Christmas Time Fun!

We have had a tradition of going over to David's parents house to cut down a Christmas tree for the past 3 years. This year we all bundled up and went to choose the tree together as a family. In the past the boys and I usually stay in the truck or David just picks one out.

Here are the boys standing in the back of the suburban on our way back to the trees. This was quite the treat!

Family picture in front of the tree we picked.

Connor helping Daddy put the star that my Dad made on top of the tree.

Decorating the tree this year was so much fun, the boy's really got into it and understand that once the ornament is on the tree, there is no touching :D

My 3 Guys!

FARMYARD

When the guy's (David, my Dad and brothers) went scouting this year, my Mom had the idea to go to the Amazen Farmyard in Eden Valley.

You could purchase baby bottles with milk to feed the baby goats. This was so hilarious! I think this was my favorite thing to watch!

Clayton's 1st pony ride, he loved it! Connor wasn't so sure but before we left he decided he liked it!

Connor is in heaven if there is a tractor to sit on, he can spot one a mile away!

Connor, Aunti Lydia & Clayton going for a train ride.

It is hard to see us in this picture, but they had this huge slide that you can go down. It was so much fun! We all went down (including Maime) it was a blast!

NEVER GIVE-UP!

When I was growing up, "Never Give-Up" was our family motto. In the past months I have felt like giving up many times, mainly in the area of child training. I just seems so hard and unrewarding at times. I know that I shouldn't give-up but I have been feeling like I am fighting a losing battle at times.

A couple days ago I found a note that David had written to me a while back. I had saved it because of the good reminder. It says...."And let us not be weary in well doing: for in DUE SEASON we SHALL REAP if we FAINT NOT. Gal. 6:9 Keep up the good fight, my love" :D Well, I decided I needed to put this somewhere where I could see it everyday to remind me to not be weary and not to faint! I was pondering where I could put this golden piece of advice and it came to me. I hung the note on my 2-year olds door! I have to say that he has given me a run for my money, and I thought I was stubborn! (Yes, Mom & Dad, I'm sure you can smile at this :)

Yesterday was a trying day. I was so discouraged and wondered if things will ever get better. Last night I asked the Lord for wisdom in how to raise my boy's. That he would grant me patience and remind me that I am to be a good example to them, to speak in a kind and loving tone. I also asked my Mom if she could have everyone pray for us. Well, this morning both boy's slept until after 7:30 and they were so happy! They had been getting up at 6:00 and being horribly crabby! I was just reading in a little devotional book (Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado) and today's reading hit me like a Mack Truck. Here is what it said...

November 4th

Run The Race

"Let us run the race that is before us and never give up. Heb. 12:1

"The word race is from the Greek, agon, from which we get the word agony. The Christian's race is not a jog but rather a demanding and grueling, sometimes agonizing race. It takes massive effort to finish strong.

Likely you've noticed that many don't? Surely you've observed there are many on the side of the trail? They used to be running. There was a time when they kept the pace. But then weariness set in. They didn't think the run would be this tough...

By contrast, Jesus' best work was his final work, and his strongest step was his last step. Our Master is the classic example of one who endured....He could have quit the race. But he didn't."

Just Like Jesus

I just wanted to share what the Lord is doing in my life. He is refining me and teaching me things that are hard to learn but He is always by my side even when I fail or feel like giving up! I had Bible Study the other night and the teaching was on Prayer: Leaving A Legacy. She shared 5 attributes of God.

1. He's Always There - Hebrews 10:5

2. He Always Answers - Psalm 34:9

3. He Always Understands - Psalm 103:14 & 139:13

4. He Always Forgives - 1 John 1:9

5. He Always Loves - Jeremiah 31:3

I want to memorize these along with the verses and then teach them to my boy's.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be a mom and that I am daily asked to give of myself. Otherwise, I don't think that I would! I am grateful for my boy's and that the Lord entrusted them to me, it is a job that I don't want to take lightly!

4-Wheeling, Cabin & Campfire Fun

We had another opportunity to get-away to my Aunt and Uncle's Cabin this fall. Here are some pictures from our time there....

Momma & Clayton

The fall colors were just gorgeous so we tried to get a family picture to use for Christmas! David snapped this one of Clayton and me, I love it!

Daddy & Connor

Say Cheese!

Connor, Momma & Clayton hauling firewood.

We did a lot of 4-wheeling. We all enjoy it soo much and it is a beautiful place to be.

Clayton & Connor eating Campfire Donuts. We made all of our meals over the campfire, it was so fun! We did hot dogs, campfire pizza's, omelets in a bag, campfire donuts (a must) and s'mores. It was a great adventure and everything turned out!

