Looky!

Charissa the artist has expanded her magnadoodle doodling to people!  

This is a self-portrait:

I'm so happy to see her artistic skills improve.  

I'm waiting for "The Picture Smile" to improve soon.

 Brandt keeps standing up but he's kind of shy about it.

Being the crafty, sleuthing individual I am, it has finally been documented!

 

 Playing the recorder is another favorite pastime.

It's so fun to watch them grow up!

Recent Stuff

- When I was young, I remember my Dad watching my Mom do laundry and he told my Mom if she ever ended up dying, he would buy a bunch of coveralls in various sizes and that's all the children would wear, all day everyday.  I remember thinking how horrible that was.  But as I sort through piles and piles of kids clothing (and I only have two kids) I'm beginning to think that is a GENIUS idea.

-  Charissa keeps talking about Kitty Clyde.  He's been missing over three months.  Either he's in kitty heaven or he found some much nicer people that let him in the house to lick the butter dish on their counter.  Oh I miss him, the scamp. 

-  I wish I could say I've been packing a lot but the truth is I'm mostly just purging and organizing so that when and if I actually DO start packing, it will be so streamline and easy and perfect my little OCD mind will go "ahhh, how delightful."  Well, at least that's what I'm...hoping...

-  Today, Brandt vaulted off our porch onto his head landing in the mulch of the flower bed.  I didn't see it, I just pieced together the clues of mulch in his hair and a big indent in the mulch and Charissa yelling, "He went WIGHT FRU DER, MAMA!!! *pointing and waving arms dramatically*.  Anyway, he didn't utter a peep of complaint but Charissa came in yelling for me.  There he was in the front yard grinning from ear to ear.

-  After I told him I was glad he was alright, he started crawling on all fours (feet, not knees) and then STOOD UP from that position.  That's hard for ME to do, not to mention him who has never stood up by himself.  He's keeping his abilities well concealed only to be reveal at strategic moments when Mama is his own captive audience. 

-  Doug bought me some Coconut Chocolate Cheesecake ice cream from Braum's.  I've never had it before.  It's rather unfair to discover my new favorite ice cream right before I move 300 miles away from the nearest Braum's. 

-  This weekend Doug's sister, Donna, or "Aunt Di-Di" as she has been dubbed, came to visit.  It was wonderful.  Charissa absolutely loves having her here (and we do too).  This is them watching Tangled.  Charissa was really into it.

 Hey!  Charissa!  Look at Mama!  

(It was really hard to tear her eyes away)

-  By the way, Tangled is adorable.

-  And then, Donna fed the kiddos dinner, bathed them and put them to bed while Doug and I went on a date!  Di-Di, please come with us???

-  As to where we are actually going, that is still not clear.  A couple plans are falling into place.  We still know we'll be in Colorado at first but not sure how long that will be.  I've had a few moments when I contemplate panic over our completely uncertain future, but in all honesty, I know we're doing what we're supposed to do and God has given us peace as long as I don't begin to think I'm the one planning my future!

Barefeet 'n' Overalls

My baby boy in overalls.  I swoon.

"Mama won't let me eat her camera!"

"I'll eat ants...but they're way to fast."

"I can eat this instead!"

"If I can get it off..."  *grunt*

"Ma, my mouf if cofered upf."

"Conquered!  What's my next adventure?"

"Maybe I'll climb a tree!"

 "It's okay, Mama, I won't grow up to fast!"

Baby boy, you make our lives so much richer.

Thank you, Lord, for my little man-o!

Fun Craft: Make Your Own Book

 

We have loved being in the Oklahoma Parents As Teachers program.  Yesterday we had our last meeting for Charissa since she aged out at three.  Our sweet leader, Amy, left the supplies for Charissa to make her own book.  I thought this was a fabulous idea and wanted to share it :-)

What you need:
4 quart size, zip seal bags
stapler
masking tape
scissors
glue
construction paper
old magazines or photographs

1)  Stack the four bags - they are rather slippery!
2)  Staple the bottom together and cover with masking tape (blue in this picture). 

