Merry Christmas!

May you and your family have a blessed CHRISTmas Day!

All our love! XOXO

Bravo Bravo!

Church was amazing today! Here is the link to listen to it once they have it up. The first part of church was touched by the Paradosi Ballet Company. They performed a lovely story called Commissioned: A Christmas Story.

This piece is a 40 minute Christmas production about Mary and Joseph, and how they were commissioned to be the parents of Christ. The beautifully orchestrated music includes excerpts from the motion picture soundtrack "Chocolat". This is a unique story that brings to life what might have been the history behind the calling placed on Mary and Joseph's lives. Commissioned is a one of a kind program that will leave you amazed at the love of our God and His desire to send a Savior.

Part of the story showed how Mary's friends reacted to her going to have a baby. To say the least, they were not nice to her. After they left and had had baby Jesus they had this lovely scene where Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus (he was a real baby in the show and was put in a wooden bassinet) where kneeling under a large wood cross. The other gals were dancing while a beautiful recording was played. It spoke about how baby Jesus needs to rest tonight because he was entering a world that would hate Him. To rest his sweet baby hands because he would be King, but would never have gold or silk. He would use his hands to heal people with leprosy. To rest his mouth, because God's word would be spoken out of it. To rest his baby feet, because he would walk and share God's love with many people.

It was just lovely. As I sat there crying, all I could think about was how God, the Father, knowingly and willingly gave His one and only Son for me. So that I could join him in heaven for all eternity! As a mom, I can't even being to comprehend how God felt with knowing that His Son was going to be put on a cross. It just amazes me. It is just mind boggling. I can't comprehend that love he has for strangers.

I know we are all busy with cards, gifts and cooking, remember as this Christmas Season is here, why we are celebrating. The greatest gift ever to be given is Jesus being born into this world, to save me and you. He loves you and wants to have a relationship with you this day.

I wish I could show you the ballet show from church. You can look at their site and if you get a chance, go see them! They are amazing!

Have a very Merry Christmas! Remember Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

We love you!

October pics

Here is a link to see October pictures of the Coster family!

Hope you are enjoying time with your loved ones this time of year! Don't forget the Reason for the Season! JESUS!

Praise Him!

My Birthday Celebration(s)

Well, another year has gone by which means I am a year wiser. :) There was a lot of celebrating this year!

It started on the 6th for the Coster family dinner.



Then it continued to a celebration at my moms a week later.

Gina, Jodie and me!

The next day with my besties.

Getting ready to go to a movie.

And believe it or not there is one more lunch date with two girlfriends. Needless to say, I am feeling very blessed and really appreciate every one taking time to be with me.

Aloha!

Lunch or Snooze?

Today while Gramma and Carson were out doing some errands, Gabe and I got some things done around the house. Dishes, laundry, polished some boots and started to work on lunch.

We didn't get too far with that event. :)




Hope you are all doing fantastic! This time of year is so crazy busy with us and our family. Birthdays, holidays, birthdays and more birthdays and then more holidays and so it continues until March 25th (Gabe's 2nd birthday). It makes the cold, not so fun weather go by a little faster which is very welcomed! ;)

Aloha.

A Word from the Lord for moms!

Thank you Ken for posting this on my FB wall!

I really needed to hear this and remember that the Lord has given me Carson and Gabe. And they are my job right now, to train them up in the Lord. They are beautiful gifts from the Lord and I need to remember that instead of the harder parts of each day.

Christy Nockles part 1
Christy Nockles part 2

So, moms out there listen to this and be encouraged that the Lord has given you what you are needing to supposed to be doing right this very minute.

Thank you Lord for the word from Christy and for Ken for passing it on to me!

Aloha!

Emotional Church

Today the tears were flowing! Goodness.

There were a couple of families at church who had loved one go to be with the Lord this last week. Yes, there is celebration that they are home, but my heart just aches for the loss that they will feel.

