CELEBRATING

{new equipment}

*almost feels like a new child. except it doesn't require any changings, sleeps through the night from day 1 and keeps itself completely clean. no bed-bugs. pretty nice.

CELEBRATING

{lost teeth}

*drew has lost his 2nd tooth this week. the other one is already grown in. the *tooth fairy* granted drew a whole dollar for his first tooth, but seems to be feeling the economy squeeze as well, for she only left 50c. for this one. (though she got lost the first night and didn't make it until the second night.) so even with all this *pretending,* drew is not fooled at all by all this. he knows *exactly* what is going on. (wink) but it's still fun to pretend. oh, and the eye patch is also a new thing for drew. dr.'s orders, for 3 months-every morning to strengthen his weak eye. we technically only have until he turns 7 before his eyes are "set." so we're CELEBRATING another hole in drew's mouth and a chance to be a "real pirate" for a couple of months. signs of growing children!

CELEBRATING

{daddy-at-home}

*today is a sad sort of day. it is the beginning of a new "era" for our little family. we have been so so lucky that "dad" has an office here so he can work-at-home. which has meant all sort of wonderfullnesses. like having him here for lunch. or a quick visit by the boys for some licorice (or better yet, for me, a late morning kiss*), or when I run into a snag with 2 of the boys, he intercedes for a few minutes so I can man-handle the baby, or a quicky errand while the young boys are napping---which is a thing of the past. a break time wrestle session on the mats with dad will have to wait until after dinner. my mornings will now consist of handing off a bag lunch, a (long) smooch, and everyone waving goodbye out the window. yes, it is a sad sort of day at the neiner household. we have been so very, very lucky to have John's presence if only but here & there throughout the day. but, we are CELEBRATING the wonderful year & 8months we did have him here with us throughout every day. and, of course, this will just make the "welcome home's" even more sweet.

CELEBRATING

happy december!

I cannot believe it is already *that* month!
Since my days are slipping by me like sand falls through one's hand, I decided to keep up with my one/a/day, very little thought-but still keeping a record, type blogging. My brain cannot handle any more at this season of my life, but I don't want this time to pass unforgotten. (right now, I am quickly typing because 2 boys are by my side asking for more chocolate chips from the tin in their reach while Caid is "calling" for me. Why does this always seem to coincide with a quick blogging post?)

SO, this month, I am going to (attempt) to post daily with the theme of CELEBRATION.

First one being, our first snowfall of the season, also Caid's first snow fall! Which is very, very unusual for new england! But we're not complaining. We know *Jack Frost* will be here soon enough, and he certainly doesn't move on any time soon.

{first *snow* fall}

Thankful for

[SACRIFICE]

*John Stra, grandfather of John, circa 194-

[served on the USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) during World War II

where they experienced a Kamikaze attack on the ship,

which he later earned a Purple Heart award for.]

Thankful for

[HIM]

*today, he turns 30. he wears it well.

and this is the quilt I made him for his special day

-sealed with my love, of course.

Thankful for

[OUR CHURCH FAMILY]

*for pictures of our extreme-church-makeover,

click here.