held it over him. God was freeing him, and at home I was retying all the knots. I thought I had to be in control to get my life back...And slowly life leaked out of my husband." I've said before I struggle with pride and I'm afraid it has created issues in my marriage and I need to ask for forgiveness, hon.

"Don't be afraid. I know who you are. You know too much to listen to the lies now. Nothing to come can change that. I've got your back."

"Integrity is proven when you admit what you can't do and honor what you say you can."

Quotes from Bo's Cafe written by John Lynch, Bill Thrall and Bruce McNicol. A great book!

look at me now through God's eyes and help me by pointing out my issues when they surface again rather than believing they are all that I am.

the ladies are getting into the Christmas spirit!

2009-12-05T21:14:00.000-08:00

Friday night I attended Gladstone 1st Baptist's women's Christmas dessert! The last times I attended were with Nana Lewis and Grandma Johnson...It is always a truly peaceful, lovely time to prepare our hearts and mood for the joyous Christmas season! This year, preschool teacher Joy Pyles, decorated a table and invited the Sonshine preschool teachers :

Thank you ladies! :)

Countdown to Christmas

2009-12-01T23:00:00.000-08:00

We started our advent chain December 1st.

This year we added a color for Isaac. 3 kids, thankfully there are 3 colors for Christmas.

Dom is red, Bri is green (seems backwards but Dom's favorite color is red, I think because mom's favorite color is green and he likes to be different) and Isaac is white :)

Each day one of them gets to tear off the chain of their color, we read the verse written on it, a chronological story of the birth of Jesus I arranged, then put a character from the advent calendar on the felt nativity scene, Brianna's favorite thing to do.

We look forward to Christmas!

Angelwalk

2009-11-30T17:52:00.000-08:00

"Present your bodies a living sacrifice...But is a body riddled with the residue of mindless consumption....is such a body truly, truly, truly a living sacrifice...bodies are to be worthy as well as living...But this is the world. The domain of the flesh."
The angel, on his walk through the history and future of the world, to see for himself what Lucifer has been condemned to Hell for, says of this world, "If I had a stomach, if there were bowels within me, I would be in great distress. I would vomit up the sickness that grips me from within like that which I see without."
The angel met several people on his walk, after their spirit left their dead body, he talked with them briefly before their spirit was taken to heaven or to hell. While they were alive, he watched, invisible to them, and learned...a Philosopher was my favorite character, of course. He said "...I began a slow climb back to faith...and I came to believe. Skepticism reared up from time to time, a dragon that had to be fought back constantly. I don't think it is ever really slain. I think it retreats in many of us, waiting for events or circumstances or people or a combination thereof to resurrect it with special ferocity. Becoming a Christian doesn't banish the Devil from us for the rest of our days. It seems to me that the evil one is, rather, driven to a redoubling of his efforts when one over whom he once held sway breaks loose......He caused our sin nature from the very beginning [in Eden]. He can hook those without Christ in the same way a pusher hooks a soon-to-be-drug-addict. Once the obsession, the addiction, is commenced, all he has to make sure of is there is a supply around to entice, to maintain the addiction. He himself is certainly not necessary in this regard. People aid his awful designs...Satan created this kind of atmosphere, the moral, spiritual atmosphere which we breathe today. A brilliant chap...his handiwork saves him a great deal of legwork."
It is a good book, Angelwalk by Roger Elwood. These are excerpts because I could not say it any better. I'm definitely not a writer. Another excerpt, from the afterword, describes precisely what I took from this book, "...if this book has moved us, then there's no escape. We're trapped. There's only one thing left. It's to ask, 'Lord, what will You have me to do?' And mean it."

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T03:34:00.000-08:00

Psalm 136 "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever...Give thanks to the God of Heaven. His love endures forever."I am so thankful for the food and fun and our family we got to share it with! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Obsessed

2009-11-18T22:54:00.000-08:00

Matthew 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." In Dekker's book I just finished, he expands on this: "unless you, too, obsess after God's kingdom, like this man did over his treasure, you will not find it. Knock and keep on knocking. Seek and keep on seeking..."

Lately, I have been obsessed with Leaves. Yes, leaves. Looking for perfect yellow, red or orange leaves that have fallen from the trees. For preschool art projects. But I keep obsessing and collecting and you might find leaf art all over my house come Thanksgiving! I can't wait until all the leaves have fallen and are raked up so I can quit obsessing.

I am like this, too, about Heaven. We were not created to live in this sinful world, with all the problems we face every day. We were made to live with a perfect God, in a perfect place, *Heaven* I will obsess about it until the day I finally arrive. I can't wait!

Uncle Kevin and Dr. Resh

2009-11-08T23:02:00.000-08:00

The kids are sure going to miss Uncle Kevin and Auntie Resh (Dr. Resh according to Isaac!) when they move to Denver :( We look forward to them being at our home for the holidays! :)
Thank you so much for bringing over yummy ribs and eating and visiting with us tonight!

We (L)OVE you!!!

soccer is over!

2009-11-07T20:04:00.000-08:00

Brianna's last soccer game was today! It was a short game, though, because the thunder rolled and the lightning struck!She's not upset about being cold and miserably wet, apparently mom said something she didn't like before the game. But that didn't stop her from playing hard!It was a fun season and we met new friends! :)and Isaac LOVED going to Brianna's soccer games!

My life is an open book

2009-11-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

I was born May 6, 1978, aka 5-6-78...5-6-7-8! means I was born to dance! =) I love to dance.
I am the oldest of 6 kids-3 girls, 3 boys. My youngest sibling is 13 years younger than me. A big family is a challenge but a blessing.
I am an extreme perfectionist. OCD! Everything around me needs to be orderly, clean, organized, chronological, etc. or I will freak out.
I asked Jesus to live in my heart when I was 5 years old at a Summer Bible Camp at Gladstone First Baptist Church; I prayed with Teri.
My dad was music leader and Youth Pastor at Gladstone First Baptist Church 1981-1985. I met Tyler there when I was 3, he was 5. We (my family and the Lewis families) left the church in 1985. had something to do with Teri.
My dad was a Pastor at Spirit, Love & Truth, a non-denominational Church 1986-1992. PK! It was a small church, half of it was Lewis families! ;)
As early as I can remember, about age 6, every wish and prayer was to marry Tyler Lewis! :)
I did gymnastics year-round from age 5, at Sunburst and Portland Gymnastics Center, until about age 11 or 12. I can still do backflips and the splits.
I went to Parkrose public Elementary School, then Portland Christian Junior High and High School.
In 8th grade, I started Running. I averaged 30-40 miles/week until I was 23 and had kids; 10 years of running 6 days a week. Now I’m lucky to run 1 day a week, but I still enjoy it.
I have always been really shy, social anxiety, and struggle with feeling judged. (nobody likes me, guess I’ll go eat worms…was my favorite song through school) I had eating problems in High School and over-exercised to feel better about myself (Tyler was my cure)
I draw (pencil sketches), play the piano, dance, run and read lots of books, including the Bible, all of which I would do more of if I had the time. Now I color with my kids, play chopsticks with my kids, dance with my kids, run around the house chasing my kids and read stories, including the Bible, to my kids!
In High School I played Volleyball, Soccer, Cheerleading for boys basketball and Track. I set a school record in the Triple Jump.
I would have been the #1 Cheerleader in 1A/2A/3A at the State Competition my Senior year, if I didn’t break a safety rule by dropping into splits without hands, but I still made the top 10 All-State team. (just meant no scholarship for me, but I wasn’t planning to go to college anyways =)
My first kiss was a month before I turned 16, after Tyler and I finally started dating. Tyler was my first kiss and the only person I’ve kissed :*
I was engaged to Tyler on December 23, 1995, after he finally asked my dad for his blessing. I was a Senior in High School, only 17 years old!
I got straight A’s in High School. I was a 4.0 Valedictorian with my friends, Sami & Lexi.
I was married August 10th, 1996, at Gladstone First Baptist Church, 2 months after I graduated High School! (This was what I wanted since I was 6, remember?!) I was 18, Tyler was 20.
My first alcoholic drink was on my 21st birthday, on a dinner-date with my husband. I wish I could remember what my first drink was? I love a glass of wine now in the evening to help relax.
I was pregnant with my first child at age 22. I prayed he would be early and small (instead of 4 weeks past the due date like my mom’s first child-me!) Dominick was born 2 months early, because my water broke, the same week as my birthday and Mother’s Day! He was 4lb 3oz. Easy delivery. Healthy, small baby!
21 months later, baby #2 was so easy I said "I could do this again!" after she popped out. I prayed for a girl that would be outgoing and like to talk to her mother (unlike my mom’s first child-me!) Brianna was 6lb10oz. 110% Girl. When she was 5 she told me one night in bed, “I want to talk about something but I can’t think of something to say, wait, it’s coming up…” She’s a talker! Getting her to be quiet is the challenge ;)
4 years later, our 3rd child was a surprise. The ultrasound looked like a girl so we thought we were having Abigail until, after the longest and most painful labor ever, we were surprised with baby Boy Lewis! Isaac, which means laughter, was 7lb11oz. I still think at times my life would be easier with just the older 2 kids but Isaac makes us laugh all the time and, of course, our family would not be as good without him!
I have fought depression my whole life. I think it's a spiritual battle that should be battled with prayer, but after one of my longest episodes and persistent suicide thoughts, I got on medication about 2 years ago. It also helps my social anxiety =)
I was laid off summer of 2008 by my employer of 12 years, Fidelity National Title Company. Good thing I was on medication! hehe. Now I am a preschool teacher at Sonshine Preschool at Gladstone First Baptist Church and I LOVE my job! Happiness is worth more than money :)
I love our church, Faith Evangelical Church, we started attending a few years ago and they are family! I know we live in a Spiritual world. I've seen angels and demons. I can't wait to see God! And spend Eternity with Him and His Son, Jesus!

