Tate Hits the Stage!

Here are some pretty fun videos of Tate performing in his preschool program. He's darn good at those motions!

A Dog Blog

We would like to announce the adoption of our new puppy, Ralphie, the one-eyed bulldog. He shot his eye out with his Red Rider BB gun. Not really- he lost it in a fight with a pit bull...so sad!

She has arrived!

After much waiting, longing, sighing, saving, and Ebay bidding, Charis' Kirsten doll arrived today. Such a dream come true!

April Showers

Well, it's supposed to be 95 degrees today...in April. This does not bode well for my summertime comfort, but we did get to run in the sprinklers for the first time this season. Simon experienced his first sprinkler run and loved it! (End note: Tate's age-5, Tate's bathing suit size- 2T)

The Party of Many Themes

Charis has three big loves- Barbie, Littlest Pet Shop and American Girl. What's a multi-interested birthday girl to do when choosing a theme for her party? Which of her 2009 passions will she have to deny? I was obligated (of course!) to come up with a way to integrate all of her "hobbies" into one party. Add a blizzard that postponed our Amarillo travel plans on Charis' birthday, and I really had a creative challenge on my hands!









Charis started her birthday celebration by having birthday breakfast with her three favorite American Girls: Kirsten, Molly, and Kit- here represented by paper plate masks. We threw in some tulle, feathers, china and a purple-sprinkled, candled donut and had ourselves a fine, yet unplanned, birthday breakfast.


Tate, not to be outdone, insisted on having lunch with all of his monkey friends.



Charis waited an entire week after her actual birthday for the party of all parties: pottery painting at an art studio with her friends, Mariah (front right), Berkley(blond) and Lauren(back left).


The birthday girl sent out Littlest Pet Shop e-mail invitations, set her table with Barbie plates and napkins, and served cupcakes decorated with frosting replications of the American Girls' dresses.

Her party was such a grand success that a spontaneous session of praise and worship broke out.

As her final act as Birthday Girl, Charis got to put her hand print on the birthday wall at the pottery studio.

These feet were made for walking!

Off he goes! Simon's first steps: March 23, 2009

Simon the Sweet!

I call Simon my Redeemer Baby! My pregnancy and postpartum experience with him were really difficult, but I have enjoyed his "babyness" beyond my wildest expectations. I especially appreciate this sweet time with him because God has really healed me since he was born, and He has given back to me some of the "motherly bonding" that I missed with Charis and Tate. Simon's physical appearance is even special because of his red hair! What a fun surprise! :) He is a complete delight. He is almost always smiling and incredibly laid back. He enjoys opening doors and banging on things. He would also really like to be allowed to splash in the toilet water and chew pieces of cardboard out of the trash. We just discovered that Simon loves to slide. Daddy Dan made him a special slide for his 1st birthday, and Simon quivers with excitement when he sits at the top waiting to go down. Priceless!

Tate the Terrific!

Tate is one of the most interesting people I know. He is completely obsessed with monkeys and the color orange. Specifically, he loves the Orange Lion Tamarin. He is usually dressed in an orange monkey costume that his Bibi made him for Halloween. If he's not dressed in his costume, he prefers to remain undressed. He is known for removing his clothing in public. Just this week, he chose to relieve himself in the middle of the zoo. He does not like to wear long sleeves and he is very bothered by an open toilet lid. His favorite things to do are climbing, playing with/being a monkey, and watching Alton Brown on the Food Network. I absolutely love to snuggle with Tate. We always snuggle before he goes to bed, and he often comes back for more in the middle of the night. You might think that I would get tired of this, but I actually look forward to midnight cuddling!

Charis the Creative!

Charis is almost seven years old. She loves to do anything involving art. She is a MAGNIFICENT story teller. She almost always talks like she's telling a story ("Charis said dramatically.") She loves Barbies, princesses, Hello Kitty, the color pink, American Girls, and Littlest Pet Shop. She hates being pestered and listening to people brag. She is very sentimental- she once cried over having to throw away a popped balloon. She is homeschooled this year. She really likes math, but could do without spelling and writing. :) I love her creativity- she can make anything! She once made a Barbie car out of an old waffle box. I think she could set a record for the number of items a girl can sleep with. We once counted thirteen!