Sunday, December 6, 2009
Come on Rainbow Bells
Aliya has been practicing for her upcoming preschool Christmas Performance at church. She's frequently heard singing "Come on Ring Those Bells" ~ although she is convinced the song is actually "Come on Rainbow Bells". Here's a sneak peek - for the actual performance, you'll need to be at church on Sunday! (Maybe between now and then I'll figure out how to rotate the video.)
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Making Progress
It's amazing how much has happened in the past 1½ months with our house.
Stairs have been built
2nd story framing has gone up
Walls have been nailed on
Trusses set, rooflines reestablished and reroofed
Windows and Sliding Glass Door installed
Nursery Dismantled/Hallway Framed
Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical installed
Interior framing done / windows removed or relocated
Insulation in place
All to prepare us for "Rockin' Out" next week! It's almost time to sheetrock - Yahoo!!!
Stairs have been built
2nd story framing has gone up
Walls have been nailed on
Trusses set, rooflines reestablished and reroofed
Windows and Sliding Glass Door installed
Nursery Dismantled/Hallway Framed
Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical installed
Interior framing done / windows removed or relocated
Insulation in place
All to prepare us for "Rockin' Out" next week! It's almost time to sheetrock - Yahoo!!!
Jonathan's Stridor
I wrote this on October 17th, but never posted it. Time for me to play catch up!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I ran across this video last night. How quickly I had forgotten what it was like to hear Jonathan's rapid, stridorous breathing 24 hours a day...awake or asleep. He's actually breathing slowly in the video (which didn't happen often when he was younger).
I remember a nurse at Children's Hospital telling me that there would come a point when his noisy breathing would be less of a concern than when I couldn't hear him breathe at all. How true that was! And now, we are blessed to watch him breathe so easily that his Laryngomalacia is rarely even a thought. The only time we hear it these days is when he is very active or laughing really hard.
I am so grateful for our children...SO grateful. Thank you Jesus for your protection over each one of them!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I ran across this video last night. How quickly I had forgotten what it was like to hear Jonathan's rapid, stridorous breathing 24 hours a day...awake or asleep. He's actually breathing slowly in the video (which didn't happen often when he was younger).
I remember a nurse at Children's Hospital telling me that there would come a point when his noisy breathing would be less of a concern than when I couldn't hear him breathe at all. How true that was! And now, we are blessed to watch him breathe so easily that his Laryngomalacia is rarely even a thought. The only time we hear it these days is when he is very active or laughing really hard.
I am so grateful for our children...SO grateful. Thank you Jesus for your protection over each one of them!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Happy 1st Birthday
Well Jonathan's birthday wasn't exactly how we envisioned it would be thanks to the Swine Flu. On the other hand, with almost the entire family sick that week we were able to spend alot quality family time together. While the other kids wanted to share all sorts of cards and gifts with him on his big day, I'm happy to say there was one thing they didn't share with him...the flu! Miraculously, he managed to stay healthy! 
An "Anonymous Angel" left this sweet little 1st birthday cake on our front porch (thank you Jen). Clearly, he LOVED it! 
An "Anonymous Angel" left this sweet little 1st birthday cake on our front porch (thank you Jen). Clearly, he LOVED it! 
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Rampin' Up
Newest favorite activity in the Finnestad household...especially for one little Finnestad in particular...
Friday, October 16, 2009
Fixing the Floor
Our indoor waterfall resulted in us ripping out all of the carpet in the family room. After a couple of days attempting to keep Jonathan off of our dirty staple/screw ridden subfloor, Jimmy decided a temporary fix was in order.
Tonight the kids got a lesson in how to lay laminate flooring and were thrilled to be part of the solution. We just happened to have an extra 5-6 boxes of it in our garage from when we laid the floor 5 years ago. While it didn't cover the entire room, it certainly covered up the majority of it and I couldn't be happier!
Didn't they do a fantastic job?
Tonight the kids got a lesson in how to lay laminate flooring and were thrilled to be part of the solution. We just happened to have an extra 5-6 boxes of it in our garage from when we laid the floor 5 years ago. While it didn't cover the entire room, it certainly covered up the majority of it and I couldn't be happier!
Didn't they do a fantastic job?
It Is What It Is
In addition to our 2009 theme of "Believe", we seem to have adopted the motto "It is what it is" this year. It's amazing how those two themes are really tied together. Essentially, it is Believing that allows us to be able to step back and say "It is what it is - and I'm content with that"...
In my Lord, Change my Attitude bible study we have been studying the Israelites tendencies to complain despite the numerous times God proved himself faithful and good. How quickly I've seen myself behaving just like those Israelites and time and time again He provides - not always in the way I imagined He would, but in the way that only a Sovereign God would.
* * * * * * * *
I began the first two paragraphs of this blog last weekend and since then have had several opportunities to put feet to my faith. Monday night at Kelly Lopez's baby shower, I shared a little about what God was teaching me. The title of the devotion was "It is What it is" and focused on Philippians 4:11-13 "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Tuesday morning I was working on my bible study which asked me to list 3 things I was grateful for. My #3 was "for the electricity that gives me the light I need to read my bible right now and the heat we need to be comfortable." 10 minutes later - the power went out. Seriously! Naturally, the next part of the study was asking if I would still be content without those things. Um, hello! Talk about immediate, practical application!
Then came Wednesday...My intent in beginning this post last weekend, was to finish by saying that although I knew the rains were coming despite our roof not being complete, I also trusted in a God that would be faithful - even if the rains came tumbling down...and boy did they - INSIDE even!