Here is our rig in front of the cabin. David strapped the boy's Tonka trucks on the trailer behind the 4-wheelers. We got a lot of double takes from people when we drove by!

As always it was a fun, relaxing and recharging weekend! Thanks Again, Dan & Brenda!

Summertime Memories!

I know I haven't been very consistent with blogging! So here are some pictures of our favorite summertime memories :D

David and my brother, Jon, built this sandbox for the boy's. After it was built, I asked Clayton who made the sandbox, he replies, "Uncle Jon." Poor Daddy!

I had to take this picture....You know you're a country boy when you wear mud boots with shorts!

I had my wisdom teeth out in August and was down for about a week. David took the boy's to the Wright County Fair. They met Great-Grandma & Grandpa Tiemann there. They were in heaven with all the tractors to sit on.

We welcomed our nephew, Aurick Benjamin, into the Tiemann family.

(I am still fairly swollen and bruised from my surgery.)

David took a whole week off of work so we could have some time together as a couple and as a family. We stayed in the cities for a few days and went to a Twins game. The Twins game was his birthday gift which was back in June, we weren't able to get tickets until September. It was fun to see the new stadium and they even pulled off a win! We had a great time together and are so grateful to my Mom for caring for our boy's so we could get-away!

We took the boy's to the Minnesota Zoo, while David was off of work. It was a lot of fun, David had never been there before! Here's me and my boy's riding a Timber Wolf.

Birthday Boy!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY, CONNOR!!

Connor turned 2 on July 21st! We had a double birthday party with cousin, Sarina, who's birthday is exactly a week later. We celebrated with family at a park where the kiddos played, David and Chase grilled hot dogs and brats, let the little ones open their gifts and we all ate yummy cupcakes! It was a fun day!

Connor was thrilled to get a pop-gun just like Clayton's from Maime and Papa Elgard, and family.

For Me?

A tonka truck from the Tiemann uncles and Auntie Nea

Great-Grandma Tiemann getting some sugar from Connor!

Clayton showing Great-Grandpa Tiemann, Connor's new construction toy's. We didn't let the kids open the smaller toy's while we were at the park, this was torture for Clayton!

Sarina got a ballerina music box, Coleton, Connor and Chase look more excited about it than Sarina :D

Connor & Sarina with their cupcakes that Auntie Sarah made.

The Boy's-Coleton, Clayton & Connor in the wagon that Grandma & Grandpa gave Connor.

These are just some "Connor pictures"

Connor loves to eat! This picture captures what we see each meal time.

Connor is in a toddler bed now! He looks so sweet here, but looks can be deceiving :D We are STILL working on the staying in bed part! Hopefully he will get it soon!

We are so grateful that the Lord blessed us with Connor 2 years ago. He is blessing to our family.

CONNOR QUOTES

The other day he dumped out a whole box of cereal unto the kitchen floor. I looked at him and said, "Do you try to make Mommy's life more difficult?" Without skipping a beat he says, "Yeah!" A few days later I was putting him to bed and I asked him if he was going to be a good boy for mommy the next day. He looked at me with a smile and said, "No." Well at least he's honest!

Connor Reading Birthday Card

My grandparents sent this card to Connor for his 2nd birthday (July 21st). He just loved looking at it. The pictures have little colored round circles (like thumb-tact's) he thought they were candy! Thank-you Mimi & Papa for thinking of him!

P.S. Yes, he does have a black-eye, he fell into the kitchen chair that Clayton was sitting on and tipped Clayton over! Never a dull moment over here! :D

Tiemann Family Get-Away!

Our little family!

The boy's loved riding around on the golf cart. They even got Mommy to come with!

Clayton's first catch! He wasn't too sure if he wanted to hold it up (noticed the stressed smile).

Uncles & Cousins play time on the lake.

Clayton, Gavin, Wade, Connor & Malachi enjoy story time!

Baby Christine, so precious!

Clayton & Mommy on the pontoon.

This is not the best picture of Clayton but it was one of the only pictures that I was in.

Connor helping Daddy drive the pontoon!

Cousins- Lily, Clayton & Gavin

Auntie Nea & Clayton-

He loved that they both had dinosaurs on their shirts.

The whole Tiemann Clan minus Stephen.

It was a wonderful time, Thank-you Flom Family!

Kids Kwotes

"Wow! Who is coming over?" asks Clayton when he sees 4 pans of lasagna spreading across the kitchen table. We were preparing to go to Park Rapids with David's family for a get away at a friends cabin. There was going to be 20 of us and most of them are of the male type.

I accidently put these in the wrong order and didn't want to go back and change it! But the below picture is what Clayton saw when he made his statement. I brought 3 of the pans with us and made the other one for a family that I had been wanting to make a meal for.

