Prayer hands

Thad has been putting his hands in the "prayer" position lately. He started it about a week ago and now when I take his picture and I tell him to smile he puts his hands like this. He even does it in his sleep!

This picture was back in Russell during Christmas. We were at church and he climbed up in the window seal and folded his hands like he was going to pray.

We have a very sweet boy on our hands!

End of another year.....Blessing 52

This is my last blessing post for this year! I can't believe I made all 52 blessings. It was hard sometimes making sure I had a post for each week of the year.

It's also hard to believe it is the end of 2009. I'm still not sure where this year went. It seems like we were just celebrating Thad's first birthday and now he will be two in January. It was a good year and we have alot to be thankful for. This year brought many blessings including no major health concerns for Thad! He had a few colds, ear infections but nothing major.

I have this entire week off and its been so fun being at home with Thad. He has changed so much in these past two weeks! He is saying more words, repeats everything I say, and is understanding things we say to him. He is a big helper and loves to help around the house. Of course he does his share of scattering toys and making a mess but at least he attempts to help pick it up!

We are excited to go into 2010 and see what exciting new adventures it has planned for us. We hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year!

Blessing 51-Christmas

We spent Christmas in Russell this year. We left Saturday the 19th and spent a week there. We suprised my mom and came early. She thought we were coming the following Tuesday but we snuck out a little early. My dad helped with the plotting and we spent a night out at their cabin at Cedar Bluff Lake. We snuck in while she was taking a nap and was shocked to see us and thought she was dreaming!

Our trip started off a little rocky. Saturday night Thad wasn't feeling well and had a fever. I was freaking out being that far away from Dr.'s and of course I forget his thermometer. After tylenol and sleep he felt much better in the morning but then Sunday night was the same thing. We took him to the Dr. in Russell and he had a double ear infection! She gave him antiobiotics and by Tuesday he was back to his old self again. It always scares me going back to the small towns in Russell, not having a pediatrician in the same town. He was fine and I was much better too once I saw him feeling better.

We got to meet Avery for the first time. She is my brother Mike and his girlfriend Alicia's new baby. She is just a month old and cute as can be! She is a little snuggler and you can tell she gets held alot. We got to babysit a few nights and cuddled her the whole night! Thad was very fascinated with the baby. He kept saying "hi baby" and wanting me to put her on the floor. I didn't trust him enough to get too close to her but we did snap this picture real quick!

He just kept smiling at her and telling her hi.

We hung around Russell for the week and got together Christmas day- my parents, sister Michelle, Doug, Shayna, Hannah and Macie, my brother Mike and his girlfriend Alicia, Dawson, Jaelynne (Alicia's daughter) and their new baby girl Avery. We had a big feast and opened presents. Santa brought Thad a Little Tykes basketball goal. He also got a truck, building blocks, pajama's, pop up books, his first bible, a wiggle worm and so much more! He had fun this year opening all his presents. Everytime we said Santa's name or he saw a picture of him he would say "Ho, Ho, Ho" It was fun to see him get so excited opening up a gift and wanting to play with it right away.

It's always fun to get all the grandkids together. They have a good time and Thad keeps up with them all. They like to play downstairs with all the toys and make their own games up.

We also got a family picture together. So you can put names with faces here is the order. Back row- Adam, me, Michelle, Hannah, Doug, Shayna, Macie. Front row-Luci, Thad, Steve, Mike, Dawson, Alicia, Avery and Jaelynne.

Here is the wiggle worm Grandma Kathy (Adam's mom) and Papa Wayne got for Thad. You sit on it and bounce and it moves like a inch worm.

On Saturday we went to the Budke Christmas in Hays and got together with my mom's side of the family. It's always a fun time and has been a tradition for many years. We rent a big hall and have a big feast with more presents and of course lots of goodies to eat.

It's always nice to get together with family and remember what Christmas is all about. Yes it's fun to open presents but we know the real reason Christmas exists and are thankful for Jesus and all he has done for us. We hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Bye Bye Car Payments!!! (Blessing 50)

We bought our van in July of 2008. It was our goal to pay it off in a year and we came very close. After we passed the year mark we made a new goal to pay it off by the end of 2009. We just made our last car payment this week and now we have NO car payments. It's a relief to know we don't owe the bank anymore and it's one less bill each month!

I'm still loving the van, even though people are shocked sometimes when I tell them I drive a mini van! We are still on Dave Ramsey's plan to be debt free. One step closer to being debt free and now we can move onto our student loans.

