Happy Birthday Sweet Emma!!

A year in pictures:

Hard to believe that this sweet girl is ONE today!! (at 3:24 pm to be exact!) In one year she has almost tripled her birth weight of 7 lbs 9 oz and definitely gotten longer from her original length of 19 inches. We will have updated stats next week when she goes for her one year check up. It is amazing to me how much they grow and change in one year and how much you can love an individual. There are so many things we have learned and love that make you you:
-how you love to snuggle to sleep
-how much you love nursing and call it "mum-mums"
-your little temper and strong spirit that shows when you want attention
-your sweet smiles and kisses
-how you hate wearing bibs
-how adventurous and how you have no fear and climb on everything
-how much you don't like changing your diaper or putting on clothes
-your funny words for things such as "bup" for up, "Gel-Ka" for Angelica, "Ni-Ni" for Night Night, "Mo" for More
-how much you love the water and your baths
-how you love birdies, string cheese, balls, and actually anything your big sister has
-how you love crawling up stairs
-how much you are already talking and SHRIEKING
...all the little quirks and things about your personality that make you are sweet, stubborn and special Baby Girl...well not so baby anymore!! Here are a few pics from today...Angel was a little jealous I gave Emma a balloon and said it was her birthday too!! We are going to celebrate with family on Monday so more to come!! We love you Emma Catherine and Happy Birthday! Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for her.

Prayers and Updates

First, we wanted to let everyone know that Jason has been back at the job and working a lot!!! First, we complain that we didn't have work at all....now that the strike is over and he is back they are so far behind that he hasn't had a day off in almost two weeks and coming home very late. So...we are trying not to complain now that we are working TOO much....thank you again for all the prayers and support during that time.

Wanted to update you on my mother-in-law, Mary Hartsell. She has successfully pulled through several rounds of chemo and is doing pretty well. She is very tired and weak during the week she gets the chemo treatment and the next week has a little more energy. She is working when she can but knows when to let herself rest. A couple weeks ago her hair was starting to thin so she decided to go ahead and have it. She wears synthetic wigs when she goes out and enjoys some hats when she is inside. She takes medicine and Pepcid to fight the nausea symptoms and has done alright with those side effects. She starts her weekly chemo and Herceptin treatment starting December 8th....so is a little anxious as to what side effects might change then. For those who don't know, I have been coordinating daily envelopes for her to open since she started treatment and hope to continue through her chemo. I label each envelope with the date and inside is a quote to think about that day, a picture to focus on and put in her chemo album I sent her....and then any card or gift or momento people have sent me to give to her. I made her a binder that she can keep all these support, prayers, and treasures in. She has greatly been touched by everyone's support, prayers and love especially those she doesn't even know. Thank you to all who have contributed and helped me in the endeavor. It is the only I feel we can "be with her" since we are across the country! We miss you Mom and are so proud of you!!

Just in case you didn't have a long enough prayer list....I have another special intention if you could please add. A friend of mine, Christina Campbell, has just been diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer and will start chemo in December. She is only 34 and has 5 young kids at home so everyone was pretty shocked. She is an amazing, strong, devout and courageous woman and I know we will all support her through these upcoming challenging times. She and I were organizing the Martha Ministry together at church, which is a ministry that provides people meal support for different circumstances in their life. So....for all your locals out there....if you would like to help with meals for Christina...please contact me because we are trying to stock her freezer so she doesn't' have to worry about cooking for her family right now. And please.....just keep praying for her healthy and recovery!!

Fighting the Colds

Well, these little sweeties (yes we need some better matching leggings for these Hanna tops) are fighting their second cold of the season.....you know the lovely runny nose and cough stuff. Poor Angel keeps saying "me sick" and Emma has a hard time sleeping. Just curious if anyone has any good cold remedies that you use during the winter...we have tried all the usual stuff but hoping we can avoid more of them during this season. Up for any suggestions!!

Bunny Moods

Everything you wanted to know about me...

...because these are so profound and accurate, right? But they are fun....thanks Ellie....it was great seeing yours and I just had to try!! Enjoy!

You Are a Strawberry

You are friendly, outgoing, and well liked by many people. You are popular, but there's nothing you ordinary or average about you. You a very interesting person, and you have many facets to your personality. Sometimes you feel very conflicted. Your different sides of your personality pull at you. You are a very sensual and passionate person. You are fiery... you can't help it. In general, you keep your passionate side under wraps. You are only wild in private.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

You Are a Plain Bagel

You are hardworking, honest, and down to earth. You don't like surprises, and you need security to feel happy. Of all the types, you're the most likely to eat for comfort. You tend to have the same thing for breakfast every day. Why change what works?

