A Little Help From My Friends

Three posts in one day. I know, a little excessive. I guess since Michael is out of town I am trying to use up my words by writing. Anyway. Ok, so here's the dilemma. I want to figure out how to teach my children to listen. I know this involves long ongoing training and that it is not learned over-night. I also know that they will need periodic re-training. But, I feel that it is getting out of control and my frustration is mounting, which is never good. I want them to learn to listen to authority and do what is asked of them the first time they are asked. I do not feel that I am approaching this lesson the right way. This problem manifests itself in different ways with the kids. Isabella has gotten really bad about arguing. She will argue with us about anything that she doesn't agree with. We will ask her to do it and then if she doesn't want to do it or she doesn't think she should have to do it then she starts arguing in a manner that would make any lawyer proud. I try to say, "this is not up for discussion", but this just results in her getting louder. At this point I get angry and either spank or send her to timeout. But, I do not feel that even with the consequences anything is changing. Micah on the other hand, does not argue, he just doesn't do what I ask if he doesn't want to. I got a note from the teacher asking me to remind Micah that he needs to listen and do what is asked of him the FIRST time. I know boys have a harder time with this (my husband is not a good listener either) but I don't want to excuse it just because he is a boy. And Aria, well, she is pretty manageable now but I would still like for her to learn while she is young as opposed to me backtracking when she is older. So, it's your turn. What do you think? I would appreciate any advice you have to give. If something has worked for you with your children or worked with you when your parents were parenting you, I'd love to know it. Thanks friends!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Today is not only a sad day but also a very important day to celebrate. Today is my anniversary. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 9 years. Nine years ago today I walked down the isle in a little country church and pledged my life to Michael Smith Jr. I had no idea what that meant but I do now. God knew exactly what he was doing when he brought Michael into my life. Here are just a few reasons why I love my man:

1. Very few men would have endured so patiently with a wife who suffered for several years with low self-esteem, intense fear of abandonment, jealousy, depression (including post-partem depression). I am happy to say that God healed me of those things and I haven't suffered them since 2002.
2. I have a wonderful husband who thinks that since I cooked dinner and he knows that I love a clean kitchen in the morning he cleans it for me.
3. He has helped me learn (along with my YA's) how to become more organized.
4. He is a great father to our children
5. He loves the Lord and is learning every day what it means to be a committed follower of Christ.
6. He tells me all the time that I am beautiful
7. He thinks I am his hero
8. He wants to be able to give me the world, even though I am happy with what we have.
9. He is a protector of the women in my life. He loves my mother and my sister as if they were his own. He pampers them just like he pampers me.
10. And most importantly, he just plain adores me!!

How could I not love this man!!! He is amazing!!! I love you Michael Hart Smith Jr.

LET US NEVER FORGET

My oldest was 3 months, I was at church teaching the children while their mothers attended Bible Study. I was struggling through post-partum depression, exhaustion, and being a new mom. A girl came into the classroom and said that a plane had hit the World Trade Center in NY. We didn't know what that meant but assumed it was a horrible accident. Class continued...life continued. A little while later the woman came back and said that the other building had been hit. WHAT THE...? Ok, so probably not an accident, but what? At this point, life started to slow and anxiety began to creep in. Shortly after that, the moms came and got their kids. Nobody knew what was going on, so for the most part, life continued. I got Isabella and went home. I turned on the TV and watched as the remaining tragedies unfolded. Michael was out of town, but thank God he had driven. Anxiety turned to fear and then to panic. As the day unfolded I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with the idea that I had just brought a child into THIS!!! Oh my goodness! What have I done? I called Michael and told him to come home.

Even now 7 years later, I still get emotional. Let us never forget what happened that day. Let us never forget the lives that were lost, but more importantly let us never forget the lives that had to continue despite the fact that they were forever changed. Let us never forget how united we were as a country in those days/weeks/months that followed. We were no longer democrat or republican, black or white, gay or straight...WE WERE AMERICANS!!! And let us never forget the heros that served our country on that day and still serve our country today to protect our FREEDOM!! Let us never forget that freedom isn't free! I praise God that we are so blessed as a nation. I praise God that we found hope in the midst of chaos. I praise God that we are FREE!!! !

