Let's Go To Heaven!

A serious discussion:
Joshua: I wish Emily was here. [at our house]
Mommy: So do I, Joshua, but she's in heaven right now.
Joshua: Can we drive there? I would like to drive to heaven.
Mommy: No, sweetie, we can't drive there...(hesitation)...we have to die first, just like Emily.
(Joshua doesn't say anything, so Mommy continues):
If we serve Jesus, then when we die, we will go to heaven.
Joshua: (lighting up) And see Jesus' face?
Mommy: Hmm-mm and see Jesus' face.
Joshua: And see Emily?
Mommy: yes, we will see Emily.

Later, at dinnertime...
Everyone is seated around the dinner table, Joshua prays first:
Joshua: Jesus, thank you for food...thank you we get to go to heaven and see your face.

A little later during dinner...
Joshua: I don't want to die to get to heaven, Daddy. I want to drive there.


(Be sure to check out the kids' updates just under their pictures. I just updated it.)

Photo for Dad

Christmas Pictures

First up, is two gifts from Kaleb, Joshua and Rachel's 14.5 month cousin! (Me thinks his Mommy made them, but don't say anything):

Joshua's Apron!


Rachel's Apron! (with pink socks from Nana)

Next up is a wonderful gift from Nana, "Playful Patterns", foam pieces in various shapes with cards to make pictures, learn basic fractions and geometry, learn sorting, colors and mathematical skills. This is right up Joshua's alley! He loves puzzles and is great at problem solving. (Notice the socks, Nana!)

This is Daddy and Rachel reading Rachel's new potty book for girls, a gift from the parents of course!



Some baking photos, with their new aprons:




And, a gift from Mommy and Daddy: Annie and Clarabel!! (Thomas the Train's two coaches, the brown ones in the photo)


What were those kids baking with Daddy? What were they licking off the table? Well, the second question I'm sure you can guess, here's the answer to the first one:




And, finally, a quick video with Josh and his trains.

For Grampa

Runaway Teens...Found!!

A few days ago I posted about a friend's sister who ran away. Well they have been found... In Arizona! For the whole story click here. They are all greatly relieved that everyone is ok. Thank you for praying.

Joshua Recites His Alphabet

Grape Nut's First Ultrasound

This morning Joel and I went into our local hospital to have an ultrasound done. It sure was fun seeing Grape Nut. Of course all babies look the same at 15 weeks through a sound wave. Grape Nut was kicking and moving around quite a bit. I didn't feel a thing, the little baby is only 4 oz! We saw four chambers of the heart (!) and watching the heart beat was a treat. We had seen Emily's deformed heart beating so many times, I almost forgot what a healthy heart looked like. Well, I'm hoping Grape Nut's is healthy. The ultrasound guy (what is their title?) said 'it looked fine, but that's with low-grade technology.' (Our rural hospital here doesn't have top grade ultrasound equipment) He tried to see the sex of the baby, but it was difficult. Both Joel and I think it's a boy (going by what we saw on the screen) but the ultrasound guy couldn't say for sure.
So that's the report for today. Usually if there is any kind of problem with the ultrasound pictures, the doc will give me a call. I love my doctor, but I really hope I don't hear from her!!

Ryan and Emily's Wedding

Ok, Ok I will not give any excuses, I know this is a little late. Some of you know that Renee's brother, Ryan was married to Emily on May 31st of this year. It is now December. I am finally posting pictures of their wedding on our blog for your enjoyment.

The beautiful couple pose for their pictures before the wedding.

Joshua, the ring bearer, and Zoe, the flower girl.


Gearing up for the long march...


Joshua races ahead confidently(?) while Zoe takes her time.


The flower girl, having completed her mission to the front of the church, triumphantly sets her basket of rose petals down.


May I introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Ryan _____!


Um, yeah, don't ask. But it was really funny.

Ultrasound Coming Up

On Monday December 22, Renee and Joel are going in for an ultrasound for Grape Nut. It's a little early (only fifteen weeks along) but Emily's doc in Duluth recommended this for our next child. As you can imagine, this has the temptation to be worrisome. What Emily had, Grape Nut might have too. Or something completely different. So those of you who pray, and those of you who pray for us, please do. The appointment is at 9:45 a.m. and should only take about an hour. I (Renee) will try and update the blog so that you will know as soon as possible. :) Blessings to you! Oh and Merry Christmas!!!

A little under construction

Sorry, I'm redoing our blog. So please be patient while I put the finishing touches on it. :)

Pray for two Runaway Teens

One of my friends has a sister who just ran away with her boyfriend on December 11. For more details please click here on my friend's blog. Perhaps you have seen them?

Visits from Friends

Last week our friends, Joshua and Stephanie, did a babysitting swap so that all of us could go see 'The Wizard of Oz' playing at our local theatre. We watched their kids last weekend, Claire and Sophia. Claire and Joshua played well together:


Then this weekend Ryan (Renee's brother) and Emily came up to visit. That was fun and the kids enjoyed getting to know their aunt and uncle.

Grapenut's First Doctor's Appointment

Today was my (Renee's) first doctor's appt for Grape Nut. I've been kind of anxious about it. But no need! The doc and I heard the heartbeat today!! What a relief! Grape Nut is twelve weeks along now, so the risk of miscarriage is now much lower. An ultrasound is scheduled for Mon Dec 22. It's a little early for a routine ultrasound, but the risks are higher now due to Emily Grace. We will try and find out the sex of the baby, but no guarantees! (Grape Nut might have his legs crossed, or it might be too soon.)

They'd wear them around town if we let them!

So I come across a certain annoying toy in the kitchen yesterday evening, swoop it up and ask Renee what the repercussions of depositing it in the garbage can would be. "Just don't let the kids see you do it," she says. Into the can it goes. Said toy was a talking hippo figurine. When bumped it would say in a growly voice, "Wow - I'm like every hippo's dream" - whatever that means.
I thought I had taken care of that one nuisance and was quite happy with myself until the garbage can starting talking to me when I was cleaning up after supper. More than once I've dropped something in and its responded, "Wow!" Somehow the kids haven't quite clued in yet!




Rachel's new way of indicating she needs a diaper change!