The kids first play date outside of home. July 12th 2010

One of the first days we actually had the van, I decided to take the kids out to a play date with a good friend of mine, that and she offered to watch the boys so I could take Ellie to her well baby check up, so I was good with that. We went to her house and everything went okay. Elijah and Josiah played well, though Elijah encouraged Josiah to play in water in there bathroom and one Of my friends twins might of flushed something down the toilet. We aren't sure though, there's nothing to confirm or deny this.

Her and my twins did well together, though they didn't play too much together, they played more together this time then there very first play date. With time I'm sure this will change.

The girls actually noticed each other for the very first time, it was so cute to watch them interact. They got bored with each other fairly quickly. But did play okay together. I can't wait until they are able to interact more... Again with time. Will be cool to see her and my kids develop, play and grow together.

Our First Family Van. July 11th 2010

After a long journey we finally got our first family van. I was so happy to finally get it. The bad news is that the church had a van for us, it needed repairs but there were several people that were more then willing to fix it for us. But that's not the way things went. Either way we are just thankful to finally have a vehicle. This van though it will cause us to make it pay check to pay check, has already been a blessing. We because of having the van have more time with Daddy, because me and the boys can do the grocery shopping, I can take the boys out to play dates and take the kids to doctors appointments.. The van itself is awesome. It gets 19 MPG is nice and spacious inside, it has back up sensors so I don't run into anything and is a wonderful sky blue. Since driving the van I've been unable to drive the car comfortably. I keep on trying to shift the car with a lever by the steering wheel, which isn't there. Also with driving the car now I feel really low to the ground. Not to mention the get the same MPG on gas. So I'm not wasting money driving my awesome van....

Fourth of July Fun!!!!

Josh's big fire on the grill, yummy.

Our sit up out front to watch the fire work show.

What we see from our house.

Elijah was tired, we had fun.

Ellie and I after she woke up from her nap. Was a fun night.

So our fourth of July didn't go exactly how we planned it, but we rescued it that afternoon. We went to a forth of July picnic that one of our church members hosted. They host it yearly. There is food, paint balling, and friends. We didn't get to enjoy it this year as much as we could of because we didn't know what to expect. It also didn't help we didn't realize we could just let the kids run and play instead of having to guard them so closely. Anyways the kids were getting tired so we decided to head home. When we got home we ended up having a barbecue and sitting up for the fire works. Our neighborhood has a huge fireworks show in the cul - da - sac in front of us. It's better then professional. We eat our food out front and make smores on our fire pit while enjoying the show. We usually burn our tree from Christmas, but this year we didn't save them so we bought firewood from safeway. It was a nice night. Ellie slept well and let us enjoy the night with Elijah. Elijah had alot of fun, even at the church picnic. He went to bed worn out and so did we. The twins stayed up for a bit and enjoyed the fireworks from there window. This 4th of July was cold, we are hoping this next years will be a bit warmer, but no matter the weather. It's fun to celebrate with our family.

Josh's suprise Birthday Party July 27th 2010

Josh's carrot cake/ birthday cake. Home made from scratch.

All the yummy treats I made for Josh's party.

Josh doing his thing.

So for Josh's birthday this year I planned a surprise birthday party, though since I'm not good at lying he kinda knew about early. I even made a power point presentation, which he also knew about alot earlier then I would of liked. He kinda helped a bit with it too. Anyways I think it went well, I invited tons of people from our care group we had pizza and tons of dessert.

Josh's power point presentation, took me weeks to prepare and had tons of help from Josh's military friends, people from High school and friends from WOW.

Elijah's 1st Graduation June 16th 2010

Elijah and his best friend Conner.

Elijah's teacher Mrs. Liable

Elijah and most of his class mates.

Boys trying to stay composed, long enough for a photo.

This one shows how much like Josh Elijah really is. Love this one. Him goofing off. A side of Elijah I don't see much.

Was so proud of Elijah, this is his very first graduation. At first he was very upset and didn't really want to be there, that was until he saw his best friend Conner. ( who he talks about all the time) Then things just went uphill from there. They had sandwiches so Elijah sat down and ate some sandwiches and chips with Conner. Then was time to receive there graduation certificates, Elijah's is now framed in his room. After that was time for games with friends and dessert and home. Elijah had alot of fun, it was awesome to see this goofy side of Elijah I've never seen. I loved seeing it. Shows me how much like his Daddy Elijah truly is.

When talking to Mrs. Liable about Elijah's progress, I found out something very surprising about our Elijah, underneath this ball of goofiness is a kid that is advanced in Math and vocabulary. Thank God he may have his Daddies brain, not mine. I'm so proud of him and the even more awesome thing is getting to know his friends, there parents and the people that worked with Elijah all year. It's a true blessing. Proud of my big boy.

