Fingerprint Friday (OK, Saturday)

TheRustedChain - The Blog: "There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them?"

Here is where I see them. Everyday.

They are a masterpiece. Mine and Jesse's.

We couldn't be more blessed.

*Head back to pamperingbeki.blogspot.com to see all other participants.

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Budget, Budget, Budget...HELP!!!

So, lately I've been working on keeping costs low and have been cracking down on extra spending, but with the holidays that is so hard. I'm trying to get back on track; however, it is taking a lot of effort.

HELP!! If anyone can sent me some tips I would be so grateful. I need to lower the grocery bill, start saving more, and make sure that money makes it into the offering at church more often than not. Anything that would help me cut costs on anything or help me plan better would be great.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR: recipes (easy and/or cheap), craft ideas for gifts (help save through the year on b-days and such), organizational tips, websites, products, and basically anything that has helped you keep costs low and kept you organized would be great.

I'm so overwhelmed getting back on track I would love ideas on how to even set a realistic budget!!!!

Thanks so much. I'll let you know how things are going and hopefully I will have some helpful hints to pass on once I get a chance to try them out.

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No More Baby

Lorelai turned 2 on December 15 and as normal I'm late posting about it. I guess that's what I get for having a baby during the holiday season and I'm sure she won't let us forget about anytime soon!!!

Lili.
She's our baby. She is the bright spot in my day and also the reason for my headaches. We love her so much. Jesse thinks she will have more natural ability when it comes to sports and I think she will be the one that pushes the limits all while giving us a smile that could melt anyone's heart. The next 16 or so years are going to be loooong=)

We no longer have a baby. We have two toddlers and are again entering into the terrible twos. Both girls keep us busy and we wouldn't have it any other way.


The second attempt at a cake. It's actually brownies because we aren't big cake fans...and well I couldn't get the frosting to spread on the first attempt which was actually a cake.
I'm glad it looks like she's blowing out the candle, but I stepped in because I thought she was going to spit on it!!Cousins Erin and Ben came early for Christmas and just in time for the party. They had a lot of play time together for the next few weeks.

Opening presents. Lili got 2 dolls. Just what she wanted only Kat took the doll and Lili spent all night playing with the diaper bag that came with the doll. Lili has since become a purse/bag girl and I can already see dollar signs adding up!! This is our Lili. Full of fun, silliness, and extremely ornery!!!

We love you Lorelai!!!

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Merry Christmas...just a little late!

We have been so busy getting ready for the holidays. We went right from working on the house to getting out the tree and we haven't stopped since. Thanksgiving snuck up on us while we were still busy on the house. I only have a little trim and touch ups to finish. Everything got put away the week of Thanksgiving so we could get the decorations up for the holidays. Here's a look at a few of the things that had us running. I love being with the girls during the holidays. They wait with anticipation and even now Kat is asking for things for next Christmas. We were told repeatedly that she was good and Santa would bring her something!!

Kathryn was in her first Christmas program at church (she's the last one on the left). She did awesome and we couldn't be prouder.
Kat and her cousin Erin made gingerbread houses at their Great Grandma Ellen's. I think they had more fun eating the decorations than using them, but that's the fun of being a kid!!

Kat decorating her house.
Santa came to Headstart to meet the kids. It was a special day for Kat because her cousin Erin was able to come with her for the Christmas party. Santa actually knew Kat (he's a friend of ours) so she thought that was cool. He talked about her grandparents so Kat really thinks that Santa is watching which might come in handy next year!!

Christmas Eve at our house with my family.
We started the tradition of having our family Christmas on Christmas Eve after the church service at 5. Santa comes while we're at church and out for supper. The tradition continued this year with my sister and her fiance added to the group since they were staying with us.

The girls got a Barbie house. So far Kathryn hasn't complained about it not having an elevator like the one she saw on tv!!!


Christmas Eve evening at our house.

Lili on Christmas morning at my in-laws.


Kathryn opening one of many presents.
Uncle Eric and Aunt Beth bought the girls princess dresses. They loved them!!!!

Christmas day my family was back at our house. My grandparents came up from Kansas a few days before to see my brothers new baby. Trinity was a month old on Christmas.
Opening more presents.

