Garrett's acheivement

Yesterday we were making get well cards for a woman in our church who had foot surgery last week. "Miss Esther" has been a wonderful fill-in grandmother for our kids who are so far from their own grandparents. Garrett got done stamping his words and wanted to write like Olivia. This usually ends in me writing the words while holding on to the pencil with him. Today he wanted to do it by himself. Not sure how it was going to turn out I just started explaining to him how to write each letter. With only a little manual assistance from me this is what he did.


G A A R R E T T - two a's because I helped him on the first one and he wanted to do it by himself.
Get Well Soon - pretty legible.
Token Gideon picture.
I love this picture of Esther and wish that Olivia had the same expression - but she wasn't in the mood for picture time today - oh well, it wouldn't be an Olivia picture without some sort of attitude.

Update on Jersey

Jersey is finding her place in our family. Garrett loves to play with her, Olivia loves to train her and Esther loves to kiss her. Josh has been disciplined in walking her twice a day (even in the frigged temperatures) and it helps her not be bored in the house all day and establishes Josh as her "pack leader". We've read both books by Cesar Millan, aka, The Dog Whisperer and have found them extremely helpful in maintaining and well balanced dog and household. I never thought that a dog would have a positive impact on our house, but she has. Overall the kids are much more calm and so are we, mostly due to the help of the Dog Whisperer's advice. If you have a dog, they are a must read. And if you're thinking about getting a dog, read the books first, than decide if you are willing to put the time in that is necessary for the dog.Taking a rest on Jersey.
Jersey enjoying her bone. She doesn't get to have it very much, because we are still breaking her of some food/possession aggression.
Looking up at one of her pack leaders, me.

Random Pictures - again

Gideon enjoying his bath.
The kids enjoying their Valentines day gifts, new spin brush tooth brushes!!
Gideon's adorable smile!
Esther's adorable. . .smile?

Olivia and Garrett playing in the snow. Anybody want some? I'm really tired of it!

Snowed in

We've had a lot of snow for a couple of weeks now. We've been able to get out a little bit - but I don't like driving in the snow and Josh still has to work. Needless to say, the days have been long! But the kids have done well. They seem to be dealing with the cabin fever better than mom and dad! This past weekend we were stuck in the house, we even called off church on Sunday because the weather was so bad. Here are some fun pictures we took with our new camera over the snowy weekend.The girls early Saturday morning. Josh said I look busted in the picture - I did just get out of bed!
Olivia and Daddy. That's not sun in the windows - it's snow!
The boys in their camo gear.
I couldn't get this picture in age order because Garrett insisted on laying next to his brother, so it had to be boys and girls.
Please ignore the spit-up on my son in this picture, I didn't know it was there until after it was taken. Monday we finally got out of the house and went to Playworld, and indoor playground. The kids had a great time and we enjoyed the company of another family from our church who also came to play.

More Changes

There have been many changes at our house in the past few weeks. My hair not included, Garrett also got a hair cut. Esther is successfully potty-training (I don't want to brag too much in fear that she'll suddenly have a change of heart). Gideon is changing so quickly, it's hard to keep up. He's still as smiley as can be and quite the mama's boy! And after a week of begging Daddy, Olivia was allowed to get her hair cut. Josh let me trim it the same day I cut Garrett's, but wouldn't let me cut it as short as she wanted it. Yesterday, he said he wouldn't care if I cut it short like she wanted, so today we did it! She couldn't be happier. She keeps talking about showing all her friends - she's such a girl!Short and sweet.
How can you not love that face?!?!?
Or that one???
Or that one?!? Garrett and Olivia were playing here. Garrett is riding her like a horse, but backwards. They really are so much fun!

Cut off!

I've been talking about cutting my hair for a while now and finally got the OK from Josh. Today was the big day - and I have to say, I LOVE IT! Of course, we'll see how I feel after I've had to fix it every day instead of put it in a pony tail. The kids like it and Josh just keeps saying, "It's so short!" That's the nice thing about hair - it grows back!