Last week at church there was a special tithing event. The church asked everyone to give a days worth of their salary to a group called Convoy of Hope. The goal was to raise $10,000. What ever we raised, it would be able to be quadrupled with the help of partners and inexpensive food. So, that $10,000 would end up being worth $40,000. Well, the church didn't raise $10,000. It raised $20,000! Multiply that by 4 and you have $80,000 going to feed starving kids around the world. Praise Him! God is so good! Did you know that every 6 seconds a child dies of starvation? You can help and get involved.

Today's topic was how the body of Christ is called, according to the Scriptures, to help orphans and widows. There is a new organization in Jackson County called Heart With a Mission (HWAM). The founder, Kevin, spoke today for a couple of minutes, and boy oh boy! The tears were flowing (again!). He spoke about how teenage kids are getting dropped off by their parents who don't or can't raise them at this point. Kids are asking him why no one loves them. Heart breaking things! I encourage you, if you can to get involved and help as you are led. There are almost 2,000 teenagers in this area who are homeless.

So, I was making many trips to the bathroom to try and pull myself together. I am so proud to be a part of Bethel Church and hear how God moves and works in the area where I live.

Aloha!

Monthly Pictures

Here is a link to view August pictures.

Here is a link to view September pictures.

Amazing! I am all caught up. For the time being at least. :)

My Sweet Baby

Well, technically he isn't mine...but he is my cousins. Sweet Baby Logan James! So happy he is here with his family! Isn't he just too precious?!

Aloha.

Happenings in September

Here are a couple of shots at what we did this last month.

Played.
Ate.
Went to the Talent Parade.
Went to the freezing cold beach for a couple of hours.
Bought and canned a bunch of peaches.
Gemma's birthday dinner (a month late).
Bouncy dragon at AWANA BBQ.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic month! Happy October!

The Red Hibisucs

This was lunch yesterday. Kathy, my mom and I went out to celebrate my mom's birthday (which is tomorrow). The food was great! I can't wait to go back!!! Delicious!!!

Aloha!

It's a Boy and he is HERE!

Baby Logan James

This is my cousin, Erika and her husbands wonderful bundle of joy! After 14 hours of labor it ended in with a C-Section. He weighed in at 9 pounds and 10 ounces!!! 22 inches long! Sometime last night. I think about 12:30am (or so).

I am so stinking happy for them and so sad for me that I am thousands and thousands of miles away. :( Boo-hoo.

Love you James, Erika, and Logan! Can't wait to get my hands on you! xoxo.

Big Weekend!

On Friday night we had 2 guests spend the night with us. Ben (11) and Audrey (9) spent the night with us for a sleepover. As a parent, I had a great time! I know Carson did too! I want to post more about it soon with pictures, but just wanted to post it right now. We had brinner, watched a movie, went to bed, walked to the post office in the morning and then they headed home. It was our first sleep-in. :) And it was a great one!

On Saturday, my baby Gabers turned 18 months! He is already 1.5 years old! Crazy. He is cracking us up. Tonight I was holding him and patting his back and he had his chubby little hands on my shoulder and back patty me back. He is just so sweet. His big brother is as energetic as ever! He has been doing really good with playing outside and getting some of his energy out. He cracks us up too! He is a character, for sure!

"Children are a gift from the Lord,
they are a reward from Him."
Psalm 127:3

I am praying that I will truly embrace this verse. That I will remember in the harder times and the great times, that my two boys are gifts from my Lord! They are a reward to me! I love them and want them to see my love and the love of the Lord that he has for them.

Aloha. More to come in the next couple of days (hopefully). :) Oh, and happy Autumn!

How old were you?

Last Saturday, the 11th, Carson stayed the night at his friends house. In Medford. Alone. Well, without us I mean.

They did a great job, and got to sleep in a fort in the living room. Carson got home, and wasn't even in the house yet when he asked, "can I spend the night at Lija'hs, Mom?" He had a great time.

That was the 1st sleep over at a friends house. He has slept over at his Gramma's house a handful of times, but that was it until then. I am very proud of him for doing that, not having issues over there, and not waking up in the night. He is a great sleeper!