Family Fun In The Sun. 06/12/10

Love this photo of Adriel. Am going to print and frame this one.

This photo shows how brave Mathias really is. Look at that strong, brave little face.

Ellie giving me smiles to show how happy with the sun she really was. Think she's definitely gonna be a summer girl.

A nice photo of my husband. He looks very handsome here.

This year there hasn't been very many nice summer days, so when there are some you pack up the family and take advantage of it. We still don't have a mini van so we did the next best thing. Pack the twins up in the Red Flyer Wagon, Ellie in her stroller and Elijah got to walk. ( Good for burning up some of that energy) We are very lucky to have a Elementary school right down the road from us, so we went there to hang out together as a family. After we finally found somewhere for Ellie and I to sit ( so she could eat) We turned the kids loose and they had a blast. Thankfully in the schools playground there is a tall fence and a huge field, so plenty of room to run. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Mathias was the first to be brave enough to climb up the play structure. Definitely a brave kid and tried to climb in a few areas that were a little to big for him yet. But he made an effort. I'm very proud of the twins, it's amazing how far they've come and how quickly they've grown. Elijah had a blast too and seemed like he ran out some of that energy. He seemed more pleasant when we arrived home, think he got the exercise and stimulation he needed. We couldn't get many photos of Elijah though, he was running around too much lol. Ellie also seemed to enjoy the time out in the sun and cooed and talked to all the new things around her, she looked so beautiful in this little outfit she had on. Definitely believe pink is her color. Anyways after an hour of playing Mathias fell right through some of the play structure stairs and became too upset to continue playing ( though not hurt bad) so we had to pack up and head back home. After heading back home the kids wanted to cool down while Daddy made lunch, so we let them play in the sprinkler outside. It was a nice weekend. We all had fun and enjoyed ourselves and I even got a nice photo of Josh... Love weekends like this.

Ellie's 2 month well baby check up. May 20th 2010

So Ellie's well baby check up was a little late, but not too late. It was closer to a 3 month old check - up. Ellie has grown quiet a bit, she hasn't doubled her weight yet, but watch out 4 Month old well baby check up. Ellie is now 11lbs 1oz and 23 inches long, A long skinny baby much to my excitement. Maybe she will be like her big sister and Mommy. Anyways for the most part Ellie is a healthy little girl. The doctor did notice something called torticollis ( basically her neck muscles on the right side of her neck are tight causing Ellie to want to look towards her right) The doctor sent a referral for physical therapy. So we are now getting her physical therapy at the Children's Therapy Unit. Also a lady from Elks therapy is coming in home to work with Ellie too. ( Personally I like Elks therapy lady better, she worked with Mathias on his torticollis.) Children's therapy unit is 2 times a month, due to a large need, not enough therapist to kids. Anyways she's also getting seen by the Elk's lady once a week too. So between the two organizations and me working with her daily we are hoping to see improvement fairly quickly. Other then that I'm glad to announce that Ellie is a healthy bright eyed baby.

Mother's Day 2010

Ellie and I sitting on the couch.

Mathias in Josh in our kitchen.

My oldest Daughter Akalaya.

My oldest son Elijah.

The twins in there red flyer wagon.


My Mother's Day was nice. I wish it could of lasted longer, but I got the whole weekend to be spoiled and do whatever I wanted to do. I got to sleep in and got gifts both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday I got a vacuum and a bouquet of wild flowers from Josh and Elijah. Sunday I got a new camera and a cards from Josh and the kids. Thank God the weekend was nice and Josh, The twins, Ellie and I got to go for a walk. Elijah got to play with his friend next door while we went on our walk. So we got a free babysitter for the afternoon and he got to have fun. It was nice. I'm blessed to have such a beautiful family and cute kiddos and for me there will never be enough hours, days or weekends to spend with them. But weekends like Mother's Day gives me more of a chance to just be lazy and enjoy them.

Twins First Play Date.

Caleb, Daniel and Adriel playing in Elijah's corner.

Adriel and Daniel playing in Elijah's corner ( Hope got the kid right lol, they look nothing alike just got to remember who is who)

Mathias and Daniel playing together.

When Ellie was born I met this lady at the hospitable through the staff, that had a four year old, two 2 year old kids and a baby girl born on the same day as Ellie. So of course we started talking and became friends almost immediately. It amazed not only the staff at Tacoma General but both my new found friend Heather and myself that someone existed out there with the same exact set up. I use to think that there was no one in the world that could understand what I was going through, but to my surprise and delight there is.

