Braiden's Gi

So as I promised pictures of Braiden's Gi. He, can you tell is so proud of it. When his professor Christiano gave it to him today Briaden's eyes got huge and he screamed to me "Mom look what he gave me, and I get to take it home". He was a little distracted by it during practice because he loves it so much, it was hard for him to focus on anything but his new Gi. We had to stop by the grocery store after and it was all I could do to get him to take at least the coat off (I had to run it by his teacher because I am new to this Jiu Jitsu thing and I didn't want to be breaking the rules by letting him wear it outside of class, but he said it was fine). So off the store were Braiden had to show every stranger we saw his Jitsu pants, it was pretty cute!

The Rare Animal Trevor....

I have looked at my last few posts and realized I don't have hardly any pictures of or with Trevor. Trevor is at the age of not sitting still for his picture to be taken. I know it is the age because Braiden went through this same thing (I tell myself a lot that it must be the age, in fact I do this with any undesirable behavior, it makes me feel better), in fact I remember an emotional incident were we had family pictures at the church when Braiden was about this age and the final outcome was a picture of Jeremy, Myself and Trevor. When I do finally get a good picture of Trevor I feel like I have just gone on a safari and caught the elusive wild animal in his natural habitat! I have a ton of pictures of backs of heads, arms, a nose, lots of parts of Trevor but hardly any with all of him, because he doesn't sit still, but he actually was being cooperative Friday.

Driving Miss Audrey....

Now that Audrey is mobile she thinks that she can do all the things that have frustrated her in the past. She has always wanted to drive this car, in fact I think this car is one of the main sources of my headaches. Trevor got it for Christmas and loves it, as do all the other kids. It has to stay in the office a lot of he time because we can't share it and my house may be big but it isn't large enough to accommodate multiple cars. O.k. so I digressed, back to Audrey. We had it out and she was so excited that she a.) could walk to it and b.) was able to get into it. She loves it, and it is SO funny to watch because she can only go backwards.

Years, days, minutes, tag....

I have been tagged by my friend Jamie, so here goes:

20 years ago I was....

6, I remember the anticipation of starting school, how fun was elementary school? I remember barbies and my little ponies, and life being so simple.

10 years ago I was....

16 and driving. This summer I was train jumping, silo climbing, floating the river, hanging out with Megan and Whitney, and just enjoying a simple summer. I was dating the man I now call my husband. I was just starting high school swim team, so fun, disappointing, and hard all at the same time, but it was a nice change from club!

5 years ago I was....

21. I was married and pregnant with Braiden. I was (with the help of my sister Tana) trying to make Braidens nursery perfect, (this cracks me up to think about now, because it felt so important to have it done before he was born, with the other two we were lucky to have someplace for them to sleep when they were born). We were nervous and excited about having our own family. I was still vary much in love with Jeremy.

3 years ago I was....

23, I was still married and vary pregnant with Trevor. We were loving life with a 18 month old and I was so scared of the thought that I couldn't love another child as much as I love Braiden, but I soon found out I was wrong. I still am vary in love with Jeremy (do you see a theme here).

So far this past year I...

Have learned things like family and time spent together is so much more important than materialistic stuff. I have found out just how strong I could be, and how to be more sympathetic to a single parent because their job is tough. I have seen my husband shine, and I love it. And although there has been times of frustration I wouldn't want to change anything,with each year Jeremy and my relationship just keeps getting stronger and I believe that I love him more and more. I have seen just how great God is, in everything even the quite little things.

Yesterday I....

Watched Ella, the sweetest little girl for the last time before she starts kindergarten and doesn't need a daycare anymore, sad I know. And I watched Braiden at his Jiu Jitsu class, so cute.

Tomorrow I will....

Go to church, and hopefully enjoy some time with the Jeremy and the kids. Maybe go for a walk or to the park. Who plans this far in advance anyways?

Next year I will....

Busy!!! I will be content in whatever role I play, wife, mother, daycare provider, office manager, finance adviser, chef, gopher, chauefeur, diaper changer, boo boo kisser, bugger wiper, maid, anything that I am asked to be.

I tag....

Abby, Kelly, Cori, and Tana

Jiu-Jitsu

So, Jeremy and I have been searching for something to get Braiden into that will help him with coordination and self awareness, because Braiden is a little on the clumsy side (I tried to think of a more gentle word, but lets not dance around the issue, he is clumsy. I have seen him trip on air).