I wrote this a year ago on Facebook, in response to a Note thread that was being passed around. I thought I should share this before my next post, which is a very personal confession of the struggles I live with. Despite the many answered prayers and blessings God has given us, there will still be struggles. We're only human. But we can learn to Trust God and grow in our Faith. God is in control of our lives and "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the Day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Faith

2009-11-02T15:44:00.000-08:00

Kutless, speaking about their new album, It Is Well, say "in our weakness we see how strong God is." Expanding on this, they wrote beautiful words in my new favorite song, What Faith Can Do: "Everybody falls sometimes, you gotta find the strength to rise...you're stronger than you know, don't give up now, the sun will soon be shining, you gotta face the clouds to find the silver lining...Impossible is not a word, it's just a reason for someone not to try...life is so much more than what your eyes are seeing...I've seen dreams that move the mountains, hope that doesn't ever end even when the sky is falling. I've seen miracles just happen, silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new, that's what faith can do...Even if you fall sometimes, you will have the strength to rise." :)

Prayer is our greatest act of Faith. I wrote about the Book of Hours, and how it impacted me, reminding me of the importance and power of prayer, humbling me to my knees. I wanted to write a follow-up, but so much has happened since that book, I keep re-writing my ideas for a follow-up! It started at Prayer, but what do I need to pray about? "The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26. I was directed to 1 Corinthians 13. I needed more Love. "These three remain: faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13. Then I read another book by T. Davis Bunn, The Quilt, a short story of an elderly woman in her last days of life sewing her last quilt, with the help of younger family members and friends. The purpose of the quilt was the process of making it: "you have to say a prayer of thanks with each stitch sewn." She shared her life's memories, the good with the bad. "The Lord holds me always in His love; always there, always loving, always giving, always healing. At my weakest, the Lord is strongest...one of the most basic responsibilities we have, we must glorify our God and we must give thanks to Him, and I'm not just talking about some little act we can take on when times are good and there's a few extra minutes!" Romans 1:21 says "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." So I started thanking God for everything in my life, even the bad, and then, I was led face to face with my weaknesses, things I've tried to bury and hide. Then I received Kutless' new album IT IS WELL, and came back to the beginning: Faith.

My Dad's Stories of Faith are amazing! (you should read them) They are amazing because they are stories that have somewhat of a happy ending. They have already been lived out, fought through with prayerful tears, heartaches and promises, and we are reading them now with the big picture revealed. But in the midst of a Faithful life, it doesn't seem amazing and sometimes not too happy, because we don't see the big picture yet. But God sees the big picture and we can be strong even in our weakest times, because "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength...So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you." Isaiah 40:29-31, 41:10.

The promise of 3 demons. I will use the word struggle (Ephesians 6:12) but you can call it what you want: weakness, struggle, sin or demon. It's all the same. If it's keeping us from the presence of God, then it's from the enemy, but God can use the enemy's evil influence and struggles to develop and mature us. I already knew what I struggled with when I found out as an adult that my dad was told when I was a child I would have 3 specific struggles. We don't know exactly what they were but I know what I struggle with, and boy, oh boy, it is hard to overcome a struggle. I should know. I've been stuck on that roller coaster of life for many, many years, always having to overcome the same struggles, again and again, wondering when will it end? Can there be a full deliverance of this struggle so I don't have to deal with it again? I've struggled with doubt as a result of these questions, but Faith has long since overcome that struggle. I've learned that God gives and takes in His timing, and He allows some of the thorns to stay so we will learn things like Trust and Faith! And I also think if you're truly striving to live a Faithful, fruitful life, Satan will try harder to hold you down in your struggles. Yikes! I had had enough with my struggle of Purity about 5 years ago. Here I insert that I think names are powerful and important: the meaning of Kari is Pure. It is what I've always wanted to be, even before I realized this. And so the meaning of my name is my biggest struggle. A quote I just read in a book by Ted Dekker: "A path leading to purity will cross enough challenges to make the human head spin! It's not only arriving at the conclusion of purity, which is so thrilling, but it's the journey; overcoming the challenges, each passed and won presents a new level of satisfaction." 5 years ago I opened my heart and shared my impure thoughts with a friend, but I didn't receive the help and encouragement I was hoping for. Instead I was told these kind of thoughts are a normal human thing, so it's ok, and I shouldn't be so hard on myself for not being perfect. But I don't think perfection and purity are the same thing. I know humans can't be perfect and I was striving for "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1 Timothy 1:5. Needless to say, I haven't opened my heart to anyone since then, and probably not fully to myself or God either. Which leads me to my next struggle, Depression. It has always been there, as early as I can remember. It's the worst roller coaster ride you could possibly imagine going on. Imagine shooting up to the Heavens in a rocket ship fueled by prayer, suddenly losing gas, and falling fast, but a little gas (prayer) suddenly kicks in so you blast up again, then fall, this time a little further before the gas (prayer) kicks in, then up again, and so it goes for many, many years, until you have no gas left so your rocket crashes on bare land. Ouch. I crashed a few years ago and I resorted to meds to pick up the broken pieces of my life. And they helped. But they didn't get rid of the struggle, they just hid it. And my other struggles got more show time. Pride. The lowest point of my falls is medically called depression, and there is medication for it, but the highest points, spiritual highs, now there is no medical diagnosis, in fact, in this success driven world, this behavior is ratified. But I know it's wrong. "Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." 1 Peter 5:5-6. When I confront my struggle of Pride, I am humbled, which is a nice way of saying I am completely embarrassed. Having your heart, your innermost thoughts and feelings, opened up on the medical examining table is quite disconcerting. But this time I did not crash. I am not taking my meds as of few months ago, slowly decreasing, then needing them no more. And the Lord has shown me a lot. He is teaching me the fine balance between the high and low struggles, and is unveiling the big picture to me. "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt...you can say to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:21-22.

