Body Slam Dad!

Yellow Bird is teaching her dad a lesson. Notice how she kisses her biceps. Too funny!

See why we call him Motor Boat?!?!

You can see why we call him Motor Boat. He lives up to his name.

Homecoming Tuesday

Laughing his head off!
Something is too funny.

He can't seem to keep his tongue in his mouth.
See!!!!! There it is again.
So cute. His cheeks are so kissable.
Again, the tongue.

I just got a call from the case worker and everything has been approved. We are looking at bringing Motor Boat home Tuesday. I can hardly believe it. I thought there would be more hurdles but all has been signed off. So, keep up in your prayers. We have so much to do. Pray for a smooth transition for all of us, especially Motor Boat. He has never left the hospital so I'm SURE this will be a major adjustment. First car ride, first meal at home, first bath at home, first bedtime at home. All the firsts he will experience very quickly. We are so excited. I'll keep you posted.

Sophie

It's snowing!!!!!

OK, so it isn't really snowing but it kind of looks like it. That is all the dust flying around. If only we had rented this thing sooner. It is messy (very messy) but so fast.
Dust is everywhere.
This is the newly sanded floor with the drum sander vs. the floor I had done with the belt sander. I just thought I had done a good job. Now it is looking like I didn't. It took me hours with the belt sander to get it looking like the darker floor and about 1-2 hours for the well sanded floor. Amazing what the proper tools can do for you. Give me POWER!
There is saw dust everywhere. This is the bathroom. Every wall and surface will have to be wiped down. Good thing I wore a mask while sanding.

One Tough Texas Bunny

This says something for all out determination and unwavering commitment.

That's not funny!

Yellow Bird put her headband on Motor Boat. He didn't seem to think it was very funny. I'm sure there will be more dressing up moments when he gets home -- at least until he is big enough to fight them off. I've also posted some new pics on this blog.

Date Night with Dad

I had to work tonight so Leopold took the girls to a play at the high school he works at. They were excited about having a date night with Dad. He has taken them on dates individually to show them how they should expect to be treated when they are old enough to date (say 30 or so). He comes to the door for them, gives them flowers and treats them like a real lady the whole night. He tells them to expect nothing less. I'm proud of the dad he is to them.

Lazy Man Wii

I guess gymnastics had wore Yellow Bird out. She reverted to playing the Wii laying down on the couch.

Finally Some Christmas Pictures

These pictures are from Christmas at my brother's new house. Isn't the fire place beautiful and the maintenance and cleaning is a breeze. You just turn it off.
Of course there was lots of good food and family. What could be better than that!
The cousins had fun playing together and of course opening presents.
Dinky found a comfortable spot on Leopold's shoulder. He tried to get on top of his head but it was too pointy. Love you honey!

Floors, floors and more floors!

When we moved into our house almost 17 years ago there was pea green shag carpet over oak floors. I guess that was the style then but the carpet had to go. We have refinished most of the floors but still lacked Yellow Bird's room and the hall. So, here we go. We have them about sanded down and will start varnishing them soon. It is a big job but so worth it. With my allergies, hard flooring just makes sense. You can see the sanded floor and the finished floor. Almost done.

100th post! Homeschooling

Always time for a smile for the camera.

What a perfect thing to talk about with our 100th post, homeschooling. Here the girls are doing their math. Yellow Bird normally loves math but wasn't too thrilled with doing it today. Sasha doesn't care for math but loves reading and history. Different strokes for different folks. Next year we are considering joining the Texas Virtual Academy. It is a state charter school that you do at home. We have a couple of friends that are doing it this year so we may try it next year. It is forever the worry when homeschooling that you just aren't covering everything. At least this way I know we will be. I'm torn though because we are using some great curriculum this year. We will see.

My Handsome Bro and Beautiful SIL

I was looking through some pics and came across this one of my handsome brother and his beautiful wife at their wedding last April. I thought I'd share this happy moment with you all.

