Ten years ago from about this very moment, Mark and I were eating a wonderful dinner at the Hubble House in Mantorville. This was a dinner that would change everything... Mark had driven down from the cities that Friday night and arrived a little later than normal. He had been in the habit of claiming to be stuck in traffic on his drive down, but I later found out he had a little project at a local jewelry store he was working on. After a fun but exhausting week of teaching a classroom full of second graders, I was always excited to see Mark on Friday nights. That particular evening, I was looking forward to a great dinner and then some fun at the 21st birthday party for my cousin in a neighboring town. The night was even better than I had hoped for. At the end of dinner, Mark got down on one knee, recited a sweet little poem he had made up and presented me with a single red rose. Inside the flower's blossom, was a beautiful diamond ring that I discovered as Mark asked me to marry him. Of course, I said YES!! I was so excited and had been waiting for Mark to get around to asking for a quite awhile...but that is another story.
Ten years later, I can't help but be a little reflective tonight. As we enjoyed a nice family dinner around our table this evening and listened to the banter of our two beautiful children, I couldn't help but think back to that special moment ten years ago. At that time, I don't know how I had envisioned us, as a couple, ten years into the future from that very special moment. I am quite certain, however, that the life and love that I have now is far beyond anything thing I was dreaming of on that fateful night ten years ago. Thank you for asking me to marry you, honey! I think it was a pretty good move on your part and I am sure glad I said yes!! I love you!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A Visit with Santa
We braved the cold on Monday night to go see Santa Claus. Both of the kids arrived with their letter in hand ready to talk with Santa.
Ella was a little shy and excited at the same time. Here she is talking with Santa about her letter. The video clip below shows Ella giving Santa her letter and a picture she colored for him. You can hear James saying several times, "I want to talk in his ear!"
James wanted talk to Santa, but he didn't want to sit on his lap. Here Santa is listening to what James would like.
Here's James' chat with Santa. It was pet night at the mall, so right when James was talking a bunch of dogs started barking. In case you can't hear, James is asking for a car Mac thing, a bubble gum machine and a marble set. He is getting to be such a big boy!
Here's James' chat with Santa. It was pet night at the mall, so right when James was talking a bunch of dogs started barking. In case you can't hear, James is asking for a car Mac thing, a bubble gum machine and a marble set. He is getting to be such a big boy!
Merry Christmas!
Tipping Tractors
Awhile back I posted a short video of James lining up ("parking") his cars. He continues to love to play with his cars and little tractors, but now he has added a little more artistic flair to his parking. He is such a fan of the Cars movie and it is not uncommon for us to see him acting out the tractor tipping scene. Below are pics of what I almost tripped over tonight... If you know the movie, this will make sense to you.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Ella Recites and Sings
The kids have been busy doing their Christmas programs at church and school. Here is a short clip of Ella reciting her bible verse with the rest of her Sunday School class.
A favorite song to sing at our house this time of year is Jingle Bells. I haven't captured James singing his little heart out yet, but I'll be sure to post that when I do. Until then, here is Ella singing Jingle Bells by our tree.
A favorite song to sing at our house this time of year is Jingle Bells. I haven't captured James singing his little heart out yet, but I'll be sure to post that when I do. Until then, here is Ella singing Jingle Bells by our tree.
A Snow Day for a Little Girl and Sick Day(s) for a Little Boy
Over five inches of snow fell at our home starting Monday evening and ending on Tuesday morning. Though school wasn't called off for the entire day, the late start meant that Ella didn't have to go to school. She was more than happy to stay home and relax with Mommy and James and watch the snow blow.
The pic below shows the scene by our fireplace the past few days. Inside that cocoon of blankets is James trying to stay warm and comfortable even though he is already burning up. James has been feeling yucky since Sunday night. He has been running a fever somewhere between 103 and 104 since early Monday morning. We took him in to the clinic yesterday afternoon and found out he does not have strep. We are still waiting on another lab result. He has had no other symptoms other than the fever and chills. The fever has kept James feeling miserable and last night he must have woke up every ten minutes between 1 and 3 a.m. saying that he was either hot or cold. Needless to say, we are all getting tired out and hope that James is feeling much better soon!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Snowy Greetings
We have been busy doing a little decorating around our house. I know the following pictures aren't the greatest, but here is our home from the outside. I think that Mark did a really nice job with the lights this year! It is a good thing he got them up before the snow started to fly! The kids love to admire our lights when we drive home at night. 
Here's a picture of our Christmas tree. The decorations seem to change location daily, but the kids are having a lot of fun with the tree. Recently James decided that we didn't have enough ornaments on the back of our tree, so he moved many from the front to the back. I told him no one can see the back, but he insisted if you get up on the couch and look just, "You can see, Mommy!" James redecorates often. When he isn't looking, I try to even out the bald spots on the front of the tree... Isabella has been busy monitoring the appearance of any additional presents under the tree. She notices them right away and reads the tags to figure out who they are for. She is waiting patiently for more presents with her name on them.
