Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots

The title is the name of one of the books Ava got for Christmas from her Aunt Shelli. How fitting for a little girl in our family! Anyone that knows us very well knows that we enjoy hiking very much, but our little girl also likes her princesses!!! The girls got several books for Christmas and I think Nathanial and I are both enjoying the new reading material!!!

Aspen went ahead and turned one even though her mommy wasn't ready for it!!! Nelda took her birthday pictures (they are gonna be GREAT!) and we had a small party for her on the 20th. She devoured her cake, just like her sister she has a MAJOR sweet tooth! She got into opening her gifts a little more than I remember Ava doing. It is so fun to watch them rip into the wrapping paper and then squeal with delight when they see the new toy!!

Gabe enjoying a cupcake too!

Christmas this year was pretty relaxing. We spent the evening and night at my mom and dad's this year since we didn't put up a Christmas tree, so we could have a tree to put our gifts under in the morning. Ava went on "pretending" that Santa was real!! :) Nathanial rode his bicycle the whole 25miles to my mom and dad's!! It took him 3 hours! Christmas day we went to Nathanial's parents for the day. I think this was the least stressful Christmas ever. It was nice to just relax and enjoy time with our parents. The girls got tons of stuff of course. We watched a video that our friends in india had professionally done raising awareness of the work they are doing and it brought back memories, which made our Christmas seem a bit overkill. I hope to instill in my children that it is wonderful to give gifts, but to never lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas in all of it. And that there really are children all over the world who aren't loved by so many people and showered with gifts. But these children are loved by Jesus and when we love them we are loving Jesus. I hope that they go out and really love the unloved and don't hold them at arms length and just talk about the "poor little kids". Its so easy for me to do that.




On to the "project". Nathanial like me to update on the house. Things are progressing. The front porch is nearly done. The inside is ready for electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling work. The addition has been started!!! And siding has been ordered and should be here soon!! Things are moving along!! Well, I hope everyone has a fun New Year's Eve.... we are hoping to!



One last thing! Congrats to Mandi and Andre on their new addition to their family. Ella is absolutely beautiful! I love her to pieces already!

BIG birthday this week

My sweet baby will be 1 this week. I've been stuck on this thought for several weeks now. I love watching her grow, but I don't know if I'm ready for her to be 1!! Well, the day is coming soon, and there is nothing I can do about it! :) I'll post some pics over the weekend hopefully, we are having a small family party for her due to the holidays, our "inbetween" status, and because she really won't know the difference!!

Tonight is the Jubilee Christmas. I really enjoy helping out with that... and was so thankful for that day last year. After a long day involving work, jubilee christmas, then wrapping our families presents and tucking my ava into bed - lo and behold my water broke and 5 hours later little Aspen Grace was born!!

I'm on my lunch break that is almost over so I should be going.... pictures will come soon! Have a great day everyone!

LOVE the weather!

Some may think I'm a little crazy... but I am loving the cold weather! Fall and winter are my favorite! I love jeans and sweaters, curling up with a fuzzy blanket to watch TV, even freezing while pumping my gas this morning just because I knew how good my heated seats and blasting hot air would feel in the van! Anyway, life has somewhat slowed down now that all the unpacking is done, for the time being anyway. It's just the usual, trying to keep our living space clean and orderly... yeah right!! Seriously, am I the only one who's house looks like a disaster zone all the time no matter what I do!!! Nathanial says I get more done on days that I work than when I'm home! Speaking of work, I'm only working 2 days a week now. I'm excited to get to spend more time at home, I just want to get organized and be productive--whether it's getting stuff done around the house or spending good quality time with the girls.

Our house is coming along. All of the new windows are in, Nathanial is getting ready to do the addition, and we have been starting the process of picking out cabinets, flooring, and interior doors. It's been fun! We have such a great time searching for the best deals. We got our appliances last weekend and got a killer deal! We were so excited! I keep meaning to take some pictures of the progress and I keep forgetting!