Favorite Bible verses and why they are favorites

These are just a couple of verses that have special meaning to me at this time in my life.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

These words have brought comfort to me lately. God never promised that this life would be easy, only that He would carry us through. It is hard to know that sometimes bad things will happen in this life. Things that will leave us with little understanding as to why. That can be the hard part, not understanding why. It seems like if there were a good reason for something to happen then we could somehow make sense of it. But, there isn't always a reason we can humanly understand. There is a God who's wisdom is something greater than ours can ever be. Aren't we all sinners? Sin is sin and it all separates us from God. I would like to think that my sin isn't so bad, that there are those in the world who have done things so much worse than my silly, ole sins. Isn't that what we like to think? That our sin isn't as bad as old so-and-so's. Well, even though the world may not see my sin as bad as someone else, God does. All sin nailed Jesus to the cross and my sin drove the nails just as deep as everyone else. So, in a life where we truly are wretched beings, we have a God who covers us in His forgiveness and beauty. We cannot become complacent in our sin or allow our suffering to consume us. But, we must know that we have a God that loves us so much that He came to overcome this world for us. How amazing is that! I have to remind myself of this time and time again. When I feel unworthy of love I have to remember how the God of the universe loves me, wretched, sinful me. He loves me so much that he died for me. Love so amazing. When I deserve nothing more than eternal damnation, God has offered me so much more. Eternal life.

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:22-26

I do not have the words to express to you the peace and joy I have found in this one precious gem in God's Word. He gives us the gift of His mercies being new every morning and that is beyond my comprehension. I am thankful that God loves me so much and is so faithful even when I fail Him time and again. His continuing compassion NEVER fails! Meditate on His Word. I have found compassion hard to feel at times, thankfully my God is not short on his mercy with us. I praise Him for his new mercy he gives to us each and every day. He is our portion, our Hope, and our Compassionate, Faithful, Merciful Father. It is because of Him that we are not utterly consumed by this life. He constantly redeems our days and makes all things new.

2008 Naked Fireman Calendar

Made you look! Shame on you. Just kidding. Thought you all could use a laugh.

AIM Crew

This is a picture of the group Leopold works with. Leopold is in the purple shirt. They are an awesome bunch. I thought it was a great picture so I'm posting it.

BPPV

BPPV is no fun. I had never even heard of it until I blacked out at work a year ago and my head broke my fall. I had a huge hematoma down the back of my head. They called a rapid response code and all these people came running. Kind of embarrassing. They strapped me to a backboard with a neck brace and wheeled me off to the ER. I can't tell you how many bumps there are between the unit I work in and the ER but there are a lot and each and every one hurt my head. I first felt the vertigo when they log rolled me to put me on the back board. I thought it was something that would pass but it didn't. Two weeks later I was still so dizzy I couldn't walk or even sit up. I was on Phenergan and Valium and absolutely miserable. They finally sent me to a neurologist who diagnosed the BPPV. I had never even heard of it and thought the cure he suggested was nothing short of voodoo medicine. But, it worked. They performed this procedure called the Epley's maneuver . It may seem like a simple thing but sitting up and laying back really fast when you are so dizzy is a tad scary. I had to sit upright for 48 hours (even slept that way) so that the crystals wouldn't fall back into a part of the inner ear that was affecting my balance. I still have some vertigo when I look up (they call it top shelf vertigo) and stand too fast. It is a problem at work because all our monitors and pumps are elevated but it is manageable. They aren't sure why I blacked out to start with. It was really hot on the unit and I was slightly anemic but they didn't feel enough to cause a black out. It was probably a combination of those things and the fact that I hadn't slept well the day before coming to work. They like to tease me at work by saying I knocked my marbles loose and when anyone is feeling faint they refer to it as a "Sophie Moment". All in good fun. Everyone was very worried when it happened and I can't tell you how horrible it is to be so dizzy. Thank goodness they have this treatment now. It use to be something you had to live with. I'm just not sure how you did that. I couldn't drive, work, sit up, walk. It was terrible but now they can fix it so for that I'm very grateful.

These Guys are Crazy!

Leopold use to be an electrician and thinks these guys are nuts. He said that technically it should be safe but it is really stupid to try it. He is sure these guys are all electricians since they would be the only ones stupid enough to try this. I love how they are using the sandals to "secure" the power strip in the water. Lovely isn't it? Anyway, I found this funny and thought I'd share it.

