Perseverance Wins Again

Many of you know we were having troubles putting Alli to sleep in the evening. We were sticking to our routine of bath, brush teeth, story, water, hugs kisses, sing song, then pray to Jesus. Somewhere in all this Alli decided that she did not want to sleep, correction, she decided that sleeping was not what she was going to do and staying in her room was complete torture. I'm a sucker for crying, most of the time, and even more when it comes to sleep. So I would break down and lay down next to her till she was asleep. This was an awful idea which just made it worse. She knew at some time I would leave so she slept with "one eye open" ...hours of trying to leave her bed only to be drawn back by the crys for momma. James and I were exhausted to say the least. So James came to my rescue. He spent a week sitting outside Alli's door gently reminding her saying "get back in your bed and lay down please" over and over. She HATED it. Ohh she'd cry and cry, but he would move farther and farther away till he was around the corner and out of sight. She would get up out of bed go around the corner only to see daddy with raised eyebrows telling her to get back in bed. Today has marked one full week that we have put Alli in bed and she STAYS in bed. No crying, no getting up out of bed, I can just hear her sing herself to sleep. Ohh what bliss to have a baby that sleeps. What an awesome gift my husband is to me.

James 30th B-day

Mom made James a chocolate Reese's peanut butter cup cake. YUM! I lit the candles in the house but when I went through the sliding glass door all but 3 of the candles went out, lol

We had quite a number of children come, of course we had to throw out the slip-n-slide, no summer party is complete without water play.

...or playing a game of Frisbee. I bought James a Bocce ball set, although for some reason I didn't get any pictures of us playing. Thanks to all 25 of friends and family making this special for Jamee

More of Alli

Pro Photos

I found a photographer that took 114 pictures of Alli, James, and I and did "antique" look to some of the photos. We have a CD full of wonderful pictures like the ones above.

4th of July

Thank you momma Cleome for making this delicious carrot cake for Alli!

Alli not only had her own serving, but went around the family taste testing everyone elses cake.

Then we made it to Christine's Birthday party and stuffed our faces with DELICIOUS Indian food and cake.

Ahhhh, it was so wonderful to listen to our friend Milo play the guitar, giving praise to Jesus, as we closed the Sabbath day. I miss all my friends in Walla Walla even though I'm only 45min away.

And then there is nothing like laying in the grass on the VA hospital hilltop watching the firework's being lit right in front of you. Curled up next to my husband, hearing my baby girl ohh and aww over the sight....what a great weekend.

Alli is TWO!

Momma got her a tricycle for her birthday. More to come as this weekend we will celebrate her birthday.

High Lights of Our New Home

We have 15ft ceilings! Uggh, I don't want to paint but can't wait to put some color in this room. Big pictures needed! In fact the whole house has white interior walls which is awesome cuz I can not wait to color it beautiful...with my own special touch.

To the left of this picture stands a HUGE maple tree. I'm sure it's birth date was some where around creation. We plan to do some trimming in this backyard to open it up. like taking out this big gravel pit in front of me and laying some grass in it. This yard has some unique shrubbery too. It's awesome to see in person. The backyard is very private, and it feels 5 degrees cooler do to all the shade. The tall trees block the neighbors view from their 2 story homes. Beautiful!

This yard is truly beautiful, just needs a little TLC. I have big plans for it such as lighted walk way, new bark, flowers, wild grass...ahh the list is long but I'm excited! You just have to see some of the landscaping our neighbors have done. Amazing work! I'm glad I'm in the corner of the cul-de-sac hiding till work is done.

The picture above was taken from inside my living room. It is so fantastic! With sights like this, who need TV. These tall large windows take up virtually the whole wall.