Yes they're all Mine: November 2008

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Talbotts Tree Farm

The Crew gearing up to find the tree (notice they are all happy)

Happy 14th year of Talbott's Tree Farm! Look how we've grown!

Notice we are all still happy!

Tree number one

This is our favorite day of the year.....

Tree number 2

The "muscle" pose

Yesterday marked the 14th year that Derek and I have gone to Talbotts Tree Farm in South Pekin to get our tree. We have gone from a couple to an engaged couple to a married couple to parents of 1 then 3 then 4 and finally 5 while getting these trees!! Some of the most precious memories I have about the holidays are centered around getting our tree each year. We have braved cold temperatures and pouring down rain at times, but we have always gotten the perfect tree (or two).

Thanksgiving

We went to my Dads this year for Thanksgiving lunch. The fam was there to enjoy the huge meal-it is always fun to see the cousins get together!! I had to work at 3:00 so I had to leave early, but thanks to Uncle Dave the kids got to stay and watch Wall*E!! We had a great day and so much to be thankful for!!

Pre-Thanksgiving Pictures (Trying to get a Christmas Card!)

It's that time of the year-the one where we have to decide whether or not we are going to undertake the Christmas card!! I don't know about you, but getting this shot is always difficult!! We have tried several shots over the last few days-surely ONE shot will work out!!!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Chess Cats

Fiona and Afnan

Michael playing with Foster

Ella teaching Peris how to play-Abhay was also helping

Enjoying some chess action at Chess Cats family "Knight"

Fiona and Alicia

Ella gets ready to play

Peris and Emmy enjoy some Jimmy Johns

Michael found the lego's

We had a fun night at Chess clubs family "Knight". We ate dinner and then the kids played games for a bit. Michael fit right in with the other Metcalf kids-it is really great that he is in Chess Club at his own school-it is something that he, Ella, and Fiona have in common. I on the other hand have NO idea how to play chess!!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Thoughtful Thursday....Learning

What I have learned from life experiences with Emmy Rose Story.......

1. Gods timing is perfect in every aspect of our lives (Proverbs 19:21)

2. God really is in control so we might as well let go.....

3. Stuff means nothing....there is not a house big enough or a car shiny enough that can take the place of pain, joy, sorrow, hope or hearing your child say for the first time, "I love you Mom".

4. Faith HAS to get your through times of disbelief, fear, anxiety, and walking through a spiritual desert (Hebrews 11:1,6)

5. Asking for help is okay (Psalm 63: 7-8)

6. Getting angry is acceptable (Ephesians 4:26-27)

7. Love DOES conquer all (1 Corinthians)

8. God made each of us PERFECTLY -our "perfect" may include disability or disfigurement, but it is perfect in His image (Psalm 71: 5-6)

9. You can run the race even if you can't actually run (1 Corinthians 9:24)

10. God does have a plan for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11)

11. People watch how we work through trials...will they see God working in me while I am working through this? (Psalm 71:7-8 and 1 Peter 3:15)

I just found this list in an old notebook that I had written in when I was searching for promises to hang on to during a rough time with Emmy. I have a list regarding Michael that I will share next week. Hey, we are all going through something, but take a look at this list and remember that we are not alone in this life!! While some of these things don't apply to my life anymore (obviously Emmy is walking now), many of them still do. If you haven't taken a peek at your bible lately, open it up and browse a scripture listed above. I gurantee that you will feel uplifted when you are finished!!!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Snow

Well it is lightly snowing-gorgeous!! Emmy, Rusty, and I went outside for some fresh air and the snow flakes started to gently fall. Emmy and I stuck out our tongues to try and catch some flakes. We enjoyed some outside time and then came in for some hot chocolate. Her rosy, pink cheeks were so sweet. These are precious days that I am spending with Emmy. This laid back routine for she and I will be over so quickly. Preschool today, but as a friend pointed out you blink and they are engaged to be married. Today I am enjoying the little things...playing barbies, getting out one tub of Christmas decorations, pushing Emmy on the swing, drinking hot cocoa and licking off my chocolate mustache. These are all really good things!!! Definately benefits of being here at home snuggled in while it is cold out.

Friday, November 14, 2008

In Honor of Uncle Tom-the "faux" hawk

Let's look back to those days of our youth when it was cool to have a funky 'do. Maybe yours was the long bang look, or the asymetrical cut..you know, the bob that was long on one side and short on the other. Some of us preferred white blonde and some of us dared long spikes in a mohawk. But lets face it, we were cool-trendsetters-not afraid to go against the grain. So here is what happens when a "long hair" and a "white blonde hair" get together and have kids...the faux hawk'd son.

Rusty-Day One

An unlikely duo-Rusy is starting to poop out!!

About 8pm Rusty finally gives in to rest...

"I think I am in wrong house...who are these girls?"

PAY ATTENTION TO ME!!!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

St.Louis Children's Hospital

We made it through Emmy's post surgery recheck with flying colors!! The nurse practitioner told us that her eyes look great right now. Even though her one eye still shows some weakness, they will wait for 6 months to determine if anything more needs to be done-hooray!! We have our next appointment in May which gives her little eye plenty of time to improve.

As always the staff were awesome!! This is the nicest hospital we have ever been to-and believe me, we have been around the hospital circut!!!!

The kids were SO well behaved while we waited-and it wasn't easy as the office was an hour behind schedule.

What a Story Family adventure!!

The Magic House-St. Louis

We had to take Emmy to St. Louis Children's Hospital for her 3 month post surgery visit, so we made a day of it and went to the Magic House first. Here we are on arrival!

For those of you who aren't familiar with the Magic House, it is a house that has been transformed into a huge childrens museum. Currently they are under construction and the house will soon take up almost a city block.