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Beginning Our Journey
Feb. 26, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BIG 4 YEAR OLD TRISTAN!!!
4 years ago... I cannot believe the time and how it flew!!! he is such a big boy! I love him so much!!! Going to take a picture today once I get him dressed for his 4 year birthday picture.
I love this boy so much! He is such a blessing in my life. A little wild and unruly at times. A big strong willed. But I know with work we can nurture that to a strong leadership character in him. This little boy is amazing. He has gone through so much in life. I love him completely. He amazes me.
My prayer over him nightly since he was born, has been that God uses him in mighty ways, and many will come to His kingdom through Tristan and his life. That he will be strong in winning souls for Jesus. I continue to pray that over him at night. I just know God has big plans for this boy.
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Oct. 25, 2008
PHEW! I Am tired!
We through a surprise 50th birthday party for my mother in law today.
I think it was a great success! Thank you mom for all your help! My mom was a HUGE help! It would not have happened without them. From taking me to the store all the times I needed it, planning, setting up, cooking, serving and cleaning up. I love my mom and dad! They are the best.
You know... when I have this baby... and am past the do not life things stage. I am going to be so in for it with my mother! She has been so super helpful to me. Coming to my house just to carry my kids up the stairs for me! Carrying in groceries etc! She is getting a huge workout just with me being pregnant! I owe her big time!
But anyways. It was a fun day. I am SHOCKED mother in law actually was surprised. I never thought Justin family could pull it off. Especially on Deb since she is soooooo in control and involved in who what and wear of all her kiddos :) But we did it! And it was fun.
Here are a few shots of the day
Look how red her face was! I think she was shocked.
Mil and some of the grandkids blowing out her candles
It was a really nice party. Fun too. Her actual birthday is Nov. 17th, but since my due date was Nov. 15th... I figured it was not a good idea to be so close :)
And here is my 37 week belly shot for all of you.
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Sep. 7, 2008
Alyssa's 6th Birthday Party
God is so good to my little kids and answering their prayers. The forecast showed 60% chance of rain for Saturday. Alyssa prayed so hard "please please please please please Jesus, do not let it rain for my party, please please please please please, it can rain after my party" Well the day before it went to a 30% chance of rain and on the day of it was cloudy but the rain stayed away! Praise the Lord. I love when their little prayers are answered.
So Alyssa had her 6th birthday party. Through the years we have done Noah's Ark, Shrek, Land Before Time, My Little Pony (Mommy kinda picked a girl theme for her that year) and gosh, I forget what last year even was... But this year it was Hannah Montana. Man is my little girl growing up. I TRIED to make her pick Disney Princesses but nooooo. Hannah won out. Sigh... I like Hannah, I really do, I just know my little girl is getting so old!
Anyways... It was a nice day. Small party. I only invited our cousins and one other friend Nikki but her mom had some medical stuff done this week and I do not think they were up to coming. She did not make it and I was sooo busy I did not get around to call and check on her.  We will have to walk her gift bag and such down as they live on the next block from us.
Anyways. at 12 we went to the park to play. Alyssa wanted to and I was not up for paying to rent a shelter at her park of choice. We used to rent a shelter at the cheaper park each year, but I got tired of fighting the cheerleaders for our shelter that we rented! I would find them practicing and eating and taking over the shelter we rented! I even had some rude ones sit at the COVERED tables for our PARTY and eat! It burned me up for 3 years until I said ENOUGH. So we met to play at the park while daddy got the food grilled at home.
Here is Alyssa climbing the wall at the park. She Loves this wall.
 And here is some of our group on the wall, Tristan, Alyssa, (soon to be aunt) Chrissy (climbing) cousin Trent (head cut off at the top) (soon to be cousin) Abby, Uncle Travis and cousin Cloe.
 Alyssa got everything she picked for her party (well I admit, I said we could have pizza and icecream cake next week on her birthday since she asked for those last min after I had the rest of the menu planned) But she wanted to make the cake together. And she picked out funfetti and strawberry. We made cake and cupcakes. I am in NO way a cake decorator. The kids and I had fun though. I leave the pretty looking cakes up to my sister in law Megan.
 Oh and note to self - do NOT put candles on the dryer when using it... I melted her 6 and Justin had to go buy a new one!
