4 days but We're Back!!

OK- Ice Storms in Kansas are becoming something that just happens in this wonderful state. We lost power about midnight on Monday. Got up Tues am, Annie was a mess, no lights, no TV, and we were off our schedule. So we left by 10:30- most of the town had no power and we did not want to stay. We went to my parents which was great. Having our own space, not feeling like we were in other people's way. We got some Christmas shopping done, and our favorite Crown Center. It was hard making plans, if we are in KC we will... if we have power we will go back and... I had a final on Thur night, but my prof made it online, it was already open book so it just made sense, the only problem I did not think to bring my bag on Tues. The prof said i could turn it in on Mon. It would have been real hard to have to come back for it if we did not have power. Friday afternoon we got power and most people we know have gotten their power on Fri and Sat. That's our update, and now I will go work on my final. Hopefully Luke will help me post with the other digital camera.

One more fun thing: Last night I got an early Christmas present and I love it. Luke ordered stockings from Pottery Barn and Tara put our names on them. They are awesome, big and really cute. When Luke gave them to me I cried. I think I have wanted to cry for the last couple of days and I finally had something good to cry about. The 4th one is blue with a sledding snowman, I told Luke if we find out we are having a girl I will try to return that one, it could be for either--it makes me anxious to find out. A boy would be fit right in here.

It's begining to feel like Christmas

So, it is December 10th, What is it like 15 days to go? I am really having a hard time getting into the spirit of things. The tree is up, with decorations--mostly because of Luke's hard work. We put up more decorations this weekend, I made Luke clean the house up first. Last year Annabelle knocked the tree over multiple times until we tied it to the wall. So this year Luke was gluing some ornaments that suffered last year, and full on super-glued his thumb to the baby's first Christmas highchair. If you or your husband ever do this first he will say that he needs to go to the emergency room, which I disagreed, then soak it in acetone nail polish. We saved the ornament but he lost his thumb, it was a hard choice but it was our first child's first Christmas ornament. Don't laugh when you see stumpy. JK Luke!!!!
So, now that YL is over and my final is on Thur, hopefully I can really get into the season, including Luke's birthday on the 21st. How are the rest of you doing with this season. Michele had a baby what a great way to escape of these things.
I am off to the chiropractor, my back is in bad shape, I have no real belly showing, because it is all laying on my back. I have gain -3 pounds in the last 4 1/2 months, yea lost 5 gained 2, I know it will all catch up. We will find out the sex after Christmas. PS no pictures, we still don't know where the camera is.

Thanksgiving in Grand Junction

Well, here we are. Angie's tall, dark, and handsome boyfriend joined us this year. We are hoping he is a keeper. Kids: Annabelle, James, Anaya, Maya and Nerea (Enrich is in the background a family friend).

Traveling was pretty bad, it could have been worse the night before Annie kept waking up in puke, but was never sick while we traveled. As soon as we showed up to the airport they told us that our plane was delayed and there was no way to get to GJ that day we had to wait a day, Thur. So we decided to fly to Denver and rent a car for the 4 hr trip. We get to Denver and try to get on a flight to GJ. The guy says yea if you can get there in time. So Luke has to run to the baggage claim get all of our bags, go through security, Get the super search, taking everything out of our bag, getting questioned because we are not with him, ride the airport train, arrive as the flight is delayed only to find out we are on standby, and there are a couple of people in front of us on this little plane. Oh Geez. The 1:20 flight left at 3:30 with us on it, and Annabelle even got to sit with us. The flight home went smoothly and by that, we left the GJ house at 8:30 and arrived at our house at 7:15pm. Traveling that far over Thanksgiving is really hard on us. Oh and we are filing a claim because our digital was in the bag on the way out and we can not find it.

Good moments: Annie playing at Nonna's house and making memories there. Calling for Mimi, dragging her by the hand to go play, cuddling with Papa for 20 minutes. Getting excited when Dave who was sick comes down stairs and tells Angie. Playing with all her cousins. Getting caught up with my sisters. How could we miss these moments??

