Missy's Moments

Lilah aka "Lils" is ONE today! The first year flew by WAY to fast! Your spunky, little (and I only mean physically little) go getting self brings us so much joy. Your little "dance", your love for all things food, the way you light up when you see your favorite people and that serious thoughtful look when your evaluating your not so favorite people. I can't wait to watch you continue to learn and discover this next year. Grandma loves you sweet girl. Happy Birthday! 🎂

  For a few weeks I’ve been telling myself that I am going to blog through a year. Now seriously I can’t even finish the 30 day photo challenges so time will tell how this little experiment will work. I’ve put NO expectations on this except that everyday I will post SOMETHING. I thought it only fitting since today is my birthday to share a bit about my birth. Today after I woke up I was enjoying my coffee and I was reading/studying a lesson on God’s sovereignty. God is in control. God has a plan. This may have slipped my mind a few times   lot lately. That brings me to picture #1. That is the note that my Grandma Barb wrote to my mom’s siblings when I was born. It’s pretty cool really if you think about it. This was written on the morning of Feb.2, 1972. I found this note years ago- I think in my late teens/early 20’s. The line that has always stood out to be was the last one. For all I know it could have meant “Don’t tell anyone yet.” because my mom and Grandma wanted...

Eric turned 11 last week…. 11 What freaks me out a little more is that along with 11 comes middle school. It’s not Eric I’m worried about- it’s all the other kids. I have a feeling this will be yet another lesson in trust. Seems like the older each of my children get the harder some of the lessons in trust are but I must say that God is faithful and I am always able to come to that peace that passes all understanding. So with that in mind I will choose to be excited for Eric and we’ll walk into middle school looking forward to the opportunities and not scared of the what if’s. Enough about me….. Eric is 11- did I mention that. He turned 11 on the 27th of April and this mama was out of town. I had an early childhood conference that I was at for a few days. Leaving was hard because Eric was very concerned about me not being here but he and Rick and Sam had a great day. He started out his day doing one of the things he does best (and baffles me with) and that is his Math M...

I turned 39 this week. The day was perfect. It started out with cards from Rick and the boys. The cards included tickets to Rick Springfield to which I have been informed by Sam that I am "a little freaky when I get Rick Springfield tickets". The day continued with time spent with all of my favorite people. The kids at the preschool, my co-workers and then the day ended with dinner with my mom, all of the kids and Rick. I believe the best part of my day was this: I entered the day not in want. I have everything that I need, and although there are areas of my life that I hope someday are different (and not so much for my sake) my heart is content with being allowed to love those around me. A gift I didn't know I was lacking in previous years. What I mean by that is I have been so consumed in years past with correction, worry, the what if's and would have's and should have's, I looked right over the top of what is right in front of me. I didn't ...

  Jordan returned from his mission trip and after a whole weekend home with us was off to camp again! This time his adventures brought him to Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch . They have a horsemanship program and Jordan loved it. Not that this is about me but have I ever mentioned I have a huge fear of horses- No rhyme or reason, they just scare me. I have NO problems with Jordan being here or riding for that matter. I think it's because I know how much he enjoys riding and doesn't ever get the chance. Anyway the have a little 'rodeo' at the end of the closing program. Here’s my little city boy wanna  be cowboy! Love this picture of the 3 boys together. This rock was on a trail at the ranch. Besides the horses Jordan really loves this ranch. He was hoping to be able to go to the S.I.T. (servants in training) Because of his summer birthday he may be able to attend. He told me he'd love to work there when he's older. Maybe a small glimpse of God's pl...

  Kayla started out June with saying good-bye to her freshman year at Century High School. One of her first comments as she got in the car was "Next year we can pick on the little freshman " There is no sympathy card from this girl! All is fair in earning your spot in the pecking order! Some sleepovers and beach days and summer has begun. Her mission trip went well. I'd love for her to write something for me to include here. I'm working on it. I think it was a good trip. One thing I can't resist writing about is her joking abilities. My little angel took her cell phone and set the alarm for 4am, then proceeded to tape the phone shut and then used more tape to hold it in place under the blinds in the room the boys were sleeping in. At 4am a rooster started crowing in the boys room and they could not find the source. That's my girl Last Saturday Kayla turned 15. The day of her birthday was the street dance for Rochesterfest and also a wedding that Rick and...

