I am back...maybe...

Where have I been the last 7 months?

Adoring my new baby girl and the rest of my family.

I was talking to my sister in laws about blogs and how so many of us have not updated them for awhile. Mommies get busy.......

I guess I will post some pics just for fun to let everyone know we are still alive.

One is our family pic for 2009

This one is of the kids Christmas morning....love the morning hair!!

My boys building a snowman after Christmas...it was a wierd 3 or 4 hours of snowfall and then it all melted.

This is of Kara. Her daddy got her a dress for Christmas without my knowing and it was such a cute suprise!

Introducing Kara!

Kara Lyn Leder

April 15th 2009

6 lbs 9 oz

She decided to come 4 weeks early!

Dad getting ready for the C-section.

Proud brothers!

Kara wrapped up like a baked potato!

We love her love her love her and are so happy she is finally here!

My Mom is the Best!

My mom is the absolute best.
She came and helped me out with my family for a week and a half!

I commented to her once that she was too nice to my boys. But really I am hoping that one day I can be as nice as her!

I decided it is easier to be nice when you sleep through the night though!

But anyway-
She cooked yummy meals, cleaned up after us, woke up Isaac and got him off to school, took Tate to and from preschool, took the boys to get haircuts, went grocery shopping, did two sewing projects while she was here. Drove me to the doctor a million times! Played with my boys...read "Captain Underpants" to them....
The list goes on and on!!!

WOW- MOM YOU ARE THE BEST- WE MISS YOU!

Little Lady's Bedroom

We are pretty much done with our baby room!
It was so fun to plan and put together.

It is done in Red, Green, Black, Pink and White. Ladybugs and flowers!

My boys each colored a ladybug picture for the baby to look at, above the changing table.

My good buddy Marie, sent me lady bug accessories.

DH did a wonderful job painting and installing the trim.

My mom made the window valance and new fabric for the hamper.

(it used to be blue)

Craigs list helped us get great deals on the furniture.....

The baby shower helped fill up the closet with cute clothes and blankets!

I love the vinyl polka dots and flowers. I think it is the cutest room in the house.

Garbage Truck

Law of the Garbage Truck
Our Grandma sent this to us and I liked it........

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets,so...Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
Have great, garbage-free day!

Cleaning Kids

I was at the doctors office reading a magazine and there was and article about kids cleaning.
There was a picture of a little girl with a sponge mop, handle probably cut to her size, and a squirt bottle.

She was going around the kitchen squiritng the visible dirty spots and then mopping them up.

I got all the stuff for my boys and they loved mopping the kitchen. My oldest boy even ended up doing the whole kitchen. He could even rinse the mop in the sink by himself. I was so proud!

Yea!

Celebrating Hope 2009

Yesterday was our daughter Hope's birthday. It has been 3 years since she has passed away.

I always spend the week or two before her birthday crying on and off, and then the day of her birthday I am all cried out and am able to really enjoy the day.

The sun was shining so warmly again....just like last year.

We brought tulips to her grave, and this time planted them in a spot right behind her site, so we can see them every year.

We had cupcakes and took pictures.

This year I had a goal to finally update her scrapbook. A good buddy Jen Korth made it for us after she passed away. I cherish it- I have pages that display how small her hands and feet were and other precious memories. I have put a page in it every year we have celebrated her birthday.

Thanks Jen-It is such a great gift to have.

This year I would like to dedicate a song to Hope and all my children.

It is called
If I Only Had Today- by Hilary Weeks

It seems like I’ve watched a million sunsets
And stared at a thousand full moons
Sometimes it feels like I’ve been here forever
And sometimes it all feels brand new

I could never count the heartbeats
From the day I was born until now
But not a single one goes unnoticed
By Him who breathes life in me somehow

But if there were no more tomorrows
If I knew that I could not stay
I know how I’d spend every moment
If I only had today

(chorus)
I’d hold you and listen
And I’d let the dishes sit in the sink
I’d tell you I loved you over and over
And for once I’d just let the phone ring
Then I’d remind you of forever
And how our love would never change
If I only had today

I’d wake up before the sun did
And I’d watch as you quietly sleep
I’d pray for time to move slowly
Knowing the moment won’t keep

All the gifts that Heaven has given
Every blessing that’s come my way
Wouldn’t mean anything without you
So if I only had today

(chorus)
I’d hold you and listen
And I’d let the dishes sit in the sink
I’d tell you I loved you over and over
And for once I’d just let the phone ring
Then I’d remind you of forever
And how our love would never change
If I only had today

There’s no time like the present
Life doesn’t come with any guarantees
The sun will set and time won’t wait

So while I have today

(chorus)
I’d hold you and listen
And I’d let the dishes sit in the sink
I’d tell you I loved you over and over
And for once I’d just let the phone ring
Then I’d remind you of forever
And how our love would never change
Because I have today