Holidays 2010

Nehemiah and Virginia had a wonderful Christmas! They were spoiled by Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and their parents!! 

We bought Nehemiah a Thomas tent! He's had a lot of fun with it so far! 

Of course out of all the toys he got, he seems to like the one that cost the least. I'd gotten a Woody (off Toy Story) that has a Sheriff star, belt and Woody figure. 

 Nehemiah was spoiled with a Lightening McQueen radio/cd player from GrandMom and GG, a train set from his Aunts and Uncles, and another train set from his Grandma and Grandpa Magoulas. Cousins Betty and James got his a stick horse and horse decals for his room!  His Uncle Joseph bought him a target set, and he got many other gifts that have slipped my mind. He is a very blessed little boy!!

Virginia had a lot of fun opening gifts this year!! She also got a radio/cd player from GrandMom and GG. Her's is Hello Kitty. She got dolls from aunts and uncles, and an Elmo from grandma and Grandpa Magoulas. We bought Sissy a LeapFrog phone that counts. Cousins Betty and James got her a BuildABear cat that's so cute! 

All the kids got jammies from GrandMom and GG, here is Nehemiah modeling his. He now has three Buzz Lightyear pajamas. Which is good, b/c that's about all that he wants to wear!! 

Micah loved opening gifts, which is good, he had plenty to open! 

The Murray Family 2010

The Calderon Family 2010

Jadyn turned one on Christmas Day! From what I hear, he really likes the horse his Daniels' family got him. 

I wasn't able to get a pic of all 5 grandkids :( Hopefully soon I will!! 

I love this picture of Miss Adaliah Ruth! 

 Virginia has had a lot of fun with Nehemiah's toys. She's teething and found a pacifier, that's why she's chewing on it, this isn't a normal thing for her. Poor girl is getting molars. :( Plus with this dry weather, her skin is cracking.

And now...for some food pics! :)

My kids!

Time for an update wouldn't you say??

And the title of the website is directed to my kids....so I say it's time to write about them! :) 

Nehemiah is 30 months old, or 2 1/2! He's a joy to my everyday. He does have his moments of being a typical two year old though. 

He's loving this snowy weather and constantly cracks me up with his new phrases! Just last night I told him to follow me out of the room and he yelled "Yes Sir!!!" Sometimes I wonder where he comes up with some things he says! He informed me this morning that "Daddy works to buy pizza!!" So, how could we not have pizza tonight? ;)

He told me the other day, "This is how you make a silly face, take my picture!"

When he grows up he'll either be a dentist, or...

a singer! ;)

He still remembers his Uncle Jason (thought you'd get a post without mention, hmm? Sorry) I put his boots on him the other day and told him we were going to GrandMom and GG's house. He said, "And see Jason?!" I told him, "No, Jason went bye-bye" He matter-of-factly told me "Oh, he's at work!"

He's a boy of many hats! 

Sissy is getting bigger too!

 She'll be 14 months next Wed! 

She talks all the time now! Somethings, I don't think I want her saying. Yesterday she told my Mom's dog to "shut up!" Ack!! 

She thinks little sisters rock ;)

Virginia has taken some steps, but only when Jesse is at the end of the walk! 

They love each other very much! It's great when they play together, and I love it when Nehemiah says, "I love you Ginya Hope!" He loves to say her prayers with her at night!! 

Whoops

WoW, where has the time gone? It's been over a month since I've put anything on here. Not that I don't have things to say, but, more like, there is nothing exciting enough to sit down and write about. 

Thursday we'll celebrate Thanksgiving. To some it's about the turkey, others it's the football, maybe it's the extra time off work.

I've watched as some on facebook made their status' about what they are thankful for this month. I'd thought about doing that, but I didn't. It's not that I'm not thankful, or I don't care, I just....didn't.

And I am thankful.

I'm thankful for God's love and salvation.

I'm thankful for my little family, and my big family. I love that I know I can call them when I'm sad, happy, in need, or just need an ear to talk to.

I love my church family. They've welcomed Alex and I into their families.

I'm thankful for a house, with a low payment.

I'm thankful that our cars are paid off and our appliances run well (well, except for the dryer that burns Alex's shirts!)

I'm thankful that I have in-laws that care for us, and we don't have the "classic in-law" problems of hating each other.

I'm thankful that my husband has a good job that allows me to stay home with my kids.

But this year, I'm most thankful for the time I DID have with my family members that are gone. I had a good relationship with both my grandparents. I can think back of when they were here and smile, knowing that we were close.