JACK OF ALL TRADES-WITH A PURPOSE

Live like noone else...Gazelle-like intensity...
These are two phrases that you will hear if you listen to Dave Ramsey. Michael and I just completed Dave Ramsey's 13-week bible study called Financial Peace University. We are ferociously trying to complete Baby Steps #1 and #2, which are getting $1000 in an Emergency Fund. This covers the little emergencies of life that seem to stress us because we haven't budgeted for them in our regular budget, such as a blown tire, a new water pump on the car, a broken arm, a kidney stone, etc. After that is done then Baby Step #2 is pay off debt. That is where the living like noone else comes in. I often think that I am crazy but in this case crazy is going to be good. I am tired of living like everyone else, racking up debt and just paying the minimum balances that never get the balance down. God says in His word that "the borrower is a slave to the lender". I am tired of being a slave!!!! So, Michael and I are getting intense with our debt snowball. About a month ago I started keeping a little girl who is 3 1/2, but that is only 2 days a week. So, I started applying for jobs that I could work in the evening and on the weekends. Starbucks, Target, waitress jobs, and retail stores. Well, this weekend I applied at the Disney Store and got the job. I start on the 20th and will be working nights and weekends. Then last night I interviewed with a couple who has a 5 week old baby girl. They asked if I could keep her 2 days a week. So, I start tomorrow with that. Am I crazy? Definitely, maybe. But, it is with a purpose...to put every penny I make towards our debt and get out of this life of slavery. I am angry!!! Although not at the future but at the past. We got ourselves into the mess but I refuse to stay here any longer than I have to. 2008 is the Year of the Finances in the Smith household, we will be transformed by the renewing of our minds. I ask all of you who read this to keep us in your prayers, because there are days when this is very difficult. I hate that I will be giving up books and prayers with my kids at night and fun weekends with the family, but I hate even more knowing that as the banks get rich and build bigger, fancier buildings and my future house is getting smaller and smaller. D-O-N-E!!! I AM DONE!!!

My Prayer

Today was youth Sunday at our church. I just love youth Sunday. I love to see our Christian leaders of tomorrow taking an active role in leading their elders. It's been a while since I have been in a service lead by the youth. But, Michael and I agreed that today's service was different. As we watched and listened to these young men and women, ranging in age from 6th to 12th grade, we were overwhelmed. As we watched the one playing the guitar, singing his heart out (with no microphone near him), and jumping up and down in praise, I could see Micah someday, and could only pray that someday he will have that much passion for is Lord and Savior. As I watched the kids singing in the choir and seeing a couple of girls just smiling and worshipping and having fun doing it, I could see my girls and all I could do was pray for them to become women of integrity, honor, passion, and conviction. I had a hard time watching them without welling up with tears. It is only a few years away. They are growing up so fast, too fast if you ask me. I want so much for my children to grow up and be passionate for Jesus. And I pray that that passion can come without too much suffering and rebellion. But, I know one thing...I want to see my children growing in their relationships with Jesus and having fun while they do it. So today, I pray for all of our children.

Lord Jesus, I want to thank you today for the children that you have entrusted in our care, for however long you have chosen to give them to us. I thank you for how you have used them to changed our lives. I pray that you will continue to work in our lives as their parents so that we can be good examples of transforming grace and passion for You. I pray for our children that you will grow them up to be men and women of integrity, honor, and conviction. May we be parents that help foster the gifts that you have placed in them, that we will resist the temptation to push them into fitting into our molds of what we want them to be, and allow them enough freedom to become what you created them to be. Protect them, Lord, from making poor choices, and when they do, because we know they will, give us the courage and wisdom to give them the appropriate consequences. Most of all, we praise you Jesus for loving our children more than we do. It seems impossible because we love them so much, but you created them, you knit them together in our wombs, you picked this time for them to be born, and you chose us to be their parents. Thank you for loving them and thank you for trusting us with them. I pray we will be the best stewards of their lives as we possibly can with your grace. In Jesus name. Amen.