The girls are doing great. Aspen is WALKING!! I got in trouble at playgroup because I hadn't told anyone that she has been walking for several weeks now. But it's hard to pin-point the exact moment when they actually get the hang of it. She is all over the place now, but the poor thing is CONSTANTLY getting knocked down by her sister!! The fighting has begun, Aspen gets so mad at Ava and it's hard to keep from just laughing at her.

Aspen loves bath time in the sink... Ava doesn't pour water on her head all time!!

Rockband on the Wii

Last Monday a friend of ours from our time in India came to visit. Tigi's wife is German and they have been on "home assignment" in Germany for several months and he recently made his way to the States to visit some friends and his brother who is studying in Orlando. We loved being able to spend some time with him. It was interesting to get his take on America. We took him to Mi Pueblo and he couldn't believe the size of the drinks, he was amazed that we would eat more than the chips and salsa along with that huge soda. He took lots of pictures of the huge houses around with 6 car garages. In other parts of the world you just don't see the extravagant houses. Anyway, I'll leave you with a picture of Tigi, a great friend!

until next time....

INBETWEEN

We are now officially inbetween old home and new home. We have settled into the basement at Nathanial's aunt Cindy's. We are unpacked as much as we're gonna be I think. It's nice and cozy.... I do miss sharing our nice Queen size bed, as now Nathanial, Ava, and I each have our own twin bed!! We did all 3 manage to fit in one bed for some snuggle time that Ava demanded!! We almost woke up Aspen just to say we were all 4 in a twin bed....I'm sure it will happen eventually! As far as moving out of our old house, I thought I would be really emotional, but by the end of the day Thursday I was so tired and ready to be finished I just didn't care that much! I did do a drive by on Sunday.... it's so weird to see other people's stuff at "my house"! I'm glad it's a young family who will also create lots of memories there as well!

Our new house is coming along.... the old siding is off, which reveals even older siding. Nathanial and my dad have been working hard this week installing our new windows. They look great! I need to post new pictures, and when I get the chance I will. We don't have internet access at our temp home.

Ava had her Thanksgiving program today at preschool. She was all dressed up like a pilgrim, cute as can be. Her class came out and she sang one song (sortof) with her class and then just walked off the stage and came straight to us. She said she was hot, tired, and thirsty and wasn't going back up there!!! I was sad, but it was just like her! She is a little sick AGAIN so I couldn't be mad.... anyway I didn't get any picks because I forgot our camera and my mom's battery went dead.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

So far behind...

I'm so far behind...

Today was our big moving day.... too bad we still have a TON of stuff in our house! But this week I'll be slowly going through the rest to see what can be stored away and what needs to come with us to our temporary home. I have been horrible at taking pics lately.... and snapfish has GREAT deal on Christmas Cards right now too! 20 cards for 20 cents. I'm going to have to get one that.

Miriam and Jordan had their baby, Eli, last week. I spent the night with Miriam on her first night home from the hospital as Jordan had to work overnight. It's crazy how fast you forget how hard it is with a newborn those first few nights home. Sleep, well, it doesn't really happen! I was so tired, but it was worth it.... I always like to help. He's a cutie. Now I'm just waiting on baby Ella.... can't wait to see that pretty girl!

Well, I'm supposed to be cleaning house... so I better sign off. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

EXCITED!!

Just a quick post to tell everyone the GOOD news!! We closed on our house last night! I'm a little sad to be leaving our very first home, we have so enjoyed living here and bringing two baby girls home from the hospital to this cute little house.... but..... so so so happy to officially own only one home now (i guess you can't really call it a home yet, it's more of a "shell"). Anyway, we need to be out by the 21st!! So i have 2 weeks to pack, and i haven't even started!! We will be living in the basement at Nathanial's aunt Cindy's. It's a very nice little place for us, pretty much like an apartment. Okay, i have some work to do! Have a wonderful day!

Kitty's and Puppies

Well, well, well..... what have we been up to. Let's see here. Nathanial of course has been working most evenings at the new house. He tells me I need to post some new pics of it in here, but it's basically the same, except most of the walls, including the studs are gone now. We are changing the whole layout, I'm very excited about it. We did head up to Brown County to go mountain biking and just spend some time outdoors! The girls had fun playing in the leaves! It was very beautiful.