I'm thankful that I knew Josh and even though he was taken from us too soon, we had a friendly relationship.

And I'm thankful for Jason. Right now I still cannot talk about him, think about him, or even write about him without tears, but I loved him. He was a special boy to me. Mom let me "help" raise the boys, and Jason was the first one. I didn't "raise" him as much as I did the other two (especially Jesse) but to a 10 y/o I thought I was big stuff taking care of him.

Jason knew we loved him, and could turn to us in his times of need, and I'm thankful that I know that.

In his last week here, he'd texted me telling me things that had upset him, and I'm glad he did. Not so I knew his problems, but so I had a peace that it wasn't something I had or had not done.

This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for peace.

Virginia Hope will be one!!

It's hard to believe that one year ago, Virginia Hope Magoulas was not here!! I was still waddling around waiting until her time to be here. We hadn't picked out her name yet. Was she going to be Virginia Hope, or Hadassah Hart?! Would she have hair or be bald? How much would she weigh?

The doctor had set up and appt to induce our precious bundle so at 5 AM on Thursday Oct 22, 2009 Alex and I woke up and got ready to go to the hospital. Nehemiah was spending the night at GrandMom's house.

When we got to the hospital, I was already in labor!! In fact, they had to slow labor b/c she was coming too fast!

The doctor had set appts to do some c-sections so I waited...and waited and waited. I finally called the nurses station and told them she was coming!! Within 10 mins of the doctor being in the room, our baby had entered the world!!

Virginia Hope has brought so many smiles to our lives. She's a happy little girl who knows what she wants!! She has her favorite person, Jesse!!

Happy 1st Birthday Virginia

We love you

Happy 50th

Monday my Mom had a birthday! She turned...50!

I know better than to post a pic...she wouldn't be happy *whisper* they're on my Facebook...just look there ;)

She had the day off b/c of Columbus day and spent most of it with her family! (And some good friends from high school!)

I started to think that 21 years ago, my Mom was my age.

At that time she had an 8 year old (me), a 6 year old (stephanie), a 4 year old (Nicole) and Joseph was going to be 3 in Dec.

So much has changed since then.

Mom went on to have 3 more boys! Jason was born in '91, Jordan in '94 and Jesse in '96

In '99 My Mom's Mom last her fight with cancer.

Not long after that my Dad was laid off when his factory was sold.

While Dad was in school, Mom went back to work. Soon after Dad was out of school, Stephanie got married, in Aug of '06.

Nov 7, 2006 Mom's Dad died in a car accident.

Nicole was married in March of '07 and I was married in July of '07.

Jan 2, 2008 Mom was no longer just a Mom...she was now a GrandMom!! Her first grandchild was born. Within two years, she had 4 grandchildren!!

Dec '08 One of Mom's favorite nephew's was murdered.

In March of 2010 Mom went back to work.

May 31, 2010 Mom called me sobbing, one of her Frenchies had died.

By June of 2010, 5 of Mom's 7 kids had graduated high school!! At this time, all three girls were gone, and she had all 4 boys still living in the house.

Sept 8, 2010, Mom's 5th child, Jason, died.

Through all the losses and hurts, my Mom had never grown bitter, never blamed God.

She's been a rock to our family.

We know that our Mom will not judge us, but always love us, no matter what mistakes we make.

My prayer for my parents, is no more hurts, no more losses.

I have learned

I've learned I'm stronger than I thought.

A peice of me was taken when Jason's life was ended, but it has drawn my family closer, not torn us apart.

I have learned to not let the little things bother me.

I hug my kids more, kiss them when I can.

I treasure my family and thank God for them.

I'm learning to bite my tongue when it's needed, and speak my mind when I should.

I listen to what people say to each other, and think, "don't you know that doesn't matter?! Why are you saying that?! Why would you hurt someone like that and not care?"

I dread going to WalMart,

Little things make me cry, who knew pumping gas could bring tears to my eyes? Or seeing a shirt Jason would have liked?

Just saying "I was the oldest of seven" Breaks my heart.

This is the picture that will go on the marker. Lookin at it makes me sad.

I have alot of pics of Jason, and the most recent ones, he looked so sad. Getting him to smile was hard.

This post was supposed to be a happy one! About what is new in my life, and here I am going back to Jason.

I wanted to put how Nehemiah fell and hit his eye but he's ok.

I meant to put how Sissy's eczema is clearing up. Maybe I didn't b/c I put all that on Facebook, I'm doing my best to not be depressing to talk to, to dwell on the positive.