Prayer is powerful! A wise mom told me that we are giving the enemy opportunity to drive his claws into innocent victims. Our kids! are innocent! I have thought of this before but was not ready to accept it or see how it applies to me so clearly as I do now. I know what struggles I need to pray against in my life and in my kids' lives. And we wonder why our kids turn out just like us..."[God] maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." Exodus 34:7. Makes you want to cast out all your struggles/sins/demons right now, doesn't it?! Have Faith! God wants to help us. That's why He's written out exactly what to do in The Bible! "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God...the belt of Truth...the breastplate of Righteousness...the gospel of Peace...the shield of Faith...the helmet of Salvation...the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And PRAY in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying!" Ephesians 6:12-18. Amen.

Last soccer game

2009-10-31T22:00:00.000-07:00

It was a hard game to end on. Played at our least favorite field (luckily the Indian's fans weren't there, just a small group of nice Estacada and Gladstone parents and friends!) we lost 0-2 against Estacada, who goes on to play North Marion, the winner goes to State Playoffs.

It was hardest for our Senior goal keeper, Scott, and all 12 Seniors. We're all sad when it's over but we had a great year to be proud of! Despite injuries early in the season and losing our leading scorer, we made it to League playoffs! Being the Coach's personal secretary and a cheering fan for 10 years, it's hard for me to say good-bye to the Senior's and their parents. :( But some will be back soon! :) Here's to the future:
Trick-or-Treating with the Trosts! We had a fun Halloween with our friends! :)

GHS Varsity Soccer boys

2009-10-29T14:51:00.001-07:00

We took the boys to the beach October 9th for 3 days, 2 nights! It was a sunny, warm weekend on the Oregon Coast: We all had fun in the sun; in the water and in the sand!
It wasn't all fun and games. The boys had to cook the meals and clean-up after each meal. Well, they sometimes had fun doing that too:

After the sun set on our last night...the boys built a BIG bonfire:

Last weekend they came over to our house for Coach's Rib Feast:

We sure do enjoy this time of year...going to soccer games, making new friends, and having a fun time with the "soccer boys" (it's what our kids call them)!

It's been another exciting year! Tonight is their last game, at home, and I heard they play Saturday in League Playoffs :) Congrats Coach and "soccer boys"!

New dishwasher

2009-10-25T03:43:00.000-07:00

Our old dishwasher stopped working about 5 months ago, I finally bought and installed a new one about 1 month ago, tonight I finally re-installed the floor in front of it and cleaned the kitchen (I finally have a reason to clean the house) so I can finally take a picture: Finally. matching white appliances!

Thank you Eric and Jill for the stove! Thank you credit card points for the dishwasher.

gone fishing

2009-10-21T22:47:00.000-07:00

The salmon are running in Grandpa's creak! Dominick had a fun and succesful time fishing with his Uncle Jon and Uncle Sam. :)They caught 2 salmon! One was soooo big :O Now mommy needs to smoke them. smoked salmon. yum!

Croup

2009-10-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

Isaac woke up early Tuesday morning, almost a week ago, with a croupy cough. His breathing became more difficult, getting worse at night, causing a trip to the hospital. Upper Respiratory Infection, aka. a cold, which is a viral infection of the air passages leading to the lungs. It caused Croup, which is inflammation of the larynx, and in young kids and babies, with smaller throats, this can be scary. They gave him a steroid to open up his air passages that should last 72 hours. It lasted 72 hours but he wasn't better, his breathing got worse and he began having wheezing, coughing attacks. Papa's nebulizer came in handy to help him breath, but Friday night we had to go to the hospital again. It's so hard watching your child struggling to breath and their little body shaking with every cough.
Monday morning he woke up sounding a lot better, just in time to see his Dr. for follow-up. Everything checked out normal and healthy, except an awful sounding cough, but finally he is getting better! In fact, he jumped up on the table and sang (through a mask) to the whole doctor's office! :)

Book of Hours

2009-10-13T12:31:00.000-07:00

I just finished a wonderful book, The Book of Hours by T. Davis Bunn, from the Faith Church library. It reminded me of the importance of prayer, not just in the morning, with meal and before bed, but "Seven times a day do I praise thee" [Psalm 119: 164]

A little bit about the book..."After his wife's death, Brian's days and hours became a meaningless blur. But, after travelling for two years and recovering from a tropical fever, he finally goes to the English village of Knightsbridge to confront the inheritance of his wife's aunt's Castle Keep. It was her dying wish for him to return to the place she grew up in and where she faced her fears, learned about God and knew that the Castle's secrets would help him heal. When he arrives, though, he hears the tragic news that the Castle is being auctioned off in 7 days due to overdue death taxes. At first he doesn't care, ready to move on, but after finding a personal, touching letter from the Castle's deceased master Heather, his wife's aunt, he is led on a search for more letters and secrets that lay in the Castle grounds. At the same time the Village is in the process of voting for or against the restoration of the 7 church's bells, which used to ring on the hour all day and night. Brian learns about the heritage of the church bells as a signal to pray every hour, and as he comes to love Castle Keep and the village, he turns to the power of prayer as he tries to solve Castle Keep's mystery and find healing."

The Book of Hours and the meaning of the ringing of Church Bells was something I didn't really know about or understand, so of course I did some research online.

The Book of Hours was written in the thirteenth century in some European countries so the lay people could follow the practice of the monks and nuns, who prayed the Psalms and a variety of prayers, canticles, hymns, readings from the Bible, and dialogues composed in a complex book known as the breviary. The Book of Hours is a simpler book with basic content: calendar, Gospel readings, Prayers, Hours of the Virgin, Hours of the Cross, Hours of the Holy Spirit, Psalms, Office for the dead and Suffrages to Saints, according to Medievalist.net

I am not Catholic and follow only the teachings of the Bible, so this book is not something I would use, but it is a great idea to follow these traditions of praying throughout the day, which I used to do before 3 kids and a busier schedule kept my mind occupied. So I set some reminders on my cell phone, for certain hours every day, to the tune of the door bell ring, which sounds a little like the church bells, to remind myself to say a short or long, as needed, prayer. Today I got to put it into practice for the first time. Since I was not able to help at preschool, due to a sick Isaac, I prayed for each kid specifically and the teachers, at each time I knew what was going on at the school. I hope to hear that the day, Tuesday being the hardest day, went smoothly, but mostly praying for it gave me peace about not being there to help. For it is not me that can change, help and teach these children, but The Holy Spirit working through me, and through everyone involved in the kids' daily life.

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is anyone sick?...And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well...The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" James 5:13-16.

Romans 8:26. look it up.

bike-a-thon

2009-10-09T01:37:00.000-07:00

Sonshine Preschool had a bike-a-thon this week to raise money to provide playground equipment for the new outdoor playground. It was a success!

This week Dom and Bri's school also had their annual jog-a-thon to raise money for all their field trips and extracurricular activities.

It's not too late to pledge money for Dom and Bri if you can. They would be grateful!

These are my favorite kind of fundraisers :)

Swine Flu

2009-10-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

It's going around because, guess what, it's flu season. I am not writing to scare you, but to inform you: the H1N1 virus is just another type of flu virus. It is a new virus, though, so most of us don't have any immunity to it yet. I've heard about people I know who recently were diagnosed with it and, since Brianna has been sick for a few days, I was reading online and found some good resources.