A few of my favorite things...

I have had some great entertainment I wanted to share:

Good Books: Nicholas Sparks- Dear John (best one since the Notebook) The Choice (cried for 20 min straight, yea I am pregnant but it is good too)

Good Movie: Dan in real life- Steve Carrell you will laugh and cry a perfect balance, even Luke agrees.

Coming Soon- PS I Love You with Hilary Swank- Cooper told me to read this, great book coming to the theatres Dec. 21st. Hurry up and read it!

OK all of these stories include love and tragedy. I guess I am a sucker for this stuff, maybe you are too.

Halloween was a very fun family night!! Annabelle was a blonde Japanese girl. Erik got her this kimono when he went there. We have been waiting for her to wear it and this was a perfect occasion. I am sure Erik was smiling down at the sight of her and her WHITE face. That was her favorite part. We invited the Goff family over, they live out in a rural area of St. George. We had a pumpkin pizza from Papa Murphy's. Ethan is 3 and He and Annabelle have the best time together. It helped her get super excited about all the activities because Ethan is a lover of life. Don't get me wrong those 2 get into their fair share of trouble together too. So the dads took them trick-or-treating for at least an hour. Then we headed up the street to a church and played games and made a couple of trips to the bouncy castle. It was a fabulous evening. I am a big fan of this family holiday, and the perks of candy too.

Fall Pictures!!

We went to Britt's Farm on Wednesday with MOPS!! Hayrack ride, and corn maze. At the first fork I asked Annie which way to go she chose one way and told me to go the other way. My little Adventurer. At the end of the maze is the pumpkin patch. Annie just wanted to be on the hayrack ride and did not care about the pumpkin, finally she took one, that another mom offered her. As we were riding back somehow her pumpkin went overboard off of the hayrack ride. She recovered very well, we waved good-bye and I said we could just buy another when we get back. Next we went back to church for refreshments and to make pumpkin characters. Ethan G is her buddy with the pumpkins, they love being with each other and getting into all kinds of trouble together.

Have a Great Fall Weekend!!!

Poor Poor Bruiser

Bruiser has done it again. This time it is a Popsicle stick. About a month ago Annabelle dropped her banana Popsicle on the ground outside. I decided to let Bruiser lick it while I held it. Next thing I know he has sucked it out of my hand, and it was gone before I knew. The look on his face made me think he did not even know he swallowed it. Poop checks for a month and no stick. Sure enough it is stuck in his intestines. Surgery on Wednesday, and he will come home on Monday. As you can imagine I feel awful. We are committing to the initial surgery and hoping it is not worse when they get in there.

So, Friends I am in need of an update...and I've got nothing too inspiring!! We had our YL banquet this week and that was good. It is always good for me to be reminded of the amazing work that the Lord is doing. It is fun to see how Luke has grown in his 5 years on staff. How comfortable he is getting in front of adults and telling them about YL, kids and Jesus. God is constantly reminding me of my part in 1 Thess. 2:8

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the
gospel, but our very lives as well.

As Luke's support my role is to share my life, my husband with others in order for him to share the gospel. What an honor, but a sacrifice.

I am grateful for our many blessings, I feel like I have many friends in need right now. A single mom having twins making her total # of kids 5, a dear friend moved 6 months ago, and with her second child is now struggling with postpartum depression, and 2 close friends will have to wait for heaven to meet their baby face to face after a miscarriage. The reality of heartache can sometimes be too real. All I know is that God is sovereign and he wants us to become more Christ-like. Man, the journey is riddle with those ups and downs. He will never leave us, that is our HOPE.

Pregnancy update: The baby is doing great! The last sono was at 8 weeks. I am now 9 1/2 weeks. Sick Sick Sick! Which means the pregnancy is thriving. Meanwhile Luke is shaking his head at me a lot these days. Whether it is the late night fights or my many aversions to food.

