Christmas Music Countdown- "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"-Dr. Elmo

AWWW! You know you love it!

Christmas Music Countdown- "Get Here When You Can" Oleta Adams

This song is on one of my Christmas jazz CDs (Dave Koz) which I love! It is not really a Christmas song per se but on the Christmas CD is where is I first heard it so to me it will always be a Christmas song.
I have the distinct memory of listening to this song in the middle of the night when I was on my way driving from New Braunfels to Coppell to see my bestest friend Stacey and her family after Mama White (Stacey's mom) passed from cancer that night shortly before Christmas.
I think anyone who misses anyone can identify with it. Great Song!

Christmas Music Countdown

For fun, I will be posting some of my fav Christmas music (listed and linked on the left sidebar) as we begin to countdown to Christmas. All leading up to my all time fav, if I can narrow it down. Perhaps you will hear some of your favs as well, or some you hate or some you have never heard of.
Enjoy! The song to kick it off is: Mistletoe and Holly by Frank Sinatra

Teenage Girls and Heaven

I am most sure this is not biblical but I think if you parent teenage girls, there should be some kind of an extra reward in heaven for you. Perhaps another level or an extra jewel in your crown. I can not speak toward parenting teen boys as I don't have one and was raised in a family of girls but feel most confidently that it can not be harder than girls. I understand fully now why my dad moved a TV and a recliner to the garage when my oldest sister turned 13. He called it his "workshop" but now I have full understanding that it was his "safe place" and with good cause.

I am not sure what this extra reward in heaven might entail but most assuredly it has something to do with chocolate and unlimited pedicures.

Really?! Really?!

I haven't followed much of the Tiger Woods scandal but I read a headline that caught my attention. Some writer, somewhere, with too much time on their hands feels "the real" concern out of the whole mess is Tiger's "transgressions" all involve white women. The Black community is outraged at Tiger's clear disdain for women of color.

Sooooo glad we finally got to the root of the problem. Yes, the real problem is that Tiger is not an equal opportunity adulterer. That is where he went wrong.

Baby, Its Cold Outside

Its a chilly 4 degrees here in Monument this morning with a high of 15 degrees. Had a few snow storms over the last day and expected to continue until Wednesday. But surprisingly the roads are not too bad. But alas, no 4 wheel drive on the Tahoe has made it impossible to leave the house without getting stuck so I am home bound today. Darn. Guess it is just me, my bible, hot cocoa and the laundry. Sounds perfect!

Go Falcons!

We went to an Air Force football game last Saturday in snowy, below freezing weather. It was fun and but dang it was cold. I had on several layers, gloves, boots, hot hand warmers and a goose down coat. Not enough. You know it is cold when even my hot natured hubby said in the 3rd quarter, "Let's go!". Air Force killed UNLV and it was super cool to be around so many people who will, are or did serve our country. At the beginning of the game, the entire ( I am guessing) Air Force Academy marched on to the field in uniform in their designated units for the national anthem. Very cool. And, every time the Falcons scored the units would run down to the sidelines and did push-ups. That was a lot of push-ups!

Good IS in control!

Ok, long story made short. Or as short as possible. Tried to keep up with Julius and Ariel after we moved. The authorities weren't having it. Then the other foster mom texted me that they went back to mom. I thought about finding mom. I did and extended the branch of friendship in the name of Christ, letting her know we will pray for her and are in her corner. She accepted and we have been emailing and texting each other. General mom stuff, nothing heavy. Today she offered to get together with us while we are down in Texas for Thanksgiving so we can visit Julius and Ariel. It was just too much for me to ask! We accepted and we are going to see that sweet family on Friday after turkey time. Excited, cautious (Kori still cries her self to sleep occasionally over missing them) humbled and in awe at what God has done for us. AND the kindness their mom has shown to us. Thank ya, Jesus!

IMMANUEL (God with Us)

I have recently started reading: Praying the Names of Jesus by Ann Spangler. The first name is Immanuel, God with us.
I am amazed and humbled as I roll this around in my mind. God with us. God with me. God with you. It is easy to think that He is with "the good kind" of people, what we consider the norm. And I start to think a bit further from the box.
God is with all of us. Not some of us. Righteous, sinners, children, adults, drug users, prostitutes, homemakers, teachers, pastors, widows, orphans, the prodigal, the loyal servant, the atheist.
God is with the young child sold into sex slavery in Mumbai, India.
God is with the mother watching her child's body surrender to cancer.
God is with the father still searching for work in order to provide for his family.
God is with the child in America who is thankful for school because that is the only place he gets food.
God is with the mother who is doing a load of laundry for the 5th time that day.
God is with the husband who tenderly cares for his wife even when she can't remember who he is.
God is with the homeless man, who served his country in a war long ago, as he sleeps in a shelter.
God is with the little girl who is molested repeatedly by a trusted relative.
God is with the nurse who works at the local abortion clinic.

