12 YEARS ~ WOW!

The above pictures are from 6.27 when we celebrated Z's birthday with her. Here are more pics, if you would like to see them.

Otanjyoubi omedoto

otanjyoubi omedeto

otanjyoubi omedeto Zapata san

tanjyoubi omedeto!

Otanjyoubi omedoto

otanjyoubi omedeto

otanjyoubi omedeto Zapata san

tanjyoubi omedeto!!!




We love you and hope you have wonderful celebrations.

I am so proud of you! Saving $180 of your earned money from your job and buying yourself an iPod Touch is so neat! That just amazes me! Keep up that mindset and you will be able to accomplish a lot in your life. May your 12th year be richly blessed by the LORD.

~I LOVE YOU SIS~

ALOHA.

Random Things

Last night I tackled a recipe that I was a little nervous about. The recipe was for Mulitgrain English Muffins out of the Martha Stewart magazine. The reason I was a little nervous was because yeast was in the recipe and it is required to let it raise 2 different times, which I have avoided recipes that include those 2 things more often than not. BUT! They turned out! They were a little on the thick side, and were a little doughy. Today, however, they are better. I think they were able to dry out a little more last night, so today they don't seem so doughy.


1ST TIME TO RISE


THE FINISHED PRODUCT


This morning after I got home from the YMCA and was getting ready to put Gabe down, my cousin Erika called. She called my cell first and then the land line. I missed both calls, but called her right back. She was calling me to tell me, her brother, Christian, my other cousin, got really sick on Saturday. He threw up all day until 9:30pm. Family wanted to take him to the ER on Saturday, but he refused. He has recently just had a 2nd back surgery, so I am sure he has had his share of hospitals for a while. I don't remember what exactly happened Sunday, but they ended up going to the ER. They found blood in his abdomen, and did surgery right away. They removed 2 liters of blood and don't know where it was coming from. All of his internal organs are fine, nothing is open and bleeding. He is in ICU. Today they ran some tests on his arteries, and haven't gotten the results back. Needless to say, this was a big shocker and is upsetting not knowing what is going on with his body. We are praying for all of them. We are expecting good news soon!

UPDATE: It looks like the all the blood that was in Christians abdomen was from all the pain killers he has been taking. I guess the pain killers thin your blood, so they think something around the esophagus happened to allow the blood into the abdomen area. They don't really know though. BUT, it looks like it is nothing serious, so that IS GREAT!! Thanks for your continued prayers, we all appreciate it.

Yesterday we set up our little pool. It is a wading pool that Carson can play in and we can cool off in. Today, I didn't get him out of his jammies as early as normal and I put lots of sunscreen on him and put on "big boy pants" since we were going to be going out and getting in the pool. He did pretty good with telling me when he had to go potty. He went about 4 times in the potty (one time he started to go, stopped and then told me he had to go and finished in the potty) and then he went completely in his pants and we had to clean everything up and get outside in the pool! He also went a couple times outside. The process HAS started. I just gotta keep up with it and keep working on it. He is so cute running around in big boy pants and no diapers.

While we were outside I had to water all our veggies. Earlier this morning, the person who mowes came and mowed the lawn, like they normal do every couple of weeks. While I was watering my sugar snap peas I noticed a bunch of them were a couple inches above the ground. They had gotten weed whacked, and were cut about 2 inches from the roots. I was SO SAD! I called my mom and Trever crying to both of them. I picked the peas that were ready and the ones that were soft on the broken sections. Now that time has passed, I am still sad, but not so mad. Apparently sugar snap peas don't like heat and fizzle off once it gets really hot, and since it is supposed to be about 100* starting Wednesday, it was going to happen sooner or later. I was just thinking it would happen from natural reasons and not machine reasons. Oh well. I will try again next year.

Last week I started to prepare the extra room for Gabe. Yesterday we got the crib and it is almost ready for use. It's weird to think about him sleeping in there. We will see how we do. :)

This morning I washed our sheets and hung them on the line to dry...I just love them smell of clean, fresh sheets!

That is all for now. I'll do my best to keep you posted on the situation with my cousin.

ALOHA.

3 Months Young

This week Gabe turned 3 months young on the 25Th. I did my best to "re-create" some pictures from when Carson turned 3 months young, using the same outfits. They definitely have their own looks. Carson's head is much rounder than Gabe's.

Enjoy looking at the pics!

ALOHA!