We looked into a few things, Gymnastics, Dance, but it just didn't work out with times, so we were driving downtown and noticed the new martial arts academy and we thought this might be something to look into. I called, and I got the information, I then meet with Matt the owner and after some debate we decided Jiu Jitsu was a good thing for Braiden (Braiden calls it his "JITSU" class). When I was signing Braiden up I noticed how far behind the school was with regards to remodeling (they remodeled the old ostranders building) so like always I volunteered my trusty husband (he enjoys helping people, and it was for Braiden, so he was happy to do it). Volunteering Husbands must run in my family because it turned out that Brilee Volunteered Martin as well. They spent two weeks of evenings (some even went as late as 1:00 in the mourning) to get it ready. the school still has a lot to finish but at least it is ready to start classes.

Jeremy secretly has wanted to do something like this for a long time, but he felt with the new business he couldn't take the time or money to do it, but after a little persuasion from his lovely wife and A LOT of persuasion from Matt he decided to do it. So they both had their first class yesterday. It was so fun, I only was able to watch for a few minutes, but the little I saw I am so excited for them both.

A cute little story, they started the class with some cardio stuff (I don't know how they will start in Braidens actual kids class because this was just a starter class with all levels), they did some jumping jacks, which Braiden has no clue how to do, then push-ups, and some sit-ups, then they repeated the exercises, by the time Braiden got to the sit-ups the second time he threw his hands up and said in true Braiden fashion "I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THIS, I AM JUST A KID!!!" It was soo cute. I left at this point, but I guess he had a lot of fun because he talked about it for awhile and he can't wait to go back. Jeremy Loved it as well, it is different than wrestling, in the fact that it is o.k. to be on your back (a sin in wrestling) but he said it was so much fun, and a great workout.

When I came to pick up the boys the last picture is what I saw, Braiden on his teacher Christiano's(sp) shoulders. I guess the kids class doesn't go as long as this particular class went so Braiden was pooped. Christiano said that their class does a lot of games and they really emphasise learning were your body is and what it is doing, something Braiden will benefit from. So we are all vary excited!! The reason that they aren't in a Gi (uniform) like everyone else is because they haven't arrived yet, I will post pictures as soon as he gets it.

Kyle started his class as well. He is taking Tae Kwon Do.

He had a fun class, he said he really liked it and he even showed us a kick that they learned.

He is so darn cute in his "Gi".

Fun times at the park....

Yesterday, my older sister Tana and I did a kid swap. I had her kids for a few hours in the mourning and she had the boys a few hours in the evening. I think that they had a fun day because they didn't fight us when it want bed time.

I took the kids to the park for a little while. They had a lot of fun, probably more than average because we went to Mt. View park, we don't normally go to this park because they have swings.

Now, some of you are probably thinking to yourselves why would she not like to take her kids to a park with swings, kids Love to swing. And that is precisely why we don't go, because usually my kids want to swing the whole time and the other kids want to go on the slides. I am only one person so I can't watch them when they are scattered through the park. But,we had so much fun, my mom and dad joined us and then Brilee, Kyle and Cruz came a little later.

6 Years..........

So today is our 6th Wedding anniversary. Can you believe it, time flies I guess when your having fun!! I wanted to share this reading, my mom read it at our wedding and it means so much to us, that we have it framed on our shelf. I love the imagery of God crafting us into existence, and the different roles we as husband and wife are to have.
So here it is:

When God created the heavens and earth, He spoke them into being. When He created man, He formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But woman He fashioned after He breathed the breath of life into man because her nostrils were too delicate. God allowed a deep sleep to come over man so He could patiently and perfectly fashion woman.
Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity. From one bone God fashioned woman. He chose the bone that protects man's life. He chose the rib which protects man's heart and lungs. Man's heart is the center of his being, his lungs hold the breath of life. Both support man, as woman is meant to do. Around this one bone God shaped woman. He modeled her and created her perfectly and beautifully. Her characteristics are as the rib - strong, yet delicate and fragile.
The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Gemma you need to support Jeremy as the rib cage supports the body. Woman was not taken from man's feet to be under him, nor taken from his head to be above him. Woman was taken from his side to stand beside him and be held close.
Of all that lives and breathes, woman is the most like God. Adam walked with God in the cool of the day, and yet was lonely. He could not see God or hear him. He could only feel God. So everything God wanted Adam to share and experience with Him, He fashioned in woman: His holiness, His strength, His purity, His love, His protection and support. Woman is an extension of God. Man represents God's image. Woman, His emotions. Together you represent the totality of God.
Gemma you are our beautiful little girl. You have grown into a splendid woman of excellence and our eyes fill with tears when we see the virtue of your heart .
So Jeremy treat Gemma well. Love and respect her. And Gemma support Jeremy. In humility, show him the power of emotions that God has given you. In gentle quietness, show your strength. In love show him that you are the rib that protects his inner self
You are both beautiful gifts from our loving Father and we are so happy that you have found one another

( I don't remember the author of this, but it is so beautiful, and I am so grateful my mom found it)

SHE'S WALKING.......