According to Pediatrics.com the symptoms can include:
*fever, usually high and can be intermittent (the person I know had a high fever for a few days, but with some periods of relief)
*cough
*runny or stuffy nose
*sore throat
*body aches and/or headache
*chills
*fatigue or tiredness
*diarrhea and vomiting
More serious symptoms that indicate needing immediate medical attention:
*fast breathing or trouble breathing
*bluish or gray skin color
*not drinking enough fluids
*severe or persistent vomiting
*not waking up or interacting
*so irritable that they don't want to be held or touched
*flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse symptoms

People most at risk for the H1N1 virus are pregnant women, people with a chronic medical condition such as asthma or diabetes, and people with obesity.

Swine Flu, like all viruses, spreads by direct contact with respiratory secretions, such as coughing and sneezing close to you or into their hand then touching something that you come into contact with while the germ survives for no more than a few hours.

An interesting site is the Swine Flu Map. It shows that there are cases in every State! Oregon, and the majority, currently have 100-499 reported cases. Several States have over 500 reported cases.

Another good site is Everyday Health. The problem with H1N1 is it's more contagious and lasts longer than the common flu, so could develop into more serious complications.

The boy I know had symptoms, tested positive for H1N1, and was given a prescription which costs, even with insurance, about $80, which only shortens the duration of the virus a few days, which for those at high risk for developing more serious complications would make it worth the cost, but for a healthy kid, such as this case, they decided to wait it out and the symptoms went away in a few more days, lasting about a week.

Hopefully this gives you encouragement instead of fear. Wash your hands often. Cough and sneeze into your elbow/shoulder not your hands. Keep kids at home until they are without fever for 24 hours (used to be 12 hours, but since the H1N1 causes intermittent fevers, it is safer to wait for 24 hours now). And remember, God is in control! Matthew 6:25-34 "do not worry about your life...who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?..."

Soccer results

2009-10-07T23:24:00.000-07:00

half-way through League games, the results are: LaSalle and North Marion tied for 1st, Gladstone and Estacada tied for 2nd, Stayton close behind, Molalla, then Cascade. 3 teams from our League go to State playoffs. Good luck Gladstone!

Soccer update

2009-10-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

The boys Varsity team have had a good start this season! One game away from the first half of League games, then we play the 6 other teams in Capital League again...click here to see the scores of all the games we've played so far!
FANS IN THE STANDS:
ISAAC LOVES WATCHING SOCCER GAMES!GREAT-GRANDPA AND MACKIE COME TO EVERY GAME!

Uncle Bill and Shannon's Wedding

2009-09-26T23:11:00.000-07:00

The Lewis' have a new, beautiful member in our big family. We are blessed!

2nd Cousins Grace, Brianna, Isaac and Ali were a hit on the dance floor! Isaac loves to hug and kiss!

Miley Cyrus concert

2009-09-17T20:16:00.000-07:00

It was a fun experience for Brianna, Auntie Beth (happy birthday!) and Mommy. We had a good view of Miley Cyrus from the cheap seats:

The concert was not without Miley's family there also. Her family supports and helps her with her career. Her older, half-brother, Trace opened with his band Metro Station:

The concert was not without a grand entrance, with lights, smoke and the main star breaking through an "ice" cage: The concert was not without fire, head banging and screaming, and speaking of fire, it was not without a Hot star in trendy, indecent clothing:The concert was also not without amazing dancing and showy acrobatic stunts:The concert WAS without Hannah Montana, much to the disappointment of Brianna, and possibly several young girls I saw attending with their blond Hannah wigs on.

The concert was all Miley:

It made me think of of what Hannah's publicist in the Hannah Montana movie said: "you're not going to destroy their dreams are you, cause that's what Hannah's all about."

and her friend Lilly said in the movie: "Hannah's a part of you, don't let her go"

yes, it is just a movie, and it is just a tv show, but it is who the girls look up to, knowing that Miley Cyrus is also Hannah Montana and both, one and the same, sing inspirational songs the whole family enjoy, young and old. And that's the Miley I was expecting but didn't see much of.

I like what 104.1 the Fish's web director had to say in his Editorial: Miley Cyrus at a Fork in the Road: "...she stands on the brink of making weighty long-term adult decisions about her career, her image, the causes she gets behind…and the possible long-term ramifications of stupid choices...As with many before her...also grew weary of being thought of as teen stars doing teen roles. Consequently, their springboards into adulthood were marked by controversial and promiscuous movie roles, scant clothing, seductive song lyric content...A good amount of “trust capital” has been built up in the minds of parents and kids from Cyrus’ "Hannah Montana" product...Imagine what longevity her career would have from taking the “clean” high ground and offering a positive role model for young women; showing that girls don’t have to flaunt and flirt to get ahead in life. Wouldn’t it be great to see a courageous female entertainer prove that you can be a mega-star and still keep your dignity...Happy upcoming birthday Miley. Adulthood will bring you much freedom – but “to whom much is given, much is required.” "

1st day of School

2009-09-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

It's finally here! Brianna (1st grade) and Dominick (3rd grade) started school today!
It's going to be a great school year.

Before:After:ahhhh, it was a good day for all of us!

Soccer Season has begun

2009-09-12T17:28:00.000-07:00

Gladstone HS Varsity boys had their first game Tuesday, September 8th. They won 3-1 against Elmira! Thursday they travelled to Lincoln City to play Taft, "a top 15 team in Oregon, a good test for the team", and tied 1-1 (should have been 1-0 since the ref called Taft's goal offsides but the center ref overruled.) good result, nonetheless. Today was the Catlin Gabel tournament and they played Astoria, De La Salle, Valley Catholic and Rex Putnam. Lost 2, Tied 1 and Won 1. It's been a good start to the 2009 season! This post has the season schedule. I didn't go to the tournament this year, not just because it is a long, hot day and who knows what mess Isaac would get into this year, but...Brianna had her first Micro soccer game for this year! She is the 4th from the right. Looks like she had a lot of fun, big smile! :)

Dom is taking a year off but we watched his teammates, U9 Gladstone boys, and best friend Konnor's game today. It is such a difference from Micro to U9, but it's all about having fun and I always say, it's just a game!

Stories of Faith

2009-09-11T22:21:00.001-07:00

I am excited to share with everyone that my dad, aka Pastor Dave, started a blog! We had a discussion about the differences between facebook, twitter and blogging and he finally said, "all I want to do is write short stories for people to read, without having to publish them." I replied, "that's a blog!"
so here it is: Dave Eymann's Stories of Faith

I was getting into the mood already, but it has inspired me to start writing more, of past experiences, more "looking back" posts, and share how our family's faith has grown, from a little 6 year old girl making wishes on every dandelion parachute, to a blessed mother of 3 and married 13 years to the boy I "wished" for.

I tried to be good, but I got bored

2009-09-10T21:57:00.000-07:00

The shirt explains it all
a very active 2 year old, who finally got a haircut. He's just "being a boy" Loves to make messes!
:)

Reality

2009-09-09T07:53:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's hard to know what is reality. When I awaken from a world of dreams into the world I live, my mind is clouded with mixed feelings: stirring dreams from the night before, good and bad memories from the days past and determined ambition for the day ahead. Some days life feels like a dream and it is hard to get a grasp on reality. Maybe it is blurry from a sleep-deprived mom of a 2-year old who still wakes up 2, 3 or 4 times throughout the night; Maybe it is drained from a mom of 3 active, strong-willed children; Maybe it is abandoned from a woman who thinks too much and longs for simplicity, order and help. The only reality that is consistent is God. I hold onto my Faith in this, that God is in control of my life. He is my reality. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me." Philippians 1:21-22.

Potty-trained

2009-08-28T22:48:00.001-07:00

Isaac is potty-trained today! First day was a success!

As long as it is day and he is at home and he has no clothes on...he can go on his own in the toilet! Otherwise, we have an oops!

