Easy-to-Make Felt Purse

Easy-to-Make Felt Purse

Lewis and Clark days

We went to St. Charles for Lewis and Clark days

The boys LOVED it.

The duel

The boys and me

The reenactment includes a grand parade, military encampment, fife and drum corps muster, musket and cannon demonstrations, a skillet throw, and period music, food and wares. Each day begins with the raising of colors and the day ends with retreat and the lowering of colors. It was so much fun. We enjoyed walking around the historic district of St. Charles after they lowered the flags.

An Anniversary with my Best friend

We are Nine, June 3rd, 2000
Wine Tasting at Hermannhoff Winery, with the most amazing weather possible. It was such a great time.

Here are both of us with our Posy pictures in the Cellar

Just so much wine!

Our Anniversary this year was a time to look back at the good times give thanks and time to look ahead to live our dreams together.

We are so blessed.

Daddy date's

Story time, right before bedtime! Pat has a date everynight with the kids, for "devotions" they look forward to the time to cuddle in the chair, and spend time with daddy.

Check out there crazy get ups in the pic.

I love seeing Pat, enrich the kids this way this pic gives me warm fuzzy's.

Little Zoo Friends

Ellie is 2, Noah is 4, and Elijah is 5
A sweet brother and sister moment

One our favorite places together is the Stl Zoo

Here we are strolling through Historic Hill, I love the elaborate architechture, and the monkeys,

birds, and reptiles! Oh My.

Swing sweet Chariot

Elijah in his "Chariot" Swing

Three Little Monkeys

Speak no evil, hear no evil, see no evil

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

My three little monkey's

When not jumping on the bed, we can be found at a local park playing, here I asked them to have a seat on this pretty rock to get there pic.

We had just been looking at encyclopedia that morning with Elijah, where there was a statue of the famous "See no Evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" Which recalling from my World Religion's class derived from China, In Confucius teachings.

Elijah had the idea of doing this for the pic. He is such a fun little boy to be around.

Note: My Monkey's are inverted

Caught in the Act

Here is Ellie in the bathroom, covered in bronzer, and soap (washing the bronzer off her hands)
She was surprised! I caught her soapy handed, covered in mommy's make-up. I asked what she was doing? She said, "I want to be pretty for Daddy". Oh sweet girl, you are so pretty to your daddy and I. I pray that we will show her what true beauty means in Christ. That she would be a gentle beautiful, quiet spirit for God. I am praying for this little girl, that she will be a proverbs 31 girl.

Botanical Baby

A trip to Botanical gardens, a 14 cent ice cream, A piece of candy from an olde time candy store, and all of her parents attention, was a great week-end with Ellie Faith while Noah was with Mimi and Grandadd, and Elijah was with Paw Paw and Nina. We had a blast with Ellie. The boys loved their personal time with their grandparents as well. It was nice for us too, one child is so easy!

Teddy Bear's Picnic

The weather was beautiful, momma sick, and no car = Teddy Bear Picnic in the front yard.

Noah and his bear

Ellie our little mommy feeding her bear!

If you go down to the woods today You're sure of a big surprise. If you go down to the woods today You'd better go in disguise.
For ev'ry bear that ever there was Will gather there for certain, because Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.
Ev'ry teddy bear who's been good Is sure of a treat today. There's lots of marvelous things to eat And wonderful games to play.
Beneath the trees where nobody sees They'll hide and seek as long as they please Cause that's the way the teddy bears have their picnic.
If you go down to the woods today You'd better not go alone. It's lovely down in the woods today But safer to stay at home.
For ev'ry bear that ever there was Will gather there for certain, because Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.
Picnic time for teddy bears The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today Watch them, catch them unawares And see them picnic on their holiday.
See them gaily gad about They love to play and shout; They never have any care;
At six o'clock their mummies and daddies, Will take them home to bed, Because they're tired little teddy bears.

Little Tigers

I found these Mizzou t-shirts for the kids for $2 dollars, I thought how cute! Here they are donning their Missouri clothes for all of our Mizzou friends! Of course including Uncle Andy and Aunt Anne who walked in December at Mizzou. It is a school, I would be happy if our kids went to. Check out the little cat stickers on the boys. It came with the T's! I sure do have some wild little Tigers.

Batman

Elijah in his batman costume from Nina and PawPaw

He loves to dress up and wears these costumes out, The last costume was a spider man, he wore it so much that it is in shreds. It is made of nylon, and runs.... so the life expectancy is very long. He is my hero! He is such a good big brother, and helps his sister and brother all the time. He is starting to really help out a-lot around the house I am very thankful for this guy.

Forest Park = Cheap Therapy

The race
Ellie coming in behind them

Two little mop tops

Brothers Protection

Jumping for joy over this amazing weather

As I write this I am of course in pain. I will get into all the details and the particulars later. I just wanted to let everyone know, we are doing well. I am better, but it is chronic, so it doesn't go away. I just feel more relief at times. Things are falling behind at home but that is expected!! Especially when the mom isn't able to do anything for a month. I have three beautiful little mop tops who have gotten used to helping themselves to their own snack, putting on their own, clothes, shoes, bows, etc. Their clothing looks like a bachelor has washed and dried it and put it away. None the less I have lay ed all these things on the altar. I am feeling better, I was borderline stir crazy, and feeling blue. However, a beautiful day in Forest Park in this amazing weather was just what the Dr. ordered. We have had our fair share of sickness lately. I woke up with some stomach thing and I am finally feeling better, a side effect of the meds. I start, a bible study tomorrow night and I am really looking forward to that. I still have not made it back to Church and that has made me very very sad. I miss everyone and cannot wait for the fellowship again.