BYE BYE VAN PAYMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Santa and Thad

We went to see Santa and Thad did very good. He was a little nervous at first so I held him and we all took a picture with Santa. After we were done he felt a little more comfortable so he wanted to give Santa "knuckles" and a high five. He sat on Santa's lap real quick and he snapped the picture. He looks very serious in the picture and was calling my name the whole time. He did very good and didn't even cry! At the end he was telling Santa good bye and gave him a tug on his beard!

Blessing 49

It is a Winter Wonderland in Colorado! The ground is covered in snow and days like this it makes me appreciate my nice warm house! It is so cold outside and the wind doesn't help. I got a snow day today so Thad and I hung out where it was nice and warm. We have one of those fake fire place's which blows out warm air and gives the illusion of a fire going. We cranked it on and sat in front of the fire most of the day. We watched some cartoons, ate cookies and drank milk. We had a nice day at home and now waiting on Adam to come home. (We are also still in our pajamas!!!)

It's a blessing to have a warm place to be when it's so cold outside. We are thankful to have a house to come to everyday. We pray for those who are homeless and don't have a place to call home.

Thanksgiving............Blessing 47

We spent Thanksgiving in Tribune this year. It was a crowded house but as always a good time. I think we counted about 24 people altogether. The weather was very nice so we spent alot of time outside.

Here is Jackson, Thad and Tatum sitting by the pond.

We went for walks down to Dixon Drug almost everyday! The kids had fun picking out toys and walking back to Papa and Grandma's house. We also went to the park a few times. We hit up the black Friday sales at Colleen's Antiques and found a few good deals!

The kids took alot of baths. Some days they took 3 baths a day! The bathtub could hold more kids but they all had fun splashing around and playing in the water.

We even got to watch a couple trees being cut down across the street. We had a nice front row seat to the action.

I didn't take very many pictures this time, I guess I was too busy chasing Thad around! He is definately a Mama's boy and said Mama about 500 times a day! You had Thad yelling Mama the whole time and Maddix yelling when the other kids got to close to his food or toys! Tatum who loves Dora would act like she was Dora and would say "Do you see the red ball....is this the red ball, say red!!!!!" Josh wanted to be in the car driving and watching his movies and the other big kids played video games or played outside in the fort. It was a fun time and we all ate way too much! Wayne and Kathy had all the meals covered and baked cookies, pies, cakes, etc. I think I gained about 5 lbs! Even though the big boys watched football the entire time and us girls didn't get our lifetime movies we still had fun!

We have alot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. We are thankful for Jesus, Emma, Thad's health, our family, our health, and all the little things we take for granted. Thanks to Wayne and Kathy for allowing all 24 of us to destroy your house and eat all the food!

We weren't the only ones who were exhausted after the long weekend. Chauchi and Mia always get to go to Grandma's house and this is Chauchi on the way home. He was very tired and has been sleeping ever since!

Avery Jade Knopp........Blessing 46

My brother and his girlfriend Alicia had a baby girl today!!! Avery Jade Knopp was born at 10:59 am on November 20th. She weighed 6 lbs 2 oz and was 18.5 inches long. Alicia and Avery are both doing great! Congratulations to Mike and Alicia on your precious little girl!!!

Blessing 45

Both Adam and I got the day off today. The day started out a little rough. Thad wanted an apple so I got one out and started cutting it up. He saw me cutting it and ran off crying to the living room. He didn't want me to cut it up, he wanted to eat it whole. After we got over that ordeal he was happy again. After that we went swimming at the Y. Thad is a little water bug and loves jumping off the side of the pool! He didn't want to jump in our arms, he wanted to jump beside us in the open water! Daddy even dunked him! I was a little scared and of course Thad was saying "one more!"

In the afternoon we all went outside to rake the leaves. After we got them in a nice neat pile, Thad would run over and jump in them. He was having a good time!

I had to do the traditional fall picture with Thad sitting in the leaves. Here is the picture from today...........

.......and here is the picture from last November! What a little chunk he was!

After all the playing in the leaves he decided he would help daddy clean them up.

It was a great day to spend together. One more day of work this week and then a long weekend for Thad and I!

We also want to recognize Veteran's Day and say thank you to all who serve our country.

Emma Renee Younger

Today is 3 years since our little Emma went to be with Jesus. We miss her everyday but we know she is whole, healthy and in a safe place. My Aunt Mary gave us a book after Emma passed away called "Mommy Please Don't Cry...There Are No Tears In Heaven" by Linda Deymaz. She wrote this book after her daughter passed away. I hadn't read it since she gave it to me. I picked it up the other day and read it again.

It starts by saying Mommy, please don't cry a beautiful Angel carried me here. I met Jesus today Mommy! He cradled me in his big, strong arms. He made me feel so happy inside.

