Long time ... no blog

I know, I know ... it's been a really long time. So instead of blogging several separate entries, I'm going to post a load of pictures, hopefully this will make up for my lack of blogging. Hopefully.

Visit with Grammy and Grandad ...


Indoor Camping with our Neighbors ...

Trip to the Train Park ...

Halloween ...

Visit to the Pumpkin Patch ...

You know you're from Arizona when ...

• 107 degrees isn't that bad
• you wear flip flops all year long
• you swim in 90 degree water
• you put Christmas lights on your cactus
• you think there's beauty to the desert
• you jump at the chance to play in the rain ... when it actually happens

What a beautiful thing the rain is. Bring on the monsoon!

Fun announcing #2

I got a little more creative the second time around. We decided to tell our family by shirt message ... you know just wait for them to notice. Of course when I called my parents and told them to check their e-mail, I kind of spelled it out for them. Since Jason's parents are local, we had a lot of fun with them. Kalyn came over wearing the shirt and it took Jana about 5 seconds to notice it. Of course I got it all on video, it was awesome ... and today I realized that while playing with the camera, Kalyn must have deleted the video. Add nausea to nausea ... that's how I feel right now. I feel like I just got punched in the stomach, it was such a great video. Maybe one day I'll forgive her. Maybe.

Well, the shirt message idea was so fun with Kalyn, I decided to try it out for myself. So, I made a "Knocked Up" shirt. I tried it out on my friends Stephanie and Rachael ... worked like a charm. So, I wore it to work the next week. It was pretty funny watching the faces once they actually read it and realized what it was saying. It was mostly well received. For anyone offended by my knocked up shirt, I mostly apologize, I just can't help pushing the envelope some. For the rest of you who thought it was funny, thanks for letting me play, I appreciate you appreciating my sense of humor.

I appologize for the (not so brief) interruption in blogging

I go in phases ... sometimes I'm 'pro' blogging/facebook/e-mail ... but other times I'm definitely 'con'. Seeing that's it's been 3 months, I should at least update my pictures. For those of you who actually check, I hope this makes up for it...

Daddy / Daughter Dance

What's not precious about a Dad taking his daughter on a date!

Dada's Home!

Jason's home!
I do not like the life of a single mom, and I repeat do not like ... NO LIKEY. I have to give credit to my sister and sister in law for doing it well. I only had to be one for 2 weeks, they've done it for much longer. Hats off to you guys.


Here's why I don't like it ...

• I don't like looking in the closet at 3:00 am because I heard a sound
• And therefore, don't like sleeping (with one eye open)
• I don't like taking the trash out
• I don't like the evenings when I want a break but have no one to share it with
• And most of all, I don't like NOT having Jason around.

I'm just glad Jason is not a job traveler. In the meantime, we did have some time to prepare Dada's return ... we made shirts.

Welcome Home Dada!

1 Year Tribute

Baby Girl Turns 1

I have to admit that the first 4 months were not as pleasant as I thought they would be. I had visions of cuddling my new child, putting her down for a nap, getting a cup of coffee, and doing some reading. Hah ... more like sleep deprivation and diaper blow outs. There was even a stretch of 3 days I didn't brush my teeth, not out of laziness ... I just plain forgot.

Then came the following 6 months ... I must quote the wise words of Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber ... and totally redeemed themselves! What an absolute joy Kalyn Kay has been to us ... and to everyone who knows and plays with her.

We had her birthday party a few days early. It was such a blessing to celebrate with our family (doting grandparents and uncle) and best friends. I can't believe Kalyn's 1. Happy Birthday Sweet Pumpkin Head!

First taste of sugar ... she liked it, of course!

G-ma and Grand pa ... our neighbors and KK's friends.

She is all smiles.

She loved the balloons as much as presents.

Our wonderful family and friends.

Christmas

I don't think I've ever cried during a Christmas Eve service ... that is until this year. These past few weeks leading up to Christmas have been filled with a different emotion for me ... sadness. I've become involved in a few students lives who are struggling through some really hard things. It pains my heart to see our young girls struggling in this fallen and sinful world. Their struggle is very real as their world seems to be slowly devouring them. I hate that they hurt, and I hate that they have to suffer. I hate that our world is full of sin ... which leads me back to the Christmas Eve service. As we sang my favorite Christmas song, Oh Holy Night, I couldn't stop the water works ...

Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices ... The King of kings lay thus lowly manger; In all our trials born to be our friends. He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger ... Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

I cried as we celebrated our savior entering this world to save us from all the junk that surrounds us. The only thing I can do to express my gratefulness to my Jesus is to "Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born; O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!"

What a great Christmas celebration we had this year!