His unfailing love is boundless, limitless,endless and all encompassing.

Thank you Vets!

A special thank you to my daddy who served in the Navy and the countless others who preserve our freedom on a daily basis. You are appreciated and prayed for!

Field trip!

Going on a fieldtrip with Kori's class today. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is the destination. I always feel like I need to wear a shirt with some kind of disclaimer that says something like, "Darwin was so wrong!" or "Lies, Lies, its all Lies." Thought is would be a fun day to do some hands on science with her as well as continue to fill her with biblical truths.

Weekly Communion

What are your thoughts on weekly communion?

Go Airforce!

We went to an Air force Academy Hockey game Saturday night. It was a lot of fun and the girls had a great time. I love hockey! The Falcons won and are seated first in their Atlantic Hockey division. Kori wanted a hockey puck so badly (at the end of each period, the kids line up by the walk way and a ref gives away the hockey puck for that period). She did not get one needless to say and cried "foul" when the last puck of the game was given to this grown man standing by the glass.
Kami in her diplomatic way tried to tell Kori they sell them in the pro shop but she wouldn't have it. She wants a "a real one with scratches and stuff on it."
I think the insult to injury was that two girls sitting the row in front of us each got one and were using is as dolls, talking to each other in baby voices. Kori was disgusted. One fun thing is that when the Falcons score, the stadium uses the same "celebration song" that the Dallas Stars use. And, when a period is about to start the stadium has the players come out to an air horn siren just like if it was on a real air force base. The smallness and camaraderie reminded us of when we where in college and drove an hour for all the San Antonio Iguana games. The tickets are cheap, the fun is big. Good times. (I just don't understand why hockey jerseys are so expensive...$80 for a child's--that's why we don't have any!)
Next Saturday is an Air Force Football game! Thanks to our friends who got tickets through his work because they are like 30 bucks a piece. The downside is it is supposed to be a high of 39 degrees...not even sure how to dress for a football game in that weather. Go Falcons!

Update on the house

We have a contract on the house as of today. The buyers are wanting to close by the end of the month. Would appreciate your prayers that things go smoothly and it is officially "sold" very soon! Thank ya, Jesus!

White Halloween

We have had a few bouts of snow lasting a day or two but this week we got our first "real" snow. The streets are not actually that bad as they plow constantly but bad enough to close school for 3 days which I am told never happens. Kami is loving it and Kori is going crazy. They don't plow our drive at the townhouse as often so I have gotten the Tahoe stuck once already. Need some snow tires I guess or a 4 wheel drive car. Here are some pictures from our front porch and the backyard.

A DAY OF HIKING AT 11 MILE NATIONAL FOREST

We packed up a picnic and laced up our shoes for a day of hiking and fun at Lake George. The weather was fantastic besides a few showers. We played corn hole and did some driving around before hiking the trails. The aspens were turning yellow. It was beautiful!

Dilemma? Pretty Pastor or Not?

I would love your thoughts on this. As I have written, we are going to start visiting churches tomorrow and I have had a moment of self-discovery. I am not sure how to put it in simple terms so I will just ramble and you will get the point. I have been doing some on-line research for churches. Checking doctrine, youth programs, etc. And have come to the conclusion that I don't like preachers to look "pretty". It makes me uncomfortable if he looks like he just walked out of a Toni & Guy salon. I don't know why exactly. Maybe he looks like he spends too much time "manscaping" or uses botox. It shouldn't bother me but it does. I am not saying the picture can't look trendy or for the guy to have a trendy hair cut or even done with nice clothing, but if he looks like he takes more time to get ready than I do or has more highlights, then I am just not interested. And I am sure somewhere at pastor conferences they discuss how to look more hip and connect with a younger audience along with dialog about using power point vs not using power point. I just don't want my pastor to look like Billy Ray Cirus (presently not achey breaky heart days-the mullet wouldn't bother me a bit) or Max Headroom (all plasticy). Maybe because I think it would be hard to take him seriously if he looks like he is that into his appearance....any thoughts? So, needless to say I was debating about which church to try tomorrow and clicked on pastor pics and my decision was very clear. How much thought do the pastors put into what kind of picture to put on the web...my guess is quite a bit.

