Job Security

Here's a conversation Isaiah and I had this morning while driving home from school.

Isaiah: Mom, we should go to the store and buy me a skate board (tech deck).
Me: Oh, well do you have any money?
Isaiah: No, but you have money!
Me: Well, mommy and daddy buy you things you need and you buy things you want. A skate board is something you would need to buy with your own money.
Isaiah: How do I get money?
Me: I guess you are going to have to get a job. What do you think you could do for a job?
Isaiah: (after a long pause and very serious) well, I can somersault...is that a job, mommy?

After some somersaulting and a little talk about what real jobs were, Isaiah chose to help me vacuum.
Now he has 25 cents to put towards a skate board.
Don't worry, buddy. Mommy can always find a job for you to do! And some days it might even include somersaults!

...but it makes me wonder what he thinks Tony does at his job all day?

Happy Birthday Sai-Sai!

Isaiah you are 2 today!

2 years ago today, God was done forming you inside of me and He ushered you into our lives. You are so special!
I love your chubby little hands and feet.
I love you in your pj's.
I love your mouth full of teeth.
I love your own little language.
God has given you your own interests.
You already love football. You will pick up a ball, turn it to the laces, then throw it with precision and excitement, and yell "touchdown!"
God has given you love.
You love to cuddle and rock and give kisses.
When asked to apologize, you gently rub the arm or shoulder of the person you've offended and say with a quiet voice, "sorry". We didn't teach you that, that's who you are.
God has given you humor.
You love to get a laugh out of your older brother and sister. You'll blink your eyes long and deliberately. You'll throw your head back and let out a loud belly laugh.

I thank God for blessing us with your life. You have taught me so much about God in a way that I could only learn from you and being your mom. And for that, I am truly grateful. May you continue to be true to who God made you to be. And may God grant me wisdom to raise you in a way pleasing to Him for His glory. I love you sai-sai!

The Christmas of '09

The Christmas of '09 has come and gone. What fun to spend time with family and celebrate the birth of our Savior!

The Christmas of 2009 will be remembered by the blizzard.
But what a beautiful blizzard it was!
It was like we stepped into Narnia.
Everything had already been covered in a beautiful, thick frost.
Then we received nearly 20 inches of snow....
... that blanketed everything....
even the vehicles.
Everyone was home for Christmas this year. And that means 28 of us!
We had our 3rd annual ugly Christmas sweater contest.
We recorded another video.
Can you guess what it might be?
It has to do with 7 brothers and their 7 brides.
And it was freezing cold, because it was blizzarding....
and the power went out during filming.
In fact, the power was out for about 13 hours. So we had Christmas Eve dinner by candlelight.

The kids did really well with the power outage and the close quarters!
Actually, believe it or not, this is a hug :)

Thankfully, the power came back on at 6:30 on Christmas morning and we all made it in to Grandma's house for lunch and goodies.
The rest of the time was spent playing in the new, abundant snowfall...
...sledding...
...making snow forts...
...playing card games, and board games, movies, eating too much. We were having so much fun and then, the unwelcomed guest, Monday, called and made us leave :(

Thanks Mom and Dad!
We had a great Christmas!
Bye!

Leech Lake

We were able to spend some time with Tony's folks at a beautiful cabin on Leech Lake about a month ago. And I realized I hadn't posted any pics yet, so here they are.
The beautiful cabin
The eating area in the great room
The great roomThe upstairs 'bunk house'. This place could sleep like 22!

View from the lake.Addie in the boat. She claims she didn't fall asleep :)
Her favorite part of the trip was riding on the jet skiis.
Evan in the boat.
Isaiah. He wasn't too sure about the boat.
Evan exploring Goose Island
Evan kayaking
Addie on the dock
Grandma Carol and Isaiah playing on the beach
Campfire and s'mores

Carol surprised the kids one meal by dumping it right onto the table. No plates allowed!

Then when everyone's finished, you just throw away the tablecloth and dishes are done!

The Coopers
We had a great time at Leech Lake!
We are so grateful to the family that let us use their beautiful place!

It's a good thing you're cute!

Yeah, so not only did Isaiah get into the pantry again, he also decided to dump the Cream of Wheat on the ground. So while I'm sweeping it up and trying to find the dust pan, he sees his mistake and decides to "help" by grabbing the broom. After realizing he's not quite efficient with the broom he decides to try his feet. Maybe they would be helpful in this situation. No, that's just making more of a mess. He then logically comes to the conclusion in his little 1 year old brain that he should try his mouth. He thinks, "maybe I could just eat it all up before mom gets back and she'll be so proud of me for helping!" (Can't quite tell from the picture, but yes those are sweep-pile crumbs around his mouth)
Well, Isaiah.....I give you an 'A' for effort in wanting to help, but as for all these messes you're making.....it's a good thing you're cute!

Diggin' For Treasure

Isaiah just discovered the lint between his toes. Personally, I think his toes produce it. It's ALWAYS there. And it's ALWAYS blue. Why? He doesn't wear blue socks. He hardly wears socks. We don't have blue carpet. Why blue? Anyway, I caught him prying his chubby little toes apart. He took a closer look and then said, "WHOA!" It's now his new favorite past-time.

Caught Red-Handed

Exhibit A

So it looks like I can't leave Isaiah alone for a second. He discovered the pantry this week. According to Exhibit A, it looks like he went first for the baking soda and then wisely moved on to the box of cookies. Maybe he'll try the basket of onions next and realize it's not worth getting into.

Sleepin' on the job

This is where I found Isaiah one day sleeping. He's at the top of our stairs by the baby gate. I was downstairs doing laundry and realized I hadn't heard him in a while (never a good sign). I guess he got tired of waiting for me to come up the stairs and thought he'd pass the time by taking a little rest :)

Happy Birthday Isaiah!

Today Isaiah turned 1! It seems like just yesterday he was born and yet it seems like he's always been a part of our family. What joy he brings us!
Isaiah, I love.....
... the songs you play on the piano
...your scrunch face
...how you say 'mom'
...your belly laughs
...how you have to dance when you hear music
...your hugs and open mouth kisses
...your many uses of the word "oh!"
...how you have to lay down when you pass a pillow or blanket on the floor
...how you cover your ears instead of your eyes for peek-a-boo

Happy Birthday Isaiah! I love you!

Here kitty, kitty, kitty!

Dressing a 10 month old is like trying to dress a cat.



Only difference is, cat's don't need to wear clothes.