Baby Blue Eyes

2012-02-11T19:47:00.000-08:00

She is almost one, and tantrums are common :)But with a sock in her mouth, she threw one at us.

A sunny day in... February?

2012-02-11T19:43:00.000-08:00

Cut, Cut, Cut!

2012-02-11T13:38:00.000-08:00

There were three hair cuts all done at my home in two hours, and how smoooothly it went. The gal, in case you were wondering is my Aunt Cindy (my mom's sister). She has been like my second Mom as I grew up and even now. She has been doing hair as her career forever, it is her amazing talent and she has an awesome price if you are interested. Even home visits for ya'll!

Where I lay

2012-02-09T19:10:00.000-08:00

I'm challenged by coping with my brain tumor. When my days, and weeks are normal I simply forget that my life is shorter. I have a difficult, painful battle, taunting me with every forgetful thought, hurtful headache, and loss of language. I do not know what to do emotionally. Do I find a thought that brings me hope that I have far longer to live than all the signs my body has given me. Death is pursuing me, and I find it harder to believe I have extensive time left here when my brain persistently communicates otherwise. The LORD is with me, and the faith I completely possess is that he knows when I will be with HIM. I feel as though I cannot continually just pray that HE heals me, when HIS will may be to take me. I must have faith that HE will take me when HE wants me. This is where I lay.

Couple Cuteness

2012-02-01T13:36:00.000-08:00

I am so in love with my husband.

Thomas Time!

2012-02-01T13:33:00.000-08:00

Do you think he is a little devoted to Thomas? Yup, as you can see from the below blog anything that gets him closer to Thomas, he wants. The jammie addiction is the strongest right now. I wash these two different pairs of jammies constantly so he can wear them over, and over, and over. The Wiggles are his newest love, but the jammies are still his true addiction.

Tantrum Time

2012-02-01T13:32:00.000-08:00

Why? You may wonder... he needed to get out of the Thomas jammies.

Preschool Police Place

2012-02-01T13:27:00.000-08:00

Months ago Ty's preschool teacher asked if my husband would be willing to drive to the preschool and educate the kiddos along with let them see a police car. In case you don't know he is a Police Officer. I wanted to be married to a police officer for years as a child. Tommy being the most amazing Daddy that he is, was MORE than willing. When he arrived home from his 10 hour shift with a cop car the boys were elated. As was Mommy to see my uniformed husband :) My breath was taken away by how amazing he looked.Mimi really didn't even notice that Daddy was in a police uniform. She did, however want a kiss.We headed off to the preschool, so that our boys could get more time with the police car before the class arrived.The boys watched Daddy turn the car around and turn on the lights.I am keeping his department to us, and blocked out the name on the car. If you know, you know :)Here is my cop Hubby teaching away! He covered not touching guns, calling 911, bicycle safety, and not talking to strangers. The kids were adorable! Ty is the little man wearing a red t-shirt in front of a lil man wearing a red shirt as well.
You go hubby!

BFF

2012-02-01T13:23:00.000-08:00

Best Friends Forever, OR perhaps her Hubby down the road! This is her little man that has found his way into many of my blogs :)

The Bath Beauty

2012-02-01T13:17:00.000-08:00

Miriam will be a handful. She is amazingly ahead on so many levels compared to what we remember of the boys. Her vocabulary takes Tommy's and my breath away. She knows just what to do to make us laugh. Some days when she naps a ton, I wish she didn't need a nap. The smell on her cheeks intoxicate me. Look at her, goodness me, ADORABLE!Her hair is starting to have a curly mullet in the back.Now this is not a great picture of her. I am posting it so that she can see how hilarious she was, and still is! Chubby is good Mimi, good!

The Ladies of the Home

2012-01-26T20:27:00.000-08:00

Do you think she is developing an attitude?Nope, just breath-taking.How's about me? Attitude, check. Adorable, I think so ;) Ignore the messy kitchen... transfer to a different wall......much better :)Mimi is powerful too, she's eating the garbage man. It's because of the snow they never picked up our recycling. Then this week wasn't OUR week to get it picked up, so basically it is everywhere is piles in the garage, because we are MASSIVE recyclers, any who Mimi was frustrated :) She even overturned the garbage truck behind her."Blueberries, Mom?! Really?! Those are my fav, frozen, or thawed! You remembered Mom, wow, good job Mommy!"Look to your right, pose."Mom I'm not ready for this picture, you see, I am showing lady parts, I just came from the bath. I know you can edit all that out, but still you left the bink?""Ok, ready!"Dang right, ladies rule the Warwick house, kinda, well no, we are out-numbered.

Mega Block Day

2012-01-25T20:59:00.000-08:00

I said it, yup Mega Block Day. Tommy was tolerating the craziness of the boys really, really wanting to play with blocks that they always refuse to clean up. Essentially what happens is Tommy has an audience as he builds, then the boys find something else to do. Tommy continues because he has something in his head that he is willing to give time. The kids will take care of themselves while he focuses on his MASTER-PIECE! I love you hubby of mine, but you are truly obsessed with mega blocks. Below is Tommy's football stadium. The red 'screen' is the TV for the fans as they attend the game. Tommy even told Ty to grab his fire truck and police car to keep outside of the stadium in case of emergency :) ...And check out those yellow goal posts!Onto Tommy's amazing church he built, HUGE cross right on top....and inside another cross :)She was approaching the Lord's church......and she had her way with it, He forgives Mimi, He forgives. LOL

The White Stuff

2012-01-18T13:13:00.000-08:00

So it began a couple days ago, we got word that snow, more snow, and more snow was on its way. When it first started to fall the kiddos had to get out and see it...It continued to fall and it was gorgeous!We headed back out as it began to accumulate, and Eli and I sledded against his will down our hill, so did Ty.I decided to make it a shovel project. I did our driveway and walkway to the front door. Then once done with that I headed to the neighbors and did their walkways, and stairs to their doors. Good work out.This was last night. We had about 8 inches or so???This is now! Here is a lovely pine tree that typically stands up;)

The boys have been out several times that then resulted in complete tantrums once inside. Ty in particular just could not handle being that cold, and waiting to re-warm. He seemed to believe that the last two days of hot coco, was what warmed him up, so he asked, and asked, and asked... during the tantrum. Eventually he calms :) Sadly we took away the ability to make it out because of the fits when he headed in. However, I do think they will make it out before dark :)

Big Boys Getaway!

2012-01-15T19:56:00.000-08:00

Tommy bought monster truck tickets for Ty and him to go see to celebrate Ty's 4th Birthday last September. We thought it would be a perfect delayed Birthday present for a 4 year old! The one directly below was called the grave digger. He wasn't Ty's particular favorite...This one's name was the mut, I have no idea how to spell the word mut, meaning a mix of, multiple kinds of dogs???Ty has his ear covers on it was extremely noisey. I am so glad Tommy and I planned this trip together.We made sure they had ear muffs, snacks, Bible Cd's for the long ride (Jesus Story Book Bible...seriously the best one for kiddos), and a pillow from Ty to pass out on. Tommy and Ty moved up from their seats so that they were out of the people craziness and had more space! Check out the snacks, popcorn!Let me say from this point on the facial expressions from Titus were allllll his choice!Check out those doggy ears, and tail!...and the tongue... Ty loved the doggy the best, he lost sadly in the race...Oh my Ty's next favorite thing was on the way to help this one!Construction machine!Uh oh fire! I guess this happens regurlarly and is not a real big deal...
I was so excited that they got to go enjoy this awesome little man get-a-way! Sadly literally the moment Ty and Tommy walked in Eli barfed all over the kitchen floor. Ty had also just woken up from a nap and he was freaking out that he was awake. I was so excited to see all five of us together, again.

What happens when???...

2012-01-14T10:17:00.000-08:00

...you have eggs stuck to your nose and no idea that it is there!?Look at all those teeth! ...She poses for pictures!

Absolute, Adorable, Cuteness

2012-01-14T10:09:00.000-08:00

Typical men wanting to be naked with a hat and undies.Miriam on the other hand is obsessed with her cowgirl hat. Tommy was telling me that she found her hat was smiling and pointing to her head. Tommy put it on her and she was glowing and crawling around our playroom smiling even more!

