A New Addition...

So...WE ARE PREGNANT!!!!! We have been praying for a while for a new addition to our family and we are blessed to announce that we are 5.5 weeks pregnant! Tonight we told the kids and Riley blew us away with his response...he cried!! He told us he was crying because he is happy and not because he is upset ;-) (good to know!) I know we are really early in telling, but we feel that your support and prayers are so much more important than the possibility of something going wrong.

I'm sure I will be much better at blogging with more free time this fall as well as lots to blog about!!

My Babies?

Why can't our kids stay little forever?! Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed each stage that Brianna and Riley have gone through, but I have wondered lately: HOW DID THEY GET SO BIG! Just the other day, we went shopping for school supplies. It was so weird to be shopping for BOTH of them!!! Riley has really blossomed into quite the young man over the summer. I had heard that boys do a lot of changing the summer before heading to Kindergarten, and boy has he! I am so proud of the kind, sweet, and gentle guy he is and find such joy in watching him interact with other kids. He definitely has his "boy" moments of hitting, kicking, or a temper tantrums, but when it really comes down to it, I couldn't ask for a better son. Brianna is also growing up quite rapidly and continues to amaze us with her insights and smarts. Sometimes it feels like she is so much older than she really is...God has blessed her with such wisdom and and understanding that is beyond her 7.5 years. We have had such a wonderful summer as Mommy prepares for an empty nest in just 2 short weeks from now.

I pray that my (our) parenting to this point has nurtured a good student, a child who is respectful, a kind friend, and a caring/generous heart in each of our kids. Thank you LORD for wisdom and understanding even when we "epically fail" as parents.

Musings of a First Grader, Vol 1

(all entries are from one of her journals from school - no corrections or alterations have been made to her writing)

03-01-10

On the 12th of March is my mom's birthday. I don't know what we're doing for her birthday. But even though I don't know I want it to be a surprise. I want to get the most wonderful present I can think of! I am happy!

03-04-10

Once apon a time there was a beutiful little girl who had a nice family. They were not poor, they are a rich family. One day the little girl (named Krista) asked her mother if she could go pick some flowers. Then her mother said "yes." But the little girl didn't know what she would find. Then she made a friend with a bird. The End.

03-05-10

Once apon a time there was a charming prince who lived in a castle. He was so charming that all the maids would faint. Once day a mean witch locked a beutiful princess in a tower. She was so frightend that she cried. But then the prince busted through the window. Then they got married. Then they lived happily ever after.

03-08-10

Once upon a time there was a princess who was kidnapped. She didn't know what to do so she just started screaming "HELP!!!". Everyone from near and far couldn't hear her. But then a very nice dragon came swooping down and broke through the dungen window and she was saved.

03-12-10

Today is my mother's birthday! She is so lucky to have me as a dauter. I am so lucky to have her as a mom!

03-18-10

My mom planed today National Incredible Kids Day. She planed it because a friend of ours named Antie Aly is pregnit. I don't know if she is having a boy or a girl. (By the way she has been pregnit for 5 weeks.)

03-24-10

Tomorrow I am getting my spacers out! I am soooooooooooooo excited! Did I tell you that my spacers hurt my teeth? I can't wait! Horray! Yay! Whoohoo!

03-25-10

Today I am leaving early because I am going to the orthadonist to get a reanor and a lip-bumper. I can't wait to get my spacers out! My body is filled with excitement! Yay! My spacers really hurt. Good bye spacers!

Anyone Can Cook!!!

Like the great movie Ratatouille, we believe that our kids can, and should, know how to cook. Just think of it as my little gift to their future spouses! My parents had David and I in the kitchen early on in life and we even planned out meals and shopped for ingredients (with a pre-set budget!) once a week each. Maybe that was my mom's way of taking off from cooking twice a week! My little chefs love to get in the kitchen and help whenever they can. Brianna is now able to do some things at the stove!

On the menu, for these pictures, it Tater Tot Casserole!

My Friend

On today's date, March 12, you would think that I would be writing about my birthday... Instead, I am writing about a new beginning. Most of you know that my friend, Aly, has been on a long journey of becoming a mom. TODAY is the day she found out that she is pregnant!!! This woman has endured more heartache than most of us could ever handle and yet she remains steadfast in the arms of Christ. She has never wavered from holding onto the promise that HE cares for all the desires of her heart, including her most treasured one of wanting to be a mom. My heart is bursting with joy and tears continue to flow at hearing such tremendous news! God is so good!! I know that her pregnancy is only beginning, but I am holding onto a prayer that THIS is the baby she is meant to hold in her arms at full term and to watch them grow into adulthood. You are blessed among women Alyson Louise Steiner and your prayers have been answered! I love you dear friend!

The First Signs of Spring

As many of you know, we have had a rough winter here in Maryland. The snow was paralyzing for several weeks and there are effects still being felt (and snow still on the ground in some places!). Yesterday we had our first day of getting to 60 degrees! Poor Riley is still in his casts and was NOT HAPPY to not be able to ride his bike! The sun felt so warm and I think we all were a bit rejuvenated after being out for a couple of hours!

nothing says spring than dad & son playing catch!notice the flip flops ;-)

watchin' the boys

Riley and good friend Luke. Can anyone picture this as 2 grumpy old men in 70 years?!?!

Blizzard 2010: Take 2

Well, the snow seems to be finally over!! This go 'round we got about 20 inches, and some of the drifts are 5ft tall!!! Thankfully, the power remained on, so we stayed toasty warm while the winds howled outside. Today is beautiful, with sunny blue skies and above freezing temperatures. It was great to be able to get outside and play and use up some of the energy we have stored up from being cooped up for so long. It is going to take a very long time for all this to melt and in the meantime we will be dealing with a muddy, slushy mess and probably some flooding. This winter will definitely be one to remember and an adventure we, hopefully, won't have to go through again!

me and the kids trying to trudge through the snow to try sledding...it didn't work, the snow is way too deep!

the path to our front door! this is NOT piled up snow, but the height of how it fell!

beautiful icicles!! some of them got to about 3ft long!