Living Art 2

Here are some pictures that Shannon was so kind to take and send to me, of her cat, Prince. Please note that the cat has be "cleaned up a lot" (in the words of Shannon.)

So I took some advice, from the previous post, and as I was laying her down for naps I asked Kaylie what should happen to her for "painting" the cat. Here is our conversation:

"Kaylie, what do you think should happen to you for painting Ms. Shannon's cat?"

She said, "Say sorry."

"That's not enough."

"Say sorry, will you forgive me."

"That's not enough." I told her to think about what should happen some more, and we'll talk about it later. I then went into explaining you can't paint and color on animals, and actually how she can't paint on anything without asking mommy or daddy first.

She then says, "If there was an animal that doesn't have it's colors then can I?"

"No, you can't color on an animal."

"No... what if it was a zebra and it didn't have it's stripes. Could I paint it then?"

"No honey. That's the way God made it, you can't paint any animals. Goodnight."

Living Art

We've been gone all day. I'm very worn out and I think the whole family is. The kids went to stay with a wonderful family who helps us out by watching our kids when we need it, and Jeff and I spent the day with the elders and wives of our church doing some "interviews". When we went to pick up the kids and I asked how things went, Shannon, the mom of the family got that look on her face that makes you go "Oh no...What did my kids do?"

"It is Kaylie...she colored our cat with spin art paint."

Their cat is white. They brought him out and he had all kind of blue on his face and down his neck. One of the girls said, "The cat was so scared he pooped."

I guess they laughed about it, but Kaylie knew she had done wrong so she ran to the bathroom and locked herself in. I guess Lee, the dad, had to take the handle off of the door and had to carry her out.

I feel so bad for that family...now I'm trying to think what might be a proper punishment for her. Do you have any ideas?

I think we'll let them have a long break before asking them again to watch our kids.

Happy Birthday Tam!

Today is my younger sister's birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAMMY!!!

What do I say about Tammy...hmmm...

Tammy and I are two years apart and closest in age out of us three girls. Because of that we did a lot together, shared rooms, played, fought, you know the usual sister things. I remember her always wanting to do as I did. She always followed me and my friends around to play with us. (Which I did not appreciate that at the time, but as a mother now, I think I would have handled things differently.) She wanted the same shoes as me, I remember getting matching hair cuts at the same time, but she may have been the first one to do that.

There came a time where we really did not get along, jr./sr. high years. To sum this up quickly without going into detail, but to get us to where we need to go, I'll just say that Tammy started "rebelling" around 13 and started coming out of it in her early 20's. During that time there was major clashing between the two of us. When I was a freshman in high school, that is when I started taking my Christian walk very seriously. There was a lot of growth for me at that time. Well, Tam was headed the other direction therefore that was the reason for a lot of the tension.

Through those years, especially after I was out of the house, I didn't do a whole lot of talking with Tammy. I believe I mainly saw her at family gatherings, and even then she wasn't around a whole lot. During that time, I had a lot of things I (actually God in me) had to work out. Lots and lots of forgiveness. You know how it is easier to forgive those who wrong you then those who wrong those you love. I do want to add, that I always loved her through that time, never gave up on her, never turned her away, there just had to be some distance between us. I believe I even made her, her very own "mixed" tape with many Christian songs to minister to her where she was at.

The good years...I don't remember exactly when Tammy started changing her life (early 20's), but that is when our relationship also started changing for the good. Now that I'm thinking about it, I believe when our grandmother's were killed in January 2001, was when we were woken up and saw the importance of family. Tammy even made us sisters make a pact that we would stay close and stick together after our parents are gone and not lose touch.

In 2006, from June to November, we once again lived in the same town. We were able to see each other on a much more regular basis. She watched our kids for us so we could go to a life group. She even watched them so we could come to Colorado for our interview! She wasn't feeling good, it stormed and the electricity went out, but she made it through!

It seems since we've moved to Colorado, we talk much more on the phone. That means we are much more involved in each others life, and there are many times when we vent to each other to get our anger out. An even greater thing is I have 3-way calling so all of us sisters can get on the phone and talk. We do Facebook together, which is always good on keeping up with people.

