Mark's Story In The Newspaper

Check out Mark's blog and there's a link to the Press Enterprise story about him. 

There are also new and specific ways to pray for Mark and a post from my sister about how to remind yourself to pray for him when the journey seems long.

A Special Shout Out To Caleb For His Birthday

My Precious Caleb turned 4 this Chirstmas Day. So,while we celebrated Christmas Day we also made it special for Caleb as well.

Before breakfast Caleb played with a blow up rat toy. I took a chance buying this cheap, ugly balloon rat, but it ended up being a hit with Caleb.

Caleb got his favorite kind of pancakes. The Mickey Mouse kind. He carefully ate the ears off and left the rest. 

We gave him the Eva toy for his birthday. He jumped for this one. He loves his Wall E stuff!

Look at this sweet picture of him in the rain with no shoes on. He didn't care. He just shook of the ocassional leaf that got stuck to his foot.

He got a Wall E themed cake and loved it!

We wore Wall E Goggles to get into the spirit.

Justin fought the little cowboys at our party!

Close call for Justin. This cowboy almost took him out!

Finally the cowboys were safely subdued!

The Best Of Christmas Day

Christmas morning began with Justin and I opening gifts.

 I caught Justin's excitement as he opened up the electric blanket I got him.

(Despite what it may look like, Justin was pleased to get this gift)

Next we moved on to my parents house for our traditional Christmas breakfast. We always have eggs with ham and coffee cake.

Here is my G and G Ricker with Jo Jo.

Caleb had many different reactions to the 3 Wall E toys we got him. This one was the "No Way!" face. For the other 2 toys he had a delayed scream and a little jump.

These boys love their cut off gloves for the office (Their cold office)

Yes, The guys did somehow unwrap their potato guns and they shot them out in the street. They had a good time.

We went over to Gma Shoe's for lunch. 

Everyone exchanged handmade gifts which was really fun! Some of the gifts were crocheted scarfs/ beanie/ blanket/clutch purse, painted brush holder, collaged box full of guitar picks, painting, mini photo album, salad making kit, and more. This picture is of Justin opening up his gift of new black Converse with painted embellishments on them.

 

Around dinner time we headed to Justin's parent's house. We got to hang out with Heather and Cambry who are visiting from CT. Heather is opening a purse I sewed for her.

Justin's dad and brother checking out their new guns.

Cambry skillfully mastering the nose harp. He serenaded the family with many songs and even played for part of dinner.

Christmas Day was great for us! We are so blessed to have most of our family living in the same town so we can see many people we love on the same day. I am thankful that God provided for Justin and I this season and enabled us to have a great time making a lot of our gifts.

The Best from Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve was nice. We started off at Justin's grandparent's house for some tasty tortilla soup.

Here we are hanging out with Gramps.

We headed off to the Mission Inn for dinner with my Grandpa Saunders and family. It is always good to see everyone and catch up.

Justin giving Jo Jo some love.

A cousin photo moment after the meal. 

Here is our classic Christmas pose in front of the tree.

Another adorable picture of us.

So, Santa came to my grandpa's house. The children were shocked, elated, excited, suspicious, and terrified.

Look at the terror on Jo Jo's face. I have never seen her cry like that.

Caleb even came to comfort her. He stroked her face and then resorted to covering her mouth. What a concerned brother.

Justin and I had a great time this Christmas Eve. We are so thankful for Jesus' birth and the sacrifices He made for us. We are also thankful that He gives us sweet joys of being together with family.

Justin's Gift Giving Style

Justin handmade a few gifts this year.

He went to his dad's garage and so delicately put together a few mini potato guns for some special men in his life. Here he is spraying them all black.

Justin continued in his manly ways and wrapped the potato guns up in red rosin paper. That kind of paper is used to protect the ground from paint splatters and the like on construction sites.

I thought he was done with everything, but then he got out the duct tape. He added his finishing touches by wrapping the gifts from top to bottom with this tape. I told him he was crazy, but I guess it's just a guy thing.

Showing Off My Babies

These little babies bring so much joy to my life that I can't hold back from sharing some of my favorite pictures with you.

Joelle enjoying a Christmas candy cane (with the wrapper on of course).

