They play so well

I hope this lasts for a while!

Amelia playing with Isaac's new Chanukkah gift.

And her own..

He Markered Up his face!

And I don't think it was washable! Keep in mind...these pictures were taken after his teachers at school attempted to was his face, and after we had tried once!

Chanukkah

Chanukkah was celebrated early this year with the Phillips' since Lisa was in from Florida.

Amelia trying to figure out Uncle Alan's beard.

Isaac showing off his big truck that he got from Aunt Marlene. The kids got some really nice gifts (so did we). Thanks everyone!

The Museum Center

Aunt Lisa was in from Florida for almost 2 weeks, and as a Hanukkah gift, took Isaac (and Brian and I) to see an Omnimax film.



The omnimax theater is located within the museum center. This picture was inside, in front of their Christmas tree.

After the film, we went down to see a model train display and some other parts of the museum, and guess who we bumped into? That's right! Santa! Isaac walked right up and told Santa, "I've been a good boy!" He also told Santa that he wants trains and cars for Christmas.

Isaac driving Aunt Lisa around Clifford's (the Big Red Dog) village.

Not to Overwhelm anyone...

...but I still have some catching up that I need to do.


Isaac really enjoyed watching the snow fall on our back deck.



Amelia is into absolutely EVERYTHING!

This is her favorite mess to make- pulling all of the DVD's off of the shelf!

Daddy giving Isaac a haircut. Believe it or not, he was not upset! He got some hair in his mouth!

Catching Up...

Thanksgiving Day around the farm.


All bundled up...it was pretty chilly!




About to get into mischief in that big sawdust pile- Uncle Johnny taught him how to run to the top this past summer.

Isaac was just making sure the heifer could reach the hay.



A view of the "shooting range".

Somehow we didn't get any pictures of anyone inside, including Amelia! And she was wearing the cutest sweater dress from Old Navy...What a lovely, family-filled day! If I could manage not to gain back any weight, I wish EVERY DAY could be Thanksgiving Day. It is, by far my FAVORITE AND MY BEST (a little bit of Charlie and Lola for any who may be familiar).

Catching Up...

Just a few pictures of us enjoying an evening...


Cutie-pie!

Playing some music...

Daddy twisting his tongue to read Fox in Socks.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure she doesn't really look like Mommy.

Catching Up...

We had a nice weekend for Michael, John and Jill's Birthday...

But look at John's facial hair...




And Michael's...

They say they think it makes them look older. I suppose it does, but I've never really been a huge fan of facial hair...


Yes. this is my baby CLIMBING THE STAIRS! Where did the time go?

Great-Grandma Opal enjoying some time with Amelia. She and Isaac had a good time playing, too.
Great-Grandpa even wanted in on some of the ball-bouncing action! I wish I got a picture of that, too.

An Art Project

Isaac and I decided to do an art project a couple of weekends ago. Here's what we started...


We cut a hole in paper plates, and painted the ring brown.




We removed fabric leaves from their plastic branches.

Applied glue to the ring.

And we tried to glue the leaves to the rings to make wreaths.

Well, the fabric leaves wouldn't stick with the non-toxic, safe glue that we were using. I think hot glue was needed, definitely not safe for Isaac to use. So, we punched out multi-colored construction paper leaves and glued that on. We tied on some yarn, and hung to dry! The final outcome will be posted soon...

Fall Photoshoot

Fall's photoshoot in Buckeye Gear by Brian Phillips Photography! Seriously, does anyone have any ideas for a name? I'm thinking Brian needs to make this a 2nd job!

Update to Realizations

For anyone that may be confused...



I published the previous blog on Nov. 12. Some of you got to see it before I decided that I seemed to be complaining too much, and I pulled it back. Apparently it was inspiring, so I have decided to re-publish, but post this follow-up with it.



I don't mean to complain. I feel very fortunate to have a job in an economy in which many are finding themselves without. I feel very fortunate to be married to a wonderful man that I hug and kiss every day. I feel very fortunate to live close enough to family that I can easily visit when I can.