Bedtime Mimi...

2012-01-14T10:07:00.000-08:00

...Mimi the doll, that was a gift to Miriam and that Elijah has adopted and cares for every day. He named her Mimi. She goes to bed at night and gets a bottle!

Good Job Mom-in-law

2012-01-14T09:59:00.000-08:00

For Tommy's stocking my mom got Tommy a 16 pack of dry erase markers. I was so proud of my Mom, because she thought of it without any prompting from me. A couple nights ago we were catching up on sermons we hadn't made it to, and as we listened Tommy drew this :)

Poof

2012-01-14T09:50:00.000-08:00

To my kids: Laugh, make fun of my picture, particularly my hair. Then call Aunt Cindy and tease her for doing my hair. I may be wrong, but as I remember she convinced me to do this and I was not too excited. Once you laugh tease me and laugh until you cry, I won't be sad I will laugh along with you!

January 4th 1984

2012-01-07T19:41:00.000-08:00

I entered the world on a crazy warm January day. On my Birthday this year I awoke to a decorated kitchen ceiling fan that all three boys did for me! (Hubby, Ty and Eli) First off we stopped at Starbucks. Whenever we make it there I order short, half full, waters ;) After that we headed to McDonalds. I hate to admit it, but I love their sausage mcmuffins, no egg.When in the Starbucks drive-thru I asked if they had a Birthday special, nope. However, an assistant manager just had her Birthday and used her free drink on me! Wow!TearMimi loves to read!
It was a relaxing day at home... :)

Grandma Becky

2012-01-07T19:26:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much Grandma Becky for the gifts to our family!To the kids the candy really was fabulous!!!This face made Tommy and I crack up!

Eyes Open

2012-01-01T10:42:00.000-08:00

Finally, my darling little lady has her eyes open for a couple pictures! Notice she is standing? Yup, extremely ahead of her brothers as far as physical development. This girl is all over the place. Tommy and I completely adore her. I understand why youngest of people's kids are spoiled. We literally savor her when she is awake. I love smelling her adorable cheeks, that are always slightly cool. She never cries unless, she is REALLY hungry or has just been attacked by one of the boys. Just kidding, actually the boys are really kind to her. The only time they hurt her is when they just don't understand what she can handle. Her words are all over the place...Momma, Dadda, Amen, uh huh, boo, choo choo...seriously her word development is fast! Look at how big she is! If you wanna see her before she weighs 30 pounds hurry over! What a cute tush!

Ahhh the glass was yummy according to her... she kept licking it!

Happy New Year!

Day after Christmas...

2012-01-01T10:38:00.000-08:00

Awwww, Mimi's sweet baby. I got it knowing she was a little lady and hoping she would love her.
But......turns out she is more like Ty and loves the books in our house! She doesn't seem obsessed with eating them or riping the pages, but looking at it!Then there is Eli, who now has a baby... her name is Mimi, and she rides around in the wagon with Eli's water. He cares for her, so sweet!

Jesus's Birthday came and past...

2012-01-01T10:22:00.000-08:00

Finally I have the drive to blog about our Lord's Birthday... also know as Christmas! I love the whole season, honestly who doesn't? Just the whole preparation, shopping, thinking about the awesome special things each family does. In mine we obviously need to cook more, and gain some weight! I mean seriously, I made molasses cookies, AMAZING banana chocolate muffins, chex mix, seriously homemade chicken noodle soup. Mmmm food. Ultimately being in a home lit up with Christmas lights brings immense warmth, a cold car on the journey of seeking out Christmas light neighborhoods, makes it cozy quick. I love it all every single day. I must confess that I actually enjoy the crazy crowds at stores, so much so I will make a return trip just for one thing I may have forgotten. Christmas morning was delicious Costco Cinnamon rolls, and bacon to start. A thanks to the Allen family for supplying the rolls. Onto the cozy living room for chaotic present opening with the kiddos! Ty is a complete playdoholic... new tools!Fabulous box of tools to Eli...Chaos around the house as Daddy made it back to bed, as we awaited Grandma and Grandpa's arrival...Among the two of them they got immensely, crazy amounts of playdoh!But ultimately the most awesome gifts were a CAT Lego dump truck, and Mega Lego pull bin!!!The boys continued to entertain themselves all day.As you can see we received an amazing wax melter smelly thing. I love it, good job Mom! A new coffee pot, awesome job picking it out Dad! Our most breathtaking gift was a card that said my parent's will take the kiddos, and help pay for a LOOONNNNGGGG weekend getaway for just Tommy and I! Note the Cougar gear on the couch? All sent from the Cougar Nakata's, thank you!Mimi thoroughly enjoyed eating all the tissue paper and bows. She got a amazing baby that you will see in up-n-coming posts. Clothes and other awesome gifts!Big brother Ty helped open things for her...
Again thank you to all who sent us cards, financial gifts, and awesome packages. Merry late Christmas!

2012

2011-12-31T15:36:00.000-08:00

I figured this whole year out. I want to do 2011 over again, or at least a portion of it. Struck with a tumor that is supposed to take my life in 8 years, but made my life miraculous. I may still have a tumor in my brain, but I have an unbelievable marriage to my husband, growing relationship to my God, and parenting patience (most days). Each year can be improved, and that is why I want to redo April-June. Those were the months I was literally pissed at God.

"Why me? Hello, Lord, I have a hubby and kids to care for, they can't survive without me! I'm pissed. You can heal me, do it. People tell me you're sad about my suffering? Sure you are. You're the one who is allowing this to happen. I don't understand you, I thought you loved me?"

He does. He loves me. It is the sin, and down-fall of this world that has challenged my body. Think of food that never expires, never rots, never goes bad. That would be heaven, and do not compare heaven to twinkies, they may last decades, but not forever. Yes, I am smiling at that thought, sorta. Sin entered the world and brought with it death, suffering, illness, pain, on and on the list goes. Therefore me tumor, my suffering IS part of sin, and the LORD mourns my pain. Healing is an option He could pursue, but even better is the fact that He has a plan. That is what I would prefer over healing. I MUST have faith that His plan is far better than mine. Life is awesome, but truly Heaven will be freaking breath taking, pleasurable, mind blowing, tummy enticing, no tiredness, freaking awesome!!!!

Happy New Year...savor every moment, even the crappy ones of the coming years. Seriously.

Christmas Eve!

2011-12-29T10:55:00.000-08:00

How do you like my bed head? I was on the verge of cooking away, and this is what I got to see when I climbed out of bed!You know you love it!Veggie tray! Ty is addicted to veggies, I proudly type that!I stole Mimi's hair ribbon...Eli wanted the chex mix! Nearly burnt the house down making that...Present opening chaos...All she wanted was the ribbons and papers to eat...

Mimi on the Move

2011-12-29T10:50:00.000-08:00

She needed the laundry basket for stability, so she could be naughty getting into the tree...I love this face.

2011-12-28T20:06:00.000-08:00

The video done of us, just a couple days before my surgery!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFU0huH7zB0&list=HL1325100259&feature=mh_lolz

The day before Christmas Eve...

2011-12-25T10:37:00.000-08:00

My adorable kids were building a tent, bed and all...Ty has a new way of smiling, I love it.Eli went down for his nap, and Miriam woke up from hers. She moved right into the new tent!Can you see, what I see???? I am beaming with JOY!Daddy built this, Daddy is as obsessed with blocks as the the boys are! This lovely little thing stopped the other blocks that you put in on the top, until YOU released them by lifting the release!I was making banana bread in a loaf pan... then that became banana muffins, then banana muffins with chocolate chips, then mini banana muffins, FINALLY mini muffins with mini chocolate chips... and don't forget to check out my 1980's oven!Check out Miriam's friend Norah Anderson. Soon enough they will be shopping and laughing at their jammies!Elijah sound asleep in bed. I check on the boys before I head to bed, and this is the settled littlest man, hair standing up!She found a cute position...Not quite time to open kiddos!

Ah Yea Gingerbread House!

2011-12-22T15:10:00.000-08:00

Who needs gifts, when you know you're a gift!

All on his own....

2011-12-20T19:34:00.000-08:00

...he made this all on his own. The trains were even able to drive through!

