tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345325352024-03-13T10:53:33.634-04:00Valiant UpdatesValiant UpdatesRenayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-53035345996119888462011-11-02T18:42:00.001-04:002011-11-03T00:02:06.530-04:005 incredible years!Oh how I love this time of year...<br /><br />5 years ago-not so much. But every. single. year. since- LOVE!<br /><br />Yes, <a href="http://valiantupdates.blogspot.com/2006/11/announcing-owen.html">THIS</a> happened 5 years ago and changed MY world forever.<br /><br />Changed my faith. <br /><br /><br /><em>Because I now believe in miracles.</em><br /><br /><br />Changed my prayers. <br /><br /><br /><em>Because I know my prayers are powerful.</em><br /><br /><br />Changed my heart.<br /><br /><br /><em>Because Owen has melted it. </em><br /><br /><br />Changed my everything.<br /><br /><br /><em>Because I can't imagine my days without him in it.</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>I'm so happy to be saying "Happy 5th Birthday Owen!"</strong><br /><br /><br />There were deep, dark times when I thought this nor any of the 5 years before now would come. And now-look at you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79mUAwdXDOk/Tq9lXWQGcFI/AAAAAAAAEvY/K5poHu77Ovg/s1600/P9270148.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79mUAwdXDOk/Tq9lXWQGcFI/AAAAAAAAEvY/K5poHu77Ovg/s400/P9270148.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669861907667251282" /></a><br /><br />You are a preschooler! And oh, how you love Busy Day Preschool!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cFkLRiM1hc/Tq9l7MdbaQI/AAAAAAAAEvk/lEbU7az4ywU/s1600/P9050059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cFkLRiM1hc/Tq9l7MdbaQI/AAAAAAAAEvk/lEbU7az4ywU/s400/P9050059.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669862523514087682" /></a><br /><br />You love crafts so much...you love all things creative, in fact. You love to dance, and sing (and with no formal training, even;-). You make crazy good coloring pages...and you even mastered writing your name as Owen instead of OMen! Ha!<br /><br />The last 6 plus months have been super exciting as your physical growth has EXPLODED-off the charts! I can't wait for the official 5 year well-kiddo check-up next week, but for now, I'm guessing about 32 pounds and 39 inches...yes, seriously! That puts you on the growth charts! For the first time -EVER! You have a lean, muscle-y body that amazes us to watch!<br /><br />You decided to try your skills as a barber this past spring...it might not be the career path you should pursue:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWBpsjdvAIM/Tq9pr9s6VBI/AAAAAAAAEvw/UkSGCir9LGU/s1600/P5100411.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWBpsjdvAIM/Tq9pr9s6VBI/AAAAAAAAEvw/UkSGCir9LGU/s400/P5100411.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669866659900970002" /></a><br /><br />So, you ended up with my not-so-professional buzzing skills:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dRsfuS1O0Mc/Tq9rFnVI7wI/AAAAAAAAEv8/csnWpsiWgrs/s1600/Owen%2Bbuzz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dRsfuS1O0Mc/Tq9rFnVI7wI/AAAAAAAAEv8/csnWpsiWgrs/s400/Owen%2Bbuzz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669868200083910402" /></a><br /><br />Oh yeah...sorry about the undies pic-I apparently didn't take many pics of you with this buzzed 'do...whoops. But, it was short! And the really weird thing is, when it grew back, there was a weird large area at your crown that is seriously lighter than the rest of the hair...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6s_AtFGSo2g/Tq9uCo8kTUI/AAAAAAAAEwI/D6QiHLuhcUo/s1600/P9250029.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6s_AtFGSo2g/Tq9uCo8kTUI/AAAAAAAAEwI/D6QiHLuhcUo/s400/P9250029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669871447512993090" /></a><br /><br />Well, you can't see it super well in this pic...but trust me-it looks like I tried to dye it;-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ctzj5LkB-4/Tq95237MwtI/AAAAAAAAEyY/qvxtrCf8ny4/s1600/Owen%2Bclown%2Bhair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ctzj5LkB-4/Tq95237MwtI/AAAAAAAAEyY/qvxtrCf8ny4/s400/Owen%2Bclown%2Bhair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669884439514890962" /></a><br /><br />No, not like this...silly!<br /><br />You also got to go on your first cruise...that was super fun times, huh? I know you remember the swimming pools the most. And then, probably, the hot cocoa every night and the face painting in adventure ocean. It was a great time and fun way to end the summer (and your 4th year of life;-).<br /><br />You are looking forward to playing t-ball this spring. You haven't participated in any other organized sports yet (well, except for that short stint in the Lil' flipz trampoline class...but we try to forget about that epic fail;-). <br /><br />You love to play dress up and pretty much anything with Griffin. He calls you O-nen. And I love it. I sometimes call you O-nen because it's just so tute! (Yep, you can't quite say your C's so you replace it with T's;-). <br /><br />You sure have come a long way! From this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRUnaqY7A8w/Tq9v_J1sSNI/AAAAAAAAEwU/6sh_6acivNY/s1600/11-18-2006-356.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oRUnaqY7A8w/Tq9v_J1sSNI/AAAAAAAAEwU/6sh_6acivNY/s400/11-18-2006-356.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669873586646304978" /></a><br />to this at one year:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hLDWq9_MNUM/Tq9weaXUDSI/AAAAAAAAEwg/ueFym43nk5o/s1600/DSC05929.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hLDWq9_MNUM/Tq9weaXUDSI/AAAAAAAAEwg/ueFym43nk5o/s400/DSC05929.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669874123658235170" /></a><br />to this at 2 years:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xz4oNmf4_Bs/Tq9w8yp_NvI/AAAAAAAAEws/5YFb4mda3zk/s1600/DSC09372.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xz4oNmf4_Bs/Tq9w8yp_NvI/AAAAAAAAEws/5YFb4mda3zk/s400/DSC09372.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669874645575087858" /></a><br />to this at 3 years:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuW14v0r9RQ/Tq9ymRSQq4I/AAAAAAAAExE/8UFQyQ7IcD8/s1600/68251ae9-3f98-4c7d-acf1-1fec9063b9d2w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 312px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuW14v0r9RQ/Tq9ymRSQq4I/AAAAAAAAExE/8UFQyQ7IcD8/s400/68251ae9-3f98-4c7d-acf1-1fec9063b9d2w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669876457683331970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eP_r_gXZP_c/Tq9ymFzDSKI/AAAAAAAAEw4/xgh_G76RtYE/s1600/PA210063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eP_r_gXZP_c/Tq9ymFzDSKI/AAAAAAAAEw4/xgh_G76RtYE/s400/PA210063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669876454599641250" /></a><br />to this at 4 years:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1daZVWaxaiY/Tq9zJlqhA3I/AAAAAAAAExQ/ghMK4Et6Op4/s1600/PB020008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1daZVWaxaiY/Tq9zJlqhA3I/AAAAAAAAExQ/ghMK4Et6Op4/s400/PB020008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669877064449196914" /></a><br />and here we are now at 5 years:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncc7BG4uumM/Tq91jeXRlSI/AAAAAAAAEx0/x1Y1FzCe8G8/s1600/PA010515.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncc7BG4uumM/Tq91jeXRlSI/AAAAAAAAEx0/x1Y1FzCe8G8/s400/PA010515.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669879708189300002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjgV8rCc57g/Tq91jHHH92I/AAAAAAAAExo/WocvqG9Yo9g/s1600/P9250024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjgV8rCc57g/Tq91jHHH92I/AAAAAAAAExo/WocvqG9Yo9g/s400/P9250024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669879701947545442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A05rzVTk2dM/Tq91i_DxMII/AAAAAAAAExc/WEkHH3pdWbA/s1600/P9050041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A05rzVTk2dM/Tq91i_DxMII/AAAAAAAAExc/WEkHH3pdWbA/s400/P9050041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669879699785986178" /></a><br /><br />Holy face paint Batman! I sure wonder what the future holds for you!?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBKfyOAwfzE/Tq92e1qkhlI/AAAAAAAAEyA/8EG3vJGifzc/s1600/P9300368.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBKfyOAwfzE/Tq92e1qkhlI/AAAAAAAAEyA/8EG3vJGifzc/s400/P9300368.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669880728056530514" /></a><br /><br />But I sure welcome it with open arms!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQqIdYbmttA/Tq92fJYvVHI/AAAAAAAAEyM/n9OVCVPunQQ/s1600/P9300367.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQqIdYbmttA/Tq92fJYvVHI/AAAAAAAAEyM/n9OVCVPunQQ/s400/P9300367.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669880733350450290" /></a>Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-55303173216578450492011-05-26T17:16:00.014-04:002011-05-26T22:43:26.554-04:00First year under our belt...The Valiant Academy has just finished its' 2010-2011 school year with 2 students enrolled...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8nRr0pqLmk/Td8Jz3GTEcI/AAAAAAAAEvM/osmDwhCRppw/s1600/P5260487.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8nRr0pqLmk/Td8Jz3GTEcI/AAAAAAAAEvM/osmDwhCRppw/s320/P5260487.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611214447295271362" /></a><br />Above TJ last day of 5th grade<br />Below TJ first day of 5th grade<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdgkmMOXvIQ/Td8JzUXoadI/AAAAAAAAEvE/KuSG-W2hTI8/s1600/P8170003.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdgkmMOXvIQ/Td8JzUXoadI/AAAAAAAAEvE/KuSG-W2hTI8/s320/P8170003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611214437972732370" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cU4OYDgWo04/Td8HShKtztI/AAAAAAAAEuE/kjru0tDOyVM/s1600/P5260489.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-right:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cU4OYDgWo04/Td8HShKtztI/AAAAAAAAEuE/kjru0tDOyVM/s320/P5260489.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611211675449282258" /></a><br />Above: Jake last day of 1st grade<br />Below: Jake first day of 1st grade (isn't it cute that he picks monochromatic outfits?).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0okmQufQW8/Td8HS8RoLWI/AAAAAAAAEuM/BFoZ-eWmyOo/s1600/P8170007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:left;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0okmQufQW8/Td8HS8RoLWI/AAAAAAAAEuM/BFoZ-eWmyOo/s320/P8170007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611211682726030690" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AaZZj_U43zA/Td8Gfn3TpkI/AAAAAAAAEt8/GLxbJSkjQHY/s1600/P5260486.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AaZZj_U43zA/Td8Gfn3TpkI/AAAAAAAAEt8/GLxbJSkjQHY/s400/P5260486.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611210801073595970" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KFvS_TCJpEc/Td8FICI-yzI/AAAAAAAAEts/zrLcKBCqy0I/s1600/P8170011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KFvS_TCJpEc/Td8FICI-yzI/AAAAAAAAEts/zrLcKBCqy0I/s400/P8170011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611209296298560306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itCpsvbb3to/Td7GQGi8tvI/AAAAAAAAEtk/oU7LsjWSRkM/s1600/P5260506.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itCpsvbb3to/Td7GQGi8tvI/AAAAAAAAEtk/oU7LsjWSRkM/s400/P5260506.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611140165687621362" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfpL3mc7m2c/Td7FA6EyF6I/AAAAAAAAEtE/ymfiN0J_1KE/s1600/P5260510.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfpL3mc7m2c/Td7FA6EyF6I/AAAAAAAAEtE/ymfiN0J_1KE/s400/P5260510.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611138805130205090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hCtIDKvUG64/Td7FAXQ9oCI/AAAAAAAAEs8/r4WmKoe3Rn4/s1600/P8170019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hCtIDKvUG64/Td7FAXQ9oCI/AAAAAAAAEs8/r4WmKoe3Rn4/s400/P8170019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611138795786051618" /></a><br /><br />Just for posterity sake-it was a great year! Jake was done with a whole grade level of math in 6 weeks and then moved slower through 2nd grade math to finish out this year. TJ was done with a grade level of math in 8 weeks and then went onto 5/6th grade to finish out the year. Both TJ and Jake completed 2 levels of spelling as well. The other subjects they finished in their grade level this week.