3) Have your child pick out pictures and cut them out.

 

4) Take a picture of your crazed maniac child who insists on brushing her own hair, changing outfits 10x daily and just ate spaghetti.  I love her so much, the little turkey.

5) Cut the construction paper into fourths.  That should be the perfect size to fit into a quart bag.
6) Using the glue stick, put the pictures on the piece of paper.

7) Slip into the bag and seal.  You're done!

This is a really simple craft and easy to redo whenever the mood comes along.  This pic is sideways - Blogger didn't like it the right way - but you get the idea!

Have fun!

Sing to the Butterfly

Just little snippets of the day, of our life, of the world...

"Mama, pink and purple are my FAVWIT cowors."

"When I grow up wike you, I will catch  butterfwies!

"What would you do with them?"

"I would sing to dem."

He is all boy with the scratches, bruises and dirty nails to prove it.

"I LOVE being outside!"

A sweet sibling moment.

"Release me sis!  There are things to do!!!"

"Like push you in the firetruck."

What other time in life will saying "ahhhh" into an empty babyfood jar 

bring such joy?

Treasuring it up! 

~Hannah

They Are The Lord's

Opa, my maternal grandfather, has sold stamps ever since I can remember.  Together with my Oma, they have snipped, sorted, priced, packaged and sent thousands of stamps from all over the world.  They work countless hours and every cent helps support International Fellowship of Evangelical Student.  Together, they have raised over $30,000 for IFES by selling stamps which are often thrown into the trash. 

While visiting them this past week, I was again amazed at their efforts for furthering God's Kingdom.  They are truly the Lord's and the joy He has brought them is evident in their work.  My godly heritage is a profound blessing.

The following are the lyrics to my Opa and Oma's favorite Hymn, "I Am the Lord's!  O Joy Beyond Expression".

I am the Lord's! O joy beyond expression,
  O sweet response to voice of love Divine;
Faith's joyous "Yes" to the assuring whisper,
  "Fear not! I have redeemed thee; thou art Mine."

I am the Lord's! It is the glad confession
  Wherewith the Bride recalls the happy day,
When love's "I will" accepted Him forever,
  "The Lord's," to love, to honor and obey.

I am the Lord's! Yet teach me all it meaneth,
  All it involves of love and loyalty,
Of holy service, absolute surrender,
  And unreserved obedience unto Thee.

I am the Lord's! Yes; body, soul, and spirit,
  O seal them irrecoverably Thine;
As Thou, Beloved, in Thy grace and fulness
  Forever and forevermore art mine.

Lyrics by Lucy Ann Bennett 
Music by Joseph Barnby

 

To hear the tune for this hymn go here: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/433#ixzz1IgFCo52V

If you have any stamps you'd like to send, please leave your e-mail address in the comments section.  They accept all canceled stamps with a paper margin surrounding them :-)

What Brandt Did In Oregon

He practiced airplane safety.

 He was very sleepy, but got to meet his Great-Grandparents!

 Great-Aunt Judi taught him about how families can be brutally torn apart by having a "State University" and a "University" in the same state.  

Brandt chose his side.

 He bonded with Grand-Opa, his new favorite person.

 He met a great-aunt, his great-uncle, two more great-great-uncles, one great-great-aunt, two cousins once removed and two second cousins.

That sounded far more complicated than it really was :-)

 He charmed his cousin Kimberly.

 Then met and charmed his cousin, Hattie.

 He took Mama, cousin Hattie and his Nana to Mo's for seafood.

 He gave his stunning Winston Churchill impression.

 He couldn't contain his joy at seeing the ocean.

 He laughed at the rain.

 He hugged a chunk of cedar driftwood.

 He touched the Pacific.

He proclaimed the glories of the Lord.

 He pointed out the big waves with Nana.

He crawled on the beach.

 He took one last ride on Great-Opa's walker.

 Then escorted Mama back home.

We made some wonderful memories.