Well hello St. Nic!

2011-12-20T19:28:00.000-08:00

This is the first time Mimi wore shoes! What a cute little, shoe wearing lady! We were about to load all three kiddos for a St. Nic picture... ...and this was the best one. Let me say that it was free!

2011-12-20T10:38:00.000-08:00

To my breath-taking husband, and blessed children:

Your Daddy is amazing; and my husband takes my breath away. In many ways he is sacrificial like our LORD. He chooses to fill his time at home serving us, even if it doesn't seem that way. On his days off, I get to sleep in. He rises early with the children so I may rest. He takes literally ALL his home time to play with our kids and help me get the things I need done. I am watching him now putting smiles on his children's faces by building a mega block tower.

His job is to serve as well. Being a police officer presents a potential sacrifice of His life each day he works. He has witnessed mind blowing, heart hurting things; yet somehow comes home with the trauma washed away. The LORD steps in and takes the thoughts of suffering he witnessed away.

I was shocked last night when my husband told me what he did at Lowes days ago. He watched a man repeatedly attempt to attach a Christmas tree to his little car. I truly feel the LORD used my husband to serve this man. Tommy asked the man if he could load the tree to his truck and follow the man to his home and drop the tree off for him. He excepted. and Tommy followed him into the most unsafe part of our county just to get that man's tree to their home. I was literally speechless, so filled with immense joy. Tommy sacrifices. Jesus Christ sacrificed. We are blessed.

Intoxicated

2011-12-18T13:10:00.000-08:00

Honestly this looks like me when I was a drinking college student, naughty me. However, Mimi's intoxication could very well be from cheese or prunes, she loves them!I cannot seem to ever get her to open her eyes, but she is still a fabulous smiler. Not to mention she is completely ahead of the boys with physical development and verbal. She says Momma, Dada, uh oh, and amen. However it takes a ton of coercing, with the exception of Momma when she is having a breakdown we hear a ton!It is like she knew that she was posing!Like I said intoxicated, possibly on french toast for breakfast then nap.Physically she can clap, and she swings her lil body back and forth when music is on!Look at those adorable lips, down for the night!
My sweet little cupcake!

Beginning to End

2011-12-14T15:29:00.001-08:00

Life itself in many ways is a blessing all on its own. I do not want to say the money or remodeling, immediately ignites my faith and thankfulness of Christ's presence. It ignites when we choose to pursue HIM. I have heard in the past that it can be hard to give the LORD attention unless life is flowing beautifully. We are consistently turning to the LORD, be it a blessing, or a worldly struggle.

We have been watching our bathroom continually rot. When we bought the house we were told that in the past there was a leak behind the wall, but it had been repaired years ago. When we started living here it was obvious that water was seeping behind the tiles when we showered, the toilet sweat like it was exercising; and our white floor started to turn black from the toilet stretching out. The bathroom continued its roting project and one evening Tommy slightly pushed on the wall behind the toilet, and the wall caved in. Awesome. Tommy and I called a contractor to assess the problem and give us a general bid. It was a lot. Not only that but after doing this, we know that the bid would have been more once they really got started. One night at our community group the men and women separated to chat about praises, struggles, and needs. I had pretty much decided that I was not going to break down simply because life has been awesome. Who really makes remodeling a bathroom a priority? I know, it needed to be, and the LORD immediately propelled that communication. I broke down into tears, after praying that the LORD fill my mouth with what I needed to share.Within hours the LORD interceded further with amazing friends and finances to get the job done. To this day we are not quite sure who took on our financial burden. Regardless we are immensely thankful. The whole project and willingness of others, time devoted to us, truly took our breath away. My friend whom you will see further down is named Odette and her hubby below to the right had initially months ago, said they would love to give us theei time. However, for them and us our schedules never matched to get the room done. Next to Brian is Darren Anderson, he is the community group leader, and helped within our home as well as Todd Neuharth, my friend Melissa's husband (also in our cg).While the remodel happened Odette, and I hung out everyday. Here is Mimi's boyfriend, you have seen pictures before of him...The beginning of the transformation was our garage turned into a work space. Hey there toilet! To the left you can see my buff hubby's craigslist purchase, a punching bag.Bubbye toilet, bath tub, and walls! Check out that black mold!Tommy and Brian really wanted attention. They called me like 7 times, to grab the camera, and take a few ;)This is under the house, I do believe Brian spent an entire day under there......see what I said!Starting to look newer!Completely different night, there's the couple again!Can both of you please keep your eyes open!All six of the kiddos between two families! Will be seven soon enough, Odette is preggo! Add on the Anderson kiddos, and between three married couples you would see ten kiddos! All under six years old, an amazing blessing of craziness!Odette and Brian, beginning the finishing touches!Brian was basically living here the days Tommy had off to help. I wanted to cook dinners, coffee, and cookies by request. Brian was a cookie-a-holic which was FINE with Tommy! On our white board Brian wrote peanut butter cookies please, I didn't see the request until after the remodel was done. Odette made them for her hubby!Surprisingly Mimi is completely comfortable with Brian, one day when I needed to shower at their house Brian was holding Mimi and she passed out on him! Odette was chasing around my other kiddos, and Mimi demanded attention and got it!Paint away!Taaaaaaa Daaaaa! Our finished off bathroom. So many thank yous! You know who you are, we may not know every single one who helped, but anyway we look at it the LORD had HIS hand in the work too!

AMEN!

2011-12-12T21:26:00.000-08:00

Miriam is worshipping the LORD!

Drama

2011-12-10T20:29:00.000-08:00

Learning to stand is a tough journey. Mimi was practically there and she then fell into the wall and then continued to hit her head. On purpose. I have a feeling she will be a very traumatic lady.

Snack for Miriam

2011-12-10T20:22:00.000-08:00

Mimi swallowed this leaf, and coughed it back up. Kind of big, huh?

Shocked.

2011-12-08T20:19:00.001-08:00

Are you shocked that my joy is found in the LORD?
Are you surprised that I look forward to death?
Does it shock you how powerful faith is?
Can you fathom entering Heaven to see those whom you miss, and our alive GOD?
Does your mind come even close to imagining the reality of Heaven?
Can you thoroughly enjoy the junk we encounter on earth, knowing that it will end?
Does traffic truly challenge you?
Could you lay in an MRI, emotionally OK with whatever the result will be?
Would you be OK creeping closer to Christ, while falling away from your earthly memories?
We will all pass, and we were all born. We have this in common.
Death begins with birth.
Faith in Christ, makes death your new life.

Shall we be concerned...

2011-12-07T20:33:00.000-08:00

...that our gorgeous little lady already figured our how to get her arm out of her shirt? Nope it is not concerning in the least. She is ahead, and takes our breath away every day. Ty still cannot get in and out of his clothes! "Are you all confused? I was setting a trend!""I can tell you dig it, this style is going to be a hit, I know it!""You keep reading because I am so cute, huh?""Told you it would be a trend, my facial expression explains it. These boys thought I looked so cute that they followed my lead!""Mommy told me that she posts like every picture she takes. I'm cool with that!"This is Miriam's first time standing! Can you tell based on Mommy's smile/shock?! Now she is completely obsessed with standing. She will seek you out if your on the floor or on the couch and use you to pull herself up!Her facial expressions get me every time!

2011-12-07T20:03:00.000-08:00

Miriam got to see her first Chirstmas tree when she woke from her nap.Titus and Miriam have fantastic photos together!Honestly, how breathtaking!Our Christmas tree was still getting decorated when I took these photos.Ok and here is all the photos I took, that resulted in very few eyes....cute faces though...Ty got a smile!
I am struggling with blogs. Not enough time, and so much to say. My most recent MRI went well, no growth. I want to post a million photos and cannot seem to get enough time to load them. For now all I can provide is once and a while, with few words, but tons of pictures!

Before, and now

2011-12-04T19:51:00.000-08:00

Before our community group stepped into our molding bathroom it looked like this.Now it looks like this, and when I type now, I mean right this minute 7:56pm. Kids are down, Mommy is watching TV in the playroom, and Tommy is in there gutting too. We are so, so blessed, loved, and cared for. We are blown away by the care our community group is providing, most importantly, the LORD. We feel so blessed.