Snow in 6 weeks!

It snowed on Pikes Peak yesterday. So beautiful! Legend has it that once the first snow on Pikes Peak occurs, we will get snow here on the "front range" in 6 weeks.

10 Things We've Learned About Colorado

1. They have a billion license plate choices...Ok, like 30 but still that's a lot! So,we still find it entertaining to watch for different plates. I am getting the breast cancer support plate (even though it is pink! Yuk!) and Mo wants the red one...doesn't stand for anything, just red.
2. Respect the bike lane. They actually have bikers using them.
3. Respect the crosswalks. They actually have walkers using them.
4. You get a very unsavory look when you don't bring your canvas bags to the grocery store. This actually helps me as I struggled with this for the last year: use plastic bags and reuse them in the trash cans vs use canvas bags but buy trash bags. The problem is I keep forgetting my canvas bags in the car.
5. Most homes don't have a/c units.
6. 85 degrees is a "scorcher" outside.
7. You don't really compete in athletic programs in school until you get to high school. If you want to be competitive before that you have to do club ball. All middle school kids take PE then try out for an inter murals type program after school. Very low key.
8. PE here is a different world. They get to do wall climbing (even in elementary), in line skating, field hockey and cross country skiing.
9. No one goes out to eat. Like the whole culture of eating as a form of entertainment is non existent. Our new friends (who are not natives) are so excited to have someone to eat with for once!
10. Most turn lanes are double turn lanes. So the two left lanes can turn at just about any corner.

and, one more for good measure:
11. Our community has bear/coyote safety warnings in the community newsletter. Haven't seen any but have seen deer on our way to Wal-mart, geese in the backyard, snakes on the front of the town house and rabbits everywhere. So it is recommended that you keep your grill clean and chain it up to the house.

Time Flies! (When You're Unpacking)

It seems like forever since I have had a chance to blog! Here is the short story of it all. The girls started school a couple of weeks ago and both already have a good friend. There are still some growing pains but all in all I think we are settling in quite nicely. We joined the local YMCA which has a pool. That has been fun and I am sure we will really enjoy it when the weather gets bad. Mo started his new job last week and has enjoyed wearing shorts to work. Still waiting on the house to sell but it hasn't been that long on the market. We are clearly the youngest people in the town home subdivision which is fine with us. It is quite and there is a trail with a small lake to walk around.
We begin "church hunting" this weekend. Never really liked doing that. Just like to get right to the "right" church and get to livin!
The most incredible thing to me since we moved here is how amazing the landscape is. I am just in awe every time I walk out the door. I walk Kori to her bus stop in the morning and back in the afternoon and it just makes my mouth drop. I will have to take pictures. I pray I never get tired of looking at the mountains. And to think God just spoke it into existence! I wonder if those native Coloradians get used to it. I know I never will. To be in a place where God's masterpieces just slap you upside the head every time you walk outside! I feel really blessed.
So, the McDaniel Inn is open for reservations anytime you want to come visit!

We made it!

"I am officially a Coloradian" is what is coming out of Kami's mouth but don't worry my fine Texans. I am quick to correct her that we are still obnoxiously proud Texans at heart! The move itself was uneventful but the packing up needed a 911 call. Mo lost consciousness but is better now. EMS thinks it was heat exhaustion due to playing 8 rounds of golf in the last 5 days in the Texas heat mixed with coming home and doing the lawn then moving straight to loading the Uhaul. We had tons of help loading, he just tries to do do too much! In his mind, he is still 18 years old.
We got in last night and God has already blessed us! The rental is in pretty good shape and I think will do nicely. You never know when you look at something on the Internet and the price was great. Mo was a bit leery (he is such a girl when it comes to living in less than desirable places) but all is good! Thank ya, Jesus!
We will unload it all today in this brisk 70 degree weather!!! I know, don't hate us. Then we register the girls for school tomorrow and school starts Thursday. As one of my patients used to say, "No rest for the wicked and the righteous don't need none!".
Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. We will be doubly blessed if we find friends as great as our Texas friends here.
Will keep you posted!!!