Mommy, please don't cry...Heaven is wonderful! Did you know the streets are made of gold, real gold! I have lots of friends, Mommy. We run and play, we giggle and laugh. I can't wait to show you my secret hideouts! Mommy please don't cry...when I fall it doesn't hurt! There are no tears in Heaven. I've met a man named Noah. He told me about his big boat. All the animals and the very first rainbow. Have you heard of Noah, Mommy? Mommy, please don't cry...we have lots of parties here; with streamers and hats, and the best chocolate cake ever! When its time to rest Angels tuck us in.

I never get scared Mommy, there is no darkness here! Jesus is the light of Heaven. Mommy, please don't cry...the Angels are always singing. I love to sing with the Angels! You'd be proud of me, I have a pretty good voice. I must have gotten it from you.

(This is Emma's singing picture!)

There is a river, Mommy, in the most beautiful garden you could ever imagine...and a huge tree with yummy fruit. The Angels call it the tree of life. Mommy, it's so wonderful to be alive in Heaven! Mommy, please don't cry...sometimes I just like to be my myself. That's when I think of you. Someday Mommy we will hold each other tight! Then you will cradle me in your arms, and stroke my hair...and once again our hearts will beat together. Mommy, please don't cry...I'll wait right hear for you.

Knowing Emma is in Heaven gives Adam and I peace, comfort and faith. She watches over Thad eveyday and keeps him safe. He knows who Emma is and loves her very much. Emma, you are special in so many ways. You showed us what love is and brought us all closer together. You give us hope. You bring joy to our lives just knowing you. You have touched so many peoples lives who you never even met. We love you and can't wait to be with you again.

The Ronald McDonald House in Colorado Springs built a garden beside the house. It is called the Healing Garden.

Here is the memorial wall where they post the tiles.

We went in May to a place where we could design the tiles for the memorial. It was recently put up in the Healing Garden. Here is Emma's tile.

Fun at the Park

It was another nice day today so we all went to the park! We tried out a new park down the street and Thad had a blast! It was a smaller park but still lots of fun.

This was the perfect slide for Thad, it held him in place and he didn't go flying off at the end. He started off going down the right way but realized how much fun it was to turn around and go on his belly!

After the first time going down on his belly he was on the ground and went to stand up and knocked his face on the bottom of the slide. This was not fun, he was mad at the slide just for a minute until he climbed back up the stairs and went over and over again. Everytime he would say"one more" with his little finger up by his face. That is his new saying, he wants to do everything just one more time!!

This is his shiner he got from the slide. I thought he hit his forehead but later discovered it was his cheek! You can't see it very well in the picture but it is a bruiser!

He is a tough little guy!

In honor of K-State winning..........

Fun Friday..........Blessing 44

Thad and I had a great day today! The weather was beautiful for a November day! We played outside alot today and Thad loves sitting by the pumpkins or "balls" as he calls them.

We swept out the garage and Thad was a big help. He started off with his little broom but wanted the one I had.

We played in the back yard so Chauchi wouldn't feel left out! Thad decided he wanted to sit at his picnic table.

The day wouldn't be complete unless he played with his truck Grandma Kathy gave him.

After his nap we went for a walk. On the way back he got out of the stroller and pushed it back home. We had a great day today and I'm so glad I get to spend Friday's with my boy.

Halloween in Russell

We had a nice weekend in Russell. We went back for my cousin's wedding and stayed for trick or treating. All the grandkids were there and had a great time together. We bought Dawson and Thad the same outfit for the wedding. They looked very cute in their matching outfits. Everyone thought they were brothers and kept getting them confused!

Papa made a good horsey and the kids loved jumping all over him!


Our traditional picture of the kids. They have a fun time laying in this circle. At least this time Thad wasn't hitting the girls laying down.

Thad was Elmo for, Hannah was Snow White, Macie was a princess, Dawson was Spiderman and Shayna was a witch! They had such a good time together. There was a parade on Saturday afternoon where all the kids walked down Main Street in their costumes. Thad did pretty good walking in the parade but needed carried some. We all walked to the school and paraded around the gym showing off the Halloween costumes.

Thad was a pro at trick or treating. He started off taking a little piece of candy and by the end of the night he was taking 3 or 4 snicker candy bars!!!!! He had a fun time and liked knocking on the doors. We stopped by the fire station to see Papa Steve and got to climb in the firetrucks.

This was all the candy Thad got. It's mostly for Adam and I but he likes his suckers! Now Adam and I are sick to our stomach from all the sweets!


It was a fun Halloween especially with Dawson, Shayna, Hannah and Macie. Thanks Grandma Luci and Papa Steve for taking good care of us all!!!!!