<br /><br />This summer, I would like to do Spanish with them as well as continue Math Facts with Jake. They will also continue handwriting (Jake learned cursive and has lovely penmenship) by writing Bible Memory verses. And I also plan to have Jake learn (and TJ review) the 50 states and their capitols and some facts like location, etc.<br /><br />We did lots of fun things this year including a heavy emphasis on frugality and nutrition (coupons and shopping;-), numerous trips (and check-outs and returns) to the library, Space day at Purdue, a fire safety show at Jeff HS, the Erie Canal and conference center tour, Purdue agriculture park for a helicopter/lifeline landing and tour, Indiana State Museum trip, a tour of our local USPS, the nearby fire station tour, and lots AND lots of doctors appointments! We also enjoyed a fabulous vacation-a cruise to the Caribbean: visiting and learning about Belize City, Cozumel, and Costa Maya.<br /> <br />The boys were also very active in diving lessons at Purdue with Boiler Diving Academy up until April, at which time they both began Spring/Summer baseball leagues. Lord willing, Jake will move onto All-stars in June. We are hoping to get back into diving later this summer. <br /><br />And that pretty much sums up a great 1st and 5th grade year for Jake and TJ!<br /><br />I am looking forward to a more relaxed June and July before starting 2nd and 6th grade at home again. Owen will attend Busy Day preschool 2 days a week in the afternoon come August. Griffin will probably continue to drive me crazy sneaking food from the pantry, pulling DVD's and CD's out of drawers, and pouring glue, and other sticky substances out in unmentionable places.Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-36214307194070942452010-12-23T20:50:00.003-05:002010-12-23T20:58:06.801-05:00♥ Merry Christmas 2010!!! ♥<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TRP8_qZcf7I/AAAAAAAAEsc/fZoaLwo9S5w/s1600/boys%2Bchristmas%2B10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TRP8_qZcf7I/AAAAAAAAEsc/fZoaLwo9S5w/s400/boys%2Bchristmas%2B10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554060936120926130" /></a><br /><br />Valiant Family Christmas Letter December 2010<br /><br />It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone (and that it’s only the beginning of December and I’m already writing this year’s Christmas letter!!!). I’m super excited for this year in review, even though it hasn’t been a super exciting year per se…so here goes:<br /><br />Griffin-our lil’ man is now 19 months old. He’s a fun, cheerful addition to the Valiant brood…always making us laugh with his dancing and babbling. Griffin loves to give kisses and hugs and sings along with songs on the radio. He loves to play with his brothers and he lets us know when he’s been wronged by raising his voice a bit! Griffin has an incredibly content nature (so far) and is definitely easy-going with our crazy, busy family.<br /><br />Owen-our other lil’ man is now FOUR years old!!! Can you believe it? Our little miracle boy never ceases to amaze us with his crazy antics, quick wit, and huge vocabulary! He has continued to love to sing and dance, though we don’t have him in any formal musical programs. He loves attending his Sunday school classes and WNKoF (Wednesday night kids of Faith) and learning about God and Jesus. If you stop by our house, he’ll likely invite you to play in his room (which he shares with Griffin) and you’ll probably be roped in to a make-believe world of playing house, doctor, school, etc. Owen is learning his letters and how to write his name and our really big news is that he was officially potty trained this summer just in time for him to attend Vacation Bible School for the first time! He loved it (and Mommy & Daddy love one less in diapers!). <br /><br />Jake & TJ-best buds and now classmates too! Jake had his 7th birthday in September and TJ had his 11th in November. This past spring, TJ was introduced to a less ‘popular’ sport and we decided to enroll both TJ and Jake in the Boiler Diving program at Purdue. Both boys have LOVED the exercise, fun, and opportunity it has provided. We have enjoyed learning more about the sport and watching the Purdue athletes compete as well. The boys aren’t at competition level quite yet, but they both are working hard and having fun! In May, Jake graduated from Kindergarten at Faith Christian School and TJ ended a five year season of his life attending school at FCS. TJ enjoyed playing baseball this summer (something he hasn’t done for a few seasons) and both boys continued diving as well. Jake took swimming lessons (since he really wanted to be able to do more than the dryland portion of the diving classes like TJ) and learned to swim really well, really fast! He went from having a fear of even jumping off the side of the pool in June to doing flips off the 3 meter platform just 3 months later! This summer the boys went on an unprecedented 2 week trip by themselves to Wisconsin to spend time with “Grandma Becca” and family…and to FISH! TJ is especially into fishing! The kid dreams in fish. They had a great time and we capped off the 2 weeks by attending my brother Andrew ‘s wedding reception. Welcome to the ‘crazy’ family Amanda!<br /><br />This back to school season was quite different for our family…we went from getting up and driving the boys to FCS every day, to ‘simply’ walking to the kitchen table! Yes, we are homeschooling now. It’s been a challenging but rewarding 4 months and the boys have done excellent! Both TJ and Jake flew through an entire grade level of math already and they have both just jumped a level in spelling as well. We don’t have every subject mastered (curriculum choice-wise) but are enjoying the ride. The field trips are definitely the best part! Oh, and both boys have read several books too…ok, several is an understatement-we tell them often how blessed they are that they have a love and gift for reading.<br /><br />Tim-is still working at Walgreens. He’s in his 13th year with the company actually. He has been at his current store since it opened 2 1/2 years ago. When not at work, Tim keeps busy playing with the boys, and taking care of household budget stuff and helping out around the house. He also serves in our church by teaching finance and time management classes to College students along with providing personal budget/financial counseling. We are also still enjoying serving in the college aged ministry…-ask him about his assassination attempts from this summer if you see him around.<br /><br />Renay-I worked this past year for the Indiana Immunization Coalition part-time from home. However, as homeschooling has become my primary focus, I recently turned in my notice and will be ‘officially’ unemployed in 2011 for the first time since TJ was a newborn (YAY!!!). I’m loving this new, but very different season of life and am happy to almost have one semester of homeschooling behind us. Oh, and I still love ‘couponing’ and deal seeking. I’ve even added Goodwill shopping to my repertoire. I’m excited to possibly have more time (though less cash) to deal seek in the near future. <br /><br />As 2010 draws to a close, the warm thoughts of the abundant blessings in our lives are at the forefront of my mind. John 10:10b confirms this for us, when Jesus states “I came so that they may have life, and have it abundantly”. While 2010 was not a year filled with big news, nor spectacular life changes, it was a good year. It was a blessed year. And it certainly was an abundant year! We pray you also have had an abundant year and are blessed with an abundant year to come!<br /><br />Love, The Valiant’s<br />~Tim, Renay, TJ, Jake, Owen, & GriffinRenayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-35571058458154076432010-11-02T23:00:00.000-04:002010-11-02T23:04:57.699-04:00Happy 4th Birthday Owen Elijah!When I post lately, I start off by apologizing for not posting for so long...this time is no different. I believe it's a good thing and a sign of the busy times in my "Valiant" days. I don't have the time to put in to this post that I would like to, nor am I going to be an editing/grammar queen, but I want to get a few thoughts down as I feel very much like an update is in order... <br /><br />Can you believe <A href="http://valiantupdates.blogspot.com/2006/11/announcing-owen.html">this happened FOUR years AGO</A>? <br /><br />I know I can't...we welcomed the COMPLETE miracle baby, Owen Elijah Valiant into this world 8 weeks before he was due to be born, and with little hope for his tiny life. Weighing in at an incredibly tiny for gestation 2 pounds 13 ounces, and only 14 1/4 inches long...oh my word how far this little man has come! <br /><br />Now on his 4th birthday, weighing in at a whopping 26 pounds and 6 ounces, towering at 35 1/2 inches...this still small for age little boy shows no signs of slowing down. <br /><br />He has a larger than life personality and has been called "intense", "passionate", "dramatic", and so much more! Singing and dancing his way through life...now quoting not-exactly--appropriate lines from TV shows and movies (he does a killer "Pinocchio from Shrek" impersonation when the mood strikes). Loving to play outside, dress up, carry a 'satchel', kicking like Karate Kid, diving (air dives) like David Boudia...oh how I could go on. <br /><br />...Okay-so maybe I will a bit more:-)<br /><br />A smile to melt your heart, an attitude to light a burning fire in his family, and some pretty BIG faith for a young one.<br /> <br />It's hard to believe he's endured countless tests, scores of doctors visits, 3 surgeries, x-rays, cat scans, months of Doc-band wearing, 2 years of physical and occupational therapy, and I'm even probably leaving out some other low-lights;-)<br /><br />This kid is nearly 10 times his birth weight, out running his momma, out talking his daddy, out smarting his brothers...he is TRULY SUCH an incredible boy- I can't imagine not being his mommy!<br /><br />I will leave you with some pics and a clip of Owen doing an original song and an oldie-but-goodie.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDNTNFak0I/AAAAAAAAEsI/4TxrWQFm-nw/s1600/P7050213.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDNTNFak0I/AAAAAAAAEsI/4TxrWQFm-nw/s400/P7050213.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535149671851922242" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDNSkzRMvI/AAAAAAAAEsA/6uKzpvnRIEA/s1600/PA310088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDNSkzRMvI/AAAAAAAAEsA/6uKzpvnRIEA/s400/PA310088.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535149661038392050" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDNSVvLp5I/AAAAAAAAEr4/3a5Rcyc9V5I/s1600/P4250879.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDNSVvLp5I/AAAAAAAAEr4/3a5Rcyc9V5I/s400/P4250879.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535149656994719634" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDNSBIEqDI/AAAAAAAAErw/Z_aNi6l6SOY/s1600/P4170777.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDNSBIEqDI/AAAAAAAAErw/Z_aNi6l6SOY/s400/P4170777.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535149651461974066" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDNR_JkV5I/AAAAAAAAEro/KqK2_zyM8S8/s1600/P1200399.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDNR_JkV5I/AAAAAAAAEro/KqK2_zyM8S8/s400/P1200399.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535149650931373970" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDLTdhqz0I/AAAAAAAAErg/wKCEfXo_w_c/s1600/P5270055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDLTdhqz0I/AAAAAAAAErg/wKCEfXo_w_c/s400/P5270055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535147477242138434" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDLTLRGU5I/AAAAAAAAErY/pn1kZB10V8s/s1600/DSC09377.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDLTLRGU5I/AAAAAAAAErY/pn1kZB10V8s/s400/DSC09377.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535147472340800402" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDLS5P1ZJI/AAAAAAAAErQ/zzy1j-QQrB0/s1600/DSC05929.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDLS5P1ZJI/AAAAAAAAErQ/zzy1j-QQrB0/s400/DSC05929.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535147467503658130" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDLStNKOxI/AAAAAAAAErI/3PJVUgW9bAg/s1600/Owes.