Family photo session fun

We recently decided to update our family photos.

The most recent professional ones we had were from 2007.

And we had all grown up a little bit.

We had a lot of fun with the photographer.

And alot of fun being together as a family at Hovander Park here in Ferndale.

Thought you all might enjoy pictures from the day.

Family photos

We spent this last Saturday having fun as a family at Hovander Park and had our family photos taken by a talented photographer.  I'm not sure we have ever had this good of a picture of Tommy.

And all six of us really enjoyed Mt Baker as our backdrop.  These proofs are sneak peeks from the photographer.  She is truely gifted and talented.  More to come when we purchase our photos and I can officially share them.  What a gift a family is. 



Business side of motherhood

It's been a busy week.  Too busy.  And the week before was a tad bit too much also.  I'm not complaining, I love that I have been blessed with a job that is a little flexible in it's hours so I can still prioritize my mommy role a bit during the day and throughout the week.  I'm thankful all four kids are physically active!  And enjoy all their extracurriculur activities.  Family life just sometimes has a lot of business type stuff like scheduling and planning and those pesky finances to work out. 

But the pace of life lately has bitten this mommy in the bum. 

So I have changed up a few things to get ME self care somewhere back into the week.

I started attending an Al-Anon meeting six minutes from my home.  Instead of the one hour round trip that it use it be.  And you know what?  The group is actually just as good and active and helpful.  And it's funny who and how God places people in your path... but I think I'm going to ask a very nice women there to be my sponsor.  And I can't tell how, or why, or who... because that's the whole anonymity behind Al-Anon, but my sponsor has been someone I've admired for years.  And that just blows me away that sometimes you don't need to go far to have your needs met.

I've also ordered fabric and started sewing a quilt for my nephew Kyle and his gorgeous and sweet bride Keeley (okay they have been married over a year).... I love sewing and quilting so this will be great self care to be able to do a hobby again.

Maybe I'll give you the rundown on our family from youngest to oldest.

Liam continues to enjoy Awana's, speech therapy, preschool, children's church and loves the activity center at our gym.  So I'm not sure much will change with his weekly activities.  We would love to add a springtime sport or swim lessons, but need to see how either fits into our family life.  He continues to blossom while staying so sweet and gentle.

Tommy is still nonverbal and "tolerates" his speech therapy, loves preschool, loves children's church and just about 'runs' the activity center at our gym when he is there.  I really want to add a springtime activity to his life where he could learn to follow directions a bit more while associated to playing ball which he loves.  So I was thinking of basketball or soccer.  I head to Children's Monday for surgery for him where they will place another set of ear tubes.  No biggie.  But he just has such a hard time waking up from the anesthesia that I'm fairly certain it will be an overnight stay.  He continues to be a bundle of energy! 

Nate is in full training mode for the Lavaman which is an olympic length triatholon on April 1 in Kona, HI.  Him and his dad have been so dedicated to their training!  He is attending our local community college while being a junior in high school, fingers crossed he graduates next year with an AA and HS diploma.  I've really enjoyed Nate's sense of humor lately, all of his pranks have created such a light and fun mood.  Nate is an excellent brother to all three of his siblings.... but him and Liam are inseperable often.  Nate is just plain a wonderful human.

And last but not least is Hannah, the oldest of my four and still my baby girl.  We watched her at gymnastics last night and I was smiling when she accomplished two skills she has been working on.  She accepted an offer to attend WWU this fall which her dad and I are happy (it's our alma matter).  She is very bravely still walking the path of sobriety and is now five months sober.  If you ask her, she will openly share that each day is hard (her terms would include a swear word probably, ha ha).  She works her program everyday and weekly attends AA meetings plus two different types of mental health therapy.  Hannah has become a very honest, beautiful, intelligent young women who has identified her weaknesses thru God's amazing grace at a very young age.  She tries everyday to be strong and not ever let labels define her.  She continues to amaze me.  And although our relationship has been tested so often (and I mean often!!), we continue to have weekly coffee together, devotions on occasion and text and talk throughout the day.  She is my closest child to being an adult... exactly 16 days if you call turning 18 becoming an adult (I define it many more character trait ways, but 18 yrs old is a big deal).  Hannah will graduate in June from high school and still works part time. 

