The Life and Times of the Deubner Kids...

Really?!!?!!!

2011-07-26T09:09:00.007-04:00

I can not believe that my handsome little man turned eight today! Really? I mean, seriously? Has is actually been eight years? I remember that day like it was yesterday! I've put on a few pics, they've all been on here before, but it's kinda cool to see them all together... The last picture is from today, his official first photo as an eight year old...

He is such a blessing! My handsome little man!

Thank you Lord for giving me a little boy who even at eight, knows and loves You! Thank you for how sensitive and honest you made him. Thank you for letting us have him to love and cherish for as long as you allow. Thank you for his laugh, and his gentle spirit. Thank you for his beautiful eyes, and for his constant willingness to love and love on me. Thank you that he loves so much to learn and to do well! Thank you for his hugs! And his kisses! Thank you for his joy, that he is so willing to share! I love this little man! And I am truly blessed to call him mine, but to know that he is really yours! Thank You!!!

-Kristen

Sunday...

2011-06-28T08:08:00.000-04:00

This past Sunday, the kids and I took a little trip after church... first we went and had lunch with some friends by the creek, then I took them up to Easton to play in the fountains... One of our teens, Bailey, works up there and we wanted to see her. So first we went to the fountains that they could play in and get all wet, since she was on break when we got there. They had a ball! Auri was a little leery of getting wet, until one of the little squirts got her, and then it was complete fun after that. Jackson got right in... They both had so much fun, we'll do this again for sure!!!

I love this first picture of Jackson, He stood there waiting for the water to start spraying and then all of a sudden it shot up all around him...

This is Auri, before she actually got wet. She would go between the squirts and around the outside... by the time they were done though, she was soaked!

Jackson was posing for me, you can't really see it, but he had his hand on one of the squirts and was standing as if it were his cane, he cracks me up!

After we left there we went to where Bailey works, at the other fountain, this is a beautiful little body of water and the fountain in the middle would get really small and then shoot really high, it was quite lovely. At this fountain you can sail little boats... They don't have motors, so all you can actually do is turn them and let the wind do the rest...

This was our ship, she was number 23 and had the word Paradise written on her sail...

Jackson steered the ship first, and Auri and I watched, at one point, he steered it right to his sister who had her feet in the water... I love this first picture of Auri, something about it is just very sweet and precious...

In this picture Jackson is trying to figure out how to steer the ship away from the side, we eventually just grabbed it and turned it around... But he did a good job!

After Jackson it was Auri's turn to steer the ship... She didn't really get it that you have to turn the little lever one way to make it go right and another way to make it go left. She is still learning this, she practices all the time with her little Strawberry Shortcake remote control car at her dad's and with my VW bug remote control car at our house... She's learning, but I think the fact that it was in water make it a harder concept to grasp... Here are a few pics of her trying to get the ship to go...

The ship was way across the water on another wall...

She got it to come back from the other wall!!!

I think this part of the day was too calm for them... They would have much rathered stay in the water and play... But it was fun regardless! They eventually gave me the controller for the ship and they just played with their hands and feet in the fountain while I made the ship go all over the place, including around the middle part where the fountain actually shot the water up...

All in all we had a rather fun afternoon, and we'll definitely do this again!!! It costs nothing, and it is nice to be outside!

God Bless, have a wonderful day!!!

Do something special with your kids! Trust me, you won't regret it!

-Kristen

Most Amazing Thing I've Ever Seen...

2011-05-19T08:48:00.000-04:00

So, in the midst of the storms of my life, God never ceases to amaze me...

However this time, He laid it all out. I mean, I feel Him talking to me quite often, however this time He needed to show me just how Awesome and Miraculous He truly is...

On Wednesday May 11th, we had had a very emotional night at church. A lot of us joined together to celebrate the life of a teen, from our youth group, who lived fully for Christ, and died, in our human eye, way too young. Her life lived, and life lost has brought many people to Christ. It had been an emotional week since finding out that she died a week before. And it was easy to ask why, and hurt, and be swallowed by grief. However, after the night of celebrating her life and God telling me over and over, that He has a plan. He is in charge. He loves us and won't let us do any of this stuff on our own... Apparently I wasn't listening enough.

Now, what I am going to share with you is something that happens countless times each spring, but even growing up in the country (kinda) I had never seen it. And this time, well, He made sure I did, and I believe that is because I needed to see His awesome power and be reminded of His Amazing Grace!

So, the kids and I drive home from church on the 11th, and we went in the house to get them ready for bed. It was later than a usual Wednesday night, so they were going to brush their teeth and go straight to bed, however Mimi asked them to join her at the table for just a moment. She had a little peanut butter jar that Auri uses as a bug catcher.... About three weeks earlier she had put a cocoon in it and it's been sitting in the kitchen. I at one point asked her what it was and she told me it was a praying mantas cocoon. I was like, "yeah right, how does she know that". I mean really, don't they just appear on the sides of buildings and on my arms and wherever they want? Do they really come from a cocoon? Well, yes, they do... and my amazing mother with all her knowledge knew that this was a praying mantas cocoon... So it has sat in the kitchen, fallen off the counter and been played with by kittens all while living inside this jar. Well... let's just say, it hatched... And what I was expecting was a half size praying mantas, just kinda sitting there, but when I joined her and the kids at the table, I was surprised... very surprised...

You see, there was not just one itsy bitsy teeny weeny little praying mantas, like this one...

And there were not just two itsy bitsy teeny weeny praying manatees like these ones....

Nor were there even just a few like these ones....

But rather there was a flash mob of itsy bitsy teeny weeny little tiny adorable and creepy creatures.... at a glance, they looked like spiders... EUWW!!! And they just kept coming out of the chrysalis by the hundreds... It was incredible!!!

I mean, seriously.... WOOOOWWWWW!!!!!

They were tiny, they were everywhere. Like literally the size around of about a sewing pin and the length of less than a centimeter. It was so cool... I felt like a child at Christmas! And every time I talk about it, I feel like a child at Christmas again because it excites me so.

So really, God made each of those hundreds of tiny little critters. He formed their legs, he knew how long they needed to be in the cocoon. He gave them eyes, and feelers and whatever else there is that they have. And He taught them how to Pray!!! Just like He is teaching me that I may have the free will to make whatever choices I want... but ultimately, He is in control, so I might as well stop asking why, and start asking what. Not why does this or that happen? Why whatever... But What!!?? What is He trying to tell me? What is He wanting me to learn from this situation? What does He want me to do...? What!!! Sometimes I wanna just tell myself, to slow down and shut up, it's not about me, it's about Him!!! Every day... Every moment!!!

Okay, so on with the story... Thursday morning after the miraculous (in my eyes) hatching... Jackson went to check on the babies before school since we had put them on the lilac bush the night before, from the jar, so they could be free and not crush each other, and he needed to get the lid from the top of the jar because Mimi had found another cocoon and put it in another jar, and we were gonna have more babies... YAY!!! So he goes out there, and about five to ten minutes later, mom looks at me and says, "what is taking him so long?" I didn't know, so she opened the door to go check on him, and this is what we found, just outside the door, on the ramp...

That's right, this little guy had decided that he wanted to make friends with Jackson. He had almost doubled in size from the night before, and he was so cute. Auri wouldn't touch him, but wow is he fascinating...

This is my favorite picture of all... If you look closely, you can see that the little guy, stopped and looked at Jackson. We had been talking and I was clearly taking pictures. I even held the little thing for a little bit. But Jackson had said something, and as you can see, this itsy bitsy teeny weeny tiny little critter, stopped and looked straight at Jackson. If it was possible to keep one as a pet, we would have. It was one of the coolest things EVER!!!

So, in saying all of this, I want to encourage you to stop, and listen. God is trying to show you something, or tell you something, or teach you something. HE has a plan, and He is in control! Let Him teach you, let Him move you, let Him love you, just like He loves each and every one of these little guys!

Have and amazingly blessed day!!!

-Kristen

Learning...

2011-04-04T16:21:00.000-04:00

You know the saying... "learn something new every day"...?

Well, at our house, that's just exactly how it is. We can never know enough. Learning new things or how to perfect old talents and gifts can be fun, can be challenging, and can be very rewarding. Whether it is Auri who can get a nice solid tone when she runs the bow on the strings of her violin...

She got this two years ago for her third birthday, wow she'd really wanted a violin. She even then could pick out the violin part in a piece of music. It still amazes me when she chimes in in the middle of a song and tells me, "that's a violin". Coming from a musical background, I can't tell you how wonderful this is for me to hear. When she got it, the violin was almost as big as she is, but now she can actually hold it out. She'll learn someday, maybe I'll learn with her. It'll be hard work. But she loves music, and that makes me very happy! And I have my dad to thank for it, he would hold her as a baby and play his keyboard. Sometimes if she was crying that's how we could get her to stop, just give her to papa at the keys and he would calm her. It was amazing! What a blessing it is for me to share music with my kids...

Then there is Jackson, who sings solos in church, and dances like a hip hop king, and loves to use my mom's sewing machines. There are days when he will go upstairs with her and I won't see either of them for hours. He loves to learn. He loves to sew, and he loves to cook... Just look... mom was teaching him how to make a white cheese sauce, let me tell you, she's tried to teach me how to do that, and I still can't remember. But I bet you Jackson could tell ya if you want to know how...

My kids are amazing! My whole family is amazing.... Mom, dad, sister, brother the neices and nephews, brother-in-law... That's right, all of them. I am Truly Blessed!!!

Thank you Lord for giving me such a gifted and incredibly amazing family!!!

Blessed...

-Kristen

Bell Choir...

2011-03-14T15:58:00.000-04:00

Watching the Bell Choir yesterday morning in church, took me back a couple years in my memory... When Jackson was four or five and was in bell choir. It dawned on me yet again, just how different my children are... First, we have Jackson, who undoubtedly makes every experience fun, whether it be making himself look like an alien in Bells, or laying upside down on the front row of the choir loft during a children's musical... He isn't old enough to have speaking rolls yet, but he sure learns all the lines and songs. He will be an entertainer, even if for only me.

Now Auri on the other hand, although cute and adorable and all the other adjectives...

When it comes to bell choir for her, it's serious business. She doesn't let anything distract her. Including yesterday when I just wanted her to stop walking for a half second so I could take her picture and she was determined to stay in line and with her class. She concentrates, and makes sure she only plays when her color is on the card...

She is beautiful, like a little angel... And she may entertain just like her brother. However, she doesn't live outside the crazy box like her brother. He is carefree, smart and rambunctious... She is reserved, just as smart, cautious and meticulous.

I love the fact that my children are so different. It makes life that much more fun. It makes me wonder what my poor mom and dad went through when my brother sister and I were kids. I am very different from both of them, and they are different from each other... It must have been a challenge.

I just wanted to share the joy of my babies with you....

Have a wonderful day!!!

-Kristen

Growing...

2011-02-15T08:56:00.000-05:00

I find it hard to believe that my babies are growing up so fast. Auri (2 years old in this picture) is now five... A year from now she will be in the second half of her kindergarden year at school. She'll be learning to read and make words out of different letter combinations.

(in her birthday dress that she got from Kiki)

And then there is Jackson (3 in this picture) who is reading like a fourth grader, loves math, and science, and music, and art... and just plain loves learning. He plays soccer every fall and spring, and basketball in the winter months. He has more energy than twelve of me. And is way too smart to be only seven and a half. He is amazing!

Here... He is being held down by two cats at the same time, as he streches out in Mimi's Super comfy chair. And he has declaired that he will never cut his hair again. We shall see, but for now his hair is getting long and it shines....

He's more than Half way up that tree!!!

Wow I have some beautiful and smart kids. Both of them!

I am truly Blessed!!!!

Have an Amazing Day!

-Kristen

Not A Fan...

2011-02-14T09:13:00.000-05:00

So... Valentine's Day has never been special for me. I've never has a significant other who made me feel any extra important, or who even celebrated this day, which has made me a little bitter about this day. So I've never really been a fan!

And it always seems that life takes turns that create bad memories on days when I can't forget. Four years ago today, I had a miscarriage. I knew the baby was a girl. I had named her. I had started loving her. And then I lost her. I think of that precious little girl often, but I can't help but think of her, and the pain of losing her, on Valentine's Day. The day she got to be held in the arms of Jesus. The day He handed her over to my great-grandma up in heaven to hold an love. I will miss her always, but I know that I will see her again and for the first time all at once. Needless to say however, this day doesn't hold happiness for me... although I will say Happy Valentine's Day to my kids, and whomever I pass at work, or in the grocery store... that doesn't mean it is happy for me.