What Kind of Bagel Are You?

You Are Corn Flakes

You are traditional and easy going. If something is high quality, you're satisfied with it. You don't need much variety or novelty in your life. You're happy with what you have. You're quite loyal. You're the type of person who eats the same breakfast every day... And likely at the exact same time each day!

What Kind of Cereal Are You?

You Are a Brownie

Decadent and intense, you aren't for the weakhearted. Those who can deal with your strong flavor find out how sweet you really are.

What Dessert Are You Most Like?

You Are A Chocolate Ice Cream Girl

Dramatic. Powerful. Flirty.

What Flavor Ice Cream Girl Are You?

You Are Apple Pie

You're the perfect combo of comforting and traditional. You prefer things the way you've always known them. You'll admit that you're old fashioned, and you don't see anything wrong with that. Your tastes and preferences are classic. And classic never goes out of style. Those who like you crave security. People can rely on you to be true to yourself - and true to them. You're loyal, trustworthy, and comfortable in your own skin. And because of these qualities, you've definitely earned a lot of respect.

What Kind of Pie Are You?

You Will Not Be a Cool Parent

And that's pretty okay. While your kids may not think of you as a friend, they will respect you. You know that kids need discipline and structure, and you're not afraid to give it to them. Just be careful that your strictness doesn't lead to rebellion. It's good to have standards and rules, but you don't need to have an iron fist when enforcing them.

Would You Be a Cool Parent?

What Your Home Says About You

You come across as somewhat intellectual. You can be quite insightful at times. You have amazing hygiene, and it shows. You are sparkling clean! You are a very domestic person. You enjoy decorating, cooking, and making things homey. You are not a very nurturing person. You have enough trouble taking care of yourself. You don't feel settled in your life yet. You are scrambling to figure things out. You are a very self sufficient person. You can get along well without much help. Your friends see you as honest, humble, and responsible.

What Does Your Home Say About You?

Taking Turns...of course!

First Emma gets to ride...

...then of course it's Angel's turn!

Definitely My Daughter!

When Emma hears the pantry doors open, she is very quick in heading that direction...and every time this is what she walks away with...as fast as she can!! (the baking chocolate...and no I did not wrestle her for it, somehow she got her arm our of her sleeve all by herself!)

Heading to the Post Office

Yesterday we went to mail a few things off at the Post Office...and Emma wasn't too happy that I was taking her new climbing toy away from her!!

So good!!

Must try this Chocolate Eclair Dessert, click on picture for recipe.

Test your knowledge

THIS is a fun interactive game to test your knowledge of Saint Paul.

And THIS is a great quiz to test your knowledge of Roe v. Wade!!

Toilet Trouble

Ok....so all you experienced moms out there....help!! We started REALLY potty training on Saturday...and after three times successfully in her potty and three accidents in her underwear....we thought it was a pretty productive day. But....that was the last time she went in the potty!! I tried the sticker reinforcement, jelly bean treats and potty prizes.....but nothing is sticking!! She has told me that she will go when she gets "bigger bigger" and just keeps nodding her head and saying "yes" as I try to talk to her (totally not listening). So....just curious as to what tricks have worked with all of you.....after several days of unsuccessful pull ups we are back to diapers right now....I totally think she is ready but just not clicking. However, she does love to sit on it a lot and read her books! AHHH. Not really thinking I am going to enjoy this phase. When do the potty training fairies come to help?

A Mother's Moment...

This morning, I totally had one of those mother's moments. I saw this sweet "little" baby sleeping so peacefully and realized that Emma isn't so little anymore....next week she will be ONE!! Amazing how much they change in one short year...the words she is saying, how she's walking, the things she can do.....and yet I just wanted to lay down beside her and cuddle her in close and enjoy the sweet sleeping moment that I know soon will pass....way too soon!!

CCC CHAMPIONS

Congrats to my sister Caitlin who not only scored last night but helped her team become the CCC champions...again. Click HERE for a great write up and a very nice comment about Caitlin. We hope we can see your first national game soon!! We love you!

Beautiful Gift of Life

Thanks Mary for posting this.....I bawled through the song...so beautiful!!!

Worthy Reads!!

What's wrong with Catholic voters? What's wrong with Catholics?

