james, jack, and jill

I guess they all wanted to learn...

Oh the kitchen

We have slowly been working on our kitchen. We've redone the cabinets and got a new counter top. We've added some new cabinets in the laundry closet. Finally after 2 years we found a tile. Last week the old floor was removed and disaster began. The whole house is a gigantic mess. 2 days into the job Dave was given his job back so he has been working all day and then working on the floor at night. This weekend James thought he'd help out too!

Dave's party

So I was able to pull it off....he had no idea about the party and was totally surprised. Man was it hard...I almost slipped a few times. The party had a great turn out. Dave really appreciated everyone who came out to celebrate (despite the crappy weather).

the rest of vacation...

Day 2 we went on the boat. The boat ride is amazing...the backwaters are so calming. We ran up shore at key waden to get some sun and go fishing. Dave and I found a lot of neat shells in the gulf. We went to dinner and turned in early for the night. Day 3 we walked around the shops in town and went to the pier. We had a great dinner at a fish/steakhouse. Day 4 we spent the day by the pool and I received a gorgeous rainbow sapphire/diamond bracelet. Just like that our time was over and it was time to go home. We woke up at 430 on the last day and went to the air port. Our plane had difficulties and took off an hour late. We had a great time and look forward to going back next year. Hope you enjoy the pictures

vacation...day 1

After a stressful week we finally made it to flordia. Thur night we left and almost missed our plane. We spent 2 hours stuck on cicero ave b/c it was down to one lane. We bored the plane the min we arrived at the gate. (close call). We landed and went to waffle house (i love their waffles). Finally around 2am we made it to bed. I was awoken around 4am to poor dave will food poisoning. Luckily he was fine in the morning. We got up this morning and ate on the balcony. We spent the morning shopping (got some good stuff!)and the afternoon laying by the pool. Today was the coolest it should be and it was nice so Im fine with that. We finished the night out to dinner. Going to bed now b/c tomorrow will be a long day out on the boat.

Please keep your family in your prayers because Dave lost his job today

dells picture...

conversation in the car last night...

JAMES: am I ever going to be baptized?
DAVE: do you want to get baptized?
JAMES: not in front of all those people, but i believe in God

Wisconsin Dells

We had a blast in the dells. We arrived late Friday afternoon. After we checked in we wandered the hotel until dinner. We went to pizza ranch (love their dessert pizza). They had three huge water parks, a large indoor park, mini golf, laser tag, candy shop, & arcade. Sat morning while waiting for breakfast I was standing behind James in the store as he was trying to convince Dave to buy me some jewerly...I have him trained well...lol. Later that evening he came back to the room with a stuff animal duck he won for me. He spent all his arcade tokens trying to win it for me. I'm loved. We left sun after a fun yet exhausting trip.

This is Jill's brother...Rommel (the one my dad got)

first 24 hours

Yesterday Jack did well with Jill. Today is another story..he is being a little rough now that he is done smelling her. She doesnt seem to mind. She is a huge snuggler. If you're standing she lays on your feet, if you are sitting she climbs in your lap. Last night she slept with us and she had to be nuzzled close to either Dave or I. She is a good girl. She cries when she is hungry or needs to go out. Its a chore with the both of them. I have to carry her outside and jack goes on a leash. Last night I felt like I had a newborn and a toddler.

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY...

TODAY WE WELCOMED A NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY..HER NAME IS JILL. SHE IS A GERMAN SHEPHERD, ROTTWEILER MIX. SHE IS 8 WEEKS OLD. MY DAD GOT HER BROTHER. SHE LOVES TO CUDDLE AND JACK CANT GET ENOUGH OF HER.