It was a year ago today that I found peace in the back of my church... After spending nine and a half hours in a smelly, nasty, sickly ER with my dad, wondering what was wrong, praying that it wasn't as bad as my co-dependant mind was telling me it was. Watching him fall asleep in the middle of a conversation because the infections in his kidneys was so bad, although we didn't know that's what was wrong at the time. Standing countless times at the foot of his bed, arms crossed, his hands in mine, as I braced myself one foot in front of the other, and helped him pull himself to a sitting position to try and relieve some, if any, of his horrible back pain.

It was a year ago today, that my mom (aided by a nurse) got in a wheelchair and left her hospital room on the 6th floor, took a dingy elevator to the ER where she found my dad at 2:38am to wish him a Happy Valentine's Day. Now if that isn't love, I don't know what is. She was being monitored for heart stress, and she takes the time.. in the Middle of the night... to go see the love of her life and wish him a HappyValentine's Day. Oh to be loved like that, and to love like that!

It was a year ago today that I followed an ambulance at 7:30 in the morning from one hospital to another one (thirty minutes away) to find the only available bed in the city where tests could be run, and dad could hopefully be treated. By now we knew he had kidney stones... but we didn't know that still today he would be battling this crap! I sat in yet another icky ER waiting for them to get him settled and situated so I could come see him... before visiting hours mind you.

I left dad after he was settled in and iv'ed in the stepdown unit at my least favorite hospital in Columbus. I had been up all night (and I'm the type of person who Needs their sleep). I told him I HAD to go to church. I just needed to be there. I don't do hospitals, or nursing homes... needless to say, there are reasons I didn't become an nurse. But Karin and Tim were busy taking care of their family, along with taking care of mom (who went into the hospital the day before I took dad, and Tim took her... what a great son-in-law. I don't know how they find the time sometimes with three kids of their own to take care of). My kids were with their father that Saturday night, which meant I was "free", so regardless of the icky hospital, I got to be with dad. I love every minute I get to share with him, he's always been my biggest fan, and I've always been "daddy's little girl". But it would be great if we could share time away from these medical facilities. I've grown accustom to the nursing home by now, but that doesn't mean I like it. I sometimes find myself holding my breath through the halls until I get to his room.

As I left dad at that hospital, leaving multiple numbers for them to call, because at that point I knew dad couldn't answer questions and remember what was needed because of the infections and the medication they had him on. I got in my car, and headed to my church, praying the whole time that I wouldn't fall asleep while I was driving. But I needed to be there. This is my family... Not related by earthly blood, but by the spilt blood of Jesus Christ. It is my safe place, it is where I found peace, where I allowed myself to weep, where I sat and soaked in the music and the message. As we sang the song... "This is the air I breathe, this is the air I breathe, your holy presence, living in me. This is my daily bread, this is my daily bread, your very word, spoken to me... And I, I'm desperate for you, and I, I'm lost without you." I don't remember anything else from that service but that song. It was what I needed to hear, what I needed to say. It was where I needed to be. I felt peace as I walked in the doors of that church, my church, my family. I didn't really talk to anyone, I just cried and prayed and sat there. And then I left. I picked up the kids from their father, and held them. I was SO tired, and so mentally drained. When they napped, I napped.

I guess that is seems like every year, this day, the day when everyone else celebrates their love, I seem to find more reasons to not like it. More reasons to just want to crawl into a hole and not be around anyone, more reasons to roll my eyes when all my girlfriends are getting flowers, and chocolates, and jewelry and other things that their men use to show them just how much they love them. I'm not sure that if I had a man to treat me like that that I'd be any happier about this day... but it would be nice to not have to face this day alone. Oh well... I guess the best thing for me to do, is to stop crying, fight through my day at work, and look forward to seeing my kids, I will be much better off. They are my life, and when Jackson is old enough, I'm going to do everything I can to teach him how important it is to make his woman feel special Every Day, but extra special on some of these certain days.

I surrender my pain and bad memories to God. In doing that, I am able to smile, even if just a little bit, and maybe I can see this as just another day, rather than a day full of not so good memories. I'm still Not a fan... But I will get through it, I will survive, it is what i do, it is how I have learned to live my life. God willing, I will have a good day, and I will smile and find joy, somewhere!!!

God Bless!! And Happy Valentine's Day!

Baby Cat...

2011-01-07T15:54:00.000-05:00

Grey and Pink look good together...

You see, Auri got a doll for her birthday that came with this powder so you can make your own snow, a scarf, hairbrush, boots, and of course... This cute little pink hat...

Apparently Auri thought the hat looked better on Baby than it does on the doll... The kids had a great time, and the best part about it was that Baby didn't even care... she purrred the whole time! It was adorable!!!

And of course, after we had put up the Christmas tree, Jackson and Baby needed to take some time to rest and relax together... My kids love their animals!!!

Have and Amazing Day!!!!

God Bless!

-Kristen

Aurora Lilias....

2010-12-16T12:30:00.001-05:00

My Beautiful Princess turned 5 on December 6th... Here are some pictures... There are more to come! She is Beautiful, and amazing, and smart, and talented, and mine! And although I think she's 14 instead of 5, I Love Her more than words can express!!!

The last picture is one of my favorite pictures EVER!!!

May you feel blessed today!

-Kristen

Date Night...

2010-11-23T12:14:00.001-05:00

I hadn't been on a date in a very long time....

And I'd never had the chance to go on a date with one of my nephews...

So I jumped at the chance when my sister asked me if I could take Isaac to a movie....

So... Last night, I picked up Isaac around 7:15 and we drove down to OSU campus South Gateway to catch a movie...

You see, Isaac wants to be a tap dancer, and there was a documentary type movie called, "GottaMove, Women of Tap" showing. So we took the opportunity to enjoy some amazing talent and listen to the music that these ladies made with their feet! (the oldest tapper in the movie was 88, and still goin strong) I think he wants to tap dance even more now after seeing this. And it was great because the FilmMaker was there and even talked a little before and after the film.

Then after the enjoyable movie, we walked across the sidewalk to ColdStone and got some much needed IceCream. We had such a good time, and talked about tap dancing the whole time we ate IceCream.

I thought I'd share a few pictures that I took while we were eating....

That's right, the ever so handsome Isaac got chocolate, and chocolate and more chocolate. And yes, he finished all of the ice cream, and part of the waffle cone. But he got full eventually and had to stop...

Here we are, my first, only and favorite date of 2010!

PS... Thank You Karin for asking me to take him.. We had such a wonderful time and I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my Monday evening!

-Kristen

Fall Soccer....

2010-11-17T12:27:00.000-05:00

I know he is only seven, and he is more gumby than he is athletic, but I love watching Jackson play soccer. He fully enjoys playing with his friends, and he seemed to learn a lot this year. Here are some pictures from this Fall's soccer season.

Can't wait till Spring!!!

I hope if you have kids, that you enjoy them as much as I enjoy mine!!

God Bless!!

-Kristen

Flying...

2010-10-19T11:03:00.000-04:00

Some more pictures of our visit with Uncle Sam back in September...

This is what it looks like when you get rid of your old couch...

And your niece and nephew visit...

That's right, we had lessons in flying, and jumping, and spinning in midair with something below to catch us when we fall!!!

A little giggletime with the biggest kids there that day! The kids love their uncle Sam!!

Just like God is always there to catch us when we fall. No matter the choices we make in our lives, He loves us, and is there to soften the impact. And when we get off course, we have the risk of getting hurt. He doesn't move, just like the mattress didn't move, it all depends on if we follow His path, or our own. Hmmm....

It's hard to stay on His course isn't it, He will be always waiting for us! Praise God!!!

Have an Amazing Day!!!

Generations....

2010-09-28T08:40:00.000-04:00

Four years ago, I posted these first two pictures. This first one is Ginny and I, clearly after a nap. We were so adorable. And loved sitting in mom's red rocking chair.

Then we had daugther only 25 days apart. Auri was born December 6, and Emma was born January 1. It makes sense that we should have daughters the same age, since we ran around together all the time when we were little. And she is like a sister to me.

The girls were around 7 or 8 months old when they

met for the first time, and of course,

we had to get a picture of them together

in the infamous red chair that

used to be my mother's and

now resides at my brother's house.

Now, the girls are four, almost five.

And act like they are going on eleven.

They are both super smart and super cute!

So, when the kids and I went up to

visit uncle Sam a couple weeks ago

Ginny, Mike and the kids came to see us,

we just HAD to get another picture of the girls

in that red chair. I think we will

probably do this as many times as we can!

You just can't get enough of these pretty girls!

The "Tent"...

2010-09-13T11:45:00.000-04:00

A couple weeks ago, the kids and I decided that we were going to take blankets and make a tent using the dinner table. Well, after wrapping fleece all the way around the table, I remembered that Auri had been given a "tent" for her birthday when she turned 3. So I went out to the garage and found said tent.... And the three of us using a great deal of teamwork, assembled the tent and played for a good amount of time. It was Super fun.

Then we played outside.

I had told Auri that if she was good, she could take her nap in the tent.

However, when nap time came, she "wasn't tired". So she layed in the tent for over an hour while Jackson and I hung out outside making water balloons for our water balloon that would follow Auri's nap.

Needless to say, since she never fell asleep, she came outside, and we had our waterballoon fight then. She cried and fussed because she got wet (which is not a problem any other day, but the "not tired" child was clearly tired).

So, the three of us headed inside, changed out clothes and I made her lay back down. Jackson went in and layed on my bed reading his book for school, and I told her she had ten minutes to fall asleep, and if she didn't she was going to go to her bed for her nap. We wrapped a bandana around her eyes, because the livingroom was pretty bright for a nap, and she layed down.

Sure enough, when I checked on her ten minutes later, this is what I found.....

That's right, she had fallen asleep. And she stayed there for about an hour and a half. I hated to wake her up, but if I hadn't she would have never gone to bed that night. She looked so cute there laying in her tent.

We have since put the tent back in it's box for the next time we have a whole day to have a tent party! We had fun! And will again very soon!!

Hug your babies....

They grow up WAY too fast!

Have a Blessed Day!!!

Makin Pizza.....

2010-09-01T13:35:00.000-04:00

Last night, in honor of my dear friend Heather (who the kids call Aunt Heather) and her birthday, which was the 30th... We made homemade pizza. Her favorite past-time with us!

And homemade pizza isn't really homemade unless the crust is from scratch as well...

Auri, spreading out the dough for Her Own pizza!..

Jackson spreading out His dough...

Messy hands are Super Fun!!!...

Spreading the sauce...

And Grating the Cheese...

(they each got a turn, but mommy finished it!)

Auri's turn...

Time to sprinkle the cheese...

And put on toppings...

Jackson- He wanted tomatoes and pepperoni...

(Do you see the smiley face?)

Auri wanted pepperoni and mushrooms...

25 minutes in the oven at 425 degrees... And you have pizza...

They were so proud of their pizzas!!!..

Ready to eat...

Happy Birthday our Sweet Heather! We love and miss you!!!

I hope you all have an amazing day!!!

Go make homemade pizza with your kids!...

The reward of time spent together is worth the mess!

The missions trip that changed my life...

2010-08-10T11:51:00.000-04:00

Two 32 foot RVs. Yes, I co-drove one of them!

We left the Church at 6:30 am on Saturday July 17. Drove through Kentucky, then Tennessee, then Alabama and crossed the border into Mississippi for our first night stay at a KOA...

This rocket was a Huge statue at the rest stop in Alabama..

Our 2nd day was spent driving through Mississippi and into Louisiana. That night we stayed at a KOA in Baton Rouge, LA. Some of the kids were concerned that they wouldn't get a "good" meal the rest of the trip, so a few of us headed to Longhorns for steaks. Somehow I got the honor of driving them. Even though I didn't get a steak out of it.

This is the girls (minus DeAnna) while waiting for the food at the steakhouse. Fun Times!!

On Day three of our journey, we drove from Baton Rouge to Lake Charles Louisiana. We were warned of this bridge, although because it wasn't too high, and was mostly over swamps, it wasn't as bad as was expected. However, it WAS a 20 mile bridge, Over Water!!