How old were you when you had your first (or went to your first) non-family sleep over?

8 YEARS (yesterday)

Yesterday Trever and I got married 8 years ago! Man! Time goes so fast, it is just ridiculous. I told Trev that when I was in high school and heard of people being married for more than 5 years it seemed so long to me. Now that I am in it, it seems like just a couple of years. Time is a weird weird thing.

I am so blessed to have Trever as a husband and Carson and Gabe as my sons. I love them all so much and am so thankful that the Lord has blessed me so. He is the glue of this marriage, wouldn't be able to do it without Him.

My little groomsman, and flower girl (my sister) are so little in the above picture. About 4 of them are teenagers now! Here are some more pictures from the big day. Take a look see if you please.

Aloha.

Catch Up

Here are some links to pictures that have taken me a long time to get uploaded.

Here are pictures of my naked babies, my sister's bday, and my MIL's bday.

Here are (promised) pictures from our Seaside trip.

Here are pictures from the Yreka Fair that we went to last month.

Not a whole lot to report.

Been busy with the regular life things. Boys, laundry, food, summer activities...all that jazz.

Trever and I had our 8 year anniversary yesterday. I will post about that ASAP.

I am so amazed that summer is coming to an end. It flew by! Fall weather is in the air. I really like that feeling, but as Saturday was a little dreary, it reminds me of the gray months to come. I am sure I will be busy with my 4 year old and 20 month old (come December) though to keep me somewhat occupied. :) Oh, not to mention all those birthdays that start up strong next month!

Aloha.

Touching Song

Church was so great this morning! Amazing. Very touched by the Lord. The teaching was from Psalm 103. It was about how we need to be thankful. The Lord has promised us that He forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases (Psalm 103:3). We just have to be thankful and Praise the Lord, O my soul (Psalm 103:22).

We sang this song below today. "It's Your Love." The lines that hit me, are:
Our proof is scarred on hands that bled
That we were worth every nail

The Lord died, and He believes that you were worth every nail. How rich is that? God loves us so much, it amazes me!


Verse 1:
Upon the hill on Calvary
He came from Heaven’s throne
Our fallenness and mercy meet
Where blood and water flow

Verse 2:
What grace divine what selflessness
That Christ would bear the weight
Our proof is scarred on hands that bled
That we were worth every nail

Chorus:
And all the praise and glory to God
We sing Hallelujah sing Hallelujah
For the King has carried the cross
He is risen from the grave

Verse 3:
Beyond the tomb to holy skies
He rose in victory
And bridged for us the great divide
His life is our liberty

Chorus x2

Bridge:
It’s Your love
It’s Your love
It’s Your love
That has saved me

It’s Your blood
It’s Your blood
It’s Your blood
That has cleaned me

Hope you enjoy your Sunday! Aloha.

Seaside Video's

We fed the Seals at the Aquarium in Seaside on Thursday night (8.5.10). These guys are hams! We got a lot of laughs in!!!



If you don't feed them fast enough, they will get ya!

Pictures to come at some point.

In the last week

Last Sunday, 7.25, Gabe turned 16 months (2 pix of him). My oh my! Time flies!
Top left is me and my babies. 7.29.
Middle left, GG (Great Grandma), Gabe and Carson with GG's glasses on. 7.29.
Bottom left and right at GG's enjoying each other. 7.30.10

I love my boys! Thank you Lord!

My Purse!

So, this is my friend, Jodie, trying to get her daughter to sleep.

And Jodie made me this...(see picture below).

I picked out the fabric and she whipped it up for me! Isn't it just so cute?! Oh, and it is reversible.

Don't ya want one for yourself?

June Pictures

June pictures finally got organized. You can take a look at them, here, if you would like!

Favorite Toy

7.17.10

This conversation took place last night between Carson and Trever.

Carson: Raul's (our Chihuahua) favorite toy is the rope.
Trever: It is. What is your favorite toy?
Carson: Gabe.