We had quite the indoor waterfall, which resulted in waterlogged carpet, sagging walls and a quick change in project scope.
I became quickly aware of my Israelite tendencies and felt God challenging me and growing me..."Do you still believe?" "Lord, I believe...Help my unbelief." "Am I enough?" "Lord, you are enough!" It was a difficult day of struggling with the Lord (and with my attitude). When everything was said and done, all Jimmy & I could do was step back and say "It is What it is"...we will be content whatever the situation and know that our God is Faithful!
Thank you Jesus for the refining moments this week...those ones that opened my eyes to see that there will be many more "raining down" on me, as I have a long way to go!
In my Lord, Change my Attitude bible study we have been studying the Israelites tendencies to complain despite the numerous times God proved himself faithful and good. How quickly I've seen myself behaving just like those Israelites and time and time again He provides - not always in the way I imagined He would, but in the way that only a Sovereign God would.
* * * * * * * *
I began the first two paragraphs of this blog last weekend and since then have had several opportunities to put feet to my faith. Monday night at Kelly Lopez's baby shower, I shared a little about what God was teaching me. The title of the devotion was "It is What it is" and focused on Philippians 4:11-13 "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Tuesday morning I was working on my bible study which asked me to list 3 things I was grateful for. My #3 was "for the electricity that gives me the light I need to read my bible right now and the heat we need to be comfortable." 10 minutes later - the power went out. Seriously! Naturally, the next part of the study was asking if I would still be content without those things. Um, hello! Talk about immediate, practical application!
Then came Wednesday...My intent in beginning this post last weekend, was to finish by saying that although I knew the rains were coming despite our roof not being complete, I also trusted in a God that would be faithful - even if the rains came tumbling down...and boy did they - INSIDE even!
We had quite the indoor waterfall, which resulted in waterlogged carpet, sagging walls and a quick change in project scope.
I became quickly aware of my Israelite tendencies and felt God challenging me and growing me..."Do you still believe?" "Lord, I believe...Help my unbelief." "Am I enough?" "Lord, you are enough!" It was a difficult day of struggling with the Lord (and with my attitude). When everything was said and done, all Jimmy & I could do was step back and say "It is What it is"...we will be content whatever the situation and know that our God is Faithful!
Thank you Jesus for the refining moments this week...those ones that opened my eyes to see that there will be many more "raining down" on me, as I have a long way to go!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Earnhardt Rite of Passage
Today was the day...the Puyallup Earnhardts have officially earned their stripes in the Finnestad household, successfully maneuvering through our sacred dining room window.
Stephanie and Mikayla even ventured up the ladder to check out the 2nd floor.
Next it was time to put the kids to work, followed by a little trampoline fun! 
This day was exactly what the Dr. ordered. It was so refreshing spending the day together just hanging out. Stephanie & I even got to sneak out for a few hours to enjoy Michelle and Madelynn's baby shower. What a perfect end to an already wonderful weekend!
Stephanie and Mikayla even ventured up the ladder to check out the 2nd floor.
Next it was time to put the kids to work, followed by a little trampoline fun! 
This day was exactly what the Dr. ordered. It was so refreshing spending the day together just hanging out. Stephanie & I even got to sneak out for a few hours to enjoy Michelle and Madelynn's baby shower. What a perfect end to an already wonderful weekend!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Raising the Roof...I Mean the Floor
We now have a "roof" over our heads...downstairs at least. I guess you would really call it a ceiling if you're downstairs or a floor if you're up. No matter which you choose, our kids simply call it "awesome!"
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Dishes, Dining Room and Delivery
OK Erin, this post is for you.
DISHES: Here's a glimpse at my new "kitchen" sink - look familiar? Believe me, we use as many paper plates as we can...and for the record last night was the first night I actually put dishes on the (towel covered) toilet seat. I don't foresee that becoming a habit :) I am trying to allow God to renew my thinking each time I wash dishes. Rather than grumbling about the inconvenience, I praise him that we even have running water, dishes to use, money to buy dish soap and that this is only a season...
DINING ROOM: Here's the primary entry/exit point in our house. At a minimum, every Sunday and three times a day Monday through Friday you will find us all crawling in and out of this dining room window. Notice the lovely dishwasher we use to brace ourselves on the way in and out.
Even Jonathan enjoys heading out the window. I love that he's holding his little hammer...ready to get to work!
DELIVERY: That window has seen it's share of deliveries lately...from people in and out, to palates of wood being delivered. It was pretty cool to see this load delivered to the 2nd floor of the house!
DISHES: Here's a glimpse at my new "kitchen" sink - look familiar? Believe me, we use as many paper plates as we can...and for the record last night was the first night I actually put dishes on the (towel covered) toilet seat. I don't foresee that becoming a habit :) I am trying to allow God to renew my thinking each time I wash dishes. Rather than grumbling about the inconvenience, I praise him that we even have running water, dishes to use, money to buy dish soap and that this is only a season...
DINING ROOM: Here's the primary entry/exit point in our house. At a minimum, every Sunday and three times a day Monday through Friday you will find us all crawling in and out of this dining room window. Notice the lovely dishwasher we use to brace ourselves on the way in and out.
Even Jonathan enjoys heading out the window. I love that he's holding his little hammer...ready to get to work!
DELIVERY: That window has seen it's share of deliveries lately...from people in and out, to palates of wood being delivered. It was pretty cool to see this load delivered to the 2nd floor of the house!
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