Last night was "trick-or-treating" for us... even though we only made it to 4 places, and Aspen didn't even get out of the van at our last stop because she was sleeping! She didn't so much like getting in and out of the car and her puppy costume was just a little short on her, so basically she wasn't a happy camper! But that's our little home-body!! Ava has (in the past month) become shy. I don't know if it's because we stay home a lot more now than we used to or what, but honestly I don't really like it. She wouldn't even say trick-or- treat to her grandma or nathanial's aunts last night!! Oh, and at dance class yesterday Ava decided she didn't want to leave my side!! This is so different for her!! Any advice on how to deal with this change in personality? And she wants to quit dance she says... I think I'll make her go at least 1 more month (even if she won't participate)... but do I let her quit after that?? Okay, enough of that, here are some pics!

Ava at preschool :)

Came across this....

Couldn't help but share this, it was so good!

We believe that there is no real candidate or party that I think embodies a consistent ethic of life, because there is no one who fully embodies what it means to honor life, from the womb to the tomb (poverty, abortion, war) . Its the job of the church to embody the good news. .. and no candidate will effect change like the church (meaning us people as the living stones that make the church).

We have to figure out how not to just wait for politicians to make a change, but to embody the beliefs we hold and act on them. .. I don't see Obama or McCain enacting the tasks of Matthew 25... but usually, neither are we. Its time, to be the church. Be the change.Pro Life means a whole lot more the being anti-abortion. If you want to live pro life, adapt Mother Teresa's pro life stance...

"Please don' t kill the child . I want the child . Please give me the child. I am willing to accept any child who would be aborted, and to give that child to a married couple who will love the child, and be loved by the child . From our children' s home in Calcutta alone, we have saved over 3,000 children from abortions.These children have brought such love and joy to their adopting parents, and have grown up so full of love and joy"

Us Christians better start adopting new born babies and pregnant mothers, as well as extending grace to those who hurt us and wish us harm if we are to claim to be Pro Life. .. womb to tomb. .. No candidate can ever come close to changing this world like we can personally , with meaningful acts of concrete love. Love is our revolution, and Jesus is our commander and chief .

Just a thought

I absolutely love having both girls home with me, but I'll have to admit that I also cherish Thursday mornings when Ava is at preschool and it's just Aspen and I. This morning I was rocking her to sleep for her morning nap. I was just thinking about how safe she feels when she's in mommy's arms. Anyone that's been around her knows what a mommy's girl she is. I was thinking about how I would never ever choose to let harm come her way and how I will always love her no matter what, and then I hear that still, small voice whispering in my ear. No matter what ever comes of our messed up world we live in, I am safe in God's arms. He feels that way about me, about everyone. It doesn't mean there won't be pain here, but ultimately my soul is safe with Him. It's a simple truth, but it became more real to me this morning.

Pumpkins and Inflatables

Today we went out to Etiennes to see GG (Great grandma Buchheit) and pick out pumpkins. My girls got messy enjoying "pink milk" and cheetos and nana's, but they still look adorable to me! :)

Aspen and Uncle Nolan

Then it was off to annual Hog Roast for Harvest. Ava had a blast. Aspen was a little fussy, since she couldn't keep up with big sis.



I had so much fun!! That was the best inflatable I have ever seen!! Forget the kids, this one was for grown ups!!
My girls terrorizing my book shelf together!!

Thurs night

ok, here goes the 6 random facts about me.....



1. My husband remembers what I was wearing the first time we met, orange tank and long green shorts (before long shorts were "in"). And by the way, he didn't like it at all, I was too "boyish" for him back then!!



2. My second toe is longer than my big toe. EWW, i know.



3. I have a tattoo, I got it the day Mandi's grandma got married.



4. We had a squatty potty in our apartment in India.



5. My house looks like this....



6. I'm married to a poet.





ok, about Thursday. i'm hosting an uppercase living open house. i love the stuff!! if anyone is interested it's going to be at 6:30pm at the cherry ghost coffee house on the corner of 57 and main st. anyone and everyone is welcome! :)

hmmmm...