7.20.10

Lately

4th of July.

We have been busy...

By trying to keep the house cool.
Enjoying the kiddie pool, even in the hot summer mornings.
Playing in the sprinklers.


Going to the Reservoir in Lithia Park for evenings of eating and soccer playing.



Walking to the Band Shell to listen to the Ashland City Band play.

And most of all enjoying the wonderful attitude of Carson! He has been such a help lately. I have really noticed a change this week. Helping me when I ask, sharing with Gabe, talking more "grown up," being very sweet, and reading lots of books with us and on his own. I know every mom thinks their kids are the bestest and cutest, but this Mama is just so filled up with love for her little boy. He is just over 3 1/2 now and is seeming to much older to me. Amazing!

Hope you guys are enjoying time outside with your family. I know it is hot, but remember in the dead of winter, with rain and clouds we will want these days to be here. So, make the best of it!!!

Aloha.

Soccer Time

Carson 8.08, Gabe 7.10.

Here are a couple comparison pictures of Carson (at 20 months) and Gabe (at 15 months) in their Papa's old soccer shirt.

Hope you guys have a wonderful 4th of July. Stay cool, enjoy time with family and friends and be safe!

God Bless!

Picnic Weather

It is finally here! Picnic weather! YAY!

We packed up some food last night and headed out to a local park to eat and play around with the boys.

A great time was had by all. Carson ran around a lot, played and enjoyed the swing. Gabe was very cautious about the grass (even though he did have sandals on) and the bark. He is a funny little guy. He also enjoyed the swing a lot.

Wounded Warrior

This week at church the title of the teaching was "Wounded Warrior." All about how to heal from a very hard time in your life. It was really good. I know that people I love are going through some things that, basically just suck, but there is HOPE. HOPE in the LORD. He is a God of love, peace and joy. His strength can help us, if we will only allow Him too.

I encourage you, if needed, to take a listen to this teaching.

Here is the LINK.
Select "Click Here for Sermon List."
Then click on the 6.6.10, Wounded Warrior teaching.

Enjoy!

Little Friends

Last weekend, Gabe and I went over to our friends house. Rachel and James invited a couple moms over to say hi. Rebecca and Ellis also came to visit.

You can see all the pictures here if you would like!

Randomness

Gabe had just gotten out of a shower and I snapped some pics of his cute little self.

5.13.10

Boy! It is already the 18th of May! I can't believe how fast this year is just flying by!!!

Speaking of "boy," my cousin Erika and her hubby, James, found out a couple weeks ago that they are having a boy! I am so excited for the 2 of them to experience this blessing! Can't wait for little Logan to be here later this summer!

I have a couple (or a bunch) of random pictures that I want to share with you.

5.5.10 Brothers playing with each other!


5.11.10

Mother's Day.
5.9.10

Daughter, Mother and Grandmother. Mother's Day.

Grandma and Gabe (Mother's Day).

My eye. 5.9.10

A reminder of God's Promise - a double rainbow!
5.15.10

Gabe, the sandwich (he did this all by himself!). 5.15.10

I know this pic is in the above collage, but I just love it so much!
5.13.10

Does he look excited at all??? 5.11.10


Carson playing with Gabe. 5.17.10

Hope you all are doing great! Aloha.

My HEART is Blessed

I have a friend, who has a little (and by little I mean younger, cause he is actually about 6' 5" tall!) brother who I am so proud of. He and I have never had a friendship, just my friends bro, who goes to the church I used to go to. He has been working (for Apple Cellar, as a delivery guy, which I think might include some very early hours) since he graduated from high school, going to SOU to get his Master's and he loves the Lord! I am just so proud of him for doing what he is doing.

I have another friend who has an older sister. This older sister has 2 girls who go to AWANA where Carson goes. One of them is in his combined Puggles and Cubbies class. Today I was talking with my friend about her sister (& family) and found out that they go to church every Sunday. This news has blessed my heart so much!

