Our weekend

We had a wonderful weekend working but now it's time to go back to work to rest! Mom & I had a wonderful time weeding to prep the back yard area for John to lay sod. NOT! Weeding is the worst! We have the beautiful yard we have because of my husband. He is going to be so sore today! Between operating the sod cutter, digging, and laying sod this weekend, can ya say OUCH! It sure does look GREAT! LeAnne isn't going to be so happy we covered up all her dirt in the back yard! We are going to get her a sand box.

LeAnne has her 18 month check up & shots on Wednesday. I can't wait to see how much she's grown. So when and how did you do the following things; wean from bottle, potty train, wean from pacifer?

6 weeks or 31 days of schoo left! I am so looking forward to the summer! Sleeping in past 4 am, walking every morning, taking LeAnne to the park, harvesting lots of yummy veggies from our garden, reading a book or two, vacation to Oregon to visit John's family, a trip to Seattle area, getting caught up on house work, scrap booking and mama/daughter time. I am so excited to be able to spends LOTS & LOTS of time with our girl!

I bought LeAnne her first pair of short PJ's and her first night gown on Friday. She looks adorable! G-ma Marcia bought her 1st pair of sun glasses, 2 new tooth brushes and a frisby. She's one blessed girl!

Have a marvelous Monday!!


No more pictures please mama! Just trying to show off your adorable outfit! You're the best dressed kid in town thanks to all our family & friends!



See my new PJ's mama got me & sun glasses that Grandma Marcia got me! Are ya just loving my scary morning hair?

Thankful Thursday

Hello again! Happy Thursday! Here I am again, siting in my cozy corner of the world, pondering all I have to be thankful for. Here goes my short list, not all inclusive and in no particular order.

Thankful for the extra day off I get in May. I am off May 22-May 25th for a long Memorial day weekend!

I am thankful John is off then too so were off to see family in Oregon & take LeAnne on her first trip to the zoo! I can't wait to see Amanda, Grammy, Grammpy, and hope to see Carrie & the kids too! Yahoooooo!!

I am thankful, oh so thankful June 11th is quickly approaching. I am looking forward to the summer a lot! Think I am going to pass on working Summer school this year. I want this time with my family.

Thankful Stellan is doing so ok since having his heart surgery on Tuesday. Keep praying because he's having a rough time again. It's been quite the roller coaster ride. It seems his SVT may be returning, if meds don't prove to control the SVT he may have to have open heart surgery & a pace maker.

Thankful my nieces mare had her baby this week, a healthy filly. Welcome to the world Hydi!

I am ALWAYS thankful for my daughters. Amanda made my day on Saturday by calling me! Oh it was GREAT to hear her voice. I can't wait to give her a great big hug in May! Then their is little LeAnne; you light up our life little girl!

I am thankful for all the ways LeAnne makes me smile! Her newest trick is taking pea gravel by the handful from under the backyard steps and dropping them on the cement & grass. This is not good so today I'd tell her no and she'd lay down with the rocks in her hands. I was like HUH? It was like she thought that would make me upset or something. It was funny!


Thankful we have Tulips blooming! They're beautiful! Stay away deer!!



Thankful 1 of our new Concord grape plants has a bud! Yahoo! I can smell the grapes ready to be picked. Well not really but I can imagine what they'll smell like one year!



Thankful our Cranberry Bush & Nine Bark are coming back! We thought we'd lost them! (notice the crushed Tulips in the front, thanks to the deer) oh and my Star Gazer Lilly is coming back too! That is the Lilly Amanda got for me when I was in the hospital after back surgery in 2002. It has survived well!



Thankful for the awesome OT session today with my student. I love the new OT! I am learning lots & I see huge improvements in my student already!

I am thankful for KLOVE, a great listener supported Christian radio station.

Thankful for Cute thing laughing, their is nothing like the genuine sound of a child's laugh to lift your spirits. You can't help but laugh!

I am thankful John is off this weekend. I love family weekends!!

Oh so thankful John is off for Father's day weekend this year. It will be a weekend filled with fun. All Wheels Weekend in Dayton, a wonderful wedding, and Father's day! I am thankful both my dad and brother will be here too! John can have some guys to enjoy the cars with and I can spend Father's day with my dad!

Thankful, very, very thankful for Sleep! Never ever under estimate the need for sleep. Sleep deprivation almost kicked my rear end but I survived. ha ha sounds like a bumper sticker. Or how about I survived sleep deprivation. LOL!! I am getting a bit strange, need to get to bed. Off to dream land folks. Until next week... I'd love to know what you're thankful for. Come on ya know ya wanna comment on my blog. 1 thing you're thankful for!