We finally arrived at the ship we were to be staying on in Lake Charles. Yes, I said Staying On the ship! We lived here for four days! Yes, for those of you who know me, this was pretty scary for me, due to my immense fear of water, and bridges with water under them (of which there were two to pass over just to get on the ship)

The Spirit!...

The Mess Hall where we had our meals in the Spirit Ship!

Day one on the ship, get our information about what the organization "Friendships" is about, what they do and how Amazing they are. We talked to some of the "SeaHawks" and then Erica and Kyle decided that they needed me to go out on the deck. Yes that's right, looking over the water. Ummmmm......

You see I wouldn't get close to the edge!

Our nights consisted of worshiping at the Lake Charles Church of the Nazarene. We sang lots of awesome songs, and had someone different speak every night!

Murray and four of the SeaHawks shared the first night about what they do, and what God is doing for and through them ...

(from left.. Shayla, Courtney, Amanda (you can't see her, she's behind Murray), and Oscar)

Oscar and Me! He's awesome! You all need to meet him, his joy and love for Jesus are totally contagious!

Day one of working, we all got jobs. There was a pool to work on, flowers (hundred of plants, literally) to move, a 324ft ship to clean (which they do everyday), and two huge coast guard warehouses to empty of desks, chairs, and mostly doors and windows. There were tons of mud wasps, and hundreds of doors and windows and mirrors that needed moved. I went to this jobsite, because it gave me the free reign to leave as needed to fetch water for the thirsty, and to take lots of pictures and videos of everyone working!

We filled a 54 foot semi with doors and windows...

... and lined walls of two warehouses.

And yes, I got dirty with everyone else. I actually really enjoyed getting in and doing my part! And what an accomplishment the last day we worked to have finished the job and even start on other things. Wow!

This is me at lunch on day one of work. I was dirty and sweaty, but loved workin for Jesus and his people!

After our first day of work was done, some of the kids got to jump off the side of the ship with the SeaHawks. This was kind of therapeutic for me. I was able to take pictures and videos of it without having a panic attack!

This is DeAnna, I was so proud of her!!

At dinner that evening, Shayla brought up this lizard, it had just hatched in her bedroom. He was so cute!!

For a couple days this alligator would come between the ship and the shore. He would swim around and some people would throw food in for him.

Then Pat and Courtney decided they wanted to catch it, at 10:30 at night. Courtney is a true cowgirl... she got a rope and literally lassoed the little guy! It was really exciting.

One of the nights at church, we took a love offering for to purchase a pump and filtration system for the makeshift pool on the Friendships property. We weren't sure how much we would get, but they raised over $830 for this. It was really incredible to see these kids give!

So, then the "pool" had to be cleaned and filled with water. Here are some of the kids trying to clean out the dirt, and tree pieces, and just random stuff from the bottom. This pool is actually a cut off tank that was donated to Friendships and then converted into a pool.

Kalene and DeAnna moving plants!!...

Jeralyn and me, we all had a "handshake" buddy. We had to make up a handshake on the first night of church and every time we saw each other we did it. All week. It was fun!

My new friend...

One of the SeaHawk guys put him on me while we were waiting for the truck to load with doors. He crawled all over me. How cute!!!

Logan, one of the kids working with us, took him off my shoulder, thus scaring him, and when he put him back on me, the poor little guy broke off his tail, I'm told he did that because he was nervous. Kinda icky, but he was okay, apparently they grow back!

The senior pastor at Lake Charles Naz is actually a Buckeye fan! Fancy that!!!

Thursday night we went to a nationally renowned chefs house (whose kids we worked with all week) for an authentic Cajun feast! I don't eat seafood, but the rest of it was simply amazing! My favorite was the gumbo, that I will learn to make someday!!!

Enjoying friends company at the feast...

Oscar, Lindsay and Landon

RJ (the youth pastor from Shreveport Nazarene) and Me..

DeAnna and Randy..

While there we worked with Shreveport Nazarene and Lake Charles Nazarene youth groups! This is the whole group, with a few of the friendships folks who joined us for church the last night!

Kyle and Lisa!!! We LOVE Lisa!!!

The Friendships Crew.

Many of them are like family now!

Right before we left for home. Go Shep Naz! I'm so proud of these kids and adults! What a blessing they all were on this trip and still are!!

On our way home, we stopped for a swamp tour. We saw some HUGE alligators. The biggest was around 18 feet long...

A very calm and still Blue Heron

Baby Alligators and Huge turtles..

Our group on the Swamp tour..

What an amazing trip. I wouldn't trade this for the world. I look forward to going back. I am excited about what God is doing in my life and the life of these kids and their families. God is Good and His love endures forever! Listen, He's talking to you!!

Have a Blessed Day! I know I am!!

July 4th, 2010...

2010-07-29T08:47:00.000-04:00

Enjoying the day with my "sister"...

Squirting water at all the scout troops and sports teams.

A Beautiful bike that got overheated!

Auri was Very proud of the stickers she was getting from all the campaigning folks!

Jackson was dry here, but he was SOAKED from all the squirting!

Pat and Sonjia,

Kassi and Auri have a love for each other that is unmeasurable!..

Auri and her "Shiny Spinner"

We had a great July 4th weekend. With fireworks three days in a row, lots of fun with loved friends!

Jackson is 7!!! TODAY!!!

2010-07-26T08:37:00.000-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACKSON!!!

He will change the world some day! He's already changed mine!!!

Fun Times At Creekside...

2010-07-23T11:31:00.000-04:00

The kids and I enjoy going to Creekside in Gahanna to feed the ducks and walk the paths. It's nice to enjoy such a beautiful place with your children..

Auri, posing in the outfit Mimi made her, with purple flowers, because "that's Mimi's favorite color, and she will like it".

Baby Ducks!!!

Playing in the water...

Jackson was practicing taking pictures with my camera!

He did a great job!

Have a Fabulous Day!!!

SeaShelly?

2010-07-17T08:57:00.000-04:00

So... Mom bought the kids hermit crabs. And I'm trying to make them understand that they need to be more creative with the names of them, but for some reason, they just don't get it.

So, Jackson named his Spot, because it's shell is white with black spots... Real Creative! What's he gonna do when it has to move to a bigger shell?...

Auri has named her crab, SeaShelly, because she says it never comes out of it's shell, although it seems to be very active and friendly. And we see it all the time!

And FYI... Crabs are creapy and ugly. But I do find myself talking to them every night before I go to bed. I'm weird, I know!

HeHeHe! Good Times!

Visits With Papa!

2010-07-16T07:18:00.000-04:00

I Love These pictures of Dad with the kids, but he's lost A LOT of weight since these were taken, which was only a month or two ago!

I could probably find a picture of my and dad like this when I was Auri's size.

And no matter how sick he is or how horrible he feels, he Always prays with each of us before we leave him!

Have a Blessed Day!

Too cute not to share...

2010-06-23T21:11:00.000-04:00

So, when I got to mom's today to get the kids so we could go to church, I was informed that Auri's flip flops were missing. Needless to say, that's pretty much all she wears now. Tennies are too hot, and flip flops work with anything. So anyway, they were missing, so she put on her play princess heals to wear to church. Which matched her pink dress quite nicely.

So moving on through the night she was mostly barefoot and didn't mind because she belongs barefoot in the country anyway.

When we got home, she sat down at the table and she and I shared what was left of a bag of chips.
In the middle of eating, I looked around the room and simply made the statement that I just didn't know where else to look for her flip flops. I pondered it a minute and she then jumped out of her chair and stood in front of me with wide eyes and declared...

"If we can not find my flip flops, then this truly is a mystery."

Now, me trying to contain my laughter at how adorable she was in the moment, I said, "yes, it must be a mystery, you are right!"

She said to me, "Well if it is a mystery, then we will have to search EVERYWHERE for them. Because they are missing!"

Me, still trying desperately not to burst out in laughter at the sheer joy and intrigue in her eyes, I just raised my eyebrows and smiled at her.

The sides of her mouth started to curl up in a coy smile and her eyes were sparkling with excitement, and she said.. "We must look under the chair!" pointing under the chair I was sitting in. I shook my head yes, and she proceeded.... Looking to the left and then to the right without moving her feet, she pointed at the dog and said, with a slight orneriness, "We will need to look under the dog even."

I was finding it very difficult by now to not laugh out loud, so I didn't say anything, I figured, if I said anything then the laughter would come and she would stop, so I put on my serious face and pierced my lips. I gave her a slight grin and she said... "Dogs lay on flip flops. Some dogs even eat flip flops!" Her eyes were very big and very serious at this point, she took a step toward me and lowered her voice, as if to whisper, and softly said, "Some dogs like flip flops. They like to eat them because..." and her voice got even softer... "they think they taste good, and they like to chew on them."

At this point I no longer felt the need to laugh. The conversation had gotten serious. And I was doing my best to just let her explore her imagination.

So after, a slight smile and nod of her head with bright wide eyes, she stepped back, and spoke in her excited voice again, and said, "Yup, that's what we should do. This is a mystery! And this mystery needs to be solved. So, let's go mom!"

Of course, after turning around and seeing that she still had chips in her bowl, she sat back down and continued eating, as if the "Great Mystery" that had just been discussed, could be put on hold for another time. I wish I could tell you just how adorable this was for me, and for those of you who know Auri and her great ability to tell stories and to make the simplest things seem to be ever so important, well, you know what I'm talking about and if you close your eyes, I'm sure you can see sweet little Auri as she ever so seriously declared to me that "this is a mystery".

I hope this finds you all in good spirits and with great joy, and if not that maybe my sweet angel can help you feel joy right now!

God Bless! Have a wonderful day and smile, you never know what four year old will see you and share that smile with someone else!

2010-06-17T13:13:00.000-04:00

Jackson Just called me at work, and left me the sweetest message Ever!

I wish I could play it for you, because he spoke in this fast and heavy voice that only a six year old boy can do, and he was so deliberate with what he had to say. Since I can't let you hear it, I'm gonna type it.. And just remember, you have to put it in a very breathy, fast voice like that of a just out of first grader would sound!!!

.....

""Hi Mommy, it's your oldest...

I would just like to know if you are having a good day...

And please call me back...

And... I Love You....

And, I'm not having a bad day or anything.

... Okay, Bye!""

Then in the faint background, you hear...

I Leaved a message (in a very proud and energetic voice)

And then my mom chimes in...

"Then hang up!"

So Cute, I had to share!!!

Have a Great Day!

38 Tulips for 38 Years...

2010-05-25T13:18:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is Mom and Dad's 38th anniversary. Since dad has been in the hospital since April 4th, and is having surgery today, mom had to take today off. Which means she will have to work tomorrow. So they won't get to be together on their anniversary. So Sam, Karin and myself decided that it would be a good idea to give them something special today, because we knew they would be together.

So last night, I went to the store and got them 38 purple and pink tulips. You see, mom's favorite color is purple and dad's favorite flower is the tulip! It was a tight squeeze for that many stems to fit in the widest vase I could find, but it worked. And was beautiful! They loved it! Karin made a special homemade card for them, and we all signed it.

I hope you all have a blessed day! Just remember, God is in control and is taking care of us all! Even when life seems really crazy! HE is holding you! And remember, in everything we go through, there is always a lesson He has for us to learn! Use each day as a growing experience and for His glory!

Much Love!

-Kristen

Brutus!!!

2010-04-30T08:13:00.000-04:00

About eight years ago, there was a company that put together somewhere around 50 different Brutus Statues. They were displayed in and out of the Shottenstein Center for a while. And then six years ago, they went to the place of whomever sponsored their making. Well, my friend and coworker, Leah, and I have been on a mission to find all the Brutus Statues that we can find. We have collected a variety of pictures with 15 statues thus far. And know of a few more. We are going to keep looking until we get as many as possible. It is a great deal of fun and a fabulous way to spend our lunch breaks!!

Here are a few of the Brutus Statues that we have made friends with! ...

Mimi Time!!!

2010-03-15T18:03:00.000-04:00

Yesterday as I was taking the kids to their father so I could attend a memorial service at the church, Auri and I shared this dialogue...

Auri: Am I going to Kay's (the babysitter) today?

Me: No Honey, you'll go to Kay's tomorrow.

Auri: But only for 2 days, right?

Me: No Honey, every week you go for 5 days, and tomorrow starts a new week, so it is day one of 5 days.