Life Behind Bars

I went to visit Motor Boat tonight and this is where I found him. It looks like he needs a little tin cup to bang across the bars. He was happy though because Finding Nemo was playing on the DVD. Nothing comes between this boy and his Nemo. The nurses will put him in his stroller and take him to the nurses' station or around the halls. He gets a lot of attention but he does spend quite a bit of time in his bed. I can't wait to get him home and let him crawl all over. The bed will be for sleeping and other than that he will be FREE!

Best Buddies

This is Yellow Bird's buddy. They met at school but it so happened that they live right around the corner from each other. Now that they are both homeschooled they still can't seem to see enough of each other. They are so cute and funny together. Good friends are a prize.

My new project

In addition to getting ready for a baby in the house this is my new project. It is so nice to have time for hobbies again. I should be studying for my boards but just haven't felt like it. I will need to start studying soon. When I started this project I had no idea how big it would become. I'm kind of making it up as I go. We have a king size bed so it will have a million or so more rows and that isn't even counting the edging which is quite elaborate. It will be a bedspread and not a comforter like I thought but it will be pretty. I will post pics when it is done. I might be 80 by the time that happens but I promise I will.

Video of Motor Boat

I did this video with my digital camera and it seems to stall some but it is so cute. He was squealing and laughing so much today. Such a happy little guy! You would never believe he was raised in a hospital. I can't wait to bring him home, take him to the park, the beach and all the other things most babies get to do. So many new adventures are in store for him.

Another visit with Motor Boat

We had such a good visit with Motor Boat today. He is so busy. The girls absolutely adore him. I think he is pretty darn cute. Enjoy the pictures. I think it will be 3-4 weeks until we bring him home. It is all very exciting. Keep praying all goes well. He love giving five and is very good at it.
Big Sis is ready for all the responsibility of being a big sister. She says being in the middle is great because she gets to be a little sister and a big sister.
What a cute little face.
He loves his music.

Who couldn't love this face?!?!

Crawling up a storm.

Adorable!!!!!!

Ped Egg Works

Being a nurse I spend 12 hours on my feet - and that is just at work. I have tried foot files, the blades, pumice stones. You name it. This is the first thing that works so amazingly. I love it. I saw it on an infomercial and was a tad skeptical but ordered it from another web site. I have to tell you it is worth the money. Great! My feet are so soft and smooth. I know you guys could care less but us women like our feet sandal worthy.

Gift from Mom and Dad

My mom and dad gave this wall hanging to us. Isn't it pretty and a good reminder to take the time to "be still and know that I am God". It can be so hard to make that time but it is so essential. Leopold preached Sunday and God as our Friend. He paid the ultimate price for his love for us and continues to love. us. He ask not for perfection but for obedience and He desires a relationship with us so deeply. How much are we willing to put into our relationship with him. I love my earthy relationships and work hard at them. But the things of eternal significance somehow get lost. As I look at what I do in life I look at what eternal significance it would have.

Home Study Done!

We had our home study today and everything went very well.

She thinks it will be about 3-4 weeks before we become proud parents of a 23 pound, bouncing baby boy. We are so excited and thrilled. We have so much to do to get ready for Motor Boat but it will come together. Our case worker is from another county since that is where Motor Boat's mom originated but she will turn it over to our county. They may want to do their own home study. She isn't sure. We have some baby proofing to do around here. We've got to keep going. Keep you posted. Pray all continues to go well.

More Decorating

Leopold's mom when she was young. I love old pics. They hold such memories.

This is a pic of Leopold and his older sisters. The older one to the right is Trudy and she died when she was 15. The one to the left is alive and kicking and on more than one occasion has given me some of her blood when I was anemic. What a great sister-in-law! So, now I have real family blood flowing through my veins. He also has a younger sister but she wasn't born at the time of this picture.

This is Sasha when she turned 3. Isn't she adorable. I'm still looking for the one of Yellow Bird. I have it somewhere.

Now that school is done I've had time to do some decorating around the house. More to come though. I have so much to do but I'm having fun finally having time to get it done. I love not going to school anymore.