Pictures

Yea! For some reason, it wouldn't post a picture on the other blog entry but it would on this one.
This is Brian, Kendra and Haddie












Here is Haddie- she loved playing with the doll stroller! But instead of using a doll, she preferred to sit in it herself





























We had such a great time with you guys and miss you so much. Hope all is well with your move to Kodiak!

Kendra and Brian

I just have to introduce the world to some amazing people! Kendra and Brian are two amazing people- and we were fortunate to have them come stay with us! Kendra has been my dearest friend for many years. We have seen each other at our best and seen each other at our worst. We have had our ups and downs and yet our friendship is still strong. There are only a few that know me better than Kendra- and she still loves me! Over the past several years, I have watched as she has grown into a beautiful woman, married the man of her dreams and become an excellent mother. At one point in our lives, we each made critical decisions that, at the time, we thought would sever our friendship forever. But God had other plans. The short time of separation actually strengthened our walks with God and ultimately our friendship with each other. There are some people that you can live so far away from and yet always feel connected. Some that you can not talk to for weeks or months and yet pick up right where you left off. Kendra has remained that dear, wonderful friend to me. Kendra is such a godly woman and is raising her daughter to follow in her footsteps. 99.999% of people that meet Kendra fall in love with her instantly. There is just something about her that you are drawn to. She is loving, gentle, generous, sweet spirited, honest, humble, intelligent. And of course exciting and fun!!!! Some of the craziest things I have done in my life (all good things) I have done with her or because of her! She is so creative- maybe that's where I get some of mine. I so badly want to tell tons of stories, but this blog would be SOOOOO long (I haven't even gotten to Brian and Haddie!). When we were still in High School she always talked about her oldest brother's college roommate, Brian, and how one day she was going to marry him. She was set on him before he had even realized she was more than Josh's kid sister. But a few years later, he noticed! And he pursued her and won her over! Not that it took too much pursuing ;) Brian is the perfect partner for Kendra- he has a GREAT sense of humor and is just as outgoing and fun as Kendra. I remember roasting marshmallows over a candle at my house in MO and thinking that they would be perfect together, if he would just see her. We have had Kendra and Brian stay with us a few times over the years and each time they come I learn something new about Brian. And with everything I learn about him, I have so much respect and appreciation for the man that is head over heels in love with my dear friend. He is such a man of God with a heart that desires all the things God has for him and his family. Brian is an amazing husband- he leads his family well, loves and respects his wife and has a huge love for life. Together, they have an absolutely adorable daughter, Hadassah Claire (Haddie). I will post pictures of her in another blog. Chloe had such a fun time playing with Haddie and showing her all the toys. And I had so much fun going through Chloe's baby clothes to give to her. She will be the most adorable and stylish girl in Kodiak! Brian, Kendra and Haddie- we love you very much and can't wait for the next visit with you!

1st Hair Color

I don't know if we are suppose to do this or not, but we put highlights in Chloe's hair! It is so cute!! We were doing Jeremy's hair and Chloe wanted her hair done. She is such a girly girl.

Here is Chloe and Jeremy waiting while they get their highlights:


These are the after pictures. She wasn't really interested in taking pictures so she would only give me cheesy grins

Gymnastics Recital

Chloe had a gymnastics recital at the beginning of the month- I know, I'm a little late on it. Her class had a western theme and performed to the song We Are the Cowboys. They dressed up in little cowgirl outfits and and hats and stick ponies. I don't have any pictures of Chloe's performance because she actually didn't perform. She got out there and then suddenly developed a case of stage fright. This is the first time this has happened! So, she and I sat on the side of the mat and watched her class go through the routine. When we left she started crying and said she was sorry for not going out there. Apparently she didn't like all the people sitting around watching her. But she still looked so cute in her outfit. They got to keep the stick ponies so we brought it home and she did her routine for us and even sang the song!

My Mom Moment

There are just times where you have to put off other responsibilities and just enjoy your kids! Tonight Chloe wanted to watch a movie and snuggle. Of course there were a million things to be done around the house and projects to work on, but how do you miss out on these opportunities? It would have been easy to say I had to finish cleaning or working on my cheer stuff. But there will always be housework, always be work, always be something. These precious moments with my daughter will only last a few years. In the grand scheme of things, it is probably not the clean kitchen or all the laundry done that she will remember most. But the memories of quality time spent with us is something she will carry with her- always knowing that mom and dad took time for her, loved her more than their own free time or job, gave more to her than just material objects. And hopefully it will be a trait that she will cherish and pass on in her own kids :)