Jason Timothy Daniels

I got the call last week. Just a week ago.

You chose a different way than we would have liked.

You decided you wanted to go Home, and God welcomed you.

You know, I can remember right where I was....but I cannot remember for the life of me what I was doing. I think I was cutting an onion for supper....or doing dishes. All I know is, I will NEVER forget hearing Mom screaming and sobbing to tell me the news.

Jason, we all loved you so much.

Nehemiah asked me last night where you were. And, he wears the boots you got him all the time. He calls them his "Jason boots"

I saw you just the day before when I picked up Jordan for football practice. You came out to see my kids, and pick on Stephen. You were acting like a kid, happy, the way I want to remember you. You had the cheesiest smile on your face.

It rained the day of your Memorial. I prayed that it would. Jason, if you could have seen how many people were there, maybe you'd know how much you meant to people.

I know you can't read this, and I know I'm doing this to put my thoughts down.

I'll never forget the love you had for kids and animals. As someone once said, you love the innocent.

We know you're happy, not hurt anymore. But we're left to pick up the pieces. Dad cleaned your truck out yesterday. He pulled it from the backyard into the front and it sounded like you coming home.

I know someday we'll join you.

Maybe in the meantime you're fixing another diesel truck, or riding a horse.

It's not the same down here without you.

Mom and Dad had the song you wrote recited at the service. And Dad wrote you a letter. Maybe someday I'll put them on here.

A teacher gave Jordan a poem you'd written last year.

Through all the things we've found of yours, you always talked of God's love. You were hurt, and torn up inside, but you never blamed God.

I heard a minister say once that we view God how we view our Fathers, so I pray that you knew how much Dad loved you, and Mom, and your sisters, and Brothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and so many, many more people are left with an empty spot in their life now that you are gone.

can't think of an exciting title

It's naptime here at the Magoulas household. Which means Virginia is sleeping. Nehemiah has decided he's done with naps. Because he hasn't been fussy, I've let him stay up. He enjoys the time with just Mom, and getting to play without Virginia getting into his toys.

I need to work on Miah's 2 year pics...yes, it's a little late. I'm waiting until Alex has some time off and can watch Virginia, and I'd like it to not be as hot so I can take the pics at the Woods.

Yesterday it dawned on me that Miah has been wanting to "watch" alot of movies. He's not really watching them, but he wants the noise. Today I turned on a sermon, and he's as happy as can be. I can listen to Bro Branham, and Nehemiah is happy that something is playing!

Virginia seems to like her "letter."

Karisha Browning sent V some new outfits and I just love how this one looks on Miss Virginia!

A few weeks ago Alex decided I should get my hair permed again :) He knows I like it permed and it's been since the kids were here that I've had one.

I do believe Nehemiah was bored with getting his picture taken!

This is a common face for Virginia to make. She'll get real excited and scrunch her nose up and make a silly noise. The stickers in her hair were from her brother. Not sure what he was doing, but he was quite proud of the look he accomplished!

Monday Morning thoughts

Here I am again, at my computer. Wondering if anyone really reads this, if anyone really cares.

One child is asleep, the other one needs constant watching. See what he did to his eyes? That's only a small sampling of what he did to himself. He also colored his sister.

Every part of them had at least one marker mark on them. I had only turned my back for a minute and this is what I turned back to. Right now, he's sporting glue on his face. Why? B/c I'd turned my back again.

Nehemiah found that he LOVES to talk. Saturday while outside waiting for my parents to come over, he pointed to everything he knew the name of and called out the name of it. That kept him busy for quite some time.

He's learning his colors. Most times he's only guessing, but there are times he does remember them. Blue is his favorite color to guess.

He's growing up so quickly. He likes to play with Sissy, but is also happy playing by himself. Right now he's on the floor with his Hermie doll playing.

I had started to potty train him, but he wanted nothing to do with it. He'd gone in the potty several times, but I think it scared him, so I'll wait awhile to try again. I decided a long time ago, that potty training was not something I was gonna force, he'll get it when he's ready, and he's just not ready yet :)

Some days I sit in amazement as I catch a glimpse of who he'll be when he's older. The other day he had on jeans, a t-shirt and had a bookbag on his back, and I knew that all too soon he'll be headed to school. My plan right now is to send him to public school, at least for the first years to get his basics down. But, I've got awhile, that could change, and I'll homeschool him.

