Birthday

Ahhh, I'm so bad! I just realized I didn't post anything for her B-day back in October. Well, better late than never.

Her parents went all out with a box of kleenex as her only present! She loved it!

I had so many problems with the home made cake. The chocolate layer I was supposed to put in 2 pans so it looked like a muffin. The strawberry layer . . . well, it was hotter than I thought and you can see the rest. At least charlize was happy. Right at the end of the video she is coming to give me the biggest hug ever. Like she's saying, Thanks mom. I really needed that. I was pretty frustrated.

"Hi"

So Charlize is really into saying "hi" right now. Anytime you walk into the room, the stranger at the store. I think I scared the young man at the grocery store the first time it happened. I got really excited! Other things we say "hi" to are her shaddow, reflexion in the mirror but my favorite was yesterday. We were getting her dressed in a long sleeve onesie. The wrist was tight and when her hand popped though, without missing a beat, "hi" to her own hand. Ahhhhh I love it!!!!

Okay, I need some feedback. We're hitting the road tomorrow. I'm realizing I have no idea what to do with a 1 year old. Brooke got her coloring and it had never crossed my mind. Any other ideas for fun things either in the truck or trailer? I just want some new activites I can do with her? Any favorite songs your kids liked to learn or games to play? Thanks

Today we spent most of the day cleaning dog hair out of the trailer. DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON MY DISTASTE OF THOSE CREATURES!!! ( I know God created them for a reason just like bugs and spiders) ug! Sorry to you Dog lovers out there. I love you I just can't join you. =) Anyway, the trailer is about half packed and hopefully tomorrow morning we will have the rest done and be on the road by noon. The trailer is very nice and spacious. I think it will be a great home for now and we're so thankful for it.

First stop: Prescott

We'll we've said our goodbyes, had a great dinner with our small group from church so we packed our suitcases for the 6th time in one month and took off for Prescott. (2 hours N of Phoenix). Mike's family still owns the house he grew up in so his parents are settled here and we are just stopping in for a bit. Mike and Larry are going to buy a trailer today that Mike and Charlize and I will be living out of while we travel. I'm so thankful for a consistent place for Charlize to sleep and nap. That part has been difficult as she has slept in 7 different places in the past month. I still don't know where exactly we are going just that we'll be pulling a trailer and it'll most likely be cold there. I think we'll try to take off Friday.

I'm feeling a little better. Doc put me on meds for the sinus infection and now that I know it's allergies I'm on meds there too that are helping a lot. I'm still miserable but at least I'm not crying all day from watery eyes. =)

Also, for those of you who know Monica keep her in your prayers. Reagan has surgery on an eye duct today. Not super serious but no mother likes to see their child go through any proceedure especially involving a sensitive part of the body. Pray that she would rest in God through it all.

More to come . . .

Plan 'B'

Well, we've had some more changes. After a family meeting last week we decided the campground in Ohio is not a good decision financially at least at this time. Mike also had his last day of work yesterday. So.... this weekend we are moving his parents up to Prescott, AZ where Mike grew up. The family still owns the house up there. Next week sometime, probably Tues or Wed we will take off and head toward the mid west. Our goal with this time is to visit some states trying to figure out where God is leading us to live. We'll be visiting churches, small towns, looking into work opportunities, etc. We are so thankful for those of you who have been keeping us in your prayers. We are going to greatly miss our friends and community here in AZ but are excited about the plans God has for us. He has blessed us in so many ways in the past few months with all these changes and we are excited to see what He has ahead. Sorry for the lack of communication so far. It's been very hectic and my internet access is limited. Hopefully I'll have a phone up and running soon.

Mom's are smart

My mom that is; not me. =) While talking to her on the phone she realized that Charlize had come down with Roseola. High fever that doesn't break for a few days, no appetite and now pin dot rash. I'm thankful that it is not a serious disease and that she knew about it. The rash was starting to concern me. So thankful for other mom's who have walked the path before me. =)

We're also thankful as 2 banks have come back with loan offers contingent on the appraisal coming through. Would you pray for wisdom for us that we would make a wise choice with what God has entrusted to us? Larry and Linda had some hickups with their tickets but made it off to Seoul today to see their other son Matt and girlfriend Sophia. Busy busy busy!

