Business....

Sunshine on the inside and the outside! That is how I can describe our Winter. It has been a mild, sun-shiny winter in Southern Iowa...making for our busiest winter of the past 3 years at the Lumberyard. I am so proud of Josh, as his partner in life and at work I have watched him plug away day after day, dream, grow, and keep moving along...despite some set backs and disappointments...he continues to serve the Lord with this business that is our lively-hood! We were just talking about how 10 years ago as Josh started school at UNI as a 24 year old Dad--we never would have guessed that this is where we'd be...guess that goes to show...HE holds the future in HIS hands and HE is faithful,even when we are faithless! Here is a recent Ad for our local paper...just wanted to share, because I am proud of my husband!

I encourage you to support your local businesses! Every dollar invested into your local small community MATTERS! We see it and live it everyday!

The 'Baby' is 4!!

A mere short 4 years ago baby #4 (girl #3) was born to our household! Oh what a joy she has been! Really...the easiest baby I've ever known...a typical 4th child as she very quickly learned to go with the flow, she never cried as a baby or demanded any 'extra' of momma--which of course, this tired & wornout momma knew was completely a GOD THING! I have to say giving my 4th C-section birth was not fun--recovery was long but looking back of course! it was worth it. Little Noelle Elizabeth is just precious!!!! Her request was to have her cousin Olivia spend the night to play dress-up. This is my brothers 4 year old daughter, and they just love each other! We had kitty cake and took it to church to share with her Sunday School class.

The Doodle Bear was a MAJOR hit for the 4 year olds! Amazing how it quickly washes clean and you can start over.


Princesses!

More Cake made by Grandma Karla...a beautiful and yummy strawberry and princess cake...YUM...we shared this cake with her Grandmas/Grandpas/Great Grandmas/Great Grandpa/Cousins/Aunts & Uncles...yes, a houseful!! However, we will not be sharing the extras of this cake!! I actually had it for breakfast today!!

Birthday is over and she cashed out on her Daddy!

Amazing how fast they grow!
1st birthday

2nd

3rd

We Love you, Noelle! Your sweetness completes our family. We LOVE watching you grow!

Valentine Breakfast

Our 3rd or 4th (I've lost count!) annual Valentine breakfast, the kids asked if we'd have it on Sunday morning since Valentines Day is on a school day. I enjoy this tradition, because it is my chance to say I Love You on an ordinary day in an un-ordinary way! We invited Josh's Grandma to join us, she gladly accepted the 8 AM breakfast invite and brought the cook a bag of chocolates (I guess those went to Josh, I think they were intended for me...but he was cooking when she walked in the door!!).

The menu included pancakes (made by Dad), whipped cream, strawberries and blueberries, Bacon, Red fruit punch drink, and coffee for the adults (of course!). The girls had stuffed animals on their plates, and Caden a chocolate football. And Grandma Eunice got chocolate kisses on her plate! Oh what fun!!

Noelle today

After enjoying the view out the window this morning, she decided to work on her writing...she is amazing, isn't even quite 4 and look what she wrote! (Pony)

Hmmm...what is next today at the Lumberyard?!
Oh joy...help mom get nails!
As she works, she is announcing out loud what great help she is!

She's a shooter!

The middle of Winter?

Noelle and her hearts!

She cut and colored hearts and taped them biggest to littlest and found a chicken feather to attach (oh such brillance!)...and it is now hanging proudly in the kitchen! Good job, Noelle!

Macy's Post Office

She scored an A+ on her Post Office project, including an interview w/ a postal clerk, constructing the building, and reporting it to the class. Good job, Macy!

V.I.P

A REALLY excited Julia to be V.I.P in her classroom this week! Josh and I both had lunch with her and played at recess! She had a hard time sharing Mommy with her friends!