Have a blessed Friday! I am thankful, O so thankful and blessed!!

Good Night!

Beautiful all girl weekend

It sure has been a gorgeous weekend! I found myself stopping to appreciate the world around me a lot. Listening to the birds sings,the wild turkey's gobble, and watching the deer graze on the hill up above our house. It was quite peaceful. The air even smelled nice and fresh. The only thing that would have made it better was if my man was home to share it with his girls. We spent a lot of time playing in the back yard. On Sunday morning I blew bubbles for LeAnne & Bella. It was too funny because LeAnne had to be quick to pop the bubbles or else Bella bit them. Every time I'd stop LeAnne would sign more please and Bella would sit and stare at me. Here are a few pictures & a video of LeAnne on Sunday. I was able to catch her signing more and please (well pease as she says it). Since we have been more diligent with teaching her some signs we've heard a lot less "me, me,me" and now when she does say it I try to have her tell me what she wants using the signs she knows. I have run into a few instances where she will ask for something she can't have like my glass of pop and I have to tell her no, even when she signs & says Please. Oh that makes her to angry, our lil girl can definitely throw a fit quite well but she's a smarty so I have no doubt she'll get it all figured out sooner rather than later.

In other random babblings Bella got a bath, I LOVE my new kitchen faucet and LeAnne learned how to flush the toilet. I completed one scrap book page about LeAnne's first hair cut 3 days before she was 7 months and started 4 more pages today about her 1st birthday. I can't believe I am so very very close to being completed with her first year book. I have taken way too many pics to scrap them all but I think I've caught the big moments. At this rate though she will have MANY scrapbooks. I'd love to hear how you organize your children's books? Do you scrap a page a season, holidays, vacations and big school moments? I am also concerned at this rate when #2 comes along (in the future) he/she will not have a scrap book any where near as nice as LeAnne's. Kinda like my first dog Gracie has a whole book about her and our 2nd dog Bella has 4 pages of when she was a puppy. Bad fur mama! Okay enough babbling, lil one needs a bath and it's back to work tomorrow.

Such a serious look!



Grandma Marcia gave us this box full of stuff from our Easter celebration & LeAnne has had more fun playing inside the box, tearing paper off the box, and dumping toys out of the box!

Thankful Thursday

I didn't actually get to to Thankful Thursday on Thursday this week because the lap top & I ran our of steam before I could hit publish. LOL!! I am thankful everyday so here's just a few of the things I am thankful for.

I am very thankful for the pride my husband takes in making sure our house & yard look amazing! He's been working very hard to get our yard looking wonderful! He's transplanted trees, re-seeded the lawn, weeded, helped me plant a small veggie garden and kept up on the mowing & edging. I'll take a picture of the front yard later today - it's looking great. He has two trees on order (a Crape Myrtle for the front & a Jonathan Apple tree for the back).

Here's our garden - Let's see if I have any kind of a green thumb at all. We planted Walla, Walla Sweet Onions, Red Onions, Cauliflower, Sweet Peas, Head Lettuce, and Bush beans. My mom has a few cucumber and tomatoes plants for me too.



Of course I am thankful for lil miss LeAnne! She's a huge source of joy in our lives! I can't wait to spend LOTS of time with her this summer. I can't believe she is already 18 months old.

I am thankful for our pups Gracie & Bella! They both do very well with LeAnne and are great companionship.



I am thankful for the new OT who is working with my student at school! We've just begun exploring his sensory integration challenges and I am already seeing changes for the good in him. Yahoooo!!

I am thankful for all the paths my life has lead me down. Some may not have been fun at the time but I see now looking back they helped to define who I am.

I am thankful for all the time my husband spends with LeAnne. He really loves his lil girl and I am so excited my little girl has an awesome daddy!

I am thankful the flowers are beginning to bloom, the greenness is returning, and the birds are singing!

I am thankful for the peace and quiet we have here in the country!

I am thankful for weekends!

I am thankful for God's provisions.

I am thankful for family!

I am thankful I've found my way to reading some amazing blogs. Amazing power of the internet.

I am thankful Stellan is in Boston with his new electrocardiologist. Please continue to pray!

I am thankful I can talk to God whenever I need to draw near. Every morning on my way to work I talk & he listens.

I am so very thankful! Now your turn, what are you thankful for?

Easter 2009

We have a wonderful Easter celebration! I am so thankful for the hope we have in our Savior Jesus Christ!! Thank-you so much Laura for LeAnne's dress! She looked so adorable in it! She enjoyed wearing the hat and twirling around in her dress. The first time she pickup an egg she says "ball" and then threw the egg. It was too cute! We had a very nice visit with Grandma Nana & Auntie Katie! My mama prepared a beautiful feast for sure! It was a day full of love, laughter and thanksgiving!!

