my b-day

I was teasing Joe the other day that I never turned 30. I didn't have a cake or card to prove it and wasn't sung to... I was still 29. We worked the day of my birthday and saved every penny literaly looking in every place for spare change to get us enough money for the deposit and 2 mo of rent, so birthday celebration went out the window. It is also so close to Christmas, presents are sometimes jumbled. I was fine with not having a bday, I was still younger.. forever 29. Joe was so sweet this weekend and got me a huge cake and everyone sang happy birthday. Now I have to face the facts, I am now 30. :) Thanks Joe I love you!

More Family Pictures

Ian a few weeks ago

Sammi, Tyler and Stripes playing outside,
a few weeks ago

Adam built this with all his free time at indoor recess

One of the trees covered with ice

kids playing outside a few weeks ago

2" of ice

It collapsed because of 2" of ice... scarry. Joe took this picture. Stuff like that is all over Kentucky!

my computer works!!!

I have a computer again! Thanks Shawn! I am keeping busy lately, unpacking and playing with the kids. The packing has slowed, I'm not very motivated. We went to visit Joe in Kentucky. He is helping with all the power issues down there. He has been gone 2 weeks strait. He said it looks like a tornado hit many of the towns. He told me that a few days ago he knew of people just now getting out of their driveways to get to town in the country. You can really see how important it is to be self sufficient, and have an alternate source of heat. When Joe comes home this weekend, I'll share more pictures. I took the wrong route to go see him and ended up back in Indiana and lost a good hour and a half. When we got home, Adam said it didn't take too long to get home. I said because we didn't have a hour and a half detour. That also included taking the kids on a bathroom break, and feeding Ian. What was I thinking traveling 5 hours alone with a nursing baby? It was worth the trip. Even though we really were only awake with Joe 2 hours a day? we were glad to be there.

The kids are on one side of the pond, the house in the background and Stripes. This was taken a few weeks ago.

we've moved

We've moved and are so happy! Our home computer crashed and internet had to get set back up. What a pain! I definately will be slower with my posts now that I don't have a computer. We love the house and are adjusting well to tripple the space. I of course can't find much, but have been going through stuff every day. The kids and Joe took a walk the other day around the pond and our guard kitty followed everywhere with them. Yesterday the kids played outside and Stripes played and watched the kids closely. Stripes came in and finally relaxed when Tyler came in. I am so glad he likes the kids. I'll post some kid pictures when I can. the kids are enjoying their rooms. We are slowly making them theirs. Ian is sleeping about 6 hrs and after eating goes back to sleep. :) Im tired I think I'll go I can't think anymore. Oh someones blog I read, said their kid is loving some chapter books, I can't remember who, and what books they are. I need to get Adam more motivated thanks.

Arbor Day Art Contest

Sammi won 1st place for the annual Arbor Day celebration art contest that Joe's work offers to all the employees kids or grandkids 3-5 grade and 6-8 grade. the 3-5 graders have art work, the 6-8 graders have an essay. She has won a savings bond of $500 and will be able to accept that at a banquet dinner in March. They will also give her art in a frame to keep. We are very excited for her and Sammi I think is the most excited.
When she opened the letter, she said Mom I see Dad's name on a paper. I said read from the beginning. She realized it was for her and then saw that she one 1st place and started screaming. She told her brothers all that money wasn't money she could spend now, it was for when she went to college. I told her it will be a special time she will have only with Mom and Dad (and Ian) and the boys will go to a sitter. I think she was happiest about that.