Blessings of 2008

As far as blogging goes, we've somewhat disappeared in the world! Between recent difficulties with our computer and my camera quitting, I've been unable to share photos, therefore, decreasing my excitement to post blogs. I am currently using a loaner camera, however, am unable to upload the photos to my computer. My Christmas present from Kasey, a new camera, should arrive in the mail soon. This will allow me to add photos to my blog and update everyone on our busy holiday season. In the meantime, I've been considering the things have been blessed with this 2008 year.....

THE TOP 10...I MEAN, 11 THINGS I'M THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR

11. A WORKING CAMERA!
10. OUR HOME - After many hours of hard work remodeling, we've been in our home for just over a year now. We are reminded often of how blessed we are to have such a nice home.
9. FRIENDS - Each of us our blessed with a number of close friends here within our community. We are so fortunate to find people who share our same interests and who love us.
8. POPCORN, DARK CHOCOLATE, CEREAL and SALSA - Reason #6 might explain this one better!
7. FAMILY - All of our immediate family is within 2 hours from our home. We are so blessed to have family close by to spend time with regularly.
6. A NEW BABY - What an opportunity it has been to be the home of another little one for nine months. We can't wait to meet Baby #3 this spring!
5. SUPER GLUE and THE MAGIC ERASER - Two products that have become new permanents in our home this year.
4. LOLA - Our witty little firecracker never ceases to amaze us. She is a great little helper to mommy, a compassionate sister to Olivia and the new unborn baby, and she adores her daddy. For Thanksgiving this year, when asked what she was thankful for, Lola responded, "apple juice, milk, chairs and Jesus"! Lola is also grateful for playdough, tutus, lip gloss, baths, hotel visits, books, Sunday School, pickles, gum, our dog Wrigley, running, and writing.
3. OLIVIA - Little Miss Sunshine is always smiling. She says very little, but her joy is contagious. In 2008, Olivia has grown to adore shoes, babies, toothbrushes, talking on the phone, juice, cows, books and playing with Lola.
2. KASEY - We celebrated our 7th anniversary on December 22nd. I am so blessed to have a Godly husband as the leader of our home. Kasey is an amazing father, friend and husband. I have married my best friend and am proud of his ability to lead our family.
1. OUR SAVIOR - How useless all this would be without the love and forgiveness of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I am humbled by my list of blessings as it would not be possible without HIM.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

Whatever 2009 brings, our prayer is to follow in Your good and perfect will.....

A New Chore??

Lola and Olivia each have different "daily" chores to do around the house. Some of Lola's duties include: sorting and putting away clean silverware in the drawer, helping to fold and sort laundry - mostly socks and underwear :), setting the table for dinner, and putting away toys after playing. Olivia's duties include: helping put wet laundry into the dryer, putting away toys after playing and - her favorite - throwing away trash for us. She's the "Chief of Sanitation" around our house! She has also recently taken it upon herself to dust and reachable surface with any available cloth, blanket, kleenex or piece of clothing!

With these responsibilities comes the desire for MORE responsibilities! They both want to help mommy with everything. This can sometimes be overwhelming, yet can also be a blessing as they are excited to learn about these important skills for keeping a home. Therefore, I try to to include them whenever possible even if it's just a small part of the big job.

On this particular morning, Lola wanted to help with a small load of dishes I was working on. Since the load consisted of mostly cups and bowls, I thought this would be a good chance to show her what I do.


Washing.


Rinsing.


She was so proud of herself!

Meet Wrigley

Earlier this fall, our four year old dog, Hank, died suddenly. Hank went everywhere with Kasey and was wonderful with both girls. We miss him often.

For Kasey's birthday, I asked him what he might want. To my surprise, he said a new dog. We found a litter of yellow labs with an impressive hunting background a few hours away. Therefore,......meet Wrigley!



Wrigs is already Lola's best buddy!


This is not the last you will see of Wrigs, I'm sure!

20 Weeks

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel - the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.) He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion.