On Sunday night, while I attended our mom's group Christmas party, Mark and the kids braved the cold to go see the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train. The train came rolling into town for a 45 minute stop complete with music and lights. Over a thousand people showed up to donate food to the local food shelf and take in the sites and sounds of the train. Once the train pulled in for its stop, a box car door opened up and musicians and Santa made their appearance. James and Ella were excited as they got a candy cane from Santa. And, James was especially excited because he heard the "Jingle Bells" song! Though they aren't the best, Mark was able to snap a few pictures so I could see what the train looked like.
Here's a picture of our Christmas tree. The decorations seem to change location daily, but the kids are having a lot of fun with the tree. Recently James decided that we didn't have enough ornaments on the back of our tree, so he moved many from the front to the back. I told him no one can see the back, but he insisted if you get up on the couch and look just, "You can see, Mommy!" James redecorates often. When he isn't looking, I try to even out the bald spots on the front of the tree... Isabella has been busy monitoring the appearance of any additional presents under the tree. She notices them right away and reads the tags to figure out who they are for. She is waiting patiently for more presents with her name on them.
On Sunday night, while I attended our mom's group Christmas party, Mark and the kids braved the cold to go see the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train. The train came rolling into town for a 45 minute stop complete with music and lights. Over a thousand people showed up to donate food to the local food shelf and take in the sites and sounds of the train. Once the train pulled in for its stop, a box car door opened up and musicians and Santa made their appearance. James and Ella were excited as they got a candy cane from Santa. And, James was especially excited because he heard the "Jingle Bells" song! Though they aren't the best, Mark was able to snap a few pictures so I could see what the train looked like.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thanksgiving Wrap Up and Great Baby News!
We had a great Thanksgiving weekend. The kids are so worn out from shortened and lack of naps that they are BOTH still napping and it is almost five o'clock. I guess I will be waking them up soon!
Mark's parents joined us on Thanksgiving day and I think our Thanksgiving dinner turned out excellent, even to pregnant me who doesn't have a huge appetite. One of my favorite things to eat at Thanksgiving has always been the mashed potatoes and I am thrilled to say that they agree with baby #3. I was happy to have a big plate full and a few meals of leftover potatoes over the weekend--yum!! After James had a nap, we went to the Festival of Trees which is a fundraiser for a local organization. Walking through a hundred lit and beautifully decorated Christmas trees with the scent of gingerbread in the air is enough to get anyone in the holiday spirit.
On Friday, we had a much larger Thanksgiving celebration with twenty-six people sitting down to a great smoked turkey and ham dinner at my brother's house. Again we had a great meal and the kids enjoyed playing with all their cousins. We attempted to take a picture with our kids and their six little cousins, but our photo shoot wasn't too successful. Unfortunately, it was our tired out James who wanted nothing to do with having his picture taken...what a surprise! All the other kids were sitting nicely so we plopped him on the couch at the last moment and the results weren't pretty...but it still was entertaining! : ) I know for a fact that none of those pictures will make it into my parents' Christmas letter this year.
Friday night brought some of my high school friends over for an evening of visiting and game playing. My friend Shawna and her husband, Jeff, brought their little Julia over to play with the kids. Ella and James were in heaven teaching Julia all sorts of new tricks. I think that Ella wants a baby sister even more now...if that is possible! After the kids were settled in for the night, Polly, Megan and her fiance, Terry arrived and the visiting and game playing began. It was a great night and a rare opportunity for all of us to be together again! I'm the only one still living in town.
On Saturday, I tested Mark's patience as I tried to find the perfect Christmas tree. By the end of the night our tree was decorated with help from our eager little elves. I think I will do a separate post on the tree decorating... Let's just say, I underestimated James' enthusiasm and dedication to decorating our Christmas tree.
We woke up to snow on Sunday so we all headed outside to enjoy some sledding a few times during the day. James can now slide down the hill by himself this year and pull his own sled back up! He is getting so big! On Sunday night, my mom and ventured out on very slippery roads to attend the King's Singers concert. The singers were excellent and a perfect end to a busy weekend!
Today while the kids were in school, Mark and I had the joy of seeing our new baby waving too us on an ultrasound screen. I am now 18 weeks along and we received a great report from the radiologist this morning. Most of you know that our children have had a few problems with their kidneys and since these problems are genetic, this baby will be followed a little more closely in utero and have a few additional tests at birth. I have to admit to being a little anxious for this ultrasound, so I was relieved when the radiologist told us that the renal tract looks as it should at this point and there are no obvious problems to worry about for now. The baby weighs only eight ounces though, so what they can see at this stage is limited. We will have another big ultrasound when I am closer to thirty weeks to see how things are developing then. Neither James' or Ella's issues were detected this early, so I suppose we are not completely out of the woods, but it sure does feel good to know that the baby's development looks excellent thus far. I hope to scan in some pictures soon. To those wondering, we didn't find out the baby's gender. The wondering and anticipation is so fun! So, everyone will have to wait-- including our 'anxious for a baby sister' Ella!!
