We had a scavenger hunt at the mall on Friday night for our Young Commited Couples Group. It was so much fun. We had 30 minutes to take pictures of different categories and we were judged for creativity!



Creative team picture -



Posing with a mannequin -




Crazy bonus picture -




Pretend you are a cashier -
Or be a real cashier!!! Our friend Maria had to work that day, but her husband Shawn and their son Antonio helped us out!!!




Most creative in the dressing room! Can you believe we didn't win this one!



Scared in an elevator -



Sitting in a kiddie car. (Sorry it's not the right way!)




In the middle of a clothing rack -


Going up on a down escalator -

We went up north last weekend with our friends Jeff & Sue. It was the first time I had been snowboarding and I think if I could only say one word to describe it, that would have to be OUCH!!! We stayed at a christian retreat camp that is ran by Sue's uncle & aunt. Jyden & Alexia were inseperable! It was a fun, relaxing weekend and we had a blast playing Apples to Apples & Cranium!
On the way home we stopped by a state park!

Yusef surprised me with dinner at Simply Fondue. It was sooooo good!

Relaxing and of course Alexia cheesing!



It was so beautiful out Sunday we got the bubble machine out!


Sunday night we had a superbowl party at our house. We had a lot of fun playing Cranium at half time. The kids had fun destroying the bedroom!!!

CHEERLEADING PICTURES!!! There was a wedding following the game, that's why the arch is there!

Things are staying extra busy! I accepted a full time position at the church after we came back from Florida and it seems like now everyone needs there hair done! It's a good thing though!!! Alexia comes with me two days out of the week and is going to my friend's mom's house (who goes to our church) two days. She loves it! Yusef is studying to take his service wide test in May. If he passes he will be a Petty Officer 2nd Class! Ariana is busy with Cheerleading and school!!! Alexia is talking like crazy!

YEAH!!! Alexia woke up yesterday morning and said "I want potty chair" I put her on and gave her a book and she went pee for the first time! She was so excited. She is 20 months!!!

Today was definetly a life changing day for me. It was the funeral of our pastor's wife Eileen Syvertsen. She battled cancer for three years and God called her home on Wednesday. In the year that I knew her, she impacted my life greatly. I had a very challenging year last year and everytime I was at work and she was there she never hesitated to ask me how things were going. She prayed with me and for me numerous times. She showed me and everyone that knew her that she was truly a woman of God. In spite of everything that was going on in her life, she always made an attempt to show others that she cares! Today I realized that we are only here for a moment and we never know when God will call us home! One thing that our pastor said was, Everyone asks the question "WHY DID EILEEN HAVE TO PASS AWAY?", but instead we should be asking ourselves "WHY DID GOD ALLOW US TO STAY?" We all have a purpose in life and we need to accept Jesus into our lives so that we can fulfill that purpose! I know that for myself it is to be the best wife, mother, friend and relative that I can be! Life is just too short and not worth the heartache! If we fix our eyes on Jesus, we will always have hope! One thing that Eileen always said is, "I don't know how people go through these things without having God with them." That statement spoke volumes to me. If I didn't have him I don't know where I would be. Everyone goes through hard times and everyone has there own story to tell, but there is a reason for that. We just have to trust God in his perfect plan! Eileen praised God until the day she died. She has truly been a huge blessing in my life and I could only live better and grow closer to God because of her!

I finally made time to get the pictures of our Florida vacation on the website. We had a great time while we were there. We got to be there for Naima & Eric's wedding which turned out amazing, see all of the Yusef's family and visit some friends as well. I tried to see my dad while I was there but he was too busy! I recognized that now matter how hectic life gets that family is so important and that is one thing that I love about Yusef's family. They make it a priority to be with one another!!! I am glad that I can count on them if I ever need them to be there for me!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Merry Christmas everyone! We are not sending out cards this year, sorry! We have been busy working on the house and are going to FL for Christmas & Naima's wedding. I hope you all have a blessed Christmas!

Sunday, December 02, 2007

We had settlement on Friday and everything went well! The girls & I stayed there for the weekend cleaning! We love it! Yusef is in D.C. and can't wait to see it!!!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

We are closing on Friday @ 11:00!!!!!

Last night we started our first Upward Cheerleading class. Yusef coached the basketball team last year and is again this year. They asked me if I could help out this year, so I am the head coach for Ariana's squad. Upward is a positive sports program to encourage and help children realize that every child is a winner. We also teach them that God is at work all around us and do devotions at every practice. It teaches the children to be servants, and that how we live is more important than what we say. The most important thing is to introduce children to Jesus Christ by creating opportunities to serve through sports. This is held at our church, but some of the children have never known the love of God and that is where we come in! I am so excited about this season and to have Ariana on my squad! Last night she did so well and when we got home she said that I was the best coach! That is so worth all the time that I was worried about giving up!!! I look back a couple of years ago and see the way I have grown in my relationship with God and thank him everyday for changing me. I definetly couldn't do it on my own and that is what people need to realize!!!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

ARIANA'S KINDERGARTEN PICTURES!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

We had a parent/teacher conference today for Ariana. The teacher said that of all the kids in her class, she is the one who shines! They have nicknamed her Sunshine! She said that there is nothing that she is not able to do at her level. There are 26 kids in her class, and five of them are in a special higher reading program and she is one of them! We are so proud of her!!! She is such a blessing to us and everyone who is around her!

We are also proud of Alexia too, she has been without the binky for three weeks now!!! At 18 mo. she is saying 100 words!!!

Thursday, November 01, 2007

God is so good! We have been praying for a house for almost a year now and had given up looking since the school year started. We just found a condo that we were interested back in March, but it was way out of our price range. We made an offer which was $25,000 less than the starting asking price, signed the contract on Monday and are closing on Nov. 30th! It is in a beautiful historic town and only ten minutes from church and 15 min. to Yusef's job! God knew that we weren't ready earlier, but because of our obedience & faithfulness to him, we definetly were blessed!

Ariana had a halloween party at school yesterday. She didn't want to dress like a cow, so she went as Tinkerbell! (Thanks to her cousin Lexi for the dress & Titi Naima for the shoes)

Another costume party!!!

Saturday, October 13, 2007

We went to our friend's son's third b-day party. It was a costume party. Ariana & Alexia were cows & I was a farmer!







Adrian from Rocky, Farmer & Pirate


Ariana making porcupine meatballs!

Alexia stuck her head through the soccer goal!

Wednesday, October 03, 2007