Bump in the night.....

12/18/08 2am....... settling in for the night.... yes that's normal for me.. the cat meow wakes Tristen, who then thinks she should eat, so I settle on the bed to feed her, and our dog Roupen starts barking like someone is here. I'm home alone, as Stephan is at work, so I call him. He stays on the phone and asks a fellow officer who works this area to just sing by to check the place out, for a little piece of mind, because well the dog was probably barking at an animal, but you never know. We've lived here 6 months and he has never barked after 11pm. So not only did one officer come out but there where 3. The house lit up w/ spot lights, they got out of their cars and walked the property. Special thanks to the lovely officers that keep my family safe while my husband is at the other end of town keeping other families safe. If I hadn't been feeding Tristen, I would have passed out some Christmas cookies, for their willingness to come out, to calm a officers wife that was totally freaked out by the fact that our dog was going bonkers.

Baking Cookies with Grandma

Wednesday morning we the girls and I where invited by Stephan's mom to come by and help with her annual day of baking Christmas cookies. I dropped Chloe and Molly off at 9am, took Tristen to her pediatrician appointment... she's now 16lbs. I returned at 11am, to start helping. I briefly saw our nephew Luke who turned one that day, and him mom Amy, who where there while I was at the pediatrician. There was a break from baking for a quick sandwich, then Chloe and Molly pushed along the activity of baking. Hours passed and the girls and I where still there, cutting, pressing, decorating, and baking cookies. It was near 445pm that we left to make our way home before attending church. A fun day, and break from school work for the girls and myself. I failed to pack a camera, and was just so wrapped up in helping I didn't even walk upstairs to use my father in laws camera, so this is one event without a single photo.

Men's Campout & Ladie's sleepover

December 12&13, 2008 The men from out church planed a large men's camp out. Yes in December, and yes outside. They had tents, sleeping bags, a camp fire, airsoft guns, and real guns, they ate well, and had a blast. So I had the bright idea of a ladies sleepover at my place with much less invited b/c our new house can not hold too many people. The plan watch Christmas movies and veg all weekend. Not so much. The movies played only Warrie, and Tina spent the night, the crew of kids as in mine and Tina's took forever to go to sleep, and sleep did not come well to me. There was a full moon, and the kids and animals where all in rare form, the 1st night, and we where up bright and early with the kids. The next day went a little smoother however busy with misc tasks. Come night time more folks came out for just diner that equaled more kids. This was a fun but crazy evening. Then bed time came, the little girls went off to bed and I actually watched my 1st beginning to end movie of the weekend. Once the movie was over, bedtime I was happy to great it, Tristen on the other hand was not, I found myself up until 430am. By the time 8am rolled around I was miserable for more reasons than I care to write about, and knew I wouldn't make the 30min drive to church nor last the service, so we opted to stay home. Then my rest began. Warrie sent me off for a nap when I was falling asleep sitting up on the couch, and I had a good 2 hours of rest at least. The men have decided the women need a weekend kid free... smart men.. so they have informed us February is a good time, and they will have another camp out in April. I have learned my lesson.. though a sleepover and the idea of the event sounded great, I was more exhausted than ever... Just to used to the fact that if my girls are left alone in the morning after a late night they will sleep in until they are well rested. So no more mega sleepover planing for me.....

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!!!!

December 9,2008.
Stephan needed to go to a sporting goods store to purchase his sleeping bag for an upcoming(past) Men's camp out. So I decided why not go the open air mall that blows snow each night at 7pm for a kick, it was maybe 65degrees that night. So the white flecks in the photos snow blown from the top of the stores for about 5-10min. The kids loved it and Tristen is always happy to be outside in the fresh air.

Weekend to the lake... 12/05/08-12/07/08

Chloe & Molly

Heather (me!!) & Stephan

Ryan & Warrie

The Lake House!


