HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA!

This past Saturday Anna turned 8! Can you believe it? Eight years old. It seems like just yesterday I was bringing her home from the hospital.

Anna is our true miracle in more ways than one! Not only our medical miracle, but our spiritual miracle. Many prayers for Anna brought us closer to GOD, and she was the beginning of our relationship with Him.

When Anna was born we weren't quite sure what her future held, but so far she has lived a normal life, and we continue to pray that that is God's future plan as well!

Happy Birthday Belley, my little orchid!

A couple of Neen favorites

No words needed....

Not sure why she skipped 5, 6, and 7 in this next video, but I love the way she says eleven!!

Third Child

There's something about that third child that allows them to get away with anything!

I'm not sure that it's a good thing.

As parents do we get lazy?

Do we realize it doesn't matter if we are parenting "right"?

Do we see the bigger picture? That in the scheme of life it just doesn't matter?

I don't know what it is, but Trin is very happy that she's my third.

You see, this pink jacket. Well, it was Anna's and I don't think Anna was even allowed to drink water from a sippy while wearing it. I didn't want it to stain, you know! ;) She missed out on so much because I didn't want her to get dirty.

What was I thinking?

I'm glad I woke up!!

She had a lot of fun playing in the dirt that day!

Anna lost a tooth

In February Anna lost another tooth. Literally it is like pulling teeth to get this girl to pull her teeth. She must have a really sensitive mouth, because she cries and cries until the tooth is out. I always get the tooth loose enough to come out, and let her have that last little pull to say she pulled her tooth. It makes her so proud knowing that "she" pulled it herself. Anna has two extra top teeth so I'm interested to see how things progress in the next 6 months. From what the dentist has implied she's going to need a lot of work. Poor girl! Say lots of prayers!

Isn't she just the cutest? I love both top teeth being gone at the same time! If only it lasted a little longer. Before you know it those permanent teeth will be shining through and my baby will look all grown up.

Still catching up....playing in the snow.

The first snow the kids played in this year. It snowed many times while they were in school, but not enough to play in when they got home. They were super excited on this day that the snow stuck around until after school! They had a BLAST!

The girls holding the "snow baby" they made.

Casey making a huge snow angel. Yes, those are socks on his hands. It seems the boy always loses his gloves when he needs them the most!

Throwing snowballs was Trin's favorite!!!!

Neen was excited when Casey and Anna told her it was ok to take a bite of the snow.

Best picture I took of all three kids together. By the look on the girls faces it was just painful!

I'm hoping we'll be done with the snow soon. Signs of Spring are starting to appear!

"new growth" on a rose bush in the back yard.

Answered prayer....and then some.

We prayed to find our new home.

We were blessed in many ways.

We bought a house.

We made great friends.

We learned our house was built out of love.

We found out from the previous owners (above friends) that scripture lines the walls.

We praised God.

We became closer to Him.

Psalm 86:12 With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever

Christmas 2009

It's been a long time since my last post. Our life has been crazy busy, and a lot of moments and memories have been made.

Part of the reason for not posting until now is that my blogger home page language setting was somehow set to Filipino. My sister helped me with that one because she missed seeing new posts, so thanks Manda! What would I do without you?

After going through files of pictures I've taken since I left off I figure I"ll try to post a little bit everyday until I catch up.

So here we go!

Christmas 2009

We drove to Texas, in the snow! We left just in time, because the next day they shut down the highway! The drive took a little longer, but it wasn't so bad. It actually feels shorter now that Neen can communicate, and can kind of grasp the concept of what " in a minute" means. (We'll get something to eat "in a minute". ;))

While we were there we got a chance to visit with all of our family. We spent Christmas Eve and Day with Nana, and went to dinner that night at Amanda and Andrew's.

Here's a picture just for fun! Anna has some baby hairs growing out, and she always had them in her face. In every picture over Christmas break we were having to tell her to move her bangs.

For Christmas we were all spoiled and the kids got way too much! My favorite gift was the aprons my mom made us. I asked her awhile back to make me an old fashioned apron like hers, and for Christmas she made all the girls in the family one.

Taylor made everyone crosses in memory of Landon.

It was nice to be able to spend time with PaPa (Casey's dad). While we were there he gave Casey a ring that he had hoped his dad would pass down to him. This ring was lost for years, so Casey was so surprised and happy to see it. It was a bittersweet moment seeing the two together, knowing it was probably the last time!

PaPa actually passed away on January 13, 2010. Jean Jean said as he was laying in the hospital bed he looked at her and told her not to cry. To tell "us" he loved us and that he loved her. At that point he closed his eyes and went to heaven where I'm sure Nanny was there to greet him shaking her finger and saying "what took you so long?" Where I'm sure he responded " I wanted to see those grandkids as long as I could,....and you wouldn't believe that Trinity....she's a mess!" He loved my babies and held a special place in his heart for every one of them.

We miss you PaPa!