Look at my sweet Jo Jo's face

Caleb enjoying a Christmas cupcake. Yes, auntie let him eat that and other terrible things.

Caleb loving time with his uncle Justin

Caleb sleeping on uncle Justin after a long evening of celebrating Christmas.

This is my other baby. This is how he dresses to go climbing in the snow. Silly boy.

I thank God for all my babies!

Fasting For Mark And Angie This FRIDAY!

Mark is still in bad condition at Mission Hospital. This hospital is one of the best places he could be which is great, but Mark is still not doing well with his injuries. 

Friends and family have set up an opportunity to fast and pray together for Mark this Friday. Please join us! Even if you don't know him personally I would love for you to be a part of praying for him. I am so thankful for those of you who have already been praying. Thank You! 

Please go to this website and read more about it.

www.prayforthelamberths.com

Also check out my sister, Casey's blog (Called "Neighbs"). She tells the story of how she met Mark and Angie. Casey and Josh are best friends with Mark and Angie so this is extremely hard on them too.

Going to Connecticut

Justin and I are flying to New Haven, Connecticut on Thursday night. We are visiting Justin's brother, Cambry and his wife, Heather. We haven't seen them since their wedding in July.

I have never been to CT. We are looking forward to a good time hanging out. I hope to get a few crocheted Christmas gifts done on the flight over :)

These are a few family pics of us last winter. It was fun to take these pictures besides the fact that it was around 50 degrees outside when we did it. Between locations we would throw our fat jackets on.

We are hearing that it is really cold in CT now. I will prepare for the worst.

Please Pray For Mark!

Our friend Mark has been in a terrible accident and needs your prayers!

He fell off a dirt bike and is in very bad condition. The Doctor's are not very hopeful. My heart breaks for this sweet family. His wife's name is Angie and they have a 6 year old son named Nolan. I have known them for a long time and they are my sister and Josh's dearest friends.

There has been a blog set up so we can see current updates on his condition.

www.prayforthelamberths.com

Please pray with me that Mark will be healed and the family will have the Lord's comfort.

Product Of My Recent Hobby

So I have been crocheting a lot lately. I bring it almost anywhere with me if I think I will have a minute to continue a project. 

I am mainly making Christmas gifts for people. I have been wanting to show some of the project I've completed, but I can't show them till after I give the gifts (Don't want to spoil any surprizes!) :)

So, here is a picture of one of the little items I have made for a gift. I gave it to my friend for her birthday.

I learned basic crochet then I have been slowly growing in my ability to read patterns. That's how I am starting to do some more unusual crochet items. I google the patterns online and  print out anything that I want to try. 

Crochet is awesome because it is so relaxing. You can be involved in conversation, traveling or watching a movie and be producing something. 

Another cool thing is that as I have been talking about it to my friends, all these secret crocheters  have been coming out of the wood works. I have been having so much fun crocheting with others. I love it.

One Man's Trash Is My Treasure

I got this vase for free at a yard sale. I thought it was ok when I first saw it. Then I fell in love with it.

It's curves and facets have a vintage feel. It just makes me happy.

I walked past it on my counter one afternoon and it was glowing. The sunset light was passing through this vase and made it look like there was a fire burning inside. 

Mmmm, I loved it even more then.

Man Vs. Tree

The Christmas tree farm must begin with the candy cane. I had to ask Santa for this one because he didn't willingly offer it to me.

We spent some time scouting out our tree. We went deep inside the small forest. We found our tree, walked away from it, got lost, and came back to it. Then we cut it down. 

Notice Justin's relaxed face with his furiously blurry sawing arm.

Here I am posing like I am going to cut it down. Nope not this year, that was last year.

Look how cute we are. This is our second married Christmas together.

Here's the Real Deal. Man vs. Tree.

The tree Lovingly Conquered. 

On The Edge

I walked out of our apartment and saw this.

That is Justin having strapped himself to the pillar with some truck tie-downs and hanging over the edge to reach the corner of the roof.

Well, he reached it... and every other corner of our porch and yard.

Here is what Justin has artistically created for us. The canvas... our porch. The medium... mini light bulbs

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