Auri: (after some sighs of unhappiness and great thought) Well I still haven't had my day at Mimi's. I would prefer to just go to Mimi's and not go to Kay's.

Me: Well Baby, I know you'd rather go to Mimi's, but she works a lot and she can't have you every day. But I will talk to her and see if there is a day you can spend with her. Okay?

Auri: Well, we're gonna have to figure it out, because I need to spend some time with my Mimi! I just need to go to her house!

Me: Okay Honey, we will figure it out! We all need our Mimi time, we'll see what we can do!

And that was the end of it. She is right though, she definately needs to spend some time with her Mimi's they are both having withdrawl!

I read this on msn.com

2010-01-08T08:15:00.000-05:00

How one hard winter created a true Americanism.

When you’re from Buffalo, New York, you get to know snow. I was there when six feet fell in five days. I was there when one foot fell in one hour—rush hour, conveniently—paralyzing the city and creating instant icy hell. As a wee lad, I lived through the ferocious Blizzard of ’77. And while I hate snow, the word “blizzard” has always appealed to me. This vivid, visceral, and distinctly American word has a history as deep as a snow drift.

Originally, “blizzard” involved no snow, wind chill, or wintry conditions at all. The Oxford English Dictionary records it as an early 18th century word for a sharp, violent blow, first found in 1829. As is often the case, the origin is unclear; it probably has some relation to words like “blow,” “blast,” “blister,” and “bluster.” The Century Dictionary suggests it’s an alteration of “blazer” and provides a definition a little more in tune with the current sense: “A general discharge of guns; a rattling volley; a general; blazing away’.” The Century also notes that “blizzard” meant verbal as well as physical violence: “Figuratively, a volley; a sudden (oratorical) attack; an overwhelming retort.” That seems to be the meaning here: “A gentleman at dinner asked me for a toast; and supposing he meant to have some fun at my expense, I concluded to go ahead, and give him and his likes a blizzard” (1834).

The current meaning started to emerge as early as 1859, but it took the nasty winter of 1880 and 1881 to establish “blizzard” as a common word for a storm. The severity of that season is discussed in Herbert Samuel Schell’s History of South Dakota: “The winter of 1880-1881 often has been called ‘the hard winter.’ A blizzard occurred as early as October, and although most of this early snow disappeared, heavy precipitation throughout the winter resulted in an accumulation of more than eleven feet of snow in many communities.” Yeesh! Even on the ice planet Hoth, eleven feet would get your attention.

An 1881 OED quotation on the emergence of the term is just like contemporary articles in which writers speculate on the staying power of terms like “staycation” or “man-cession”: “The hard weather has called into use a word which promises to become a national Americanism, namely ‘blizzard’. It designates a storm (of snow and wind) which men cannot resist away from shelter.” I have to say I enjoyed the OED’s definition of this sense: “A furious blast of frost-wind and blinding snow, in which man and beast frequently perish.” They don’t make definitions like that anymore.

Though “blizzard” began its lexical life in folksy fashion, it does have a technical meaning for meteorologists. The National Weather Service defines a blizzard as: “1. Sustained wind speeds of 35 mph or more, or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater; 2. Considerable falling and/or blowing snow that reduces visibility frequently to 1/4 mile or less.” All that blowing and swirling wind is why you often hear about a “whiteout”—a word synonymous with “blizzard” since the 1940’s.

Words rarely stop evolving, and just as “blizzard” morphed from a sharp blow to a huge storm, it has continued to spread its snowy wings in metaphorical directions. With snow-like stuff, the metaphor is an easy fit, as here in 1947: “Confetti and torn paper blizzarded down on 2,000 American Navy men today as they marched through Sydney's streets.” A 2001 quote shows the metaphor is pretty stretchy: “The proliferation of emails, blizzarding in, brings a daily dilemma: to save or delete?” My favorite example comes from word-collecting poet/conceptual artist Kenneth Goldsmith, who recorded every word he spoke for a week in 1997, culminating in the book/installation piece Soliloquy. The epigram was “If every word spoken in New York City daily were somehow to materialize as a snowflake, each day there would be a blizzard.”

Horrible as a blizzard is, the word is a classic Americanism and a great example of how slang meanings can join standard English. As slang-master Michael Adams puts it, “To travel among ephemeral American English and the conversational grammar that accompanies it is simply to participate broadly and deeply in American culture, here and now.” With language as well as snow, sometimes it sticks and sometimes it doesn’t.

New Pics of Kids....

2009-11-30T16:05:00.001-05:00

On Sunday November 22nd, the kids and I went out to Creekside, in Gahanna and had ourselves a bit of a photo shoot. Here as some of the pictures I took! We had a good time. And after that day, I have decided that Jackson would really good at modeling, he's a natural, and Auri is just amazing! She is an Angel!

Auri....

(laughing because Jackson was giving me bunny ears)

(poor baby had to pee really bad, she was a real trooper)My AngelPrincess..

Jackson...

RockStar!!!

Together.....

(a serious look)

My Favorite..

Have a Great Day!!!

My latest!!!

2009-11-23T14:42:00.000-05:00

The Youth Group at our Church has a food pounding every year during the Ohio State/ Michigan game. We have a good ole tailgate party and collect food instead of admission cost. Well, I was asked to make a cake for the tailgate party, so here it is! I figured it's called pound Michigan, so why not make it look like a pounding. I like it!!!

I also paint the kids' faces every year for the tailgate. Last year they were helmets, this year Jackson wanted a block O and a buckeye leaf. His idea!!! Then all the kids wanted it!

Have a Great Day!!!!

A couple more cakes from the last many months...

2009-10-30T07:52:00.000-04:00

The one for Aaron's work. This is the one that was baking over in the previous post! For Mom and Dad's 37th Anniversary. Karin and I helped Dad surprise mom with dinner, a cake and gifts from him. It was great!!
That's right. It's an American Idol cake. Sonjia and I had a party for the season finali (which happened to be on my birthday). We had a great time!!

The cake I mentioned in the previous post. I made her an almond flavored cake, with almond flavored icing. With Raspberry filling! It was amazing!!! That's why Pat wanted me to make him one, his choice was chocolate on chocolate!!!

Me and My Girls....

2009-10-25T15:33:00.000-04:00

My Sista...

It's Sonjia and me at Heather and Brandon's Wedding!!!

Jena, Sonjia and I all on Jena's bike! We are hot Mamas!!!!!!!!

Someday I'll have a bike of my own. But for now I'll live through Jena!!!

Have a GREAT day!!!!

-Kristen

3rd and 4th of July Festivities.

2009-10-20T14:53:00.000-04:00

Red White and BOOM!!!!

Took the kids down with Sonjia, Pat and Kassi. Missed part of the parade, but got a couple cool pics....

Jackson and Auri sitting on top of the car watching the fireworks!

Jackson breakdancing after the fireworks. We waited before leaving because we were at the top of a parking garage and didn't want to deal with traffic. So we cranked our music and he danced for us!! We Love watching him Dance!!!...

4th of July Parade with Ashleigh, Raf, Kaelyn, and Cambria...

Auri and Kaelyn befriended this little boy!

Loved this. The ladies were having so much fun, and it reminds me of Pollyanna! Warms me from the inside out! Anyone want to play the "Glad Game?"!!!!!

I painted the kids faces for the Fireworks after spending the day with the extended family...

Waiting for the fireworks to begin...

Playing with Daddy/Uncle Aaron...

Cambria...

Jackson was having such a good time dancing and posing with his Aunt and cousins!

This is what happens when Black Eyed Peas starts playing!!!...

My favorite picture of him dancing!After he was done dancing, and had posed with everyone else, it was finally my turn for a photo opp with him. Of course, I was holding the camera, so it isn't a great picture, but it is me and my boy, so I like it!!!

Time for the fireworks!

He was shooting them out of the sky! So cute!!

Was a fun couple of days!!!!

Keep watching there are more pictures to come!!!!

God Bless! -Kristen

Cakes, Cakes, Cakes....

2009-10-15T13:53:00.000-04:00

Some cakes I've done in the last few months!.....

The Seven Year Anniversary cake for Celebrate Recovery at Shepherd Naz!

(May 7, 2009)

I promised Pat a Chocolate Iced, Chocolate Cake for his birthday, after he saw the one I made for his wife. His birthday is two days before mine! So he got one!

(May 18, 2009)

A cake I made for Aaron for work, that I only have a picture of on my phone, but her is what it looked like as it baked. Yup, straight over the side...
(June 26, 2009)

Bridal Shower for Heather Green (Cummings)...

(July 18, 2009)

Jackson's Birthday Cake. He wanted BatMan! He had Ironman stuff, Transformers places and decorations and a Batman cake, can we scream "BOY!!!"

(July 26, 2009)

Brandon and Heather Cummings Wedding cake....

(August 15, 2009)

Look for more posts coming soon!!!

Have a great day!!!

-Kristen

The Love of My Maker!

2009-09-02T08:28:00.001-04:00

Even if I fall, I'll rise again,
For You are my God,
Even if I fall You'll pick me up!

And though my way seems uncertain,
In You I'll put my Trust!

Because...

Even if I fall, I'll rise again,
For You are my God,
Even if I fall You'll pick me up!

2009-05-08T12:27:00.000-04:00

Watch your thoughts, they become words.

Watch your words, they become actions.

Watch your actions, they become habits.

Watch your habits, they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes...

your destiny.

Priceless!....

2009-04-27T14:46:00.001-04:00

I see this, and all I can think of is when I was about that size and my daddy would hold me, and he would pray for me and we would snuggle. Now he is doing it with my kids!

Tears begin to flow

Memories rush in

My heart warms

I close my eyes

He is holding me again.

All worries,

All cares,

All happinesses,

All sadnesses,

All fear,

All uncertainty,

It all disappears,

Into the arms of my daddy!

Oh to be small again,

Just the right size,

To curl up in his arms,

To cry on his shoulder,

For nothing else to matter!

I Love You Dad!

Thank you for teaching me,

Through your love,

How to lean on my

Heavenly Father.

Thank you for being my biggest fan,

For supporting my every whim,

For laughing at my stupid jokes,

For watching me run!

Thank you for letting me Fly!

And for praying for the the WHOLE time!

I Love You!!!

-Your "George"

Easter With Mimi and Papa!

2009-04-23T08:09:00.000-04:00

After being at the church for 5 hours so that mommy could sing with the choir, we went home, made some food, and headed over to Mimi and Papa's house for an Easter dinner, and an Easter Egg hunt (which ended up being after naps instead of before due to a very tired 5 year old melting down)!

Daddy and the kids! He had to at least try to get his hair to look like Jackson's! Cute!

In an attempt to make them laugh instead of their fake smiles, I crossed my eyes, and well, instead of laughing, they tried to mimic me, and this is what we got! I had to post it, it's too funny not to!!!He's a cool dude, she just loves her cool dude! They're adorable!Not sure what they were laughing about, maybe I crossed my eyes again and it worked. Who knows! But it's cute anyway!!Posing (or not) by Mimi's new tree!Jackson cried himself to sleep after his meltdown that ended in him being put in Papa's bed. So, Mimi rocked Auri to sleep. And then Mimi fell asleep too!!While Jackson was still napping, and daddy was hiding eggs, Auri and Papa decided to play Wii Bowling! She's pretty good at it!Daddy just lined her up to get a spare and she went at it!

Once Jackson woke up, he came and snuggled in Mimi's chair with me. It just so happened that I had my camera with me because I was taking the pictures that you just looked at. So I turned it around and took a couple pictures of Jackson and myself together! It was fun. Then he took a picture of Mimi!

Then it was time for the egg hunt. Time for instructions. And the buckets...
And then off they went!
In their Easter baskets they both got a gender specific toy (although Auri loves Jackson's) and a thing of bubbles. So of course, forget the candy, let's blow bubbles! So we went outside!Chasing bubbles!
(this is one of my favorite pictures of the day!)

The Haircut!

2009-04-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

Jackson had been asking me for months to cut his hair so he can wear a mohawk again. So here it goes. Although I LOVE his long hair, he was tired of it, here is the hair cut that some of us dreaded and some of us were waiting for!That's right the first snip was 5 1/2 inches long. And that was before the final trim. By the end, there was up to 9 inches taken off!
He thinks he a rockstar! I can't say any different! I love mohawks, so this is fine with me. But like I said, I loved his long blonde curls too! His choice! He is old enough to know what he wants in some areas of his life!!

