Snow Day!!

When you were little and it started snowing at night, didn't hope, wish and pray that the next day you would turn the tv on and wait for that exciting announcement, "Schools are closed today due to the weather." Today was our first Snow Day and boy was Tyler excited when we told him. The only difference is that our news came from his teacher calling at 6:30a.m. a little too early for me!! But it was nice that they called, another bonus to being in a private school. I didn't have to wonder and wait for the news to tell me that the foot and a half of snow outside was going to stop us from getting out.

It started yesterday afternoon with a total white out, wind blowing like crazy. And of course we live on the higher elevation side of town with not a lot of mature trees around. Chris got home and I asked if he could shovel just in case we had to go to school the next day. So after dinner, he and Tyler went out to unbury our driveway. They came in for hot cocoa and brownies and we went off to bed, all the while, the sky was still pouring out tons and tons of snow!!

So after breakfast and a little play time, we ventured outside to attack the backyard on the very first snow day ever!!! As you can imagine, the pictures only captured a glimpse of the sheer joy he had playing for hours in the snow!

Baby Orangutan....after a bath this is what she looks like! ha ha ha Here's a before and after:

100 days old and already a party pooper!

So, I was relizing earlier this week that Kelsie's 100th Day was going to be on Friday. And I sighed... when it dawned on me that no one (I mean my family) were coming down to celebrate. The second child really does get the short end of the stick! Sorry to all you second, third, fourth, etc. children out there!! Since I was depressed, I called my mom and my sis and shared my blues with them. And both of them had the same sentimet - throw your own party with your friends down there. But I was too far gone into my woes to even think that was an option. Then Thursday morning hit and I had this sudden urge to host a party, so I quickly got on the phone and called 5 families we are close to and invited them to a traditional party for Kelsie's 100th day celebration. Of course I got the same responses from them all: "HUH!?!? What is that?" So I explained that it's Korean tradition to keep the baby pretty much in seclution for 100 days to avoid any cooties and then have their "debut" at their 100th day party. So, they were all game and we were on for the next evening.

I quickly starting cleaning house, making my menu, strategizing as to how I was going to get everything done that I needed done in less than 24 hours (Yes, I know technically I had more time than that, but I have a baby and a 5 year old, time gets eaten up pretty quickly). So I called my mom and got the recipe for the traditional noodle dish that is typically served at these ordeals and started down my to-do list!!

The party was a hit, the food was sooo yummy!! I was thinking of my friends Karin, Cathy and Niki the whole time, knowing they would be digging everything I was cooking! I made Korean noodles (Chap-Chae), Teriyaki Chicken, Asian tossed salad, two kinds of rice and I actually made a 4 layer strawberry cake with frosting and decorations!! Can you believe it?!? I couldn't beleive I remembered how to frost a cake, it's been almost 20 years since my cake decorating classes.

So I got everything set early afternoon, and decided to get Kelsie dressed and take some pictures while she was happy. Grandma definately needs some pictures - it's her passion! Everyone arrived on time, just as Kelsie was falling asleep. So needless to say, at her first party, she was the early bird, the party pooper!!

Yes Lord, Yes Lord!

Have you ever come to the realization that you are a lot more imperfect and need so much more mercy and grace than you thought? I just had that revelation last night, convicted about choices I've made... sigh... I am realizing how much more I have yet to learn and grow. It almost seems hopeless, but I am trying to remind myself that we live for and are loved by a very LOVING God. Yet, in the moment of revelation and conviction, His love almost seems too good for me. I pray that everyone reading would know that God's love is immeasurable and no mistake you make can completely derail the plan of God. His way is so much greater than ours and His plans for us are so much bigger than anything I can create on my own - even if that creation is a mess! So, I am humbled, trying to remember that I am pressed, but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. I am blessed beyond the curse because His promise will endure and His joy is going to be my strength!

November - December Pictures of Us!

I"m baaaaack!

Okay, so I know it's been a loooong while since my last blog, but I have a beautiful excuse: Kelsie! The last couple months have gone by so quickly. Do you find that when you start talking like that (ie. the time is passing so fast, our kids are growing so quickly, etc.) that it reminds you of your parents? I swore that when I was little I would never say that! But here I am repeating history. I can't beleive the holidays have come and gone and spring is just around the corner (well, we only get a couple weeks of spring, here in the desert). I am happy to report, however that my Christmas tree came down the second week of January!! Thank you very much! Although... I have to admit that Tyler and Kelsie's mini tree upstairs is still up... sigh... baby steps, I guess. So here are a couple pics from the last several months...