Perhaps a better explaination of my feelings...



I feel like I am wasting time. We are all given a certain amount of time on this earth. Time that I believe we are meant to use to make a contribution. I'm not really sure what my contribution is meant to be, but I don't feel like right now, I am contributing in that way.



I know I should be spending more time with my children, raising them so that they become respectful, loving, giving, understanding, and contributing adults.



I think I should be helping other children, providing them with resources so that they become respectful, loving, giving, understanding, and contributing adults.



Perhaps I should be helping adults, providing them with resources so that they become and can raise their own children to become respectful, loving, giving, understanding, and contributing adults.



Maybe I should be devoting my time to those that need help, just getting to the doctor, getting groceries, cleaning, cooking, helping and giving and contributing in whatever way I can.



I know I should be spending more time with my parents, my grandparents, my siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends... learning how to best contribute. And returning the favor in any way I can.



What needs to change is me. The way I make decisions on a daily basis. How to best contribute. How to contribute at all. To Contribute. To stop wasting time.

Happy Birthdays and Realizations

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOHN, MICHAEL AND JILL! I love you guys, and can't wait to see you this weekend- it's been way too long! I hope you all have a great day.

Now for my recent realizations...

Work isn't everything. Family and friends are everything. Of course I've known this. I've always known this, but somehow I haven't. At least I haven't been living as though I've known this. Let me explain...

I just worked from 4 am until 3:45 pm. I'm tired. I'm grumpy. I came straight home from work, letting the kids stay at day care hoping that I might be able to catch a small nap before the 6:00 pm mandatory pick-up time. Instead, I find myself frustrated with things, my mind still back at work thinking about what I didn't get done today, what I need to do first when I get there at 4 am (or should I go in a little bit earlier so I can get a couple more things on my to-do list checked off?), or should I go do a load of laundry, or vacuum again because Ruthie is shedding like crazy, and oh- the kitchen is a mess again...the dishwasher needs emptied and re-filled...Urg! I'm tired.

And Brian. He gets up, tries to catch a shower before Isaac and Amelia wake up, then if they aren't up already, gets Isaac up, to the potty, dressed, breakfast. Gets the bottles ready. Brushes Isaac's and his own teeth. Wakes up Amelia and dresses her. Takes them to daycare and lets them feed her. Goes to work, tries to be first in (he'll get the first opportunity to try to sell to walk-ins), they open at 9 am. They close at 7 pm. It is rare for him to get home before 8 pm. By this time, I have fed the kids, possibly bathed them, and have done whatever I can to get them ready for bed including picking out clothes for the next day. When possible, I do whatever cleaning/ laundry, etc. that I can get done or feel like getting done. We start trying to get the kids in bed. I don't end up in bed until 9 pm having spent no time with Brian, and very little with the kids.

Start over the next day with my alarm going off at 2:15 am.

And weekends. Brian works every Saturday but 1 each month. Because daycare doesn't exitst on Saturdays, I spend time with the kids and go in on Sundays. Occasionally on a weekend evening we get to visit with some of our friends or family- probably once per month.

Does it sound like I know family is everything? Not at all. I'm tired of feeling sorry for myself. I don't want to continue to be put in a situation where I am regularly choosing work and sleep over my husband and children. Enough belly-aching. Change is in the air. It is time. People work too much and don't do enough with the people they love and that love them. That is what is wrong with this country. I am ready to down-grade. Down-grade the life style, make some sacrifices. Smaller house with smaller mortgage and taxes, less cable, less stuff, less bills, less work.

More husband, more kids, more brothers and sisters and moms and dads and grandma and grandpa and friends and friends and friends! It's time for us to change!

Some Pictures

Just some more pictures of our camping trip with Kari, Andy and Reid in Indiana...


Isaac with his walking stick.




Kari and Andy hanging out at the picnic tables by the lake.

Mommy and Amelia at the beach watching Isaac in the lake.



Isaac wearing Daddy's t-shirt after soaking his clothes in the lake.