Wordless Wednesday

An Angel Amoung Us

You don’t have to be poor to feel the financial pinch these days. With rising gas and food prices it is barely possible to make the same salary as two years ago and maintain the same way of life. Michael and I have been doing everything we can to lower our standard of living, not only because we’ve had to but also because we have been implementing Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace principle’s into our family. one of the first things we did when starting this new way of life was to get on a budget and start paying cash for everything. Michael and I have never been on a budget, at least not a workable one, but after tracking our expenses for three months we got a better idea of how our money is spent and finally got on a much needed workable budget.

One thing that shocked me when I tracked our expenses was the amount of money that we spend on food every month. 95% of our food budget is groceries. We rarely eat out, maybe once a week if that. We eat left-overs, I use coupons, and bargain shop, and yet the $$ amount surprised me. So, I started talking to people and realized that we were in “normal” range for a family our size and that with the rising food costs it would only get worse. So, I got even more serious. No eating out at all, comparison shopping, coupons, sales, you name I did it and even with all that work I still could only get the grocery budget down about $100 a month.

Then I decided to check out something that I heard about about three years ago when we were living in Texas. I heard about a nationwide ministry called Angel Food Ministries. It is non-profit ministry that provides high-quality food products for about half the cost. Churches around the country team up with the ministry as host sites where you can place your orders and pick them up. When I first heard about them I didn’t get involved, mainly because I didn’t feel that I qualified, even though on their website they say, “If you eat, you qualify.” So, when we moved here I found a church near us that is a host site and I decided to try it. I ordered enough food for dinners for a month for $110. I want to share with you what I got, because I believe that we are not alone and many of you reading this are trying to find ways to make your budget work without having to get a raise or another job. Here is what I got with this months menu:

1.5 lb. Ribeye Steaks (4 x 6 oz.)

10 ct. Frozen Waffles

5 lb. Chicken Leg Quarters

16 oz. Bean Soup Mix

28 oz. Chicken Breast Nuggets

1 lb. Rice

28 oz. Salisbury Steak Dinner Entrée

9 oz. Instant Potatoes (14 servings)

32 oz. Breaded Chicken Breast Filets

15 oz. Sliced Peaches

1 lb. Smoked Sausage

32 oz. Borden Shelf Stable Milk

16 oz. California Blend Frozen Vegetables

1 Dozen Eggs

16 oz. Frozen Carrots


16 oz. Frozen Chopped Spinach

1 Dessert Item

ALL THIS FOR THE LOW COST OF JUST…….. $30.00

I ordered three of these menu’s and then ordered a grill special for $20 that had:

1.5 lb. Baseball Cut Sirloin Filet (4 x 6 oz. – Thick Cut),
2 lbs. Juicy Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast,
2 lbs. St. Louis-Style Ribs,
1.5 lb. Hamburger Patties (4 x 6 oz.)

We have been eating the food and it is no different than food would buy at the store. And I expect that doing this will cut our grocery bill in half. I still have to buy milk, eggs, lunch meat, condiments, etc but this is saving bundles on the bulk of our grocery bill which is dinner. I encourage you to check them out. See if there is a church near you that is a host site. Go to the website (www.angelfoodministries.com) and read about them and how they are able to do what they do. God bless!!!

Changing my blog

Well, in August for my birthday Michael surprised me and bought me an MacBook. I have thoroughly loved it and I know I have not even touched what this computer can do. For several months I have been "double" blogging. I have been keeping up with this blog and then cutting and pasting it to my iWeb blog. It has been a hastle to do this so I am forwarding all of you to my new blog. You can read EVERYTHING about the Smith family in one blog (adoption stuff and life stuff.) So, check us out from now on at

http://web.mac.com/hopeforall56/Site/Welcome.html

I do hope this move won't hinder people being able to keep in touch. God bless

I AM AN AUNT

I am SOOOO excited. I became a “biological” aunt today. I say it that way because I have had the privilege of being an aunt to my sister-in-law’s children for 8 years, but this is my sister’s first child. I wasn’t able to be there (BOO!), but I did get to listen to the delivery on my cell phone (thanks Mom). Isabella, Micah, and Aria were sitting with me when we heard her first little cries. They named her Sophie Annabel (hopefully I am spelling that right). She weights 6lbs 12oz and has a head full of blond hair. I can’t wait to see her. I am flying down this weekend for a couple of days. The picture to the right is Amy the day before she went into labor. BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Smith family update