  Sam's birthday was a success. As per his request we went out of Pizza last night. Leo's Pizza. Leo the Lion makes an appearance every hour so we saw him, took our picture, ate some cake and then it was GAME TIME- AKA the time where the business manages to suck every last quarter out of your purse and then you break a five to give the kids a chance to get ripped off just one more time! Yep, game time. Oh and lets not forget the tickets you get when you play these games. Tickets that get spit out of every game only to redeem a prize that will most likely break on your way out to the car! And how do you explain to a four year old boy that has 50 tickets that he needs 9950 more to bring home that cool looking bike they have displayed for all little boys to drool over? Sheshhhh! Sorry I just had to vent a little about that. I feel better now. We got home and gave Sam his presents to open. His big gift was a "big boy bike". He was so so very happy! Not only was it red...

  No you didn't re-read yesterdays title!~ Today is Sam's 4th birthday. In fact as I'm typing this in just 6 short minutes my fourth baby will be 4 years old. He woke up at 5:52am this morning.   "mommy is it time to get up?" "is it my birthday now?"   Poor boy I very firmly told him he HAD to get back in bed and sleep longer before it could be his birthday, it was way to early! In all seriousness he would have been a case today if I would have let him stay up! He's still sleeping over 2 hours later. Good call. I went into labor on Jordan's birthday, in fact I had been sick that whole day and Jordan wanted Taco Salad for his birthday dinner. I'm not sure I've ever felt the same about Taco Salad since then. Jordan's only request. "Don't have the baby on my birthday". I said "I'll do my best". Actually I had a hard time believing I was actually in labor with Sam. My contractions never got real reg...

  We now officially house two teenagers. 13 years ago about this time the nurses were talking to me about how they were going to get you out of that snug little home you made for yourself. Even today 13 years later you are never really in a hurry to get anywhere! It was a clue from the very beginning! At 7:16pm on June 15th you entered the world at 8lbs 13 1/2 oz and 20 inches long. You were pudgy right at birth and such a easy baby. I don't believe you did much your first year besides sleep and eat and smile. Again 13 years later you would do those same 3 things if life didn't interfere! You are at the church this week for you missions trip. You are doing today exactly what I hope you continue to find joy and contentment in. Serving God, growing up to be a man of faith, learning obedience to your one true Father. I believe with all my heart that has begun molding with you with some of the struggles you've had. I'm so grateful that going from 12-13 was not as diffi...

  What a Party! We started out the day yesterday with a little car surprise. There's a GT-40 and to me that means race car. To car guys or gals it means much more. It's a nice car (it sort of looks a lot like one of Eric's hot wheels), we brought him out to the dealer to have his picture taken in and with the car. Rick and I were able to bring him alone so that was special mommy and daddy time. I'm sure the whole car thing added to the fun! Spiders, webs, cakes, and lots and lots of noise! Yep, it was a success. Eric had 6 friends to celebrate with yesterday and we had a blast! I wanted to post a few pictures but mostly I wanted to share how proud I (we) are of our boy. I talked to him ahead of time of his "duties" as the Host. We greet and help our guests feel welcome. Show them where they can place the presents or where the restroom is. During present time he showed excitement and gratitude for the cards as well as the presents and thanked every child by ...

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC 1. Eric Allen was born at 3:01am at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN 2. He was due on April 24th and showed up 3 days later! Much to mama's dismay 3. Eric was 8lbs 3oz and 20 inches long 4. Everyone was so excited to finally meet him 5. We spent much money on film and now use much computer space on pictures 6. Eric has always been a very scheduled child. Even as a baby, he was a good sleeper and thrived on routine 7. He became a big brother at just 13 months old 8. He didn't hardly say a word until he was 2 1/2 everyone thought something was wrong but Rick and I knew he was fine 9. It was easy to tell he understood things, he was just waiting for something good to say……. 10. His first word was COOKIE!! 11. He has always loved oreos (so does Rick) 12. Eric loves the PlayStation 13. He has great hand/eye coordination and loves to keep trying at games. 14. He uses only blue sippy cups in the morning and has a glass of OJ ... EVERY morning! 15. Every sp...

Happy Birthday Rick!! Have I told you today that I love you! Dinner Saturday was so nice, best of all quiet!! :) I'm so grateful for you in my life and I hope you have the best day ever! Love~ ME PS: No meatloaf for dinner!