Everyday moments

The other day I just grabbed my camera and decided to take a picture of the kids doing whatever they were doing at the moment. Sometimes we forget to record the ordinary days, where nothing special happens, just seemingly uneventful days, but as we all know, this is where life really happens. In the unobscure. In the ordinary. In the everyday.

Jacob playing video games with his buddy Jeremy

Hannah on the couch focusing on something she was doing (a new game for her DS I believe)

And no, this was not staged. Ryan really was doing school!! haha

However, earlier he was avoiding school and I came upon something he had created. A modern day "school supply sculpture"!!!

Ryan's ebay success

Ryan has been creating his own little business/hobby lately and been actually quite successful at it! He is a huge fan of Stargate, and he has purchased the kits to build two types of their weapons. Some just for himself to keep, but some with the intention of selling. He has painted them entirely on his own, and then turned around and sold them to people all around the world - France, Germany, Spain, Finland, and the US as well. He has made around $50 profit for each one he sold! I am so proud of him. I have no worries that whatever he chooses to do in life he will be successful!

He has a little work station all set up in the basement.

This is how the picture appears on ebay. He really does do an incredible job finishing and painting these.

Beautiful Spirit

I just wanted to take a moment to honor my sweet girl. She endures so many trials as a result of her lyme disease, from complete insomnia (never falling asleep before 3 or 4 am) to constant pain and fatigue and a whole lot more in between. Yet she almost always has a smile on her face, and is full of spirit and joy. She loves her brothers, honors her parents, enjoys her bunnies, and brings a lot of encouragement to everyone around her. I am so proud of her I could burst. She is the one who makes sacrifices to keep the peace when necessary, she puts other's needs above her own, and when she doesn't feel good she just keeps on loving everyone. May God bless her and use this trial in her life to grow her into a beautiful and strong spirit. I see it happening already...

Measuring Up

Last week we measured the kids on the wall, and Danny had an unpleasant sensation. He actually had to reach up to measure Jacob!! (yes this picture is a little bit exaggerated, but makes a point) Jacob has grown so much this year!! This is a year of milestones for him - he will turn 16, finish his first year of high school and get his drivers license!! (YIKES!)

Valentines Day

Valentines Day this year was very sweet. Hannah had it in her mind to be part of blessing us, and she truly did. She helped Danny make dinner for the family, planned the decorations, lit candles, and even had a fire in the fireplace with the table set in front of it. It was so beautiful. Then she surprised even Danny by setting up a table with candles in a different room so that Danny and I could have dessert alone. She lit the candles, had music playing, and had made the most beautiful arrangement of rose petals and candles I have ever seen. All I can say is that whoever gets to marry my girl is going to be blessed all the days of his life! May it be so!

Hannah's dessert arrangement

She and Danny made a wonderful seafood pasta dish - and I must say the presentation was as good as the taste!

The table Hannah set for us all

My beautiful girl who grows more beautiful each day, both inside and out.

She even insisted on getting pictures of us. What a blessing.

Spontaneous Trip

Traditionally for the last 7 or 8 years we have always taken a trip to Williamsburg for a long weekend in February. That was the plan for this year as well. However, my husband has a "travel bug" since he came home and he decided that we should instead take a long weekend and fly back to Disney! We were to leave on Wednesday, February 2nd and come back on Monday.

Then an ice storm was predicted for the east coast (to hit on Wednesday) and started canceling flights. Danny decided (on Monday) that maybe we should fly out on Monday!! He made this decision 90 minutes before we needed to leave for the airport!! And not one thing was packed! I cannot describe the craziness that happened after that. Things were flying, stuff was thrown in suitcases, and we were breathlessly on our way out the door only ten minutes later than planned! A few things were forgotten for sure, but we managed just fine once we got there! Being married to Danny has always been an adventure.

Maple Syrup Time!!

The time of the year has come again to tap the trees and hope for sap!!

Last year we barely got anything at all - so I am hoping to have pictures of "the big boil" this year!!!