My Guy

I love this little man way too much! There is something about the relationship between a mother and her son that I would have never understood before I had my own! Elijah is thoughtful, caring, kind, very sensitive. He loves sports, he is completative, but still allows his sisters to win! He cares deeply for others and is able to put others before himself. He has hugs that melt your heart and make you feel loved and welcome by only the smile on his face. This little guy is already sensitive to Jesus and I am excited to see him grow in his love.

My Caidy girl

I love this silly beautiful girl so much! She brings so much joy to our family and I can't imagine her any other way. She is always amazing us with the new things she is learning and all God is teaching us through her.
She is strong because of her differences and they are something James and I are teaching her to embrace; not hide, change or cover up. She is perfect the way Jesus made her and we are striving to show her that, as well as rid people of their ignorance concerning the ways she is different.

Having fun outside!

Who knew that bubbles could be some much fun!
PS. After Caidy's tubes were put in her ears, she now has prefect hearing! Praise God!

Some fun times at Harrison Hot Springs

Jaime in a tree.

It was a lot of fun !

Not Sure?!

I think I am getting slightly addicted to Photoshop and trying to figure it out. The more I look at other peoples blogs and their amazing pictures, the more I think to myself that I can give it a try too!! Here is another variation of the same picture below.

Practice makes Perfect??

I am so excited to be learning how to use Photoshop! I figure why not try and learn from my mistakes, right!?!
These are from a photoshoot I did of the kids. The girls dresses are from G+G Wilson, and the girls absolutely love them! Elijah is just wearing Church clothes, but I didn't think it would be fair to leave him out!!

Playing with the camera

Everyone was in such a good mood tonight I decided to get the camera out, it has been such a long time since I have. I really need to practice more and learn how to use my camera, there is so much I could be doing with it but I really have no idea how! I also have a great editting program that I have no idea how to use. I am really bad at reading manuals and figuring things out for myself, I would so much rather have someone show me step by step how to do everything!!
Here are the kids tickling eachothers necks while I am trying to get a good picture! And I was playing doll tonight and cut Leahs hair!! No I am not a hair dresser and I have no training, but I do think, all things considered, it turned out pretty cute!!! My sister is a hair dresser and I think it would be something I would like to do someday, so I practice on my kids and husband! I have actually been cutting James' hair for the past 6 years!! And I think he still looks hot! HA

She was wanting to strike poses and model so bad, so these are the best of the hundreds I took!!
I had to show off the back as well.

More Random Pictures

Taken when Tom was visiting, he took the kids outside and made snowmen! Leahs' work of art!
Caidy wouldn't let Tommy put her down the entire time they were outside!
My smiley guy!
She wouldn't take her hat off, so she drank her hot chocolate with it on!

Random Pictures

Leah is in Skating twice a week and loves it! It is amazing to see how good she has gotten in such a short time! She is with her friend Ali, who is also in her kindergarden class. Caidy being herself!!! SILLY! She put Leahs' tights on her head after Church one Sunday!!
Elijah loves tools right now and is always wanting to do 'projects' with Daddy. Here is their very first one together, a treasure box for Leah!
The girls playing outside in the snow
Elijah coming in after being out for quite a while

Uncle Tom's Visit

A couple of weeks ago Tom came for a visit! It was great to see him and the kids all had a great time playing with him! We will be praying for him as he goes back to East Timor for a couple of months!

Happy New Year

A year behind us and a new one just begun
Who would have thought it would happen this way
Events that took place and those only left as dreams
Now will we turn them into Reality?

YA, so maybe I should leave those little poems in my head, but it is a new year, so why not share!! I must admit I am really excited about this new year. I feel like there are going to be big changes, I feel like I am ready to take on new challenges and spend some time listening to what God has planned for our family. 2007 was the first year since James and I have been married that I haven't been pregnant or having a baby, and I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! I am not sure what 2008 will bring, but I am excited to start a new chapter in our lives.

Caidy has been quite slow progressing in her speech, we meet with a Speech Pathologist weekly and she, along with our cleft clinic SP, think she may need surgery on her palate again to tighten up the muscles. I have been reluctantly agreeing with them, reasons being they know more than I do and she is a little nasally. Then this morning she said Dada clear as day!!! I was so excited! Leah and I started repeating it over and over and she joined right in! I am not sure if this means she won't need the surgery, but I do know she needs her ear tubes replaced and with that she may be able to say more because she will be able to hear more. Exciting times ahead.

We have been in the house for over a week now, things are getting back to normal and it is great for everyone to have their own space. I am amazed at how well the kids play, I was getting quite discouraged by the amount of TV being watched in the Motel, but realistically there was nothing to do but that in such a small space. It is nice to know that all the TV hasn't ruined their ability to play and use their imaginations. ( I will get pictures up eventually, but I am still waiting on a hutch that our friend is making us for the kitchen.)

Well since this blog is supposed to be about the kids, I will reluctantly stop babbling and show some Christmas pictures!!

James and I set up Elijah's race track so it was already for him to play with Christmas morning. He was so disappointed to wake up and see that Santa had opened his present and played with it first!!

Our sad little tree that James and I bought on our very first Christmas! We did have a great family from the Church bring us a gorgeous real tree, but every single tree stand was sold out in town and we had to resort to our old faithful!

Elijah loves music and knowing this, Grandma and Grandpa West bought him his first keyboard!

Leah loves to sing so Santa brought her a microphone

Caidy is into everything Dora right now, if it has Dora she loves it

All the music toys made for a very noisy Christmas day!

To end the day we had friends over for Christmas dinner and you can't have that without Christmas Crackers!