What's new!?!?!

What have we been up too??? Well...more than I can even remember!

Josiah was Baptized on his 6th Birthday! He played T-Ball this summer and really enjoys anything outdoors!

Jordann has grown up a ton. She is lil miss sassy thang! Loves her bubby and tells everyone he's her bff! Too cute. She is 3 as of June and is begging for a baby (the real kind!) Had to break her heart that mommy and daddy are set and it's not likely she'll be getting one...the response...."Awwwwwwwwwww Man!" "But they are sooooo cute" like they are puppies or something!

Daniel and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary...how you ask.? With a home remodel! We are about done and our house will be market ready this week! Looks amazing so come visit us before we move!!

Here are some pics...hope this counts as a post...I am such a slacker when it comes to a blog. Don't worry, I still stalk all of yours so I can see all those lil cuties!

Blessings!!

Awwww the Holidays!!! Why are they soooo busy? Time with friends and family and all the season's festivities! I am excited and exhausted all at the same time!



Here are some pics since I haven't posted much this year!

Hope this blessed season is filled with all the hope and love God intended when He sent us His Son! Happy Birthday Jesus....may we not lose sight of you!

Miss Jordann

This is one sweet girl! I am amazed daily at what a neat lil person she is! Funny and smart, sweet and beautiful...she is the total package!!
She turned 2 this week! YES 2!!
She loves her big brother and is really into hugs and kisses right now...here lately she just wants to give great big hugs and pull you in for a big smootch! The more I praise each hug and kiss the more she squeezes! I LOVE IT!!
Lately she has been dancing and singing...oh my heart..it is precious to watch. Last week was VBS...I had an awesome gig leading the kids in music and it was a great workout dancing to each song 6 times a day! Anyway...Jordann picked up and the moves and was just giving Daniel a mini concert before church and he was praising her and she was so proud...he couldn't tell what song she was trying to sing so he asked her to show me...well it was the theme song for VBS...Boomerang Express! She was totally into it shaking her bootie and pumping her arms!
Jordann has also been talking up a storm too! Oh my....toddler talk can be so fun...when she tries to say a word we try to correct her and usually everything we tell her she replies w/ "oh".
One word she struggles with is truck....that's right she says a four letter work that rhymes with truck. I think we might just try to convince her that it is a choo-choo again (that's what she used to call trucks and semis).
So far potty training has been pretty easy...she is lil miss independent and does a great job of telling us when she needs to go.

It is fun to watch Josiah teach his sister all that he knows. They have been counting and doing abc's together. Si will sit and read books to her and they love playing cars and taking walks while he pushes her in the stroller. He has been so great when she askes him for help, it makes my heart melt. We have taught our kids to say "Thank you Jesus" when we have something to be grateful for...ie...mommy not getting the speeding ticket...or even just a praise from another person. Watching both of our children pray is a tear jerker for me. Jordann never lets anyone eat without praying. Sometimes if I am still finishing something and do not get to the table before everyone is ready to start I will just have them pray and I pray from wherever I am. That does not work for her...once I sit down and try to eat she says "momma NO" points for me to put my food down and folds her hands to instruct me to pray!! How precious is that?

Jordann has such a neat personality and she loves to laugh and make others laugh too! Most of her silliness was learned from watching Josiah and all his many characters. There is never really a dole moment at our house.

Jordann you are a precious little girl and such a blessing to our family!

Josiah's Pre-School Graduation

Mrs. Schmitz....she is an amazing teacher with more patience than humanly possible!

trying to look humble

The Graduate Proud grin

getting his diploma

I admit I am alot like an M&M...ok the peanut ones anyway. I have a hard candy shell...soft chocolate sweet side and then a lil nutty like the peanut center. I rarely cry, so for me to admit that I was a cry baby at my son's pre-school graduation is a tough one!

But I was a proud momma and to see him sing his lil heart out and hold his head up high just choked my up!

Enjoy my handsome lil big guy!

Jordann's Free Spa Date

So we've all had a case of severe rainy day blues lately. We want to be outside enjoying spring and nature...only to be cooped up inside for days on end for stormy weather! My kids have definetly had their fill of cabin fever...so today Jordann wanted to swing...she hated to slush through the yard to get there and once she was done decided to take off her muddy shoes...as she did she fell on her bottom onto the soggy ground...Josiah then proceed to show her the exciting way to splash water out of the large puddles with a stick...SHE WAS HOOKED!!

So she treated herself to an old fashioned "spa date", complete with a mineral loaded mud bath!! Enjoy :)

Good Bye Tulsa House!

Well...the time came when we are able to say our FINAL good-byes to our first home. It was a cozy lil place that served us well over the 8 years we owned it. It will be so nice not having to continue to pay the mortgage on a home we have not occupied since Oct 07!! We re-listed the house in January of this year with a new realtor and we were in contract within a month! To us this was nothing short of a miracle...considering the market right now and finding "qualified" buyers!

Poor Daniel though had to put a new roof on since our insurance company did not see and hail or wind damage to the roof that another company refused to insure (that was a fun mess!).

Closing went off with out a hitch and we are one step closer to being "debt free".