And this is what I saw when I was done assembling the lasagna, I was hoping the maid was coming over!!

This is one of my favorite recipes so I wanted to share it with you!

Lasagna

1 lb. hamburger-browned with onion.

Add 1/8t. garlic powder, 1T. basil, 1t. salt, 1 lb. diced tomatoes & 2-6oz. cans tomato paste. Mix together and simmer for 30 min. stirring occasionally.

Cook 1/2 package of lasagna noodles according to box directions. Drain.

Beat 2 eggs; add 3c. cottage cheese, 2T. parsley, 1/2t. salt, 1/2t. pepper & 1/2c. parmesan cheese.

Layer in the following order:

1/2 noodles in 9x13 pan

1/2 of the cottage cheese mix

1/2 lb. mozzerella cheese

1/2 meat sauce

REPEAT.

Bake at 375 for 30 min. or 45 min. if cold. Let cool for 10 min. before serving.

This freezes well also. You do not have to cover this because the cheese is underneath the meat sauce so it won't burn. It is really yummy and everyone loved it! Hope you will try it out and enjoy!

Family Pic

This was taken at the Gilmer's for their annual Independence Day Picnic. It was fun and relaxing day! After this picture the boy's ran with their water balloon's to Daddy and threw them at David. It was a highlight of their day to get Daddy wet!!!

Boy's Are Healthy!

Here's a picture of my little cuties, they are feeling much better. Praise the Lord!

This picture was taken the day before we went to see the doctor for the second time. My parents and Lydia had come over to watch the boy's so David & I could go out to supper. That night Clayton was up all night. I was able to get in to see our Family Practice doctor, she was booked until the following Tuesday, but she just "happened" to have an opening. She was pretty sure that it was some sort of intestinal infection. We did some stool samples, fun-fun :P and then we were able to put them on antibiotics. They perked up pretty quick after that. We are so grateful that they are healthy again, it was a long haul of being sick. Thank-you to all of you that were praying for us. We appreciate it so much!

We are off to to the park for a picnic and then to the pool! Looking forward to enjoying the warm weather!

Update On My Kiddos

I thought that I should give everyone an update. Last time I posted, Clayton was up all night throwing up. When he finally fell asleep, Connor got up for his round! Luckily David was able to stay home so he could help me and I could get some rest. We were able to go out that night, David's parents watched the boy's for us, it was a much needed time away together. Things seemed to be going well again, we made it 5 days and then on Sunday, Clayton threw up and Connor had a blow out diaper. Last night we had both of our Dad's come over and pray over Clayton and Connor. We ordered a water test so we can test our well water. We have been buying bottled water until we get the results back. I also have another Doctor visit with our family doctor next Tuesday, she wants to do some blood and allergy tests on them. We would really appreciate your continued prayers. Clayton has never been a very big boy but this bout of sickness has made him soooo skinny. Connor is very unhappy, but I'm not sure if it's because he's sick or almost 2 :D I will post again when we know more! Thank-you!!!!

Please Pray For Us!

It is 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning. We have had sick little boy's since June 6th. They have been vomiting every day to every other day since then. It is usually just once and in the middle of the night or early in the morning. The very strange thing about this is, they are perfectly fine all day... eating, playing, pretty much normal. I took them to the doctor last Wednesday just because I was so frustrated. They basically told me that it was just a bad stomach flu virus and it could last up to 2 weeks! He said to keep them on a bland diet (which is what we had been doing.) Well, the last time Clayton got sick was Thursday night and Connor got sick on Friday night. So I was thinking that we were finally in the clear, only to wake up to Clayton screaming at 1:00 this morning. He has since thrown up every 15-20 minutes. This is the first time that it actually seems like the "flu", vomiting until the tummy is totally empty. I would really covet your prayers. I just feel so bad for my boy's! I am getting rather weary from being up at night, washing puke and diarrhea out of bedding, carpet and clothing and just not knowing what else I can do. David had called me today and told me he set up a babysitter for us to go out on Wednesday night, we haven't been out on a date since our anniversary, May 6th. I was looking so forward to going out! I really want to try and have a positive attitude but I am really struggling right now. I will update you when I get a chance. Thank-you for your prayers!

P.S. If anyone has any idea please let me know!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

David meeting Clayton David and becoming a Daddy for the first time!

He was our little peanut, born 6 weeks early and weighing in at 4 lbs. 9 oz. This picture shows how small he was!

Welcoming baby boy number 2, Connor Chase.

Another picture of David with Connor.

I am so grateful to the Lord for blessing me with such a wonderful husband. He is the best Daddy to our boy's and I am grateful to be on this journey of parenthood with my best friend! I love you, David!