Didn't take too many pictures this year. Instead we chose to just be present. It means I didn't get a perfect shot but we were all able to join in the fun.








I actually think Colin's favorite part of the night was being able to pass out the candy to the kids. He said "I welcome" to the polite kids who said thanks and "thank you" to the kids who didn't :)

Weekly update!

How far along?: I haven't got confirmation from the Dr yet, so anywhere from 4 Weeks and 1 Day to 4 Weeks and 3 days.

Weight gain/loss: 0

Symptoms: Just an overall feeling of blah. Exhaustion and morning sickness are starting to set it.

Gender: Pretty sure we aren't finding out again. We've loved not knowing with Colin

Sleep?: With the pain of my root canal, I'm not sleeping for long lengths of time.

Best moment this week?: The pregnancy test actually saying "Pregnant!!!" ok there were no exclamation marks on the actual test :)

Movement: too soon for that

Food cravings/aversions: With the root canal, I've been sticking close to a liquid diet.

What I miss?: Being able to take real pain medication

What I am looking forward to?: Doctor's appointment on November 29th so I can put some of this worrying behind me.

Milestones: After a year of negative pregnancy tests, we are finally pregnant!!!!

What I’m nervous about: what I'm sure every newly pregnant woman worries about: miscarriage.

1. Great friends who believe in us even when we can't ourselves

2. Dental insurance

3. Pain medication!

4. One week until our trip to sunny California!

5. My fantastic husband and crazy son

It's been awhile since I posted some videos. Some of these are really old.

Untitled from Kristi on Vimeo.

Untitled from Kristi on Vimeo.

Untitled from Kristi M on Vimeo.

Untitled from Kristi M on Vimeo.

I recently was reading this blog where they were doing a giveaway for this necklace. The description about the necklace struck me. Hard. Like a 2X4 hitting me on the head and I've literally spent hours (hello I just drove like 20 hours in a car over the past few days) thinking about the magnitude of these words.

“I chose the words “Raising Generations” because I wanted a beautiful reminder of my great calling as a mother and the fact that the decisions I’m making today with my children will not only affect my children, but my children’s children and beyond. This is a sobering reality…sobering and humbling!

The song “Generations” by Sara Groves also inspired the necklace, here is an excerpt:

“Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know”

-Sara Groves

How often do we think about those words? How often do we think that the choices we make for not only ourselves but also our for our children will affect generations years from now?

Truthfully I've been thinking about that before I saw this necklace; since I knew my Grandma wasn't going to make it here on this Earth much longer. I thought about how the choices she made, the way she raised my Mom, loved my Dad as if he was her own son, the way she loved us as her grandchildren, the way she prayed daily for all of us and how those choices have all in a way shaped who we are today. I've thought about it often. I've cried bucketfuls of tears. And I've felt an immense sense of gratitude and responsibility. The truth is I want to live a legacy like she did. I want to be known for loving the Lord, my family, and my friends. I want people to know that I know their name, they matter to me, and I genuinely want to know their life. I want to be the woman who loves the "married in kids" just as much as her 'real' kids. I want to be the woman who loved simple things in life like peeling apples. I want to be the woman who still smiles even though life isn't going to way she hoped and desperately prayed it would. I want to be the woman known for not only her strength but also her tenderness. I want to be the woman who lives each day knowing the choices she makes is raising generations to come.

The sad truth is my Grandma won't know my {hopeful}future children. They won't be able to know the wonderfulness of her. They won't have her as a fantastic prayer warrior. BUT. She left generations behind her. She left pieces of her in each of her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, great great grandkids. And each of us are raising our own generations. Some of which we will be lucky enough to know. Some we won't. Some will know first hand of our love, pride, sacrifice. Others will only get to hear stories and see pictures and experience that love from other generations.

So remember today in your talks with your children or your husband. Remember when you are frustrated or joyful. Remember when you are busy or bored. You are raising generations. Your actions, your words are shaping generations to come. What a wonderful, enormous gift we've been given.

Feb 2008

After months - actually years - of planning a girl's weekend finally did happen. Did you know that Nashville, Tennessee happens to be pretty much in the dead middle of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Jacksonville, Florida? Nope? It is! So we each drove the l.o.n.g 9+ hour drive, twice, only to have two short days together but it was so worth it. We spent time doing some touristy things, seeing iconic Nashville things, eating some good grub, drinking some cool adult beverages,and just spending time together which is a rarity for us.

Customize a photo slideshow

Last night Colin's school had a Fall Festival. The kids came in costumes, ate snacks, played games, decorated pumpkins, and were able to show off their school.

Colin's pumpkin decorations.

Pumpkin Beanbag Toss

Face Painting

Gourd Bowling

Heading outside to play.

Colin and Isaiah playing outside as Woody and Buzz Lightyear

We've been having an amazing fall! The weather has been terrific and the colors are even more amazing. Last week we headed to the park to play in the leaves and for a little scavenger hunt.

While we were on our scavenger hunt I found these train tracks. I can't wait to try a real photo shoot here!

After Grandma's funeral, we decided to spend some more time together as a family, enjoy the beautiful weather, and take in more of the ArtPrize.

my personal favorite! all done by a #2 pencil!!

I love how the boys are all looking in a different direction

Alexander adores Colin. Want proof? {Forewarning: Colin looks terrible in all of them!}

My personal favorite