The Smith family is doing well. We have been really busy with school and sports. Isabella and Micah are loving school and are learning alot. It's very fun for me, too, to watch them make friends and go on field trips and enjoy their teachers. Micah started gymnastics a few weeks ago and Bella starts this week. She finished up soccer and decided she had fun but doesn't want to play soccer anymore. It could be because she got hit in the face two different times with the ball. The second time it happened we were on our way to the game and she said, "I sure hope I don't get hit in the face again with the ball." I almost said, "Oh the chances of that happening again are slim", but I didn't. Boy am I glad that I didn't because that game she got smacked right in the nose and got a nose bleed. I felt so bad for her. I was so glad she attempted but she defiantely does not want to play again.

Micah loves gymnastics and it suits him well. He loves all the climbing and swinging and balancing and flipping. I don't know how long he will want to do it but right now he's loving it. He's also starting doing tricks on his Razor scooter (for those of you who don't remember he knocked out his front tooth about 7 months ago on the scooter). Now, he is jumping the scooter and popping wheeleys on it, and trying to jump off the curbs. We call him our little X-gamer.

Aria is getting so big. She will be 2 in January and she is already wearing 3T clothes. She is very tall and chunky, and adorable. She defiantely keeps me on my toes. She is into EVERYTHING and I cannot turn my back on her for a minute. Her favorite phrase right now is "Mommy, I spilled." Everything from cherrios to coffee creamer, she's into it. And if she quiet for more than a minute then she's probably in her room painting her body and face with Desitin or covering the bathroom floor with baby powder. I have had to start disciplining her because she thinks it's fun and Mommy does not, even though I do have some great pictures. She has also figured out how to open the glass front door and makes her way outside without us knowing. The good thing is the door is loud but we have started locking it too. Michael and I were saying just yesterday how we never could understand how a 2 year old could be found "wondering the streets" until now. She is very curious, to say the least.

Michael is still enjoying his job. It is very challenging, but he is home and that is good. We have realized (mainly the me in the "we") that we are tired of moving and greatly desire to be near our family and desperately want our children to grow up close to their cousins. So, our goal in the next few years is to finish what God has for us here and make our way back to Alabama. This is a HUGE heart change for me since I have never wanted to move back to the place where I grew up. Alabama has held so many difficult memories for me, from my parents divorce to the many bad choices I made in high school and college. But, God has shown me int he past month that He has chosen to forget about all of that and therefore I should too. Besides, if I run into people who knew me then and they can see me for who I am now, then they can see how the power of Christ can transform a life. So, in God's timing, hopefully we will find our way back to Birmingham. (Goodner family, McLeod family, Smith family, Vos family-PRAY Godspeed!!)

I am doing well too. I have been getting to know a few women through a Bible study I have been doing and the kids school. I also sing again next Sunday for the first time since moving here. It will be no Firewheel but oh well : ) Everything is good!!

I will post some more pictures soon.

City of Chicago and a Tribute to Friends

So, last week, three of my closest girlfriends came to Chicago to have what we call, our "Ya-Ya weekends". They flew in from Dallas and L.A. on Thursday and left on Saturday. We had such a wonderful visit and on several occasions it was mentioned that two nights was just too short. We walked everywhere, which was awesome and exhausting, although it is definately the way to go since driving downtown is "crazy".

Thursday night we went to Gibson's Steakhouse, which was wonderful. If you ever eat there, do what we did, split everything. The portions are huge. I was really kind of bummed since I was still recovering from the stomach flu. My desire was to eat everything and go home sick (like some people), but my body was not willing to cooperate. Oh well...