Anyways we set up a play date so that all our kids that could walk and play could play. The photos above are of her twins playing with my twins. The older boys were upstairs playing and getting into trouble *lol*. Though the twins didn't interact all that much, I hope with time they will. It's awesome that they will have someone the same age to play with and even as they get older the same living situation... At the moment. The older boys of course hit it off and seem to play well together. Am hoping it stays that way and hoping that our girls get along too. Also look forward to plenty more play dates for all the kids... We are blessed to have family friends like this. This is a once in a lifetime set up... and a kewl one at that.

Showers full of gifts. May 1st 2010.

The beautiful Cupcake set up.

View looking down at them.

Close up of one of them.

The proud Daddy.

The perfect photo of a Daddy and his youngest Daughter.

Thank God for a wonderful church family and neat care group. Our church threw Ellie a beautiful baby shower. It was after she was born because of my pre - term labor. But just the same wonderful. The care group asked me what I needed and tried to get those specific items. Ellie got several beautiful dresses and cute outfits. She got items for both summer and later on in the fall. I can't wait to see her in them. Almost everyone in the care group brought food and one of the Moultrie girls made the cutest cupcakes I've ever seen. Cindy Junket wrote a touching devotional. We had an awesome time and got tons of stuff for our little Ellie.

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Ellie's Devotional

He said to them, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" Mark 10:14

1.) Baby Blanket.
Be sure to wrap Ellie up in the love of Jesus to keep her warm. fill your home with the love for each other. The more the love of Christ is shown in your home, the less there will be of bickering, fighting, and arguing, which is something no child needs to grow up with.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

2.) Baby Blocks.
Give your child the building blocks of character that she'll need throughout life. Teach her those traits that will develop her into a wonderful adult such as honesty, integrity, hard work, obedience, responsibility, and respect.

Train a child in the way she she should go and when she is old she will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

3.) Baby Book.
Remember you are making memories every day. Write down things you want to remember in a baby book or journal, take pictures, but most of all keep all of these moments with your children in your heart. You will never get that time back so make the most of it because Ellie is a wonderful gift from the Lord.

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Psalm 127:3

4.) Safeguards
Help safeguard Ellie not only physically by all the things you can do to make her safe, but for eternity. Teach her the way of salvation. Take her to Sunday school, Awana and church. Have family devotions. Do all you can to ensure that she is shown the way of salvation, so that when she is ready for that decision, she'll be able to make it.

And how from infancy you have known the Holy schriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15

5.) Baby Clothing
Clothe Ellie in prayer. Pray daily for them. Nothing will fit better, be more in season, or be more suitable for your child to be clothed in than your prayers. There's so much to pray about concerning our children -- their salvation, their safety, their relationships with others, their virtue, their witness,their general welfare and the list could go on and on.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.
Philippians 4:6

6.) Child's Bible
Make the word of God prominent in Ellie's life. Help her from the time she is little with memory verses. Have Bible sword drills with her. Quote verses with her and let her see that God's Word is important. Take her to Sunday school and enroll her in Awana and Bible study fellowship.

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 6:7

7.) Baby Rattle
From time to time just rattle yourself into remembering that you just can't do it alone. You need to rely on God to be good parents. Get close to the Lord in your daily devotions and prayer life. Make Christ your strength.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians. 4:13

8.) Rubber Duck
Have fun parenting. Being a parent can sometimes be hard but enjoy your role as Mom and Dad. Thrust yourself wholeheartedly into it.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in it's place, I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker. If I only have time for waxing and polishing, my children will learn of cleanliness, not godliness. Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh. Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on the newly cleaned window. Love is the key that opens salvation's message to a child's heart. Before I became a mother, I took glory in my house of perfection; but now my priorities are different. I glory in God's perfection of my children.

Big Family, Little Table...

Our little table, look at how full it is.

Adriel to the right of me.

Mathias to the left of me.

Yummy meals, feeding our bellies.

And our hearts.

Wow, everyone who can walk is now crammed at our little round table. The twins have finally graduated from using high chairs to eating at the table with the family. Though still in sitting in there high chairs we no longer use there trays. The high chairs are now used as booster seats/ chairs. It's interesting to see how they have grown, developed and changed. It's also impressive to see that they are now trying to babble a bit and attempting to master spoons and forks. Though both still a work in progress we are working on it. The twins now use there own kid size plastic plates to eat off of and most of the time keep there food on it, sometimes if we don't pay attention we end up with more food on the floor then the table. Guess that's what we get for not paying attention.

Its awesome in the morning to sit down and talk with the twins while Elijah is at school and at lunch to be able to talk with Elijah about what he did at school today. But my most favorite time is at dinner when we are all at the table together. Sometimes even our little Ellie joins us for a meal. I think this will bring us together as a family. Our table may be small but we all fit perfectly and our table is full of love and joy as we grow, share and learn together as a family. Were a big family who sit at a little table.