I've been tagged, twice now I think. It's gonna be tough to think of 6 random "unknown" facts. I'm mentally exhausted at the moment, I'll do it eventually! :)

One Sweet Girl

Tonight as we were sitting at the supper table Nathanial and I were discussing America's current financial situation and the plunge of the stock market today. We were talking about Ava and Aspen's futures. I'm thankful that we have a God to place our hope and trust in. As long as our girls have God in their lives, their future is bright, no matter how much money they ever have. Nathanial was talking to Ava and asking her if she'd like to be a missionary when she grows up. She said: "What's a missionary?". Nathanial told her that if she was a missionary she could go and help little kids who don't know Jesus, are poor and don't have enough to eat or toys to play with. She said, "I think I'd like to do that!" Then she said, "But, I really just want to be daddy." If you can only imagine, we had a wonderful night enjoying our daughter. Of course, we enjoyed Aspen too... I don't want to leave her out!! Man, we love our girls!

The Wedding

Well, we are all pretty exhausted after the BIG day yesterday. Even though my mother-in-law was the one who made sure Ava was where she needed to be all day!! Thank you to her.

Nathanial decided to have a work day at the new house in the morning, and then we had pizza for everyone at lunch to thank them for their help. Then it was rush rush to get to Gretchen and AJ's wedding in time to see Ava before hand. She had her hair done for the first time (and probably the last time for awhile, $30 for a 3 year olds hair is a bit insane, i'm kinda embarassed that i even had it done!). It was darling though. And she was excited that she had "curl-eees". Anyone who knows me very well, knows that I'm not too much of a girly girl and Ava doesn't get her hair curled very often!!

Ava got almost to the front of the church throwing out her rose petals when she ran out. She decided to go back to the beginning to get some more, all the while, picking some petals off the floor to put in her basket!! It was so funny! The wedding was very pretty.

Tired of being sick!!

Ava and Gabe

We have been sick for going over 3 weeks!! UGH! Nothing severe, just the gooky eyes for the girls and a really annoying cough for me. I finally broke down and took an antibiotic. I'm not sure if it's just coincidence, but I did get a little better then. We've done some fun things, but you know how things just don't seem near as fun when you struggling to keep your cough under control at all times!! But things are looking up, and looking at it from the bright side.... I usually get this once a year, so maybe I'll be healthy all winter!!
Okay, lets see if I can remember what we did this week....

We went to the cruise in.... Ava has way way way to much candy. I hope we have lots of trick or treaters this year, we need to get rid of it!!!!!!

We went to Chuck E Cheese! Ava has been asking to go to "Chuck E Jesus".... that's what it sounds like anyway. She had a blast and informed me that "Chuck E Jesus is sooo cool". We got her 50 tokens, and it was fun at first, but by the time we were down to 15 tokens I thought I was gonna lose it. Aspen didn't like all the noise so well. Then we did a little shopping. My girls are just not shoppers... which doesn't suprise me, I'm not that much of a shopper myself. So we hit Old Navy and Express and headed home. The girls had fun hanging out with aunt Shelli and Mamaw all day! Aspen let Shelli hold her all day.... which if anyone knows Aspen that's weird. She usually is attached to my hip when we're around anyone that she doesn't see every day!




The new house is coming along. Nathanial is still working on the gutting it. It is dirty work!! We are getting excited about all the "new" to go in after this part is done. We are thinking we are going to build a garage soon, so we can store our stuff. We will probably be "homeless" for a few months. That will be interesting.



We have a big weekend coming up. Gretchen Davis is getting married. Ava is the flower girl. We are also super excited to meet Abigail Kassel. Nathanial's cousin Kris lives in Spokane, Washington and he and his wife will be home with their new baby. Can't wait to meet her!!

If you think about Michelle Schaffer this week, please pray for her, she has been sick for two weeks and no meds seem to be helping. She has a lot on her plate with 5 kids and her husband in Iraq! She could use your prayers! This picture was from one of the days we had the kids some. Ava loves all of them so much!

I'll leave you with some cute pics of the girls I took yesterday. Ava and her "master-piece", and then a picture of what I found in the girls' room this morning.

One more thing, if anyone is looking for a good book to read, I highly recommend The Shack. It's good, and challenges the way we think of God.