What is a community group? Well, when you attend a church that is approaching 12,000 people, you need to connect with others. So a community group is a group of singles, marrieds, any age people that get together weekly and talk about the church service, personal struggles, and blessings. We absolutely love ours, and feel as though they have been placed in our lives for a reason.Not just a bathroom remodel...

2011-12-03T07:23:00.000-08:00

Such a cute little lady ! I am currently frustrated with our new camera. It is making her eyes red, and not correcting it. FYI her eyes are blue :)...as are the little man's who never shows them when smiling...Loving stare down...The gorgeous debut of her reindeer bib!O those eyes!

Go Cougs!

2011-12-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

Sure hope this new coach that was hired, makes this happen in the coming years!

Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T20:08:00.000-08:00

I guess I just did not take enough pictures. Now that I am home and have loaded them, and realized that I took a ton of pictures of my kids, cousin Rachael, and cousin Jen. I am still excited to see them over and over. Jenn and I beat her brother, Bryan and my hubby Tommy, at pool! Rachael held my little lady several times, and Miriam seemed extremely comfortable. How could I tell? She passed out on her...and Rachael held Mimi for her power nap!I truly feel as though this thanksgiving finally was not a stress of cooking a ton and forgetting what it was really about. My Aunt Lori took the cooking on, thank you Lori. I became more aware of being thankful. I have said many times that I am thankful for many things, even my brain tumor. I know you may think I am crazy, or even lying, but truly in many ways this brain tumor has been a blessing.Each day I try really hard to enjoy all the junk in a stay-at-home mom's day. I feel as though in the past each day was a marathon just to get through it. Now I try daily to soak it ALL in, slowly. I stop cleaning and play! I know it sounds like a, "dah of course you do!" However, before all this occurred play was so far off as a priority. I want my children to have memories, even if tomorrow is the day I go. Lots of crazy pictures, and joyful craziness around our home. I just kind of thought that Thanksgiving should be called the opposite, Givingthanks. Perhaps phrasing it that way would open peoples eyes to truly reflect on life, and all the things we take for granted.

I am thankful for not getting enough sleep, because I am spending time with a sick kiddo.

I am thankful to change poopie diapers.

I am thankful to gather Tommy's lunch for work each night.

I am thankful that if I get to the floor with my boys, they think it is time to attack Mommy.

I am thankful for my consistent journey with Christ.

I am thankful for migraines that can only exist because my heart is still beating.

I am thankful for rocking out to music about my God, while having an MRI done.

I am thankful I have a voice to share my struggles.

I am thankful that I sense my sin, and repent.

I am thankful that my brain tumor, lit life into a pleasurable journey.

2011-11-25T20:03:00.000-08:00

A typical day in our home is a roll with the punches kinda day. Elijah wanted to desperately talk to his Grandma and Grandpa Woodward. I dialed for him and he got to talk for quite some time.Mean-while my exhausted lil lady was passed out in her crib.Elijah and Ty had been enjoying a treat of chocolate milk and graham crackers...and of course Ty wandered into the kitchen all ready to go, as he put it.
Don't forget to notice the hat on ELI!

Crazy cute moments...

2011-11-23T10:32:00.000-08:00

Mimi and I were trying desperately to get a good picture of us. She loves her new t-shirt Aunt Cindy got her!

I says Little Sister!

Ty's adorable post-bath hair...
And I am speechless, as to the relationship between Ty and Mimi. She adores him, and he is love with her! They both glow when the other one enters...

Ty took this one of me, I had to include it!

Do I Need Attention?

2011-11-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

What an amazing musician, he even had the costume all set up to be on stage!"

What a mess...of FUN!

2011-11-23T10:20:00.000-08:00

I love my little mess. Starting solids is a blast when 90% of it ends up in her hair. Note the different outfits she is wearing in these pictures. It didn't just happen with one meal. I did her hair in the one below...You have to love a lady's mohawk? She got it from me, wink wink."How does my face look? Am I honestly ready for a picture?" "No Mommy I am looking away...""Ok, fine Mommy, take the darn picture. Be sure to say it was my brothers fault, say they were throwing their food at me, and I didn't know how to throw back...yet.""Ok, they didn't throw anything, I am just trying to learn how to feed myself.""I did it!""I am so thrilled, I can't contain it!""I fed myself!""I know that I can get food in my mouth, however I do need a good clean up, because I'll admit it is still in my hair, and up my nose, but I didn't realize that until the next day, well actually Mommy found it when I sneezed."Thumbs up for bathing!

It hit me.

2011-11-20T21:36:00.000-08:00

We all do it. We ignore moments and memories, and miss them when they are gone. Why can we not justopen our eyes and soak in all that is presented to us?

Thank you Bartells

2011-11-19T20:21:00.000-08:00

This hat is taking over my home. Not by the kids, but me! Katie Sanderson, notice the coffee pot...thanks again for our wedding gift! That thing is about to hit its 6 year birthday with us, and it still works!

Brrr It's Been Cold Outside...

2011-11-19T20:13:00.000-08:00

We just had snow last night, but Eli thinks it is cold on the inside too! The scarf was my Memere's. This is his current 'smile'.

Completed Turkey Family!

2011-11-18T08:10:00.000-08:00

...Daddy even helped too. He took care of the beaks. Ty said I needed to be purple, Mimi pink, and Daddy needed some green. Thus, with Ty's help over a weeks time, and only when the other kids were asleep, WE FINISHED!

2011-11-14T09:47:00.001-08:00

This is what hats do to hair. Look at those eyes!

Delaware

2011-11-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

Back in the day my parents took me to Delaware, and it was amazingly fun. These are two of my amazingly ambitious cousins. The little lady is Jenny and she was waiting for the birth of her brother Bryan. The house we are at is a rental the whole family got for our vacation. The little guy you see is David the son of Uncle Faryar, and my Aunt Nancy who lived in D.C. and now are still right near by in Arlington, Virginia. I remember pretending I had picked up a New York accent, because I had made friends with girls from there. It was just a blast, and these pictures had to be shared.I have an exact memory of this moment. I was reading to her, a fairly long wordy book. I just kept reading and reading, and one of my Aunts or Uncles, were like, "Krystal she has been asleep for awhile..."

Grandpa was Attacked...

2011-11-14T09:44:00.000-08:00

...with cuddling and blocks :)

Crazy Faces

2011-11-14T09:36:00.000-08:00

I describe this post based on my kiddos crazy faces. I only posted about half of the number of photos I had to take to get eyes open, and smiles on their faces. Titus was the one to protect his sister in the bath. She LOVES water, neither of my boys loved baths like her, when they were her age. Basically Ty held around her waist, while she kicked and splashed like crazy.You have to love the Warwick hair!In this one they totally look like brother and sister.Yup Eli poured water all over her face, and she was cool with it.Ty facial expression is because of what I described already. Mimi is kicking away, and he is trying desperately to keep her above the water.Alright and she is out, here comes all the shots I had to take to see cuteness Look at those eyes!Tommy was laughing so hard when I showed him these photos, he was practically crying with hilariousness!Eyes!Check out those turkeys, checking Mimi out!
Baths are a blast.

Where do I begin?

2011-11-14T09:34:00.000-08:00

Here is our sweet squirrel, I have always thought he was a boy for some reason. Then I see this. I hope they are just cuddling.

Preschool Visit

2011-11-14T09:21:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago we got to see Ty's fabulous preschool classroom. You can tell I am such a typical nerdy Mommy, because of all of the pictures I took pictures of... Ty is reading the book he wrote to Daddy.Elijah is wandering around looking at what everyone is doing, while enjoying his cookie.Ty is red star on the bottom...We all came to see what Ty wanted to show off!

Yes, I am stock piled.

2011-11-13T21:29:00.000-08:00

Do not tease me. I do it so that when it is the cheapest I get a bunch for a great deal. There is one thing you haven't thought of regarding stock piling... I give a ton of it away. When our church wanted to fill a semi truck with donated food on one Sunday. I tried to give up as much as we could. When Ty's preschool decided a food drive was a means to teach regarding giving, I wanted to use a bunch then too, Ty's choice as to what he choose. I love giving. Always have. I want to pass the giving passion onto me kiddos.

