Solly's September Seven Year Old Birthday

This post would fall under "summer blog post catch up". There are too many great events that happened to pass them up and move on to fall/winter blogging. One important day was Solomon's 7th birthday! Whenever we have a birthday it means a "party" for everyone! Solly chose hot dogs for his birthday dinner...of course. That boy could eat four of Costco big ole hot dogs in one sitting. Everyone was happy with meal choice. Mom too as it is just so easy to fix.

Here is Solomon with his first hot dog as a seven year old



Miriam looking much too old and mature for her eleven years. sigh

Miriam and Towabech

The goofiness starting even before the cake educed sugar rushes

Yah...the time is now. Just gotta blow out the candle and then presents!

A super duper remote controlled car

Guess what I miss when the weather turns colder? I miss lots of stuff about summer; but for birthday partys eating messy chocolate cake outside is fun fun fun. And way less mess and clean up than messy chocolate cake inside at dining table.

What God Can Do: Happy Birthday Jonathan

Jonathan would have had his 6th birthday yesterday. So very many memories crammed into the last six years. Though I still battle the ugly memories of the tortuous ordeals he was forced to endure in attempts to save his life...those nightmares have eased some with time. More and more when I think of our "Jonnie" it is with peace and smiles to think of his quirky laugh and song singing. How he woke every morning with a total body molding hug around my neck and sweet whisper of "mama". How he was joy filled by all music and for some strange reason especially enjoyed country music?! No matter how many times nurses and doctors poked him and bled him, tied him down for radiation and chemo...he still always greeted them with smiles and hugs and a happy dance. More joy memories now than haunted nightmare memories. I love how God created time. How He uses it. He uses time as the great healer. He uses time to ripen us in knowledge. He uses time for second chances..He uses time for "seventy times seventy" chances. He uses time to allow the living hell of seeing your child die an agonizing death; to grow a heart in ways only extreme grief can grow it. He uses time to cause the worst things to become "good" things. Things for Him.

I miss Jonathan. Always will. But my life is wonderful. How could it not be when I have such a great God? God who can heal the biggest heartaches and forgive the biggest sins. Thank you God for bringing Jonathan into our family. It was awesome...all of it. Even the hardest parts because when it was hardest You showed Yourself the brightest. Thank you God that I know because of You I will see my Jonathan again. I love him so...and I love You more

A baby for Julee! What a glorious day!

The first time Jonathan went bald from chemo. He wasn't too upset about it as you can tell

Transplant was delayed a second time so we were blessed with a third Christmas and Hanukkah with Jonathan

Home away from home "Ronald McDonald House" in Seattle

With big brother Cody at BMT (bone marrow transplant) post radiation and chemo...last day with hair

What radiation, chemo poison and 17 other IV meds can make a person feel like

My poor sweet Jonnie losing the fight for life.

This is how I think of you little man! Happy and at home! Can't wait to be in our real home with you and someday!

Summer Spells Berries

Judah in moment of strawberry bliss





Blueberrie pancakes don't really even need syrup




Berries for pancakes from our very own little strawberry patch out back







I always make a lot of jam in the summer. We love freezer jam the best for it's fresh flavor and that it isn't made with as much sugar. Mike wanted me to make more cooked canned jam this year so as to not have to use up so much of our freezer space. Some days we use up a quart of jam a day. Yes, I said quart. That's a lot of jam in a year. I like making it myself as i can control amount of sugar added plus I know it is just fruit and sugar...not chemicals or preservatives. Tastes better too! Here is some strawberry, blackberry, and Strawberry/blueberry jam.

Father's Day 2011

Happy Father's Day Honey...even though you are a stranger to me here....Right before Father's Day Mike shaved off his mustache and goatee. In the 22 years I have been with him he has always had hair on his face. Now...he is handsome with and without hair on face...it is just he didn't look like my husband with bare naked face. But Mike my guy I would adore you no matter what you did or what happened to your face.







Good coffee is always a winner




This was card on poster board written with Father's day sentiments where some words were words of candy attached to card. Nice thoughts on card and Dad alos got extra candy treats




I made a collage of black and white photos of the kids. The photos were taken one gorgeous spring evening when we had ice cream party outside in front yard. Nice memories...the collage turned out beautifully.

Long Blogless Summer

It has been 3 mos since I last posted! Why? I have no idea why I have dropped out of blogger land. Busy. Felt like there was nothing I wanted to share? Mostly just busy. I think blogging is a habit and once you get out of it...it seems like too much trouble. But i really want this blog to be something to share our lives and something for our children for memories sake.

I hate my blog design now. It looks kinda dark and depressing. First thing I wanna brighten it up. Make it more cheerful. I have of course forgotten everything i so painfully learned about blog design. Until I can re educate myself in blog design and redo it, I will at least post some updates and photos of our summer. It was a full one.

Mmmmm. Maybe I will pay someone to redesign my blog. The amount of hours i would need to relearn all the steps i have to make to do it myself would be better spent elsewhere. Anyone have any recommendations for blog designers...rather cheap and with trendy hip ideas and taste?

Julee