God is so good! And we need to remember that every single person has been made in His image, according to Genesis 1:26 & 27. It doesn't matter what they have done or not done. God made them and He loves them. We also need to remember that people watch us and hopefully are blessed by decisions that we have made as I am by the 2 people I mentioned above.

Aloha.

It's Mom's Day!

Just wanted to say thank you, Mom for all those years of putting me first and yourself after that. I really appreciate everything you have done for me.
Taking me to Kristina's.
Buying me my favorite noodle soup.
Having Grandpa and Grandma live with us while you got your Master's.
Buying me clothes for school.
Helping me make my first cakes.
Planning wedding/baby showers for me.
Enjoying/helping with Carson and Gabers.
And for all those things/times that I can't mention here because we just don't have enough time.
The list goes on and on. So, thank you! XOXOXO.

And to my Mom-in-Law. Thank you!

For having Trever!
For raising him in a Christian home.
For helping with Carson and Gabe.
For giving me knowledge on different idea's/plans/options for my boys' future.
This list also, is continuous and would go on and on. So, thank you! XOXO.

To all the other Mom's ~ Hope you have a blessed day spent with your family and friends and are reminded of how blessed you are to. be. a. mom.

Aloha.

Sandals, Uh-Oh, and Diego

4.30.10
We tried out the new (to us, from Earth Friendly Kids) See Kai Run sandals for Gabe.


5.3.10
Gabe said Uh-Oh, or "Ah-ah" last night for the first time. This morning I got a little of it on video. It is at the very end. He opens his mouth very wide, messes with his tongue a little and says it.

These guys are so amazing when they learn things! I was saying amen this morning and Gabe was staring at my mouth, trying to repeat it. Didn't really sound anything like amen, but he was concentrating and trying. :)



Carson has been potty trained (during the day) for almost a year now. We have been working on going poops in the potty since then. Usually he goes in the potty, but last week he wouldn't even try to go in the potty, and went within minutes of me putting on his diaper. Over the weekend, my mom got him this Diego potty seat. Once he saw it he said many wows, and cools. He tried it that day and had success!

We are at my moms today and had this conversation:
C: My tummy hurts. I don't have to go poops.
M: Are you sure? Do you want to try?
C: No. Do we have the Diego potty?
M: No. We don't. Do you want to put a diaper on?

Several hours went by and he said his tummy hurts again. So I asked him if he wanted to go in his diaper.
C: Yes. (So while I was putting it on), he said me, am I going to go poops in my diaper?
M: Where else would you go?
C: In the potty.

SURE! Why not? Since he mentioned it, I was definitely going to take him up on his offer. :)
And he went! YAY! Oh, the joys in potty training!?

I know, I know!

I know spring in Southern Oregon means close to 70* one day and the next day is cloudy, rainy and cold, but I am so ready for a change! I am freezing right now!

Yesterday I went through my closet to actually weed out the shirts that I have had and not worn for the last 2 or 3 years. I am to a point where I actually want to get things cleaned out some and stop saving things to wear one day. If I am preggers it might fit, or smaller it might fit...blah blah blah.

I am really ready for 70* weather. Are you?

Aloha.

1 For You. 1, 2, 3 For Me

This is my first artichoke (the edible bud & leaves) last year.

I remember doing that, or having it done to me as a child. 1 skittle for you. 1, 2, 3 skittles for me. Or maybe I would play that joke on kids I would babysit, I don't remember.

At lunch, Carson and I were eating an artichoke (one of my faves) and that was kinda happening. Since he is learning how hard you need to actually scrape each piece with your teeth, and since I already know, I was eating 3 or 4 pieces to his one. Just kinda naturally happened that way. ;) I'm not complaining, and while he doesn't notice the difference, I will continue to let it happen that way.

Is that mean? :)

UpSide Boys

Carson. 4.16.08

Gabe. 4.22.10

MY cubs

My little guys.