This was the first year Uncle Chris and Aunt Lauren could join us for Alyssa's party. Uncle Chris is a youth pastor in Maryland and each September they throw a back to school camp out. And you guessed it, it ALWAYS falls when we plan her party! So this year we asked when it was and scheduled her party around his trip. Thank you Uncle Chris and Aunt Lauren for driving 5 hours just for Alyssa! That is so super special!
 Alyssa did so well with gifts. She let daddy read the cards and was very appreciative of all her presents.
 And for everyone - She LOVED them all! Tristan and Alyssa have been playing non stop! The barbies/hannahs have all been opened and played with all night and day today. She is sleeping with her fur-berry toy the past two nights. (even though it is HARD! she still has to sleep with it she says) the parrot is her "favorite gift" although I think they all are. We have had lots of art work going on with her new art kit and she was showing Tristan the ins and outs of writing in her new diary. Thank you everyone!!!
Pinyata Time!
 Had to add this one! It cracks me up, this is Isaac our soon to be cousin
 And what a perfect year for her, Even though I really think Trent got it open, Alyssa was let one final turn and she is THRILLED thinking she broke the pinyata!
 Ever since Aunt Megan and Uncle Nathan got pin the tail on the donkey for our neice's birthday, we have to have it.
 cracks me up how mean Justin is to my oldest nephew Trent though! He is cruel and gets him all going the wrong way just to laugh at him! Those Irwin boys are such picks!
And here is a nice picture of Uncle Chris and Aunt Lauren with Alyssa.
 Alyssa said she cannot wait until Thanksgiving when Uncle Josh comes up because ALL her uncles will be there! And yes she REALLY did say that, she gets all sentimental sometimes and makes me laugh.
Lots of pictures, I am sorry, But it was a really nice day. Thank you Jesus again for holding off the rain. And thank you everyone for coming and the fun party we had for Alyssa.
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Feb. 23, 2008
What a sweet day we had.
Today was Tristan's 3rd birthday party. I have to say, this was one of my favorite parties so far. The way Tristan was so excited about EVERYTHING was just a delight to watch. At first I was a little disappointed. My brother in law was not feeling well so he was not going to come and his fiance and daughter were not either. Then my other bil was working. So there were no uncles or aunts going to be there for Tristan. My brothers live in GA and MD. Then my grandma was sick so she was not coming and my other friend and her family did not make it. Our party numbers were next to nothing. Sure I wanted a smaller party due to Tristan's up coming medical fun on Tuesday, but I wanted someone there!
Well my brother in law who was sick and his family did decide to stop in for a little bit. The party was in a gym and he did not get near Tristan. None of them did. But they were there and it made me happy.
Then to our surprise - and my moms squealing delight!  My little brother drove up from Maryland to join us! I was so excited for that! I love my brother! And man, driving 5 hours up for a kids birthday party is a super sweet thing to do. I felt pretty bad because... a 2 year olds party is not exactly exciting to anyone but the parents! lol
Anyways - Tristan had a blast! He was ready to go go go and our party was by far the quickest I have ever given! He was telling me when he wanted to do things. First things first - he wanted pizza! Then mid slice he decided it was cake time! So we did cake! Then he wanted the pinyata which I stalled him on. So he was happy with pin the tail on the donkey and bean bag toss for a bit. But then pinyata time! So we did that and he was ready for presents. He was just so excited about everything he did.
He was very thrilled with his cake and enjoyed eating it just as much. The delight on his face when it was time to blow out his candles made me smile so much! He was looking at it like we put a million dollars in front of him. Wide eyed and ready for that candle! And it was all his to blow out too! Big boy - no help from anyone else!
He adored his gifts. And it was nice because he got to play with some of them right there too. We had time. When we got home I had them all out and he played all night with every toy he got! It was just the right amount of new toys and everything was perfect!