We took a weekend trip to Lake Gaston w/ Ryan and Warrie. It was cold, and we where lucky the house has a wood stove upstairs and an open fire place downstairs for heat. So we stayed warm, w/the fires burning and space heaters working we had a great relaxing weekend away with good friends. Prior to leaving Stephan purchased us a Wii fit, so we ALL tried it out. We decided for the guys to ride together and the girls to ride together. When we where almost to the lake house, I had trouble controlling the van but was able to barely stay on the road, and we made it safely to the house. The weekend was full of video games, movies and rest. Chloe and Molly always enjoy a weekend getaway and have a way of being well behaved. When leaving on Sunday Stephan noticed the van was not handling well and we thought we hit something, so once on a hard surface he got out to check things out. Turns out we had a flat tire. With an hour drive ahead, the guys changed the tires and we headed for back roads since driving on the spare at a high rate of speed is not recommended. On the ride home we passed a house engulfed in flames, apparently no one was harmed, but it was alarming to see. Everyone made it home safely after a nice weekend of R&R. We had the tire fixed by Ryan's brother CJ on Monday afternoon.

School & Tristen's chair

Real Date December 1, 2008

School is coming along nicely, 73days worth past already. Tristen was no longer liked being put in a bouncy seat or her exersaucer, while we had school. She then preferred to be held so she could see what was going on. That was challenging when attempting to help Chloe or Molly, and having Tristen grabbing papers, pencils, and books. So On December 1st when we adventured out to the post office, we made a stop at Kmart to get something for Tristen to sit in at the kitchen table with us. Now Tristen sits with us when we do our school work.

VIRUS!!!!

So for about 2 weeks we had been with out our PC, it was infested w/crazy computer viruses. Then the laptop I have we have been using for about 1 week. It works for checking email messages, and well I think I wrote all of one email. I have at least 3 blogs to type up, with pictures to go along with them over the next week.. I work Monday and plan to at least get one posted each evening during the week to get caught up. We have been a busy family so watch out the blogs are on their way now that the PC have been healed up, thanks to hours of Ryan's IT help!!

Black friday.

So Thanksgiving went as planned like in years past, Morning and afternoon w/my family and evening and night w. Stephan's. Lots of yummy food... and overeating. This was my first black Friday however since we've been married that we did not buy a single gift. We slept till 9am, hung around the house, and met Stephan's Mom and Aunt Nancy for lunch. Then that afternoon we made a trip Pocahontas state park for a hike. We all enjoyed the mild weather, and the nice quiet hike. Once we returned home, Stephan set up our Christmas tree, I got out the Christmas CDs. Our only Black Friday purchase was a large box of little white lights for our Christmas Tree, the girls helped to decorate it, and it was Molly's year to place the angel on top. We will be having our family photo taken in front of our own Christmas tree. Christmas shopping will come later.

Power of imagination

Chloe and Molly can play for hours with whatever they can get their hands on, and the power of the imaginations. How my couch becomes a dentist chair, or a class room. The toy box became a fire truck the other day as they played with the walkie talkies Molly received as a gift on her 4th birthday. Possibilities are endless. The best thing is when they line up chairs and play church they fill the chairs with stuffed animals and baby dolls and proceed to sing songs they know, and talk about God. Guess we are doing something right...

Pilgrims.

The girls made pilgrim hats as a little art project. This followed a leason on The Pilgrims and their journey on the Mayflower from England to the US. We discussed that frist Thanksgiving and how they where thankful that God got them through, and provided for their needs w/ the help of the Indians..... The next project is to make the Indian outfit out of brown paper bags, so I'll be snatching 2 from Grandma Kruse next week so we can compete the rest of our Thanksgiving projects.

Thanksgiving, Black Friday...... Christmas....

