Praise God from whom all blessings flow...........

Sunday February 22nd 2009
The Day of Tristen's Dedication, and she is truly a Blessing sent by God!!
Portrait Done by Warrie McBrearty
If you would like a copy let me know and we'll talk!

Daniel Fast!

This is a blip about me... read if you'd like!

I'm 6 weeks into a study on the book of Daniel by Beth Moore. We where asked to give up something that we loved that was in the "world" that we could have but should be wise and do without. Just as Daniel chose to do with out the Kings Rich foods and wine in the 1st chapter of Daniel. This was not supposed to be a diet by any means. I choose to give up soda, I was addicted and it's something most of America could live with out and be much slimmer and healthier by it. This fast ended this Tuesday for me. When we went to the circus, I had a bottle of soda, 20oz of my favorite Dr Pepper. I'm learning that I should have continued to do with out. This is a learning curve for me and my eyes are opening more and more each day. I'm not perfect at all and fail daily. God has layed out a manual for us w/ examples to follow, what awesome things would come to be if all of those who claimed to follow him actually lived by the word of God. Wow! There would be True "Change" in this country. Though daily most of America kicks out the God that this country was founded on, and people wonder why things are falling apart around them! So I will continue to strive to follow the word of God, in hopes that I can make a difference. I've personally approched some subjects with friends and family members in the wrong way resulting in walls that may never be brought down. I have come to learn it's not for me to judge anyone, only God above can pass judgement, and it's my task to live the life he has called me to live and to be a witness to those around me. Well folks thanks for reading if you did. Now I'm off to bed!

The Greatest Show On Earth!

Stephan, Chloe and Molly at the Circus 2/19/09

Well I'm sure there are better shows to see. However tonight we went downtown and see the Circus! It was a nice show. Though we encountered something rather comical prior to getting into the show. PETA, protesters! Now a young lady with at least 20holes and pieces of metal in her face approaches Us and looks at Stephan and states "There are more wholesome things you could be doing with your children tonight" Now how in the world to I take you seriously when you have over a dozen holes in your body and dress far from wholesome. Anyways. We carried on and had a good time with the girls!

I love the way the elephants hold each others tails!

New Heat Pump!

So Monday February 16th 2009, our new heat pump system was installed. Can I just say it's incredible. Stephan's hard work under the house to re insulate in areas that needed it, and the added new heat pump. The house is very cozy and comfortable at a steady 70degrees. Though we could probably keep it lower we are enjoying it at this moment.

A Photo of our NEW thermostat! It's a comfortable 70degrees!

6 years ago on Valentine's day!

A bond began between 2 little girls that will last a life time. Cousin's and best buddies!!!
We celebrated Mikayla's 6th Birthday yesterday, and I reflected back to when she arrived in this world, and Chloe was there to welcome her! They are 7 weeks apart! :o)

Stephan, Chloe, Mikayla, Chris Rouze, Nana Pickens
February 2003
Chloe & Mikayla
February 14, 2009

Book recieved!

Well, my Managers of Their Homes book arrived, I've read, and have come to Step one! To Pray about and make my Mom's activity list, over the next week then review w/Stephan. My day needs to total about 24 hours or less.. I'll keep everyone updated. She does stress the importance of nap time for those under 7years old.. and well I restarted Molly's naps, and Chloe after the past few days could benefit from at least 1 hour of rest a day. This is only the beginning, and I'm excited about getting started!!!

MOTH method!

Homeschooling is going well. Though I'm struggling with just how to balance 3 kids, schooling 2, caring for baby, and house work. Some days it seems like there are not enough hours in the day, and if I only could split myself in two would I be able to get it all done. I've done the give me and the girls chores, it worked for a while, but my structure was not strong. In my fascination with the Duggar family, I checked out their web site, and found they use the MOTH method of scheduling their time, found at titus2.com. My thought was well if this works so well for a family of 20, then why not give it a try for my family of 5. So last week I ordered my book, and I'm now anxiously awaiting it's arrival to get started in hopes to be like the many before me that where able to send great testimonies on it's success in turning the whole house around.