The only thing he did not get to really play with yet was his remote control truck but he played all night with it. Just the battery is charging. Either way - it was light weight so it worked out perfect to use - battery or not! His other gifts were A Mr. Potato Head set - 3 little characters in it. He had that out all night playing, a Crayola Color wonders Cars book - already colored in tonight! He got a bike helmet which Alyssa and Tristan wore as a protection from daddy when they were playing tonight! He got a Bob the Builder Computer and he was enjoying turning it on and off and making me nuts because I wanted to figure out the games!!! He got a learning game thing from my mom and dad and Alyssa and I were enjoying it! What else, oh we were bowling with Diego! But we need batteries to make the fun sounds and pop the pins back up. I got tired of popping the pins back up so he started using it for playing other than bowling. lol Good thing it is sturdy. We got him Mario Cars, Matchbox cars with Super Mario people on them. He really liked those! He got money from Pastor and Linda Miller. when he opened his card it was 2 five dollar bills, he said "TWO MONEYS! I got TWO MONEYS!" hee hee. I am sure I am forgetting something but he made out great and it was a perfect day!
Here are some pictures
Tristan seeing his cake with my mom
The birthday boy!
Missed the blowing out but right after he blew out the candle
not the best picture of me but Alyssa took it, what do I want huh?
Bean bag toss
Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Pinyata
With Uncle Chris
Present Time
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Jan. 9, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM!!!
January is a busy month for my family. My Dad, then mom, then me and my brother Chris and my older brother is the beginning of Feb! My poor parents with birthdays. But they always made things special for us. How thankful I am for that.
Today is another special day, my mother, my best friend, is having a birthday. We always kid that for 3 days of the year, Dad is in charge because he is the same age as mom. Then she turns a year older and is the older one again. :smile:
My mother is an EXTRA special lady that immediately has people liking her. She has an AMAZING smile that lights up her face.
And a laugh that is contageous especially when she tells this really funny Christmas joke but cannot get to the punch line because she laughs so hard! I do not think after all these years I have actually heard the joke said without her busting up!
My mom was always there for us growing up. She worked as a lunch lady for us from the time I was in 4th grade until she blessed us by quitting to take care of my daughter while I went to work! There is noone else in the world I would ever want to help me raise my children.
Growing up everyone always knew who my mother was. Once in High School, out of my class of 622 kids and there were two grades in the school, so 1,000 kids in my school, a cafeteria worker singled me out. I was walking through the lunch line and this lady I had never seen before said "You are Cathy's daughter!" I was so shocked! I don't know... do you think we look alike???
My mom is the most awesome lady. She is my best friend. I love being with her, walking the mall, shopping, or just being with her, we have a good time. She does so much for our family, She goes the extra mile for us. When I used to live 35 mins away, if she knew I needed paper towels or clorox wipes, she would drive the whole way just to stop in and give them to me!
If a day goes by when I do not talk to her at least once or twice, I feel like there is something missing in my day. She is my best friend. I am truely a blessed daughter. Thank you Jesus for my awesome parents.
Happy Birthday Mom. You are amazing and the best mother and grandmother anyone could ask for. You are amazing and I hope I can be just like you! You are truly a blessing to our entire family and more!
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Jan. 6, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAD!!!
Today I want to wish my dad a happy birthday. He is the best father in the whole entire world! A model parent and grandfather, dad is the biggest blessing in my life. I love him so much. He is a man you would want to know. He is generous, caring, dependable, hard working, honest, giving and Christlike in every way.
He is someone who always will try to help you out, he will go the extra mile for his family and get down on the floor with his grandkids to crawl all over him. When I write about dad it is very heartwarming. I love him with all my heart. Sometimes it goes unsaid how much we appreciate him but he is the unsung hero in our lives. He means the world to us and I am very proud to have him as my father. Happy Birthday Dad! We love you so much! And Appreciate all you do! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
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Oct. 30, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER IN LAW LAUREN!!!
Today I want to switch gears for a moment to wish my sister in law a happy birthday! Lauren has always been a special friend in my life. I am very grateful that she is married my little brother.
I have known Lauren since we were both teenagers in youth group. I think she was 11 when I met her.
Lauren has that personality that makes everyone happy when they are around her. From her smile to her love for Jesus it just shines through. She is a wonderful friend. We have had many great memories together. From ministering together in drama and on missions trips, being on a worship team, to competing in competitions together, Lauren has always been a big part in my life.
I am so blessed to have such a great friend in my family. The only regrets I have are that they live so far away. I really miss them a lot. My kids have super aunts and uncles but I really wish my side of the family (Lauren and Chris, and Josh and Christy) lived closer. They know but do not really know how awesome their aunts and uncles are!