Tammy is...

a very likable person. A very typical "baby of the family". She can go in a group and make people laugh. She is really growing spiritually. She loves her nieces and nephews.

She is 32!

I believe as we each continue to grow in Christ, and we are not only biological sisters but also sisters in Christ, our relationship will continue to grow and we will become closer and closer. So here's to an even better year then this past one!!!

Sisters -- Theresa, Tammy, & I

"Skinny" faces

Tammy and I, in the same picture off of http://www.yearbookyourself.com/

Tammy was trying to see if she looked like mom at all, and then decided to try the guys and we found one that looked like our dad!

A Ponytail!

A PONYTAIL!!!! It's been a long 9 months to get to a point to be able to put Kaylie's hair in a ponytail. I was so excited when I tried this morning...of course it took two separate ponytails and several barrettes to hold all the hair but it was adorable when I was done!

Here is the evolution of her ponytail...

8:15 am

the right side...

the left side...the front (reflection in the mirror) and back...the back...the boys...

10:30 am

after playing outside for a little bit...the front...

the side...the back and side...

NOON-ISH

the front, after playing outside more and taking out barrettes...

the side, you can see the back ponytail is barely hanging on...

3:00-ish pm

the front, the ponytail is gone...

the side...

Strong Enough

With us being in the ministry we tend to hear a lot of negative. A lot of people, and usually Christians, like to criticize what we, especially Jeff, are doing, what the church is doing wrong, and all the "changes" that should be made. Many feel they are doing it for the better good and they feel it is their duty to share all that is wrong.

This church that we are called to is imperfect just like any church, but this is where WE are called and God has big plans. So when the criticism comes, it comes back to, the church is the bride of Christ, His beloved, I am Christ's bride, His beloved.

This song by Jennifer Knapp has always been a favorite of mine and I think it talks about us as individuals but it also speaks of the church. It ministers to my soul!

From glass alabaster, she poured out the depths of her soul.

O foot of Christ, would you wait if her harlotries known?

Falls a tear to darken the dirt.

Of humblest offerings to forgive the hurt.

She is strong enough to stand in your love. I can hear her say...

I am weak. I am poor, I'm broken Lord but I'm yours.

Hold me now, hold me now.

Let he without sin cast the first stone if you will.

To say that my bride isn't worth half the blood that I've spilled.

Point your fingers and laugh if you choose

to say my beloved is borrowed and used

She is strong enough to stand in my love. I can hear her say...

I am weak. I am poor, I'm broken, Lord but I'm yours.

Hold me now, hold me now.

Listen to it HERE

I Could...

Today was a really rough morning at church. I then need to remind myself...

I could be part of a church that is well established and families have several generations that attend there, and you have the same people all the time (lots of Pharisaical types)....
OR I can be part of a church that is reaching new people all the time and see different faces every week and they realize that this church IS different.

I could be part of a church where all the "Christians" know their "duties" and do their parts in the church....
OR I can be at a church where these unbelievers and babes in Christ are just learning what Christ has called them to do.

I could be part of a church where the Christians know their duty is to tithe and the church therefore is in "financial peace"...
OR I can be where there are so many who say, "Tithe? What's tithe?" and therefore finances are a little tight.

I could go to a church where things are very comfortable...
OR I can go where I am called.

January and the Zoo????

Today was a beautiful day here in Denver. It is mid-January and we got to 58 degrees! The sun was shining and it was a great day to visit the zoo. The kids have been begging to go the zoo and of course we've had to keep turning them down, so when Jeff heard the forcast he said how about we go to the zoo.

So after my Bible study I headed home, we packed up and and headed out. I can honestly say I've never been to a zoo with snow on the ground. We really had a great day as a family and now we are home and exhausted. Here are lots of pictures from our day.