No Hannah!

We decided we wouldn't let the girls watch Hannah Montana. Why not? Every other 4 and 6 year old is watching her! Well, I decided I'd watch the show on one of my late night feedings of Tristen over the summer, and was shocked buy the behaviors I witnessed that I'm not wanting my kids to behave in these manners. #1- Running after and kissing of boys. #2- Greed, I watched an episode where she was begging her daddy for a new phone even though the one she had was fine. #3. She's very sassy, and has a attitude. #4 I don't care for the way she speaks to her Dad. #5.. my list can go on and on so I'll stop. I've explained to Chloe and Molly that I would not like them to watch this show, and they understand it's because I don't like Hannah Montana's character qualities. So that's my little rant, and a little Hannah will hurt, So my girls are not allowed to view the Disney Channel after the noon hour if at all. Especially because of the chance to see Wizards of Waverly Place also, and the rest of the other bratty kids shows that come on in the evenings.

ZOO PASSES!!!

For Christmas my parents gave our family of 5 passes to the local zoo. Today was one of the random 60degree days in Va, warm, clear, and sunny. I decided to declare a field trip to take advantage of the passes and the weather. Especially since the next 2-3 days forecast calls for 30ish degree weather and rain/snow mix.

Our Trip exciting.. the kids had a blast.

Tristen watching Chloe and Molly feed the Giraffes

Chloe Feeding the Giraffe

Molly's turn!

The day was beautiful, and we are all looking forward to many more trips to the zoo thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Kruse.

Dirty Job

Stephan has discovered that working in the crawl space replacing old insulation, is a very dirty and smelly job. Our heat pump install has been delayed. However Stephan decided he needed to check the insulation under the house, and in the process discovered that it had fallen from many areas. This was part of our problem with cold! The heat pump does need to be replaced regardless, we had made a small fix to get us through last summer, and need the AC big time around here in the summer. Stephan with the help of Phillip spent 5+hours under the house working on this project and the back half of the house has been re insulated. They smelled nasty and where filthy when they where done. I now have a mound of insulation in the back yard, awaiting a trip in the truck to the dump!

Growing Girls!!!

Chloe, Molly, and Tristen have all grown.. The result a need to change out clothing sizes for each girl. This is a difficult task, because, I have limited times as to when I can get this done due to mine and Stephan's schedule. Stephan happened to be off this Saturday so I started my journey, in the tubs of hand me downs... and baskets of laundry.

The pictures offer a small glimpse of my bedroom over taken by little girls clothing. Chloe has gone from a size 6/6x top to a 7/8, Molly a 4/5top to a 6/6x. The tricky part with the hand me downs, They start w/ my niece Stirling, then good condition stuff gets to Ainsley, who also gets tome new things, then the good condition stuff comes to Chloe, then Chloe gets some new, then it all goes to Molly, result, Molly always has way too much clothing. So I then have to evaluate what will work for them, and then pass some on to charity, because I just don't have the space for it all. Tristen is moving from 12mo clothing in some items to 18month, so that transition is taking place too. Now Tristen is tolerant of being left on the bed to play with clothing and hangers for some lengths of time, however the 6+hours spent Saturday where not enough to tackle the task at hand, now I face Stephan sleeping in my work space so the transition of clothing has come to a halt.... The master bedroom stuffed, and some of the tubs are living in the family room. Homeschool is needing to resume for the week. I hope to tackle it in small increments each evening this week, and hope to complete the task of downsizing Molly's jumbo collection of clothing, Getting Tristen's bigger sizes washed and switched out. My hope is to have it done, by next week, or I may loose my mind in the process.

What about the kids??

Guess I left the girls out of the last post! Tuesday nights they have Daddy time! Wednesday nights there is a place for them and some wonderful teenagers watch them! On every other Friday Grandma and Grandpa Rouze have graciously agreed to watch them for us, since we'll be in their area. So that's where they will be while Mommy and Daddy have their Bible study time with the other adults. More kiddie posts later!!

