Happy 235th Birthday Marine Corp!

With Veteran's day right around the corner (tomorrow!) and today being the Marine Corps b-day, I thought I would take time to thank all the Men & Women who protect our country.

First up is my brother Jason. This picture is 6 years old! I can't believe it's been that long. This was taken on my brother's graduation day from Parris Island. He has been deployed 3 times and praise God has come home safe each time. He now works at Parris Island training "maggots" to be Marines. I'm the proudest sister on earth! Just writing this is making me tear up. And a big congrats to him today as he re-enlisted for another 4 years!

I also have to give a big thank you to my own hero, My Daddy! Sadly, this is the best pic I could find. Guess I need to take more pictures of him! My dad served in the US Army and I'm so proud of him.

And although I can't find a picture, my grandfather, Arlen McKinley, served in the US Navy. Spencer is even named after him.

The list of people in my family that are or were in the armed forced is very very long. But I'm proud of each of them.

And to all the men & women who are serving or have served, THANK YOU! I am so blessed beyond imagination because I get to live in this awesome country that you fought so hard to protect. And for all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice . . . Thank you doesn't even begin to cover it. All my gratitude to you and your family for your sacrifice.

All gave some, but some gave all.

Trick Or Treat

Happy Halloween!

Tonight Jason and I took 2 dragons and a ladybug out for a fun family time of Trick or Treating!

Dalton as a dragon/Dino

Spencer as a dragon

Vivian the lady bug

But our trip was almost cut short when Spencer tripped and hit his head on a driveway. Jason & I both HEARD it (and you know my heart sank). We picked him up and held him for a minute and he was just fine. He was a little shy the rest of the time but was happy to get candy.




And candy we certainly got! Of course Jason & I had to "check" it over, but all 3 of the kids got plenty of candy after supper tonight.

What a fantastic night we had! Lots of great memories and things I won't ever forget. Like Dalton running ahead of us and when we told him to wait he said "I can't help it! I'm SO excited!!!!" And Miss Viv actually said "Trick or Treat" or her version. Of course it was only to Jason and I, but we heard it! Our family is growing so quickly and I'm trying to soak it all in! I love family time!

Me & My Little Lady Bug

Dalton at one of our first stops

Happy Birthday Spencer

Three years ago on October 17th, we welcomed out second son, Spencer Arlen. And on this past Sunday Oct. 17th, 2010 we celebrated his life. What a fun birthday party for him to eat his special cake (made by mommy) and open presents!


His beloved WOODY! What a special toy


Dalton & Viv enjoying the party


My big boy


Too cool for the cake


His wiggles cake that he had been asking for since AUGUST!

Happy Birthday Penny! We love you!

First Day of School

I'm still playing catch up!

Dalton started Preschool on Sept. 8! I can't believe my big boy is in preschool but he LOVES it! He barely even says goodbye anymore. Basically jumps out of the van and RUNS in. He has made a few new friends and talks about how much fun he has and asks all the time if he can go to school today. I'm so glad we put him in preschool and I'm very happy that he is having a great time.

He got a backpack that we got to decorate and he wanted a rock'n'roll bag.


This is it! My big boy standing outside of our new home getting ready to grow up right before my eyes.

Do you feel it?

Fall has officially arrived and in our house that means one thing.

FOOTBALL!!!


Although we watch all the NFL games, we are really Purdue fans. We watch all the Purdue games and while watching the NFL Jason points out all the players that used to go to Purdue. We try to get down to at least one game a year although I didn't get to go last year. But I am really looking forward to going this year. It's always so much fun to tailgate and then after the game we usually walk the campus and hit up a few stores.

Fall also means changing of the leaves & cooler weather. Two of my favorite things about fall. I love waking up in the morning and putting on a jacket. And don't even get me started on how much I LOVE jeans!! I would wear them year round if I could. And the fall leaves are so beautiful. A tradition we have gotten away from (but need to start up again) is going up to Pokagon and walk around looking at the leaves and just the beauty of the fall. What a gorgeous state park! And although I've never stayed there, they have a beautiful lodge resort too. Well it's time to put on my jeans and watch some football!