Coloring Eggs...

2009-04-18T08:12:00.000-04:00

Waiting in anticipation to get started coloring eggs! Auri thought she could pull it out of the colored water all by herself! Look at that concentration! She tried! But then she spilt blue water on my floor trying to give the eggs to Daddy! At least she tried (although told not to)!
So eggs in, some eggs out. Some multi colored, some only one! All in all, a fun experience! Kids are such a joy!

Annual Easter Egg Hunt @ Church....

2009-04-16T09:25:00.000-04:00

Finishing Mommy's coffee, maybe it will help her get more eggs. Who knows!

He wanted Batman, but the girl didn't know how to do that, so she let me give it a try!

Standing at the line waiting for them to say "GO" to get all the Easter eggs!Instead of getting all the eggs at her feet, she went to the middle. She appartently wanted certain ones. I thought she would come back with all pink, but she actually had a few different colors! That's right, I lost her in the madness for a minute! Go ahead, play where's waldo. She had on red stripes! You find her!!!...Jackson was super ready for his Egg hunt! Waiting patiently at the line! He went after a spiderman egg, and lost the opportunity for a lot of other ones. But I think he had fun!!Most kids were calling this the Bunny face. But not Auri, she was a kitty! She has to be different! Which is fine with me!

Decorating and eating yummy sugar cookies!There was a giant blow up jumpy thing, as we were standing in line Auri decided that she would rather do hopscotch. So there she went, over and over! And she never did get in the giant bubble! She was scared! Jackson did though! I didn't get a good picture of him in there tough. Waiting to hear what Pastor Julie and Pastor Sam had to say!! He way of saying she doesn't want only ONE piece of candy, she wants TWO!!!!

Jam Session...

2009-04-13T09:56:00.001-04:00

Ezzy turned 3 in January!!

2009-03-25T08:10:00.000-04:00

Esther-Faith's Birthday cake that I did for her! And below is the front cover of the book,

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar"

which her party was themed like! It was fun. Of course, it was 2 months ago, but hey, at least I'm finally putting the pictures up, right?

Have a Great Day!!!
-Kristen

PS. Smile, God Loves You!!!!

2009-02-12T10:36:00.000-05:00

I am only as strong as the arm of God that is holding me up!

And Only as strong as He lets me be,
I still need to lean and rely on Him!

Or I will fall, because without Him, I will trip on my own feet!

Pictures From The Trip to New York...

2009-02-03T15:27:00.000-05:00

The roads were bad, the snow was heavy falling, and the visibility was minimal! This is Karin and Tim (and kids) infront of us on Route 71...

Look close, you can barely see The Henn vehicle in front of us. It was only about a hundred feet ahead. The visibility was That bad!!

A little further behind. One of the few times that the snow let up a little!

This is looking out over Lake Chataquea. You couldn't even see the other side of the lake. Or the lighthouse that is at the end of the little penisula where you see the trees!!

Sam, Laura, and Isaiah road to the church from the funeral home with us!

The snow had been perfectly plowed at the church. So I had Jackson stand by it to show how tall it was!

Auri wanted to hold my cousin Michael's baby, Kendal! She was trying to turn around to look at her! It was cute!

Lindsay, Michael and Kendal!

The flowers that we got from the arrangements to remember Grandpa! The Carnation was mom's, the yellow rose was mine, the tulip was Jackson's and the Yellow/Red rose was Auri's!

This was on the way home from New York. We wanted to get a picture of how tall the snow was at the gas station where stopped. Auri thought it was great until I put it in the snow!

I hope you enjoy the pictures!! Have a Wonderful day!!

-Kristen

2009-01-15T15:58:00.000-05:00

Tire BlowOut on Rt 71N in downtown Columbus (Changed by Tim. God sent a man in a snowplow to be a guardian angel to block the traffic from getting close to Tim)…

2 New tires ($313), Hot Cocoa in 5 children, coffee in 3 grownups, Potty break for 8, catheter for 1, Picture of 5 kids with Frishes BigBoy, and an hour and a half later, back on the road…

Seeing over a dozen cars skidded off the road in Northern Ohio, and driving 10 to 20 miles and hour on a major highway…

5 year old 15 minute meltdown…

Blizzard conditions through Pennsylvania and New York…

Finally at the Hotel in Jamestown…

Another 5 year old meltdown, this one 35 minutes…

Mom to Aunt Becky’s then to calling hours, Kiki, Uncle Tim and kids to calling hours. Left alone in a hotel room with two crabby kids. Finally a visit with a Great friend. Kids bathed, and in jammies…

A bag of popcorn to share with the kids, everyone else returns and then it’s to bed. And apparently time for another 5 year old meltdown (this one only 7 minutes). Auri whines and then leaves to sleep with Mimi!

Wake up when the sun rises, shower, continental breakfast at the hotel, getting kids dressed, and grownups dressed and prettified…

Leave hotel just before noon, stop at Tim Horton’s for coffee and more food for the kids…

Head to funeral home. By way of CVS for medicine for the not feeling well 3 year old (Princess Aurora)…

Time to say warm hellos to the many cousins, aunt, uncles and one beloved grandmother. A warm gush of love an emotion for the Grandfather whom I will never forget, and will always love. Many tears, from all, including Jackson. Auri fell asleep on me once she got comfy…

Funeral finishes, we go to say our last good bye to Grandpa Thompson. Jackson wouldn’t stop talking to him, and trying to touch his arm. And keeps telling me that he is sad that he will never get to see GrandPapa again. And how much he will miss taking walks with him beside the corn and picking vegetables from his garden with him. He put a picture of himself sitting on GrandPapa’s lap in the coffin…

After many tears, and hugs of grief and memories with loved ones, it’s time to go to the church for dinner and another 5 year old meltdown. This one lasted the entire time we ate and finally Tim (the man with the magic heart) takes him and just sits with him until he is done crying long enough to talk and then come apologize. Lasted about an hour…

Nice conversations with Grandma, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Cousins-in-law. A sad reason to get together, but a wonderful chance to catch up…

Time to say our good byes and promises to come up more often. And we’re off again, 4:49pm…

Better road conditions, until we get to Ohio, of course. Counted at least 25 cars or car tracks in the median between the two sides of the highway. Driving as slow as 30mph at times. Mom’s arms tired and stiff, Tim’s arms tired and stiff…

Finally pulled into mom’s driveway at 12:38am. Unload the van, into the car and the house. Shovel the ramp and around the cars…

Off to our house, kids dressed and to bed. Unpacked suitcase and got clothes for kids and myself to wear today. Then to bed myself, 1:24am…….

A RoadTrip to Falconer, New York with the family……

……. Priceless!!

Aurora Turns 3!!!!

2008-12-16T15:30:00.000-05:00

On December 6th, Aurora turned Three years old...

First she celebrated on Wednesday after church with Mimi and Papa. She had a mini version of the cake that she would have on her birthday. The pictures from this party are on my mom's camera, so I'll have to add them another time. But here is the cake she had that night...

These next pictures are from the 5th. She got to open one of her presents and have some icing when I was decorating the cake for her party...

SATURDAY...... December 6th 2008...
Blowing out her candles. All in one breath.
Her presents.
Kiki had given each of us a piece of paper with a carebear picture on it and all we had to do was add water, and just like magic, the picture came to life with color. The kids had a blast, and well, so did I!!

Pin the Crown on the princess. Auri won, but all the kids got a prize!
Mia...

Ezzy carried her crown like a true princess, on her head!!!

Isaac, Jackson and Nico enjoying their lunch and some joyous laughter!!!Opening gifts, this one was from Jackson!
From Heidi, Mia and Nico...
From Mommy...
She'd been asking me for about 6 months for a violin. So with the money I earned from the cake you recently saw here, I bought her one. It is of course used (maybe a dozen times), and as you can see it is full sized. She loves it!!!
From Kiki and uncle Tim, Isaiah, Isaac and Esther-Faith...
The girls crashed after the long day. Watching the movie Cars...

Now that you've seen lots of pictures up to now, I will do my best to keep my blog updated more often. Have an Amazing day!!!

God Bless!!

-Kristen

Go Buckeyes!!!!

2008-12-14T16:24:00.000-05:00

For the OSUvsMichigan game, our youth group at church has a Huge tailgate party and we all watch the game on a huge screen. I took the day off work, painted the kids faces, and headed to the church, after a little photo opp!

O-H!!!...

...I-O!!!

Daelynn, Aurora, and Sydney...

Deriek J. and Bob!! Our one Michigan fan (who actually admits it)

Coming next will be pictures from Auri's Birthday party!!!

Random Photos...

2008-12-12T16:11:00.000-05:00

This is was the Friday night before Heather and Hannah moved to Brooklyn, New York. Hannah and her friend Ava were playing with Auri and Jackson.

This is just a random picture of Auri and Jackson eating suckers and hanging out under a blanket on the couch with Mommy!

This was a day quite a while ago, she had asked me to put her hair in a ponytail. So I did. And just couldn't get over how adorable she looked with a little tail on top of her head!

50th Wedding Anniversary

2008-12-10T15:30:00.000-05:00

On October 4th I did this cake for a 50th Wedding Anniversary. But the story behind it is the cool part. This couple eloped 50 years ago, and never had a wedding reception or even more, a cake. So as a surprise for them at their 50th Anniversary party, some people wanted to have a minister their so they could renew their vowes, and wanted them to have a cake. I was very honored to have been asked to make this cake. To be a part of this very special occasion was awesome!!! Here is the cake....

Community Cookout

2008-12-08T15:31:00.000-05:00

On Sunday September 14th the winds from the hurricane visited us here in Ohio. On Monday the 15th everyone in my community decided instead of throwing away all the stuff from their freezers, we would have a cookout. We set up two grills and a makeshift firepit. Grilled steaks, burgers, and pork. We started around 6pm and hung out until about 9:30 when it was too dark for even candles to light out night and the kids needed to go to bed. A few of the younger guys from the neighborhood brought out some instruments and sang and played around the fire. It was a great deal of fun!!! One of the guys had an extra drum that was the perfect size for Auri. Here are some pictures of her enjoying her gift of music with everyone else!!

Aurora and Hannah!

Auri Jammin out!!!

Heather and myself. This is the only picture I have of us two together...

Auri and I were trying to get a picture together!

Keep watching. More pictures to come......

Been Too Long

2008-12-06T11:49:00.001-05:00

Well, we have a virus on our home computer, and then we got rid of the internet at the house, and well, I haven't taken the time to go to anyone else's house to update my blog. Sorry about the lapse! I'll have to update a few at a time.

Okay, so today is Aurora's 3rd birthday, so I will be taking pictures at her party to post, but for now, I will put some older pictures up.....

Jackson's Birthday (July 26th)

Jackson's First Day of school (September 3rd)

Our little Aurora Super Model

More pictures to come! Have a FABULOUS day!!!

-Kristen

Tagged?

2008-08-13T12:53:00.000-04:00

I've been tagged by Karin Henn

The rules are easy.

THE RULES

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.

2. Share seven facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3. Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

5. Present an image of martial discord (as in "war," not as in "marriage") from whatever period or situation you’d like.

Seven facts about me

1. I love to be outdoors and would sleep under the stars at night if it weren't for bugs.

2. I have started three novels so far, but will probably never finish any of them.

3. I am still friends with people I was friends with in High School.

4. I want to be a wedding planner or correographer some day!

5. My son just turned five and I still remember every detail from the day he was born.

6. I am in dire need of painting a new piece of art!

7. I have had two cats with the same name that look almost identical to each other.

I now tag:

Last Night!

2008-07-15T10:08:00.000-04:00

Well, as is becoming the norm, Jackson didn't take a nap yesterday. So after a long day of playing in and outside, cleaning the car out with mommy and going to the Highbanks Metro Park, he was swamped. We were watching one of the best movies of all time (according to me anyway), and he was coloring. So we left him alone. Well, let's just say, he could make it all night. And finally fell asleep at 10:40pm. Well past his bed time. And this is how he fell asleep....

He didn't even wake up when Aaron picked him up. We tried to get him to go potty before laying him down, no luck. He was so cute. It reminded me of the pictures of when Karin (my sister) would fall asleep while reading a book when she was little. Cute!!!

Have a Fabulous Day!!!