My Mom likes to wait until she finds the perfect gift, and she's been searching for a bubble gum machine for Nehemiah. I saw one this weekend and let her know. She bought and and bubble gum to go with it! When I took Nehemiah over later he must have known it was there b/c he went directly to it!!

Miss Sis is growing so much. She's been crawling for months now, and standing too! I'm waiting for her to take her first step *wipes tear* ;)

Her skin has good days, and it has bad. It'll clear up, then she'll get too hot and break out. Or she'll get upset and dig at it. I'm tempted to get baseball mitts and tape them to her little hands, but I don't think that would help.

Virginia has 6 teeth now and nows how to use them! Sometimes for good, like eating, Yay! She wants nothing to do with baby food most days!

And....sometimes for bad....many teeth marks have been left on Nehemiah before I can get to her!

She has become very independant and wants to feed herself,

 but at the same time is reliant on Mom and wants held alot.

I love dressing her in frilly little outfit and get told she looks like a Princess alot :)

She LOVES wearing jewlery. Yesterday she sported a necklace, bracelet, and cute headband. The headband she wasn't fond of, but she loved the bracelet and necklace. :)

I love the smile she has when she sees someone she knows. Some of her favorite people are, Nehemiah, Daddy, Uncle Jesse, Adaliah, Soloman (Ok...he's a dog, but don't tell him that!!) GrandMom, GG, Nicole, Stephanie....oh who am I kidding?! She loves all her family...well...there are some she's scared of, but I won't put their names on here :)

Last week my parents both had the week off and Tuesday we planned to go to Shipshawana. It started out a VERY raining day, but we braved it. All kids had an umbrella (Thanks Miguel for buying a new one for V when her's broke!!) and were so good all day! After the rain stopped, we endured the heat and humidity! Yuck...I'd have rather kept the cold rain!!

Mom and I both bought a wall hanging while we were there. This is what mine looks like. Her's has ladybugs with the grandkids names on it and says "GrandMom's Lovebugs" She also has a bone with her dogs names on it.

Adaliah came for a visit awhile ago and I had fun curling her hair. Maybe I should have done it earlier in the day, and not when both kids were exhausted b/c neither had taken a nap.

She looks like a mini Stephanie here!

Alex has been working alot lately but finally got around to putting Nehemiah's jeep together that my parents got him for Christmas!

I'll share a testimony then click the "publish post" button so this long post doesn't get any longer! :)

Last Sunday Alex was to preach in Akron. He's worked Saturday so I offered to get up with him at 5:30, get the kids around and drive him there.

We had prayed before leaving and off we went!

While on 30 it became very foggy, to the point that I couldn't see in front of me. I told myself, "well, good thing you prayed for traveling mercies, so no worries" Right then the thought entered my mind, "Yeah....but if a deer comes onto the road, you won't stop in time" (side story...I hit a deer once on a backroad in the dark...and now I hate driving in the dark, and I'm worried I'll hit another deer!)

I knew it was Satan putting that thought in my head, and told myself, not to worry, God is bigger than any deer and He was protecting us, but all the while I was watching for one, knowing I'd see one.

Right after we'd cleared the fog, we were on a three lane highway, and there he was. A massive deer. I told Alex he looked like he was a moose he was so big! This deer was walking across the road. LIke he was on a stroll and knew I couldn't hit him. To me, it was as though God was saying, "I told you I'd protect you, stop fearing" I can't say I enjoy driving in the dark yet, or that I've stopped worrying about deer, but I know God is always in control

Now...where is that *publish post* button? ;)

In the Still of the night

Isn't it funny sometimes how God speaks to us?

Last night Alex went to bed and I decided to stay up a little bit.

I didn't have anything I NEEDED to do.

Actually I WANTED to go to bed.

But something told me not to.

So I waited.

I messed around online, I did laundry, I cleaned up some.

Then I did something I don't do.

I checked on my kids.

I don't know why I don't check on them before I go to bed.

But last night I did.

And I could smell Virginia before I could see her.

Both my kids get sick when they are teething , and have awful diapers.

All yesterday Virginia had been not feeling well b/c of her teeth.

I changed her, checked on Miah.

Smiled at Miah b/c he had his Hermie doll sleeping on top of him.

And went back downstairs.

And it hit me.

Any other night, I would have been asleep long before then.

And poor Miss V? That would have been sitting on her, burning her little bottom.

What if I'd waited until morning?

 Poor girl already has skin problems, how long would it take to clear that up?

But someone urged me to stay awake.