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 395px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDLStNKOxI/AAAAAAAAErI/3PJVUgW9bAg/s400/Owes.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535147464271215378" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDLSYiQ-TI/AAAAAAAAErA/P3NjLDA49fo/s1600/IMG_4722.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDLSYiQ-TI/AAAAAAAAErA/P3NjLDA49fo/s400/IMG_4722.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535147458722593074" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDJnLRXREI/AAAAAAAAEq4/NUma_gVqr0s/s1600/129.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDJnLRXREI/AAAAAAAAEq4/NUma_gVqr0s/s400/129.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535145616916038722" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDJmvSQ-EI/AAAAAAAAEqw/0ARHmHd19lQ/s1600/131.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDJmvSQ-EI/AAAAAAAAEqw/0ARHmHd19lQ/s400/131.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535145609403627586" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDJmCSVrII/AAAAAAAAEqo/UPZDtNiV5As/s1600/PA040113.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDJmCSVrII/AAAAAAAAEqo/UPZDtNiV5As/s400/PA040113.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535145597324340354" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDJl3bxRbI/AAAAAAAAEqg/ujHnxRVt8WQ/s1600/PA300188.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TNDJl3bxRbI/AAAAAAAAEqg/ujHnxRVt8WQ/s400/PA300188.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535145594411107762" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7PX3o_8XKw">Youtube video of Owen singing ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫</a>Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-42244400542241962732010-08-05T14:00:00.012-04:002010-08-17T21:32:07.692-04:00Finally, another Valiant Update...I've been feel the urge to post an update on our lives for awhile now...not sure anyone will be reading it, but at least it's here for the sake of journaling;)<br /><br />I can't believe how facebook has killed my blogging life. I used to blog and read blogs, now I jump on fb and check out what's going on with people, so I'm sure I'm missing out but, this is the season where God has me.<br /><br />So, all is well with the Lafayette Valiant Clan. We've had quite a few changes these past several months...<br /><br />Disclaimer: As I read all the stuff I wrote when I was editing this post, I found myself hoping our update is read in the genuine tone I wrote it in-which is the perspective of a proud mama who truly knows how blessed she is ;-) <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">2 Corinthians 10:17 But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.</span><br /><br />Here's an update on the boys:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TFr9kyP9DtI/AAAAAAAAEpk/rRiBn3NRYZI/s1600/griff1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 146px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TFr9kyP9DtI/AAAAAAAAEpk/rRiBn3NRYZI/s400/griff1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501988703192288978"></a><br />Griffin 15 months: recent check-up revealed he continues to be on the peanut side of growth;) He was 18 pounds and 28 1/2 inches. He just started walking a few days before turning 15 months old. The doctor was concerned about his small *read non-existent* vocabulary...and wants us to contact first steps and be diligent in teaching Griffin to sign. Call me laid-back but, I'm sooo not worried about my content little man. He's quiet because he doesn't need to speak as his brothers say things for him and are at his every need;) He's a picky eater and does everything better for just about anyone else than me. He's a busy body always trying to explore. He catches onto things because he's simply so observant-ie he now bows his head to pray and holds his hands together at meal time just because he watches us. He also waves goodbye when people simply talk about leaving and he says "hello" when he put a toy phone to his ear. He has figured out that stacking up pillows=an escape route when he's not tall enough to climb unaided. I swear he says "night, night", "love you", "thank you", etc but it's something most people wouldn't pick up on. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TFsY0rxScKI/AAAAAAAAEp8/jRIPbaQ3Rqo/s1600/P8030009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TFsY0rxScKI/AAAAAAAAEp8/jRIPbaQ3Rqo/s400/P8030009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502018663144911010"></a><br />Owen 3 years 8 months: This kid cracks us up daily! He's truly something else. Owen is 'still' small, though he wouldn't tell you that. He constantly talks about how he's growing up and how big he's getting. He's finally *read seriously, how long can it take?* potty trained for the most part. He can also ride a tricycle now, which simply took his length to be long enough to reach pedals, etc. He LOVES playing outside with all our neighbors and they all love him too! He's gotten quite the personality from playing with mostly girls...he compliments females all the time saying things such as I like your dress, your earrings are pretty, I like your hair, etc. It's a hoot! He's quite the ladies man. He's very socially outgoing and makes friends very easily. He loves to sing and dance and makes up lots of songs. He has learned to sing the books of the old testament pretty well-he calls that song "Genesis". We are starting preschool very soon. I have lots of materials ready to go to teach him here at home. He will primarily work on the basics of writing his name, copying letters and letter recognition, coloring in the lines and maybe some cutting *scary*. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TFsNIKReh4I/AAAAAAAAEp0/002IVG-aNKY/s1600/P5270035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TFsNIKReh4I/AAAAAAAAEp0/002IVG-aNKY/s400/P5270035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502005803610965890"></a><br />Jake 6 years, 10 months: My sweet boy graduated from kindergarten in May and has enjoyed a lazy summer. At his graduation we were surprised that he was honored with a special character award, called the Eagle award. Only one boy and one girl are chosen by their teacher for this special award and when his name was called we were all so surprised and proud of him. He definitely loved his kindergarten year and his teacher Mrs. McQueen was a huge part of the reason he had such a terrific first year in school. Earlier this summer he learned how to ride his bike in literally 5 minutes of Tim helping him. No bike wrecks or anything-a huge plus side of waiting to teach your kid to ride their bike sans training wheels;). Jake's new thing is diving lessons. We enrolled him in the Boiler Diving Academy this Spring mostly because TJ wanted to try out diving and we thought "why not let Jake try it too?". Turns out, Jake is a natural and really loves his diving practices. He started out differently than TJ in that he started in 'dryland' sessions mostly on a trampoline in belts learning basic jumps and body mechanics. You can see the dedication and determination on his face. I am going to try to attach a video of him doing flip after flip in the air-his favorite thing to do in practice. He's up to over 20 consecutive back flips in belts;) The quality is poor as it was taken with my blackberry but it's a pretty cool 13 seconds;-)<br /> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/p8w7ApqLtqs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/p8w7ApqLtqs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />TJ will attest it's WAYYYYY harder than it looks. Jake also took swim lessons this summer so he would be able to start water sessions on Diving lessons which he successfully accomplished and indeed began jumping in poolside, even though he had a serious fear of drowning. We are very proud of him overcoming this fear and are hoping his confidence in water safety will continue to grow as he will soon need to go off boards and platforms, thus going deeper under the water and swimming back further distances to the ladder. Jake did play t-ball this summer, which was fine but a little under his skill level as he could've easily done coach pitch, but we didn't realize we should move him up-whoops. Jake will be starting 1st grade and is an eager learner so I'm hoping he will enjoy school starting back up.<br /><br /><br /><br />TJ 10 years 8 months: TJ finished 4th grade in May and was soooo glad to be done with '4th grade'. He's 10 1/2 going on 16, but not in a miserable defiant teenager way, but more of a 'he's no longer a little boy' way. TJ shocked us by playing baseball this summer-which he quit a couple years ago...he was actually decent for having so much time away from league play and he enjoyed it and his team quite a bit. He even pitched during a game as relief and in 4 pitches the inning was over with no RBI...we were ecstatic for him and he was thrilled at his performance. As I mentioned above, he started diving in the spring. He was one of only a handful kids in his school that tested well enough to start in the Learn to dive program at Boiler Diving Academy at Purdue University. He was doing amazingly working quickly through the lower certificate levels, until he was injured learning to improve his back dive technique. This was a serious set-back for him on many levels...he has become fearful of backdives and has lost some interest in the sport. We are trying to help him work through his fear now (and have been for a few months). He has the month of August off due to construction at the Aquatic facility and we are praying that he will be ready to start back in full-force in September. We are simply not wanting him to quit because he got hurt and thinks it's 'too hard'...life is hard and he can't quit at life so we want him to learn from this and persevere. TJ is starting 5th grade shortly and is actually excited about this upcoming year of school. Through much prayer, research, and deliberation, we have decided to try homeschooling our boys this fall. I have received lots of help and advice from those who've succeeded and even those who've stopped homeschooling. I have our curriculum all ready to go and a nice plan in place to give PreK3, 1st, and 5th grades a go and would love your prayers for a successful year. We are excited but nervous about such a major change in our lives.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TFsb4y48o1I/AAAAAAAAEqE/AWOsJMLKB_4/s1600/fountain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TFsb4y48o1I/AAAAAAAAEqE/AWOsJMLKB_4/s400/fountain.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502022032310444882" /></a><br />We also have a college aged fella living in our home now, named Justin (JB). TJ offered to give up his room and move in with Jake in order to give Justin a leg up on achieving some financial goals he otherwise would've not been able to meet. Justin has been a blessing to our family this summer serving us with his fun spirit, blessing us with occasional childcare, and lending a hand around the house. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TGs3zOhdROI/AAAAAAAAEqM/wQs9pXtVEk4/s1600/P8140130.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/TGs3zOhdROI/AAAAAAAAEqM/wQs9pXtVEk4/s400/P8140130.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506556322601845986" /></a><br /><br />Tim and I are in love *yes, you may vomit now* and enjoying our family of 6 plus JB. We love couponing together and saving money on various grocery and drug store deals. Tim is excited about me homeschooling the boys and I am just nervous about it;-). It seems foreign to not be out with school supply lists and back to school clothes shopping. I am enjoying serving in the Women's ministry in our church. Tim enjoys counseling those in need financially. We are both *really* enjoying serving in the College Ministry-but it makes us feel a bit old and out of touch at times...we are seriously lame I have found. I just learned how to text message...see, lame! <br /><br />I am officially unemployed as a nurse as of June. I hadn't worked since the fall of '09 though. I let me PRN status elapse so I left Clarian officially on good terms in case I ever want to return. I miss being a Labor and Delivery nurse but I LOVE LOVE LOVE being a stay at home mom. And for the record, I'm not unemployed all together as I work part-time from home for the Indiana Immunization Coalition as the administrative assistant to the Executive Director (who is my sis, Heather) and let me tell you it's a *sweet* gig. <br /><br />That's about everything I can think of as far as updates go-but I'm sure I'm missing tons of minor details. TJ and Jake are in WI right now visiting their Grandma and Grandpa (my side) and being spoiled I'm certain. We will be heading up to get them in a week and doing a mini-vacay fishing and such during their Shanty days festival. I miss them TONS but am keeping busy with Owen and Griffin trying to do special things with them and making up the slack for all the chores that the older two do each day...I didn't realize how much their chores or emptying the dishwasher, opening the blonds, sweeping the floor, etc really help out. I may start blogging more about our adventures as a homeschooling family but haven't decided for sure. I would appreciate prayers for our family as we embark on this new season of life!Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-66962906266231916692010-04-26T10:38:00.006-04:002010-04-28T07:48:45.325-04:00...and he's ONE!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9WpMCynLvI/AAAAAAAAEpc/uYRfth5k1vI/s1600/P4250935.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9WpMCynLvI/AAAAAAAAEpc/uYRfth5k1vI/s400/P4250935.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464459747256643314" /></a><br /><br /><br />My baby boy is one year old! We celebrated with a fun swimming party.<br /><br />Enjoy the pictures from this special time!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9Wn7LUKgHI/AAAAAAAAEok/HcPLv3MJREo/s1600/P4250866.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9Wn7LUKgHI/AAAAAAAAEok/HcPLv3MJREo/s400/P4250866.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464458357975449714" /></a><br />he was less than interested in blowing out his own candle!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9Wn6v62slI/AAAAAAAAEoc/RlIw6synWnM/s1600/P4250860.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9Wn6v62slI/AAAAAAAAEoc/RlIw6synWnM/s400/P4250860.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464458350621536850" /></a><br /><br />I chose cupcakes as the theme:-)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9Wn6E4U_ZI/AAAAAAAAEoU/wOjwR8YlJl8/s1600/P4250857.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9Wn6E4U_ZI/AAAAAAAAEoU/wOjwR8YlJl8/s400/P4250857.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464458339068214674" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9Wn7_4RHSI/AAAAAAAAEo0/77ai-SFu7PA/s1600/P4250875.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9Wn7_4RHSI/AAAAAAAAEo0/77ai-SFu7PA/s400/P4250875.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464458372085521698" /></a><br />The 'cupcake' eating started out innocently enough...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9Wn7oAy7qI/AAAAAAAAEos/kDUG7Ke5DFs/s1600/P4250871.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9Wn7oAy7qI/AAAAAAAAEos/kDUG7Ke5DFs/s400/P4250871.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464458365678841506" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9WpKI1HHWI/AAAAAAAAEpE/i6m73K5xVtg/s1600/P4250895.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9WpKI1HHWI/AAAAAAAAEpE/i6m73K5xVtg/s400/P4250895.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464459714517998946" /></a><br />...but he decided to rub his head.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9WpJ7IM2iI/AAAAAAAAEo8/JDXhG0_u3XY/s1600/P4250891.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9WpJ7IM2iI/AAAAAAAAEo8/JDXhG0_u3XY/s400/P4250891.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464459710839970338" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9WpLqknXCI/AAAAAAAAEpU/FUFoqwNJfJs/s1600/P4250924.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9WpLqknXCI/AAAAAAAAEpU/FUFoqwNJfJs/s400/P4250924.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464459740755483682" /></a><br /><br />We ended the fun times with a bath in the pool (he, he). He had fun in the water and even enjoyed 'hanging poolside' with his new baby cousin Ciana.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9WpKzndqEI/AAAAAAAAEpM/h92UJEgSfvY/s1600/P4250907.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S9WpKzndqEI/AAAAAAAAEpM/h92UJEgSfvY/s400/P4250907.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464459726003480642" /></a><br /><br />Thanks to all who came and celebrated with us-we missed those of you who couldn't be there with us;-)<br /><br />His one year check up is tomorrow-so I'll add to this post with his stats after the visit;-)<br /><br />***Update with stats***<br /><br />Weight 17 pounds 5 oz<br />Length 28 inches (finally on the growth charts in around the 5th%tile!!!)<br /><br />It looks like Griffin is following in Owen's smaller footsteps...Owen was 16 pounds and 26 inches at a year (and he was born 2 months early, unlike Griffin who doesn't get any age adjustment on growth curves;-). So, Griffin is not on the charts for weight, but if you compare his height vs weight, he is doing fine and he doesn't look skinny. I am for sure that he has the least amount of hair of any of my other boys at one! The MD mentioned growth hormones which I'm not interested in for a whole slew of reasons...Owen and Griffin are who they are-thank you Lord for giving me (us) these amazing boys!Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-10741056294439362652010-03-01T22:37:00.002-05:002010-03-01T22:51:10.999-05:00Happy March Mom!This one's for you mom...a few pics of my precious boys!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S4yJ8OQ7epI/AAAAAAAAEoM/6f3gwBuOgh8/s1600-h/P2160472.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S4yJ8OQ7epI/AAAAAAAAEoM/6f3gwBuOgh8/s400/P2160472.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443877717298346642" /></a><br />Look, I can read!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S4yJ7oEKvDI/AAAAAAAAEoE/qAxrPBeqWUk/s1600-h/P2160451.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S4yJ7oEKvDI/AAAAAAAAEoE/qAxrPBeqWUk/s400/P2160451.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443877707044273202" /></a><br />Fun at Monkey Joes!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S4yJ7AW4EwI/AAAAAAAAEn8/7fGvYr0Tsx4/s1600-h/P2110447.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S4yJ7AW4EwI/AAAAAAAAEn8/7fGvYr0Tsx4/s400/P2110447.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443877696385323778" /></a><br />Precious pic Tim took of the boys for my v-day gift, special frame!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S4yJ6fMU9-I/AAAAAAAAEn0/gNoKJ_x2axY/s1600-h/P2050442.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S4yJ6fMU9-I/AAAAAAAAEn0/gNoKJ_x2axY/s400/P2050442.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443877687482709986" /></a><br />Griff's taking after G-pa Andy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S4yJ52_mpSI/AAAAAAAAEns/KtEf7dI4TIs/s1600-h/P2050438.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S4yJ52_mpSI/AAAAAAAAEns/KtEf7dI4TIs/s400/P2050438.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443877676691924258" /></a><br />Not as much snow as WI, but a very snowy winter for us!<br /><br />Praying that we've seen the end of the colder weather and onto Tulips and Sunshine!<br />Hope you liked seeing a few pics of the boys...does it make you wanna take em' off my hands for a few days???Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-8675080078519628892010-01-21T20:12:00.001-05:002010-01-21T20:14:34.120-05:00The next iron chef...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S1j70WuU08I/AAAAAAAAEnc/ig2tIm46zjY/s1600-h/P1210409.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S1j70WuU08I/AAAAAAAAEnc/ig2tIm46zjY/s320/P1210409.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429366227666785218" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S1j70Lmy_GI/AAAAAAAAEnU/kOEixwbUgC8/s1600-h/P1210402.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S1j70Lmy_GI/AAAAAAAAEnU/kOEixwbUgC8/s320/P1210402.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429366224682417250" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S1j7ziKZY1I/AAAAAAAAEnM/b5USKgh4VBs/s1600-h/P1210405.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S1j7ziKZY1I/AAAAAAAAEnM/b5USKgh4VBs/s320/P1210405.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429366213557445458" /></a><br /><br />I love my petite boys! They are so fun for silly photo ops!Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-76469231195463607722010-01-21T20:10:00.000-05:002010-01-21T20:16:22.754-05:00Mom rules?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S1j8If9U31I/AAAAAAAAEnk/9WHdd9xk-DM/s1600-h/P1210410.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S1j8If9U31I/AAAAAAAAEnk/9WHdd9xk-DM/s400/P1210410.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429366573743005522" /></a><br /><br />Well...maybe not so much when she uses this against him some day-like when Owen's a senior in High School...snicker, snicker, snicker.Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-77861322087107420572010-01-06T16:24:00.007-05:002010-01-06T16:31:50.329-05:00No, they couldn't be any cuter!How could I not title this post "no, they can't be any cuter", since one's reaction could only be "seriously, could they be any cuter?".<br /><br />Owen was 9 months in his pic, Griffin is 8 months!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S0UBFgrzOiI/AAAAAAAAEnE/krLhe9PX-4U/s1600-h/GetAttachment.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S0UBFgrzOiI/AAAAAAAAEnE/krLhe9PX-4U/s320/GetAttachment.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423742520422251042" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S0UA8ohTrfI/AAAAAAAAEm8/h24Nm9nhiOU/s1600-h/01c870a9-a9b3-4a8a-b3a1-49e97e61ed0cw.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 312px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S0UA8ohTrfI/AAAAAAAAEm8/h24Nm9nhiOU/s320/01c870a9-a9b3-4a8a-b3a1-49e97e61ed0cw.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423742367906901490" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S0UAwlDh5gI/AAAAAAAAEm0/9vcexythEk0/s1600-h/9be6da55-7ecf-43d4-90d1-bfbb0ab03a80w.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 312px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S0UAwlDh5gI/AAAAAAAAEm0/9vcexythEk0/s320/9be6da55-7ecf-43d4-90d1-bfbb0ab03a80w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423742160818267650" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S0UApcRNyhI/AAAAAAAAEms/b5QOw6ILn3s/s1600-h/weno.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 312px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/S0UApcRNyhI/AAAAAAAAEms/b5QOw6ILn3s/s320/weno.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423742038200666642" /></a>Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-77834154031729098392009-12-31T01:00:00.006-05:002009-12-31T01:00:02.574-05:00Happy 2010!!!From our 2009 'New Year's' letter:<br /><br />Greetings one and all! I can hardly believe another year has come and gone! This year we have been mightily blessed and pray you have seen many good times and share in many more to come.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Szg8emrjdVI/AAAAAAAAElk/9xp5GcOm8iY/s1600-h/cute+griff.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Szg8emrjdVI/AAAAAAAAElk/9xp5GcOm8iY/s320/cute+griff.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420148648017360210" /></a><br />Our biggest "little" news is our newest addition to the Valiant family: Griffin Isaiah Valiant. He was born on April 24th and weighed in at 6 pounds 12 ounces. He was just 3 weeks early and after a short stay in the NICU was released to home with his momma. He turned 8 months old on Christmas Eve and surprised us all on Christmas Day by uttering his first words..."Da-Da". It was a delightful present! It has been a wonderful eight months with this AMAZINGLY good baby! He has advanced out of most of the newer baby type milestones and is already sitting up, eating solid foods, rolling around, and more! He's about 15 pounds or so and is perfectly healthy. He doesn’t have any teeth yet, but boy is he a drooler! He likes to smile and play peek-a-boo and his big brother Jake loves to make this ticklish baby boy laugh . I really can't say enough about our newest son-Griffin is so very good!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzhFaH0aJAI/AAAAAAAAEmU/gPQJE7HO2vw/s1600-h/Owes.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzhFaH0aJAI/AAAAAAAAEmU/gPQJE7HO2vw/s320/Owes.