We do try hard to keep them as much apart of our lives as possible. And it is so sweet to see my kids talk about them and get excited about their visits.
My kids like to draw them pictures (and I have some on my table at home ready to be sent!)
I feel bad this year that I did not get my Tristans pictures out in time to make it for Laurens Birthday but I know she will forgive me. I will be sending them out as soon as I get home.
I just wanted you all to know how awesome Lauren is and that we wanted to wish her a happy birthday!
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Jan. 17, 2007
Today was a wonderful day!
Today was my 27th Birthday. It was a wonderful day. My first birthday as a stay at home mother. Dh got called in early to work. We had a laugh this morning as my dh thought I was getting my son from his bed. His light was on. 6:30 in the morning. Turns out Dh tried to open his door, almost knocking Tristan off a stool on the other side. He was flipping his lights on and off. Silly boy!
My kids were wonderful. Everyone was a tad cranky today. We are all suffering from colds. But Tristan blessed me with the gift of not fighting his nap. He doesn't FIGHT me but he plays. For an hour he will laugh and pick on me and not go to sleep. He takes naps in my bed. So I lay with him until he falls asleep. My mom started it and frankly I like it so I dont change it. (we wont discuss almost dying because my daughter nearly burnt our house down two weeks ago!) Anyways he went down in 5 - 10 mins! And slept for 2 and half hours. It was a great gift from him.
My daughter spent the day making me gifts. She would draw wrapping paper since she used it all on my moms birthday gifts last week. She had to make some. Then finding things to wrap in the house. That was sweet. But the best gift she gave me was a super homeschool day. We are doing Teach your child to read in 100 ez lessons as one of our lessons. She is doing wonderful with it. We are on lesson 23 of the 100. But she is not THRILLED about it. She usually gives me hassel doing it. I end up scolding her into actually doing it with me. It is always an arguement. The thing is it bores her. No frills. But why I keep it up is she is progressing WONDERFULLY! Better than the colored fun courses we have tried before. So today was a great gift. She completed a lesson with me with no distraction. She paid attention and did wonderful. And she also did good for the rest of our work too. But 100 ez lessons was the best!
My dh got me boots and an umbrella on Sunday. Today he brought me home a card and a cake. I had put Tristan to bed already. Which was fine because he really did not need more sweets. But he did the whole deal. Candles and singing! It was really fun. I was caught off guard though when he said Make a Wish. I was like - uh... ??? I wont tell you what I did wish though when a min later I thought of something! ha ha ha. Or it wont come true!
More good birthday news. A wonderful online friend of mine got some good news today on her baby she is carrying. Please keep her in your prayers. She has had a very eventful pregnancy. We are praying for miracles and today she had one. I know lots of people are saying it is just this or that. But I flat out believe it is a miracle. No other explination needed. Now just praying her through till the big miracle of a completely healthy little baby being born. She is in the hospital now but we want her to keep that baby cooking a lot longer than she is. I think she is 27.5 weeks? Not sure exactly. But Jennifer is the mothers name. Prayers greatly appreciated.
Justin did not get a job position we were praying for. God is good. He knows the big picture. Trusting him for the best for our family. I guess this was not his plan for us. Man that is so hard to swallow sometimes. He has never failed us or steered us wrong though. So we will just have peace knowing it was not for us.
Ok I am shaking cold. Guess that is because my goofy daughter took my socks off earlier. One more story. She is in a big girl bed now. Tonight I told her to be careful of not rolling too much. She was in a mood. I told her how you have to not fall out of bed. She said WHAT? I told her not to worry she did not roll much and never fell out before so dont worry about it now. Just dont go getting all floppy on me. I told her I never fell out of bed before and neither had she or Tristan. I said but sometimes your uncles would be at the bottoms of their beds in the mornings. So you just have to be careful. About 10 mins after she went to bed she SCREAMED! I RAN IN Lightening fast! what do I find when I flip the lights on?! Feet. Sticking out the top of her comforter on her pillow! The goofy girl was playing a trick on me. Her head was under the covers at the bottom of her bed and little toes were on her pillow. I laughed and told her GO TO SLEEP!
New bed - wrong kid in it though lol
Here is a homeschooling picture
Not sure what this face is Alyssa is making but... just having fun with the hair
We dont do Halloween. But I did buy up some of the cheapo hair color spray. To have fun with. what a mess that bath water was!
