Expecting and passing

I have been looking at the blog - and the years that have passed, and I realized that I am not writing enough.  So today, you get a journal entry.  Perhaps because it is all I feel like doing...since I don't feel like doing very much lately, due to the fact that  I cannot get well...Yes, I am expecting, and no it is not the reason for my illness suprisingly.  We are due to have another baby March 9th 2010.  Seeing as how the other two came early, we are hoping end of Feb, or beginning of March.  I am only 7-8 weeks along, but we are excited about it.  A month ago, we gave all the baby stuff away, and I mean everything!  Ha ha, too bad I will have to go shopping!  I am not sure what this baby is and that is weird for me, since sex and name are usually picked at this stage in the game for me in the past.  So, I don't know if we will "find out" on this one....I have been reading a couple of books lately, of a spiritual nature.  One is called "Queit heart" by Patricia Holland, and the other "Men and Women of Christ" by Maxwell.  I have had a lot of time in bed this week, so I have had the chance to read just for the sake of reading, imagine that!  I am deeply impressed with the need to simplify and dedicate myself to God.  Along with reading Les Mis, it has been kind of nice amongst the bodily pain, I have had time to think about my life, social injunstice, things that really matter. 
     Among all these thoughts,  I was also able to pass with flying colors my anatomy and physiology class, the last precursor to Nursing School.  I am very excited to be on my way down this road.  I am sure that this is a work that the Lord has called me to do (medical training), and that E'lan and I will be able to serve missions in other countries and help many people there, both spiritually and physically.  I hope to become a Nurse Practiioner over the years....before we retire...here a little, there a little.  Having children is such a marvel.  I adore both of my kids - Anyway, just some of my thoughts.  I guess you might be looking for pictures or more, but not today. 
     E'lan is trying to get on board with the blog thing and add some of his personal thoughts and insights - particularly regarding things of a political nature....I am eagerly anticipating that involvement.   He is a gift to me and my children, and I thank God for him daily.

One year older and wiser too, Happy Birthday to you!

aaah, guess it's time for another baby!

Joshua turned 5!

Joshua's Aunt Ruth made him a bucket of dirt, and it was hilarious, because he thought it was real - full of rocks, worms, mud and such.  Many of you might not know that Joshua has been trying to fly a kite in El Paso for a couple of years now, and on the morning of his birthday he was able to fly a kite for the first time.  IT was awesome!

We proceeded to give him gifts after gifts, have the whole family over of course and play games.  Juliette set up some great stuff for him.  Upon going outside to get ready to play, Joshua was blasted with TONS of silly string!  Then, we played pin the tail on the donkey, all adults included....then an all out WAR of the Waters...it began with a simple squirt from Joshua to his Aunt Ruby, then Uncle Eli decides to get the hose out...Joshua was on his team ofcourse.  Everyone got soaked.  And by everyone I mean everyone all mothers, grandmothers, pregnant women, and so forth!  It was fun.  Joshua ended the night with his fav thing to do, bowling.  Oh, and his cake was a fam effort....I thought it turned out pretty cute.  I cannot believe he is five and starting school.  Each year, his birthday gets bigger and crazier.  The house was all decked out when he woke up...he had presents all day long and was wasted at 11pm when he hit the sack.  You would think the little stinker would sleep in, but NO!  Happy Birthday Joshua.  It is so great to have such a fun family that dotes on my kids.  oh, and here is a little pic of Naomi with Grandpop and Nana just for fun.  I am going to put a slide show up later with more pics for the Sundermann and Vallender clans to laugh at! 

First time Camping as a Fam

Okay, so we drove about 45 miles North of globe to Saginaw Flats, and found a great campground set on a creek.  We were able to hike to a waterfall, you can barely see it behind Josh and E'lan on the cliff.  We ate, played, got wet in the stream, hiked, ate some more, and sat by the fire.  Our dogs were in heaven, as were the kids.  We played hide and seek behind tree stumps too.  The morning after sleeping was a highlight for me with all the giggling and chill of the morning.  Us desert rats are not used to a morning chill, and it was fun.  We all layered our jammies with our regular clothes to stay warm.  It was so nice to sit around with nothing to do and NOONE to talk to and nowhere to be!  It was a much needed little getaway.  Now, we are hooked and plan on gearing up with camping stuff.  Oh, need I forget the highlight of the trip, A BEAR!  No lie, right in the middle of the road, a huge brown bear bigger than the front of our van.....
WHAT the %^&^%#!   How I ever went to sleep is a miracle.  The last time E'lan and I camped at the Grand Canyon a bear was outside our tent.  I think it is an omen!

Curlies!

This is Naomi's new thing.  Thanks to a suggestion from Aunt Sandee...we put in foam curlers at night before bed, and she wakes up to a shirley temple bliss!  She calls it her curlies!  She loves to do her nails and toes too!  She is like my own personal doll.  It is a lot of fun.  I think she look really cute. 

Soccer Days

Joshua played 2 seasons this year, and Uncle Fred coached the team with E'lan.  It was fun.  The last game was a little too hot, but he did a great job. 

Happy Mothers Day

I hope that you all notice the pasta necklace that the kids made me, thanks to one of my BFF's Nikole.  Joshua is getting to be so big.  I cannot believe he is starting school in a couple months!  Naomi came running out of Nursury yelling "Happy Mother's Day" to the tune of Happy Birthday.  She ran out and handed me a scribbled paper with chocolate attached, then promptly asked for it back so she could eat the chocolate.  It made my whole day great.  We went out to mom and dad's to hang with the whole family in the afternoon.  Always remember the sanctity and importance of motherhood, we are the Lord's crowning jewels, not until Eve was here did he declare it "Good"!  Thanks to all you women who nurture and raise God's children!

Our Garden

E'lan worked hard to get our spring garden ready this year and built these boxes.  We planted lettuce, spinach (already picked), green onions, carrots, zucchini, roma tomatoes, and recently added strawberries.  I have never ever had a garden or even been part of doing one, and it is so cool.  For dinner, I send Josh out for the lettuce and such.  I love it.  At women's conference, I read a little diddy about a woman who talked about gardens being important.  Life started in a Garden, Christ resurrected in a Garden, etc...so My new goal is to make a flower, winding pathway with butterfly trellace :)  Little by little I want to have my own little piece of Heaven, Garden of Rufio. Speaking of Women's Conference, here are some pictures of me and mom.  I don't have any with Leslie or Becca somehow, but they were there to share in the experience.  I learned so much and was edified in every way possilble, with the exception of the weather, it was phenomenal! Seriously snow and hail in MAY!  What???  I got to meet a singer that I love, we participated in a worldwide humanitarian effort, and went to a lot of classed and devotionals.  My mom is my best friend and I am so glad that she was there with me.  You raise me, and I raise you and together we rise!

April Fun

So this month was a lot of fun.  I made homeade cinnamon rolls for the first time ever and they were delicious!  Worth every stinking calorie, and I still have managed to keep of the 23 pounds that I lost since January eating these yummy treats, thank you very much!  Just thought I would brag a little :)   The kids have been playing superheroes lately, and they decided to be superman on the trampoline, then we did playdough, and ofcourse a marshmellow roast in the backyard.  We just dug a hole and started a fire (okay E'lan dug the hole)  We are totally going to put in a firepit now, we are addicted.