Where does she come up with this stuff?

Easter Sunday, we went to my parents for lunch.  My aunt and uncle were in town visiting as well.  We had a terrific lunch and then retired to the living room for some relaxation, easter egg hunts, and just some good ol' fun!  At one point, Hanna says, "Oh!  I farted!  I'm going to wear out my pants!"

Two Birthdays!!!

Oh my!  Where does the time go?  Since the lat time I blogged, we have had two birthdays in our family.  So, here is my tribute to both of these special people:

Erik:  He celebrated his birthday on the 19th.  The poor guy's day was spent working and then when he got home, I left for worship practice while he took care of one very sick Alyson and the other 3 girls.  Not exactly the way anyone should have to celebrate their special day.  Well, he got to go to Myrtle Beach to celebrate a couple days later, so I think it worked out just fine.  So, babe!  If you're reading this, know that I love you.  What an honor to get to celebrate the day you were born!  Next year, I promise to make it more memorable!  Besides, it will be your ___th birthday!  Love you!

Alyson:  So, who would have thought that her birthday would EVER land on Easter Sunday.  I sure didn't, but this year, it does.  She is very excited to share this special day with hers'.  On top of that, she is entering double digits!  It's her tenth birthday.  Oh my!  I can hardly believe it.  Alyson, you are growing up way to quickly.  I am not prepared for all the changes that are going on around us, but I won't let that stop me from figuring it out.  You are a beautiful young lady and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for you.  May year 10 be as wonderful as you.  I love you!

Need a Change

I am not even sure what to write at this point, but just need to change my blog so I don't see Hanna's sorry picture below.  It just makes me sad.  So, the update on her is that she is one tough, amazing little girl!  She had her top 3 teeth out today and came through with flying colors.  Last step will be to get her stitches out on Wednesday.  Then, on to healing.  Thank you for your prayers.  That was one of the most traumatic events we've had in our family and I am glad we are on the other side of it and hoping it never happens again!

Have a happy day!

Hanna's Accident

March 24, 2011 ended not quite the way I thought it would.  We were all prepared to head to church.  Meghan was waiting in the van while we waited for Alyson, Kelli, and Hanna to come back from up the street where they had been riding bikes.  I was sitting in the front seat looking up the street as I saw the girls come over the hill.  I said to Erik, "Hanna is bookin' it!"  I was wondering how in the world she was going to slow down, and just assumed she would continue down the street until she slowed and then she would turn around.

As she went behind the van, I turned my head to watch her continue down the street and instead, I caught a sight that I hope soon leaves my memory.  Instead of continuing down the street, she came up on the driveway and slammed into the side of Erik's parked car.  It was awful.  She immediately began screaming as I was rushing to find out what she had done.  Immediately, blood was pouring out of her mouth.

And, here is the part that I really wanted you to read and the reason for the post.  At about the time we were trying to figure out where the blood was coming from, our UPS driver was making his way up our driveway to deliver a package.  This man has been our driver ever since we moved into this neighborhood almost 7 years ago.  He has always been so nice to our family.  In fact, when Alyson was 4, she shared with him that she got new underwear!  He didn't even miss a step.  He congratulated her with a big smile on his face!

Back to the story!  After leaving our package on our front steps, he came back and gently put his arm around Alyson (who was crying and scared) and told her it would be ok.  He stayed for several minutes until it was obvious that we were about to get in our car to leave.  He told us he'd been through a similar situation and knew everything would be just fine.  I was so grateful for this man, a virtual stranger, who stopped to console my child during a time when I really couldn't attend to her.  Thank you, UPS, for hiring such a man!

A huge shout out of thanks goes to Amanda and family for letting us drop the girls off so Erik and I could both go to Urgent Care with Hanna.  You are a life saver!

So, after 4 stitches in her upper lip and a trip to the dentist, she is doing quite well.  We are waiting for the swelling in her gums to go down so 3 of her teeth can be pulled.  Not exactly how I thought we'd get the tooth fairy to visit our sweet Hanna.  Thankfully, that is all that is wrong and she is still with us.

The older 3 girls' were very scared and upset, but the love and concern they showed their little sister just melted my heart.  It is truly a gift from God to see how much they all love each other.

