Family picture time...


Emma - age 5 1/2
Anna - age 3
Over Thanksgiving Break, we had family photos taken. Tracy Fouts, a soon to be graduating IWU photography major was our photographer. She did an amazing job! We got so many great photos! We tried to get a picture of both girls together, but Anna wouldn't cooperate. Emma was fine taking pictures alone, so we got a few pics of just her. We later realized that Anna had no problem being photographed solo... she just didn't want to share the spotlight with her sister! We now have several great shots of Anna that really show her personality. Our family shot is being reserved for our Christmas card. :-)
The whole photo shoot was my mom's idea. She wanted a family picture taken with all the kids and grandkids. Tracy had so much patience! Not many people can photograph 16 people in one sitting. Kudos to her!

Could it really be possible?

I pulled out, dusted off, and used my Kathy Smith video. I actually did some aerobics this morning! :-) (That is not the impossible feat of the day...) It felt good, even though the video is SOOO dated.
As I was working out, Annie was in the play room. It was a little too quiet... I finished my video at about the same time I was wondering what she was up too.... red paint all over her! She found Emma's paint set. Lovely! I was going to take a shower after working out, so I threw in there with me. Fortunately, the paint comes off easily in the water. She hates showers though. That was punishment enough for her. At the end, she said, "I have to go potty." (This girl has been impossible to potty train- she likes the diapers, pull-ups, whatever - she is a stubborn one!). Anyway, I told her to wait until I we were done showering... she did! Then she actually went in the little toilet. A few minutes later, she said it again, I helped her get situated on the toilet, she went again! Then I got her dressed and she wanted to wear underwear. Amazing! She is now in a cute matching outfit - that she picked out all by herself - and is wearing underwear... she picked out tweety this morning. :-) Is it really possible that she could have a change of heart about the diapers? Oh how great that would be! My prayer this morning is that she will be done with diapers! I would love to be done buying them!

A little update... Anna had one accident... I was on the phone, she tried to get to the toilet in the downstairs bathroom, but couldn't climb up on her own. At least she tried... A little later, she went in the toilet again. And did another time as well... 4 times in one day! She wore underwear most of the day. I am so proud of her! She is pretty proud of herself too. I think she thinks she is pretty hot stuff. :-) Three cheers for Anna!

Gobble, Gobble...

Our church has begun a "turkey ministry", donating turkeys to families in the surrounding neighborhood that wanted one. Individuals or families from church then distributed them this afternoon. Our whole family went. It was fun to see the girls so excited to give something to someone. At the first house, just Dave and Emma got out of the car. Anna cried. At the next house, we all got out. Anna cheered. The girls were so joyful about giving! It was so refreshing. So many times in today's world all we hear about is "give me, give me, give me". As a mom, I hear that a lot from my kids. "I want milk." "I want gum." "Can Camille come play?" "I want to swing.... push me." It was great to see that they can also enjoy the giving. They were disappointed if the family didn't answer and we had to leave the turkey by the door. I really want this holiday season to be about giving, not receiving. This was a great start!

It all happens at once...

Why is it that everything decides to breakdown at the same time? Let's see, it all started when our computer crashed.... then there was the window regulator in my car ($$$), the lawn mower, property taxes were due (not broken, but still costs $$$), the garage door opener (as of this moment my car is stuck in the garage - it won't even manually open), the vacuum (fortunately, not very costly to fix), and the tires on my car need to be replaced, and we have a tree that is in dire need of a trim (and a neighbor who wishes we would do it soon). I am sure there is more, but at the moment, I can't think of what else. Not to mention Anna has a cold and I feel like I am coming down with something. It is frustrating. It sure seems like it comes in waves. Why is that I wonder? Is it so we depend more on God? Is it so He can show us His faithfulness in even the simple daily things... like fixing a vacuum for only 20 bucks? I am not sure why it happens, but I know that I have to trust God to sustain us!