Americans Still Love Their Country But social radicalism is on the horizon

Happy Warriors

...and on a lighter note, THIS just made ME ITCH ALL OVER!!

Yummy

Caramel Apple Crunch

Menu Monday (or Wednesday)

Monday: Teriyaki Take Out
Tuesday: Chicken Pesto (I use jar of pesto sauce), Orzo and Green Beans
Wednesday: Split Pea Soup & Boboli
Thursday: Double Corn Tortilla Casserole & Applesauce
Friday: Cream of Tomato Soup and Roasted Garlic Bread
Saturday: Spinach Fandango & Salad
Sunday: Dinner with Family TBD

(new recipes for me in RED, will leave comment about it here after we try it and update menu if we added or changed anythign worth sharing!)

Thank you Veterans!!

Today is a very special day to honor the service of all the men and women in our armed forces. Without their commitment and courage, our country would not be the great country it is today. I especially pray for all those that are in harm's way protecting our freedoms. I grew up as a Navy Brat and married a Marine.....so the military will always hold a special place in my heart and in my memories. The two most important and special men in my life are both veterans and I thank them for their service. My dad is a graduate of the Naval Academy and retired as a Captain in 2003. While it was tough to move around (although we were fortunate to have very decent length duty stations)...I cherish all the people and places I got to meet and see. The longest time my dad was away from us was during the Gulf War, so we were fortunate to have him around most of the time. He continues to serve his country in the civil service world as his "retirement" job.....My hubby joined the MARINES in 1997 and enjoyed several years of traveling the world including several months in Turkey and a year in Okinawa (my place of birth). He was a flight mechanic with the air crew on the C-130s and after several trips during the Iraq War was very happy when the stop loss released him and Sergeant Hartsell was able to come to WA to get married!! (so was I....I was beginning to sweat having to cancel everything if they wouldn't let him go!) It was a special day to have him present at my dad's retirement ceremony which was a week before our wedding. I love you both and again along with all the other brave men and women (including my grandfathers...although one served his native country Belgium)...I thank you for your service every day, but especially today! We pray that God continues to keep them all safe and bring them home! Graduating Boot Camp - 1998
Flight Suit - Air Crew C130After we got engaged - 2000Dad's Retirement - 2003
Leaving for Gulf War - 1990

Dad's Retirement - 2003

Homeschool 101

Today my sister...the girls Aunt Alli...was with us most the day and she had some school work to do before playing with her nieces...so Angel decided she needed to do some school too!! And she was quite proud of herself!!

Popsicle Faces

Angel and Emma love popsicles....Emma was making such funny faces the other night when she was eating it, I tried to catch it on video. She was totally focused on the popsicles and wouldn't let them out of her sight!!

Potatoes

Jason grew potatoes this year....first try...and last night we dumped the trash can out and while it wasn't nearly as many as he was hoping....we managed to get about a dozen good size potatoes...and he is determined to get more next year!! (the video is dark it was outside)

Dancing with Daddy

Hanna's Little Stars

Many Roles of the Laundry Basket

As a boat...

...or a climbing rock...

...or a cave...
...or a fun ride!!!

Fun in the Tent

Nothing like singing and eating Puffs in the play tent...aaahh....the life of a toddler!

Where is Emma and what will she be??

In the pantry....maybe a chef??

Pulling out all the moss of my decorative tree....maybe a gardener??

Climbing in the tupperware drawer and on top of laundry basket....maybe a professional climber or gymnast??

Crawling over the chair rungs....maybe a Marine??

Whatever she ends up...she is keeping us very busy guessing right now!!!