This New Year

Here are a few things I'm excited about for this new year:

• I'm starting a Beth Moore study on "Esther". This is her first study on someone with lots of estrogen!
• I'm trying to do 30 minutes of exercise a day. Mostly by doing some dancing to Christian music and this is how. I was a part of an aerobics class that was 1hr twice a week, but I had to quit going to that because of time and schedules.
• I'm getting off of pop...for those of you who read this and aren't use to that word you might say soda, coke, cola, etc. I haven't had a Dr. Pepper or Pepsi (which are my favorites) since Jan. 2! I had mentioned to Jeff in mid-December that maybe as a whole family we should get off of it, he agreed. On Jan. 1 we were at a Burger King and I got me a big Dr. Pepper and Jeff said, "Were we going to try to get off of pop?" "Oh! I completely forgot I guess I blew that New Year's resolution."
• We are just weeks away from being debt free, other then our mortgage! (Again) We are on our way to financial freedom. Check this out http://www.daveramsey.com

Those are just a few of the things that popped into my mind.

What are you excited about in this New Year? What are you hoping to do?

Tanner's Birthday

Starting the day... getting ready to head to church. Because of the special day I allowed Tanner and Landon to have their hair in faux-hawks. Preston is also wanting to let his hair get long so we are figuring out new ways to style it. (About two minutes after this picture Landon flattened his hair in a "fit".)

On the Menu:

Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce

Tossed Salad

Garlic Bread

Capri Suns

After feasting on his birthday meal...he got to open presents! (A downfall to a birthday so close after Christmas...that's right...all the gifts are wrapped in Christmas paper!)A skateboard!Singing "Happy Birthday to Tanner!" We invited the neighbor girl, "red" Allie in to enjoy cake and ice cream with us. (Tanner wasn't too happy about that because he and Allie DO NOT get along...didn't think of that until it was too late.:s)Making a wish!

Tanner wanted a football cake. I tried to think of different ways to decorate a football cake...make a football field..."draw" a football with frosting...go search for a football shaped pan, but no time or money...Aha! A pampered chef mixing bowl! I was able to you use the "bowl" to bake it in, then I cut it in half and put the pieces together. Added some extra cake to make the tips, cover with homemade chocolate frosting and add some white frosting. Not too bad for the first time, but if you looked at it from the top it was really misshapen! Oh well, I guess you can tell it's a football!

My Tanner

I have shared with you all that surrounded Tanner's infancy. I want to share who he is now.

He is a "middle child", he shares that "middle child" position with his brother Landon, but he is also in the middle of the three boys. I don't know if you believe in the "birth order" stuff, but I can see him exhibiting some of the "middle child" symptoms. I think some of this is unwarranted but he still thinks it.

Tanner is my compassionate child. He "feels" for his brothers and his sister when they are hurt or sick. He is so willing to give up things so his brothers and especially his sister can have some too, and if it helps them (her) to quit crying all the better. He hates to hear them cry especially if it's because they're hurt or they got in trouble.

He is very protective of Kaylie. He makes sure that she doesn't get left behind while all the other kids are running to the next thing. He will also make sure his brothers don't get left behind too, that just doesn't happen as often.

Tanner is very athletic. He loves baseball and basketball. He loves playing catch with the football. He taught himself how to ride a bike without training wheels when he was four. He loves to skate and to skateboard. He was also the first one to teach himself how to swim. When others were scared to go under the water, he was under there kicking away.

Tanner is the one in our family who can figure out "technical" things. He is very good at figuring games out on the PS2. There are many times when Preston, his older brother, asks Tanner to help him get through a game. He loves taking pictures and taking video. I have no doubt if he was sat in front of a computer he would pick up on it very quickly and would soon follow in his Uncle Matt's footsteps of being a "computer nerd"! ;o)

Tanner has also been OK with playing by himself. He has been that way since he was little. He doesn't have to "follow" the crowd (which is usually his brothers). He is OK doing things without others. I definitely see this as a positive! If he can stand strong against peer pressure now, I'm hoping he can as he gets older.

Some of the struggles I see in Tanner is his fear, some anger issues, and some self-pity. I don't know how much of these are intertwined but we are praying against them and trying to help him work through them.