Apple Pie perfection

mmmm....... with fresh cream

New Year, New Hair

Here we are on New Years Eve. Having a guitar hero party, and enjoying each other's company, and yummy food. I also rang in the New Year, with New bangs how exciting!!!

Christmas

Elijah on the "Dirt Bug" we got from my parents

Here is Marnie looking at the family Tree I made for her for Christmas

The kids in front of our Christmas Train
The kid's getting into all their goodies, and Sally listening to Tom's mp3 player from us, and wearing the hat I knitted for her christmas gift.
The Easel our gift to the three kiddo's
Christmas Break

Happy New Year

Fever, Blisters, and more tylenol

I will spare the hideous pictures of this, I will show you a copy of our favorite Christmas read instead, this book is amazing! It is by Joyce Dunbar you should check it out.

So Santa left us a special treat this Christmas..... okay, so maybe not Santa, it happened the night of the boy's Christmas program. Ellie struck a very high fever about the same time we hosted Grandadd and Mimi for dinner before the program. She was not feeling well, her fever spiked high, and she was very ill quickly. after a few days she broke out in these horrible blisters around her mouth, she also had them all over her tongue, and mouth. She could not eat at all, poor girl. She was miserable, I mean extremely in pain, and made sure to remind us of her discomfort, we tried to keep her hydrated, Orajel....ed, to help the discomfort of blisters all over her mouth, and tongue. Ellie is typically the bubbly happy girl, who has such a twinkle in her eye. She is usually all silly smiles, and very enthusiastic. It was sad watching her not enjoy Christmas.

Noah is now going through it, his mouth and lips, and tongue are covered in these big horrible blisters, that seem to eat away at their flesh. He is also lacking in enjoying playing with his toys from Christmas, he spiked a fever on Christmas eve, and has been whimpering through the pain. My heart breaks for them.

I have been washing my hands like crazy, and try to keep everything disinfected. However, Noah must have at some point kissed his sister, or something. With them being so close in age it is inevitable that they share what they have.

I actually now have some blisters in my mouth as well. So as we miss out on Church service, etc. you will know we are just sparing you the trouble of dealing with this. I actually had Nursery this morning at Church, and asked someone to fill in for us!

Information on HFMD if you want to know more:

Here is info about this viral infection called Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness of infants and children. The disease causes fever and blister-like eruptions in the mouth area. The disease usually begins with a fever, poor appetite, malaise (feeling vaguely unwell), and often with a sore throat.
One or 2 days after fever onset, painful sores usually develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. The sores are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks.
A non-itchy skin rash develops over 1–2 days. The rash has flat or raised red spots, sometimes with blisters. The rash is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; it may also appear on the buttocks and/or genitalia.
A person with HFMD may have only the rash or only the mouth sores.
Cause
HFMD is caused by viruses that belong to the enterovirus genus (group). This group of viruses includes polioviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and enteroviruses.
Coxsackievirus A16 is the most common cause of HFMD, but other coxsackieviruses have been associated with the illness.
Enteroviruses, including enterovirus 71, have also been associated with HFMD and with outbreaks of the disease.

How It Is Spread
Infection is spread from person to person by direct contact with infectious virus. Infectious virus is found in the nose and throat secretions, saliva, blister fluid, and stool of infected persons. The virus is most often spread by persons with unwashed, virus-contaminated hands and by contact with virus-contaminated surfaces.
Infected persons are most contagious during the first week of the illness.
The viruses that cause HFMD can remain in the body for weeks after a patient's symptoms have gone away. This means that the infected person can still pass the infection to other people even though he/she appears well. Also, some persons who are infected and excreting the virus, including most adults, may have no symptoms.
Everyone who has not already been infected with an enterovirus that causes HFMD is at risk of infection, but not everyone who is infected with an enterovirus becomes ill with HFMD.
HFMD occurs mainly in children under 10 years old but can also occur in adults. Children are more likely to be at risk for infection and illness because they are less likely than adults to have antibodies to protect them. Such antibodies develop in the body during a person’s first exposure to the enteroviruses that cause HFMD.
Infection results in immunity to (protection against) the specific virus that caused HFMD. A second case of HFMD may occur following infection with a different member of the enterovirus group.
Diagnosis
HFMD is one of many infections that result in mouth sores. However, health care providers can usually tell the difference between HFMD and other causes of mouth sores by considering the patient’s age, the symptoms reported by the patient or parent, and the appearance of the rash and sores.

There is no specific treatment for HFMD.

Christmas Ornaments

yes, we are over ran by Christmas ornaments this is years of giving each other one each year since 1997, and our parents giving us one each. I love all the memories each one of them brings, but, seriously? We have a shelf in our basement just for ornaments. We had fun decorating the tree with the kids this year, we have cocoa, or eggnog and listened to Celtic Woman Christmas, and The Muppet's Christmas, sipped our drinks, and had a great time together. Our tree, had a spot where all of the ornaments were hung by the kids. They have a limited area to hang. ha :)

Christmas Cheer