1. Annabelle off to school, notice her umbrella.

2. Britt's Pumpkin Patch- a possibility for the Oct. 30th fun day.

3. My only picture from Orlando. Kambria and I had a blast. I learned a ton. Probably the biggest piece was learning how to share your story. The Bible is more relative than relavant to my peers and even the HS and MS kids that we are ministering to. So I am definately changing some of my apporach in our YL training and in our MOPS leadership. How does your story connect with another, what can you share about what you learned about God through that.

My biggest problem these days: Where did all the sippy cups go??? What corner of my house are they growing mold in? Next time, my child will only drink from one spot, no more sippy cups all over the house.

Sorry it has been so long....

Oh being a mom is so humbling! So on Monday I had a "moment". Somehow I locked Annabelle and my keys in the car in the Target parking lot. I threw my keys in my purse, threw that in the front seat, coaxed Annie into her carseat shut the door and could not get back in. I am asking Annie if she can unbuckle herself she tries no luck, which is probably a good thing. I can't go inside she is in the car, no cell in my purse. So I finally find someone in the parking lot that is NOT on the phone. Call Luke and he brings me another set of keys. Meanwhile I am entertaining her through the window and acting like this is normal as people around me are getting in and out of thier cars. I never hit the panic button, this not that abnormal for us, unfortunately. Humbling more than anything. I asked Luke if he should let me care for our daughter, his loving response, do I have another choice? Reason # 842 why God would never give us multiples.

Give me Liberty!

We had a fantastic trip to Pennsylvania. We got to see where my mom in law grew up. Went out for Luke's cousin's wedding. We met all of the Italian side of the family, they are crazy-fun. In Annabelle's picture she is saying that the butterfly goes in the sky.

We went to Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Valley Forge.

I can't wait to go back!

Deanna Rose

We went on a field trip to Deanna Rose during our last trip to KC. It was one of those super hot days, see Annie's red cheeks. We did the fishing, well Luke fished and we all watched but she liked looking at the worms too, she makes a snake sound for them. We never really caught a fish. The goats were fun to feed too.

Other news: Welcome baby Lucy Elaine Walker 8 lb 11 oz http://www.thewalkerworld.blogspot.com/ This may make us feel old. Genny we are way excited, can't wait to meet this lucky little one.

I will see some of you soon in Wichita!!

10 YEARS

10 years ago this month I met a cute boy from Colorado at Castaway. At the time my list of the perfect guy was:

1. dark hair, blue eyes sideburns, but could give me blonde kids


2. could drive a boat


3. Oh yea, love Jesus!

I think I did pretty well. Luke is a wonderful partner in fun, family and ministry.

We clebrated 6 years of marriage this summer. Seems like a lot longer than that though ( in the good sort of way).

Daddy's Girl

Here Annabelle and her Dad. She loves to "wrestle" with her Dad. She is still a mama's girl. We had a babysitter and I had to tear her arms off of me to get out the door. All last week she would ask for dad and I would say he is at camp and then she would say kids! She loves that her dad is with kids. We have had more stuff at the house since camp and she loves it. 15 middle schoolers at the house last night! She calls them kids even though they are older than her. It is her goal everyday to see kids of any age.

Our week long July 4th celebration on the lake!! In attendance we had my parents, Ge Ge, Kevin, Fethers, Nonna, Angie, and Barb and Annalise Bowman. Activities included; riding a new bike, pushing the bubble lawn mower, fishing, boating, tubing, skiing, Seadooing, watching a water ski show, and another 5K. Angie finished fourth, I PRed 26:23 and was somewhere in the top 10 in women of course.

OK here are pics. Blog and I have been in a fight this past week. I hate this new google account that you have to sign into, also. ENJOY!!!!!

