Christian Fiction- December

While I was on break, not only did I spend lots of time with my two lovely kids, but I also was able to read.....lots!  It was everything I dreamed it would be!

Lynn Austin
     Wonderland Creek
     Eve's Daughters
     All She Ever Wanted

Allison Pittman
     For Time and Eternity
     Forsaking All Others (Currently reading)

I would say that Eve's Daughters is a favorite.....but, I loved them all!  The Sister Wife series is a tough read, just because of the polygamy issue and you can actually feel the woman's pain.

"Hock'in Hills" -Charlie

 As soon as we got to the lodge, everyone heads straight for the hot tub.  I tried telling them about the thermophiles, but nobody listens to me.  Anyways!  They had a blast!

 I am pretty sure that mom had just as much fun as the kids did.  Ethan kept yelling, "this is the best day ever"!  That will make you feel happy in your heart.

 I am so glad we took games for the kids.  They didn't sit down for very long, but it did give us a mini-break from the noise.

 Look at that bed head!  Charlie slept with Nana the first night and her hair tells me she must have tossed and turned.

 Our fist location we went to was Cantwill Cliffs.  Charlie, "Ahhhhhh, look how beautiful that is!".  I am glad she was able to take in the scenery.

 I love the dirty looks she gives me.  All because I made her eat a taco salad.  She was total drama most of the trip.

 I was sitting on the edge of a cliff at Rock House.  Mom was spazzing out that I was too close to the edge.....but, it was amazing!

I was in pain most of the weekend, but I wasn't going to let it rain on my parade!  So, I used distraction to help me take my mind off the pain.  The climbing may have made things worse, but it was worth it!  You could see God's hand in all the beauty!

I blanked out the day we went to Rock House and totally forgot to grab Ethan's inhaler!  Guess who has an asthma attack at the bottom of the hike.  I look at Luke for the med and he looks at me.  "Oh, CRAP!"  So we did guided breathing and Luke hiked to the top with Ethan on his back.  Ethan is okay and Luke got a great workout, so I would say all is well.  But, I learned my lesson!  I will never forget it again.

I can't wait to go back to Hocking Hills to do more hiking.  If you are looking for great cabins or lodges, here is the place to go:  http://www.buffalofallslodge.com/.  I was extremely impressed with the cleanliness! -it is hard being a germ-a-phobe!

Charlie is 3!

Charlie's birthday celebration began on the Friday before at the House of Japan.  You know you eat there often when your child masters the chopsticks.  We went to lunch and they sang to her.  She loved the pineapple with the sparkler.  She did try with all her might to not smile, but she did not win the battle!

 September 12- Charlie was born!  It didn't even take her five minutes to come into this world.  I pushed twice and she was here!  I think that tells you something about that child.  She is my "fireball", "earth-shaker"!

 It would not be right to show something other than the true girl.  She cries way less than she use to, but she still cries way to much.  We had to bribe her with spearmint tea to get her to smile.

 I am glad to see the spearmint tea worked wonders with my little diva!  I love her outfit.

 Ethan is my sweet boy!  He was teaching Charlie how to play games like duck-duck-goose and hide-n-seek.  Fun.

 Waiting patiently!

 Loves the attention.

 After cake and ice cream, we went outside for a bonfire.  The kids and adults had marshmallows.  Yummy, sticky mess!

 No more war!

Thank you family for such a wonderful evening.

Random August Pics

 So, generally we love to be outside.  We do get creative and think of things to do with the kids.  Luke filled up water balloons and let the kids hit them with the tennis racket.  That will keep you cool.

 I am thinking this could be an ad for a lemon company.  I do not understand why the kids love to eat the lemons, but will not drink my fresh squeezed lemonade.  I am sure they need sugar in it!

 Charlie and Ethan love to help me cook dinner, when I do cook.  With school, there is little time for all the things I love to do.  We were making fried okra!  My favorite, well, one of my favorites!

 Seriously, Ethan was being sneaky and stealing a drink of my Dr Pepper!  I do not like my kids drinking things that are full of sugar and caffeine.  Bad combo for a kid on daily steroids!  Did you know that in the hospital if a G-tube (feeding tube) becomes clogged, they will add coke to dissolve it?

 This outfit makes me laugh.  She is a girl who knows what she wants!

 Why does my husband find a need to take a picture of me with my "mad face"?  Really?  You would not believe how many pictures he has taken of me with this expression.  I think that is when he loves me the most.  He says Charlie is just like me!  I say we are SPUNKY!

 Cetaphil in the hair!  9 washes later, still greasy!  Palmolive Oxy Power, still greasy.  Screaming!  Still greasy.  What else can I say?  It is Charlie.

Ethan has come up with a song for the dog:  "you are my Lady! and you will do what I say!  and I will love you forever!  and you will love me!"

Working

 The humidity was so bad that my camera was steaming up!  I had to actually wipe off my camera to take pictures! 

 I love that Charlie isn't afraid to get dirty.  Luke has to make Ethan play in the dirt.  I found out later that day that Charlie had played with a worm until it split in half, and then continued to play with it.  GROSS!

 My little cowboy.

New patio coming soon!