3 OUNCES

Today I took Gabe up to the hospital again for a weigh in. I thought since he will be 3 months young TOMORROW (already!?) that we should see what he was at. 15.1# and 25". He gained 3 ounces in the last week and apparently grew 1/2". My goodness! I am so amazed that these last 3 months have flown by so fast! I remember after I had Carson and was talking to Sandra, getting her much needed advice that she said, "after 3 months things get easier." It felt like 3 months was so long (I was looking to the future and wondering when it would be here)and now with Carson being 2 1/2, Gabe at 3 months, it seems like those 3 months are now, oohh, about a day! Amazing how time does fly!

We had a couple rough days last week. Carson with some attitude and us trying to deal with it and get past it. But I had a great talk with an experienced mom who has two girls ages 7 1/2 and 5 1/2. Some much needed advice and input on how to handle the attitude. Reminded me on how to get to the heart of the matter and not just keep everything superficial. Getting God in there and learning from Him and the Bible.

All of our moods have gotten a lot better this week. Carson is just so cute. Yesterday after his nap, he was eating some almonds that I had in a baggy and he said, "here, let me bite it for you" and gave me the other half. Wonder where he learned that?! :) His little comments (usually) bring a smile to my face. He also is saying "sanks" for everything! Opening the door, getting him lunch, his water, a spoon...everything! It's really sweet.

Anywho, just wanted to update a little. Until next time...

ALOHA!

Track Meet

Last night we went to the last track meet of the year. Carson participated in the 50m, 100m 200m (which I ran with him), long jump, the javelin, and the baseball throw (he threw it 20 feet). He did a great job for being 2 1/2 and doing these types of events for the first time. He even got his arms pumping during the runs a couple of times.

After we got to the car he said, "Thanks for going to meet." He had a great time and slept in until after 7am this morning! YEAH! :)

Random Pictures

CONVERSATION

This dialog happened between Trever and Carson when Trev went to get Carson out of his room this morning.

C: Did you just wake up?
T: No, I took the car to Pop's office and rode my bike home.
C: Did you crash?
T: No.
C: Did you hit deer?
T: No, the deer are night-night resting.
C: Do the deer have piddows (pillows)?

Just wanted to share a little of what we hear often. Our wonderful 2 1/2 year olds little brain working hard.

ALOHA!

Last Year

In July we had a Family Reunion with the Coster's, the Crowe's and the Parish's. On the 28Th we went to some event in the park and had a big picnic and listened to a band. The Parish's had to leave, that is why they aren't in any of these pics.



While everyone was together, Trever, myself, and Carson...


...had something to tell everyone. We were having ANOTHER BABY!

Some months later, Gabe is here. Last night we went to the first city band concert in the park where we made the announcement last year. Pretty amazing that little Gabe is here with us, blessing us each and every day.








~~ALOHA~~

"So, my dear brothers and sisters, BE STRONG AND STEADY, ALWAYS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE LORD'S WORKS, for you know that NOTHING YOU DO FOR THE LORD IS EVER USELESS." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Silly me

So, I know this is kinda cheezy, but I wanted to tell all of you that look at our blog, family and friends...I love you! I felt like I needed to tell you that, so there ya go.

Have a great day!!!

Today is a good Day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE DEBBIE!!!
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

WE LOVE YOU!

New Trick

This is Gabe trying to look behind him at the TV. UGH! What is with our boys and TV??? :)


This is us hanging out while Carson was riding his bike. He got the bike from Kai a couple weeks ago and when he sees anyone, he tell them he got a new bike. The training wheels came from Gramma this week. YEAH!! 6.14.09

Kristin was nice enough to let us borrow the "Oh, Oh, Bunny" and "So Mad, Bunny" books to try to help us realize that when we are mad we need to pray and not rip our books apart. After us reading them a couple times together this morning, Carson was looking at them by himself.

Gabe's new thing this week is his tongue.


All smiles.

Bike Riding

The top video is Carson going down hill, the bottom one is of him going up hill.

So happy for me!

We have had 2 nights in a row of good sleep. Gabe has been having his last feedings at 10:30 or 11pm and sleeping until 7 or 7:30! I am so happy and proud of my 11 1/2 week old! We just gotta keep it up now...

1 Year Already!

Today, June 13th is a special Day (the official day).