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Indians

At our November MOPS meeting, the children dressed as Pilgrims and Indians. Lola decided she and Olivia would be Indians!

They also made turkey place mats for Thanksgiving:

Mitch and Katie's Wedding

Last weekend, my cousin, Mitch got married. Ella and Lola were the flower girls. Of course, they were both very excited about this opportunity and were very impressed with their beautiful dresses. Since the wedding, Lola has been playing "Katie". She dresses up in a princess dress and dances around the room like Katie who now ranks right up there with Cinderella!

Congratulations Mitch and Katie!

Two Tinkerbells, a Tiger....and a Monkey!

Tinkerbell and a Tiger


Ella and Lola both wanted to be Tinkerbell!


Calvin the Monkey

My sister, Jes and I just began a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group in our community. For our October Meeting, we had a Fall Festival/Costume Party at my home. For more pictures click on our MOPS link.

A Wedding and a Birthday Party

Last weekend, we traveled to Omaha for our friends Kevin and Tammy's wedding. The wedding was beautiful and we enjoyed catching up with friends. We stayed in Omaha for two nights at a hotel. By the end of the two days, Liv was so happy to be home. On the other hand, Lola cried when we pulled into our driveway because she wanted to go to our "little home with a pool"!

On our way back from the wedding, we went to our niece, Alexis's birthday party at the Children's Museum. It was a great way to end the weekend.

Homecoming 2008

My computer has not been downloading my photos for the past couple of weeks. I've had to come up with some creative ways to get my pictures on my blog. Although these pictures are over a month old, I still wanted to post them.

For Homecoming, we went to the parade with Mom, Jes, Ella and Calvin. Later we all went to the football game.

Happy Birthday Kasey!

Today is Kasey's 30th Birthday. We celebrated with two family meals today and two DQ ice cream cakes! I also took him out for prime rib last night....yum!

Here is Kasey, Lola and Alexis eating at Pizza Hut with his family.


A few days later, my parents took us all out to Applebee's to celebrate Kasey and my sister, Jes's birthday

Eating lemons.


Yikes!


Kasey is the greatest husband, father and friend. I love him more with each year that goes by.....

Happy Birthday, Kasey!

Some BIG Pumpkins!

We went out to the Frerich's farm to see their massive pumpkin patch. The girls were pretty impressed with the size of the pumpkins and they had over a dozen of them at this size!

As a surprise, Lee Frerichs dropped off one of the pumpkins in our yard. Lola was thrilled!


On this partcular night, Liv was too tired to enjoy the pumpkin....


Thank you Frerichs' for the pumpkin!

Baby #3...Week 13

Due Date: April 4th

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

Our Little Secret!

Evenings with the Carrahers

Since Shannon and Kasey have been working on the farm later in the day, Jes, Ella and Calvin have been spending their evenings with us!

Ella and Lola dressing Maggie Leigh!


Calvin....being cute!


Smile!


Yikes!


Liv brushing her hair....

....and taking care of her baby cousin. Liv REALLY loves Calvin. This is our little secret, but I think he's her favorite! He doesn't run away from her, boss her around or take her toys. He simply lays there and lets her kiss him or rub his tummy or tickle his feet! When Calvin's around, Liv is there to help:).

Take Me Out To The Ballgame....

The Baseball Player


"Catch, Hank!"


Batter Up!

Although she's been walking for over a month now, I thought I'd include this video of Liv toddling around....

Since this video she's learned to RUN from Mommy!

A Very "Biz-y" Labor Day :)

I know...cheesy title...

After our lake trip, we spent the evening at the Bislow house for a barbeque.



Trace's Aunt Alissa bought him this shirt a while ago. With all the little ladies in his house, he had the perfect opportunity to wear it!


They all love Trace......


Also....Calvin was one month old yesterday! He's getting so big.

"The Ocean"

On Labor Day we spent the afternoon at Harlan Lake....or "the ocean" as Lola called it!