I Heart Faces..."We are Family"

Yay, I finally have had my computer back consistently for about two weeks or so. I have had major problems with it and barely been able to check email let alone edit pics. This week's theme is "We are Family" and the details and rules are ....

It doesn’t matter to us at all if your photo represents a “traditional” family or a “non-traditional” family. We are looking for photos that show off a cool way to capture a family together…be fun, creative, unique and enter the most awesome photo you can! We would also like each photo entry to have at least one (1) adult in it and even possibly a wide variety of ages represented.

What we don’t want to see?? A photo with just children in it.

My choice is K getting her first teeth cleaning. I know you are probably wondering how this is family related. Well our hygienist happens to be my sister-in-law. She is showing K what the little brush felt like so she would know when she had to use it to clean her teeth. So when I was going through my pictures trying to figure out which picture I wanted to use (cause wow, I have a lot with just kids, guess it's time to branch out huh?), I saw this one and thought it was perfect.

Head on over to I Heart Faces to see some more family pics. Don't forget to leave some love. Also if you want to see this picture clearer and better, head on over to my photo blog.

BTW, if you are wondering how K did with her first cleaning...well she showed her Aunt K just how stubborn she can actually be. She wouldn't let the dentist check her mouth, but luckily her teeth are healthy, and there weren't any tears, and her aunt has all her fingers, so I guess it was a success.

Trick on the boys

So the boys have a habit of getting up early on the weekends and during holidays. We try and tell them to stay in bed and relax. They are up any way, being very loud. Well we found out last night that there would be no school today because of the hazardous conditions from the weather. I decided not to tell the boys and get a little payback. We got them up and ready like we do any other school day. They went outside on the front porch and looked at the snow. After a couple of minutes I tell them that there is no school today because it is a snow day. You wanna see their reactions? Well just watch the video below.

What a difference 10 year makes!!

I had been planning on just doing a year in review but after reading Mrs. O'Kelley's blog I thought I would give it a try. So here goes.

I decided to do from 1999 to 2009.

1999: Wow was this ever a year. I graduated high school this year and started my first sememster of college. I found out I was pregnant and got engaged. I was married this year as well. All this before I turned 19...which I did in December of 99. Brian and I as well as his whole family suffered the loss of Brian's dad, Dan. He had been fighting cancer for many years. The way I think of it is that God must have thought that Dan would have been more useful in heaven looking over us without cancer invading his body. Brian was hired on full time at work (he had been co-oping for a few years before all of this). This was wonderful because it meant healthcare and his pay was salary not hourly. I dropped out of the college I was in.

2000: Steven was born in April. We lived with my mother-in-law. We lived in the basement which had been converted into an apartment. Brian and I celebrated our first year of marriage in November.

2001: Who can forget those terrorist attacks?!? We bought our first home (well as of right now our only home) in December. I turned 21 this year. Brian graduated from Southern Tech College in December of this year as well.

2002: I stayed home with Steven while learning how to be a wife, mother and homeowner. We took our first family vacation to the beach this year.

2003: Matthew was born in October of this year, making us a family of 4. Matthew develped Pneumonia and was hospitalized for 3 days in November. Steven started 3 year Pre-K.

2004: I did a little subbing here and there to try and supplement our income a little.

2005: I started working as a two year pre-k teacher and Matthew went to school with me. Steven started Kindergarten. Brian and I purchased our mini-van (which I still have and LOVE). This is the year we decided to change churches. We moved our membership to a church that is closer to home and the worship style was more our style.

2006: Our daughter, Kendall was born in November. I went back to subbing since I was pregnant.

2007: I ended up finishing out the year teaching for a friend who had left in February to have her baby. I had my first ever jury duty.

2008: Brian was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He had surgery to remove the tumor and did 15 rounds of radiation (preventitive measures). He did so good with everything.

2009: Brian was cancer free for a year in July. I started a new job at a new preschool in January working 2 days a week and Kendall came with me. In August I returned but now helping to teach a new age...3!! I had my 10 year high school reunion. Brian had his first ever jury duty. Most important...WE CELEBRATED OUR 10 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!! Wow how awesome is that?!?!

I know I am probably missing a few things, but I have heard you loose a little bit of your brain with each child you have..well guys I have had 3 kids and my brain wasn't that big to begin with. =) Throughout the years we have made many friendships. We have lost friendships and made old friendships closer. We have lost loved ones and gained so many more. I am so glad that I did this. I is making more excited out what the next 10 years will hold. I recommend everyone do this if possible.

I hope to not make my next blog post so distant.

Stay tuned....

there is a blog post coming.