I posted about the CUBS shirt Gabe is wearing, here, but have not told you about "Space Cubs." The shirt Carson is wearing used to be his Uncle Cam's shirt. Pretty fun to have shirts, blankets and toys that used to belong to a family member.


Oh, and by the way, this was not planned. Well, the picture was, but not wearing "cubs" shirts on the same day. I didn't even notice until Grandpa pointed it out. :)
Aloha.

I WON!

On Saturday, Trever and I (Carson got a ride in the trailer) rode our bikes out to Shop N' Kart. Blackstone Audiobooks (one of our Uncle's favorite places to visit when he is up here from Nevada), was there with a table set up for purchases, information about Relay for Life and a chance to win an audio book.

I entered. Hoped I would win, but didn't really think I would. Well, this morning I got the call! I won! I get to pick a book of my choice from their selection of over 3,000 titles! That made a hard morning much better! :)

I am very very excited!

Aloha.

P.S. I have no idea how I am going to make my decision on which book to choose. Any suggestions?!! Part of me wants to get one that the kids can use one day, and the other part of me wants to be selfish, since I won, and get one only for me. :) I really like mysteries. I have no idea how I am going to make this decision!

8 Days and Counting

So last week I was reading over one of the many blogs I follow. Sarah Mae posted a "Get Dressed Challenge" for her readers. I read what she had to say about it, and thought I would join in (not officially) for getting dressed every day. Part of what she said was "lets look lovely for our husbands, our children, and ourselves."

I am happy to report that I have actually gotten dressed these last 8 days. On Saturday I was in comfy clothes a little earlier than every other day. But, I have done it. I have to say, I kinda enjoy getting my outfit put together the night before (even earrings and maybe a ring or bracelet too), along with the boys clothes too. I don't go to town on make up, just the basics of mascara (unless an event is planned), but the dressed part helps out for the feel of the day, I think.

I have asked you before about your attire for the day, just thought I would share with you the challenge. Join in if you want!

BTW, 8 days goes by oh so fast!!! Amazing.

And on that note, I gotta go get all our clothes ready for tomorrow!

Goodnight! :)

Pillow Case

Please take note of the pillow on the coach with the pillow case on it. This area is the boys play area. Needless to say toys end up all over the place, as do the pillows and the coach cushions.

Gabe was playing great this morning and then got really fussy all of a sudden. Being the mom I am, I thought it was because he heard my voice and wanted to eat his breakfast really bad...

...BUT! I think it was cause he wanted out of the pillow case!? We had quite the laugh with this one! :)

Aloha.

Craft Project

I had this pink jacket (seen below) for a while and didn't wear it very often because of the color. I was going to consign it, but then I thought I should try to dye it.

So, I went to Bi-Mart and got the dye color and had a project for my mom and I to do.

I didn't know how much of a project it would actually be! Lots of stirring, rinsing and washing.

top center picture before dye project.
others during dyeing project and
after dyeing and washing project.

Mr. Independent

Carson has become Mr. Independent lately.

A couple of mornings ago, I made Carson and I some toast. Well, I actually put the bread in the toaster oven and then was on the phone and I heard Carson pushing his stool around the kitchen (and being pretty quiet). Once I was done with the phone call, I headed into the kitchen to find Carson holding the buttered toast! He got it out, put butter on it and was eating it! Too funny.

This morning Carson was showered and dressed and onto the kitchen scene before I was finished with make-up, so when I came down, I was informed that he had had some crackers (saltines) and butter (he even put the clothes pin back on the twisted saltine bag with the part that you squeeze together to open the front pinching part). And was now working on peanut buttered bread. He was telling Trever that since he can't have a knife, he would use his spoon. He got the peanut butter on his bread and his shirt and enjoyed his bread.

A couple days ago, Carson had a pen and then put it behind his ear. We have no idea where he learned to do that!? Thought I would a picture of it! Crazy idea for me, huh??? :)


My little guy is growing so much! Hope you are enjoying your every moment (good, bad, sad, hard) with your little ones. They grow oh too fast!

Aloha!