Christmas day evening is always spent at Jesse's Grandma Ellen's house. The girls love to play with their Papa and they spent the evening jumping on anyone that would let them.
Grandma Ellen's

I hope your holiday was as busy and filled with as much love and fun as ours was. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!

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So much to say

Well, I thought we were back, but things are forever changing. After finally getting back in the house after construction we all had the flu (H1N1) two weeks ago and this week was spent finishing most of the house and finally having it as clean as I would like.

Right now I am currently in the hospital waiting for niece number 5 to make her entrance to the world. She seems to want to take her time. They induced Madison this morning and now at 6pm she is only at a 5 1/2. The epideral isn't working and the back labor is already unbearable. We might be having a baby sooner than even this little one thinks. Praying that the miracle of birth out ways the pain in the end as I know it will.

For us we are well into holiday planning. I have a 'problem' with over planning and have almost all of the girls gifts bought and now what the other gifts are going to be. Jesse has even agreed to go shopping with me on Black Friday. We're hoping to get a TomTom and a few smaller things. We have our friends Thanksgiving planned for the 5th along with taking the girls to a Christmas movie with Santa present. Kat is getting into the holidays and asks for anything that she happens to see on TV or in the many ads we receive. Lili even asked for a baby and we are looking forward to soon having a 2 year old and have start the stages of potty training.

Well, that's a little look at whats been happening here. We hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hopefully tomorrow we will have pictures of the new little McDonald to post. Please pray we do!!!

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We're Back !!

Sorry that we've been AWOL for awhile. We have been working on our house (pictures to come soon). We moved in with my mom for a few weeks and have spent the last few at home working constently. We're getting close so I thought I'd take a break and show you all some of the fun the girls have been having. The month of October was full. We had a wedding in IL, a senior show for Jesse's sister in MN, and a baby shower in KC. We also has a 1st b-day party for our niece in KC, but we were unable to attend that.

Here are a few of the things we've gotten to do at home. I'll try to put pictures up of all the other 'adventures' later.

A local pub hosted a free halloween/fall party for kids so I jumped at the chance to get them out of the house so Dad could work in peace. The day was so nice, but just as we got there the clouds moved in and it cooled off, but the girls had a blast anyway. Their favorite part was the hay 'maze', but they colored and played the other games also.
Kathryn fell asleep after only trick-or-treating around the square. The businesses around the square handout candy from 4-6 before the actuall trick-or-treating starts. We still had a lot of places to hit not that they needed anymore candy! Their bags were almost full.

This year we had a Tinkerbell and Ladybug. I got the costumes done just a day before we went trick-or-treating. In Iowa we do beggers night and not Halloween.
You can kinda tell just how windy it was. We didn't spent much time out after hitting the realitives because it was way to cold and windy.
Kathryn was so excited and giggled and screamed the whole time. Lili wouldn't let her bag go even though it was to heavy for her. They had a great time and even got to go trick-or-treating in KC the next day when it was warmer.

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First Day

Kathryn started preschool last Thursday. We were able to get her into Headstart (we're over guidelines so it wasn't easy!) and she goes 4 mornings a week. Kat has always been 'smart' and we felt that she really needed to be learning now while she thought it was fun and while learning is so easy. We realize that just because she is advanced now doesn't mean she'll always be but we wanted to give her every advantage. It helps that her teacher, Danielle, is married to one of Jesse's best friends so Kathryn knew her and my mom worked at Headstart for 5 years when we first moved here and we know most of the staff through that.

Kathryn wore the new dress that Grandma Gail made her (Lili has hers on too). No fighting over clothes on the first day!

This picture shows the true Kat...ornery and cute!
Lili wanted in the pictures to.

The Headstart building has water in the basement so for now they are using the Methodist church which just happens to be our church. I think this also helped because she is use to me leaving her for Sunday school and in the nursery.
Kathryn's (temporary) classroom. She was so excited.
Sitting on her spot. No tears when I left after this picture.

This is how I found Lili after coming down from making beds. Sound asleep leaning against the couch. She slept the whole time Kat was at school and miss the first day of having the house (and toys) all to herself!!

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