Boys Soccer Schedule

2009-08-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

Daily Doubles started! 2 weeks, then let the games begin! :)
http://www.gladstone.k12.or.us/ghs/Athletics/Schedules/Soccer_Boys.htm

An Egg-A-Day

2009-08-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

Marigold is laying an egg every day! We have 4 so I scrambled her 2nd one, the largest, and this is what I found:2 Yolks!

Yummy scrambled egg toast!

Chicken Eggs

2009-08-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

Grandpa found our first, actually second, egg! from our Red Hen, Marigold!I was told Chickens start laying at 6 months, Marigold is 3 months old, so I was not expecting this yet, but what a great surprise!

(L-R below) Marigold's first egg, second egg, grade AA Extra Large Egg from grocery store:

My Dom

2009-08-17T16:20:00.000-07:00

This is what Facebook says about being born in May:

Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislikes being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.

sounds like me and Dom :) "pessimistic perfectionist" Needless to say, I was at witt's end with him and I hope the next 2 weeks with Grammy and Gramps will cheer him up and give him a better attitude before school starts!

Happy Birthday Isaac!

2009-08-14T13:18:00.000-07:00

Isaac is 2 today!

Big Sunflowers

2009-08-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

Grandpa and Mackie can sure grow a large garden!

Home away from Home

2009-08-03T10:29:00.000-07:00

at Crooked River Ranch we swim a lot, go for walks a lot, hike and play a lot. hanging out at our cabin! It needs a little more fixin' up when we have time. At least it has A/C and cold water!

The evenings are the best time...sunsets, stars, the smell of the Junipers...

and, it sure is fun when we get visitors in our yard!

Other animals we find here...

It's a great place to take the kids!

Duplex update

2009-07-23T00:19:00.000-07:00

We had to evict some unpaying renters a couple months ago...

...who left the house and yard in a dirty, disgusting, desperate, dire, dismal, disastrous, desolate state...is that enough 'd' adjectives to describe the mess we had to clean up!

Tyler filled in the dog's hole in the backyard and planted grass...it's finally looking green back there now. We took 2 trailor loads to the dump and did some deep cleaning, then I started painting the whole interior (we painted the exterior a few months ago, and I still need to finish the trim...) We finally have new renters as of August 1st! after 4 months of no rent, this is a big relief! :)

Finley Family Gathering

2009-07-18T17:22:00.000-07:00

The Finley brothers and sisters, minus one...wish you were here G.G.!

Spouses, and all the cousins and 2nd cousins and....big family! looking good at 80+ :)

Summer-time!

2009-07-17T23:29:00.000-07:00

This is how we're spending our long, hot summer days =) Splashing in the hot tub, Jumping on the trampoline, Playing with friends! :)

Chasing Marigold and Little Pickle around the yard :)

Ashley and Anthony's wedding

2009-07-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

Tyler's cousin Ashley got married! Her daughter, Alizabeth, was born a month before Isaac (it was supposed to be Ali & Abi ;) haha...

the 2nd generation Lewis cousins: Our family:
Someone finally lost their 2 front teeth!! :D
The Bride was so kind enough to dance with the toothless girl! (since her dance partner kept falling on the ground!)
Many blessings to you Ashley and Anthony and Ali! :)

blogging

2009-07-09T22:44:00.001-07:00

I wish I had more time for this. but I get on facebook and end up chatting with friends and looking at their posts and pictures and I run out of time and energy to post on my blog. but I know a lot of family is not on facebook and looks to the blog for updates of our family. right? should I continue? I want to and I will try to. I have 1593 pictures from our 2 weeks in Germany, Denmark and Salzburg, Austria! :O I take a lot of pictures :)) I won't put all of them on here but I will make some time to post about our adventures in Europe...soon! but now I must sleep...

Day 5

2009-06-28T22:46:00.000-07:00

The day ended with a nice visit at Sandra's mom's home. Unfortunately my camera battery was dead by this time, but her mom's fiance took a few pictures of us visiting with her mom, Anette, and sister, Helena: The day started with a walk to a small church near Sandra's dad's home with Morten and their dog Cindy: It was a big sight-seeing day. Morten and Bettina took us to Odense, which is Denmark's third largest city, located on the island of Funen. To get there we drove across the (2nd) largest bridge in the world. 21 km (13.048795037 miles). and the toll is a lot!Odense is the town Hans Christian Andersen was born. We visited his museum:Houses use to be a lot smaller, or people use to be a lot shorter! We walked around the town of Odense, looked at the Protestant, Catholic and Baptist churches:

Tyler was amazed by the metal work that was done over 1000 years ago and the fact that we were walking on stone floors that are older than our Country! I walked inside the crypt (tomb) of King Knud, who was murdered in 1086. Then we drove to the romantic and peaceful island Taasinge south of Funen island and visited Valdemars Slot (Valdemars Castle), built by King Christian IV (1588-1648) between 1639 and 1644:

Day 4

2009-06-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

a surprise party for Sandra! We all knew about it for months, she had no clue! :)

Morten is a great party planner! A beautiful set-up in the back yard in the tent Morten and Bettina put up, the floor Tyler helped lay and the tables the girls decorated.

Fun time visiting, eating, drinking and laughing with friends and family! We sat with Sandra, her boyfriend Simon, her Aunt (Morten's sister) and cousin.Simon :D After hours of eating, we enjoyed the afternoon sun!

The boys had to show off their basketball skills of course :) and no one threw me in the pool because I was holding the camera!
After everyone left, we helped take down the tent, which turned out to be a fun family time. haha!

Then we relaxed and watched movies! Dirty Dancing!!! and the boys' favorite, with the loud surround sound, Top Gun!

Day 3

2009-06-26T22:46:00.000-07:00

9am, we went back to the airport to take a quick 2.5 hour flight from Munich to Copenhagen, Denmark. We were greeted at the airport by our sweet Sandra :) and her dad, Morten.
We rolled our luggage on the train, through Copenhagen, to Morten's office, then walked around Copenhagen, first stopping for a drink at a cafe :)
Denmark was voted the "happiest country in the world" and is also one of the top 7 most expensive countries in the world! The "European feeling" is the same, lots of people walking and riding bikes on the cobblestone around the city of big, old buildings and churches, but the canals and fancy cafes give it a euphoric feeling. "Love is in the air"

It was also graduation week for the high school seniors, who celebrate for 14 days drinking beer and driving around town in trucks, making lots of noise! fun traditions.

We stayed with Sandra's dad's family:

Morten and Bettina Christensen

Sandra's step-brother Nicolaj and step-sister Camilla, her sister Helena and her dog Cindy.

Day 1

2009-06-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

Our Eurotrip was sooooo fun, packed full of sight-seeing and visiting, I didn't have time to blog about it while we were there. Didn't have time when I got home either; 3 kids, summer-time, daily responsibilities...and you know me, with all my pictures and needing to put it in chronological order...ahaha! so here goes...

Tyler and I have been planning and saving $ to go to Germany since he got home from World Cup, 2006. Our families both have German background and his mom, daughter of an Army Major, lived in Germany when she was a kid. After hosting Sandra this last year, we also made plans to visit Denmark, so our trip turned into a 2 week adventure! We left Dominick and Brianna with Gramma and Grampa "in the woods" since they had summer camp there, at Eagle Fern Camp, and Isaac went to Grammy and Gramps' at the beach, after they dropped us off at the airport at 8am, Wednesday morning... We arrived in Munich, Germany the next morning, Thursday at 10am, after flying (and sleeping) for 13 hours. They are 9 hours ahead of our time here.

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

Day 2

Markus' mom and dad gave us a herzlich willkommen (warm welcome) at the airport! :) and drove us to their flat. It was like arriving at a fancy resort, with our favorite chocolate on our pillows!