3 weeks

2011-11-13T21:23:00.000-08:00

Three week is took me to get these together, Tommy gets credit for the noses. I suppose I deserve the most credit for the toilet paper rolls, seeing as I am the only potty trained lady in our home thus far. Any way, I had to finish off 5 rolls, paint them, trace all of the families hands, allow Ty to describe colors for each, and waiting for glue to dry. Tommy has the green 'feathers,' I am purple, Mimi is pink, Eli is top shorter one, and lastly Ty is the bottom left. They are adorable and I had a blast doing crafts!

2011-11-10T12:47:00.000-08:00

My husband is such a blessing. The LORD has presented me with a challenge, but my love for Tommy, and his love for me, is not it. A couple nights ago we were reading in bed and he read this to me. He said it was about me, I was speechless. My obedience and respect for my husband has been multiplied immensely since this brain journey began. Who would have thought a struggle with life would bless every relationship I have ever had, very specifically the blessing that my marriage is in my life. I love you dearly, my Beloved.

The Wife of Noble Character
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverb 31:10-31

To the park we go...

2011-11-05T07:40:00.000-07:00

I needed to badly get out of the house with my boys. 3pm Mimi was down for a nap, and exercise for all was needed, desperately. To the park we go, it was such a blast to watch them run like crazy. Onto the dock we went, no one around. I swear I have memories of fishing with my Dad on the this doc during the summers.Boys were on the run and I watched them and pictured them grown, up, boys become men.I noticed that next to the dock you could get down to the water level and the boys were enthused.Good thing we wear boots. When we got back to the van both boys dropped the boots, socks, and pants. Pretty darn wet were they.The ducks were in their husband-wife groups. I think it is so awesome that they find each other and are together for life, until one dies and they find another for the rest of their life.OK I know I had to get a shot of myself with awesome perfect coat and the scarf my sister got my like 2 years ago. It matches everything and I am completely in love with it!Ty on his way down...Ty attempting his smile...Attempt is the word to describe both their smiles.I was about to head down the slide with Eli on me. He was extremely freaked, months ago he was more than willing to try them all out, but recently not up for it. "Come on Eli you can do it!"Yup here we go together, the boot sin the photo are mine.

2011-11-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

Every day seems normal. Brain tumors sadly sleep in silence, and then awaken as if they are on fire, and ready to burn. When I struggle with intense, consistent headaches, I feel as if I am in March all over again. I worry that the headaches are like lighters, or gas. They are a sign in my brain that things aren't right. The problem is we all have headaches for no reason at all, and so how do I interpret them. Through the doctors reactions, when I call. They sound concerned and quiet as if they are taking notes over the phone, regarding how I describe them. "Where are they? On a 1 to 10 scale, how intense are they? Are you sensitive to light? Do you feel as though you may be having minor seizures along with the headache? Hmmm? (Silence, a pen moving)" Yet, everyday I feel as though the fire is out, the headaches are a struggle for all of us. Why do the signs of internal fire have to be so simplistic and gentle? The fire burns away my daily joy, and I must run to the LORD and force myself to heavily pursue HIM. Life itself has been divine, my husband and I were never this closed before the fire was lit. My deep relationship with Christ was like a shallow weed, instead of a deeply rooted trees. Prayer, please pray for less headaches and no growth of the tumor for two years. As the moment of growth approaches the timer of life begins. When it starts growing the count down will pursue me, as I stroll to the LORD, through the suffering of this world.

We had a visitor!!!

2011-11-02T19:17:00.001-07:00

My friend came by for a visit with the kiddos, I was REALLY hoping the police car would scare away the neighbors ;) I was so excited to have the boys get to see the same thing daddy does. This particular friend is amazing, she helped with a fundraiser for me, and now she is headed to Haiti to teach women how to defend themselves.Of course Ty needed to be handcuffed Eli was obsessed with "accidentally" setting the alarms off.I am so glad my police friend stopped by, cause she spotted this squirrel break into the garage, and he needed to be chased out!

Monsters, Monkeys, and Bugs Everywhere!

2011-11-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

This year, after my tumor was discovered, I decided to savour every holiday. Halloween rocked. I was looking forward to it as if I was the one going trick-or-treating. Here is Ty buckled in and ready to head to the safer neighborhood that I was raised in, and my parents still live.My little lady bug is set to go too!Oh, can't forget the middle child, Eli is set!Daddy came too, it was his day off...I was so thrilled by my outfit. I was wearing an orange tank, black sweater over, orange nail polish, and lastly, but most importantly a gorgeous scarf from my Memere.I posted this picture simply because I spent a TON of time making my eyelashes look the way they used to. Long and curled, which required a TON of mascara!Tommy took the boys to Starbucks as I got all the kids packed and ready to go to my Mom and Dad's place. We then transferred the drinks to our coffee cups. Woot to Walmart and their $5 coffee cups!Hour or so of play and onto the pumpkin pizza!I remembered to pack the pumpkin bib for MIMI!Eli is addicted to Grandpa in a good way. His pink bunny stuffed animal he stole from his sister has a name, Gampa. Anytime he is chatting on the play cell phone it is Gampa who has called, according to him. Those eyes make me fall in love each and every day.HHe completely thought he was hiding.
As the sun set all the men in the house, Noah the lab missing, enjoyed some sports.Ty's jeans were slightly large and consistently fell down. What a cute butt.Mimi inherited something from her Daddy. Along with all the good things she got, she also received an inability to keep your eyes open for a picture.Good thing she is still, breathtakingly adorable with her eyes closed!"Hey guys check out my teeth, I officially have four!"Ok ready to trick-or-treat, Mimi stayed in the house with Grandma and Grandpa.Group shot!Do I look excited, I was, and I was sober so don't think it takes that to get me all excited to trick-or treat. Oh and again I am in love with this scarf, and it smells like her!At the beginning we walked up with him, towards the end his 4 year old bravery broke through and we waited at the end of each drive way. Notice Elijah missing? After Eli was waiting in the drive way with Daddy and Ty for me to leave too, he gave up. He wanted to give away candy, not get it.There's the three of us having a blast!I do believe this was the 1st time Ty dropped the Halloween bucket. 3 more drops to come, one of them the man's house we were at he tapped it up for him.You go Ty, we are on a very important mission!It was cold out notice the red nose :(Lastly we stopped at the Stokes house, Nick went to high school with me and married his high school sweet heart Megan, who also went to Bothell High School. Megan and I have run into each other several times over the years, she is always glowing and sweet. They now have two boys, and when we stopped at the house we noticed Ty's twin monster helping answer the door!
That stick thing Ty is holding was given to us by a mom of a little spider man. It lit up in different colors, how sweet to be so giving. It was an amazing night. I love Halloween because our Lord can take something that was originally not something meant to celebrate over HIM. The day and evening was so enjoyed and definitly drew me closer to HIM.

Fun foods :)

2011-10-28T16:18:00.000-07:00

This was not even close to his nose, but the picture made it turn out that way :) She does this lean back thing when she is eating, maybe she thinks she is hiding.

Our Pet

2011-10-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

Yup we have a squirrel, as our first pet. According to Ty his name is Titus if its a boy; if it is a girl her name would be Titus as well. This photo was a complete shocker. I regularly see him in this position begging at the slider door. I give him raw sunflower seeds and bread broken up, every other day. On the day this photo was taken, Tommy was standing near the sink with me and he noticed a lil Titus the squirrel on my rhodi bush. He was eye level in his begging position. The second I left the kitchen window he jumped out of the bush and was on the deck the second I got there too. He is getting so chubby for the fall and winter.

Savannah Allen

2011-10-28T16:03:00.000-07:00

This is my dear friend, Barby Allen's, newest daughter Baby Savannah. Knowing that we are done having little kiddos, I felt like a grandma holding her. Just completely blown away by joy, to hold such a tiny little lady.I have known Savannah and Violet's Mommy and Daddy for a long time. We met at our marital counseling and growth group through Mars Hill. After all the couples married we were supposed to leave the group and move on, but we all fell in love with each other and continued to grow as a married couples.

