Where did that come from?

We have some good friends that live close by that have a pool and have given us permission to use it anytime we please. I decided today that we would go to the pool and I was telling Emma that we were going to go to the pool today. She looks at me with a incredulous look on her face and with a sassy/sarcastic attitude she says " Shut up." I laughed so hard. Where did she learn this? We get over to the pool and they have this huge macaw that is in an outdoor cage and it likes to call for their son. So here is the conversation between Emma and the bird. Stitch: ADAM, ADAM. Emma: Adams not here. Stitch: WHAT. Emma repeats herself. Stitch replies again: WHAT. Emma: I'm Emma Grace. Stitch: WHAT. Emma: Don't talk to me like that. This conversation repeats itself multiple times over an hour. Finally it sounded like the bird said Emma Grace. So cute. Emma never ceases to amaze me. I'm not sure where she comes up with half the things she says. She some days sounds like a mini me bossing everyone around. Kids certainly do have way of letting you know your flaws without meaning to.

Our newest edition

This is Maisy. Our newest edition. We've had her for about 3 weeks now and she's adjusting to the family well. She spends most of her time in the kitchen because there's just something about the carpet that makes her want to pee. Other than that we don't have any issues with her wetting. She goes out the dog door does her business and comes back in. She likes the floor vents. Since this picture was taken she's gotten so big half of her doesn't fit on the vents anymore. Her mom is a Lab/Cocker spaniel. Unsure of dad. The vet seems to think she's got some German shepherd in her.

Colin

Just a few pictures of Colin from vacation to Oregon. He hates getting his picture taken so I'm bad about getting them. I feel like if I don't talk about him more or post pictures of him that he's going to feel forgotten. He may not be here but he's thought of everyday. He is doing so good at the ranch. He worked this summer. He just started school. He has gotten his focus. He knows where he's going in life and what steps he needs to take to get there. He wants to go to the University of Oregon. So I've been busy researching the school and scholarships. He is playing football again this year and is excited about it. We're going over in October to watch him play a game. We're all excited about that. He's a little bummed that he isn't home yet, even though he's told me at times he wants to stay there till graduation. We decided that he has more opportunity there than he would here so that's why he is still there. I'm just so proud of him. It's rewarding to see him pursuing the things I've instilled in him. Makes me feel like I've done something right.


Brothers

Father and son

Vern, his dad and the boys after a day of clamming

Colin and Emma. She loves her big brother.

Proverbs 31 woman

In our small group through our church we've been studying contemplative prayer and since I was up this morning I thought I'd put some of that into practice. So I starting reading my Bible (something I rarely do but always feel guilty about) and while reading I was prompted to read Proverbs 31. God has been speaking to me, mostly through my hubby, about my attitude and my "duties" as a wife and mother and that passage seemed fitting. It is extremely overwhelming because I know that I will never measure up to that standard. I wonder, how does it relate to the modern day woman? In that period of time women were homemakers. Today the majority of women work. How are we to "live up" to that standard? What can I do differently to become more like this woman? Do I have more traits like her than I realize? Maybe I don't recognize it because times are different so they don't seem to correlate? All I know is that I want to become more like her. God, give me the strength and wisdom needed to become the woman you want me to be.

Life is short

Yesterday my coworker buried her husband. He was shot in the line of duty and leaves behind a wife and 2 boys. All of this has gotten me to rethink my priorities and what I want from life. I think about how I would feel if the shoes were reversed. I sometimes feel like my hubby doesn't do much for me because it's not what I want done. But as I've sat back and thought about all the things I would have to do if he weren't around it completely freaks me out about how I would survive. There are so many things he does that I take for granted. Simple things mostly. He is always telling me to slow down and relax. It's always so hard for me to do because my brain is always whirling with the things that need to get done. How much of my "to do list" is really important? Is it going to count towards eternity? The Bible says not to store up for yourself earthly treasures, but to store up heavenly treasures. Life is about making memories. Do I want my family and friends to remember me for always being busy and not taking the time to spend with them because of my "to do list?" Or do I want them to remember me as a great wife, mother and friend because I made time for them? I want to leave a legacy of love, the beauty of having a relationship with the creator of the universe, memories of fun for my family to remember long after I'm gone. I want to live life wholeheartedly with no regrets. What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind for your loved ones?

BRACES

Erik got his braces on today. He's pretty excited about them.

Christmas time pictures

Christmas was so fun this year with Emma. Seeing the excitement on her face at all her presents. Although it was overwhelming for her. We had to wait a bit to open some of her presents since she couldn't concentrate on it all.
I feel bad because I only got a few pictures of the boys. They are gonna wonder what happened to them between the ages of 8-16 because I am terrible about taking pictures of them. I forget that even though they aren't changing as rapidly as Emma that they are still changing at an alarming rate. Colin is going to be 16 in a few short days. Where has the time gone? I spent a lot of time when they were younger wishing they would grow up. Now I regret every second I wished that. They grow up so fast. Cherish EVERY moment because before you know it they'll be grown up.
We had a good time with Colin here for Christmas. He has grown up alot. It was with an extremely heavy heart that I sent him back to the ranch. It was harder to let him go this time than when he first went. He's changed so much and I hope that the next few months will inspire more growth so he can be home with us this summer for good. He told me that home isn't as bad as he thought. Wow I'm feeling as hormonal as a post partum woman right now. I better go before I start babbbling more on a sob wrenching chapter in my life.

at McDonalds

at McDonalds

new apron

Mother/ Daughter aprons

Colin next to his dream car (although you can't see it well)

Do I really have to open my eyes?

excited about her scooter from grams and gramps

excited about a purse from gramma Delene

Erik with his new TV and DVD player for his room

Happy about her playhouse and doll accessories

toys for her boyish side in girl colors...she's fascinated by the candy lipstick from her purse

Colin with his PSP

Posing with the new dress gramma made for her baby