:)

After getting her hair "softened" by Noelle. She loves it! Though it is not as easy to comb as I had hoped. Getting it trimmed tomorrow and hoping that will help.

The girls did each other's makeup one day:)

MOLD!

Apparently, yes. While Noelle and I have been in Arizona Scott has been fighting a battle with our house. I am not sure who is winning. By all accounts Scott is putting up a valiant fight. There has been a broken window, broken washing machine, water leak in Teme's room. And now mold. Yuck! Unfortunately the cause is a leak in a pipe that runs from our attic to our basement. The repair has involved opening my dining room wall, ripping out the basement tub and tile, and beginning the removal of the carpet in our basement. To eliminate some further risk we (Scott and his buddy, Brent) will be removing all of the carpet in the basement and staining the concrete rather than replacing it. We will also be replacing the tub and tile with a one piece unit to limit further risk. Thanks to everyone that is helping with this project!

Obviously mold is horrible for your health and we don't know what part this may have played in Noelle's illness. Her room was in the basement for quite a while, right where all of this mold has been discovered. We are very happy that we are not at home during the remediation process. Hopefully things will be in a good place by the time we return. (May 14th! Hallelujah!)

Boys Trip

Scott has the wonderful opportunity to win a trip every year. This year he won a trip to Southern California. So Jake and Scott hit the links in California! Jake is much more of a golfer than Scott. But all was fair and Scott took Jake paddle-boarding;) Apparently Jake had an amazing drive on one hole and landed on the green in one. I think their foursome was happy to be playing best ball!

And yes, for those of you that don't know my family very well. Jake is 3 or four inches taller than Scott. And Scott is taking antibiotic for Lyme disease, which is why he is all covered up playing golf. Noelle and I both had to do a double take.

Two are better than one!

Today is my man's 47th birthday. I think I will keep him. I have been thinking about the things I love about him. Here are just a few:
A: awesome, athletic
B: bird feeder
C: changeable, curious
D: daring
E: explorer
F: friendly
G: gentle, generous
H: helpmate
I: intelligent
J: joyful
K: kind
L: loony
M: married to me, massuer
N: naturally nice
O: original
P: perceptive
Q: quality
R: random
S: sexy, smart
T: tailor-made, tree lover
U: unique
V: virtuous
W: warm-hearted, wild game chef
X: xtra good daddy
Y: young at heart
Z: zealous

I need you, baby! Happy Birthday!

Random

Cutest Sheep Ever!

I haven't updated forever.  What's new.  Christmas was good.  Scott's sister, Christy and her family joined us.  I think it went well until the very end.  I definitely put my foot in my mouth and caused hurt feelings.  Hopefully someday I will learn to think before I speak.  Hopefully, I will be forgiven.

After that unfortunate event, we tried to spend some time with my family Christmas night ,as opposed to Christmas Eve.  However, Noelle has been struggling with extreme anxiety this month and she and I ended up coming back home.  Through her Lyme support system she has learned that the antibiotic she is on often causes emotional issues.  Her prayer is that she is clearing out the Lyme stashed in her brain!  Amen to that!

Sabrina tuckered out by Christmas.  The cute afghan is from Aunt Christy

and Scott's mom, Shirlee.  Shirlee started the blanket before she went to be with Jesus in

the fall of 2009.  Christy has worked so hard to finish this blanket for

Sabrina.  Also shown is Sabrina's American Girl doll.  That was her big gift

from us.  Maybe should have waited a year or two, time will tell.

Can't believe it is 2013!  Absolutely crazy.  We rang in the New Year with our besties, Matt and Elke.  I even got to play Jenga Truth or Dare.  Who knew there was such a thing!  I  learned my life hasn't been that boring;)

Jake is doing great at his job answering calls for Toro.  Perfect attendance in December.  It is great to see him take pride in his work.  He still loves to play Magic, the card game.

Noelle is having some days with less pain.  She has played a couple indoor soccer games.  Which, I think, simultaneously makes her feel normal and frustrates her because her performance is not where she wants it to be.  She generally has pain-filled days after she plays but feels it is worth it.  We are planning to schedule a half day of school for this semester. If all goes well she will start back to school next Monday for afternoons. Please pray for the scheduling process and pray especially for Noelle.  She is quite anxious since she hasn't attended school since September.

Teme is having a great wrestling season!  He will try to qualify for a state meet this Sunday in a regional event.  I got an email from his teacher today saying what a great attitude he had today!!  I can't imagine how hard it has been to take in everything he has had to learn and adjust to in the last two and a half years!

It looks like he may have wrestled the 5th/6th grade division in this tournament.

He is starting to wrestle mostly 7th/8th grade.

Then there is Sabrina.  Can I just say WOW!  She went back to school on Thursday.  Which was great because I needed back up.  I love you Miss Smits. I am helping in her classroom a couple hours a week which is great for both of us! We decided to take a break from gymnastics but she is still taking two hours of dance a week.  She loves Hip Hop. 

Gee if I don't ever get out a Christmas/New Years letter I will just have to use this.

Scott and I have had our ups and downs.  Marriage is tough.  Life is tough.  But man this weekend was great!  We have a favorite getaway place just 15 minutes away and Scott surprised me and took me away for the night.  We sooooo needed it!  Two are definitely better than one!!!!

So I think that updates you on the mess of our lives.  God is good.