Don's Big Day

Don was having a normal day at work carrying mail, when all of a sudden, the google maps car drove by snapping pics, he hoped he would be captured and immortalized forever...or at least until the next series, on google maps.....and he was!!! I don't think I've seen him so excited after a hard day at work.
You just never know when you marry someone, that they may become famous!

DIY Disaster

Before

After

 We have slowly been renovating our downstairs bathroom, I really wanted to nuetralize the space to give it a more grown up look since this also serves as our guest bath. We painted the walls chocolate with leftover kitchen paint, switched out the rugs, and found a great vanity from Lowe's for only $159 on sale. I love how it makes the house seem more cohesive.

Vanity close-up

sink close-up

 So, after oohing and aahhhing over our new bathroom, Noah yells up from the basement, "Oh hey, Dad, there's like water running from somewhere and the floor is floating." $227 later we discovered, thanks to the plumber, that we had knicked the pipe in the wall when we were screwing in the new vanity. Sometimes, I think I should leave well enough alone!!!

We replaced the basement flooring last year with laminate, we only have a few rows to replace.

Winter Days

A peaceful nap....despite the noise surrounding him. We have survived along with the rest of Wichita...it seems...the nasty cold/cough flu bug...Gregory developed a secondary battle of RSV, he was suctioned at the hospital and amazingly recovered almost immediately....although he hated it, it helped him tremendously. Most of these pics are of Gregory since we are all mooning over him since he was born.

"It didn't work, Mom." Charlie took the parachute guy off his parachute and attempted a jump from the stairs.
As you can see there is no appointed season for shorts at our house.

Gregory has discovered himself in mirrors lately...he babbles to himself.

Our niece gave us a little light up lamb and Gregory loves to "make eyes" at it.

Gregory's been pushing himself up a bit, he has yet to roll over. A typical sight: Gregory has a faithful audience of siblings.

We got out the "jumpy" and although it only gives me @ 5 minute break...Hey! It's 5 minutes!

Don received an espresso machine(from me) for Christmas and we have been enjoying trying to navigate the latte/ cappuccino world.

Any milk frothing advice????

Things that make us giggle...

Maybe you have already seen these...but just wanted to share a few laughs!


Don and the kids like to groove to this latest sensation:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RigyyXdTxjY

There have been several 911 calls reporting a baby lion, it's just a labradoodle shaved like his owners favorite mascot:


This is just craziness!




Have you ever forgotten a school project??

We love this scene from Brave!

Hope you find something to lighten your load today!!! Blessings!!

One Eight

Today is our anniversary. We have been sick for the past week and a half. Last night, while I comforted Gregory during the wee hours, I reflected on the year since our 17th anniversary.

It's been a really HARD year.

• Through a very difficult pregnancy our faith and trust in God has been tested.
• Our success with NFP has BOMBED.
• Our whole family endured the painful death of my Gramma, which has left an aching chasm in my soul.
• We haven't finished as much schooling as I would have liked.
• I can't seem to get a handle on routine and or housework since Gregory's birth.
• The list could go on and on....

BUT

• Although our faith and trust has been tested, it has also been strengthened.
• We stink at NFP, but we have thrived in our openness to life...come what may.
• I truly believe my Gramma is in Heaven and now her pain from this world "is as nothing" in the light of eternal glory.
• Even though homeschooling was limited this year, the kids were so helpful and caring...and get an A+ in Home Ec.
• I don't think I ever had a handle on routine and housework! It is my goal this year to improve.

AND

Each struggle and challenge has only drawn us closer and created an ever increasing dependence on our Savior.

Christmas pic...didn't think 2 sick people would want to pose.

Happy 18 Sweetheart, truly, everyday my love for you only grows!

Christmas Faves

When Christmas shopping either online or at the store, you never quite know if the kids will actually play with their gifts...out of some of the flops I chose, here are a few that the kids love.

Noah: Buzzbee double shot gun it's like Nerf brand that shoots foam darts, he loves that the shells eject after firing...to me it looks like the gun is pooping...but he really enjoys it.

Jonah requested a SD Card so he could make more movies using his 3DS that he saved up and bought using lawn mowing income and funeral and wedding serving stipends.

Hannah received a Fashion Angels makeup and hair sketchbook, we enjoy creating designs together. She is planning to purchase the interior design sketchbook next. This was from her Great Aunt and Uncle.

Eli had been pining for a Razor scooter...all the older kids in the family already had one, the Razor rides much smoother than other brands.

Benny is always in need of a good activity, as he has an unlimited amount of energy.

Lincoln Logs fill that need very nicely!

Charlie is blessed with a booming set of lungs, so to go with them, Santa chose the perfect toy, a digital guitar. He likes to take it with us on errands and serenade strangers.

Gregory loves his new sherpa lined blankie! A gift from Manga!

Now, I hope all the kids liked this last gift the best....Floors for the Poor. This totally awesome program is run by people we know of(the Romero family are Catholic Missionaries, they have 2 little kids) through Family Missions Company, they provide a poor family who only have a dirt floor with a concrete one...this is in the Phillipines where it is rainy and the floors are often muddy and teaming with bugs and other creatures. This program really brings the quality of life up a notch and provides a safe and clean environment that has been proven to increase health, school test scores and family unity.
It's only $70 per floor and you receive a picture of the family and their new floor and the family prays for you....WOW!!

The Pardilio Family received one of the first floors.....and they helped to install it...even the littlest children help bring water to mix with the concrete.

Sammy, Lindsey, Evageline and Anders Romero

True joy!

Christmas Picture Drama

So, every year we try to take a family Christmas picture. This is just one of the examples of the fiasco complete with 2 kids crying, one child didn't want to wear what I had chosen...not even for 5 minutes and one wouldn't hold still and kept jumping around. It wasn't helpful that I was a super grinch about it.

I didn't even want to send out cards with our end results. We took a few days off.

Then I told the kids to put on something they liked and meet me by the tree. This time only taking 1 at a time, we had success....and even had fun!! I can't believe how much they have grown in a year! I was able to make an inexpensive collage with all our pics...and even got a discount. I love Walgreens!!

Noah 15

Jonah 13

Elijah 9

Benny 6

Hannah 11






Charlie 4

 

Don and Debi ageless
In case you were wondering, we used the pic of Gregory below...just because I love it so!