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420158466618172418" /></a><br />On to our spunky little Owen: Owen turned 3 years old on November 3rd. He is such a "big" boy now-well, mostly. He adores his 3 brothers and calls "Diffin" his little "tup-take" and "butter-tup". He's a "hefty" 24 pounds these days and had a busy year with a few surgeries, including a tonsil and adenoidectomy in which he recovered with NO pain medication-not even tylenol. He's amazing. For being a little guy, I bet you'd say he has one of the biggest personalities you ever saw if you could spend an afternoon with him. He sings and dances like you wouldn't believe. He loves music and just recently has started quoting movies like 'The Santa Clause'. He isn't potty trained yet and he has NO desire to be, but I have a plan and am praying he is potty trained soon. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzhEEBfNLSI/AAAAAAAAEl0/qEbI35L8A_g/s1600-h/Jakes.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzhEEBfNLSI/AAAAAAAAEl0/qEbI35L8A_g/s320/Jakes.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420156987449879842" /></a>Jake turned 6 in September and began kindergarten this year. He loves his half day kindergarten class and his sweet teacher. He's a healthy, hard headed but sweet boy who loves to tell us what he is learning like his Bible Verses and his sight words. He loves his DS and the Wii and he loves to play with his neighborhood friends. He also loves to quote movies and joined the Kids of faith Choir (from our church). He enjoyed another season of t-ball this past summer and even more so loved playing his first season of soccer. He is now involved with basketball and isn't so sure yet if basketball is his thing. Jake is probably our most passionate child. Whatever he does (good or bad), he does 100%. He's quite the problem solver too.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzhFZzRMLdI/AAAAAAAAEmM/fpKmSAQSR8s/s1600-h/teej.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzhFZzRMLdI/AAAAAAAAEmM/fpKmSAQSR8s/s320/teej.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420158461101747666" /></a><br />TJ is now TEN years old!!! He is a 4th grader at Faith Christian School, which he is finding much harder than previous grades. He has finally started losing teeth and is up to 6 teeth lost now and we see braces in his future . He enjoyed soccer this fall more than he thought he would (he hadn’t played in years!). He was quite good at it. He is now enjoying basketball this winter season. He loves playing his DS and fishing is his newfound LOVE. He even got to go ice fishing over this Christmas break with his Uncle Andrew (my brother who got married on the 4th of December by the way!). TJ still loves to read (especially science and information type books) and he is a really good big brother and is really "growing up" both physically and socially. He's nearly as tall as me now.<br /><br />Tim is enjoying working at the Creasy Lane Walgreens. He is in his 12th year with Walgreens. Tim is as busy as can be with work and being a great daddy to our four boys (and of course a GREAT husband to me). He volunteers in the community with Habitat for Humanity as a mentor/financial counselor and he serves at our church in the college ministry aiding students with their finances and budgets. He even still reads a bit in his ‘spare time’, and continues to grow his massive book collection. He also serves on the school's special events committee which plans events to raise funds like the popular Eagle Auction and Eagle Fair coming up in the spring.<br /> <br />I am *loving* being a stay at home mom more than ever. Owen is giving me a run for my money, but Griffin being such a good baby makes up for it –most of the time. I love being able to go to all the boys practices, games and programs. I now have a new "hobby" that has blessed our family this year. I have begun couponing and we are enjoying (as a family) finding great deals and donating lots of freebies along the way. I even took some of my newfound skills and taught a small group of women how to use couponing to be better stewards of what the Lord has blessed them with. Being that our annual Christmas letter has become a New Year's letter, it's obvious that I'm quite the busy wife and momma and at times my days are so full, I simply don't get everything done. But, our boys are loved and well-cared for and that's what really matters. It's nice to be able to look towards 2010 this year and make goals for myself and our family and not worry about an outside work schedule and what-not. <br /> <br />We pray that you also look to 2010 with much anticipation of all that you can achieve. Hopefully, next year we'll be back to the annual Christmas letter, but who knows? It could be an 2011 Easter letter at this pace...4 kids (boys)=busy, busy, busy, BUSY! <br /><br />Much love and blessings to you in 2010!<br /><br />~ The Valiant’s<br /> <br />Tim, Renay, TJ, Jake, Owen, & Griffin<br /><br />PS Find us on the web at our rarely updated family blog www.valiantupdates.blogspot.com and more frequently at Facebook. Our badges to add us as friends are on our blog site.Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-76755569106243231922009-12-25T12:57:00.003-05:002009-12-25T13:08:13.398-05:00Merry Christmas Da-Da!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_a2ygxfI/AAAAAAAAElc/jFcNvldZR14/s1600-h/boys.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_a2ygxfI/AAAAAAAAElc/jFcNvldZR14/s400/boys.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419237088482608626" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_auiSquI/AAAAAAAAElU/t16bCUbjXT8/s1600-h/Griff.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_auiSquI/AAAAAAAAElU/t16bCUbjXT8/s400/Griff.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419237086267091682" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_NF4Mv4I/AAAAAAAAElM/aJxp5kfvpSE/s1600-h/Owen_christ.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_NF4Mv4I/AAAAAAAAElM/aJxp5kfvpSE/s400/Owen_christ.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419236852014825346" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_Mh-F7WI/AAAAAAAAElE/thSgEA8W-p8/s1600-h/Jake_christ.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_Mh-F7WI/AAAAAAAAElE/thSgEA8W-p8/s400/Jake_christ.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419236842375867746" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_MX3jAaI/AAAAAAAAEk8/f8W_K5X-Lfg/s1600-h/TJ_christ.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_MX3jAaI/AAAAAAAAEk8/f8W_K5X-Lfg/s400/TJ_christ.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419236839664058786" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_LznqG-I/AAAAAAAAEk0/P_PVJAR4DGk/s1600-h/Jake_Owen.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_LznqG-I/AAAAAAAAEk0/P_PVJAR4DGk/s400/Jake_Owen.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419236829933738978" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_LfjEE1I/AAAAAAAAEks/HX3-jhqnK7M/s1600-h/TJ_Griff.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SzT_LfjEE1I/AAAAAAAAEks/HX3-jhqnK7M/s400/TJ_Griff.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419236824545760082" /></a><br />Merry Christmas to everyone! I pray you are all having a special Christmas making memories and remembering Jesus' birthday today.<br /><br />Tim got a very special gift as while we were opening presents this morning, Griffin starting saying Da-da! What a special gift from our 8 month (yesterday was his 8 month birthday;-).<br /><br />Enjoy these pics of our lovies!Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-12330102895524319302009-11-24T16:42:00.006-05:002009-11-24T16:59:06.767-05:0040 days without french fries...I did it!<br /><br />Exactly 40 days ago I started my journey of 40 days without french fries and am proud to say "I actually did it!!!".<br /><br />So, it's been a mostly private journey...few knew about the no fries plan. Just a few more knew I joined weight watchers the same night I gave up fries. 40 days into weight watchers and I'm happy to say I've lost 15 pounds (and am hoping to not gain any over the next couple days-boo thanksgiving feast-boo!!!).<br /><br />I still have a significant way to go but am shocked that 5 weeks can make such a difference.<br /><br />To explain why I went 40 days without my beloved fries: I knew I needed to make some major changes and french fires, specifically McDonald's french fries are soooo addictive.<br /><br />I decided if Jesus could go through the desert without food for 40 days, I certainly could manage the "pain" of no french fries for the same time period.<br /><br />It was hard-I had ample opportunity to cheat, sneak, and binge but I said no to those deceptive little fries and I'm so glad I did it.<br /><br />Would you be willing to give up anything for 40 days to significantly impact your health and honor God?<br /><br />PS Thanks to my friend Kara, hubby and sis Heath for their support during these challenging 40 days...til' death do us part;-)Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-55077129211997190762009-11-18T22:00:00.002-05:002009-11-18T22:03:10.995-05:00Owen's turn...I keep forgetting to post this since I've known about it for less than a week, but Owen is having surgery tomorrow morning at 9:45am. He is having his tonsils and adenoids removed and his ear tubes taken out (because they aren't in place properly now). Please pray for the little guy as this will be his 4th surgery in less than 3 years! Plus, it's just hard on kiddos to be in pain and not understand. I'll post updates as I have them;-)Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-22972161617748248432009-11-09T00:01:00.000-05:002009-11-09T00:01:01.877-05:00Happy Birthday TJ...the BIG 1-0!!!!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SvccMnD0w_I/AAAAAAAAEkU/-_D9NanGeM0/s1600-h/edc88113-b5cb-4f2c-8705-9c4a89cfd6e9w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 312px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SvccMnD0w_I/AAAAAAAAEkU/-_D9NanGeM0/s400/edc88113-b5cb-4f2c-8705-9c4a89cfd6e9w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401817281023230962" /></a><br />Wow! I can't believe it has been TEN amazing years with you blessing our lives..<br /><br />Our precious 1st born son. We have seen sooo many amazing and blessed firsts with you TJ! We are so proud of you, our awesome 4th grade boy!<br /><br />My how you've grown-when you FINALLY arrived into this world (some very painstaking 5 days overdue and via induced labor) you weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces. I carried you WEEKS longer than any of your siblings and you were by far the biggest baby-you were so big I almost needed a c-section to deliver you, but my amazingly skilled Doctor (Dr. Kevin Miller who is dearly missed in the Lafayette area since his move) was able to get you out with a vacuum assisted delivery and you had quite the crooked head;-) Thankfully, it's rounded out nowadays;-) Now you are almost as tall as mommy and your feet are almost as big as mine too! I wonder if you will be taller than your dad someday soon?<br /><br />You were a very content and sweet baby. Everyone always commented about how cute you were...like alot. You were sooo smart early on. You saw the world in the most amazing light. At the ripe age of two you picked up every speck of "tash" in sight and you could read tons of words (thanks to your daddy's hard work teaching you how to read).<br /><br />You've come a long way since those early years...just the other day you reported to your father and I that you have decided what you want to be when you grow up- a police officer. That's a long way from your previous reported future aspirations of working as the "boss in construction".<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SvcdjXTnP7I/AAAAAAAAEkc/7Y0TZ8sSZH8/s1600-h/11-18-2006-022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SvcdjXTnP7I/AAAAAAAAEkc/7Y0TZ8sSZH8/s400/11-18-2006-022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401818771443105714" /></a><br /><br /><br />You have claimed Jesus as your Lord and Savior since you were just 4 years old and you led your brother Jake to the Lord just last year. You have infectious laughter and a big tooth"less" smile. You love many sports and creative projects and destroying and rebuilding things. You love catching bugs and frogs and getting dirty and you really love FISHING...oh how that's an understatement. I think you'd move to Wisconsin with your Grandpa Andy and Uncle Andrew if we'd let you because of your shared love of outdoor fun.