Princess Vivian

That pretty much sums up what we think about Viv and what she thinks about herself. She is the princess! She knows it, I know it and anyone that has ever met her knows it. Some people act like this is a bad thing. But you know what?! I LOVE it! I want her to always know she is a princess. I want her to grow up knowing that she is loved and cherished and deserves to be treated like a queen. I can't believe she is walking all over the place and trying to talk. What a little smarty. She is sweet and loving, funny and crazy. My little princess Vivian!

Happy Birthday Dalton

Here is another post I missed!

We celebrated Dalton's 4th birthday on August 14. I can't believe it's been 4 years! I love my big guy! Happy Birthday Big Boy!

4 years ago - August 14, 2006


Dalton's new big boy bike


His dino cake!



We are so proud of the little man you are becoming Dalton. Happy Birthday big guy!

Watching for deer

My father-in-law does the same thing nearly every night. After supper he cleans up the kitchen, grabs a beer and then heads out to the front deck to watch for the deer. There are some deer that come out across the street in a field near some woods. If you sit on the front porch and just generally enjoy the weather, and the company, you will most likely see some deer. So while we were staying with them, our family loved to go outside after dinner too. Although we did see deer a few times, it was much more fun to play ball or just enjoy being outside.

Spencer outside with no pants!


Dalton (shirt on backwards), Vivian (no clothes) & my father-in-law all looking for the deer!


A picture from the front yard of everyone enjoying the deck!

Snapping Beans

If you grew up in Indiana you have probably snapped green beans at least once in your life. I have fond memories of sitting at the kitchen table with 2 bowls and a bucket full of beans. You pick the beans out of the bucket, snap off the ends and then snap them in half. My in-laws have a wonderful garden and we got the opportunity to eat yummy fresh food all summer and the boys got to help grandpa take care of the garden. Well part of helping was to snap beans! What a really fun & special time for all of us.

Daddy & Spencer snapping some beans


Dalton & Grandpa working on their basket full!

Calling the Cows

I never got a chance to blog this when we were at my in-laws so I'll take a min. and do it now.

One of my favorite things about my in-laws is that they live in the country. Right across the street from them are 2 cows. I'm not good with types of cow but they look like Black Angus to me and I know they are going to be eaten at the end of the season so that would be my guess. Well these 2 cows, named Ham & Burger, are funny cows! When you moo at them they moo back. And if you yell "Come on Boys!" they will come to you! It's funny. But anyways, Dalton was mooing out the window one day and we asked him what he was doing. He said "talking to the cows. I speak cow ya know?!" We all lost it. So now when we are over there we ask him if he can call the cows! And we look for Ham & Burger every time we go to visit!

Jason's Birthday

Yesterday was Jason's 32nd Birthday. And if you know me, you know how I feel about birthdays!! It's YOUR day and you get to have fun and decided what to eat and where to go =)

I ordered a cake from our local bakery and told them he was a Purdue fan and maybe do some black & gold.


Then we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.


And then off to let Jason live one of his dreams!! He got to curl. We love watching curling during the Olympics and some friends of ours are in a league here. He got a call asking him to sub and he jumped at the chance. What a cool birthday for him!




I hope that he had a really special birthday. Love you Jason!!

Catching up!

Where have the last 2 months gone? We moved in July 23 and I haven't had a chance to update everyone. Here are few things that have happened over the last few months.

The Moving Truck!


A new house needs a new couch!


Me and my girl hanging out


First car wash at our new house


So many things have happened since we moved in. And I'll be sure to update more soon. We feel so blessed to be here and starting this new adventure on Fox Valley!

My New Toys

I didn't get a Valentine's, Birthday, or Anniversary present this year because Jason wanted to get me these!! I have been wanting to get new pots & pans for awhile as our old ones were chipping and just a really cheap old set that Jason had from college. So I though the new house was a great time to get new!! So today we went to Bed, Bath & Beyond and picked out these. I'm so excited to get into the new house and test drive them!!! Who wants to come for dinner?! =)



Count down is 5 days! We move in starting Friday!!!

Splash Day

Today was Preschool Splash Day at church. We met at Shoaff park and played at the splash pad. They also had a huge playground and Pastor Jim was nice enough to have snacks and juice for us.