-Kristen

July 4th 2008

2008-07-15T09:58:00.000-04:00

Trying to get four kids to pose for a picture isn't easy. But oh well, at least they are all there, right? Kaelyn and Aurora loved spending the whole day together...
Aaron was playing with Cambria to try and keep her from crying. That is until she threw up on him. Funny. Gross, but funny!
Not sure what they were talking about, but Kaelyn was telling Uncle Aaron something important!
Poor Cambria was upset about something. Isn't she cute?
We had a great day with Aaron's sister Ashleigh and her two kids Kaelyn and Cambria. We went to the Upper Arlington parade in the morning, then back to our house for lunch and cooking out for dinner. Then to the Upper Arlington fireworks at Northam Park. Fun Fun!!! It's always good when the kids out number the grown ups.

-Kristen

A Woodpecker...

2008-07-15T09:52:00.000-04:00

In the tree infront of our house. I was so excited. When I was growing up, we had a dogwood tree outside the window of our dining room. And I remember just sitting with my mom and watching him go. Well, you don't see woodpeckers very often in the city, so when there was one in the tree right infront of my front door, I got excited. So here are the pictures of him. Enjoy!...He heard me talking to Auri about him and turned to try and see us. Pretty cool!

Have a Wonderful Day!!!

-Kristen

BBQ!

2008-06-17T09:43:00.000-04:00

My friend Melanie (who most of you know), sent me this in an email and I just had to share it!!!

We are about to enter the summer soon and BBQ season.
Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity, as it's the only type of cooking a 'real' man will do, probably because there is an element of danger involved.
When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion: Routine...

(1) The woman buys the food.

(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert.

(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill - beer in hand.
Here comes the important part:

(4) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.
More routine....

(5) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.

(6) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning.
He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he deals with the situation.
Important again:

(7) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.
More routine....

(8) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.

(9) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
And most important of all:

(10) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.

(11) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed 'her night off.' And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that

there's just no pleasing some women....

"Going on Vacation!"

2008-06-13T15:23:00.000-04:00

A few days ago Auri picked up this gift bag and her father's lunch bag and declared that she was, "Going On Vacation"! My little cutie!!!

It's Growing!!!

2008-06-13T15:10:00.000-04:00

My Garden today!!!There are flowers on my zucchini plants!
And my beans are giants compared to the seeds that I planted.
This is a Canna that I planted last year. It and another one have seeded and I actually have six canna flowers growing and I only planted three last year. This is the biggest because it gets the most sun!
This is called a Dalia. It also seeded and instead of just one plant, there are actually three stems!!! These ones get about four feet tall and I have to stake them because they fall over and land on all my other plants. I'll have to do that before long!
I will continue to post pictures of my mini garden as it continues to grow. I also have Yellow peppers and tomatoes that aren't pictured.

Have a Wonderful day!!!

-Kristen

My Little Garden...

2008-05-28T13:17:00.000-04:00

This is the amount of space that I have for a garden. Usually I plant all flowers but I decided to plant vegetables! I'm so excited to have fresh veggies this summer!!!

My pretty Columbines...

Zucchini...
Yellow ("wax") beans. Planted from seeds less than two weeks ago. They grow more every day.
Peas. Also planted from seeds...I also planted Yellow peppers! I didn't take a picture of them though because they aren't as exciting as the rest.

Be looking for new pictures as my plants mature.

Have great day!

-Kristen

Finally...

2008-05-19T12:43:00.000-04:00

I have had these lillies for around three years. They were given to me from one of my mother's neighbors. This is the first time there have been any blooms on the plant. There is actually a plant right beside this one that still hasn't ever bloomed. Anyway, by the time all the buds were done opening, I had a total of seven blooms on it. Needless to say, I was very happy!!!
While I was working on the truck for Isaac, Jackson and Aurora both wanted to paint. I didn't let them the whole time, but on one day they had been really good that morning, so I let them both have a small canvas to work with. This one is Jackson's. The next day he gave the painting to his Aunt Heather. I hope she likes it!!
Hope you all have and Amazing Day!!!

-Kristen

Auri Loving on Hannah...

2008-05-19T12:33:00.000-04:00

Last night Auri was sitting on the floor playing (mostly talking to herself and singing) and Hannah (the cat) came to see her. Auri loves this cat very much, but sometimes shows it in not very friendly ways. Like laying on her, and picking her up and carrying her around. The cat takes the bruteness, but as soon as she has a chance she runs. Fast. Auri also chases her around the house, trying to catch her, and Hannah just runs away squacking. It's very cute!
Kissing Hannah's head.

Isaac's Birthday!

2008-05-19T12:17:00.000-04:00

Thursday May 15th was Isaac's 8th birthday. We all met at mom and dad's house after the boys finished their soccer games (around 8ish).

I had worked about 10 and a half hours over the course of a number of days, on painting this truck for Isaac. He and Papa built it a few months ago and he asked me to paint it for him. So I turned it into a birthday present. I am pretty proud of how it turned out, and I think that he really likes it!!!

Auri Cuteness!...

2008-04-29T13:52:00.000-04:00

Her first corn on the cob!!!She didn't want to miss ANY of the corn...Loving (via laying) on her Hannah Cat.
Not sure the cat liked it as much as Aurora did.
Cozy in her princess shawl made by her Mimi!
Want socks Auri?
Hope you all have a Absolutely Amazingly Wonderful Day!!!

God Bless!
-Kristen

No Pictures Today...

2008-03-28T13:13:00.001-04:00

I am sharing with you today with no pictures. I'm sorry if this disappoints anyone, but I have something to say that doesn't have pictures to go with it...

Here's the thing, I didn't get to have a traditional Easter this year. Kind of disappointing to me, but it was a blessed day none the less. Here was my day:

It started with leaving my house at 6:25am to pick up a friend of mine from work and dropping him at the store so he wouldn't have to wait for the bus on such a cold windy morning. I then proceeded to Starbucks to get myself my favorite cup of coffee. The girl at the window of starbucks has gotten to know me because she is always there on the Sunday's when I have to be to church really early and I stop to get coffee. She asked me how many kids I had that day, and I told her none, one was at mom's house and one was at Karin's house because I had to be up and out so extremely early.

I left starbucks and headed to Church. The trip was a little saddening for me. Realizing that on such a special day as Easter, I didn't get to be with any of my family. I have always wanted to be on Praise Team for the Easter Sunday Services, but I didn't realize how the time away from my family would affect me.

I got to church and found out that I was 20 minutes early. So I sat and listened to the band warm up and practice before the rest of the singers got there to start practice. We practiced our two songs and then went and practiced the two songs with the choir. Our music that day was incredible. I would go over the choir songs at home with the CD that had been provided for us, and Jackson and I would dance and have Church right there in my living room. It is so amazing singing with these 60+ people. Such talent, it amazes me!

We went through our first service and everything went well. The music sounded great! Then came time for us to wait for the second service countdown so we could all be back up on stage. I was standing out in the foyer with some other friends, just talking, when my family from Utah came in the door and it was so great to see them again (you can read more about their visit on Karin's blog). We hugged and found an empty pew at the back of the church to save for mom and all of Karin's family. They sat down, and we spread coats and bibles across the rest of the pew. I ran up to the stage to get ready to sing again. As I sat beside my good friend Kris in the choir loft, I watched my mom walk in and sit down, and then Karin and Tim, Isaiah, Isaac, Esther-Faith and Aurora got there and joined them in the long pew. It is so nice to be able to go to the same church as your family and share such wonderful days with them.

We sang our songs to a packed house, it was kind of warm, but what can you expect. I went down and enjoyed sitting with everyone, we all fit in the pew, it was great! I even got to hold my baby girl during the service, which I haven't done since she was a very small baby! After the service was done, Karin decided that we needed more controlled chaotic pictures of the kids in their Easter outfits. (again, you can capture pictures of this on her blog). We took the pictures and made plans for her to take Aurora back home with her, and for mom to take Jackson back home with her. It was sad for me to see my kids go home with someone else on a day when I would have loved to be with them.

I went through the third service with the rest of the choir and music team. I got in the van when we were done, and headed home. I called a couple of friends, or texted them to say happy Easter. I got home, made something easy to eat before heading to work. Then came the fun part of my already kind of sad Easter Sunday (can you sense my sarcasm?). I got to work at 1:30, there was very little for me to do. Everyone was quiet and finishing their stuff so they could go home. But my day was just going to get better from there, however, I didn't know that at that point.

Just in time to take my first break, one of my best friends (Heather) and her daughter stopped by to get some shopping done for the week. I immediately took my break and we sat down and spent 15 minutes together. I then went back to work and she continued shopping. I had nothing but cleaning to do, and not much of that, so I just kept checking the floor or the freezer buffer to find things to decorate so I could keep myself busy. We had very few people shopping, which meant I had very little customer interaction. I knew that Karin and mom were doing the Easter Egg hunt with the five kids, and I really wanted to be there.

I kept working, whatever I could do. A friend of mine then called to say hello. Since I had very little to do, we talked for a few minutes and then I got a customer. We hung up and I helped the nice man. It was a pleasant surprise that even on a day when I really didn't want to be there, and all the other departments were getting to leave early, but I still had to stay till 10, I got a visit from a good friend and then a call from another. Then it happened, Karin and Tim, and their three beautiful children walked up to my counter. I gotta tell you, my day was just getting better! I had just finished decorating the last cake that I was going to do before I started cleaning for the night. Talk about perfect timing! They made a trip all the way from home, just to see me. It's probably a 15 or 20 minute drive, and they came, just to see me on Easter. What an incredible surprise. They gave me picture of the girls from their "slumber party" the night before and a CD with pictures of the sleepover, the pictures at church and the Easter Egg Hunt. Wow, somewhere around 240 pictures were on the disc. What a gift to me.

By the time I headed home for the night, I realized that I although I hadn't done the colored eggs with the kids or with the silk ties like last year, and I hadn't gone to someones house for an Easter dinner like last year, and I hadn't taken pictures of the Easter egg hunt like last year, and I wasn't with my kids on Easter like last year, but when you look at all the people who graced me with their presence and their love, I had one of the busiest but best days EVER!! From our family from Utah (Aunt Lynette, Sarah, and Zach), my visits and phone calls from my good friends and family. How could I have asked for a better day? The only thing I would ask is that next year, if my day is equally as busy, that I would get to spend at least a little more time with my kids. The gift that God gave us of his Son on Christmas and then the gift that Christ gave us of His life on Good Friday and then the gift of His resurrection on Easter can be compared to nothing. We don't deserve the love that He gives us, and the grace and mercy that He gives us. Just like I didn't think I deserved that love that my friends and family gave me on this special day, I still got it.

Thank you everyone for making my Easter this year the most Memorable Easter in my last 30 years of life. You are gifts to me from God and I love you all!! Thank you!!

Have an Amazing Day!!!

-Kristen Elaine

New Baby!!

2008-03-12T08:44:00.000-04:00

On March 6th at 3:29am we got a new neice. Cambria Marie, She weighed 7lbs 9ozs and was 18.5 inches long. She looks perfect. Her head is so round and pretty! Here are the four grandkids on that side of our family. Nana, I'm putting these up especially for you because you are so far away and won't get to see them nearly as often as would be nice. So here you go, this was the other night, on her fourth day after "Aunt Ashleigh Popped Her Out". (As Jackson would say).Big sister Kaelyn and new sister Cambria:
The girls!
Aurora, Kaelyn and Cambria. Now there is only one boy, too bad Jeremy isn't here for Jackson to play with. Of course, he and Kaelyn are amazing together, so I guess he is okay, but it still would have been nice to have Uncle Jeremy in all these pictures too!!!Uncle Aaron, being forced to hold baby Cambria. Good thing she was sleeping. Didn't I just get done saying she was sleeping? What is he doing? Now I know where Jackson gets his bratty side!!!Auri, taking a picture (not really) of me taking a picture of her. Can't get any better than an upside down and backwards camera, good thing it is a toy now.Auri found a make-up brush in Kaelyn's toybox. She loves to put makeup on, everytime I put it on, she wants some too. Well, she thinks she is doing it herself now.
And she is using the smallest mirror EVER.
I love all the kids in my life!!
Thanks for letting me share!!!

-Kristen

A Little Piece of Heaven

2008-03-09T11:59:00.000-04:00

From my bedroom window..