Next week, we'll be having a Thanksgiving feast w/Stephan's family, at his Aunt Nancy's home.. I have come to adore this woman, for all that she is, and love that I have someone with in the family who has been there done that in our faith and homeschooling. When the rest of the family scurries home early, we lag behind and play games or just chat w/ Nancy, Bill and their daughter Debby and husband Ricky. Nancy played a special part in the lives of Chloe and Molly by being their caregiver while I worked full time then part time then full time again, and she continues to have a special place in the hearts of my girls.... The meal YUMMY, dessert good as well, we'll visit with family, and this year will have to joy of having Stephan's Dad's parents Grandmom and Grandpop Rouze at the wonderful Thanksgiving feast. The house is crammed full of family, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times.. not hustle bustle, or obligation to buy meaningless gifts for whoever... Our day typically starts out w/my girls and I at my parents home to watch the Thanksgiving day parade, and to look at the Black Friday ads (to see if we are going to be nuts and wake up at 5am for the big deal) while Stephan sleeps off a night off work. Then the Dinner fun starts at Aunt Nancy's. Then we'll talk about who's going where and where are we going to have lunch together on the next day... Always fun.... This year will be similar to previous years and in so many ways different. We have had the glorious journey of learning less is more.. and that more stuff or more things does not by any means buy anyone happiness. We are tired of worrying about what to buy for so and so... After 7 years.. of Christmas' filled with flying paper at family Christmas gatherings.. who got what.. and what was their reaction... and what on earth did you get I sure missed it only saw the nice wrapping paper fly past my head.... geee... I'm not even sure what I got...... what did the kids get??? Dunno... I get home with piles of toys, clothes, candles, candies, cookies, jewelry, cd's, books, lotions.. and whatever else... and I have no Idea who any of this stuff came from.. it's jumbled and sitting in a pile near my Christmas tree, and now the task of where to put everything, it takes days, weeks, and months to recover from all this new stuff..... is the picture clear in your mind?? Last year our girls received from us Stephan and myself, a scooter, a few movies, cds, and a replenishment of their paper/pen supplies...... from immediate family..... loads of stuff.. some things I wouldn't buy them ever..... This year..... will be more simple.. we have decided one meaningful gift w/a stocking full of new crayons, craft items, and paper.... that will be it here in our home... and we have urged family to just get ONE and only ONE gift for our girls this year.... This year I would be happy enough with nothing for myself. The greatest gift I received this year was the chance to get out of a large amount of debt, move to a house I'm loving more each day, and to be able to home school my girls, and have most of my days spent with Chloe, Molly, and Tristen. I want to reflect this year on the true meaning of Christmas, Christ and the wonderful gift God gave us his son who died on the cross for us so that we may have ever lasting life. What a great gift and so many of us get wrapped up in the have it all that we forget what Christmas is all about..... God has given me so much these past few years, a great family, an awesome husband, beautiful and smart children, a wonderful church family, food, clothing, and shelter.... for those things I'm grateful to the God I long to serve better each day..... I love my Jesus.. and I long for my family to truly seek him... So I'll keep praying that those walls will come down from around their hearts and the blinders off their eyes.. I fail.. and I mess up on a daily basis.. however I'm trying with all I have in me... To serve my Lord.... and to do his will.... My pray is for the salvation of all of my dear loved ones

Fall.

We went out w/ Warrie on this past Monday, to enjoy the fall foliage at Maymont park in Richmond. It was a beautiful day, the girls can make the best of sticks, rocks, dirt, leaves and water. Tristen loves just to be outdoors it just calms her, so anything outdoors with her is great. I took our camcorder however the batteries died with in seconds I should have charged it overnight, My camera survived till the end, then died, and it in need of new batteries. Chloe and Molly have been doing great w/school work. The best perk of homeschooling is being able to get out and enjoy things w/out having to wait for the weekend. We are looking forward to Thanksgiving spent w/family, and are planning a very simple Christmas this year, more details on Christmas in an different post. Well enjoy the slide show and I'll make sure I keep the camcorder charged so I can post some videos soon.

Visit www.moblyng.com to make your own!

Solid foods for baby Tristen.

Yummy, Tristen has started on solids. It's hard to believe that she is already 5 months old. She eats cereal and Daddy(Stephan) requested she start veggies first so that's what we have done. So in the past week we have introduced carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes. Next week we'll try some green veggies, then on to fruits the following week. Tristen has to be the messiest eater out of all my girls, she gets her hands in her face and just gets food everywhere, it's too cute and we get a kick out of her being covered in her food. So as a result of her messy eating and to preserve the clothes that have lasted through her 2 sisters Tristen gets down to her onesie to eat.