Dalton & Spencer had a BLAST! They really loved being drenched. That is Spencer in the blue & red Elmo trunks and Dalton is in the red & white Hawaiian trunks.






But Vivian on the other hand . .


I sat her by one of the fountains and she was NOT happy with me. Oops!

But all in all we had such a fun time. Dalton said he LOVED splash day. I can't wait to take them to another splash park. On a side note SPLASH is my new goal for Spencer to say. It's a hard one but I know he can do it. Just this past week he said Sippy, Speech & Orange. All words that he really had troubles with. So off we go to learn to say SPLASH!

Stop & Think

A friend of mine posted this song to her blog the other day and of course I teared right up. After all my "wanting something more" talk, I'm wondering what I really want.



It's time to stop and think.

Music of my life

This song pretty much sums up how I have been feeling. Granted I don't go to "work" everyday but trust me being a stay-at-home-mom is WORK!


Something More

Monday, hard to wake up
Fill my coffee cup, I'm out the door
Yeah, the freeway's standing still today
It's gonna make me late, and that's for sure
I'm running out of gas and out of time
Never gonna make it there by nine

[Chorus:]
There's gotta be something more
Gotta be more than this
I need a little less hard time
I need a little more bliss
I'm gonna take my chances
Taking a chance I might
Find what I'm looking for
There's gotta be something more

Five years and there's no doubt
That I'm burnt out, I've had enough
So now boss man, here's my two weeks
I'll make it short and sweet, so listen up
I could work my life away, but why?
I got things to do before I die

[Repeat Chorus]

Some believe in destiny, and some believe in fate
I believe that happiness is something we create
You best believe that I'm not gonna wait
'Cause there's gotta be something more

I get home 7:30 the house is dirty, but it can wait
Yeah, 'cause right now I need some downtime
To drink some red wine and celebrate
Armageddon could be knocking at my door
But I ain't gonna answer that's for sure.
There's gotta be something!

Snapping Beans

Tonight was such a fun night! Not only did we talk to the cows, which I will blog about later. But then we came in and helped grandma snap beans. Bushels of green beans were laid on the table and we went to town. My father-in-law, Jason, & myself snapped the ends and then Dalton & Spencer snapped them into pieces so my mother-in-law could can them. It was fun to sit around the table and talk and snap away. Oh what fun a simple task, and a lot of work, can be!





Oh the memories we are making and adventures we are having!

Something More

Do you ever want something more? Something more out of your mate? Something more out of life? Something more out of yourself?

I'm not sure why but all of a sudden I feel like I'm at a crossroad. I'm not sure what the options are or why I all of a sudden feel this giant need for change. But all the same I feel it. I just feel like there is something more. Something more I should do or say or be. So now what? Do I go to Barnes & Noble, grab a Venti white mocha and search the self help section? Maybe. Do I try a new sport or hobby to try to find that "something". Maybe. I just don't know what I'm supposed to do. So I'm going to keep praying and see what God shows me. And if you know what it is or have any ideas, I'm open!

Sunday Thoughts

Today was a Sunday not unlike most. Jason had to be in the sound booth and I had to sing on worship team. Both of those things on the same Sunday means that we usually miss out on at least part of our Flock (Sunday school) lesson. Well lucky for me our teacher was just starting when I walked in. Today we were talking about John 14:1-14. In this section Jesus comforts his disciples and also tells them HE is the way to the Father. I'm sure I've not only read but heard and visually seen these verses in the Living Last Supper numerous times, but I really hadn't given them much thought. Well today a specific verse stuck out to me. Verse 13 says "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father."

So many times I treat God as a magic genie that I pray and He will do what I want. God save me from this situation, God make this circumstance go away, God help us find the right house. I read the first part of the verse "And I will do whatever you ask in my name" and I add a period there when God made it a coma. He intended me to read the first part but then pause and read the rest. The second part is a condition to the first. He will do whatever you ask, IF/WHEN/SO THAT it brings glory to Him! He isn't a magic genie, although He could anything He wanted to. He is the Alpha & Omega. The great I AM! He is Yahweh, the LORD, the God or Abraham, Isaac & Jacob. He can do anything He knows will bring glory to Him. I don't always know the reason why He does things from an earthly stand point but I do know from an eternal stand point that He does things to being people to Him and bring Him the glory.