My trek through the Amazon Rainforrest

So yesterday it rained we got 2 1/2 inches our raingauge says. To preface this story I just got done reading Anne of Avonlea. I am always looking for a good book. I have read some old classics like this one and Little House on the Prarie. Now Anne of Avonlea has no plot it is just little chapters on what is going on in Avonlea. It is only half way like the movie. But what I loved was the renweal of Anne's imagination and the way that she make things better than they really are.
After sitting in class for 4 hours we were dismissed and it was pouring rain. Luckily I have my rain coat, but I need to get from good old Bluemont to Vattier, where I parked. I had the best time! I like Anne, pretened I was in the Amazon Rainforrest. I had taken off my flip flops and was splashing through puddles higher than my ankles. Came home and jumped into my sweatpants and enjoyed dinner made by Luke.

PS- I should have been with Julie and her kiddos she was babysitting!

Any good book recommendations I prefer to escape rather than think in my books.

Lake and Race

1. Kevin and I with our catch, something fishy about Kev's clam.

2. SMYL 5K, I took 3rd place overall for the women. YEA!! I was in shock too!

3. Adventurer Annie; already this summer has enoyed riding the SEA DOO, and tubing with Dad. We are so excited that she loves the boat and all the lake activites. Skiing next summer!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads that read my blog HA!

MOAB, UTAH

Luke and I had a great getaway in Utah. We hiked in Dead Horse Canyon and Arches national Park. Even the days when we would decide not to hike and just drive to the different sights, Luke would talk me into hinking to a better veiw. Come on Stace it's just 3 miles, SHEESH! I should have known, I did marry a mountain boy. I hate to dissapoint him.

We stayed at a sweet lodge in Castle Rock Valley the CO river was right outside our porch. It was the sight of many John Wayne movies. It was a time of fun, adventure and so we had to have a massage to relax. Oh and the place had cable which was exciting to us too. We were addicted to the Discovery channel-Survior man and Deadliest Catch.

I am glad to be back home and do summer. Which means food to me-Lots of salads, grilling and desserts. Dessert count: I have a cheesecake, chocolate sheet cake, and I just made chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches. If any of it sounds good stop on by. Thankfully I ran 2+ miles today.

Look for my updates on Work Week and Memorial Day. (I can't find my camera)

5K

Here we are at our 5K last weekend. I did it but it was tough. I think Kevin's got me in another next month. I finished under 30 min, 26th place in the women. Kevin in 19 min with an overall 3rd place finish. Nice trophy!!

We leave on Mother's Day for Work Week at Frontier. Then Luke and I will have a little getaway in Moab. We will return right before Memorial Day weekend, which then we will head to the Lake.

Family Day

Family Day!! We went to Gymnastics, the Libraby. We were suppose to have a picnic, but it was raining, the living was nice too.

WE LOVE FAMILY DAY

Bruisie Boy

Here is life with Bruiser. We spent 2 1/2 hours at the vet last week. He sure gets sick alot with a couple feet of his intestines missing. But he is better. This week I just leave him outside in the rain. Gone are the days of spoiling the dog.

Spring Game

Here are my fav pics from our day!!

Easter

Happy Easter!! We hosted Easter a day early, a pre-ressurection Easter. It was really nice to have all day to prepare and for others to be able to leave town at a decent time. We had my parents, Tio Kevin, Luke's parents, Nonna, Great Aunt Phyllis and her friend Doug from Lincoln. It was cold but a great time too. Annabelle looked for eggs in the living room. Basically the eggs were laid on the floor and tables and couches, but after a couple of days she found all of them.

A special picture with Nonna.

Balance From Moderation to Passion

So the MOPS magazine has given us a sample of Full Fill magazine, living out your leadership and influence. I really like it, one night I was reading this article and it was like yes, this is exactly how I feel. Here is a taste:

Domestic Equilibrium Definition: that mystical, magical state where
one can actually pivot potty training, Martha Stewart-esque decorating,
dinner prep,
spiritual development, pilates class, blogging,
small group night, organic baby food processing, grocery shopping, bill
paying, friendships (huh?),
volunteering, beauty regimens, and a vibrant marital relationship on an axis the
size of a pin-head. Of course, if we're good women, dedicated women, savvy women, we should be able to manage this.
Get just the right mix of it all. Right?.... However we define balance
in our lives as women, we cannot avoid this truth: Jesus engages people
primairly on the level of what manages them, not what or how they can
manage. Jesus presses first and foremost to know the passions that
drive them. Becuase for better or worse passion organizes our
lives. It's what gets us out of bed and how we set priorities.