This is what I found when I pulled back the OSU flag that hangs in my bedroom window. The snow is drifted over the ledge by a good 14 or more inches and there are icicles hanging from it, and up under it. Check out these pictures, it's incredible!!!

It's All About The Snow!

2008-03-08T20:50:00.000-05:00

Well, they are saying it is the worst snow fall since the blizzard of 1978 down here in Columbus. It just so happens that I don't remember that blizzard because it was a few months before I was born. However, this is what we grew up with up in NorthEastern Ohio. However, I've been down here for so long, that I haven't seen this kind of snow in a long time. I am totally loving it!!! Of course, all my friends who are from down here, or further South in the US are not so much loving it. I tried to start cleaning out the cars this morning with a garden shovel because my snow shovel broke on the last snow we had which was followed by ice. Anyway, I ended up stopping at the door of the Escort and calling work to see if they really wanted me to come in. They said I was fine, so I just stayed in the house until it was time for the kids all of eight minute romp in the BEAUTIFUL snow!

This is a picture of the kids toy thing out in front of the house (Jackson calls it his 'clubhouse'). I also took a picture of his pool, but since it is upside down, it just looks like a big white pile of snow. So I didn't post that picture. The view from my front door to the street. It is truly a winter wonderland!! I think drifted snow is so beautiful, dangerous, but beautiful! Here are the cars after I shoveled half way up the escort. Needless to say, I am glad that church is cancelled tomorrow because now I don't really have to shovel the cars unless we really have to go somewhere. Of course, Aaron is supposed to have training in Detroit this week and is supposed to leave tomorrow. We'll see if they make him go, he will have to drive if he does.
Here you go, our first three minutes of our eight minute time outside. We had as much fun as two kids who hate being cold can have. Auri's fingers were so red and swollen when we came in that I may reconsider taking her out next time. It was cool to see how far the full 14 inches plus drifting stacked up on her little body. She was about four to six inches above the ground just standing on the bottom layers of snow too.

You can't see it, but she also has pink pants under her black ones, a grey sweatshirt, and purple shoes. She was kind of like Joseph and his technicolored coat. Although quite adorable!

Jackson felt the need to bring out a little nurf football and continued to throw it at me. He actually has gotten better at his aiming. He used to be pretty off when it came to hitting his target, but he got me in the head once, in the toosh once, and on the back another time and I finally told him that I'd had enough getting pelted with a football. He seemed to be having a good time though!!

Oops!

It's a good thing that not a lot of people had their dogs out in our yard today. Both of the kids went face first at least once. I thought about throwing them straight down in the snow, but Jackson just weighs too much for me to pick him up high, and Auri would have been very upset had I done it to her. It was a cool thought though. At least in my head it was cool!!!

Snuggle and warm up time with Daddy. She was very cold. But she warmed up fast, look at that face. She can melt your heart and will always have you wrapped around her tiny little pretty fingers. My Sweetheart!!!

I hope the rest of you enjoyed the snow (whether looking at it or playing in it) as much as I did. I love winter and I love snow. I am glad that I didn't have to drive in it, but it really is one of the most beautiful things God could have ever given to us. Enjoy the weather and have a cup of coffee or Constant Comment tea, with an egészségedre! (Cheers) from me to you!!

-Kristen

Working Kids...

2008-03-08T17:41:00.000-05:00

Aparently they think they are at some sort of construction site. They told me they were going to work. I didn't go to work today because I couldn't get out (due to the snow), so they think they have to go for me. How cute are they?Blowing me kisses!
Dancing Feet...
Ready for a movie!

My Kids For My Parents...

2008-03-04T09:53:00.000-05:00

This is actually a painting that I gave my parents for Christmas, but I just took a picture of it the other day. It is hanging on their wall so it looks crooked. It was a picture that I took of Jackson and Aurora walking down a path out at my Grandparents house in New York. It is a path my mother walked as a child, so I thought it was kind of cool that she have the painting of it. Anyway, here you go...

Leap Day Wedding Cake...

2008-03-04T09:37:00.001-05:00

Well, my friend was asked to do a wedding cake for another friend of ours and he asked me to help him. Her wedding was on Leap Day in the evening (which was Friday). Well, it just so happened that he had outpatient surgery on Thursday, so that made it interesting to try to do a four tear wedding cake with Fondont icing on it. Here is a picture of Auri taking her nap while we were working on it (Jackson didn't nap, he said he wasn't good at naps). And then after that are pictures of the cake. I actually took all these photos with my new phone and thought I'd try to download them on the computer, they turned out pretty good.

As you can see, there are only three tears. Well, there were four, but the second one from the top kind of collapsed while we were trying to deliver it, so we put it in the refrigerater for the bride and groom to take home with them. Anyway, this was my first experience with fondont and it was awesome. It just solidifies the thoughts in my head that I would really like to do wedding cakes all the time. I love doing fancy stuff, so I'm gonna look into cake shops in Columbus to see if any of them are hiring and if so, if they want a part time decorator.

Have a fabulous day!!

-Kristen

Just Some Pictures...

2008-02-19T16:36:00.000-05:00

For the kids' birthdays, their Nana and Uncle Jeremy sent them each a giftcard for Target. It took us a while to spend all of Auri's since her birthday is just weeks before Christmas and she's only two, so I decided she didn't need to pick out a toy or whatever and that I would pick something out for her (clearence racks in the toddler department. Got her a really cute shirt that says "Daddy's Little Sweetheart" on it, and some other cool stuff. Like boots for next winter). Anywhoo, Jackson had his mind set on this knight's suit for months, so pretty much as soon as we had time we went to Target and got it for him (along with a sweater and a pair of pants). He is so cute. He won't actually use the shield, he tries to get Aurora to put it on, but she fusses everytime. He is such a little ham!!! Thought you'd like to see him in all his cuteness!! (Especially you Nana!!).
These are actually from Christmas, but I thought you might appreciate Aaron's wrapping ability. (I dedicate these pictures to Sam!!) He couldn't find the wrapping paper and texted me while I was at church, which means I didn't get the message until after he lost patience in waiting for a reply as to where the paper was and just improvised using almost an entire roll of tape. How adorable! Now we know where Jackson gets his cuteness from!!!

Have a Great Day!!!

-Kristen

I've been tagged...

2008-02-08T12:21:00.000-05:00

This has never happened to me. I usually just read everyone elses answers when they are tagged with something cool like this, but no one has tagged me before. So here are my answers...

Favorite Sites:
Karin's blog

Beth's blog

Clive's Blog

Challenge Favs
A Cake that I'm not sure how to decorate, thus creating a challenge and when I've accomplished it I feel such joy, pride and satisfaction.

A new painting that seems almost impossible to see the end and then turns out better than the last one.

Singing a song that seems to be written just for me both words and vocal range. To make it mine so that it comes from the heart instead of it just being a performance.

Guilty pleasures
Fudge Iced Brownies

Starbucks Venti Caramel Macciato

Karin's Apple Pie

Babysitting Fav.
My mom! She is always teaching the kids something, even without trying.

My friend Heather, she is patient and adores my children, even when they should be driving her crazy, she just smiles and is sweet when asking them to stop.

Creative Fav.
When they let me take the reigns on a cake at work and I don't have to follow the "diagram" of what it should look like. I got to do flames once, that rocked!!

Clothing Fav.
My ankle length brown Victoria Secret Sweeter, with boot cut blue jeans and my amazing cowboy boots! It makes me feel sexy even though I really need to lose 40 to 50 pounds.

I now tag…

Sam, Karin, and Laura

Start Your Engines!

2008-02-01T15:37:00.000-05:00

The kids and I went to Sam's Club the other day to get some stuff. And in the event of leaving, I grabbed these boxes so that the stuff wouldn't slide around in the backend of my dad's truck. Well, when we got home, Jackson asked if he could have one and if Auri could have the other and if they could be their cars. So that evening I sat down on the floor while they ate dinner and I drew wheels and a steering wheel, headlights and taillights. Windshield whipers, their name on the front, Jackson's has a license plate that says "IMABRAT". This is later that night when they were just sitting in their cars (Jackson put them side by side because he wanted Aurora to drive beside him, he thought he would win some kind of race) coloring. Aren't they just darling? I think so. I love how they interact with each other and enjoy spending time together.
This is when Auri and I were getting ready for church a couple of weeks ago. She was dressed and ready, and I was putting my makeup on. The cat (Hannah) got up there with her, after she tapped herself on the leg and said "come here kitty, come up Hannah" in the sweetest voice you can imagine. What an adorable pair...
This is our sweet little neighborgirl, also named Hannah. We now call the cat JoHannah when Hannah is around. Anyway, she had a day off of school and I was home from work, so she spent the day with us. That way her mom wouldn't have to miss work. She and Jackson were tracing each other's hands and Aurora just crawled up on her lap so she could be a part of it. I snapped some quick pictures, as you can see. We had a good day!

Hope you all have fabulous days!

God Bless!
-Kristen

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

2008-01-01T00:44:00.000-05:00

She really wanted her milk in that fancy glass!!!
11:59:45
11:59:56
Boy, that milk really got her good!
(just kidding, her eyes were just shut during the shot!, but it was kinda funny anyway, right?)

He wouldn't pose for me, he was actually really grumpy, so I had to steal a shot when he didn't expect it. They love using these glasses, and they only get to once a year, so they had fun!

Hope you all have a FABULOUS New Year!!

-Kristen

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

2007-12-25T21:24:00.000-05:00

From, The Deubners

Packing Peanuts...

2007-12-19T12:07:00.000-05:00

It is official, you haven't lived until you've rolled in packing peanuts!!

The kids had so much fun throwing and rolling and playing with the packing peanuts. We took turns dumping them on each others' heads, Jackson made a "snow" angel. We had a blast! And last but not least a message from precious Princess Aurora.

Have a Fabulous Day!!!

-Kristen

My Baby!!

2007-12-07T17:52:00.000-05:00

As of Yesterday (December 6, 2007) my little one is officially two years old. I can't believe how fast time goes. The older I get, the faster it goes.

Well, here are the pictures from Aurora's birthday party at Mimi and Papa's house...

The castle cake that I made for my princess:

Her first present, was from Esther-Faith. Kiki said that Ezzy carried that present all evening and that although it was supposed to be from all of them, it was apparently really from Ezzy. Is is a pair of beautiful little turtle earrings. They have pink shells, and are intended to go with a dress that you will see posted soon. It was supposed to be a birthday present, but she got it a few weeks ago. She will be wearing it either this week or next to Church.

It was a lot of fun to have all the grandkids there, and to add Kaelyn too. Two years ago, we had three girls born inside five weeks of each other. Aurora on December 6th, Kaelyn on December 17th and Esther-Faith on January 10th. It was really cool, Auri has two girl cousins that are the same age as her. Anyway, I enjoyed watching them play together.
Esther-Faith, after giving Auri her gift.Kaelyn LOVES animals. She and Dusty seemed to really like each other. I actually have a few pictures all at different times of Kaelyn petting Dusty or of Him smelling her. It was sweet. This one they kissed each other. CUTE!!!Auri working on opening a present from Kiki and Uncle Tim:One of the gifts of Auri's gifts from Aunt Ashleigh and Kaelyn (and Uncle Raf, who had to work). Kaelyn helped her...That's right, her very own vacuum. That's what was in that box!Horses (from us), they were originally supposed to be on the cake, but I changed it to the castle, so I didn't use them for that.Isaiah, after some of my Yummy cake!!We did our best to squeeze the three girls into Mimi's chair together. Their butts didn't really fit, but I got some good pictures anyway!
We had a really good time! We did miss Uncle John, Aunt Michelle and Aubrey, but there is always next year (they had planned on coming but John had to work late so they didn't make it). As for Nana and Uncle Jeremy, and Uncle Sam and Aunt Laura, we knew they couldn't come do to where they live, but at least they can enjoy the pictures here. We missed you all, but will see you sooner than later (I hope)!

God Bless!!!

-Kristen

It's A Bug!!!

2007-12-07T12:51:00.000-05:00

This is what Aurora exclaimed while eating her green beans at dinner last night, and as we all looked at her, this is what she was holding in her hand. Yup, that's a green bean. That's my girl making edible Art at only 2 years old. She Rocks!!

Look for more pictures from her Birthday party...

Winter Wonderland

2007-12-05T12:32:00.000-05:00

We wanted badly to make a snowman, but I couldn't get the snow to pack, so we just ran and rolled in the snow. On our way back to the house for lunch the kids played on the slide a little bit. Jackson was able to land on his feet, but every time that Aurora went down the slide she landed on her butt. It was really cute.