Update

Met the new foster parents for Julius and Ariel yesterday. Seem like a good fit! They will move on Wed am. God has just taken care of everything just as He always does. Met them at Grapevine Mills Mall, their request. Never taken the babies to the mall just because I hate shopping. And the other reason, Julius is throwing up this morning. Stupid carousel! Stupid me for not hand sanitizing after!
Still packing when we can. Things are off the wall and the kitchen is about a 1/4 packed. Hard to pack when you still live it. Plus, not as motivating when you know your packing to move to a rental until your house sells so you know you will be packing/unpacking double in the next 2 years. But trying to organize as I go so we won't unpack everything at the rental, only the necessities.
Which brings me to my pondering...we have a lot of stuff that isn't a necessity. Not that we live extravagantly but there is just stuff! Things that you really don't use in 2 years. What could you box up and never know it was gone??? Bamboo salad tossers? Zester? Soup tureen? Your Bible?

Make Plans and Make God Laugh

So it's been awhile. Been kinda busy but wanted to write a quick couple of lines on how things are going in McDaniel Land. Here's a quick update with the long story made short:
We are moving to Colorado in 3 weeks.
The babies are being placed with another foster/adoption family in 2 weeks.
We are sad and happy. But mostly happy.

Kinda crazy, huh? We are super excited as we have always wanted to live in Colorado so when the opportunity "officially" fell in our laps last week, we prayed on it and have accepted it. So we are off to Monument, Colorado on the north side of Colorado Springs.
Gotta run! Lots to do!

Results of the Family Group Conference

Well, after 3 hours of meeting and discussion, there are 2 sets of aunts/uncles who want the babies. As we understand it, 1 set will be home studied and if they pass, then the babies will move to their house. Now if they don't, the second set will be home studied and if approved, the babies will be moved to them. All of this will go on in a matter of months while mom and dad still try and get it together. I am sure at least one of the sets will be approved. From the meeting, we gathered it will take about a month to get the paperwork moving. So, looks like we will maybe have the babies for the summer at most.
The family was so gracious to us for caring for them and told us so many times thank you. And although we are saddened, it is our prayer that every child in foster care would have the chance to be with family.
We are at peace with it despite our love for the kids and know the day they leave will be so hard. But we are confident in God's plans for us to prosper and know that He is in control of all things. This was not a surprise to Him nor a mistake. Thanks for the prayers!

Shout out to the Conns!

We have the best friends in the world! Our church family rocks. The Conn's watched the youngest 3 last night for us so we could attend some foster parent training. Now, this is great in and of itself, but they already have 4 kids of their own who are under the age of like 7 years old. They said it went well, but they might just be too nice to tell us otherwise. We love you guys and are blessed by you in so many ways. Can't wait to hear you preach on Sunday, Robert!

And Levi, you are now the coolest friend Julius has. He was very impressed with that motorized jeep that he got to ride in and the Cars pjs you let him borrow. You boys have to stick together. The estrogen in each of your families will out number you forever. The anatomy lesson was priceless!
Clair, you are a stunning artist.
And sweet Ashlin, you were my favorite kindergarten student ever!
And to Carly, you are the only girl that can out do Ariel's hair. You are Rapunzel!

I want you guys over for dinner sometime in June. Have your people call my people.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARIEL!

Ariel's 1st birthday was May 13th. Of course with a name like Ariel we HAD to have a princess party with Ariel, the Little Mermaid, on everything. We had a great time and the hit of the party was the wrapping paper as usual. This girl is a true DIVA and we love her like crazy. Never having chubby babies myself, I love to snuggle with our Ariel and squish her! Only on a baby are fat thighs cute.
Ariel, we love you and you are a blessing to us!
The gifts I see in you are a spunky personality, happiness, a great hearty belly laugh, a love for music and affection for others.
The angels dance for you, baby girl!

Hi, My name is Shelly and I have Netflixitis.

As my friends, I feel I need to disclose my recent illness. Now it is not contagiouse but it is such a relief to finally have a diagnosis to my recent bout of symptoms. I found out yeaterday from a specialist that I have Netflixitis.
It is a disease that is not without cure but can get progressively worse. It starts out when you join Netflix then watch a few movies then decided to add a movie or two to your queue. The final progession of the disase is when you find yourself adding movies at an alarming rate that even if you watched a movie everyday for the next year, you would not finish the queue. I am not to that point. I currently have 125 movies in my queue so the doctors are hopful for a full recovery.
Many thanks for your concerns and meals over the last few months. They have meant the world to me.