We crammed our 3 big suitcases into Markus' little room, ate some home-cooked German lunch, met Markus' girlfriend, and got ready to see all of Munich in one day ;) Richard went back to work so we went with Sibylle and Markus, Markus drove :O seatbelts on!
first to Markus' school, which he was skipping today, then to a nearby See (lake), the tennis club, the sports club, soccer field, then downtown Munich. Tyler was impressed with his parallel parking! Heimstetten is sort of the town they live in, and we always drove by the brand-new XXXLutz on the way home. ahhhh, sweet Makus!! It was so wonderful to see you again! :) We love, love, love you!!!

Munich is the capital city of Bavaria, Germany and has about 1.36 million people. The city's motto is "München mag Dich" (Munich Loves You). Monks of the Benedictine order founded the city.
It is BIG, it is Beautiful and it is Bavarian! Yeah! Street cafes, pretzels, beer gardens, good beer and sausages! (the boys needed to stop and rest...haha)

and of course, lots of BIG, OLD buildings and Churches

The Churches really do take your breath away when you walk inside.

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T23:20:00.000-07:00

Happy Papa's Day! ...at Red Robin with my family...

Dom with his Uncles

Isaac holding cousin Shane!

Brianna is home

2009-06-19T22:44:00.000-07:00

We survived Sandra being gone, it helped seeing her and talking on Skype, but I can't mention her name or Brianna gets upset...

and many tears were shed when they found out a racoon got 2 of our chickens. We found "little puffball" and buried her. then we enjoyed a delicious dinner with Great-Grandpa and Mackie. Salmon and Oysters and vegetables from their garden!and I really did get a haircut today...I am ready for a fun Eurotrip with my hubby! :)))

Mama's Haircut

2009-06-18T23:06:00.000-07:00

and this is why I was scared to give Isaac a haircut...he decided to get back at me!I wondered what he was tapping my head with, then I turned around. :O

Baseball

2009-06-18T12:29:00.000-07:00

Dom's last game! At least for me...He has a game next Wednesday 6pm and the final tournament next Saturday morning, June 27th, but Mama and Papa will be in Denmark and Germany! :) :/what's wrong with this picture? Dom is sitting down in the 3rd inning! focus Dom!Here is proof Dom needs an audience when he plays (friend Konnor came last night)...he looks for us after he hit the ball! haha :D This is his thing. he loves it! and he is pretty good at it. Just needs more support. We love you Dom!

The Haircut

2009-06-18T11:52:00.000-07:00

Playing at the park during Dom's baseball game! "shlide, again!" Time for a haircut!

Trying...but he took the scissors!

All done...for now. looks a little more like a boy :)

my boys!

Lazy summer days!

2009-06-16T16:15:00.000-07:00

He needs a haircut soooo bad but he won't sit still long enough for me to cut it!

Isaac keeps me so busy...until he finally falls asleep!
Now it's time to put alotta clothes away! :) and dishes! :(

Bye-Bye Sandra

2009-06-15T05:24:00.000-07:00

Benihana sushi and grill with Gayle and Vanja (Swiss)The kids love her!Especially Brianna! It's gonna be hard for Bri when she gets home from Grammy's and Sandra is gone :((( It will be another "this is the worst day of my life..." :'(Uncle Kevin and Auntie ReshLast night-had Jamba Juice (thank you Auntie Beth!) Dutch Bros. strawberry, raspberry, lime Red Bull and Panda Express!!! Yum!Almost done packing!Airport at 3:30am...after staying up ALL night watching movies! :)HOME SWEET HOME!!! we miss you big sister!

First thing Dom said when he woke up was "Sandra is gone isn't she" :(

Later he told Auntie Beth, "I wish Sandra didn't have to leave, I don't even care that i get my blanket back I don't want her to go."

The next best thing: eating!

2009-06-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

Looks like I gained 400lb from eating this cake!!! (thank you Freddy) hahaha! :)))Isaac will eat anything! Tacos, onions....yep, just about anything! :)And after eating, he will amaze you with his spoon trick! ;)And then do my most favorite thing of all: sleeping! :D

Sandra's Graduation

2009-06-10T23:19:00.000-07:00

Gladstone Graduation at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall at 8pm

Gladstone was the smallest class graduation we attended, but it was the longest...the little kid in front of us had the right idea! ;) Congratulations Sandra & Even and all our soccer players :) it's too late to name everybody, but you know we love you!

Awesome Grad Party! Won money, Dutch Bros and Red Robin!

The weekend after losing a son...

2009-06-07T21:40:00.000-07:00

Thank you family and friends for all your love and support and comments on facebook! ;)
We miss Hector soooooooooooo much but we kept very busy this weekend, it helped...Hector's last day was Thursday, June 4th. (blame it on the onions, haha!) He spent the day visiting with friends, eating dinner with the family, Trosts and McClintocks and comforting and playing with Brianna, Dom and Isaac...Dom saw Puff-ball's heart being cooked!Friday morning, airport at 8am. We weighed every suitcase, but one still went over 50lb limit, luckily at no extra charge.After saying a sad-hard good-bye, I went to Brianna's last day of Kindergarten-Flight into First Grade program. When we left her school she cried "I already miss Mrs. B and Hector...this is the worst day of my life!" We cried all day :'-(Saturday we finally were able to get into our duplex and clean up the big mess left by our poor renters...Sandra and Beth helped me clean the inside while Tyler worked on the yard.Saturday night: Kevin's 30th birthday party!!! Happy Birthday Kevin! :DThe drinks and food were so good!
The fun time with our funny friends was priceless! :)Sunday: Luisa's Good-bye :( Party...Luisa leaves us in the morning. I can't wait until I can go to Brazil...I have 3 kids to visit there! :)Brunch with the girls...a wonderful time with my girlfriends :) Thank you!!!!

Keep praying for us...

Too many things remind us of him...an empty passenger seat when I am driving, no one to pass notes to in church (haha Sandra!), tanning, no more texting, changing all of Isaac's diapers, the chickens, hot tubbing, instant messaging on facebook while in the same room, pictures, music, his mii character...

Hector's Graduation

2009-06-02T01:09:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Hector for passing your classes (just enough) to graduate! ;)
Clackamas High School commencement:"Believing in our hearts that who we are is enough is the key to a more satisfying and balanced life." Your family and friends are so proud of you and love you very much! :*

RECAP

2009-05-30T01:44:00.000-07:00

wow...so here is a little bit of an update...if my computer will let me access my photos (ohhh...technology) and I can stay awake...HAHAHA!!!!

CAMPING

May 23rd-25th, 2009

Timothy Lake

Happy Birthday Luisa!

May 22nd

Brazil Grill...YUMMY! :)

LUAU Party!

May 17th

Hector and Sandra's going-home party!"Dude, the whole world is here!"

Countries represent: U.S., Brazil, Denmark, Norway, Italy, Germany, France, Serbia, Columbia, Belgium, Czech,

Meet our new pets:

chickens! We first bought 4 little puff-balls: 2 golden egg-layers, 2 yellow meatHector and Tyler built a chicken coop.then we bought 2 black egg-layers and the fast-growing meat ones disappeared ;)

The golden ones are Diamond and Marigold. The black ones are Roy and Jones.

bye-bye puff-ball!

ahhhhhhhh Spa!

2009-04-13T22:25:00.000-07:00

I finally used my Dosha spa massage and facial gift from Tyler and Markus from last year's 30th birthday present. It was so relaxing!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T22:18:00.000-07:00

Saturday we went to our church's Easter egg hunt. Lots of cookies and eggs full of candy!It is impossible to take a picture of my 3 kids sometimes.
It was a pretty cold Spring day, but at least it wasn't raining! After the egg hunt we colored Easter eggs and Grammy changed Isaac into Abigail! haha :)

We colored real hard-boiled eggs and then we ate them Easter Sunday.