<br /><br />I could go on all day bragging about you and how special you are to us...<br /><br />We hope you have a very special 10th birthday and always remember how much we love you-even more with each passing day but unimaginably not as much as you Father God loves you! <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SvccMU_CRHI/AAAAAAAAEkM/6TdLC0VRFdc/s1600-h/56f968c1-20f3-4e25-bf45-82769b6c3d70w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SvccMU_CRHI/AAAAAAAAEkM/6TdLC0VRFdc/s400/56f968c1-20f3-4e25-bf45-82769b6c3d70w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401817276171306098" /></a>Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-83436516034190228332009-11-03T00:01:00.000-05:002009-11-03T00:01:01.968-05:00Three years old!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Su9hHSaLtdI/AAAAAAAAEjk/aMVuwC6s37c/s1600-h/PB020134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Su9hHSaLtdI/AAAAAAAAEjk/aMVuwC6s37c/s400/PB020134.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399641256069150162" /></a><br /><br /><br />You need a haircut.<br /><br />You are exclaiming at this very moment "MOM! I need a tup-take!"<br /><br />I ignore you in order to type this special blog post. You change your tone to a sweet needy voice, love on "Diffin" and say you want to "tuddle with me".<br /><br />You are needy beyond measure...<br /><br />...AND I simply would not want it ANY other way!<br /><br />3 years ago today, when I woke up in a hospital bed, only 32 weeks and 3 days pregnant with you, I wasn't sure this day would ever come-at least not this side of Heaven.<br /><br />Boy am I glad doctors can be wrong and that the Good Lord had other plans for you.<br /><br />At 2 pounds 13 ounces, 14 1/2 inches long, you came into this world "healthy" and never even needed breathing support. You simply needed to remain in the special care nursery until you could eat well on your own and maintain your own temperature.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Su9hHt5xglI/AAAAAAAAEjs/bUsuR6XOT9A/s1600-h/11-18-2006-220.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Su9hHt5xglI/AAAAAAAAEjs/bUsuR6XOT9A/s400/11-18-2006-220.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399641263449408082" /></a><br /><br /><br />After 26 days in the NICU, you came home to us at 3 pounds 9 ounces. You've been growing steadily (though slowly) since then.<br /><br />Now at 3, you can do EVERYTHING your peers can do and then some. You dance and sing like no other 3 year old I've seen (especially not in our not-so musically talented family;-). You run, jump, and play like a wild man! You love the neighbor kids and everyone loves you. <br /><br />You weigh in at 23 pounds and are 34 inches long. So, you may be the weight of an average 13 month old and the height of an average 18 month old but you sure have a big personality to make up for your smaller size. You wear size 4 shoes (very tiny feet mister!) and 2T clothes swim on you but you don't know it and probably wouldn't care if you did. You have figured out ways to get to what you want and can climb like a champ. Step-stools are your friend and you know no other way. Medically, we are not pursuing any other treatment nor answers regarding your size-you are perfect the way you are!<br /><br />You love your brothers and they all love you. You bug them sometimes, but in the end, you have a sweet brotherly love with each of your siblings.<br /><br />You have both super sweet and stinkin' scary sides to you. You must get that from Daddy;-). We were walking through a store today and you were singing your ABC's at the top of your lungs...amazing. <br /><br />Now, you aren't quite potty trained but you could be if you weren't so stinkin' stubborn! We have a new tactic that we are working on to get you in big boy undies once and for all. You sleep in your big boy bed and can dress yourself from head to toe. You are just finally able to pedal your tricycle that you got for Christmas but you didn't care when you couldn't reach the pedals-you just pushed along on the ground at the speed of light.<br /><br />You are so excited about your birthday party later today...Chuck-E-Cheese's here we come! Woot-woot! <br /><br />I feel so blessed that God chose me and your Daddy and brothers to be your family! I pray that we get to see you grow up and that someday there is a special girl that God is "growing up" for you even now to be your wife...oh the patience she'll need;-).<br /><br />We love you Owen and are so happy to spend this special day-your 3rd birthday with you! Happy Birthday special boy!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Su9hHy8iAYI/AAAAAAAAEj0/_heOxZqJ4Rk/s1600-h/130dd133-b30f-447c-88fa-8e453b9789edw.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 312px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Su9hHy8iAYI/AAAAAAAAEj0/_heOxZqJ4Rk/s400/130dd133-b30f-447c-88fa-8e453b9789edw.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399641264803152258" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Su9hIJNe_3I/AAAAAAAAEkE/DOnZwwE5ql4/s1600-h/f541b292-3db1-4224-a047-ffbd1fdbf023w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 312px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Su9hIJNe_3I/AAAAAAAAEkE/DOnZwwE5ql4/s400/f541b292-3db1-4224-a047-ffbd1fdbf023w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399641270779838322" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Su9hIGdXyzI/AAAAAAAAEj8/ckKGB60WYAI/s1600-h/fcec9ea0-05c8-4470-b8f3-d03f0abc3492w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 312px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Su9hIGdXyzI/AAAAAAAAEj8/ckKGB60WYAI/s400/fcec9ea0-05c8-4470-b8f3-d03f0abc3492w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399641270041168690" /></a>Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-23830143210797842982009-10-26T10:32:00.004-04:002009-10-26T10:47:26.856-04:00Jake's surgery:Tomorrow Jake is having surgery. It's become more and more apparent that his poor hygiene practices have left him needing radical dental work:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuW0DHT5hsI/AAAAAAAAEjU/DHUKIZeHe0k/s1600-h/P9300312.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuW0DHT5hsI/AAAAAAAAEjU/DHUKIZeHe0k/s400/P9300312.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396917694068524738" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuW0C-NX58I/AAAAAAAAEjM/pJF3ohX18Ns/s1600-h/P9300311.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuW0C-NX58I/AAAAAAAAEjM/pJF3ohX18Ns/s400/P9300311.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396917691625236418" /></a><br /><br />Ok, ok...just kidding-well, only about the poor hygiene and radical dental work part. He really has a beautiful smile!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuW03sDxSEI/AAAAAAAAEjc/8moDqJ2sYoA/s1600-h/1e78b27a-8278-47c7-90f6-da1abe3d4545w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 312px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuW03sDxSEI/AAAAAAAAEjc/8moDqJ2sYoA/s400/1e78b27a-8278-47c7-90f6-da1abe3d4545w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396918597286185026" /></a><br /><br />And, it shouldn't be affected (at least not for long) by tomorrow's surgery. Tomorrow Jake is having his tonsils and adenoids removed due to sleep apnea. His tonsils are ginormous and he sleep walks and snores and such so we are hoping the surgery improves his sleep habits which should in turn improve his daily life.<br /><br />I feel at peace about the surgery as his surgeon is very nice and gave us a couple options regarding the surgery. It will be done in the surgery center close to our home and Jake should be recovering at home later the same day. But, with all that being said, I have normal mommy worries and will be going it alone in the morning since the H1N1 flu has caused Clarian to restrict those who accompany patients (very understandably). My sister was going to go with me but since they explained these new precautions, just me and Jake will be trekking in for the surgery.<br /><br />He's supposed to be out of school for a week and avoid activity for 2 weeks...hmmm-that'll be interesting. It looks like it'll be a good few days of red box and cartoon network for the Valiant household. <br /><br />Please pray for the surgery and for Jake's recovery (and for my sanity;-).Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-78758983531826475902009-10-24T17:48:00.009-04:002009-10-24T18:21:15.604-04:00Happy 6 months old today Griffin!!!What a big boy you are now!<br /><br />Today you had your first EVER solid foods-rice cereal and bananas...yum!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN6e02dMpI/AAAAAAAAEiY/3R7pAZ6zn6w/s1600-h/PA240387.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN6e02dMpI/AAAAAAAAEiY/3R7pAZ6zn6w/s400/PA240387.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396291448521699986" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN6enCoYgI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/_-IEE5jdbVQ/s1600-h/PA240392.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN6enCoYgI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/_-IEE5jdbVQ/s400/PA240392.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396291444814668290" /></a><br /><br />You seemed to like them and kept moving closer to the spoon but you shuddered a couple times at the banana taste. It was super cute to watch you experience this milestone!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN6HklzvpI/AAAAAAAAEiI/LDJ-_wYQM94/s1600-h/PA240393.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN6HklzvpI/AAAAAAAAEiI/LDJ-_wYQM94/s400/PA240393.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396291049019915922" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN6Hmj_eyI/AAAAAAAAEiA/b80EULtStaY/s1600-h/PA240394.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN6Hmj_eyI/AAAAAAAAEiA/b80EULtStaY/s400/PA240394.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396291049549167394" /></a><br /><br /><br />You are getting stronger and closer to rolling over and sitting alone.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN5jGcYhyI/AAAAAAAAEhw/KrEtT9K7-58/s1600-h/PA240411.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN5jGcYhyI/AAAAAAAAEhw/KrEtT9K7-58/s400/PA240411.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396290422452029218" /></a><br /><br /><br />No sign of any teeth yet (except tons of drool and incessant gnawing at your hands;-).<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN5xFhlFWI/AAAAAAAAEh4/j3IFqsGu5LM/s1600-h/PA240402.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN5xFhlFWI/AAAAAAAAEh4/j3IFqsGu5LM/s400/PA240402.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396290662723556706" /></a><br /><br />You are sleeping in your cradle but are days away from the big move to your crib!<br /><br />You wear 3-6 and 6-9 month clothes-many of which Owen wore just last year!<br /><br />You weigh almost 14 pounds (at least that's what you weighed a week ago when you visited the doctor for a dreaded 1st-ear infection!).<br /><br />Your biggest news is following in your big brother Owen's foot steps and needing to wear a cranial orthotic (called a Star Band) for plagiocephaly. All those big words just mean your noggin' is pretty flat but we'll get it rounded out in no time. You just got your new head band Wednesday and you've done great so far-but today we did notice a dreaded "pink spot" that has been slow to fade so you got to try your solid foods with a "band break".<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN8NA9XkxI/AAAAAAAAEi4/TYoqKZvU77w/s1600-h/PA210040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN8NA9XkxI/AAAAAAAAEi4/TYoqKZvU77w/s400/PA210040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396293341557527314" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN8M0NW-CI/AAAAAAAAEiw/4DbnqfR3ZaI/s1600-h/PA210049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN8M0NW-CI/AAAAAAAAEiw/4DbnqfR3ZaI/s400/PA210049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396293338134935586" /></a><br /><br /><br />You belly laugh out loud and coo and grunt and even yell often. You love your brothers and SO FAR all of them love you so much. Owen loves to play Pat-a-cake with you. You are drinking 6-7 ounce bottles every 3-4 hours during the day and still wake up in the wee hours for a bottle too;-)<br /><br />You (and Owen) both see your pediatrician next week for your 6 month (and 3 year!!!) check ups!