The day she was born...

getting ready to leave.
It snowed the day she was born. on the way to the hospital the temp. read 4 degrees at 4:45 am
We went in to be induced; apparently Iwas in labor anyways; going from 3 to 4/5 while walking; waiting for the doc.

waiting fir doc to finish his prior appt.
Richard wore work boots to the hospital; apparently
he was unsure of the mess he was getting into and
what kind of work was required.
Slippers or crocs would have been sufficient.

Rejoice. the day she was born.



Small sweet thing.



The best Christmas present ever.
The baby????
No...not being pregnant anymore.

Surprise

Hunter is a girl ! ! ! ! Rebecca Grace Swearingen
5lbs 12.9 oz - 19.5 inches - 12:45pm
December 22, 2008

Leavenworth tree lighting

Thought we would take the time and have add another tradition to our holidaze fun, before we couldn't travel anymore. We had a blast in Leavenworth and watched the tree lighting ceremony and spent a few hours sledding Sunday night and Monday. Audrey had it made, Richard would pull her up to the top of the hill while she sat in the sled. he
"figured" it was safer that way since the turf was pretty slick. The two of them would then go down the hill together or Richard would chase the sled down the hill skiing down without the skis on his feet. Nicholas Madison Aud and Richard loved to compete with the college students that showed up and started racing down the hill. Aud has just a touch of a competitive spirit, i don't know who liked the race the most Richard or Aud. Nicholas loved trying out new tricks and tried to go over the little hill meant to keep the sleds and kids from sledding into the street. Madison of coarse couldn't escape the barn; she perfered to sled into the hay bales placed at the bottom of the hill.
We also met Father Christmas and had the chance to explain even the oldest traditions evolve with new generations

Hunting for Christmas trees, Before hunter can mess the plans

Making Richard's tradition our own. We had so much fun searching for The Tree this year. The kids helped Richard find "just the right one" while I worked on tramping through the woods.
see I really did go. The snow was falling so we all had damp hair by the time we got done. But It was gorgeous snow... Even Chester Loved hopping though it like a bunny.

Not ready, Not ready, Not ready

But sick sick sick of being pregnant.
Not done with homework STILL, still have this silly cold sick, too sick of homework,
keep getting distracted, haven't accomplished anything on "The List"
Too whirrly about everything that isn't a priority and
failing to get the necessary things done.
I wasted the day on a root canal and picking things up at the store to decorate the tree.
Yikes it is 4 pm on Friday and everyone will be home soon for the weekend.
I have got to be the biggest procrastinator ever....

Rejoice, the day you were born

December 10, 1993.

15 birthday wishes for Mackenzie Kay.

Michelin man

Count 'em

Truxton was born on September 22, 2008. That makes him a little over 2 months old.....
Truxton is now 17lbs. and outgrowing the 3-6 month clothes that Jessica just purchased.
He is already looking the linebacker. . . Hunter is going to look like a scrawny old man compared to his cousin. I can't wait to take the pictures. What I love about this picture are the leg rolls. Yeppers, count them. I see 5 but according to good authority there are actually 6 leg rolls.
HIp HIp Hooray

The Best Christmas Ever

There are a few things in life that are considered the best presents ever.
Answered prayers and chubby babies are among these.
Truxton takes on both.
After years of heartache,
I am so happy to announce the placement of my nephew
Truxton Daniel into the arms of his joyful parents.
My sister Jessica and her hubbie Dan.

I can't stop looking at their blog and the pictures of their family. The song lyrics "beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, boy" repeats continually in my mind.
And although she will never read this, I must express my deep gratitude for Truxton's birthmother. My sister expresses in her blog that she is a beautiful woman inside and out. Whenever I think of her, which is often, I can't but offer a prayer of gratitude for the gorgeous choice she made. I am grateful for her moral integrity she must have, bringing this child into the world, when so many choose not to bother. And for her strong convictions that allowed her to place her child in a loving home through adoption, despite great opposition. I can't help but be overwhelmed with tears as I think of her and pray she finds peace.

It is just killing me that I might not get to see
him for another month. If I could, I would pack everything and move back home.
At least I (we) can anticipate a visit for New Years if circumstances
prevent me for visiting sooner.

Thanksgiving in Malo

It snowed.... the kids had a blast sledding. Grandma Cheryl was a trooper and helped them with a good snow run, while i sat around feeling sick with a stuffy yuck cold.

Another treat was meeting Courtney, Richard's cousin. She and the kids had a blast. I loved visiting and getting to know her and the kids all agree she is the best cousin ever. Courtney introduced them to real handcuffs and the judicial process with Make believe-trials. Courtney and kids took turns being the judge with a laundry bag for a wigish thing complete with a brush gavel. They also made some puppets and put on a few plays for us. I of coarse was too out of it to take any pictures, perhaps courtney could e mail a few so we can share with the rest of you.

It is always a treat to see Grandma Sims and spend time with Grandma/pa Cheryl/ Rick not to mention Uncle Jarrod.

Erek and Richard were able to get some bow hunting in. Bringing home a deer the first night. The kids loved watching the boys prepare it for the ride home. Well Aud and I thought it was interesting at least.