Happy Easter!

Sunny 3-day Weekend

2009-04-06T23:28:00.000-07:00

Yardwork!Backyard play!
Neighborhood Park!
Watched Dom's baseball practice!

Abby's closet

2009-04-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

Parking: $8
Starbucks: $13
Waiting 5 hours for a free Prom dress: Priceless

Spring Break

2009-03-31T22:54:00.000-07:00

We were all so excited to drive down to Brookings to see Isaac again! :) He was with Grammy and Gramps the whole week before spring break. Yeah for mommy!

Brianna got a cute haircut from Aunt Anna before we left :) Thank you!

Sandra got some good rest the day after her big Dance State finale!

The first day there was sunny and beautiful, but a little chilly. Great day to walk and play on the beach.

Hector's mom sent us our favorite flip-flops from Brazil, Havaianas, just in time for this trip :) Thank you!Day trip down to San Francisco was worth it! Sunny, beautiful and most importantly, yummy In-N-Out hamburgers! The last hoorah of Spring Break: Hector and Sandra went to New York for 4 days, we painted our duplex, Brianna lost her 2nd tooth and we were all so happy when Hector and Sandra made it home safely. I won't add up all the miles and hours of driving and flying but it was a very eventful Spring Break! :) Oh, and our dryer broke down so Hector had to dry his socks with Sandra's hair dryer! :)

little artist

2009-03-30T22:39:00.000-07:00

Mommy's drawing:

Brianna's drawing:

2nd in State!

2009-03-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

Gladstone Gladettes Shone tonight and got 2nd in 4A Dance State Competition!

Emotional and Exciting! A great way to end the Dance season.

Sandra's State Dance Competition

2009-03-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

http://www.osaa.org/dance/ for more information.
Friday, March 20th, at 5:30pm.
Saturday, March 21st in the evening...TBA.
Pictures and video to come:

Catch Up

2009-03-18T23:55:00.000-07:00

Wow. Life got too busy to blog about it! I wish I could say I've been going to bed earlier, getting more sleep, instead of spending time on the computer, but I havn't. In fact, I fell asleep and snored in church a couple weeks ago. Pastor had a great time with that one on facebook and the next Sunday. I've been congested since cold season began in December, but a bad cold/flu bug has been going around and in our house, if one person gets it, everyone will get it eventually. I got it :( I should be asleep right now but I really want to get caught up on my blogging!
So, here goes...

It Snowed Again! IN MARCH!! March 8th: Proof Hector and Sandra do chores:
They did many, so many I stopped counting, loads of laundry for Tyler to earn some spending money:I-Spaz the Taz:
short for Tazmanian devil. Isaac's new nickname. This boy doesn't stop moving, doing, crashing, breaking and making a mess of things until he falls fast asleep.On the TV there are pencil scratches from Isaac's beautiful artwork he made for Papa! :) He is sweet when he is asleep!
He's a lot of work but I miss my sweet, chubby, cuddly, crazy, loveable baby boy...he went home with Grammy and Gramps last Sunday and we will drive down to Brookings this Sunday for Spring Break. 3 more days to get things done without the Taz!
Such as, Exercise!
Since the Taz is not here, I can exercise every day! Running, weight training, taebo or exercise videos!
On St. Patrick's Day, I finished the day with some good ol' Irish Yoga:
Kiss Me, I'm Irish! :*

Cascade Ski Lodge

2009-02-23T12:08:00.000-08:00

We had a relaxing weekend at the Mountain.

Saturday night we feasted on crab.Sunday we played in the snow! Skiing is expensive...snowfights are free! :) Maybe next time Hector and Sandra can ski with Allison.

Thank you Romick's for inviting us!

On the way home we ate at Calamity Jane's...Yummmm!

Gladstone Gladettes

2009-02-23T08:06:00.000-08:00

Only 22 days until The Gladstone Gladettes perform their Shine routine at the State competition! March 20-21, 2009 at University of Portland, Chiles Center. Tickets go on sale beginning at 10am, Sunday March 1st, until 10am March 18th online www.osaa/org/tickets/ ($10) and will be placed at will call available for pick-up beginning March 20th. I already have tickets for our family, Beth, my mom and Michael =)

Recovering

2009-02-20T21:30:00.000-08:00

Susy, an exchange student from Italy, is recovering in the hospital after miraculously surviving the shooting at the Zone. She goes to Clackamas High School with Hector and wants to stay the rest of the year, finishing her exchange student program here.
Praise God!

Super Granny

2009-02-18T21:36:00.000-08:00

Do you know the show "Super Nanny"? A professional nanny goes to a home that is out of control, kids misbehaving, total chaos, and she helps them figure out a solution for a peaceful household.

Well, last weekend we had a similiar episode, but it wasn't a nanny it was a Granny. I seriously think they could make a show "Super Granny". Grandma Gayle came over after a long weekend for us and saw a messy house and cracked the cleaning whip at the kids! She would be happy to know we revised our chore chart and each kid is doing a chore every day. With 4 kids (sometimes 5, Isaac likes to help put dishes away) doing something every day, mommy has less work, more order in the home, more peace, and when mommy is happy the whole household is happy! =)

Born to be Wild!

2009-02-17T22:03:00.000-08:00

Sandra's dance team, the Gladstone Gladettes, did their annual "friends dance" tonight at the basketball game. Big brother Hector got to dance with Sandra! The video of the dance is on facebook.

Coco

2009-02-15T19:17:00.000-08:00

I do not love dogs and I sure don't like dogs in my house or doing their business in my yard.

But Uncle Kevin & Auntie Resh got a new puppy and she is just a little ball of soft, cuddly, hypo-allergenic, unshedding white fur! Coconut, nickname Coco, is the cutest puppy I have ever seen and held. The kids love her of course and Isaac couldn't get enough of her. He had to lay on her and squeeze her and kiss her and chase her and cried "Cocooooo" when she had to go home!

another Winter Formal

2009-02-14T18:10:00.000-08:00

David (France), Sandra and Hector went to a winter formal of a school none of them go to!

More snow!

2009-02-10T13:12:00.000-08:00

We are still getting snow! A few mornings since our big Winter Wonderland freeze, we have woken up to a little bit of snow on the ground or snow falling, but it melts before the afternoon. Still, this has been more days of snowfall than the past few years put together!

HELP project

2009-02-07T21:52:00.000-08:00

The exchange students do 20 hours of community service while they are here, to give back to the community.

Today we helped a shelter organize and clean up their donation room and storage shed.

Spirit Week

2009-02-06T16:23:00.000-08:00

Gladstone High School had Spirit Week!

Monday they dressed up sporty. Easy.

Tuesday they dressed up as a disney character. Sandra was Kim Possible:

Hector tried on Bri's Cinderella crown =)Wednesday they dressed up as musicians. Sandra and Kayla were 80's rockers:

Thursday they dressed up as nerds. Easy. ;-)

Friday was school colors day. Black and ORANGE!

We watched the airband competition. So fun! Seniors won. Good performances, as hoped, since they practiced 3 hours every night for a week!

Mrs. Durkee & Mr. Kuntz showed their moves in the staff's airband dance!The Juniors got last place but Scott & Derek sure looked good! ;-)

Da Vinci at OMSI

2009-02-01T23:00:00.000-08:00

It will astonish you & amaze you...there is so much to learn about/from Da Vinci: The Genius. Opened Jan. 31 at OMSI . Explore the art and science of Leonardo da Vinci. Watch Adrenaline Rush in the OMNIMAX theatre! We did :D

Winter Formal

2009-01-31T22:41:00.001-08:00

Tonight was Hector's winter formal! He was meeting up with friends, so Sandra posed with him for some pictures! =)
I just love catching his funny faces on camera. MUAHAHA!