Then Friday we went to Navy Pier. The weather was wonderful and there were very few people there. After "sightseeing" for a while we all got a drink and sat in the warm on some leather chairs/sofas. We talked and laughed and relaxed and enjoyed a hour of COMPLETE peace. No children asking us for something, no phones ringing, no laundry, no emails, no dishes, no agenda...just peace and quiet. It was (and we would all agree) the best part of the trip. After that, we shopped for a little while and then went on an Architectural Boat Tour through the city. It was so interesting and educating. I learned so much about the city and fell in love with the history of the architecture. After that we headed back to the hotel to get ready for our night out.



Friday night we went to Garrett's Popcorn and the girls got LOTS of popcorn and then we went to see THE BRAVE ONE with Jody Foster. It was a fantastic movie. C was so excited about it we could hardly keep her in her seat. It was sone of those movies that at the end EVERYONE was clapping and cheering. A must see!!!

After the movie we went to Gino's Pizza and has their famous deepdish, unfortunately I was not feeling well so I didn't eat but a few bites. As you can probably see we had a theme. C called it "the three G's". Gibson's, Garrett's, and Gino's.

On Saturday we walked the Magnificent Mile and shopped. At lunchtime we stopped and asked a hotel bellman if he could recommend a great burger. He directed us to a very quaint and nice burger "dive" called Boston Blackie's. It was one of those places that you couldn't just find, and it was excellent.

The girls left Saturday afternoon and I was sad to see them go. Since moving away from Dallas I have come to realize that these girls are three in a million. Friends like them only come around once in a lifetime and I am blessed beyond measure to have them in my life. I love you guys!!!!

Not to mention, I really came to love the City of Chicago. Seeing it as more of a local and less of a tourist gave me a whole new appreciation for it. The history, the achitecture, the sounds, all of it was amazing. Thank you ladies for such a wonderful time. I can't wait to see L.A. the next Ya trip.

Thank you Grandpa

A couple of weeks ago when Micah and I were in Birmingham my dad gave Micah and Isabella a bike. Micah was so excited that everytime we stopped at someone's house and every stop we made on the way home he would ask if we could take it out and ride it. He couldn't wait and it was killing him that he had to. Well, we got home and about a week later Isabella and Michael were outside and all of a sudden I see her ride past the front of the house with Michael running next to her. I ran outside to see what was going on and she was riding without Michael holding onto her at all. I was shocked. I got my video camera and took Micah outside to cheer her on. I was even more shocked when Michael said that it was Isabella's first try. After she rode for a minute Micah wanted to try. So Michael put him on (his feet don't touch the ground) and gave him a little push and he too was off. No training wheels, no assistance, nothing. I was floored, and scared to death. Since then they have been riding like crazy. The hard part is that they have to share, but they are getting so good. Isabella is even standing up now for brief periods of time. She's learned how to coast, and turn, and stop, AND jump off instead of fall. Micah is a little more timid right now because, like I said, his feet won't touch. But, when we get hime a bike that he can feel more secure on I know he will be off. We have ushered into a new era of our lives...they grow up way too fast.

1500 Miles and Still Smiling

Last weekend Micah and I took a trip together. We left last Thursday with my mother to go to Birmingham for my sisters' baby shower. It is about a 10 hour trip but with Micah it took about 11 1/2 to get there. After about an hour on the road Micah decided that he didn't want to go to Birmingham with us and he let us know off and on throughout the whole trip. He was great about it for the most part though and he never did have a total breakdown. Once we got there he was fine. On Friday, my sister, Amy, and I took him swimming at the YMCA for a little while. Then in a stroke of "genius" I decided to go to Target and buy Micah a new skateboard(his other one is too small) and another Razor scooter(Isabella needed a new one anyway). I figured if I had those for the trip home it would make our time better since we could stop every couple of hours and he could "decompress" by riding on something.