I felt so blessed when I had Elijah because Barby took my stressful crazy first night alone each week, Wednesday, to come by with dinner for me, Tommy was starting his 'Monday' at work. As I learned how to put Ty to bed and balance Eli's needs Barby walked through it with me every week. Her husband was stationed in Afghanistan if I remember right. Barby went through a whole year raising sweet Violet on her own. Our friendship blossomed in so many ways. I don't get to see her nearly as often as I would like to, but I feel like she and I really connect on a level that we didn't seek, but the Lord found for us.

Congrats Aaron, Barby, and Violet... thank you for allowing me to welcome your sweet blessing into the world!

Is she potty trained?

2011-10-28T16:00:00.000-07:00

No she is definitely not potty trained, but she is on the move and needs to watched consistently. With Ty I always knew what was on the floor, dog hair, because we lived with my parents. Noah the lab loved to shed. Mimi has her third tooth I discovered it on October 25th, and her second front upper tooth is about to push through as well. I am writing this down because I am pretty darn sure her first word was Mommy while crawling toward me with a slight cry."Hi mommy, I was just reading this scholastic order form. There are so many thing you should get me cause, well, I am a girl, and I am developing faster that my brothers (smile)""Don't worry I will clean up mommy, it is just so fun with magazines! Honestly this bathroom needs you to clean it too, I like the smell, it is a lot like my diaper, which isn't so bad, but yea you need to clean."

Pictures of Pictures

2011-10-28T15:56:00.000-07:00

The reason they are so unclear is because I took a picture of a picture. I had to get permission from these two to post these:). These are my cousins Jennifer and Bryan, obviously they are much older now. Looking back at these pictures reminds me how quickly life passes by. I love them to death, they have matured in so many ways, and seeing them brings such joy to me. Being around them was my first experience being around babies and I fell in love with the idea of becoming a mom. Sometimes I stop myself from acting like a mom to them. I am a COUSIN Krystal, act like one! I love you two, and David if I had a picture of you from when you were a baby I would post it too. Miss you three wee ones!I feel like Bryan looks a lot like Elijah.You go little gymnist girl, I mean volleyball ;)

Halloween is Coming!

2011-10-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

There is always a pumpkin to carve, and our kids are getting old enough to be excited to help do it. Eli and Ty were basically obsessed with playing with the inside seeds and slim aka guts. Me on our way to our community group. I was going to take a ton of pictures, BUT it got crazy with the kiddos all over. We called our party night, practice Thanksgiving turkey and all.

Testing out the Halloween costumes. Ty is a monster and Eli wanted to be a monkey so he is re-using the monkey costume.

Getting a great picture of the two of them took several shots. This one is the "chase in on!" photo.

Love Ty's grip on his brother, good thing Eli isn't a lady!Elijah took the monster top and kept his monkey pants on.

Phew.

2011-10-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

OK I know that I have a ton of pictures that I really want to get blogged, but this evening in my home it was comical. I really felt as though I needed a comedy show of some kind. I was in the process of making a breakfast casserole, oven had dinner it, and my boys were devouring a piece of celery with peanut butter and raisins on it. Tommy started reading the Bible to Ty, who had requested it. He was really into it, asking questions, and answering them himself. Dinner came out and in went the left over pumkin crisp. Eli finished the veggies and fish and headed to the playroom. He is currently obsessed with stripping. He says he's hot constantly and takes his jammies off. Mimi had finish off her dinner of hash browns, yogurt puffs, and and Cheerios, and was playing on the floor with Eli. I headed off to start a load of laundry and noticed a consuming smell of poop in the playroom. I knew it was Eli and I asked Tommy to change him, but immediately I knew Tommy and Ty really needed to continue their Bible study.

So remember I had food cooking, re-warming crisp, cooking sausages, and microwave warming left over sweet'n'sour chicken; chaos was about to literally explode in the play room. The minute I came to change Elijah's diaper I saw it on his arm, and then it was nearly coming out of the back of the diaper. "Tommy poo, everywhere, I need a towel to put him on!" Guess the Bible study needed to come to an instant end. Tommy rushed in with newspaper (which stayed on his butt after the change) just about the time Mimi (right next to me) decided to poo. When Mimi poos it is an instant melt down, so, basically poo everywhere! I immediately asked Tommy to run the bath, there is no way Eli is headed to bed this way. Mimi screaming for help I carried Eli down the hall, and plopped him in. Ty scarfed his dinner and wanted to bathe too. Ok both were in, oh crap what stinks? Yup, smoke from the oven. I was reheating the pumpkin crisp, and prepping for the breakfast casserole, when the pumpkin pan started to burn where it had already been enjoyed! Grrr, Krystal you should have known that! Mimi needed in the bath bad. She got her diaper off and made it in with her bros. She is a serious splasher, the floor was a mess. This all happened in seriously 8 minutes? Crazy.

Am I a photographer?

2011-10-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

...Because I sure feel like it, after our trip to the Mulkiteo beach! My little lady looks dang good...Ty and Daddy trying to balance on a flexible beam, just to challenge you! Don't for get to notice the freight ship behind them...I am standing on a spinning beam you go in circles!You will see that this is the first of many breathtaking photos...This fab little seat spins you repeatedly to a crazy high speed. I loved it!My boys headed into more playtime.Ty on the spinning thing too!Yup Heaven is up there, somewhere.I was on the verge of ordering her a winter hat through Old Navy and then decided to check all the bins of clothes I've received from giving folks. Sure enough I found this, I love it!Such a chubby beauty you are!Relaxing Eli had just thrown a rock and Ty was searching for a crab, the mini ones of course.Check out Ty's ankle he nearly fell into freezing water onto his left side, BUT he saved himself.There with this he/she who very obviously was extremely lonely, He/she was walking down the beach and I said hello, and mentioned that we had been searching for a crab forever. We just could not find one! I say he/she because she was extremely masculine and dressed as a man, but had large breasts. I had no idea what he/she would prefer. It was obvious he/she wanted conversation and company. He/she continued on the beach walking further from us. All of a sudden he/she reappeared with a crab, gave it to the boys and disappeared. The boys and I were thanking he/she over and over! I hope I handled that in the right way culturally?Love this one!This couple was making cry, probably in the 80's or 90's still strolling the sidewalk along the beach. I was thinking of how badly I want to live long enough to have white hair.Yup I am a photographer, I love this one!And they boys with the lighthouse, the area was established initially in 1902.And back to the car we walk...Double chins look good, don't worry!Dizziness is a awesome way to being the drive home...you can see Eli behind me. He was with us I swear!Ty finished off the day getting dizzy!

What do you notice about this picture???

2011-10-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

Honestly?!

2011-10-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

Kids loaded, got the dinner in the car, everyone is ready to head to the Ellis household. Wait, in their driveway I looked down, and... AWESOME Krystal... your brain malfunctioned!

Mimi Meets a Man

2011-10-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

"Hi there, My name is Mimi, that's what my parents call me, well actually it started with my parents parents changing my name, well , not really changing it, but my name is reallllllyyyyy Miriam, I like your house and these light are fun, have you tasted them, I want to... oh um... I guess I should just say Hi, what's your name? "

"Jason.""Oh my I am so embarrassed, why was I was rambling, I don't think he likes me!?""Wait, never mind, I think he's ok with me, I think.""Well I am comfortable enough around him to suck on his toys and books, and well I was even feeling relaxed enough to lounge around.""He liked my facial expressions too, but ultimately food and obsessions with his Mommy took over, regardless I think he likes me."