Thank you all for all your prayers through the year and half that we struggled to sell our home!

Mr & Mrs Torneden

Here are some pics from my lil brother's wedding. Jordann was the adorable flower girl, while I filled in as a bridesmaid. The weather was perfect!

It was nice to see my brother so happy. We all danced the night away...I'll try to upload a video of Jordann & Si shaking their booties! They played all the old school classics so I of course jumped in with my moves from the 90's!! Even Daniel was loose and funky having a good time!!

We of course forced Sarah to come and party with us!! She was a huge help (as she always is) helping keep Jordann happy and helping me try to curl her hair (that was fun)!!

With that....Casey & Sabrina...thank you for allowing us to celebrate with you and allowing us to stand with you as you wed. We love you both and wish you all the happiness that this lifetime will allow!

Tag you're it! Thanks Becki

So this is an adorable pic of two special people to me....My handsome lil man and my dear friend Sarah! We always have so much fun when Sarah comes to town....I know she is the infamous "babysitter" to most...but to our fam she is like a sister/auntie. We love to hang out, talk, eat, and take pictures of the kids being silly. I love how Sarah & I keep it real....we talk about everything...she maybe knows as much about me as Daniel does....scarry I know!
Sarah was our 1st official babysitter for Si after he was born (Al napped with him 1st @ 6wks!)...then we decided to share her with everyone else....needless to say her calendar fills up quickly these days! Anyone who as ever met her instanlty loves her...how can you not??? If you have little ones she will spoil them...sometimes even kidnap them (haha....jk she always asks first!) She is an amazing care giver (more like a lil momma) and an awesome friend...I am so blessed not only to know her but to call her a close friend.
We love you Sarah (or Sa-da as Jordann calls her)!!

So now you have seen my 4th pic that was saved in the 4th folder on my computer....it's your turn...SO TAG YOU ARE IT! I pick the following 4 ladies to post the 4th of their#4....Laura, Amanda, Jen, Brandi!!! Can't wait to see what you have to say!

December 2008

Here are some new pics! I'll add a Christmas post later this week!

Jordann has so much personality. She & Josiah are truly the light of our lives! We've been keeping busy with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season...but trying to enjoy it as much as possible! We've had a fun week with Sarah here from Tulsa! We've done a ton of cooking and baking, wrapping and shopping! It's always so much fun when she comes...the kids adore her and hate when she leaves :( Not to mention she takes the best pics!

Josiah has had 2 programs (school & church)....we were a little nervous because in the school program he had a speaking part (no biggee) but he refused to rehearse the part and pitched horrible fits at school and was having a hard week prior listing and obeying his teachers! YIKES! To our amazement he was a perfect angel and had a great last week of school! THANK GOODNESS! His speaking part was " All those who heard what the shepards told them that Jesus Christ was born, were filled with wonder". He said every word perfectly except that "were" changed to "are"....still it was precious!

I love cooking and baking anytime...but this year is a little different. I don't get to quite enjoy the goodies like I had previous years...I was asked to be a fill in bridesmaid for my brothers wedding in March...the original bridesmaid is now prego w/ twins...the dresses were bought and it is too late to exchange...how does this apply to me you ask? Well...I am comfortable in the skin I am in and do not obsess about my weight...but in this case...the dress is a size 6 and I am an 8 in normal clothes...so I am nervous that the dress being a formal may just be a little small!!! So I am cutting portions and toning up and giving up all the goodies that I used to indulge in. I figure being healthier for a while is ok...plus Daniel & I are planning a trip for our 10yr anniversary in June so maybe some where tropical?!?! (We'll see)I'll keep you posted on the progress, so far I have lost 3 lbs and haven't redone measurements yet...

Josiah Dec 08

Sunday December 7th, pretty much a typical Sunday morning for our house getting ready for Sunday School and Church. I was a little under the weather with allergy/sinus junk so my heart was not all there...this Sunday was Communion Sunday. Josiah has been pretty torn that he is too young to be baptised and receive communion. Folks...he KNOWS his JESUS and can tell you verbatim who HE is and What HE has done for us! So this Sunday he sweetly asked again if he could have the bread and juice...I told him to explain to me what the "bread & juice" were...he so proudly stated "Well, it's not really bread, but it's Jesus' body broken for us, and the juice is His blood...because HE died for us to save us from our sin. I welled up (ok 1st with pride but mainly in amazement that he got it!) I felt ashamed that I spent most of my life lost (I was saved at 18) and here it is that my 4yr old probably knows Jesus better than me!

Josiah you are such a strong willed child. There are days were we have no clue how to handle you and then there are these precious moments when you melt our hearts with your sweet words and wisdom beyond your years. You have been "composing" your own songs and they are special and truly unique (hopefully I can record one soon!) You sing about God's love for us and His glorious angels...you are all over the place...Thank you for being our special gift from the Lord! We love you buddy!

My busy Kiddos!

Here are some old videos of the kids...they have so much fun together! These are from the spring...Josiah mastered no training wheels on his first try...


it was funny...Jordann was down for a nap and we ride at the church down the street...I stayed home & I told Daniel to take the camera...he thought there was no way Josiah would get it down on the 1st day more less 1st try...needless to say they were back home within 10 min after leaving...so after Jordann's nap we went back and taped it. :) He is such a determined kid!