Teeth, Teeth and more Teeth

Sorry my updates are boring. I can't get any pictures on this computer. Just a quick update. Charlize is going on 13 hours of sleep right now. After only 4 hours spread out the night before and less for me we needed this. She cut her front tooth yesterday and is working on all 4 molars now. Her temp has been at 104 for three days solid but she's taking fluids and having wet diapers so I'm encouraged. Not much of an appettite. Yesterday she wouldn't nap and her eyes were so puffy and red. So we went on a drive to Superior and back. There was a nice slow rain and I enjoyed the relaxation and empty highway. I know that God creates fevers for a reason and that it's accomplishing something but would you pray that it would break soon and that she would get back to taking her bottle? Thank you so much.

2 hours later: I just peeked in. Still sleeping soundly but the fever broke for the first time in 48 hours. Thank you Lord! Your care for the little things in our lives is so amazing!

Name that Smell

so, life's been a bit busy lately. We're out of our house and at Mike's parents. THey are out of town so we are getting them packed up. Yesterday I noticed a funky smell coming out of Charlize's pack n play. Today I finally went looking for it. Maybe some spilled milk? I took all the sheets, animals, pillow case out. Still smelly. After a few minutes I realized it was my child that smelled so bad. I counted back and after 2 days of forgetting teeth brushing and 4 since her last bath I think I would smell too. Why is it always the children that suffer. =)

10 more things on today's to do list. Gotta run!

Luca and Charlize

Many of you know my friend Brooke. What you might not know is that we are one month apart and that we have known each other our entire lives. Our moms were good friends and remain to this day. How fun that Brooke and I would both have girls with in a year of each other. I hope they can grow up knowing each other and cherishing the good friendship that their mothers and Grandmothers enjoy. We love you Steph, Brooke and Luca!

The Deal is on! =)

Well, for those of you who haven't heard we have some changes coming up. Thank you to everyone who has kept this info discrete until all employees at Mike's job could find out through proper channels. The word is out now so no more secrets. =) Mike and his dad are wrapping up their jobs here in the next couple of months and we are heading out to Ohio to purchase and run a camp ground. We just got word today that our offer on the camp ground was accepted. There are a few details to work out but it doesn't look like anything we can't work through. The man buying our home signed the final piece of paper work on Sunday so our house is a go. We close the 11th so there's still lots to do before then but God is good and we've made a lot of head way. I think Charlize is sensing my stress. She's been very clingy; almost like she's saying, "don't forget to pack me too!". Never, baby girl. =)

Another way God has been good is by providing affordable housing for us trough January. Mike's parents will be out of town and then we'll be staying with our good friends Brooke and Joe. This means we made our last house payment on Friday!

If you want to see the camp here is the link. Hopefully we'll get to see some of you if you're out in this area. Our time line looks like we'll be in Phoenix till Mike finishes his building (end Jan-mid Febish) then possily heading to Nebraska to stay with my parents. Looks like the campground would close end of Feb early March and then Mike and his parents would head out to work on the house on the property. It needs lot of work before Mike and Charlize and I can move in. Then my parents and I would go out once it's liveable and have my parents there for a week or so. Larry and Linda are planning on living in a travel trailer while building a house on the property. There are 51 acres and only 21 are developed so there's lots of room to expand.

Up top are some of the cabins and the office with attached public restrooms.

Charlize all bundled up for the drive. We drove every day this week. She did very well for a 1 yr old but did start fussing near the end every time she saw her car seat. I don't blame her. In this coat she couldn't move her arms or head. She would just lay back and move her eyes back and forth.

7 random things about me:

I've been tagged to post 7 random thing about me so here goes:

1. I'm afraid of helicopters on the freeway
2. I made apple cinnamon blueberry oatmeal muffins for breakfast today
3. Next week I'll be homeless for the second time in 2 years
4. I've recorded in Nashville
5. I have grass in my backyard
6. right now I'm barefoot
7. I can't get the Winney the Pooh theme song out of my head . . . and now you can't either. =)

If you read this consider yourself tagged!!!! ha, ha, ha.