She has her driver's license.

She passed her driving test with a 95%, but had to take the written test 2x. She is a good driver but I still don't like the fact that she can now take my car all by herself and go anywhere she wants.

I have a new man in my life......

Maysn

With that smile how could you not give this little guy anything he wants?

Thanksgiving 2011

Images from a Celebration of Life

Some days I just can't believe that he's really gone.

There are no other words to describe the feeling.

Chris Kent and his bible

The best friend of Kamarie's late grandma Kent, she read the poem that Kamarie wrote about her daddy.

140 purple balloons

Blowing up balloons

Kamarie and Kelli

Jensen, Emilia & Kamarie

Kamarie & Jensen with Pastor and Mrs. Trent, they came all the way from Nashville to support the kids

Savannah & Spencer

Savannah, Parker, Emilia & Jordan

My family.

MamaBaby Haiti Fundraising Walk

Savannah & Kamarie volunteering at the event.

Funniest picture EVER.

Savannah trying to imitate Korina (the cutest pregnant mama!)

Kelli & Korina

Volunteers

MamaBaby Haiti held it's 1st walk a thon fundraiser. It was a dry and cool morning, Savannah and Kamarie volunteered and me and Mario walked. It was a fun and successful event.

Holiday Giving

We try to find a project to do every year that will include the kids that involves giving to the community or needy children/families.  This year I was introduced to Operation Christmas Child. It seemed like a fun activity that me and Emilia could do together.  You fill a shoe box with toys, school supplies and personal items for a child. You wrap the box and include a small donation to cover the cost of mailing the box. The box will travel to another country and be given to a needy child.  I was able to register my boxes online, pay the mailing fee and print a bar code that will track my box and let me know the country that my boxes end up in.

Because older children have the fewest donation we decided to do an older boy and an older girl and we also did a younger boy. We found several toys and crafts for each box, as well as candy, socks, hair ties and hygiene kits for each child.  You are also asked to pray for the child who will receive your box as well as include a picture of yourself with a note.

It is too late to do it this year but I highly recommend it for next year.  Please visit this website for more information.


Another resource I found for Christmas giving : Willamette Weeks Give!Guide 2011
Many worthy organizations to donate to.

Halloween

Here is a fun idea I found online. 

Candy Corn nail polish.

1. Paint entire nail orange. Let dry at least two hours, but over night is best. 

2.  When nails are completely dry place thin strips of scotch tape over middle of nail.

3. Paint base of nail yellow.

4. Paint tip of nail white.

5. When paint is dry carefully peel off tape.

 I forgot to take pictures as I went along, so I only have this one of just before taking the tape off.
I didn't follow the directions completely because I did not let the orange paint dry two hours. I had intended to do the orange the night before but it ended up that I was at a birth. My advice: don't rush the process. When I peeled the tape off of my nail it pulled some of the orange paint with it and I think this was because the paint was not completely dry.

 Finished nails!

We took Koen to "Trunk or Treat" at church. He was quite shy at trick or treating but made an adorable Luigi. Mario took him around and there were lots of Mario & Luigi jokes.

 This was a particularly scary trunk. It was a mini van decorated in the back. There was a man in a mask hiding in the back seat that jumped out when the kids went for the bowl of candy. I was surprised that Koen still went after the candy.

Silly faces.

Chris Kent 4.10.67 - 10.19.11

It is so difficult to believe that he is really gone. He was only 30 years old when he was diagnosed with cancer and spent the last 14 years in a battle against the ugly disease. I was always amazed at his faith. He was an incredible writer and wrote honestly about his faith and fight against the big C. His words always moved me. He had complete faith up until the very end of his life that he would be healed, and now he is.

I have been blessed to be a part of the end of his life.  It has been bitter and sweet. Bitter to see Chris' frustration each time he woke up and realized he was still trapped in his body. Sweet to see him smile at me and Lisa being silly. Bitter to see him suffer. Sweet to read his favorite verses from his bible to him. Bitter to think about Lisa, Kamarie and Jensen losing their best friend, husband and father. Sweet to know he is healed and living in glory with God.

Lisa said his breathing became very rapid this morning. She called hospice to order oxygen for Chris. Shortly after his breathing subsided. She knew it was the end. She called me and I could barely decipher her words, but I know she said "come" and I knew what she meant. I ran out the door with my shoes in my hand. His body was still very warm, I touched him and told him goodbye through my tears.  I had the privilege of helping to carry his body out of his bedroom when it was time for him to leave the house.

Chris, you changed lives. A friend posted a scripture on your facebook page today that summed up your life. Acts 11:24  For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.  You had the gift of reading what others said about you before you died. I know you were humbled by their thoughts and words and moved to hear the numerous ways you touched their lives. What a gift that you deserved.

A life cut short, but a life lived to the fullest potential. I know you sought after your greatest dreams and desires and achieved all that you set out to do.

Fisherman

My handsome Jordan out catching fish! It was a native salmon so he let it go.

Saying Goodbye

Fourteen years ago this month my brother-in-law was diagnosed with Cancer. At age 30 he was told he had multiple myeloma and wasn't expected to live more than five years. Needless to say we were shocked! He had a beautiful two year old daughter and was beginning a successful career in Nashville as a bass player.

After successful treatments Chris went on to beat that cancer and stayed in remission for about 9 years. During this time they adopted a second child and continued to have a successful career as a musician. He played bass on a grammy award winning album and traveled the world. It is a rare thing when someone can look back at their life and say they lived their dream.

Chris fought a good fight, and as his doctor said last week, he is a cancer success story. His family got to enjoy him for 14 years after his cancer diagnosis. The cancer is now winning and taking over his body. He is prepared to return to his Heavenly Father, to see his parents again, his mother in law, and rejoice in his healed body. We are sad to be losing a humble, loving man.

Chris and Lisa, October 2010

Chris and Lisa, October 2011

This is the blanket that I made for Chris' birthday in April. 

It warms my heart that he sleeps with it every day.

Me and Chris today.

Biebs

She is so adorable!

Amos tried to behave while meeting the kitten.

Jealous.

I'm sure Amos is thinking, oh no, not another one of those!

Savannah adopted a new kitten yesterday. The day Spencer was leaving back to Canada they rescued a kitten that was part of litter that had been dumped at a friend of my daughter in law's. She is grey and white and looks like a mix of Ava and Lucy.

Amos was excited to meet her but acted surprisingly well behaved. I think he was very curious and happy that the kitten is not living at our home.

After Party with the Family

I've been on craigslist hunting for an Xbox 360 with a Kinect. After the fun we experienced this last weekend I want one NOW. If you have not experienced the fun of this game system you are missing out. There are no controllers and the interaction is hilarious. I have not laughed this hard in a very long time.

I love how genuine our smiles are.

Freestyle! Everyone dancing!

Boxing!

Dance Central with Sarah

Kristina

Look at Josie on the couch cracking up at me!