FLYlady

Well, most know we sold our large 5 bedroom home just before having our 3rd baby, this past May in order to afford me working very part time and being home more. We now live in a 3 bedroom home, with just one living area and a small kitchen. We had already gotten rid of lots of "stuff" that we didn't need before moving, however discovered that wasn't enough. Clutter seemed to overtake us, the amount of toys was outrageous, and enough Christmas decor to decorate several houses. So in a recent yard sale we sold some excess furniture items, some toys, and a whole Christmas village that would take up half of my living room. It's nice just not having those items taking up precious space. The kids came to understand they prefer a clean room, makes it easier to play, and clean up with a new system we came up with, they have 3 large tubs under their beds, one with barbies, my little ponies and items of that nature, the second with Molly's geotrack train set, the other with dress up and pretend items. The only other toy they have in there is a doll house that folds up nice in the corner and a small tub with it's people and furniture lives under their bed as well. The other kids room drama we had was the closet, it's a small one and their clothing collection was just as out of control as their clothes, so we kept only the best condition clothing and passed on the rest that was not torn or stained to charity, and all of their clothes moved to my closet, making room in their closet to store games, books, and building items (tinker toys, Lincoln logs, and the mega blocks will move out of my family room tomorrow to join that collection. So I now no longer have unnecessary laundry, and everything they have has it's place. Tristen's room is still a work in progress, as she still sleeps in my bedroom. My true house cleaning breakthrough came when I some how through reading of a blog came across www.FLYlady.net, this ladies site focus' on routine, and starting out small, and with the Kitchen sink of all things. So for the past 3 days I've had a clean sink, gotten completely dressed w/tennis shoes, and started a quick clean of my bathroom every morning. Since I have 2 bathrooms, Chloe and Molly have received a lesson in what to do, and they are responsible for the quick clean of their bathroom, and boy are they proud. Both girls have also taken to learning how to wash and dry dishes, dusting will be their next chore once I have completed my decluttering process. Stephan and I never really had set chores growing up, so had no real management of cleaning a home ingrained in us so it's been a battle of how to keep a house clean. So far so good, I think the baby steps help, and my girls prefer a clean house.

Stephan and I have also been sacrificing our childhood "stuff" He has sold, baseball cards, magic cards, that where taking up a load of space. I am letting Chloe and Molly pick one of my Anne Geddes baby dolls I'll pick one for Tristen then will sell off the rest. Those dolls gone and I'll have a whole shelf in Tristen's closet. It's amazing how good it feels to get the house work under control and to wake up in the morning to the coffee brewed in my clean kitchen!!

So for any of you who are struggling with the same cluttery stressful mess, try this out it may just be your light at the end of the tunnel in the house cleaning world.

http://www.flylady.net

Pumpkin Patch

Visit www.moblyng.com to make your own!

Sunday after church we had invited some friends to head to the pumpkin patch for some fall fun. So Matt, Tina and the children Ethan and Amber, went with us for a bite to eat, then we headed to the pumpkin where we met up with Ryan and Warrie. We had planned originally to head home after church but found it easier to grab lunch so I did not have my camera. However I had my personal trusty family photographer, Warrie along, she always has a camera in hand. We did have a disposable camera but it will be weeks before I ever see those photos, the ones of Tina coming down the inflatable slide w/Amber. :o) The weather was nice and warm, we had a hay ride, played some, Stephan bought feed so the 4 kids could feed the goats, then we went along to pick pumpkins, then to top it all off the kids got to slide down a large inflatable slide, Tina too she had to help Amber up. I wore Tristen in the trusty pouch, she enjoyed the sights only fussing when she got warm, the once I took off her long sleeve shirt she nodded off to sleep. Such a fun day with the kids, and friends. Since then my girls are asking for chickens and goats. So Daddy is trying to figure out how to fence the back of the property and once clear we have been thinking of getting chickens, but not sure if just one acre is enough for a pair of goats.