My prayer for you Tanner, is that you will be "bold and courageous"! God says He didn't create us with a spirit of fear, so I know as a new creation in Christ you can become bold in all you do and that you can have much Courage, even in what scares you.

I am also praying that your heart is softened and that the anger can be let go. Life is no fun when there are "angry eyebrows" glued to your face. I also pray that as you grow you become confident in who you are in Christ. When you understand The Sacrifice given for you, your perspective will change and it will change how you view yourself and others.

I LOVE You!!!! I thank God for blessing me with you and that He chose to place you in our family! It will be exciting to the see the plans God has for you and how He will prosper you! May God BLESS you in this 9th year of your life!

Tanner having fun in the neighbors pool.

Tanner riding his bike at the "jumping hills".

Tanner "acting like" brothers with Preston and Landon.

Tanner and his friend Clayton playing "catch" with a football the way they learned from their dads!

Tanner while he was being sang "Happy Birthday" to, on the day he was baptized.

Happy Birthday Tanner!

Today my second born turns 8!

Happy Birthday Tanner Riley!!!

Tanner Riley was the only one born close to his due date. I was due January 10th and he was born under two hours past the 10th. (Of course, I had to be induced because I was leaking amniotic fluid.)

Things I remember from his original birthday. He took some stuff into his lungs that had to be sucked out. He did not pee in what seemed like forever but it was probably 6 hours or so. When he did go...it went through everything! The diaper and several blankets! He weighed 7lbs 13oz.

On the 12th my grandmothers and my sister and her two girls traveled to the hospital to see Tanner. They had the pleasure of holding him there and then we were released from the hospital and they went on to White City. In White City, we had more time with them and we got 4 generation photos on both sides of the family. Unbeknownst to us in White City, my parents, Theresa, Matt and the girls, and my family, not 45 minutes after my grandmothers left they were hit by a semi on the side of I-70 and killed.

When we got the phone call from my uncle several hours later...our world was shaken. My dad would be arriving home anytime by himself, who had driven by the clean up of the accident scene but didn't realize it was his mom and mother-in-law. My mom had planned on staying with us for a week to help me. Plans now were changed to she was going to be taken back home by Matt and Theresa.

So now it was down to our small family of four. Jeff took off work and stayed home to help and in those first couple of nights at home Preston learned to climb out of his crib! I called my dr. and asked if it was OK to travel so soon after his birth, and I believe on Jan. 16th we headed to my parents' where all the family was congregated. On day 6 of Tanner's life, we attended a double funeral for my grandmothers.

There were a definite mix of emotions going on in my family. The joy of a birth but such great loss of the "matriarchs" on both the paternal and maternal side. There were many people praying for me and I would have to say the prayers definitely worked. I basically was focused on my newborn and I didn't have the grieving time I would think most people would go through with this type of loss.

As Tanner grew he was such a laid back baby. He would just lay there and not make a peep. I remember having to make myself sit down just to hold him because he didn't "demand" it. He became fascinated with his hand unlike Preston who never payed a noticeable amount of attention to his hands. Tanner would lay there and just hold his arm in the air and would just stair at it and coo at it. We nicknamed his hand Wilson, because it was soon after the release of Castaway.

Around 2 1/2 months Tanner started getting a little fussy...at 3 months I had my finger in his mouth and I felt a tooth!

I sometimes feel guilty because I don't feel like I got to enjoy him as a baby. How many things did I miss out on because of "life". His first year was full of so many changes and things that are so atypical. From the death of my grandmother's and all that entails with grief and sorting through belongings, to a move from town to town when he was 6 months, to 9-11 when he was 8 months, to getting pregnant again when he was 11 months.

These are some of the few memories I have of Tanner when he was just a babe. I felt like I should share some of what surrounded his infancy. I will definitely write again to share who he is now and to share what we did for his birthday.

Just so you know...

Man....I can't believe that we are in the second week of January. Sorry I haven't updated this thing. I have been so busy over the holidays and this week I am try to catch up on my rest when I can. I am also in the process of getting back in my routine....as soon as I do I will blog more!

Just wanted to let you know!