Here are a few pictures from the weekend:
Grandma and Grandpa O and the kids.
Family Photo
Attempt at a picture of the little cousins on my side of the family. See how happy James is?
Cousin Bella and James doing a fun puzzle with cousin K.C.
Ella and Julia who is hamming it up for the camera!
James hugging Julia after the gift of a belated birthday present. Thank you!!
Ella watching out for Julia.
James sledding down our hill.
A happy girl!
Bundled up kids enjoying the snow.
A sled full!!!
Mark's parents joined us on Thanksgiving day and I think our Thanksgiving dinner turned out excellent, even to pregnant me who doesn't have a huge appetite. One of my favorite things to eat at Thanksgiving has always been the mashed potatoes and I am thrilled to say that they agree with baby #3. I was happy to have a big plate full and a few meals of leftover potatoes over the weekend--yum!! After James had a nap, we went to the Festival of Trees which is a fundraiser for a local organization. Walking through a hundred lit and beautifully decorated Christmas trees with the scent of gingerbread in the air is enough to get anyone in the holiday spirit.
On Friday, we had a much larger Thanksgiving celebration with twenty-six people sitting down to a great smoked turkey and ham dinner at my brother's house. Again we had a great meal and the kids enjoyed playing with all their cousins. We attempted to take a picture with our kids and their six little cousins, but our photo shoot wasn't too successful. Unfortunately, it was our tired out James who wanted nothing to do with having his picture taken...what a surprise! All the other kids were sitting nicely so we plopped him on the couch at the last moment and the results weren't pretty...but it still was entertaining! : ) I know for a fact that none of those pictures will make it into my parents' Christmas letter this year.
Friday night brought some of my high school friends over for an evening of visiting and game playing. My friend Shawna and her husband, Jeff, brought their little Julia over to play with the kids. Ella and James were in heaven teaching Julia all sorts of new tricks. I think that Ella wants a baby sister even more now...if that is possible! After the kids were settled in for the night, Polly, Megan and her fiance, Terry arrived and the visiting and game playing began. It was a great night and a rare opportunity for all of us to be together again! I'm the only one still living in town.
On Saturday, I tested Mark's patience as I tried to find the perfect Christmas tree. By the end of the night our tree was decorated with help from our eager little elves. I think I will do a separate post on the tree decorating... Let's just say, I underestimated James' enthusiasm and dedication to decorating our Christmas tree.
We woke up to snow on Sunday so we all headed outside to enjoy some sledding a few times during the day. James can now slide down the hill by himself this year and pull his own sled back up! He is getting so big! On Sunday night, my mom and ventured out on very slippery roads to attend the King's Singers concert. The singers were excellent and a perfect end to a busy weekend!
Today while the kids were in school, Mark and I had the joy of seeing our new baby waving too us on an ultrasound screen. I am now 18 weeks along and we received a great report from the radiologist this morning. Most of you know that our children have had a few problems with their kidneys and since these problems are genetic, this baby will be followed a little more closely in utero and have a few additional tests at birth. I have to admit to being a little anxious for this ultrasound, so I was relieved when the radiologist told us that the renal tract looks as it should at this point and there are no obvious problems to worry about for now. The baby weighs only eight ounces though, so what they can see at this stage is limited. We will have another big ultrasound when I am closer to thirty weeks to see how things are developing then. Neither James' or Ella's issues were detected this early, so I suppose we are not completely out of the woods, but it sure does feel good to know that the baby's development looks excellent thus far. I hope to scan in some pictures soon. To those wondering, we didn't find out the baby's gender. The wondering and anticipation is so fun! So, everyone will have to wait-- including our 'anxious for a baby sister' Ella!!
Here are a few pictures from the weekend:
Our Thanksgiving Dinner and the kids are hiding from the camera. 
James at the Festival of Trees
Ella at the Tree Festival
Grandma and Grandpa O and the kids.
Family Photo 
Attempt at a picture of the little cousins on my side of the family. See how happy James is?
Cousin Bella and James doing a fun puzzle with cousin K.C.
Ella and Julia who is hamming it up for the camera!
James hugging Julia after the gift of a belated birthday present. Thank you!!
Ella watching out for Julia.
James sledding down our hill.
A happy girl!
Bundled up kids enjoying the snow.
A sled full!!!Hope your weekend was as fun as ours!!!
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