What a relief, find your passion, protect it. That is what gets us through the overscheduled week. So I treasure my ballet and my relationships with the YL leaders, my passions.

No More Peanuts

It has been confirmed Annabelle is allergic to peanuts. Boo Hoo!! There could be worse things, but it is just annoying. We will just aviod them, and carry around Benedryl and and Epi pen. I do not know how hyper-sensitve we will be, like not eating anything that has been produced in a place that has peanuts. She has not had an anaphylactic reaction, just a rash and swallon face thank goodness.

"MACE" aka Macy

Annabelle has discovered her friendship with Macy. After our week at Trail West she is asking about "Mace". And likes to look at the picture of her in her room. We went to Wichita this weekend for Kate's dedication. Annabelle asked for Macy throughout the 2 hour drive. Unfortunatley I did not take any pics of Baby Kate just the girls.

In PJ's at Trail West waiting for club to start.

Palm Sunday together.

Spring Break

Spring Break- what a wonderful idea!! We began with a nice weekend with the family in Denver. Mark and Maria and their 4 kids and us stayed at Tia Angie's house. We met up with three of the Carr families at the Denver zoo. There is a pic of the crew we had to work hard to keep track of all 12 kids. Annabelle just plopped into other people's wagons no problem. And then the kids are racing, Anaya is 6 and on the left, Annabelle just runs like the little girl that she is.

Then we went on the Trail West. Relaxing, a great time of fellowship and enjoying God's majesty among the mountains, with the great YL service to boot. Lots of memories: Apple to Apples, jumping 10 feet out of a chiar lift, lost lift ticket, lost credit card, typical things for us, yet entertaining to others. Just ask!

Fashionista

Annabelle loves her black shiney shoes! She has her opinion about what shoes she will wear. To Panera Sun. morning she wore her PJ's and her black shiney shoes. Of course we saw people we knew. I was still in my PJ's and of course they were coming from church. I just NEEDED coffee since Luke was still sick from Wed. and Annie had a temp. on Saturday. So I wanted to take a picture to share this stage of life (I love my black shiney shoes, and screaming when I don't get what I want). Annie thought that sitting in the cabinet would be the best shot. Yes, she screams alot. At the grocery store she let out one and the college girl on her cell (of course)next to us said "whoooa". Opinonated and loud, like mother, like daughter.

Annabelle and her BOYS!!

Annie and her boys here. Alex will be 2 in May and Joshua will be 2 in April. Annabelle gets to spend alot of time with her pals. She is getting a little bossy I am afraid. I am grateful for my friendship with the moms Lisa and Julie.

Cabin Fever

Well, the weather has been nice this week, but before we had cabin fever!! We love to play in the fort, and wear sunglasses and carry our purse. Hopefully the nice weather will return again soon. I mean Punkapuny Phil did not see his shadow, Spring is around the corner. How are you surviving this long February??

In Remembrance

In remembrance of the baby that we lost on January 19th, 2007 we had a dedication. It was just the three of us and we threw white roses into a river. It was a healthy way for us to let go.


Into your arms Lord we give our baby.

"Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for ther kindom of God belongs to such as these. " ~Luke 18:16~

Footprints

By

Dorothy Ferguson

How very softy

You tiptoed into our world.

Almost silently,

Only for a moment you stayed.

But what an

imprint your footsteps

have left upon our

heart.

I'm Backkkkkkkkk!!!!

Here is Annabelle "little mamma"
I love to watch her be a mom. She kisses her babies, feeds them, and my favorite is bouncing them on her knee for fun. It just confirms that she feels loved and well taken care of by me. I am where she learned all of this. I am her already her teacher. How rewarding and humbling.

I will post more when I can find my cord that goes to my camera.