March

It's March and I don't know what that means for you but for me it means it's been a year of huge changes. Just about a year ago was the Japanese Tsunami.  I was in a high rise hotel with my children in Hawaii.  I was wishing I could still be in my home all nestled in the hills away from any danger.  We were told we were high enough to be safe but I could only imagine huge waves knocking the feet off the bottom of the hotel.(hmm, wonder where the children get their imagination from??).  Of course, in the end O'ahu was spared the devastation.  Continued prayers for the Japanese and their recovery.
Two days after the Tsunami the children and I were loaded up on the plane and started a new adventure on the mainland.  I officially became a single parent(although had been living that reality awhile, it felt more real).  I discovered allergies.  I became a student....again.  It has been a year of blessings.  We did it.  We're doing it.  We've had great family support.  We found great church support.  We've been blessed and looked out for from above.  The kids have made some good friends.  The kids have tried to drive mom crazy.  Note tried, I'm not there yet!  We are greatly enjoying where God has planted us during this time.  But we all miss our home.  I say you can take the girl off the island but you can't take the island out of the girl.

Maybe one day we will get to taste island life again.  Until then I will bloom where I'm planted!

One windy day

 We finally took some time to see our baby girl Keisha.  She was adorable.  She even ran for us when her mom got too far away.  It was cute, just like a toddler running.  All go on the little legs, fun times.

 Taking a minute in front of a waterfall.  Wish we would have wore coats, I was cold!  I can not keep up with this weather!!

 Playing a tune.  I am loving hearing her practice, no matter how beginner it may sound.  Brings a smile to my face:)

Kids view of mom.  They have figured out how to take pictures from phone even when it's locked.  I do a LOT of deleting these day :D

One day in February

 Have you heard it's winter?  We've heard that but this isn't the kind of winter I remember growing up with.  We walked along the Meramac River one bright sunny day.  The kids couldn't believe how muddy it was, they were slightly disgusted.  I let them know that's how it is in these parts-no crystal clear water.  Darn the luck!  We talked awhile about what it'd be like to be a pioneer having to cross something like this.  Pioneers were some brave people!

 Playdough!  We've usually made our own and had maybe 3 different colors at a time.  We got a box of 36 colors for Christmas and the children are loving it!  Food seems to be the topic of choice although there have been a few cars too.  If you know my kids though, food is never far from their thoughts!

and yes, I am kinda over the playdough as it is becoming one with the carpet.  I have never understood the desire to put carpet under a dining room table.  If you have children I'm sure you understand.

December in review

Had fun making a gingerbread house!

We joined a local church, where we feel absolutely loved! 

Kids got to sing in the choir and finish the first semester of Awana's here.(Hoping to get #3 more comfortable in both these realms now.  My schedule has changed so I can check out class with him for a bit.)

Were able to eat lots of yummy food with lots of different family.

We were flooded with love from our community in so many ways. 

As you can see we were very spoiled for Christmas.

  The kids eyes when they saw this was priceless!

 We learned how to swing from trees.

 We learned how to play in the snow.

Excited to see what God has in store for us in 2012 and beyond. 

One day at a time, one step at a time, surrounded by love from 5 beautiful, crazy, silly kids and HIS peace.

An Early Morning Hello

Merry Christmas from us to you!

Rules for gift opening

I was informed today by #3 that we must wear our PJ's to open gifts.  Well, yes, this is something we usually do.  Open up a gift on Christmas Eve(Pajama's) and wear it that night to bed, open gifts in the morning before changing.  Easy, peasy, no?  I suppose a difference this year is that we live near family and we will be opening gifts at more than one house.  So I was told we had to wear our Pajamas to grandma's house(of course I don't think he calculated in the fact that by the time we are done with that it will in fact be bedtime again.  Nor did I mention we won't be going to the other grandparents house until the next day. But I suppose it would save on packing space if we just wore the same thing the whole visit!)  He insists that part of the fun is opening presents in Pajama's.
I'm thinking I'll have extra pj's clean this weekend so he can be known as pajama boy.
I also love knowing what parts of the day are special to him.

cheese

 I thought I could get a nice shot with my two oldest before choir.  But this picture is the before mom's ready shot(and notice the arms folded-yeah, she doesn't like getting her picture taken anymore).

 And this would be the silly shot.  Somehow the nice picture didn't make it to the camera, what's up with that?!

At least the cousins took a pretty nice picture(#4 is great at the fake smile!).