(Pre-rolling and falling in the snow: )

Look how high the snow is on her legs...(Post rolling and falling in the snow:)She had such a good time!!!
A snow angle with no head because he wouldn't put his head down.
Have a fabulous day!!!

-Kristen

Our Christmas Tree...

2007-12-03T13:30:00.000-05:00

The only ornaments on my tree are one for Auri, one for Jackson and one that is an angel that Jackson gave me for Christmas last year.
Have a wonderful Season!

Thanksgiving 2007

2007-12-03T13:22:00.000-05:00

Time for dessert, Esther-Faith and her Uncle Aaron...
The kitten Dusty taking a rest with his cone on his neck, from surgery early that week. Yes, his head is resting on Jackson's shoe...Papa and his girls....

Have a great day!!

-Kristen

Bad Hair Day.....

2007-11-26T09:26:00.000-05:00

I guess she slept really good that night.....

These pictures are from a week ago. Aaron got her up from bed and this is what she looked like. I guess we all have to wake up a mess sometimes. She usually looks ready to go when she gets up, but this was a day to be pampered. She is such an angel!

Have a great day!!!

-Kristen

2007-11-20T15:14:00.000-05:00

Like I told you in my last post, we went to Ashleigh's (my sister-in-law) house. It was really cute how happy Kaelyn was to see the kids. She kept following Aurora around trying to hug and kiss her. Unfortunately, Auri is kind of a loner when it comes to other kids she would rather just do her own thing. Here are some cute pictures I got of them. These first ones are of the girls right after we got there. Auri found Kaelyn's bike, and kept saying it was hers and we kept telling her it wasn't. So she started saying "my turn" and "Auri's turn". She even took it out in the living room, and was actually attempting to peddle, even though that is a little beyond her right now, she is at least trying. These pictures are of her allowing Kaelyn to hug and kiss her, most of the time she did push her away though.
This was Kaelyn on her way to give me some hugs and kisses. She was a lot of fun, and very affectionate. I could've just squeezed her all night. It is hard to see because they were right in front of me, but Jackson and Kaelyn were very into playing together and I'm not sure if this was one of their screaming matches (boy they enjoyed seeing who could scream louder and give us bigger headaches). This may have been just a time when they were chasing each other and laughing. Whatever it was, they were really cute together.
Raf had some music on and the kids were dancing. Well, Jackson and Kaelyn were dancing, Auri was vaccuming with Kaelyn's toy vaccum the whole time. I got some cute videos of Kaelyn shakin' her booty, but there were kind of fuzzy, so I'm not posting them. Anyway, They had a lot of fun together.
Auri Vaccuming.

Have a fabulous day!!!

-Kristen

A Big Change in apperance...

2007-11-14T11:00:00.000-05:00

I took these pictures late last week of the kids hanging out. Jackson was watching something on TV and Aurora just went over to the couch where he was and crawled up on the couch to not only lay with him, but apparently to lay on him. He is never really fazed by it when she does this. I think he welcomes the attention. She has always been so independent and usually pushes him away when he is trying to be lovey with her. So when she does something like this I think he secretively enjoys her doting on him.

Here is the change ...
Yes that is right, my poor baby has beat herself up. She decided that she would fall down three or more steps once a day for three days in a row. It was only after dark, and she was also sleeping a lot during the day. This was last Friday night, she wanted to bring a toy guitar downstairs and in her current clumsy state, she fell and banged up her pretty little face. she has a bump and bruise on the top middle of her forehead but you can't see it in the picture. The bruise is now gone, but the nose is still healing. She looks so cute, and it doesn't seem to bother her anymore. When I put her down for a nap on Monday, the scab under her nose fell off and that evening during her bath time, the one on her nose fell off. She still looks like these pictures though.

We took a trip on Sunday evening to Aaron sister's house (Ashleigh) to spend some time with the family and to get the kids together. Last evening Ashleigh brought Kaelyn (my niece) down here to spend some more time with the kids. She and Jackson really got along well together. Aurora was more temperamental. She doesn't like to share or be bothered for that matter, so it was a bit of work to get her to play with Kaelyn, but the longer they were together the more warmed up Auri got to her. I'm sure over time they'll be great together, I think Auri is just more reserved than Jackson. Anyway, I've told you all this to warn you that once I get my pictures together I will posting some of the kids playing together.

Have a fabulous day!!

God Bless, Kristen

Touchdown Steelers (x5)

2007-11-06T09:56:00.000-05:00

Last night after the first of five touchdowns made by the Steelers in the first half of the game, Auri started yelling touchdown and getting all excited. So I through on her Steelers jersey (she loves wearing jerseys and this one used to be Jackson's). She was so excited about putting on a jersey and she went downstairs to show daddy (who is a Browns fan). After the second touchdown, she started getting tired and so she went to bed. I got these cute pictures of her before she went to bed though. In the first one she is laying on the couch and the other ones she is standing by the door. All I had to do was yell touchdown and this is what I got from her, and if I didn't say anything, she just stood there like in the second picture.

Jackson was a little jealous that Aurora was getting her picture taken and also that she had on a jersey. So I tool his picture and then I put on his polo jersey that used to be Isaac's (it was the only one he had clean). So here are the cute pictures of him.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

God Bless,

Kristen

Trunks And Treats!!!

2007-10-29T13:56:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday October 24th, our church held it's annual Trunks & Treats. It is a family friendly and comfortably safe place to take the kids for Halloween. People fancy up the trunks of their car or truck and then pass out candy or something. A lot of people will still take their kids Trick or Treating, but it has become tradition at our church. It started before I ever started going there. Anyway, We had to be at church anyway because I had choir practice so I dressed the kids and I put on my Steelers jersey and painted some long eye lashes on my face and we went to church. Jackson, as you will see was Batman and Aurora as you can see was a flower. These costumes were thankfully hand-me-downs. I love that!! Anyway, I got some face paint crayons from JoAnnFabrics a few months ago so I could put Spiderman on Jackson's face (he thinks he is spiderman), but we never got around to that, so I used them on Aurora's face for this night. I just made her face like the center of the flower, and if you can't see it clearly, I put a butterfly over her left eye so it would look like it landed on her face. She sat still the whole time for me to do her face and didn't seem to mess with it all night. She was a really good girl. Anyway, enjoy the fun pictures! ....

This is Daelynn from church. She is only a few months younger than Aurora and they play together in the nursery all the time (they are the "big girls"). This is Drew, my friend Angie has two sets of twins. The older two just turned four and these two are going to be three in December. Anyway, Drew was Darth Vader and the picture after this one is Ian and he was also Batman! (these are the younger two twins, I didn't get good pictures of the older two)Okay, last Saturday, the kids were playing (as usual) and went up to play in Jackson's room. This is a normal occurrence, so we didn't think anything of it. However, after a while, Aaron thought it seemed kind of quiet, so he snuck up there. Well this is what he found, he told me to grab my camera and come quick. I did just that. This first picture is Aurora pretending to sleep and the second one is Jackson pretending to sleep while Aurora waves good bye to me. They are so adorable!!!!!
Have a wonderful Day, hopefully I have some more good pictures soon!!

God Bless!

-Kristen

The Kids!

2007-10-24T13:21:00.000-04:00

Monday Jackson and Aurora crawled on the couch to snuggle after their nap. It was adorable so I quickly snapped some pictures. Look how cute...

They are tickling each other...
Yesterday Auri found my empty cup of coffee from the day before and decided that she needed to try and get something out of it. She loves coffee! She also found my mostly drunk cup on the table last evening and went and got a straw and finished it for me. I guess she knew I don't like cold coffee. GO BUCKEYES!!!!

(channeling Michael Jackson? She even slept in that glove!?!?)

Have and incredibly amazing day!!!

-Kristen

Gathering of Mustangs & Legends

2007-09-29T15:27:00.000-04:00

On Friday September 28th I took the kids to the Air Show down at the Rickenbacker International Airport. I think I had a better time than they did. But it was nice anyway. The weather was beautiful and the kids got to see something that they will not get to see again until they are at least ten or eleven, maybe even older. Here are some cool pictures from the show. They had nearly 100 Mustangs are expected to attend along with 51 Legends who were an array of Aces, crew chiefs, WASP's and others who were part of the P-51 family. An F-15 Eagle and and F-16 Viper. You'll see one of these toward the end of this post. I blew up one of my pictures so you could have a close up look. Anyway, I loved it, but we only stayed about two hours because the sun was bright, the kids were bored and the F-16 was too loud. Those were the reason's I got from Jackson as to why we needed to leave. Anyway, here you go, some neat pictures for you to enjoy!

Look, they were all upside down!!!
These next pictures are of the kids with the Mustangs that were just parked. Aurora wouldn't walk up and stand next to one, so I put her in the stroller and that way she didn't have a choice! As you can see, this one is based out of Cincinnati. I asked Auri where the airplane was and she pointed, but she wasn't happy about it.

This Airplane was pretty cool. It flew alone, but the most facinating thing about it was that the person flying it is the only woman to be recognized and awarded in competition for her flying of one of these classic mustangs.

Look at Auri's face! Yes, she is crying, she wanted nothing of being close to these airplanes. She loves to look at Airplanes from inside the car, but I guess she is too small to want to be that close. I had Jackson hold her there so I could at least have a picture of her with one. This plane was probably my favorite as far as the paint job. Of course, there is the horse on the fin, but also it was a really pretty green color and it looked really crisp in it colors.
I like this picture because I was taking pictures of the planes on the ground and I saw that the F-15 was about to pass, so I snapped a picture of it in the distance.

This was Jackson's favorite (of the little planes) to look at. I don't know why, he didn't tell me, but he did tell me that it was his favorite, so I got a picture of him under it's wing. Okay, these next two pictures are funny (to me at least). I noticed that Jackson was trying to reach the bottom of the wing of this plane, so I quick took pictures of him winding up and then one of him in mid air in an attemp to reach the wing. He did touch it, Good Job Jackson!!!

I think that the best time Jackson had was touching the planes, and the owners of them were really great in letting him too. He loved it!
Yes, he is winking, what a little ham!!!

The third picture in this series is a decription of this airplane. I would suggest that you blow it up and read it.

These are the pictures I got of the F-16 Viper. It was amazing to me. It went so fast. It would come in really fast and you would hear nothing and then about a second after it would pass you, there was this amazingly loud burst of noise that followed him.

These two mustangs were about to take off when we were walking to the car. Pretty neat!

While we were at the car, one of the Mustangs in the previous two pictures was flying side by side with the F-16. What an amazing site!
Well, it is time for me to go to work, so I hope you have enjoyed these pictures and I will post more soon! Have a wonderful day!!!

-Kristen

The Prettiest Sneeze Ever!

2007-09-29T15:11:00.000-04:00

You Know Your Baby Is Growing Up, When...

2007-09-13T09:15:00.001-04:00

..She runs as fast as her big brother.

..She can speak is full sentences.

..She will be two in less that three months.

..Her hair is long enough for French Braids and Pony Tales.

..She can start a conversation with you.

..She tells You which nickname she wants to be called.

..She'd rather be with your mother than you.

..She can name her stuffed animals, all by herself.

..If you say O-H,

she'll reply with I-O

but only when she wants to.

..She can tell you if she wants her window open or closed in the car.

..You make her crib into a toddler bed and she is so busy getting

in and out that she won't even go downstairs to say good-night to daddy.

..She can ask for a pen or pencil and you can understand her.

..She tries to peddle her brother's bike.

..If she falls out of her bed, she just goes back to sleep on the floor.

Without skipping a beat or even crying.

..She's had her first tatoo!

..The first thing she says when she gets out of bed is her brother's name

with a question mark at the end.

..She decides which parents she wants to put her to bed, or hold her

just by saying their name.

..She will tell you to close your eyes when it is time to pray.

And many other things. You add your own. All I know is that this is going way too fast for me. I feel like I've missed a year because it went so fast. At least one thing hasn't changed from when she was a baby until now at just over 21 months old, she can still melt any person's heart who meets her, just by looking at them. She just has that way about her. It makes me wonder what she will do when she grows up, all the way. All I can say is, She is amazing. I can go on and on about Jackson too. He is four already. Maybe I'll do that list on another day.

God Bless,

Kristen