'Lunch Buddy' linkup pairs adults with Gladstone students

2009-01-31T01:33:00.000-08:00

http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2009/01/lunch_buddy_linkup_pairs_adult.html
Volunteers are asked to commit to visiting their "buddy" either weekly or twice a month for a school year. Johnson said she welcomes a wide range of volunteers: high school and college students who want to become teachers, business people and retirees. "It's at lunchtime, so that makes it possible for lots of people," she said, adding that lunch is provided for the adult, paid for by the school's parent/faculty organization.
Johnson stressed that volunteers are not there to deal with behavior issues or problems. "In this program, the kids don't see that adult as an authority figure," she said. "There's no condition on the relationship -- just support. They're not there to judge or correct them.
"Some kids just need someone extra to pay attention to them," Johnson said.
School counselor Brooke Johnson (no relation) selects students for the program based on referrals from teachers. Children range in age from 5 to 10
Kassy Babeckos is a kindergarten teacher at the school and Lunch Buddy to a second-grader.
"For me, it's flattering," she said. "He wants me here. I also get the feeling he's genuinely happy that I've come to have lunch with him."
Angela Johnson is hoping more adults will make the 45-minute commitment.
Be a lunch buddy
What: Volunteers of all ages are needed to share lunch and visit with students in kindergarten through fourth grade at John Wetten Elementary School.
Commitment: Either weekly or twice a month during the school year, preferably on the same day of the week, for consistency. Lunch periods are 45 minutes.
When: Lunch periods run from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
To volunteer: Call Angela Johnson at 503-656-6564 or johnsona@ gladstone.k12.or.us

mourning & rejoicing

2009-01-28T20:59:00.000-08:00

John 16:22 "You have sorrow now, but I (Jesus) will see you again and then you will rejoice; and no one can rob you of that joy."

Ashley's service is at New Hope Church. Friday, January 30th at 12:00.We are rejoicing Susy had successful surgeries and is awake and talking!

"Thursday, Susy began to speak. I'm sorry you have to suffer like this, Trevisan told her daughter.
Susy, strong in body and faith, balled up her fists. "Ma sono viva," she answered: But I'm alive."
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/01/as_teen_recovers_from_shooting.html

Psalm 30:5b "Weeping may last all night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."

Brianna's 2nd birthday party

2009-01-25T13:55:00.000-08:00

Brianna's family birthday party after Church on Sunday was wonderful! It was a HUGE blessing to have ALL our family together (minus Uncle Sam who had a soccer game)!

THANK YOU dear family for coming to our home Sunday to celebrate Brianna and for being a loving, encouraging, fun family! :-)

Isaac loves to eat bubbles!

FW: Calmness in our lives/by Dr. Phil

2009-01-25T08:26:00.000-08:00

"I don't usually forward emails but this one is just too funny I have to share it with everyone. We all need some humor to balance out the hard reality of life. ;-) Love, Kari. "

I am passing this on to you because it definitely works and we could all use a little more calmness in our lives. By following simple advice heard on the Dr. Phil show, you too can find inner peace.

Dr. Phil proclaimed, 'The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started and have never finished.'

So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Zinfandel, a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream, a bottle of Kaluha, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos and a box of chocolates. You have no idea how freaking good I feel right now.
"Life is like a box of Chocolates...you never know what you're going to get" read more funny Chocolate quotes at virtual chocolate!

Lewis Christmas

2009-01-24T23:08:00.000-08:00

Due to the snow, Tyler's parents were unable to make it up for our usual Christmas Day with the Lewis family. :-(
We finally had Christmas with Grammy and Gramps and opened gifts from the Lewis family Saturday evening.Brianna got an American Doll and Dom got a Nintendo DS! Isaac's favorite gift was Kira's tennis ball thrower. Grandpa Johnson and his sister, Mary were here also.
Merry Christmas!!! finally.

Lewis family Christmas

2009-01-24T19:12:00.000-08:00

Due to the snow, we had to reschedule our Lewis family Christmas party.

We had a great time visiting, sharing family memories and eating delicious brunch food.

Happy Birthday Brianna!

2009-01-23T23:57:00.000-08:00

Thursday, January 22nd, I went to school with the birthday girl!

They can sure use the volunteer help in the new classrooms. The hard-working teachers finally had their class under control then move them to a new environment and it's back to square 1. Brianna is 6 years old!

She wanted a Surprise Birthday party this year, so we surprised her!

Thank you Sydney, Kennedy, Emily, Emilie and Grace for coming to Brianna's birthday party!

Get the bikes out, it's warming up!

2009-01-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

Big-sister Sandra helped Dom finally ride his 2-wheel bike. No more training wheels!

(looks like Hector may need training wheels)

Big-brother Hector took him for rides around the neighborhood!

My favorite picture :-)

New Kindergarten Classrooms

2009-01-10T11:07:00.000-08:00

The Gladstone Center for Children and Families will be open next week!! Brianna's first day in her new Kindergarten classroom will be January 21st!

We previewed it today:

We love Mrs. B!

Christmas party

2009-01-05T00:27:00.000-08:00

We were supposed to have the Christmas party with all the exchange students from the Portland area on December 14th, the First Day of Christmas, and the first day of the great snowfall. We had to reschedule it after Christmas and after the snow...January 4th.

Everyone brought a dish from their country. Pancakes from Netherlands, goat cheese from Norway, Brazilian doughnuts and candy, Danish rice pudding, sausage from Serbia and Bulgaria, Asian wraps from Vietnam....yum!Even is ready to eat :-)

representing Gladstone High School: Gonzalo, Marius, Sandra and Even!

Happy Birthday Sandra!

2009-01-04T23:58:00.000-08:00

Sandra's birthday was the last day of our wonderful 3-week break.

We celebrated with most of the other NW ISE exchange students. They sang Happy Birthday to Sandra in Portuguese, Norwegian, Serbian, Chinese and German.

We took Sandra downtown for a birthday dinner at her favorite Sushi restaurant.

happy 17th birthday!

Downtown shopping & Laser light show

2009-01-03T23:27:00.000-08:00

We took the exchange students to Pioneer plaza for some after-Christmas-sale shopping then we went over to OMSI to watch a U2 laser light show.
We had some time to kill before the laser light show started...

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T01:51:00.000-08:00

We had a fun time celebrating the New Year...food, games, friends, sparkling cider, and a movie!

Wang (Taiwan), Luisa (Brazil), Sandra (Denmark), Hector (Brazil), Hieu (Vietnam), Wouter (The Netherlands) and Brianna

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

2008-12-25T12:21:00.000-08:00

my true love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming,
which represent the twelve vital Christian beliefs as stated in the Apostle's Creed:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell; the third day he rose from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father.
He shall return to judge both the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Christmas Day

It was a White Christmas!

In the morning we woke up to filled stockings and presents under the tree. We spent the afternoon and evening at Kari's parent's house. The best part of the day, I think, was holding the sweet new baby, Shane!

It was a very Merry Christmas!

The Eleventh Day of Christmas

2008-12-24T17:25:00.000-08:00

my true love gave to me, eleven pipers piping,
which represent the eleven faithful apostles/disciples who joyfully followed Jesus. Mark 3:16-19

Christmas Eve
Great-Grandpa and Mackie came over for dinner, actually Tyler drove over to get them since the roads are still snow-packed and hard to drive on. We had dinner and opened gifts.In Denmark...they do all their celebrations on Christmas Eve. They have a big feast, then sing and dance around the Christmas tree, then stay up until midnight opening gifts! So we let Sandra sing and dance for us ;-) and open her many gifts from her family. She even got a gift from her cat!