Thankful Thursday

Good evening! Here I am again to share what I am especially thankful for this Thursday. In no particular order I am thankful;

1. My student's parents kept him home today so he could get well.

2. I was able to come home today to get some rest myself.

3. I was able to be here with my daughter who had an upset tummy today. It's hard to not be there for her all the time. I'd love to be a SAHM. I am thankful I was there to hold her while she was sick today.

4. I am thankful Abby is well enough to go out and play with her friends. PRAISE GOD!

5. I am thankful Stellan has had long periods of no SVT. Thankful for the amazing care he is receiving. Thankful surgery may be able to be postponed until he's older. Thankful for the love and prayers. that surrounds Stellan & his family.

6. I am thankful to be able to experience life through the eyes of my daughter LeAnne. It's so much fun watching her explore her world, to see the awe & wonder in her eyes.

7. I am thankful for Audrey. While I don't understand completely I know God knew her life and death would make a huge impact on the lives of many. I am thankful for Angie's gift of writing. The way she shares her journey touches many lives.

8. I am thankful for our Savior, Jesus Christ! I am thankful He conquered death. I am thankful to be saved by grace through his sacrifice!

9. I am thankful for my relationship with Jesus.

10. I am thankful for my family. I am looking forward to seeing my auntie & grandma this weekend.

11. I am thankful to be attending a week long training this summer at the WA state school for the blind. This will help equip me to teach my student. It will be very hard to be away from LeAnne for 5 days but I know it's important for me to be the best I can be for her.

12. I am thankful for the sunshine! It makes me smile, makes the birds sing and the flowers grow.

Happy 16th Birthday Amanda

It seems unreal that Amanda can be 16 years old today! It seems like just yesterday I met her for the first time. I met her for the first time on July 4th 2000 (I'm almost positive but sometimes the years run together. I know Amanda was either 7 or 8, it was July 4th, we did go horse back riding together and at lunch Amanda ordered a Chocolate Chip pancake. One of the things that attracted me to her daddy right away was how he interacted with her. From the first day I met her Amanda has had a special place in my heart. Our first camping trip together I went to tuck Amanda into bed and she says can you stay until I fall asleep, you'll know I am asleep when I start to snore. So I wait, waited some more and then WHOA Baby she began to snore and I remember thinking how can such a loud noise come from such a little girl. Hee hee

Amanda was my first real experience as a mama, being a step-mama isn't for the faint at heart either. I am thankful for the relationship we have! I am thankful her maw maw (mom) doesn't mind sharing her girl. I HATE, I mean absolute hate that we are so far away from her and get to see her less & less these days. I loved our monthly trips when she was younger though I always cried my eyes out when we left her. Summer has always been my favorite time of year because Amanda comes to stay at least a month and sometimes the whole summer! I LOVE IT! Family game nights are the best. Our most memorable vacation was to San Diego, CA!

Amanda has certainly changed a lot since we first met. Oh I loved the years when as parents we could do not wrong! Then she hit 11 or 12 and our IQ's dropped significantly. LOL! I use to love school shopping when we could pick out adorable outfits and she's agree. I have enjoy many fun, conversations with her as she's gotten older. I love watching her play with her little sister! She adores her. Amanda has such a kind, loving and gentle heart. She is very creative and artistic. I know God has big plans for our girl and I can't wait to watch them unfold. I pray for her daily and look forward to this summer when I can hold her close, and tell her I love her in person a ton of times.

I am a better person for knowing you, Amanda! You will always be the one who prepared me for motherhood...the older years! LOVE YOU SWEETIE!

Amanda & LeAnne Christmas Eve 2008


May 19th 2001 - Our 1st family photo


Amanda & Jana - 5/19/01


Daddy & Amanda - Christmas 2002

LeAnne LOVES dirt !

Spring is here! Spring is here! Praise God Spring is here! Thank-you Lord for the Sunshine today!!

John worked hard in the yard today. He's so COOL! He completed the raised planting bed that I will use for a small garden. He also planted the 3 Concord grape plants that my dad & Elaine gave us for a house warming gift! I am so EXCITED to have our own grapes. (well in a few years)

LeAnne was in the best mood today! Full of spunk, ready to explore everything, all smiles, and trying hard to put together words.


This girl is serious about her dirt! I
love her hair put up like this. Great job
Grandma Marcia. We think she looks like
a princess!



Hi mama!!


Where's LeAnne?



Peak-a-boo Mama!!

I wanna stay home with our girl!

Good Morning!

