Maren the Gymnast

We have had high hopes for our little gymnast and tonight she proved them all true. It was Maren's first night of gymnastics and she did great by listening to the coach, participating and doing most things correctly.



While an incredibly flexible kid she can be somewhat klutzy and not completely coordinated but even with those small things working against here she shined! She really loved it too and her gymnastics center is top notch - great equipment, great coach and lots of action.



I did spend 45 minutes trying to explain to Preston why I didn't sign him up. I think he was drooling over the 10 foot long trampoline that she bounced down multiple times. The good news for him is that Maren is having her 3rd Birthday Party there in about 1.5 wks and Preston will be celebrating his 5th at the same place shortly after.



Preston made this snowman at school today and its by far one of my favorites pieces. It's just seems so happy and gave me a huge reason to smile. Snowman will be living in the kitchen for awhile.

Poems for Grandpa

The kids and I read a few of these today and we picked our 2 favorites.

In Our Hearts
We thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new.

We thought about you yesterday,
And the days before that, too.

We think of you in silence.
We often speak your name.

Now all we have is memories,
And your picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake,
With which we'll never part.

God has you in His Keeping.
We have you in our Heart.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me,
and I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me:

I wish you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too:

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand.

And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity.
And all I've promised you.
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things

You knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?"

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.

Grandpa we miss you!

It was so wonderful to see you get to know Preston and Maren. I only wish we had more time to share with you.

I know you will always be watching over them and appreciate knowing they will always have an Angel on their shoulders. You were such a strong man and a heroic fighter of so many things.

I only wish you were still part of our lives. It is heartbreaking to lose you today so unexpectedly. We love and miss you Grandpa.

yep, we are alive!

Barely!!!

Let's start off with this face Maren made most of Monday night while at the hospital. She made this face when telling the doctors "I won't eat poop anymore".



This is the poop she is referring too - thanks Nana!



Actually she will be fine, Preston and her were playing around and some how the poop ended up in her mouth (peer pressure??) and then she accidentally swallowed (because who would want to swallow poop - real or fake). Then they spent 15 minutes rolling on the ground laughing about it and then they told me the truth. I was pretty sure she was fine but the pediatrician had us bring her in just so they could locate the magnet in her belly. It should make its way out in the next 2-3 days!

A heads up to anyone who lets their kids play unsupervised while they work, this could happen to your pool table! Notice the strategically placed dog tail(he was too dumb to move). How in the world did they get all those pillows and blankets past me (some are in the basement but most are from their beds - BAD MOM).



The kids love it and I remember going to Grandma's house and doing the same thing so the fort stands until somebody needs to play pool.

Thank you, Santa!!!

Christmas Eve - We made homemade pizzas, tucked the kids into bed and then wrapped and organized so it came out just perfect. Santa happily ate the cookies the kids baked and frosted for him along with taking a few carrots for the reindeer.


It was a perfect morning, both kids slept in until 7:30 and for the first time in her life we had to wake Maren up (go figure). Preston investigated and determined Santa left the presents under their Christmas tree in the bonus room instead of downstairs.


I was in good shape because I had time alone to get organized and make coffee and GR was fully rested so he was up when both kids got up. Although he was very grateful for the hot cup of coffee.


Both kids opened all their gifts and are over the moon, so much was exactly what they asked and wrote to Santa for which helps keep the mystery alive. We have some fan favorites with the Kitchen Appliances, Trace & Draw Projector, Horses and the Barbie Dog that poops (yep, you feed it and it poops but don't worry it comes with a pooper scooper).


The rest of the day will be playing with toys and perhaps venturing out to sled or ice skate on the pond. Otherwise I will cook a large Thanksgiving like meal with Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing Roasted Veggies and Green Casserole.




Have a very Merry Christmas!

Santa Says

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Thanks Uncle Shane & Aunt Lyndsey

I was hyped up to do massive projects today, it might have been the 6 cups of good coffee I had (wink, wink).

We made Salt Dough Ornaments yesterday so this morning we painted them (and the floor, 2 cabinets and the wall into the bathroom).


Then we shoveled and played outside and the kids ate snow. Weird, I know!


Then we built the Robot that Uncle Shane & Aunt Lynsey sent (spot on with all the gifts). Maren would have helped but she was caught up in forsey land (horsey land).