Last but not least is my hubby Colin and I.  We got away for four days/three nights which is the first time in a few years to the Okanagon with five other couples.  First night though was by ourselves in Leavenworth and that was a fun town and we enjoyed ourselves.  We have big dreams for our small farm this year that includes our 5,000 sq ft garden, hard goat cheeses, two turkeys, new chickens and perhaps a pair of beef steer.  We love to dream about our little hobby farm.  In reality it's like pop up kleenex though of projects where one is always after the other.  Colin and I have prioritized "date nights" but so far.... it's been words and hopefully we will see some on our calendar soon.

We hope that all of you are doing well, thought you might appreciate an update from the quietness of me. 

Woodland Park Zoo

We've been going to Children's Hospital in Seattle a little bit more lately.

So I thought what better way to spend some birthday/Christmas cash gifts for the boys than a Zoo membership!

It took us twenty minutes from Children's to get to the zoo.

And that included the beloved chicken mcnugget run!!

Since I was by myself and had the sit/stand stroller, I decided to put Tommy's harness on and let him walk about a bit.  Also, the zoo was fairly empty, so I thought if he had a meltdown OR a super fast run away moment.... I wouldn't be stared at by too many.  ha ha!

We loved the trail of vines and looking at all the primates.  The winter months are EXCELLENT to see animals as many are napping in hay piles right near the glass!

Here are the boys and I next to the elephants, there is both an african and an indian elephant behind us.  Very cool!

Tommy found his beloved meerkats.  Adorable and FAST just like him!!

These are gray owls.  They were HUGE.  My sister Debbie was sharing some facts on owls with me one evening when one probably snuck away with her chicken.  I had no idea how HUGE they were.



We'll be back to Children's in January for PASS clinic and then in February for ear tubes plus a sedated echo for cardiology.... and then a break till April for a sedated BAER hearing test.  And guess what?  That means a visit to the zoo is going to be a popular treat for us after the yukky hospital. 

Winter wonderland

Winter finally arrived to Ferndale.

We had a total snow fall of around 14 inches

And the boys really enjoyed it!

Somehow snow always makes things beautiful!

Grandma Dorothy came to our home and took over the reins of kids and household for four days... which meant Colin and I took off for four days (first time in probably six years). 

First night in Leavenworth and then the next two nights we stayed in a small town called Conconully with five other couples renting out a home there.  Very fun to be with friends! 

Grandma Dorothy is a blessing to us in so many ways.  She is a daily educator in a very soft way to all the kids, Colin and I.  She encourages us and we always have great conversations about life.  We love you Grandma Dor-tea!  At dinner while praying, Liam said he was grateful that Grandma let him crawl in bed with her and snuggle while we were gone.  Too sweet!

I thought everyone would enjoy the boys school pictures.  Not sure if I've posted them yet on here.

And a picture of Hannah and me out for coffee chat at least once a week.  Just us. 

And my cute niece Madison. 

The boys have loved the library.

A silly picture with Grandma Sue.

The week in review

Hard to believe the first week of 2012 is done.  Where does the time go so quickly?

I'm going to try to blog once a week if not more often.  I absolutely love sharing our family joys and trials, but it seems like time is so precious I don't blog as often as I would love to.  But I absolutely love the encouragement and sharing that I get with other mommy bloggers and friends. 

So here is our week in review. 

 Monday we enjoyed playing at our neighbor Mitchell's house.  Liam and Mitchell dressed up and really had fun together.  So I got a chance to visit with my friend Tiffany and dream about gardening and farming changes coming up this spring.  Tiffany homeschools her kids and is always busy, so this was a nice treat to visit.