After All...Tomorrow is Another Day

To say last night was hard to swallow, is an understatement. I was hoping and had been praying for an election miracle. After some sadness and anger....confusion and bewilderment...I try to remain calm and hopeful. I try to trust in the prayers we have prayed and will continue to pray...the fight to protect the unborn and dignity of human life and marriage...and will continue to fight. I believe that this is a time for us to realize the power of a vote...the power of free will and to see how it can work against us just as it can work for us. People need to be educated but most of all people need to hear and learn the truth. I am so disheartened when I hear that 53% of self-proclaimed "practicing" Catholics voted for our president-elect. The naivete of Americans, especially Catholic Americans, worries me and shows me how those of us in the pew cannot be silent anymore. We need to share and live and witness the faith and its fundamental principles and beliefs, such as the moral decision to protect human life from conception to natural death. I am saddened that so many in this country believed in the empty rhetoric of a man who is one of the most pro-abortion candidates in history as well as one of the most liberal. I can allow myself to be proud of a country that can overcome barriers and make history by electing a bi-racial president and show the world that America truly is a place where dreams come true and anyone can be free. Except what about the unborn? Our president-elect himself has said that he would not want his own daughters "punished with the burden of a baby" and when asked about when rights begin for human beings, he responded "that it is above his pay grade" to answer that.....NOT ANYMORE Mr. President. We need to start praying for a conversion of heart for this man and that he will soften his liberal views that have been so evident in his time thus far in the political world. He will have the chance to elect Supreme Court Justices and make abortion more accessible....but we have the chance to join together as Christians and Catholics and Pro-Lifers to pray and continue to fight!! I believe we are living in the "culture of death" we have heard about. My own state last night voted to accept the Physician Assisted Suicide Bill and like to refer to it as Death with Dignity...Lord Have Mercy on Us. Not to keep on my soap box here (my emotions and thoughts are running overtime today) but it also frustrates me how the "racial issues" are also now playing such a huge part. Obama won 95% of the African American vote last night...that is HUGE. And while I rejoice in this historic victory and milestone for the African American community of a bi-racial man being elected President...how many of those people actually voted for their belief on his issues or because of the color of his skin? I kept hearing news reporters mention Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. last night and how proud he would be.....while I think he would, like me, rejoice in this historic moment....I highly doubt Obama would have gotten his vote based on what I know and have read about him. Here are two of his quotes:

"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Look past Obama's calm and charismatic temperament (which I think won most people's votes) and instead at the quality of character.....see any problems??

Dr. King also said "If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values - that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control. " Moral foundations....what we must strive to bring back over the next LONG four years.

I want to end by posting an email a priest friend wrote after last night's election, an encouraging call to a revival!! Are you ready? I am!! While 57 million of us voted and lost last night...we lost an election.....we must unite to change the uncertainty of the near future....but remember (I've read the END of THE BOOK) our eternal future has been won...we just need to make sure we all join together and get there!!!

From Father: "Alleluia! It's good to hear from you! The unfortunate result of the election last night is not surprising, but disappointing nevertheless! What we need is a revival right away - in the Church! Just think: if more than 40% (which is probably higher than in reality, but let's run with it!) of Catholics went to Church, if all Catholics lived according to the teachings of the Bible and the Church (as interpreted by the Church's magisterium, not our own viewpoints!), and if all other Christians lived according to the teachings of the Bible (no sin, such as same-sex unions, abortion, infanticide), all politicians would have to be pro-life! Not only that, all peoples in this country and beyond would want what we in the Church have: true freedom, born of a relationship with God that calls us to what we were created for: union with Him now and forever in Heaven! So, while it is certainly important to pray for the conversion of our President-elect, for the sake of the unborn and the dignity of marriage, the true revival must begin in the pews! The people of God failed to be lights for the whole world to know God's love before He sent Jesus; and the people of God today are failing. We need to repent once again and regroup, fixing our eyes on Him, praying for all, but never swerving in His call to be drawn to union with Him, even if the rest of our families and friends and even church family, let alone the country at large, seems to be striving ever further from the revealed Truth of God and His Church! Alleluia!"

Back in Business

As many of you have already heard, Boeing and the Union FINALLY reached an agreement and the union members voted 75% on Saturday in favor of it...which means today Jason was able to go back to work!!! While trying to train his body again to get up at 345am to start biking to the ferry isn't easy after 2 months on strike (he ended up driving today)....he is glad to be back on the job and so thankful it is all finally over and won't happen again at least for the next four years. Again, thanks to so many of you for the prayers, support and help you provided to us during this difficult time. We truly learned a lot about ourselves, our friends and our faith these past couple of months.
We think the Saints must have been working overtime on Saturday, All Saints Day.....because the same day the strike ended we also FINALLY got our van back and working well!! I am so thankful Jason was able to work hard at finding a part through the junk yards and a man to put in the transmission for such a reasonable price....I definitely have a man of many talents!! So hopefully the job and car drama are over for a long while....amazing what can happen in two months time!!

Cute either way

Maybe it was due to the spirit of Halloween, but Jason decided the other night to name Emma "Franken-Baby" because how she walks and talks. I choose to call her the "Attacker", but either way we laugh when she starts to go!! AND SHE IS EVERYWHERE and getting much faster.