New Feature!

Check out my new tabs on my blog. I only have added info to recipes, about me and crafts! I like how it organizes those categories although it doesnt inform people when I post new items, so check it out every once in a while! and do you like the simpler red look of the background? I thought it was time to simplify and organize!

Reflecting

 Yesterday would have been my dad's 57th Birthday.

I miss him.

He was murdered when I was 19 years old. I remember the day so vividly and yet it was been almost 13 years and I forget what his voice sounded like and how it felt to be hugged by him. 

Funny how thinking back to that day still makes me feel sick to my stomach and a bit light headed.

I wish he could have met my husband and my children.

I wish he could see the cakes I  make.

I wish I could have him into my home and cook for him. 

I wish I could call him on his birthday and tell him that I love him.

Loosing a parent is painful and that pain really never goes away. The sharpness of the pain subsides but it never truly fades. I think of him often and of all the good memories we made as children.

He would play "lion" with us and tickle us till we couldnt breathe and were begging him to stop.

He would take us for rides on his motorcycle.

He would cook amazing food- some recipes that I still make today! 

I have a handful of pictures of my dad all of which I need to scan into the computer because I didnt have a digital camera back in those days.  He was handsome and had the best smile with a little dimple in his cheek. Elijah has the same dimple. I like that.

My dad had skin that always looked like it was tan even in the winter. 

Marks arms remind me of my dad's- weird, but they do.

My dad had dark hair, pretty much the same color as Sophia and Arianna.

Ella really has no physical trait that reminds me of my dad, 

but the fact that Ella is always making us laugh reminds me of my him. 

Even though my children will never know their grandfather, I  try to keep his memory alive by telling them stories about him and showing them pictures of the man that I called "Dad".

These pictures are of the house and lake where I spent my childhood.

Great times were had by my brother and I, as we hiked and explored all over this lake and the woods behind our house. We would be gone for hours! Such good memories!

Ta-Da!

 Here it is! Ella's completed birthday cake! I just couldnt wait to show you all-

I think this is by far the nicest, most creative cake

I have done to date and I just love it! 

Ella does too!

She likes the hair the most, she said! 

I REALLY like the cake bunting the most! 

(they sell that stuff on etsy for like $20 for what you see on my cake!- 

and it cost me like $2 to make!)

Today is her party and its at a gymnastic place- everyone is so excited!

Including me, because I dont have to do much! They run games and everything! 

And it was VERY reasonable and she can have 20 kids 

and an unlimited number of adults- 

so we have around 35 people coming today! FUN!

I made a new chocolate cake recipe for one layer and 

the other layer is half strawberry and half vanilla with a chocolate mousse filling. 

I got a bunch of tips to make my cakes better from another blog 

and they really helped this time around! 

Megan is taking professional pictures for us at the party

so I thought I'd try to wait to post really nice pictures of the cake but I just couldnt, 

so my little camera ones will have to do...

Recap: New Year's Day

 Another tradition our family has is our annual New Years swim!

We go to our local rec center and swim in the indoor pool.

They have the perfect kiddie pool and the kid just love it!

Markand I love the hot tub the best-

the jets do wonders on achy backs and sore shoulders.

On another note, I am so very thankful for God's protection of our family.

The other night the girls kept coming to us saying their were weird noises coming from their room. 

We dismissed it  but they were persistent and we finally checked. 

Sparks were flying out of a socket in their wall. 

We immediately shut off the breaker to their room.

Praise God it didnt happen in the middle of the night.

A fire could have easily started seeing as the socket was right behind their book shelf! 

The electrician came and replaced several old sockets 2 days ago.

Just so thankful God protected our little family! 

Ellas 2 year Video

So, I have been on a video craze lately. Its fun to go through all the old photos and videos that we took of the kids. As I was doing so, I realized that Ella really was a VERY mischievous little girl. I forgot about half the things she got herself into- pens, markers, toilet paper, wipes, black eyes.. and she was always SO messy! It was hilarious to see it captured on video and film! Ella was definitely more so than the other kids! and I forgot about it completely! Good thing I have all these memories saved up so I wont forget to tell her future boyfriends and husband someday! so, here's one more video of Ella from 1yr to
2yrs old.. Enjoy and I promise to wait a while before putting another one up! They are long!

Happy 4th Birthday Sweet Ella Bella!

 Hard to believe that this little girl is now 4 years old! 

Ella is a HUGE blessing to our family!

She is very loud and energetic, yet has a very sensitive side.

She loves to try to keep up with her older sisters

and usually fits right in with the older kids! 

She is SO very smart and could write her name by the time she turned 3! 

She knows how to count by 5's and 10's ad knows her alphabet 

and some sounds and all her numbers up to like 60!

Yes, I'm bragging about her:)

We love you Ella and pray that you grow up to be a woman 

who loves Christ and His gospel!

I think I'm going to let the twins stay home today to play with Ella. 

She misses them so when they go to school!

here is a little video of Ella's first year of life! 

Sorry for the "loud" song right at the beginning!

It was Marks pick:) 

And one other thing- just wanted to ask you all to pray for our friends Giles and Janel Litzner- their little 18 month old boy, Elijah.  is having his 3rd serious surgery today at this very minute. The surgery is over 8 hours long and my heart is SO very heavy for little Elijah and his mom and dad. Please pray for wisdom and accuracy for the doctors,
for little Elijahs body to be strong
for quick and complete healing
for grace and peace for the Litzners.
"unto our God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly-
above what we could ask or think!"
To God alone be the glory!!!

Ringing in The New Year!

Yes, we stayed up till midnight 

playing The Settlers of Catan,

getting our butts kicked by Bobby,

eating snacks,

watching the ball drop,

kissing our spouses,

all while the kiddos slept soundly in bed!

Here's to a New Year filled with more memories made with family and friends

and more opportunities to see Christ proclaimed and glorified

and His church and people strengthened and built up!

Happy 2011!