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Sep. 13, 2006
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL! "4"
It is Alyssa's 4th birthday today. We just got back from the Yellow Park. I am soooo tired. Alyssa crawled in her bed and went to sleep. I cannot belive it has been 4 years that she has been with our family. It seems like forever yet just like yesterday. I love that little girl with my whole heart!
She had her birthday party on Saturday. It was a ton of fun. Although very stressful because it rained and we had to last min figure out where to have our party and call everyone. It all worked out wonderful though.
Here are some pictures.
before the party
Oh my... I have to tell you all a VERY funny story about this... I let her lick the candle... she ATE IT! She bit the end of it! Her face was priceless! she told me she thought there was a chunk of cake on it. I felt awful for her but at the same time it was the funniest thing I ever saw!!!
This is my mom with the camera and dh is behind Alyssa
A Dress Up Outfit she got
My PRINCESS went from loving dinosaurs to ninja turtles, this is a drawing she did
She got ninja turtles for her birthday too!
Then this morning on her real birthday we gave her our gifts. A colorform dora set, a clipboard with art stuff (secret homeschool idea - take work outside  ) and a gumball bank thing.
Oh and some blue gum!
And I took her to the park
Wow that was a lot of pictures! I am sorry but thanks for looking.
And Happy Birthday to my Alyssa Jane! I love you sweetheart!
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Jul. 22, 2006
Happy 27th Birthday to my Sweetheart
Today is my dh's birthday. He is napping behind me on the couch. (What better birthday gift then a nap huh?!) My mil is going to watch the kids for us to go out tonight. I can't wait. Not sure if we will go so Superman and to dinner or just dinner and walking the Pittsburgh Mills. Justin's decision.
I love my honey. He is very sweet. He works very hard to give our family everything we need. Justin can do anything he puts his mind too. If something needs done he can do it! I am very lucky to have him. (boy I want to write more in this post but my kids just won't let me!)
Happy birthday to my sweetheart! I love you!
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Feb. 27, 2006
Birthday Boy Pics!
Wow... how to narrow this down.... I will do my best.
Happy Birthday Tristan! (2-26) I cannot believe it has been a year!
This is where the dirty kids go
ok Party Pics...
Pinyata Time, Tristan FREAKED! Bawled so hard when the Smily face Sun broke - it was sad...
Cake Time!
That was EXHAUSTING
Present Time
And the loot
He got this chair too
And I am done! My baby is one.... wow... and for good times sake... here was a year ago...
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Jan. 9, 2006
Happy Birthday to My Mom!
Yes January is a busy birthday month for us. More to come!
Happy Birthday Mom! 51.
My mom, next to my husband is my best friend. She has always been there for me. Not always have we gotten along without glitch but what normal kid does? We are so much alike that we are bound to butt heads sometime or other.
When I found out I was expecting Alyssa - mom quit her job to care for her. I could not imagine anyone else raising my children for me. I do not question for a min that they are loved beyond belief when I am gone.
My mom is someone I look up to and value. I am proud when someone tells me I am like her. Thank you mom! Happy Birthday!
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Jan. 6, 2006
Happy Birthday To My Daddy!
Today is my dads 50th Birthday! Happy Birthday Daddy!!! I love you!
My dad is the GREATIST guy that all of you should meet some day. When you get to Heaven seek him out and say hi!
He works so hard to be the best full time Pastor at the Butler Assemblies of God Church while the Senior Pastor is away on Military Leave. www.butlerag.org (My husband did his website) He also holds a full time Job at Marmon Keystone and is trying his hardest to be the #3 Salesman in the company. Which is worldwide so that would be amazing.
He is also the BEST dad and Grandpa that anyone could ask for. He goes nonstop. Balancing a grandkid on each hip and making sure everything is perfect in my life.
I could not imagine life without him. I thank God he is here today as 3 years ago he went in for Open Heart Surgery. Healthy as a horse we were all shocked to find he had a genetic heart valve disease and it just spiraled from there. My brandnew baby girl was born and we were worried we were loosing my dad. 3 very scary months he has pulled through with nothing short of a miracle. Everyday I thank God for my parents.
Happy Birthday Dad! the big 50!
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