Jordann is such a trusting soul when it comes to her brother!

Notice how she has a mouthful of dirt! EWWWWWWWWWW!! (no wonder why she is sooo healthy!)

They went around the house several times. Jordann loved it...somehow though I captured every fall...amazing how that happens. Josiah is sooo sweet to his sister. He tries to love on her non-stop...unfortunately for him she REALLY likes her space and doesn't like to be smothered w/ hugs and kisses. Occasionally she gives in, but would rather wrestle than hug!

My kids are outdoorsy...Josiah wants to play outside no matter what the weather is doing...Jordann hears the word and starts grabbing shoes and lately a when I tell Si he needs a jacket she brings me hers too! She is so fun to watch....it's amazing to see how she listens so well. She picks up toys and puts them away...throws things in the trash even w/out being asked, loves to help mommy cook & clean ( I LOVE IT!!) Pretty much other than that...she is just like her brother...constantly on the go!!!

Halloween

Well we have been a little busy here lately with work schedules and other activities. Daniel is the best Mr. Mom ever. He just steps up to the plate whenever needed and never complains!

The kids are so glad to see him come home....and they are shooooing me out the door! :( Understandable though...I can only stand so many hrs of myself too guys!)

Anyway...Daniel had to ge the kids into their costumes 2 weeks in a row by himself...so these pics are not quite the real deal...Si picked the Superman costume...he loves super heros and wants to be one when he grows up...notice how much he sticks his chest out in the pic...he walked that way too...total strut! He loves to show everyone how fast he can run (great energy burner...we tell him it was tooo fast that we couldn't see him & that he needs to do it again...& again..you get the idea) Jordann loves to join the running fun...so at our house it's a constant ready....set.....go!!! She is a free spirit like a butterfly...so sweet and friendly yet curious and everywhere! She was bouncing all over the room so getting a pic was fun! Here are the few pics that we managed to snap of the costumes. Since I am working part time(Walmart) I decided to see if I could win the contest & match my dept (girls) as Miss Hannah Montana....well....Blonde matches my personality (sometimes) but is not a look I am aspiring for!! Enjoy!

Crystal

This is a pic of my beautiful sister Crystal. She left us 5 years ago today to be with our heavenly Father. She was 18 and fought a tough battle of large cell lymphoma cancer. She was a trooper. This pic was from her SR Prom. She had just been released from the hospital and was told that she was terminal. She tried to live life to the fullest...what else could she do?!?! Aug 15Th 2003 she gave her life to the Lord after fighting His every call. Oct 22 He called her home for eternity. That day was the hardest day my family ever has had to experience, but also the most peaceful knowing that she was not suffering anymore.

I was pregnant with Josiah when she passed..but he knows she loved him and that she is looking down from heaven with Jesus watching over him as his special angel. He still calls her car hers even though it's in our garage. It is sooo sweet. She was the 1st person to know I was pregnant. We kept the secret until our brother's 2 week break from Iraq when all of the family was together...there we annouced w/ my sister Tonya too that both of us were expecting (3 weeks apart!) We would stay up all night talking, watching movies and of course eating. We were hooked on hot mamas for a while. I look back at those speicial times and wish we could have had so many more. We always teased my mom that God had to send her two grand-babies at once to keep her as busy as Crystal did! Crystal we are grateful for the 18yrs we got to be a part of your life and are thankful that you are forever in our hearts and memories.

We miss you and love you so much and can't wait to be where you are!!

Fall Time

This pic is from last fall when Josiah had a little fun with the yard work! Fall at our house is such a fun time. Lots of yard work required to keep up with the massive leaves. We are still pretty old school for the times...meaning my hubby refuses to get a riding lawn mower (we are the only ones in our neighborhood still pushing it!) and he just (last month) splurged on a leaf blower/mulcher (WOW!!) I love my husband and his frugal ways (most of the time ;) but there are just some things that a man should have...ie...tools!!! Our yard is not huge by any stretch...just enough that push mowing takes about an hour to do. Then there's the bagging of the grass and leaves...I have no clue why I care...I don't mow(luckily allergic to grass!!)...just rake & bag (Great exercise!)

This year we are doing a lot of renovations on our exterior...adding all new windows and siding to make our house more energy efficient. I am excited to see the windows (they will be put in sometime in the next few weeks) If you are considering new windows for your house let me know and we can do a referral for you...we make $100 and so do you!! Just for meeting with them and letting them give you an estimate...NO OBLIGATION! It's a great way to make a lil dinner out money and see what it would cost to update your home :) I'll post before and after pics so you all can see the difference & keep you posted on utility savings!!

Well....

I will admit it...I am NOT a blog person...let me clarify...I LOVE to reading everyone's...but, I am just a chicken when it comes to making my own! To be honest I have been a member of this site for almost a year and have made soooo many excuses why I haven't posted yet. So here I go! I love the simplicity of being able to share day to day adventures with all my friends and family, I just need to let go of my anxiety and have some fun!