Busy Mommy and Daddy!!

I resumed my Tuesday night ladies bible study, we are doing another Beth Moore Study called Daniel . I'm on my 3rd week, have 5days of homework a week, it's just awesome, and it's helping to clarifying some things that God has already been placing on my heart over the past 2years. Starting this Friday, Stephan and I are returning to our Friday night local bible study group (with church friends who live on our side of town), and are doing a study called "The Bait of Satan" By John Bevere and is about Living Free from the Deadly trap of Offense. That study will require us to read the book and attend the video sessions every other week. Oh there is more, we are some bible studying folk right now! Wednesday nights, the men are starting a study called "The Way of the Wild heart" by John Eldridge, Stephan helped line some things up, and Ricky (Debby's Husband) will be leading the group of men. The ladies are starting another Beth Moore Study "Believing God"(workbook and homework optional) for those who attend Wednesday nights. I chose to dive in and get the work book!! It's just like taking a bunch of different classes in school, just our subject matter is God, serving Him, believing Him, and growing in His word! We are looking forward to our adventures in the coming weeks.

Baby it's COLD inside!!

So this past week we had some very cold weather, boo on the fact that we didn't get a lick of snow to show for it. Our heat pump, is not the best, at night it can't seem to keep the house warm enough. Chloe, Molly and myself do well with extra blankets. For Tristen I was layering her with the following, short sleeve onesie, long sleeve onesie, tights, socks, lightweight sleeper, blanket sleeper, a blanket pouch (in place of a blanket) and a pair of mittens w/ long socks over them to stay in place. Despite all of that clothing, Tristen would wake up with ice cold fingers, hands, and lower arms. So Friday and Saturday the temperature lows where to be bel0w 10degrees, since the heat pump couldn't hang with 20degrees, I opted to stay with my parents while Stephan was at work those 2 nights. We have 2 options, replace the heat pump, or just make costly repairs to it over and over, not really knowing when it will break completely. We have decided to replace the whole system, and this will take place next weekend. Last night wanting to sleep in my own bed, we returned home, it was not as cold, but still now warm enough for Tristen, so she snuggled up for the night with me in my bed, we slept well and no ice cold fingers this morning.

Parenting....

Why we do what we do...... In the realm of parenting. When Chloe was just a baby we dedicated her to the Lord.. and committed to raise her to love and serve the Lord. We repeated that dedication with Molly, and plan the same route for Tristen. Neither of us where made to attend church, or where taught much about God as children our parents had decided to introduce us to church and let us choose our own way. I'm grateful that Stephan and I had found friends in life that directed us towards church. We stepped away from church in 1999, to return in 2000 after an invitation to what would become our current church family. Our christian walk has not been an easy one, and not always a faithful one. However in the past year we have jumped into our faith with both feet, and are working more diligently to raise our girls the way we dedicated to do so 6years ago. Today I checked out a CD series by Jimmy Evans titled "Successful Parenting", it has confirmed many of our parenting methods, and has given me more incite as to which way to go with other areas of parenting to show them God through us. I look forward to continuing on this difficult and challenging path of parenting our girls. So following listening to this message I plan to listen to it again, and then to share w/ Stephan. Below is a link to Marriage today.

http://www.marriagetoday.org

Happy New Year!!!

The Girls and myself spent New Years at my Parents place. Along with my sister and her girls since our husbands had to work. Uncle Chris was home too. For Chloe and Molly we said Happy New year and had some sparkling grape juice around 9pm so they could go to bed. :o) Hope everyone has a great year in 2009!!

Camping indoors....

Our 15x14 2 room Family Cabin Tent

Queen Air bed and Tristen's Pack n Play

Chloe & Molly w/ their twin air beds and sleeping bags!