A good friend of mine made an AMAZING statement today that blew my fuse (as my father-in-law- would say). We should be praying that God USES the circumstances, and not just that the circumstances would go away. He was speaking specifically about a family member with an illness. He was saying how when he prayed for her it was for healing, which we all would. But his attitude in the praying was wrong. He prayed for healing because he knew how much this loved one meant to her family and how she would be missed greatly. But he was saying that he SHOULD have been praying that God would use her illness to bring others to Him, even if that didn't mean healing. That is a such a hard thing to do. I can remember the first time my brother went to Iraq. I can remember praying for him before he left. And praying that God's will would ultimately be done, even if that meant he wouldn't come back home alive. How it hurt to think about my brother not being here but I knew that if God called him home, HE had a greater purpose.

Pastor Joel gave a example today of how God sees things as apposed to how we see them. When we watch a parade, we sit in our lawn chairs on the side of the road and see just a small part. We see the band come and go, we see the Shriners driving their little cars but we can't see the whole thing all at once. But God is like the man up in the helicopter. He is up so high that he CAN see the beginning and the end and the whole parade route. He sees how all the pieces come together to make the perfect parade. Much the same as He sees the beginning and end of all time and how all the parade floats (us) come together to make His parade.

I don't know why God had me write all this out, I just know I needed to hear it and I can only hope that someone else needed to hear it too. Don't forget to pray today, especially to praise Him for His blessings. If you list them out I bet you have more than you know! I'm trying to stay positive and keep listing my blessings.

Few more weeks!

This week we celebrated 3 weeks down and 2 to go! I can't believe we have been here 3 weeks. The time has really gone fast. But we are SO ready to be in our new house. We went couch shopping last weekend. As if couch shopping wasn't fun enough we decided to take all 3 kids! In case you don't know, we have 3 young kids, Dalton - Almost 4, Spencer 2 1/2, and Vivian 1. So 3 under 3 going couch shopping is an experience all in itself. Well no luck on the couch hunt but the kids did their best to test the durability of any and all couches we go near. The poor sales associates LOL Oh well it was just one of the adventures in the lives of the Baker family!

This week I also got the opportunity to go see our old house. We got a call that there was a package at Valley Creek for us. So I decided to run over and get it. How surreal to drive into our addition, pull up to the house, and go ring the doorbell. As I was walking up to the door our old neighbor was outside and I stopped to talk to him and pet his dogs. I miss those puppies! The new homeowners are so sweet! They instantly invited me in and I was able to get my first look at "our" house. It wasn't ours anymore. The walls were the same, the paint was the same and the carpet was the same. But yet it was different. It smelled different, the furniture was different and it wasn't "ours" anymore. It was such a bittersweet moment. I knew that the house was being loved and cared for. It was so obvious by all the flowers around, the pictures hung up and the yummy plug in they had going. It was so good to see the house being loved but it was still a little bit odd to walk in there and it didn't feel like home. We are so happy that the Kruegers are taking such good care of a home that we loved so much. And we pray often for them, that they will have a great life at Valley Creek.

4th of July

Like most Americans I love the 4th of July. We have many members of my family either retired or are active military. So the 4th is extra special to our family and a great time to get together with family. This 4th was even more special as we are living with Jason's parents. We had all his brothers and sisters over and made ribs and shot off fireworks. What a fun time for the kids. Oh who am I kidding?! It was a fun time for us all. As a kid we really didn't do fireworks at home. It just was me and my parents were older so they weren't up for late nights and loud noises. The craziest we ever got were sparklers and an occasional snake, the kind you light and it grows and leaves huge black mark on your drive way. So it was an extra special treat to marry someone who was open and excited to blow things up. This year while everyone was here we got a lot of fireworks, waited until dusk and then had a BLAST, literally!

Here are the boys getting ready for the boom!



And then of course I had to line them all up for the typical "This is my family" picture.


It was all in all a GREAT 4th. Uncle Bob helped the boys shoot off some fireworks and we all enjoyed just being together as a family. I can't wait until next year when the kids are little bigger and they can really get into the sparklers, which they really didn't like this year. I just love these memory making moments that we are here.