<br /><br />You are such a delight and we all love you so much! Happy 6 month birthday baby boy!<br /><br /><br />PS Here is a cute shot of you from your 5 month photo shoot (all 4 of you precious Valiant boys have worn those same bib overalls at some point for a monthly picture!):<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN9L9sDuTI/AAAAAAAAEjA/ZoBFpgW59J8/s1600-h/90566ee8-bb39-4669-b8dc-c05df3daece2w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 312px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SuN9L9sDuTI/AAAAAAAAEjA/ZoBFpgW59J8/s400/90566ee8-bb39-4669-b8dc-c05df3daece2w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396294423011375410" /></a>Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-12493967489693313142009-09-26T22:12:00.003-04:002009-09-26T22:12:00.556-04:006 years ago...It was 10:12 PM and I was at work doing a precious newborn baby's footprints when I felt a huge "pop/pain" sensation and thought "uh, oh". I had to excuse myself from the delivery room and took off to the employee bathroom with Nitrazine paper in hand. <br /><br />But I was only 34 weeks and 5 days pregnant...could this really be my water breaking?<br /><br />The nitrazine paper said YES. Then about a half hour later, my contractions started in full force and my water was GUSHING out like the Niagara falls. Tim hadn't even made it to the hospital yet, but I was in full blown labor! <br /><br />Then at 12:12 AM on September 27th, my precious baby Jacob Thomas Valiant was born-I was still on the clock too;-).<br /><br />It was a rocky start for him as his lungs were not mature and he stayed in the NICU for 12 long days...those were dark times for me. I couldn't have imagined that I'd tread even deeper, darker waters with future child bearing (Thank you very much Owen). <br /><br />Look how far you've come my special boy, who at the ripe age of 5 3/4 decided he wanted his name to be "JAKE".<br /><br />We love you so much Jakey! Hope you have a very special 6th birthday. I know I likely will not forget it as I've never had 17 neighbor kids (including my 3) over to entertain for a birthday party all while in misery myself of suffering greatly from probable strep throat-results not in yet, thank you slow Urgent Care (don't worry parents of the world-I've been on antibiotics now for over 24 hours and will be on them even longer (almost 48 hours)when the party actually occurs;-)<br /><br />I have all kinds of fun things planned like a nature scavenger hunt, creature themed charades, cotton ball/plastic spoon relays, musical chairs-plus much more. And we are having "make your own" sundaes and birthday cupcakes. It's sure to add to my gray hair total but all very worth it as I believe Jake will remember this one;-)<br /><br />Who wouldn't want to search for a dead bug on a scavenger hunt? Fun times!<br /><br />Oh, in case you were wondering, Jake is still loving his $200 gas meter!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sr64qFlvc1I/AAAAAAAAEgc/ALQeVPRIO3E/s1600-h/jake+bday"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sr64qFlvc1I/AAAAAAAAEgc/ALQeVPRIO3E/s400/jake+bday" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385945237576184658" /></a>Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-57032278295354604022009-09-13T22:34:00.009-04:002009-09-13T23:04:25.589-04:00Fun times while I should be sleeping...*As usual, blogger spell checker isn't working---so forgive my typos, etc*<br /><br /><br />This is what the non-sane people do when they should be sleeping...finally make a blog post about what's been going on.<br /><br />1st up: the verdict on the new gas meter $65 but with labor, the bill was $189...way more than our typical birthday gift amount for our youngins'.<br /><br />What's wrong with this picture?<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2stnmcfmI/AAAAAAAAEeM/Ppj3dLQAQb8/s1600-h/P8300212.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2stnmcfmI/AAAAAAAAEeM/Ppj3dLQAQb8/s400/P8300212.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381147029501935202" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2stPIws9I/AAAAAAAAEeE/9Zu5GmnH9cU/s1600-h/P8300211.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2stPIws9I/AAAAAAAAEeE/9Zu5GmnH9cU/s400/P8300211.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381147022934979538" /></a><br /><br />Something you don't see everyday, eh?<br /><br /><br /><br />Now onto the Owen and his cosmetic fiasco pics I promised...10 for your viewing pleasure...oh the captions I *could* use for some of these shots;-)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tMAoWCyI/AAAAAAAAEe0/-fkCbsNT8Xo/s1600-h/P9060217.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tMAoWCyI/AAAAAAAAEe0/-fkCbsNT8Xo/s400/P9060217.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381147551616863010" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tLk6NKKI/AAAAAAAAEes/e6j2eirKGh0/s1600-h/P9060216.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tLk6NKKI/AAAAAAAAEes/e6j2eirKGh0/s400/P9060216.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381147544175585442" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tK5h1gJI/AAAAAAAAEek/yxPWCO97ZyM/s1600-h/P9060215.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tK5h1gJI/AAAAAAAAEek/yxPWCO97ZyM/s400/P9060215.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381147532530647186" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tKjPzm2I/AAAAAAAAEec/nyvpogP6KRE/s1600-h/P9060214.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tKjPzm2I/AAAAAAAAEec/nyvpogP6KRE/s400/P9060214.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381147526549445474" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tKPm5a9I/AAAAAAAAEeU/SuUHDkmCGDY/s1600-h/P9060213.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tKPm5a9I/AAAAAAAAEeU/SuUHDkmCGDY/s400/P9060213.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381147521277586386" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tso4NMwI/AAAAAAAAEfc/BW5cU7kybME/s1600-h/P9060222.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tso4NMwI/AAAAAAAAEfc/BW5cU7kybME/s400/P9060222.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381148112176624386" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tsVvpCUI/AAAAAAAAEfU/ez4PLoUlol0/s1600-h/P9060221.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tsVvpCUI/AAAAAAAAEfU/ez4PLoUlol0/s400/P9060221.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381148107040426306" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tr9DF6YI/AAAAAAAAEfM/_cP2iYOIXa8/s1600-h/P9060220.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2tr9DF6YI/AAAAAAAAEfM/_cP2iYOIXa8/s400/P9060220.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381148100411124098" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2trUaF0KI/AAAAAAAAEfE/x90c6TWX4fY/s1600-h/P9060219.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2trUaF0KI/AAAAAAAAEfE/x90c6TWX4fY/s400/P9060219.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381148089501733026" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2trFQrjfI/AAAAAAAAEe8/cdDLVirMNjk/s1600-h/P9060218.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2trFQrjfI/AAAAAAAAEe8/cdDLVirMNjk/s400/P9060218.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381148085435731442" /></a><br /><br />Can you believe him? Oi-vey.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We let the boys do soccer this year...2 games down so far...they LOVE it! Who knew? Each of them have been awarded special patches each week-TJ got the best attitude award (at least he gets that somewhere:-) the first week and most improved the 2nd week (he scored FIVE goals -and only one other kid scored 1) and Jake got best effort (and scored a goal too!)! I'm so proud of them. Soccer is way more fun than I thought it would be. I missed TJ's game this week, but here are some shots of Jake in action (or lack thereof;-):<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2ux7Wz9hI/AAAAAAAAEf0/6qj9i-O0nxQ/s1600-h/P9110224.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2ux7Wz9hI/AAAAAAAAEf0/6qj9i-O0nxQ/s400/P9110224.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381149302547805714" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2uxoCWp1I/AAAAAAAAEfs/J_hsV-NXxVE/s1600-h/P9110228.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2uxoCWp1I/AAAAAAAAEfs/J_hsV-NXxVE/s400/P9110228.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381149297361725266" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2uxZcmgKI/AAAAAAAAEfk/GmrYoHPHinU/s1600-h/P9110229.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2uxZcmgKI/AAAAAAAAEfk/GmrYoHPHinU/s400/P9110229.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381149293445284002" /></a><br /><br />Here's what Owen did the WHOLE time:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2vHWwtwZI/AAAAAAAAEgE/WoSqgTIuBhs/s1600-h/P9110226.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2vHWwtwZI/AAAAAAAAEgE/WoSqgTIuBhs/s400/P9110226.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381149670681461138" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2vG5VTy6I/AAAAAAAAEf8/SCtylPBcChU/s1600-h/P9110227.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2vG5VTy6I/AAAAAAAAEf8/SCtylPBcChU/s400/P9110227.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381149662781885346" /></a><br /><br />Nope, don't worry, not ONE person stared at us the whole game...not one;-) Really-no one shot us glares and snickered as we dealt with our heathen. No one.<br /><br /><br /><br />Lastly, I couldn't resist showing off my latest couponing score:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2vf7a2lTI/AAAAAAAAEgU/OhaKvaif_2c/s1600-h/P9120232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2vf7a2lTI/AAAAAAAAEgU/OhaKvaif_2c/s400/P9120232.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381150092838737202" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2vftTYC4I/AAAAAAAAEgM/__2dtmXr7Jk/s1600-h/P9120231.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/Sq2vftTYC4I/AAAAAAAAEgM/__2dtmXr7Jk/s400/P9120231.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381150089049279362" /></a><br /><br />The first picture is my Target trip from Saturday: I spent around $16 but left with a $5 Target gift card (so net of $11). Included are 16 individual string cheese, 6 boxes of cereal, 5 boxes of Fiber one bars (da bomb!), 9 individual portion cereal cups, and 2 new bounce dryer bars (haven't tried yet).<br /><br />Second photo is my Meijer trip from Saturday: I spent $2...yes I'm serious. AND, I walker away with $6 in Meijer bucks (net +$4). Included is 6 boxes of kool-aid singles for a soldier care package donation, 2 boxes corn, 5 bags frozen peas, 2 lysol spray cleaners, 2 lysol toilet bowl cleaners, 5 healthy choice meals, 2 jars pickles, 2 apples, 1 caramel dip, and 1 bag saurkraut.<br /><br />It was a very fun shopping trip to spend $18 total in cash and walk away with $11 in "on your next purchase" bucks. I already used them too-on todays papers to get my inserts for future couponing endeavors! <br /><br />I will mention working full-time has left my house in shambles, me with no friends, and I don't even know why we have cable. But, I'm working, my kids are fed and clothed, and I'm couponing-so life is still pretty good.<br /><br />Oh- and no, everyone is not well-YET! TJ and I made a trip to urgent care Thursday night for his mono-like symptoms (tested negative though-on an antibiotic now), Tim is still ODing on Tylenol daily, and now Griffin is having diarrhea and not eating.<br /><br />Life is good though;-)Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-57512097590539019192009-09-09T08:03:00.001-04:002009-09-09T08:04:41.777-04:0009.09.09What a cool date huh?<br /><br />It's even more cool because it's my sweet hubby's birthday!<br /><br />Even though he's STILL sick...I hope he has a HAPPY 34th at home napping;-) <br /><br />Love you BABY!Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-73854769629652398942009-09-08T02:25:00.002-04:002009-09-08T02:46:52.803-04:00We are a mess...Seriously...we couldn't be anymore of a mess.<br /><br />I started working full-time. God laughed at me.<br /><br />Here is what has transpired since I began working:<br /><br />Things started out ok-I got an eye infection (my 4th or is it 5th? in just a couple months-blasted contacts!).