Fotowonder......My Favorite Newborn Pix of Silas.....5 month old Pictures coming soon!

A Bear Hunt- April 2008

Last Fall Nolan was very interested in Bears and I tried to tell him that we do not have bears around here, but he was determined that we do....so Brad had promised him they would go on a Bear hunt in the woods around our house. Well, it got cold and he would want to go always at the inopportune times, so FINALLY when Silas was born, it was spring and warmer outside, Brad had time off work and a Bear hunting they went! This is one of my favorite memories, so I had to post about it, so we can remember it forever! But, Daddy and Nolan were not able to find a bear.....I know, very sad, but no bears in suburban Indiana! I love you and your imagination Nolan!

Nice!

Thanks Dad for giving my husband the Ambervision sunglasses! He is loving them! Like I told my dad, It is 2008, not 1980! Some may think these are in style again, but some things should never reappear in the fashion world! I love you Bradley!

State Fair with Nolan

Nolan had a great time with Kelli and his mommy! He was so excited to have a day for him. He would not be satisfied until he got an Elephant Ear. Aunt Kelli had to mention it on the drive to the fair and he would NOT stop talking about it until we got one. I think the thought of an Elephant Ear was very intriguing to a 4 year old little boy.

He does not start school until September 8th, so he is getting some great time with mommy and baby Silas, including a trip to McDonald's. Poor kid has only been there a few times....I know, unAmerican! Sorry buddy...Chic Fil A will have to do...you will thank me when you are older!

Isabel's first day of second grade

Hard to believe my baby has entered 2nd grade. Her teacher's name is Mrs Bransteter and she is great! Isabel is going to have a great year. She is very excited, but of course she is our social girl and loves to be with her friends. She has been very excited to have the job of computer girl. She has to turn the computers on everyday and off at the end of the day.....taking after her dad already. It feels like she was born yesterday. I do not feel old enough to have a 7 year old little girl. 2nd grade is where many of my fond memories of childhood begin. I remember Mrs. Adam's class like it were yesterday. All the times Jennifer and I asked to go to the nurses office to see who could get an ice pack or get them to send us home! It feels like we got to go home a lot, but I am sure they were on to us after the first time or two. We had no clue back then! All the sleep overs I had in the Russiaville Trailer Park with Jennifer and even the tomato throwing guys in Ivy Hills. What memories! And to think that when my sweet Isabel is in her 30's she is going to remember many of these days. She is so passionate about life. I can not wait to see where it takes her.....well, I can wait. The days already go by so fast. I want to savor them one by one. I love you my sweet girl!

Gotta love the conversations with a 4 year old!

Nolan:  "Sorry mommy.  I just said I wish i didn't have a sister in there."

Kerri: "Why?"

Nolan: "Because she would not stop saying SO!"

Kerri: " Does your heart really feel like you wish you did not have a sister?"

Nolan: "No, my brain does!"

Kerri: "But, how about your heart?"

Nolan, "No, my heart does not feel that way, just my brain!"

I keep feeling like I need pictures to post something, but I know that is not true.  Life gets crazy and it seems like so much goes by that I do not know what to even post.  This time in life is full of memories and things going on.....My days feel like they fly by!  I feel like I used to be so organized and now I am barely floating about water, in a good way.  How much does the laundry, dishes, and a clean house really matter?  I am learning that the most important thing right now is to shepard our children's hearts...they totally trust us and after all, God did put parents there to teach us, right?  I am always telling Isabel that I am not trying to upset you are be mean to you, but God sent me to protect and teach you.  Why is it so natural that our kids think we are against them and don't want them to have fun!  I won't forget how Isabel came home from Kindergarten one day to tell me a girl in  her class told her that she sneaks candy when her mom is napping.  I asked Isabel, "Why would she do that?"  I said, there is no need for you to do that, mommy wants you to beable to have candy sometimes.  I just know that too much will give you a belly ache or make you not hungry for the good food that helps your body grow, so I may say no if it is an inappropriate time.....BUT candy is good and I want you to beable to have it!  I think she liked my answer!  I don't want her to ever feel like she needs to sneak!  I am reading Shepherding your child's heart by Ted Tripp right now and I recommend it to all parents.  The world would be a different place if we all parented the way he suggests!

I love you Isabel, Nolan, and Silas!  I want to teach you God's grace, forgiveness, holiness, and Greatness!  Living with God in your heart and soul makes life a wild ride and amazing!

What is Wrong With This Picture!!!!

After having two thumb-suckers, I am determined not to have a third!!!  We are trying all different pacifiers... and he still found his thumb!

Silas is 4 Months!!!

We can't believe our Silas is 4 months!  He is 13lbs 4 oz and 24 inches long.  He is a happy baby and is sleeping from 8pm-8am!  Isabel and Nolan love to help take care of their baby brother.  He is rolling across the room, keeping us all on our toes.

Family Camp

As a kid, Brad and his family went to the Evangelical Family Camp each summer.  He has great memories from this camp and since we have been married we have visited twice.  This year was a year for a visit and it was a lot of fun!  Brad got to see a lot of old friends, catch up, and have a great milkshake at Evinhoe's afterwards.....memories

The highlight.....

I think the highlight of Isabel's 7th birthday was getting Manicures and Pedicures with Grandy and Aunt Nancy! We had a great time and ended our celebration at a great restaurant before our long drive home!

Another birthday celebration.....We went to South Bend to celebrate Isabel's birthday with Grandy, Aunt Nancy, and Uncle Dan.  They had planned a party/family reunion, but unfortunately Great Grandma broke her hip.....so we had a little party and spent time visiting with Great Grandma!  We had such a great weekend and made some special memories!