New Pet

So I took James today to get a hamster...we found the perfect one. James named him midnight b/c he is all black. While at the pet store we found an 8 week old husky. He was so adorable. We both wanted to get him so bad. We called Dave and he said it wasn't a good idea. (at least one of us has common sense. I'd take home almost anything with four legs)

RIP Forest

James' Hamster died New Years Eve morning. He was upset, but we knew he was sick and only a matter of time. Today we drove to 4 different pets stores to get a new one. two of the stores were closed for the holiday and two other stores were out completely. He was so sad..he cried the whole way home..all he wanted was a new hamster. Yesterday he spendt an hour cleaning the cage so the new hamster wouldn't get sick. Today he put it all back together and was so excited to get a new hamster. poor guy :(

2009

I am really excited about this year. 2008 ended with such a blessing that Dave and I feel that 2009 is going to be an excellent year. So far this year we have two trips booked and one in the process...we will be taking James to the Wilderness Lodge in the Dells the last weekend in Jan. I'm pretty excited about it. He is finally tall enough to ride everything. In Feb. Dave and I are going to visit my grandparents in Fl for a week...ahh a week of nothing but the beach..I can't wait. We hope to go to Cedar Point this summer. This year I also start my internship...the end is now in sight. Dave and I also have some big goals for the house...this year we hope to finish the main level. I REALLY hope we do. I'm excited to start planning the basement.

Happy New Year...from out family to yours

Christmas 2008

Christmas this year was more than anything I could have expected. I always love this time of year and get myself so excited that by time the week of Christmas comes I'm disappointed because I haven't accomplished what I hoped to. This year was different. We started the season off by getting the tree with my dad. Then we decided to help a family in need this year. I was so blessed by this experience. It felt so good to help someone else that I didn't focus on what I would be getting this year. I finished finals the day before my birthday and spent the rest of the week wrapping and baking. It was great. Christmas eve came and we went to the candle light service at church and then headed to the Bruinius. It was a crazy night of food, gifts, and wild kids. Christmas morning was just Dave and I...we relaxed for the morning and then got James. We headed to my moms for gifts and lunch. For dessert we headed to the Kamps. After a busy day we finally headed home for gifts from Santa and for each other. It was such a great night. I went to bed that night with such a grateful heart. I truly love my husband and my step son. It was great to see his excitement and it melted my heart when he came up to me before bed and say thank you for his gifts and gave me a big hug and kiss. Christmas ended sat night with the Cosentino family. Once again we were blessed with many gifts. the night went well but I'm exhausted...and just like that it is all over :( (at least I'm off until Jan 5 so I can enjoy some time at home before the craziness begins again.)

p.s dont be confused by the pictures of James...in some he has a mop of curley hair and others he is buzzed...he got a hair cut sat morning)

school

Well this has been my hardest semester of school so far...I've been very busy, but have learned so much achedemicaly and about myself. My one class I have to finish completing my client hours but things are looking very good there. My prof said I have a great understanding of what I am doing. My other two classes grades were turned in yesterday and I recieved an A in both. I am very proud of myself. Hard work pays off!

Thank you for all the birthday wishes and cards. I had a great birthday. Classes ended Monday night so I was able to relax and celebrate on Tues (minus my nice drive home in the snow!)

Santa's prayer

The sleigh was all packed, the reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt by the side of the bed.

"Dear Father," he prayed "Be with me tonight.
There's much work to do and my schedule is tight.

I must jump in my sleigh and streak through the sky,
Knowing full well that a reindeer can't fly.

I will visit each household before the first light,
I'll cover the world and all in one night.

With sleigh bells a-ringing, I'll land on each roof,
Amid the soft clatter of each little hoof.

To get in the house is the difficult part,
So I'll slide down the chimney of each child's heart.

My sack will hold toys to grant all their wishes.
The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.

I will fill all the stockings and not leave a track.
I'll eat every cookie that is left for my snack.

I can do all these things Lord, only through You,
I just need your blessing, then it's easy to do.

All this is to honor the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.

So to all of my friends, least Your glory I rob,
Please Lord, remind them who gave me this job."

the things kids say...

On our way home from church today I was telling Dave about the dream I had last night. To make a long story short the dream was about someone breaking into our house. James then says you dont need to be scared, Daddy will protect you...

starting off the Christmas season...

What a weekend! Thanksgiving went very well. We have so much to be thankful for this year. Friday my dad came with to get our tree. Then we got some pizza and put up the garland. It was a really nice evening. I haven't gotten a tree with my dad in years! I hope he enjoyed the night as much as I did. Sat Dave, James and I decorated the tree. It looks amazing! Sat night we went with Ben and Leah downtown to look at the lights and finished the night off with dinner at Italian Village.