I can't believe how quickly Spring break flew by. It doesn't help that we've all been sick at some point this week. I am still trying to get rid of a nasty cough. I didn't get quite as much done on my to do list as I'd hoped this week, just wasn't my normal task master self but more importantly I had a great time being with John & LeAnne. I certainly can't wait until Summer vacation. The count down is on for June 11th!

The last few days have been so nice! We LOVE the sunshine! LeAnne loves playing in the dirt, playing ball with the dogs, collecting stuff, playing golf, and exploring. We had lunch with daddy on Saturday & LeAnne played for a bit outside.

In other news I've been teaching LeAnne more sign language to help her communicate with us while she's learning to talk. I make sure to say the word & use the sign at the same time. She is now using the sign for more during snack/meal times, and is starting to use the sign please & thank-you. I noticed how quickly she caught onto a song I used signs for so I thought what can it hurt to teach her signs to help with everyday communication until she's talking better. Anything to cut down on the number of times we hear "me,me,me" and her frustration because we don't get it.

I don't wanna go but I'd better go warm up my car & be off to work! Have a blessed week!
***************************************************************************

6 Month old bathing beauty gettin a bath
in Grandma Marcia's sink at her old house.
I love this picture of us together. I love you so
much lil girl!


Look at this leaf mama!



What shall I dig up next?



Oh!



Dirt is the best!

Lookin adorable in her OshKosh B Gosh

*Update* Funny story; LeAnne was walking around the kitchen this morning patting the dogs, or pretending to groom them saying the same thing over & over. I am slow so after a lil bit I get what she's saying "Sit". After I did a happy dance because she's learned another new word, I thought hmmm if someone didn't know us well they might think she was saying something with an sh in from of it. We don't swear much in our house at all and now we will have to be extra careful for sure. LOL! We do tell her to sit a lot though, especially when she's on the couch & in the bath tub, she likes to stand and we say no sit down. She's napping do I shower or keep cleaning the kitchen? ****

It's a good thing she is so adorable because WOW was she ever one crabby girl yesterday. I am pretty sure she's getting a head start on her terrible 2's. Every meal she threw at least 2 temper tantrums and watch out if this girl can't get what she wants does she ever get mad! Yesterday we were standing in line at Starbucks when she starts turning on the smiles for the nice old guy behind us. We get ready to walk away and he says "Is she always this good". Hee hee!

Well lil girl is waking up so off to get 0ne good morning baby nuzzle-wuzzle hug.

Happy Friday! Have an outstanding weekend!! It's expected to be really NICE here so I plan to take LeAnne to the park.

Thankful Thursday & Scrapbook Layouts

Good Morning!

I can't believe it's really Thursday already. This was certainly not the Spring break week I had planned (illnesses, and snow) but I am thankful I have able able to be home to nurse myself & my family back to health and watch the snow not drive in it. One lesson I learned through 5 years of infertility is that God does have a plan, it may be a painful journey, it may not make sense during the journey or ever, but God does have a perfect plan for our lives. I am thankful for my relationship with Jesus. I am so thankful for the peace I have through knowing my Savior!!

I am thankful for a whole week of nuzzel-wuzzle good morning baby hugs!!



I am thankful I am a scrapbooker who loves to preserve her families memories! I completed 6 scrap book pages yesterday.

Summer Fun with Sisters - Summer 2008


LeAnne's 1st tooth - No pix of teeth so next best thing is a picture of her sucking on ice since she did A LOT of that in her early teething days!



Our New Home - Feb 2008


Giggle - Looking adorable in her beautiful pink dress from Auntie Laura!



I am thankful my husband is a risk taker. He makes me step outside of my little box and try new things! I have not even admitted this to him but I really do like our new dinning area layout.



I am thankful that God has put it on thousand/millions of people hearts to pray, to encourage, to make donations to MckMama, Stellan & the whole Mck Family! I am in Awe of the support. I highly encourage you to take some time to explore her blog, watch the news story, and see all the places people have taken Stellan. You too will be in awe! http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ Please continue to pray because they have a long journey ahead of them.

I am thankful I boycotted my to do list yesterday to spend time with family & scrap book. I am starting to relax a bit and not get so wrapped up in having everything in it's place. Now that being said I did accomplish a few of the big things on the list with my hubby's help earlier in the week. (Christmas boxes away, bathroom shower curtain changed, bathroom fans cleaned and stainless steel appliances cleaned)

and last but certainly not least I am thankful for my daughter LeAnne's newest bath time game - she throws her rubber duckies to the other end of the tub, waves at them and says "bye bye", over and over. It's very cute!

There you have it, a glimpse into our lives, a few things I am thankful for this week my most recent scrap book pages. I would love to hear what you're thankful for! Praying your days are full of love, adventure & blessings!!!