Easter Pictures

THE ROCK AND WORSHIP ROADSHOW

Kami, Kori and I had a girls night out to see the concert The Rock and Worship Roadshow with a teacher friend of mine and her daughter. The last concert I went to was James Taylor about 10 years ago. This was a ton of fun and we got to hear 10th Avenue North, Hawk Nelson, Jeremy Camp and Mercy Me. Mercy Me was fantastic and the other groups were great too. It was a great time and a great time of worship. Plus the American Airlines Center was sold out! Tons of people. A Shout out to my husband for taking care of the babies for us! You Rock!
What's next....Maybe Chris Tomlin in a few weeks....but definitely U2 in the fall.

Harvest Ministry

I would like to ask for your prayers as our church begins the journey towards the Lord's leading to start a foster/adoption ministry. Heart Galleries of North Texas will be coming in late April followed by information meetings and trainings. It is all coming together so nicely as only He can do. Our hope is that our comminity and our church body will be moved by the plight of the orphan and reclaim the church's role in supporting the fatherless.
It is called Harvest Ministry based on Luke 10:2 and as we educate ourselves and we begin to truely understand the time for the harvest is now although "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." And we humbly ask "the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field".
For all of it to be to God's glory and blessing.

10 Difficult Jobs

Here is a list of random "jobs" that I would think would be really hard. Not to say the job doesn't come with some perks, just saying that I would think it would be pretty difficult to do it well without a major headache. In no particular order with my thoughts on why:

Public school teacher ( There is a reason we get 3 months off in the summer and 2 weeks off at Christmas.)
Minister's wife (I can only imagine the expectations on this gal.)
President of the US (obvious)
Auto designer (Haven't we seen it all already. Same car, different name)
Skit writer for Saturday Night Live (Haven't we seen it all already)
Waitress at a Denny's or IHOP (low tip ratios)
Proctologist (all your patients look alike)
Paint namer (how can you come up with 45 names for the color red year after year?)
Crime scene clean up (the smell has to be horrific)
Taxidermist (the smell, the guts, the weird eyeballs lying around...YUCK!)


Your turn to add to the list!

Batton Down the Hatches!

Ariel started crawling early last week! She is getting really proficient at it now and is all over the place. No rest for the weary!

Just curious

I was wondering....why are those mini hamburgers called "sliders"?
Got any idea?

13 Years and Counting

Mo and I celebrated 13 years of marriage yesterday. It's 16 years together total but my how the time has flown. We are getting old!
We are going to go out this Friday and eat adult food and see a movie that is PG-13 or R rated. Nothing kid sized this Friday! I am not taking anyone to the bathroom, cutting up any one's meat or asking for 2 highchairs.
As we walk down memory lane, I will share a dating story. It went something like, "why did you want to date me?" was the question and my response was, "You have red hair. I'm a sucker for a red head. I want lots of red headed, freckle faced boys. I just want to be barefoot and pregnant." That cinched the deal for him.

His response, "You look like you could physically hurt me. I like that in a girl." And amazingly, I still married him! And I didn't even get any red headed, freckle faced boys! But he got his blonde girls, one of which has freckles atleast.
I love you, Mo and you are the best husband, dad and friend. You are an honest and committed man.

The gifts I see in you are: dedication to be the best husband and father God has called you to be, a big heart, loyalty, humor, graciousness, surprise, orneriness and a darn good cook.

"It was no accident, me finding you. God had a hand in it before we ever knew."

Hair Crisis!

Bio mom won't let us cut Julius' hair...again after our 3rd request. It is driving me crazy and I have day dreamed about getting Mo's clippers, taking the guard off and buzzing it. Now, I am not a rule breaker by nature but I sure feel the little devil on my shoulder saying, "Do it!".

So, I think I will take a more passive aggressive approach and put it in pony tails and bows next Thursday for visitation...think that will work? Maybe put a dress on him too and change his name to Julia? Would a purse and baby doll be too much?

The Ultimate Challenge

My husband mentioned the other week, "Lets get rid of the TV and computer." I happily agreed to both and felt the heavens open up with angelic singing since I pretty much hate TV and wouldn't die without a computer and have always wanted to be Amish. But then he started back peddling.... and issued a 40 day challenge for our house. No TV or computer(other than bill paying) for 40 days. The goal is to "unplug" our kids and and have us plug into each other more.
Last night was night 1 and is was great! We had good conversations and the girls even played with each other more rather than playing with the babies and watching TV.
However, the enthusiasm is losing momentum already. Ariel and I are the only strong holds in this radical movement and I have my doubts about her. I will keep you posted!