Pumpkin Patch Preschool Style

2011-10-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

I may have been more excited than Titus was for his first school field trip! I could hardly wait. I had awesome new rain boots to get thoroughly muddy and absolutely no worry to do so... I took this photo of Ty, we had just gone to our favorite coffee stand to grab my caffeine, he got a lollie- pop too!We waited in the parking lot for a while as everyone arrived. We had no problem with it, it was great meeting other moms and having more that just 30 seconds to chat. Whenever I drop him off on school days parents are in and out quickly! After we got into the farm Ty immediately wanted playtime with the sand. My dear sand-a-holic...The funny story of this picture is right after Eli was born we came to this park with Ty and he entered this corn box and lost it! Cried for ever apparently corn is alarming when you're just over two years old :)Next area that we were led to was the animal section. Ty loved petting the kittens and seeing newly born bunny babies.Onto the hay maze! Such a blast, all the kids found their way to the awesome hay slide. Each kiddo lined up at the top and one of the teachers timed each of their blast offs!My cutie at the base of the slide with an awesome smile!There is the awesome teacher that timed each kiddo, check out that line.And the slide audience... these three cats watched the kids for about 10 minutes.The very beginning of our fabulous hay ride to get a pumpkin! Sadly when everyone was loaded Ty was looking over the rail and we hit a bump that caused Ty to hit his lip and teeth hard. Apparently hay rides are so cool that you do not even need to cry you are so zoned into the ride ;)I thought there was only one hay ride, and then it made since how these rides were handling several classes, 3 of them rolling around..This is the lady Titus will consistently tell you he is going to marry if you ask him, Lily....and the pumpkin has been chosen!I had to get these shots of the beautiful blooming flowers!Ohhhhh the day may have been full of animals, sand, hay rides, and pumpkins, but snack time can not be forgotten!Popsicles of course on a raining cool day in October!
What a blast we had just the two of us, I think we may be addicted to field trips, a complete focus of Mommy on you Ty. I luv you more!

Blue Sky, Orange Clouds

2011-10-08T13:11:00.000-07:00

This photo took my breath away. I called Tommy immediately and asked him to copy down how it was making me feel. I love fall days, the cool air, beautiful skies, and the smell of leaves dying. Months ago I felt as though I needed to be excited to die, but had literally no desire to do so. I studied the word and continually was confused and frustrated that we are to live this life with loyalty, patience, and a love for Christ. We are to also be overwhelmed with desire for the meeting andconnection with the LORD in Heaven. I struggled for weeks to want to die.

Crazy to think of your death, and be excited. Sounds suicidal, which I am not. Like I described above I both desire my journey here, but truly cannot wait, but must, to spend eternity in Heaven. It isn't as if the LORD made the earth so amazing and was a little off making Heaven even better.

So, I looked to the breathtaking sky, and thoroughly became warm, enthused, and patient to be with our LORD in Heaven. For now I will live within His will, and praise Him for every blessing and challenge; even the tumor that will get me to Him even sooner.

Fantastic lady with a fantastic cause....

2011-10-06T20:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 29 · 9:30am - 11:30am

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Location Gold Creek Community Church
4326 148th ST SE
Mill Creek, WA

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Created By Erin McIntyre

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More Info REGISTER AT: www.mywilltosurvive.org

How would you respond if your safety or life was in jeopardy?

If you had to defend yourself or someone you love against an attacker, what would you do?

If you haven’t thought about it, now is the time.

Don’t become a victim!

- Become Empowered
- Take Control of your Safety
- Learn Skills to Protect Yourself
- Develop the Mindset and Confidence to Survive

This is a 1 for 1 event: BY ATTENDING THIS FUNDRAISER, YOU LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND A WOMEN OR YOUNG GIRL IN HAITI LEARNS THE SAME SKILLS THIS DECEMBER!!!

DON'T MISS THIS CLASS, IT COULD SAVE A LIFE!!!!

Please help us strengthen our community and Haiti by empowering women and young girls!

$40 registration fee. Multiple dates and locations offered.

If you’d like more information, please talk to Erin.

Punk-Ins!

2011-10-04T21:26:00.000-07:00

We are about to begin the most fun we adults have had on a children based trip !!!Off the kiddos go, ready to party! The weather was fantastic, kids were perfectly warm.First thing to do, ride some horses of course!About twenty people we got to see jump from planes! It was fabulous for my plane obsessed kiddos to watch them take off repeatedly the take off area was right next to us.Well hello Thanksgiving dinner! This little turkey scared the crap out of Mimi and Elijah, both cried once it had gobbled... but no worries we will gobble you soon enough!Miriam you are so stinking cute!!! By the way thank you Allen family for allowing us to borrow your stroller!The next animal we enjoyed was this awesome goat, who was thoroughly enjoying corn on the cob!Where do I begin? Elijah really wanted a pumpkin tattoo, TY was not into it at all. Violet had just had hers done and Eli was beginning his tattoo time. I kept trying to capture a smile. I think he may have believed that he was smiling...This time he was smiling in his mouth, and slightly cross-eyed. He is giving her "the" look...There is his happy face, isn't comical. Elijah you are freaking hilarious without even trying!While he we rolling along, Mimi passed out and used Daddy's coat for cover:)How fun can fishing be? A freaking blast! Here is Aaron and his daughter Violet catching some fishes!Ty was rocking it, I think he caught two?! I caught one too!
Aw yeah train ride!Ok this took seriousness, the men decided to race, and we really tried to support both of them, but...Aaron totally beat Tommy! I was in shock, I need to experience it, and I did. It was wayyyyy harder than I anticipated!On the tractor ride!This was after the tractor ride but I posted it in the wrong place. The next photo down is still out in the field launching pumpkins with the tractor!Oh yes, this thing launched pumpkins, they said for over half a mile... and I do believe we would LOVE to buy AND cut our Christmas tree here. Feel free to donate ya'll ;
Nice try on the fake smile Ty...This photo makes me smile, Elijah seems to be the only one who noticed the picture being taken...The boys out in the field getting our awesome pumpkins!Miriam really loved Barby, she was more than willing to be held by her in order to get access to the pumpkin.What a fabulous day with PUMPKINS and the ALLENS! We (Warwicks) and the Allens have made this our tradition in October, two years in a row! We love you three, soon to be four!

2011-10-04T21:11:00.000-07:00

Two night in a row I have gotten 11 hours of sleep. Wow. My husband loves me so well, he knew I needed sleep more than I did. He just got up with all three kiddos. I love you Tommy, whole bunches. It has been days of trying to upload all our pics and get a picture CD made. Ultimately I really wanted to make sure that they were saved and I could take more pictures!!! So these are the newest! I washed this carrier today considering the boys and girl, had spit up on it. Yum. So it is a bit faded but who cares. While the boys demanded a carry, Mimi was crawling around the playroom in her "army crawl" style. Picture her moving with her elbows and just dragging her legs behingd her. It is a-dor-able!!! So below with Eli in the carrier you can see his adorable deck chair as wings! Yup he is that sweet, maybe it's a hint from the LORD that he is and angel, awww how sweet. Eli I know you will love this post when you can read. Not only the wings but he looks nakey too! Oh and don't forget I have awesome hair! Then it was Ty's turn, I was able to do, this carrier has been so great! Got me through consistently taking all my kids wherever I go!

Tushy

2011-10-04T19:31:00.000-07:00

Where do I begin? Ty was using the toilet and Elijah is really wanting to get on the toilet. Out of no where Eli is found with him diaper coming off, he did it all on his own, and is extremely embarrassed! This is the "I can't see you, so I know you can't see me!" position. He wasn't so proud of himself seeing this was all he was able to pull off.

When he growns up, he will more than likely either think he was an awesome toddler, or be completely embarrassed. Either way Elijah we find you so adorable, and you love to explore!

Seahawks Baby!

2011-09-27T19:41:00.000-07:00

On our way surprise Tommy! I kept the entire thing a secret, he had gotten off work went to bed at about 8am and I was off... Dropped Mimi off at my parent's place then rushed home so my midwife, Amanda, could hang with the boys and get them warmed up. Once she arrived I loaded the kids and she was off the McDonalds with them. I immediately woke Tommy, and he showered with no idea what was going on! Into the car we jumped... I had pre-packed snacks, tickets, and Seahawk T's!!!!The band was awesome to watch...It rained a ton...
Regardless of weather we had a blast, THANK YOU Steve and Cindy!

Typical Man

2011-09-26T16:49:00.000-07:00

Ty was out of the van and this is what I found moments after I unloaded the other two kiddos.

Notice his shorts are on backwards, he dressed himself.

Eli's Craziness

2011-09-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

"Yea I just took a bath, and yea, Mommy wrapped me in the towel, what you looking at?!""You my tushy. I can tell." -Eli"I love being upside down!"

Preschool!

2011-09-21T11:21:00.000-07:00

We arrived at his first morning of pre-school!He has just been picked up from his day! He is absolutely glowing!Eli really wanted to be with his brother!