 Wednesday is our Awana evening for Liam and I.  We go to a church that we don't attend for their wonderful program.  Nate babysat Tommy until Colin got home from work late which was wonderful not to have to watch my gypsy wandering (and non verbal) child and just concentrate on Liam.  The Awana teachers are amazing and surprised the kids with a "snow ball fight" with styrofoam peanuts.  I really enjoy helping the kids with their crafts and practicing their bible verses.  Such a sweet program and Liam really enjoys it. 

Nate and Hannah started back to school at Whatcom (they do Running Start) Community college on Wednesday.  Nate made my lunch while he was making his own.  And when I got to work I had to laugh because he labeled EVERY single ziplock baggy with my name.  So cute!

 On Saturday we went to a very fun birthday party for my 6 year old nephew Andrew down in Monroe.  It was a swimming party and Colin and I had fun swimming with the twins.  And it was very apparent we need more swim lessons!

After the party, and since we were in Monroe, we knew my mom was sick (with a bad head cold) and my parents would probably love some help with chores and a homemade meal so we ran thru a grocery store and then stopped by.  I made lasagna and Liam and i picked up all the pruning sticks my dad (89 years young) had just finished doing.  What a fun day to spend with both my sister and her son plus my parents. 

Today started off not so great.  I had planned to return to attend church at our 'old' church which I miss so much but woke to a flat tire on the van.  And I mean FLAT tire.  So Colin was busy replacing the tire but not in time for church.  Bummer.  Unloaded the twins and changed my plans for the day.  I did have plans to meet Hannah for coffee and help her on her senior culminating project, a high school requirement, which she is doing for Down syndrome outreach.  Since she is staying at her dad's house mostly, I really treasure the time that I see her. She is doing great with recovery but relationships are still stressful so our time together is usually stressful for her and I'm so sorry for those feelings.  Although she cancelled our coffee, she and her boyfriend Brandon came over for dinner (spaghetti and caesar salad plus apple dumpling desserts) and a rouing game of monopoly. 

 The boys having fun with their sister while she had time to play with them. 

Brandon and Liam as monopoly parteners

I forget what day this was taken on but I just love the way God can paint a sky!

Tommy and Liam really get into their mini air hockey table fun!

Lots going on this week to look forward too.  I'm having a small procedure on Monday (and kinda anxious so I would appreciate prayers for comfort and peace), Tuesday we will be in Seattle all day at Children's and then me and Colin have a surprise planned (shhh, he turns 50!!)

2011 in review

Happy New Year!  It's hard to believe it's 2012, that date just sounds odd to me and hopefully the newness will wear off on it.  I thought it would be fun to look back on 2011 in review and see all our family has done, grown, seen, and been encouraged by.

The year started off with potty training Liam which was a huge success for not only him but sure did lessen the load for twin diapers.  Colin had knee surgery also at the beginning of the year to remove a small cyst from under his knee cap so he was home recovering for many weeks.  We enjoyed meeting more families with kiddos with Down syndrome at the Spring Fling and Buddy Walk and many park events, so much fun and so many new friends! 

We started "Operation G-tube wean" with Tommy in the spring of 2011 and that ended on 10/5/11 with successfully taking the Gtube out while at home one day and his stoma has healed so nicely on it's own.  He is sipping from sippy cups and eating orally.  Oh what a blessing that has been.

All six of us enjoyed talking at a Grange in the summer time about what it means to have a family member with Down syndrome and what a wonderful lifetime Tommy has. 

August was busy with a two week vacation to Montana for all six of us.  Followed by a month for Hannah being admitted inpatient to a youth alcohol treatment facility.  We are so happy to support her recovery and watch as she walks courageously on in that battle. 

September the teenagers returned to Running Start which is college classes at our community college so that they can receive some college credit along with their high school diploma.  Hannah enjoyed cheerleading for basketball and Nate has been training with his dad to compete in an Olympic distance triatholon in Kona, HI in April 2012. 

Thanksgiving and Christmas were wonderful family times and I'll post pictures soon as I'm catching up on blogging.  What a great year 2011 was and we really appreciated YOUR encouragement and prayers.