THE PRODIGAL CAMERA RETURNS!

Thank you, Sweet Jesus! My camera came home with the girls from church activities tonight. It was hanging out in the hand bells room for the last month , how it got there who knows but I have it back! Memory Card and all! Thank you! Thank you! Praise God!

(And just on a side note of the kind of man I married, Mo tried to convince the girls to put it in my room and wait for me to find it so I would think I lost my mind. Jocularity! Jocularity! )

Happy Birthday Kami!

Kami is 12 today and my baby is growing up fast. It does pass you by in the blink of an eye. It seems like last week she was shorter than me and now we are almost eye to eye. She had a slumber party last night that we are still recovering from at the moment. I have heard that you can judge a person by the company they keep and I think it is true. Kami has some great friends and they are all lucky to have each other. I asked them at midnight to start quieting down while playing charades for fear of waking the babies and although they didn't go to sleep, I never heard another sound. A new ipod, clothes and itunes cards were at the top of her wish list.

The gifts I see in you, Kami, are: leadership, persuasion, humor, loyalty, and creativity. You are a shining star baby girl and we love you so much. It will be amazing to watch the adventures the Lord has planned for you!

We hope you "find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take."

Happy Birthday Kami!

I am not a good (cyber) friend.

I am such a loser! I have this facebook acct. which I never go to but all these friends keep asking me to confirm them but I don't have time to confirm them much less post anything or accept them into my "moms circle" or "top girlfriends list" or confirm or send a "heart message" or even add my birthday to their calendar!
In the words of my good friend Larry Beam, " I don't need another friend!". I'm too dang busy doing the mom thing and friend thing to add it to the cyber world. I mean, I live by my palm and have to schedule everything, including "taking care of relations" with my husband! Dad-gum! I need a vacation. Calgone take me away!

Julius is 2!

Had a family party for the big man on on the block today, Julius! We had a lot of fun after a day of basketball and it was nice just to relax while giving a party. Not playing hostess has its advantages. Julius got a cool drum that plays the ABC's from my parents but by far, the most favorite gift is the globe light up thing that was like 2 bucks at Wal-mart. Figures!
Happy Birthday, Ju-Ju and we love you! Isn't it sweet to know that even though he wasn't born to us the Angels still danced on his birthday too?!

Prayers Appreciated

This might sound strange but when you pray, please lift up Julius and Ariel's biological parents. We have been praying for them since the babies came to us but have felt lead to ask others to pray for them as well.
We don't know the full picture of what to pray for but the Lord does. It seems to me through our written correspondence that the mother genuinely loves her kids but has made some poor choices. We stated that we will be praying for them and she has been encouraged by this and has asked that we continue to do so.
Pray as you feel lead and don't be afraid to pray that the parent's lives are changed and come to know Christ or even come back to Him if that is the case. And that the family can be reunited.
We love them but to God be the glory if a miracle is in His plans and we will be blessed either way.
Thanks!

We are Still Kickin'!

To answer my friend, Shelly's question, Yes, we are still alive! Here is the short story: I am too busy to write on a blog! I miss it and haven't read for pleasure in weeks but we are doing well. Here is the long story:
Mo is just getting over a cold. Watched ALL the kids for me last Friday so I could go out to eat with a friend and to a movie. MY HERO!
Kami is good--back into the grind of school and missing Guitar Hero way too much. She now has a new best friend...a cell phone (for home use only.)
Kori is running crazy and loving it. We are now in full swing of 2 basketball leagues and judo with a judo tournament coming up at the end of the month. She keeps her inhaler close by but keeps on running.
Julius is a 2 year old in full strength despite his second birthday coming on Saturday. He is all boy and a whirlwind of energy...no wonder he sleeps so well at night.
Ariel is getting soooo chubby! I love it! She now has 2 teeth and continues to be a social butterfly. I can already see it on her report card: "Has difficulty controlling talking." A true girl!
I am in the middle of a new bible study. Esther: It's tough being a woman. Amen to that! It is great and I am learning so much as I usually do with Beth Moore studies. My New Years resolution to get into bed earlier isn't panning out obviously.

I've got a few pictures coming soon and hope all is well in your world!