That afternoon we went to my dad's house for dinner and then to watch my niece, Taylor, cheer in her first football game. It was so great to see everyone. At my dad's house, we got out the scooter and the skateboard. I think my Dad and Augusta were amazed at how well Micah could do both. Then my Dad gave them a try, at 60-something, we were all afraid and amazed. It was alot of fun.

Then at the football game Micah played in the dirt the whole time with his cousin, Gloria Grace-aka "GG" and I got to spend time with my sister-in-law, Michelle, while we watched Taylor cheer. My only regret is that I wouldn't get to spend more time with Taylor since she was going to her dad's after the game. But, you know how 14 year olds are-BUSY!!!

On Saturday was the shower for Amy. It was so great to see how much support she was getting. It's hard as her sister not to be there for her for the birth of her first child. I am so thankful that God has surrounded her with so much family and so many friends. And BOY, I mean GIRL, did she rack up.

So on Sunday I drove home with Micah by myself, since Mom was flying out of Birmingham to teach her next class. I was so right. The scooter and skateboard were a life saver and we made it back without one single meltdown. Praise God!!!!!

I haven't posted in a few days so I thought I would just put in a few pictures of the kiddos and a couple of pictures of Micah's new "passion". He has taken to skateboarding. He loves his Razor scooter but has decided at 4 1/2 he's ready for skateboarding instead. Michael has taught him how to "drop" of the step and do a handstand. I want to fall out every time he does it but Michael just rolls his eyes at me and tells me that he will be fine. Ok...whatever! He is going to be our extreme sport athlete. Thank God for good health insurance.

Conversations With My Children

Conversation with Micah just the other day:

Micah: "Mommy, I want to be a policeman like Uncle Robert when I grow up."

Me: "Oh really? Why?"

Micah: "So I can carry a gun and shoot the bad guys, like this!" Then he proceeds to dive onto the floor, roll over, and point his fingers like he's pointing a gun.

I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry. His actions so adorable and yet I wonder where in the world he learned what policeman do. He's a superhero fan, that's all I can say.

Conversation with Isabella today in the movie store:

Isabella is walking down the family video isle trying to decide which movie to pick out. She sees My Little Pony, Care Bears, Bratz, and then comes up on Thumbelina and says,
"Oh I want this one. It is one of my favorites and even though it makes me cry I just can't resist." I thought I would fall out. A woman after my own heart. What woman doesn't love a good cry while watching a movie.

Conversation with Aria:

Ok so I can't have conversations with Aria yet, but her little personality is emerging every day. Her absolute favorite thing is babies. When she sees them, she instantly goes crazy. We were at soccer practice last week and there was a woman there with a 3 month old little boy in a car seat. Aria was next to him before I could turn around. She was in his face talking to him while he smiled back. When he blew bubbles and drooled, she would lift up his bib and pat the drool off his mouth, she even tried to pick him up several times. The mom was so sweet and patient, she just keep saying over and over, "she's ok. It's so cute. She's so nuturing and gentle." And when I felt the little boy had had enough and I picked Aria up to take her away, she cried with the cry of a broken heart. It was so endearing. She carries her baby doll everywhere and at any given time she will sit down with a towel or diaper wipe, say "EWE!", and proceed to "wipe" the baby doll's hiney. I love it.

What amazes me most is that I didn't have to "teach" any of my children how to do these things. Their creator imprinted them on their little hearts. I love that my little girls are "lilies" and that my little boy is a "warrior", as they are called in our home. And whatever they choose to be when they grow up I will support, but more than anything I want them to follow God's will for their lives.

So far it seems they are doing just that!!

Taking Time To Smell The Roses

Do you ever feel that you are so busy that you wake up one morning and realize that you have neglected to talk to your best friend in a few days? That is what happened to me this morning. I have been so busy with moving, my children, my friends children, and daily life that I realized that I have spoken very little to my best friend, Jesus. I think that is why, so often, we find ourselves with "trials" in our lives, it forces us to spend time with God. His Word says that He is a "jealous God." He wants us to spend time with Him. All I have to do is imagine how I would feel if Michael woke up every morning for a week and "forgot" to say good-bye to me before work, or when he got home he didn't talk to me about his day or ask me about mine, or at bedtime he didn't kiss me and tell me that he loves me before falling asleep. I would be so hurt and angry. And yet for the past week or so that is what I have done to my Lord. I know that I serve a forgiving and understanding God, but I never want to take that for granted. He is also an amazing God who even in all my "busy-ness" still wants for me to take a few minutes and "hang out" with Him. How often do we do this? I know for me it is too often.

