Yes, I know...

I'm just as shocked as you are. Three posts already this month & it's only the 9th! This one is all about the pics because I don't have the time to write much of a story. I hope you'll enjoy none the less.

Evelyn before church on Sunday showing off the dress I made for her before she was born. It looks much better on her than I thought it would!

Our little peanut has been improving immensely with her oral eating. There have been several feedings now that we've not had to use the g-tube! She still uses it a few times a day, but we are very pleased at her progress.

Just had to capture Evie's first cookie baking experience! She tried her hardest to get the dough to her mouth but mean 'ol Momma just wouldn't let it happen. Although I have to admit that I let her lick a little off the spoon! It's a rule in this house that you can't make cookies without eating at least a little of the batter.

The stockings I made for the kids this year. The only reason I had time was because we spent a week & a half in Butte with Brian's parents so I brought some scrap fabric with & pulled out Dorothy's machine. It was a fun & quick project!

Story time with Papa. I love this picture!

Sweet big brother Ricky showing a book to Evie.

I know it's not unusual for most kids, but ours like to fall asleep in the darndest places. I actually caught Ricky napping in his closet smashed up against the wall behind the laundry basket the other day. He'd actually taken his pillow with him intending to fall asleep there. I have no clue what was going through his head!

Ben asleep on the couch with elbow in his snack bowl.

Ricky amongst the books.

Ben on the floor in the doorway to Brian & I's bedroom Closet.

Ricky all covered up.
At least he's in bed & left a little breathing space!

It's Official...

I'm spoiled! For a couple years now I've been wanting a carpet cleaner but haven't seriously considered it because of the cost and lack of the absolute necessity for it. However, this year, after having a child go through potty training most of year and the trails that leaves behind along with recently having a sick family I've REALLY been wanting one & mentioned it to Brian a couple times. Then on Wednesday as I walked into Costco to get the usual groceries I noticed a nice carpet cleaner (exactly what I'd been dreaming about) on sale. I immediately called Brian excited & hopeful & he was kind & told me he'd have to think about the purchase of it for a bit. However, after walking around the store a while I'd resolved that it just wasn't going to happen because of particular financial costs that are coming up this month & told Brian not to waste time thinking about it. Maybe down the road a little ways when things were a little more comfortable we could entertain the idea again. 

To make a long story a little shorter, the kids & I were downstairs later that evening when Papa arrived home from work.  When I went upstairs to start dinner I saw a big box sitting on the dining room table... It was the carpet cleaner! My sweet husband ran to Costco after work & used some extra money we had been given back from Costco for our membership fees to purchase it. I was/am extremely surprised & grateful! I wasn't lying in the last post when I said that my husband takes great care of me!

So yesterday I put it to work & cleaned the boy's room, Evie's room, the upstairs living room & 3 dining room chairs that I thought were history. It works beautifully! I am still in shock that our dining room chairs look nearly new & can't help but look at them every time I walk passed the table. I'm so thankful for miracles & my sweet husband.

I've named it Bessie in honor of Ben & his favorite movie. (Bessie is a road paver in Cars1). Here she is & an example of the beautiful work she does:

Before
(& this wasn't the worst of the 3 chairs!)

After
(This is how they all look!)

Welcome 2013!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

As shocking as it is, Christmas is once again here and gone and a new year is upon us. After all the preparation and anticipation for this most glorious time of year, in a blink of an eye Christmas day is but a memory. I think it especially feels like it to me this year because I had started preparing well in advance due to being out of town for Evelyn's doctor appointments and various other things most of December and was especially looking forward to celebrating this first Christmas with our baby girl. As things worked out, we got home a few days before Christmas and were very much looking forward to being home and the coming festivities with church & our own family traditions, but a day after we arrived home our entire family was struck with a nasty flu bug. Yes... God has a funny sense of humor! We'd never before experienced our entire family sick at the same time & I tell you I hope it never happens again... YUCK! I remember thinking, "Why now, Lord? All we want to do is worship you with laughter and song but instead we are strapped to our beds and the bathroom unable to sing your praises. Why?!?!" But I had to remind myself that even through the million extra loads of laundry & upset tummies, we can still worship our good God & be grateful for the birth of his son. After all, it is a fitting finale for the crazy year we've had! Although not the most enjoyable Christmas, I'm very thankful that by Christmas morning we were all feeling quite a bit better. Brian felt pretty crummy most of the day and the rest of us weren't at 100%, but we were certainly in a better state than the previous couple days.

As we stroll into the new year, we are extremely thankful that God has sustained our family through this past year & that He has blessed us beyond reckoning in every area of our lives, but above all we are thankful that He sent His son into this world and has & is & will redeem it. We are humbled beyond understanding that He chose us to be a part of His people, to love & forgive & to rescue. Through Him all things are made new. And so we are hopeful & trusting in another very blessed year. May yours be also!

The boys got some beautiful quilts from their Uncle Chris & Aunt Aubrey.

Evie's first Christmas!

Christmas morning:

"This is fun, but can I go back to bed now?!"

My beautiful bracelet from my amazing husband!
He surprised me with it on Christmas Eve as I was laying in bed feeling quite awful... it was a very wonderful & welcome surprise! He is so good to me!