Yesterday my mom was here and she held out her hands and Audrey took one step towards her. Well, this sparked Audrey's desire to be mobile, so all day she had been taking a few steps here and there, but tonight she just got it. We had left the kids with "Mrs. Samantha" so we could go to Bible Study, and I knew that when I was gone she would decide to take off, but thankfully she wanted her mom to be around. We had just put the boys to bed and I started to get her undressed to change into her jammies and mid-change she got up and took off, (we got a new toothbrush for her, and of course she liked the package more, that is what she is carrying around)

I think this is going to be how Audrey is in life, she decides she is going to do something and does it.

These are a few of my favorite things....

So I know that this post will look a little weird to you, but it is more for myself so that I can look at it in a time of need. My friend Becca Peyton, on her blog posted everything she loves so that when you get swallowed up by the world you can look at your list and remember the small things that you Love. I love this idea because I really haven't thought about the small things I truly love and am amazed by. Please don't feel you need to read any further, because again I wrote this for myself to have, but just like Becca I encourage you to make your own list. Thank you if you are reading this Becca!!
So here goes, the things in life I love,

My husband, my kids, my family, our house, our animals, gerber Daisey's, sun beating down of you when it is kind of cold, the smell of rain, watching rain, bikes with bells, swimming for joy, hot chocolate on a cold day, a crackling fire, dumdums, a good coffee, fancy margaritas, the way a baby smells after a bath, the way a baby smells period, clothes that make you feel good when you put them on.

Camping, good food, a toothless grin, ice cream almost any flavor, movie theater popcorn, watching my kids do something they love, hug from my husband, a hug from anybody, the way Jeremy smells after a shower, chocolate candy, pansies, matching undergarments, pigtails, riding horses, the smell of a horse, puppies, clean sheet day, tide powdered laundry detergent.

Shampoo that smells good, talking for hours when nobody is around to Jeremy, dimples, raspberry beer, cute shoes, little girls in dresses that are pulled over their head, everything about Christmas, a good movie, coffee with my mom, a sunset that takes your breath away, the moon on a clear night, a good worship song, a song that can take you back to an exact time in your life.

Pink, Italian sodas, a fresh juicy peach, an ice cold Pepsi, pie, a bible verse that was meant for you to read at the exact time you were reading it, bar-b-ques, trees that turn red in the fall, patio swings, getting excited about a train only because Braiden loves them, my dad's long hair, hearing your kids say "I love you", a candle that smells so good, hikes, the sound of a hot rod, my parents on a Harley.

Cookies fresh out of the oven, a little love note from Jeremy, Tattoos that have a story behind it, taking the perfect picture, funnel cakes, homemade lemonade, the way Jeremy patiently tries to answer "Gemma questions", fresh french fries, church bells, weddings, the way our town looks while coming off the hill from Yakima, fireworks, other peoples scrapbooks, the fair and rodeo, old stuff that has a story, a good haircut, daffodils, getting dressed up, elderly couples who still hold hands, fire trucks, willow trees, babys trying to talk, how Trevor says his name "Trebor", a toddlers idea.

This is just a start to my list and as I experience more things I love I will continue to type them up on this list, already I feel happy just thinking of these small things. So again I urge you make your own list, it is amazing how therapeutic it can be, and how good you will feel just thinking of these things.

The Princess Turned 1!!!!

So Big!

The Cake was so cute. Grandma Debbie did a great job!

The princess!

Can you say dunce hat!

Pinata

Like they need more energy!

Daddy's Girl

Lets all eat cake

What do I do?

Yum, yum

So obviously we made it through the flu. Braiden and I were the only ones in the family to get it bad, I think that the other kids were fighting it off and that is why they weren't quit themselves.
We had a great weekend recouping, and getting ready for the major event that took place on Sunday.

Audrey Grace Wolfenbarger turned 1!!!!

The princess had a full day completely about her and she knew it. She didn't want to nap at all, so when we finally got her to sleep it was 4:15 and the party was at 6:00, needless to say she missed the first half hour or so of her own party. She had a great first birthday, she had lots of people that love her here to celebrate. And for such a little girl she sure made out in the presents department, Everybody must think that she is kind of special (don't ask me why)!! I can't believe she is no longer an "infant" and now is entering the "toddler" stage, frighting isn't it. Watch out world!