Did the life I live today please you God? Have I loved well? That is my prayer for today?

Wordless Wednesday

We Did It!!! AGAIN!

We are finally moved in to our new place and we do love it. It is definately a place we can stay for a while. It wasn't too bad with the exception that all the children got some weird virus while we were moving that made them run real high fevers along with nausea and bad headaches. So, it was really hard to pass them off to my mom who had to watch them to keep them out of the way. All they really wanted was Mommy. But we did make it through.

Isabella started soccer last week. She is having fun and is so cute. She insisted on having a pink cheerleader skirt with a matching pink shirt that has a rhinstone butterfly on it to play in. She also has a black cheerleader skirt with a matching black shirt. They both coordinate with her pink shinguards. It's very cute. I have pictures but they are still on my mom's computer.

Micah and Aria love soccer too. Micah has several buddies that he plays with on a side field since he's not old enough yet to be on a team. He doesn't care though, he just made up his own team. And he tries to play just like Beckham. It's adorable. Aria takes her little soccer ball and kicks it around too.

Micah and his "team". Not a great picture of Bella but you get the idea.

Blueberry Picking at Treeberry Farm

Well, one of the benefits of living in "the middle of nowhere", as Micah calls it, is that there seems to be endless opportunities to visit farmland where we can harvest our own produce. Within 30 minutes of us we have apple orchards and strawberry, rasberry, blackberry, and blueberry farms. We have pumpkin farms and Christmas tree farms within 10 minutes of us, and miles and miles of corn. The kids love it!

On Saturday we went to Treeberry farm and picked 16 pounds of blueberries. Unfortunately it was the busiest day they have ever had. We so started off waiting in line (picture to the right) for 45 minutes just to get on a flatbed trailer that took us to the bushes. Then we picked for about 45 mintues. The kids had a blast, especially Aria who sat on the ground and ate blueberries out of the bucket. I wish I could have gotten a picture because her whole face was blue, but I forgot to charge the battery on my camera. Then we waited again for the flatbed trailer again for about 30 mintues. We got back to the farmhouse and waited in line again to pay for the blueberries. We were also able to get fresh honey, which I love in my tea. They also have Christmas trees, which are beautiful already. So we will probably go back and cut down our own tree after we get back from Thanksgiving in Florida. It was fun, even though I did feel like I was at Six Flags. I guess it's not so bad living in a small town.

Our NEW home!!!!

Ok, so it's been a few days and quite a bit has happened so bare with me if this is lengthy.

As many of you know, I sent Michael up here in November of last year to find us a house to live in since I didn't want to travel with all the children. He found us the best house that was for rent at the time for what we wanted to pay. It has been a solid roof over our heads and roomy enough for me to take in a couple of extra kids a week, but not in the best location and it is dated. So, for the past several months I have kept a close eye on houses in the area in the locations that we really like. Well, through a very cool set of circumstances that could only be God we found a house that we really love and it's in a great location. Michael can walk one block and be at work and yet the neighborhood is quiet and very well kept. And not only can we rent for the next couple of years until all our debt is paid off, but we can also buy it from him when were ready (if we wind up staying here...only God knows that) and he will give us some of our rent back as a "gift of equity", which is awesome. The main floor of the house has been totally renuvated and updated and the basement is finished. He is going to split the cost with us for any updating we want to do in the basement, and if we decide to put a fence up and lay a slab in the back yard he'll help with that too. We are so pleased and excited. We move in at the end of the month. I will email all of you with our new address and hopefully our phone number will stay the same. Here are some pictures.

The front of the houseAnother view of the houseThe living room from the front doorThe kitchen