Memere's passing on...

2011-09-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

Where do I begin? Memere, a french version of Grandmother. I loved calling her that because I took French in highschool. I remember choosing French all because of her, knowing that I got a bit of it genetically from her. Bonjour! That's about all I have in my memory, from one year of it in Highschool. She was a pretty formal lady, not as far as playing and rules, but more so in a way of always being dressed, shoes on, and jewelry gleaming. One thing she passed along to my Dad was a discomfort in saying "I love you." It just was assumed by her that you knew she loved you and it did not need to be said, and repeated each time we spoke. Regardless of her words, I consistently said "I love you Memere," and her response generally, " Uh huh, bub-bye." I have mostly memories of crazy Christmases at her home in Lakewood, Washington. Not the safest place now-a-days, but she was such a brave woman living in a large pretty home in not the best area. She had been broken into a couple times, and it didn't even seem to bother her. Her love, Timothy Woodward, was a Lieutenant Colonal in the United State's Army. Memere had lost him over a decade ago due to the disease referred to as Huntingtons. I will deeply miss her and I pray that she is in Heaven and I will be there too. My last phone conversation with her was a call after she sent Tommy a Birthday card, but my conversation with her immediately came to my faith. I was telling her how joyous I am about my death approaching knowing that the place I am headed was far better than here. I asked her, "Memere do you believe in Jesus?" she replied "I think so." I deeply hope that she knew him and I will see her soon. The last thing I said to her was "I hope so I want to eat and play cards with you there when I arrive!"

Praise the LORD

2011-09-15T07:51:00.000-07:00

My MRI showed no new growth, and the possible new tumor is shrinking which means it is not a tumor! It is likely a bit of a reaction to radiation. I am so thrilled I feel so alive, and prepared to live this life for Christ! I am just beaming. It was the first time out of like 5 checkups that I actually had good news! Sigh of relief, thank you LORD!

Our Little Lady

2011-09-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

All I can say is poser, adorable poser.It is as if she knew she was nude and needed to cover her privates, with an adorable facial look!
I luv you Miriam!

The Boys

2011-09-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

Titus is in love with cooking! We had just made pizza dough for dinner. He was such a helper...Then there is Eli, who can hardly wait for intense potty training...My lovely little men camped out under our deck...I asked for a silly face!Hanging with their lunches...And my boys as bunnies!

Evergreen State Fair

2011-09-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

Oh yes we made it! The last time we went Ty was like 8 months old and could have cared less that we were there. This year they LOVED it. I thoroughly enjoyed this delicious funnel cake. I used get those when we vacationed in Delaware with my Woodward extended family. I sadly have to say that I lost my beloved Memere a few days ago. She was my last Grandparent living. This death has hit hard in the family and I just pray deeply that I get to see her in Heaven when I get there. Loved you Memere!

Miriam loves the boys water bottles well actually she loves anything they get to play with.

Ty and I got to go on a fairs wheel

We found these awesome kids toys that were all metal and based on the adult construction equipment...

A double John Deere tractor, we both completely thought of our college friends back when we were at WSU the Zemlickas. The are HUGE John Deere'ers!

Ahhhh yumo noodles

Elijah was elated the Republican table gave him a balloon, he's totally a Republican. I am too, and I feel so blessed to have ran into two women whom I have never met but wanted to pray over me. I mentioned when I arrived at their table that I had been able to speak to former President Bush Jr. and that after 10 minutes or so, I found out he was a Christian like me. All of sudden two GOP ladies said "can we pray for you? now?" I was shocked and allowed them to. I moved the stroller behind the desk and the prayed for about 5 mintues. I was high the whole week after. Tommy and Mimi missed the whole thing cause he was getting a milk shake :)

Our second ride, the spinning tea cup...
We had such a blast, I just realized no shots of my husband but he was there too!

Country credit card

2011-09-10T10:08:00.000-07:00

He was loving the way I tied the scarf on him! Of course he had a credit card in tow! My little country boy!

"You think I am cute? So do I!" - Miriam

2011-09-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

Miriam and the boys hat, they placed it on her too cute!Her first time on Daddy's shouldersLook at those bottom teeth!Her "second cousin" Bryan, referring to relation to him...I think she wants to paint her toe nails...This is what I found after she passed out when I was driving home, she slept in the garage for about an hour, WITH her hair piece in her hair...

31 and 2

2011-08-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

Yup Elijah, good morning, it is your 2nd Birthday. I feel like you are 5, cause two years went by slowly... He may look grumpy in the picture below, but he is happy, and ready to party!!!That is the $.50 balloon I got at the party store, the kids had never seen the show, but it was clearanced and it was a moose so they loved it... Mimi enjoyed eating the string.Mommy just blended the whip cream for Daddy's bday cake, which was actually a home made vanilla pudding layered with Vanilla wafers and banana slices, topped with whip cream, walnuts, and bananas! Yummy, Tommy loves it!Whip cream!Daddy's surprise dessert complete!!And Elijah's surprise Cold Stone ice cream supcakes, yum!Present time!Istead of presents I focused of feeding my lovely lady!Daddy's gift, the place we fell for eachother! Go Cougs!!!Elijah loved these new mini construction trucks...Time to get measured and write on the wall!HE really wanted nakey time after all the crazy day!The crazy weird balloons continued all five for $2.50...
Today is the day for a massively huge crazy party!!!!!

6 months

2011-08-26T13:16:00.001-07:00

Yesterday marked the 6 month mark. Six months ago yesterday my life froze. It became very apparent in the hours after my seizures that it was time to start the battle for life. Thinking about those days of February through April I see a lot of darkness with a glare of sunshine, my LORD. The only positive that kept me together was my faith, and the place that I am going. Regardless of my love for my God I also felt frustrated with curiosity as to why he chose me to challenge in this way. "Being a wife, and mom is challenge enough LORD!" As weeks pressed on, it dawned on me as to the journey the LORD has for me and the blessing a tumor can truly be. I am enthused each morning by being a worshiper, wife, and mom. I thoroughly absorb my passion as those three aspects of me being that women, and thank the LORD for each day. Six months have passed and time ahead holds challenges, fulfillment, laughter, tears, and death. All of which I desire. See you in a bit LORD, wink.

Randoms

2011-08-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

Mini-Vaca

2011-08-24T19:04:00.000-07:00

Quite a few weeks ago my Aunt Cindy and her boyfriend Steve, invited us to his camp property for a day of fishing, swimming, and BBQ. We checked the calender and knew it would be a perfect day to go, because our home was being cleaned! A cleaning company that cares for our naturopath, Tamara Cullen's, offices was willing to do our home too! http://www.greencleaningseattle.com/GreenCleaningHome_Page.html

Any way, getting out of our house would be great, while the cleaning lady worked away! After packing for what felt like a week away, we found the great place to spend the day...

On our way to camp for 6 whole hours, with 3 kiddos!
We found a choo choo on our way to Steve and my Aunt Cindy's campground.We arrive, and Titus immediately acts like a camper and finds a stick...Relaxing by the lake, Mimi was treated like a star!My boys adoring that the small lake was so warm and shallow. Playing in it was easy!I think I want this one blown up and in black and white... love it!Steve is probably discussing proper behavior on the water, Thanks so much Steve!!!!Tommy educating Ty on proper fishing!Break time!Yup she was wiped out completely!When I was a kid fishing was one thing I got to do with my Daddy regularly. I was an unbelievable success at it!!!!

You know it, gotta go, go ahead Ty!!!Back to the campground Ty is learning something from Steve:)This stick was discovered and deeply loved by Ty and Eli as a ride...Let's rake!Yummo dinner from my Aunt Cindy...Their awesome tent!Taa Daaaah The family!

2011-08-24T18:59:00.000-07:00

I am so glad thar her adorable play seat is being used so well!

Guess?

2011-08-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

I know, I know Taco Bell is gross, and awesome all at once. I went and grabbed dinner, and asked the awesome drive through chick for lots of packets of sauce. Blamed Tommy, telling her he LoVeS their sauce packets. And this was rest after dinner, ?GUESS? how many we have for future homemade tacos, & burritos.