<br /><br />Jake got quite the yucky cold so we asked my sister to be on stand by for kid duty so I could still work. Ironically enough, the next day, TJ was sick. Verdict-the flu.<br /><br />Jake continued with his cold and it turned into a nice case of impetigo in his nose-lovely.<br /><br />Griffin got his 4 month immunizations and of course, they gave him a nice bought of the fussies and fever.<br /><br />Owen got the flu mist vaccine and he got a nice fever as well (I requested the shot for him b/c he deserved it but they denied me the request).<br /><br />TJ continued on with his "flu" for 3 days and finally went back to school on Friday. He then landed back in bed by the weekend with fever yet again.<br /><br />And the grand daddy of them all...for our lovely 3 day weekend, Tim got the flu also. He's been in bed (or on the couch) since he woke up Saturday morning and it's really been the most pathetic thing...I will spare the details here to protect what little dignity he has left. He's already called off work for Tuesday...I can't WAIT to go back to work Tuesday (today) and it really is 2am. I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep.<br /><br />It has been MISERABLE being the single parent of a 4 month, 2, 5, 9 and 33 year old. I haven't been the best example nor had the most patience.<br /><br />I've learned Owen has 2 levels-unconscious (when he's sleeping) and really loud (all other times). Griffin is needy...what a selfish 4 month old. Jake is very self reliant, impetigo and all. TJ and his father are...well, I think I may have to play the 'if you haven't anything nice to say' card.<br /><br />Owen also is sporting the remnants of a make-up stained face as I didn't trust my instincts and allowed there to be "quietness" for a bit too long Saturday. I wear a lip product that stains the lips and it works lovely to keep my pale lips looking pretty all day...but Owen's eyebrows and cheeks are a different story. Not soap nor water will remove that stuff-serves ya right you little terror.<br /><br />God is still laughing.Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-72516957917796809082009-08-26T14:56:00.003-04:002009-08-26T15:05:48.637-04:004 months old!Griffin has hit yet another milestone...he's 4 months old!<br /><br />What a little ham! Here are a few of the shots from his 4 month picture trip (I heart Target!).<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpWF0WBBt8I/AAAAAAAAEd4/_VznACK7KXg/s1600-h/26f00e2a-8e2a-490c-8cd7-184a055ad63bw.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 312px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpWF0WBBt8I/AAAAAAAAEd4/_VznACK7KXg/s400/26f00e2a-8e2a-490c-8cd7-184a055ad63bw.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374348864646133698" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpWFzxptgcI/AAAAAAAAEdw/6Ze4NcDSAbo/s1600-h/6dd6bf7d-5eb6-425f-afd9-951d48752c93w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 312px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpWFzxptgcI/AAAAAAAAEdw/6Ze4NcDSAbo/s400/6dd6bf7d-5eb6-425f-afd9-951d48752c93w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374348854884663746" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpWFzQVxE9I/AAAAAAAAEdo/zqaxVsDCIe8/s1600-h/091b4b11-270c-46ef-b982-9cd905b0eeafw.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpWFzQVxE9I/AAAAAAAAEdo/zqaxVsDCIe8/s400/091b4b11-270c-46ef-b982-9cd905b0eeafw.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374348845942641618" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpWFy9zqOEI/AAAAAAAAEdg/iknhSyMwXes/s1600-h/08afeb77-126f-486e-9517-0bb72a39aa14w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpWFy9zqOEI/AAAAAAAAEdg/iknhSyMwXes/s400/08afeb77-126f-486e-9517-0bb72a39aa14w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374348840967747650" /></a><br /><br /><br />He doesn't go for his 4 month check up for a week or so (since i screwed up and forgot to schedule early;-)...so I weighed him here at home. I ht ought he was quite the chunk but my beloved growth charts show him staying right on track with his weight (small but mighty;-) in the 10th percentile...with a jammie and dry diaper on he weighed 13 pounds even! Now for the length...I wouldn't of guessed it but unless my measuring tape is whacked, he is only 23 inches which make shim a real shorty in the ZERO percentile...so either I stink at measuring or he's not staying on track with his length growth...no worries-no plans for the NBA anyway.<br /><br />He's busting outta 3 month clothes and as soon as we finish off this pack of size one diapers, he'll graduate to size 2's. He's become more vocal and makes the cutest (at least right now) whiny sounds. He rolls to his side and looks for us and scootches in circles (slowly but surely). He's still on 6 oz of formula around every 3 hours, except at night which he sleeps through pretty well.<br /><br />That's about it for the lil' stinker right now. I'll update when he has his check-up if my measurements were off.Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-16925707873719767562009-08-25T14:58:00.011-04:002009-08-25T18:11:42.904-04:00Jake's birthday list:Jake's 6th birthday is nearing (9-27). He's been working on a list for sometime now.<br /><br />Today his list was wiped clean and we got him an early birthday present:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ6L03GbsI/AAAAAAAAEcw/Ez_gmSTJyFM/s1600-h/P8250203.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ6L03GbsI/AAAAAAAAEcw/Ez_gmSTJyFM/s400/P8250203.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373984230202568386" /></a><br /><br />Yep, a new shiny gas meter!<br /><br /><br />I'll let the pictorial walk you through this unbelieveable tale:<br /><br />The evidence-a couple basketballs and a golf club:<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ6lZjeAoI/AAAAAAAAEdA/rRB0k8gtFgo/s1600-h/P8250201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ6lZjeAoI/AAAAAAAAEdA/rRB0k8gtFgo/s400/P8250201.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373984669549068930" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ6k9um_qI/AAAAAAAAEc4/yVIZRLp6Yuc/s1600-h/P8250202.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ6k9um_qI/AAAAAAAAEc4/yVIZRLp6Yuc/s400/P8250202.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373984662079602338" /></a><br /><br />The only suspect-Jake with a verbal confession to his mother<br /><br />The emergency phone call to vectren: "HI, my son hit the gas thingy outside of our house and now there is a strong gas smell and hissing noise".<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ61zLPSBI/AAAAAAAAEdI/uA4L5S6lcQU/s1600-h/P8250199.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ61zLPSBI/AAAAAAAAEdI/uA4L5S6lcQU/s400/P8250199.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373984951304669202" /></a><br /><br /><br />What I'm told (after confirming my address)- "Ma'am do not turn anything in your home off or on. DO not close nor open any windows, do not start your vehicles. Do not make any calls including with your cell phone. Do not hang up, I will disconnect this call."<br /><br />Me-"Uh, so should we leave the house"<br /><br />Vectren-"yes, you should get a safe distance from the home but watch for the response truck".<br /><br />Great.What.fun.<br /><br />So, I get Owen outta bed, and grab Griffin in his carrier and stick him in his stroller to go stand on the street corner. I did take my cell with me and call Tim who was already near our house coming back from a meeting. He asked me what I brought with me...I said "nothing but our children!" <br /><br />The neighbor let the boys go inside since it's so hot out and we sat on her porch in the shade and waited. We could smell gas even at her house.<br /><br />Finally, Vectren shows up. He explained due to the nature of the situation, he'd have to "write it up"...so we asked if that meant $$$. He said "yeah".<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ57RlVNcI/AAAAAAAAEco/-BCmPY2uk5o/s1600-h/P8250197.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ57RlVNcI/AAAAAAAAEco/-BCmPY2uk5o/s400/P8250197.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373983945854891458" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />So, enjoy your shiny new gas meter Jake! <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ7tEVYhJI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/ALjTjAuJ-Bw/s1600-h/P8250204.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ7tEVYhJI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/ALjTjAuJ-Bw/s400/P8250204.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373985900803425426" /></a><br /><br /><br />Oh, and no more golf for you 'Tiger'.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ7-x0jYuI/AAAAAAAAEdY/N6-cMisjtNU/s1600-h/P8250206.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qih7hgMySjI/SpQ7-x0jYuI/AAAAAAAAEdY/N6-cMisjtNU/s400/P8250206.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373986205071532770" /></a>Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34532535.post-22337281294306552492009-08-22T08:50:00.003-04:002009-08-22T08:56:16.160-04:00Kids are expensive!That's not really the point...read on-best $24.24/day x's 4 I've ever spent!<br /><br />With my "back to work post just out, thought I'd post this bit I got from my BIL Jason...love it!<br /><br /><br /><br />The Price of Children (don't know who the author was): <br /><br />This is just too good not to pass on to all. Here is something absolutely positive for a change. I have repeatedly seen the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It's nice. <br /><br />The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition... <br /><br />But $160,140.00 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into: <br /><br /><br />* $8,896.66 a year, <br />* $741.38 a month, <br />* $171.08 a week. <br />* A mere $24.24 a day! <br />* Just over a dollar an hour. <br /><br />Still, you might think the best financial advice is: don't have children if you want to be 'rich.' Actually, it is just the opposite. <br /><br />What do you get for your $160,140.00? <br /><br />* Naming rights . First, middle, and last! <br />* Glimpses of God every day. <br />* Giggles under the covers <br /><br /><strong>* More love than your heart can hold.</strong> <br />* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs. <br />* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies. <br />* A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate. <br />* A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites. <br />* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day. <br /><br />For $160,140.00, you never have to grow up. You get to: <br /><br />* finger-paint, <br />* carve pumpkins, <br />* play hide-and-seek, <br />* catch lightning bugs, <br />* never stop believing in Santa Claus . <br /><br />You have an excuse to: <br /><br />* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, <br />* watch Saturday morning cartoons, <br />* go to Disney movies, and <br />* wish on stars. <br /><br />You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas , hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day , and cards with backward letters for Father's Day . <br /><br /><br />For a mere $24.24 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for: <br /><br />* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof, <br />* taking the training wheels off a bike, <br />* removing a splinter, <br />* filling a wading pool , <br />* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and <br />* coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless. <br /><br /><br />You get a front row seat in history to witness the: <br /><br /><br />* First step, <br />* First word, <br />* First bra (ok, maybe no tfor the Valiant's), <br />* First time behind the wheel. <br />* First date, <br /><br />You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.. <br /><br />In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, <strong>ground them forever</strong> (I've done this already), and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!! <br /><br />Love & enjoy your children & grandchildren & great-grandchildren!!!!!!! It's the best investment you'll ever make!!!!!!!!! <br /><br /><br />Hug them extra tight today...especially when they are "bad";-)Renayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07879595862849357690noreply@blogger.com3