Singing praises

This picture is a year old, but just found it when rummaging through some email files.
Last fall K participated in a worship group during fall semester at school.
It is a perfect representation of my Krazy K! He is my little songbird, singing most of the day while playing, while schooling, while working, etc. The best part- he is constantly singing worship songs, Rob Biagi songs, or making up his own.
I'm secretly hoping for more pictures like this one soon! We have to put him into choir, drama, acting....something!

We scream for ice cream.....right?

My hubby was being very thoughtful on his way home tonight and stopped at the store and picked up dessert for the family. The kids were thrilled!!!!! Amazing how fast they eat when there is a prize at the end!
I should note: I mainly make everything that we eat in our house. So to bring home something store bought is definitely a treat. (My mom gave me a comic strip one time discussing how the mom made brownies and then the kids figured out there was veggies in them. I really do that!)
Anyway, that's not the point.

The point:
In keeping with our gluten free, dairy free household, hubby brought home an "alternative" ice cream. We had friends over a few nights ago and they brought the most amazing "alternative" but, that wasn't available at the store he went too, so he got the next best thing.

See how happy she looks!!!! Kids loved it. They were enjoying every last bite. So imagine their surprise when hubby and I handed over our portions too!

I have only given up ice cream twice in my life! Really!
First time was while I was completing an internship right out of college. Found a brand that my Dad had been working with and thought to try it out. No thank you!!!!
Second time was tonight! No thank you!!!!! Who taste tests these products??? Do they not realize the stiff competition that is out there. Clearly the target audience is those under 7 years and those who have never tasted the real stuff.

So hubby went out for awhile tonight.

I have a feeling he is out to redeem himself and our dessert.

Art therapy

Telling the kids Saturday afternoon about Buster was really really hard! I had to make my husband do it. That's what they are there for, right?? He did a great job explaining what had happened. However, neither of us were prepared for their reactions. How could we be? The only other loved one that has passed on at this point was a parakeet, and they were too young to understand. And apparently I wasn't completely attached to that bird.....this however, has been much different.

All three kids reacted in different ways. C cried the most and took the longest to console. He was quick to ask if Buster was in heaven and was okay. I spent about a half hour with him on the couch just holding him. That was fine with me, we both cried together. K ran and grabbed his camera and began showing us all the pictures he has taken of Buster since receiving his camera for Christmas. Miss M I'm pretty sure was more upset at seeing me cry then perhaps the loss itself. She cried with me for awhile and then was very precious in saying that we can pray for Buster and that he would be alright. About broke my heart, it was that sweet.

After making a comment on Facebook, a friend responded about how their family dealt with the recent loss of their dog. Art therapy. She had them draw pictures of their dog and favorite places, time spent, etc. Such a great idea.

So that is what we did today. We each drew a picture of Buster and how we wanted to remember him. I even completed one, but there is no way I am showing that one to the public. I am NOT an artist, even stick figures look awkward.

We talked about Buster for a bit and I tried to answer any questions that they had. Praise God it wasn't very many. It will definitely take me a lot longer to move on then the kids.

C's picture of Buster at sunset near his favorite outside plant.

K's picture of Buster. He is in the yard near his favorite plant and his condo is on the left.

Miss M's picture of Buster. He is actually in the square near the center of the photo. The black boxes (or rectangles) is his house.

My tribute to my fluffy bunny

I would love to know if there was a more spoiled bunny then my Buster! Something tells me NO~
When I brought this tiny little fluffy ball of fur home 9 years ago, we quickly gave him his own room. He had at that time, a 2-story handmade cage and free roam of a condo, complete with his very own balcony. Buster would run through the house, bank off the walls and then spend hours sitting and eating my wicker patio set while watching the world go by.
When we moved with him to our townhouse....he moved into a 3 story handmade hotel and then had access not only to an entire backyard, but a whole townhouse! There he enjoyed finishing off the wicker patio set and burrowing a hole under our bed. We also had a peach tree, and I never quite got to try those peaches near the bottom. I'm sure they were good. We even planted a small patch of grass for his eating enjoyment!
When we moved into our current house...his house moved with us and here he gained bunny heaven- grass, lots of edible plants, and a really cozy fireplace. Oh, and a laundry room for when it was too cold or too hot to be outside.

I will truly miss my fluffy little bunny! He was only little for a few short weeks and then morphed into an 8-lb bunny, but he is still considered my first born. We had to put him down today after a long battle with arthritis and his hind legs giving out on him. He has spent since Thanksgiving in our laundry room being catered to any need that he had.
While I would never give up having furry family members, this is always the hardest part. To know you are doing the right thing and to hope they are not feeling too much pain.

And so to Buster: You have had so much personality!!!! From bouncing through the house and yard to jumping on me when I had an apple or banana in hand. You put up with 3 moves, 3 kids and countless baths and grooming sessions. I never cared that you ate my furniture (though, don't tell anyone that) or my plants. Thank you for 9 years of cuddles and kisses!

Why my blogging has been absent...

I should be creative and create some sort of video montage of the past year, but I am not that creative. LOL! But you can picture it, right?
1 husband
3 kids
1 bunny
2 guinea pigs
1 bird
2 frogs
1 full-time job
homeschooling 2 days a week
working at my boys school 2-3 days a month
and spending the last 7 weeks searching the area for a new place to live!

Oh, did I forget to mention that?
We are moving. February 18th to be exact!
Where you ask?

...


...


...

Have NO clue!

Okay, I have a tiny idea.
I think I am moving back home and bringing my family with me.
(tears of laughter now streaming down my face!)
I can only imagine the conversation my parents are currently having with their friends. WE JUST CAN'T GET RID OF OUR KIDS....AND NOW THEY BRING EXTRAS!

So we entered this fall still wondering if we were going to continue to rent the house we've been in. I had been praying for another year, but I really just wanted my hubby to call the landlord and get a firm answer. Well...to make it really short, obviously we are moving. Now, while we knew we were going to be moving...we were under the assumption of Springtime. Found out last week that it's next month.

In the meantime, we have been searching for a place to buy. We have an offer on the table, but if any of you realize the joys of trying to purchase a short sale house, well, now you understand us. For timing, offer went in just after Thanksgiving and we are still waiting to see if it's approved.

So we will wait and see what happens. Surprisingly, I am not too worried about it. If this house isn't the one, then God is going to provide another opportunity for us.

So that's us in a nutshell. Exciting times over here!
I am very excited to see what God has in store for us in 2012!!!!! Should be fun!!!

I do have this amazing amazing amazing amazing AMAZING memory of the start to this year that will surely carry our family for many many months!!!!

OREGON WON THE ROSE BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!