Mommy time

Starting tomorrow I'm starting a 6week bible study, Stepping Up by Beth Moore, I'll be joining a few ladies from our church that live on my side of the county. I'm truely looking forward to jumping further into the word of God, and getting to know these ladies even better. So for the next few Tuesday evenings Daddy gets to hang at home with his girls for the evening. Today I worked for 8hours and Daddy survived his first day of homeschooling w/out the DVD to help, good thing it was a day for review. For now I'm off to work on my Crown Financial homework, and to watch 17kids and counting (the Duggars show) amazing. I have a small obsesion with watching shows about extremely large families.

WHAT????

On top of the many reasons why we do not send our girls to public schools this is just another strike to the public institutions list of reasons my girls will NEVER EVER go to public school. There is already a failed academic system, the sex education is a waste, because the kids have not a single clue what sex really is, and that getting pregnant is only the least of their worries. Excuss my little rant.. but please go to this link read it.. I don't think that it is the schools job to instill values... not impress upon our children either. What are we doing when we put our kids on a school bus? This is scary, I just graduated high school in 2000 from a public school, and the quality and trust is totally gone... this is a failing system..

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=77373

Trip to Lake Gaston.

This past weekend we took a trip to NC to Lake Gaston with our good friends Ryan and Warrie. Warrie's Grandan own's a home on the lake, it's truely a relaxing and beautiful place. We arrived friday night, and after checking the place out in the dark the girls headed to bed. The adults stayed up until 2am, the guys played the Wii, the girls watched a movie then we played some pirate dice game (was interesting). When the kids woke up they where excited when the could see water from the window. And out we went to explore. First we just walked the property, then after a pancake breakfast we explored some more, played in the water, Molly got soaked, Chloe collected some prized shells that are now cased in a tub in her bedroom. We changed into swimwear and played in the water some. Yes for you northern folks it was warm enough in October to play in the water. We just hung out the kids played. In the evening we fed a large crew of ducks w/ some aged bread that Warrie brought along. Watched a beautiful sunset over the lake. Just a wonderful weekend spent w/ a great friends and our family. Enjoy the slide show be patient there are lots of beautiful, and cute pics Warrie took while we where there.

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Teaching and Playgroup

Today was our 1st day of homeschool with out the DVD. What a difference, the joy of sitting down at the kitchen table and teaching my children. This was very rewarding and Molly is responding very well, and much better w/ this route. Chloe she would do well any way, just tell her what it is and how to do it, and leave her alone she'll ask questions if she has any. The kitchen table area has been transformed into our classroom I love it. However the rest of the living room well it's in shambles at the moment. There is a large wooden tv cabinet we are selling, and some other items that need a home in the house and others that will be donated or sold as well.

Another 1st for today, we attended a playgroup. This was good for both the kids to play w/other kids that are also being homeschooled w/similar values, and for mommy to meet other moms who are on this same rewarding journey. I'm looking forward to attending this playgroup again.

Jump, Run, and Jump some more

Today we made an afternoon trip to a local indoor play place. Complete with 3 bounce house/slide things for kids over the age of three. They also have an area for 3 and under, that Tristen will be able to enjoy once she starts crawling (I will however not be rushing that milestone) We spent a total of 3 hours there, and I'm sure the girls could have kept going until the place closed at 5pm. We opted to come home and see daddy for a few after his training class and before him taking a nap because he works tonight. Back to the place we went and what the girls did. They jumped, climbed, played, ran, played dress up, pretended to cook, be a pet shop owner... they stopped for a little snack... then off to do things all over again. Tristen and I hung out in the little "cafe" area, and also moved around to watch Chloe and Molly playing, Tristen cracked up laughing while watching her sisters jumping, it was adorable. Tristen also tested out a Bumbo seat (def have to get one of those) and one of those free standing jumpers (she thought it was amusing for me to bounce her because her feet didn't reach the floor, that was about as much amusement as she got out of the trip, she even had a cat nap while there. So this place has the stamp of approval, and we will definitely be making this a monthly outing, and Chloe is hoping to have her 6th birthday party there, since it's cold in December and I couldn't possibly fit everyone in my house. What a great and fun day. Now everyone is either resting or a sleep. Must say this homeschool gig gets better by the day.