This month, a year ago, we had all the Coster's over for a spaghetti dinner, a couple nights before Garin, Sandra, Cole and Kai left for China to get Gemma. A long 3 week trip that changed all of our lives, only for the better, they came home with a B-E-A-U-tiful daughter.

Here they are right before leaving our house. 6.9.08.


Here is Sandra and her beautiful daughter, Gemma.
2 Brothers and 1 Sister.

Here is a picture of Gemma (her brothers, and her cousin) experiencing the 4th of July for the 1st time.


I think this is the first picture I had taken with my niece.

And here she is with her dad, throwing poppers.

And now, to present day. Myself, Gabe in the front pack, Cole, Gemma and Kai. 6.7.09.

Gemma, we are so happy you became part of our family. We look forward to celebrating with you for many years to come! ~~~Luv You~~~

Through it All

There is a song called "Through it all," on a CD called "Hiding Place," by the group SELAH. Words and Music by Andrae Crouch.

Carson and I listen to this CD a couple times a week. I just love this CD. And this song. Please read the lyrics and think about what they have to say.

Verse 1
I've had many tears and sorrows,
I've had questions for tomorrow,
there's been times I didn't know right from wrong.
But in every situation,
God gave me blessed consulation,
that my trials come to only make me strong.

Chorus
Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to trust in Jesus,
I've learned to trust in God.

Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word.

Verse 2
I've been to lots of places,
I've seen a lot of faces,
there's been times I felt so all alone.
But in my lonely hours,
yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus lets me know that I was His own

Chorus
Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to trust in Jesus,
I've learned to trust in God.

Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word.

Verse 3
I thank God for the mountains,
and I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I'd never had a problem,
I wouldn't know God could solve them,
I'd never know what faith in God could do.


My favorite couple of lines are:
For if I'd never had a problem,
I wouldn't know God could solve them,
I'd never know what faith in God could do.

I know we are all going through our own mountains and valleys, but we have to remember the Lord does take care of us. He WILL get us through it! For if I'd never had a problem, I wouldn't know God could solve them, I'd never know what faith in God could do. God can solve them! We have to be able to let Him solve it His way and not our way...His way IS the better way. It brings tears to my eyes to read and reread those couple of lines. He can solve it! Whatever it is, He can.

"I thank you Jesus for taking care of each and everyone of us. Thank you for bringing our children home to us, thank you for providing for us, thank you for your new mercy's everyday! I thank you and praise you Jesus. In Jesus precious name, Amen."

A special Day

Today, some young years ago, a little girl was born into the world. Her name: Linda. She grew up and had 4 boys. 3 of those boys also had boys and adopted a girl. To all her grand kids, her name is Mimi.

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday, Dear Mimi!

Happy Birthday to You!

We love you Mimi and hope you have a very Happy Birthday!





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Thanks for being our Mimi~~~~~~~~~~~~

LOVE

Carson just did this new trick the other day. He decided to hang on the fridge door and then lift up his legs. He cracks me up!



This is the first time Gabe met his "friends" (as we called them with Carson). He is talking up a storm to them here in the picture.
The boys had another bath together. Carson is so sweet to Gabe. Kissing him and wanting to be there right next to him. Gabe needs a title over his head that reads, "wide load." I love, love, love his chub! It is so cute!


Brotherly love. My cute boys. Aren't our (meaning yourself and your kids) kids just the cutest ever! The love parents have for the kiddos amazes me!

Carson talking

Yesterday I went to a baby shower and got this little box of chocolate covered almonds, and mint chocolate balls. He just got up from his nap and said he wanted a "treat" and pointed to the top of the fridge where I put them this morning. So, I said he could have one, and Pop got it for him. He ate half and asked me, "You want bite, mom?" And I said sure, and took it out of his hand to have a bite. During that he said, "Just a tiny one, mom." He is such a talker and a funny one too! The things they say, just crack me up!!! :)

This week we have been learning our very first bible verse. "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not die, but have eternal life. " John 3:16. Carson is doing a great job learning it and repeating after me.

Over Due

My mom and our dear friend, Kristin, made Carson a blanket before he was born that is similar to the one Gabe is laying on. It has a couple of the same prints, but has more browns than blues. They also made one for Gabe, which I was so HAPPY about. We have Trever's old blanket that I think Auntie Barb made for him when he was a baby or a young child. I plan to keep that one and these 2 for many years to come.



Thank you mom and Kristin for making this very special blanket. I love it and it really means a lot to me.