A Copy Cat Post

My friend, Tara, just wrote a post about her son and being a ladies man.  As I read it, I thought of a similar story with my own daughter.  I figured I might as well share my story via blog.  So, here it is:

Yesterday, Kelli came home from school and told me that she told a boy in her class that she liked him.  Now, if you know Kelli at all, she is very reserved and quiet.  I was surprised she told him that.  Pretty bold move in my opinion.  Then she said she asked him if he liked her and he said he kind of did.  Wow!  Even more bold!  Then she asked him if he wanted to ride bikes after school, but he couldn't because he won't be home after school.  By the way, this boy lives down the road from us.  So, they made "plans" to ride bikes Thursday after school.  Does that constitute as a date?  And, if so, did my daughter just ask a boy out?  That's even more bold!  Oh, my!  Totally not prepared for this...

Hannaisms

This morning was worth a blog.  Here are a few stories all revolving around my sweet Hanna!

1.  After returning home from dropping her sisters off at a school, I sat on the couch in our former dining room (yes, former, not formal) to read my bible for a bit.  Hanna came over a while later, grabbed the bible and began looking at the maps in the back.  She asked, "Mommy, show me where our house is."  After explaining that our house wasn't on those mpas, she asked what they were for then.  So, we discussed what they were for.

2.  She continued to look at my bible, turning page after page.  As she was doing this, she began preaching.  This is what it sounded like (please be forewarned and forgive her crudity):  "God gives us our pee and our poo.  He gives us the song in our head.  He gives us joy in our heart."  So, I laughed at the pee and poo part.  She repeated it a few more times.  It began to lose its' funniness (is that  word?) so I didn't laugh anymore.  She said it one more time and then under her breath I heard, "That's not funny anymore, sooo, He gives us our joy..." and on and on.

3.  I was saying goodbye to Hanna and she asked me where I was going.  I told her I was going to meet with Pastor Scott and Paige (our worship leader).  She replied, "Ohhhhh!  You're going to go worshipping!"

What a random child!  But, I love her.  She makes me laugh so many times throughout the day!

How it All Began

Sixteen years ago today, I married my best friend.  Here is how it all began:

The summer after my freshman year of college, I decided to join 2 of my friends and work at a conference center called Mission Springs in Scotts Valley, California (near Santa Cruz).  My friend, Abby, had already worked several weekends there and knew some of the year round staff.  She swore she was going to marry the red head, so naturally, my objective would be to help set them up.

I got a job working as an assistant cook in the main kitchen.  For  those of who know me, don't let the irony of that escape you.  I arrived at the end of May 1993 for orientation where I was introduced to Abby's friend, Erik.  Now I knew who the target was.  I was in luck too, because Erik would be training me.  Opportunities were boundless!

There was one particular night, that several of the staff were headed to the beach for a bonfire.  I drove

up to Frontier Ranch (the kid camp) to pick up a guy named Chris.  He was talking to Erik and I said, "Time to bust a move, Abby!"  Turns out, Chris was asking Erik to join us, which he did.

Fast forward to the beach now, where everyone is sitting around the fire and goofing off.  Erik was rather quiet and I was trying to figure out how to get Abby and him closer.  He hadn't spoken much all night, but when he did, I did a double take.  Erik's first words to the group were, "So, why did you guys come this summer?  To just have fun or to get closer to God and serve?"

What did he just say?  Who is THAT guy?  This was the beginning for me.  From that point forward, all the time spent with him was different.  I found that I was beginning to like this guy!  Problem!!!  Abby and I had always said we would never let a guy get in between us, so I was determined to not pursue anything with this guy.  Only thing was, Abby knew me too well and she could tell I liked him and she let me know she knew.  I had her approval to move forward.

That was the best summer of my life.  I really thought once I left Scotts Valley and headed back to college that it would be the end of everything.  I wasn't looking for more than some summer romance anyway.  Reality was, that when I had to say good bye, I really didn't want to.  I had fallen hard for this guy.  We then went from seeing each other every day, to a long distance relationship and it was the hardest thing ever.

We continued dating long distance until we could no longer take it.  We were engaged in December of 1994 with plans to marry in a year or so.  By March of 1995, we were done!  Not with each other.  Don't make assumptions.  I went to visit Erik on March 17th armed with places to call for weddings.  I called a retired judge and he had an opening...THE NEXT DAY!  When Erik got off work, I asked him, "Hey, you want to get married tomorrow?"  "Sure!" he responded.  Done deal!  We were married by a retired judge on March 18, 1995.  Then, I went back to live at my parents for another month until I could finish out my quarter of school and transfer to San Jose.

So, there you have it.  That is our story of how we met and married.  Today, we celebrate that.  Thank you Erik for 16 years of fun.  You are still my best friend and I love you more each day than the day I met you.  I didn't think it would be possible to love someone more, but it is.  Happy Anniversary, babe!  You rock!