For Christmas we received a Tent. The girls got their air beds. With misc cash gifts we purchased our Queen air bed, my sleeping bag, and other camping gear. So to be sure that all functioned well and was not missing parts we camped out in the house in the tent. What a blast... we are looking forward to warmer weather to venture outdoors. Over the next few months we will begin to search for and purchase any other camping equipment that we may need.

Christmas recovery!!

So we have the largest disaster in our family room. It's full of boxes, toys, and camping gear. That's right. We have our tent!! It's huge, with a 7foot head clearance inside for us tall folk. Target had a great clearance sale on camping items, so we got the girls and myself a sleeping bag, our lantern, and other misc small items, a wash basin for dishes.... the list goes on. So yesterday I got all of our laundry washed and folded, and with Stephan sleeping all day I tend to get behind on putting things away. Today he is working a double shift so I'm working on making our bedroom tidy, and putting away every ones hanging laundry, as I have every ones including the kids clothing in my closet. They have a large dresser and 2 small sets of drawers in their bedroom that houses folded items, I hang their dresses, and tops. Then I'll do some work on the family room I should really do a before and after shot, it's terrible, and to top things off Tristen is teething making free hands hard to come by. Gotta get it done Stephan's hoping that with a clean family room and moving the couch we may be able to put up the tent in the house so all us kids can try out our gear that's indoor safe, and see how the pack n play will fit w/the air beds. Fun!! and EXCITING. it helps to motivate and we have another week of Christmas break!

Chloe Turns 6

This day 6 years ago our oldest daughter was born. She had her birthday party a week early, and we will be headed out to eat at the restaurant of her choice this evening just the five of us to celebrate her official birthday.

The Rouze Family Christmas letter.

Many of you received this but for those I missed here it is!! Along with the Picture taken by our dear friend Warrie, special thanks to her for her hard work and dedication on this project.

Merry Christmas,

This year has been quite the adventure for our family. We began the year with our house on the market, a baby in Heather’s belly, and various other things to keep us busy. We took preventative measures knowing Heather would face some time on bed rest. We also took into consideration the third child we were expecting and the un-affordable costs of daycare. This dilemma left us looking to downsize our living quarters.
A good friend of ours, Phillip, had taken a job which required him travel the country most of the time. He had the perfect house for our family. A cozy little rancher nestled on almost an acre, with three bedrooms and a large family room. He agreed to sell the home to us upon the sale of our house. Of course, with the economy and all, this was easier said then done.
We actually listed our house in October of 2007. The start of 2008 left us without a single offer, and many pains to come. We had reduced the sale price to $40,000 less then the appraised value before our first offer. The first offer failed, then a second failed offer came, and finally God came through! After much prayer in May we received not only one, but two good offers, on the same day. We didn’t get as much as we wanted, but we closed with what we needed.
On May 27, 2008 we sold the big house and made the move. To add to that week in History on May 29th we ended up at the Hospital with a un-official family record baby weigh in. Tristen Leigh Rouze was born, coming into this world at 10lbs and 2oz!
Summer time was spent organizing the new home and enjoying the lower mortgage payment! We took the kids, along with Stephan’s parents, to Pennsylvania for a week vacation. We enjoyed going to Sesame Place, Amish County, the Crayola Factory, and the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum. The kids had a good time, and the ‘big’ kids had a blast too! It was nice to see the family up north as well!
Perhaps the biggest thing of the summer came when we officially decided to keep our kids out of government schools and home school our children. It has taken a large commitment on our part, but it is well worth it. Chloe has already surpassed Kindergarten standards and is excelling rapidly. Molly is engaged in a preschool program and she too is taking off!
Chloe turns 6 in a week and Molly just turned 4 in September. The kids are growing up fast! They continue to make life interesting and un-predictable! We hope the New Year offers more excitement as we take up camping as a new family activity. We love all of you dearly. May God Bless you richly in the coming year!

Merry Christmas
Love,
Stephan, Heather, Chloe, Molly, & Tristen