more than you can imagine

Spring, Easter, smiles!!!

2011-04-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

My Fabulous Fancy Emily herself with her purple sparkle shades!

Superhero Noah and his saving the world pose!

Natalie and her always so happy to see you smiles! Walking and loving it!!!!

Spring has finally come today but have heard it will be short lived with rain and snow in the forcast for tonight! Happy Easter to all! So thankful for our Savior that lives to bring joy and love to all! And the joy that you feel from having children, I can only imagine the love He has for us is even more then the love I have for my little ones, and I have alot, alot!

Ground Hogs DAY!!!!

2011-02-01T22:35:00.000-08:00

SO one of my husbands favorite movies is Ground Hogs Day! Yes that one that goes on and on with what's his name... anyway that one guy, living the same day over and over!!! It's funny and a cute love story by the end! He just had to figure out how to not live so selfishly! Wouldn't it be good if we could relive some of our selfish moments and NOT BE SO SELFISH, the next time! well we can't so I have too daily remember that my life is not my own, I was bought with an amazing price, and I can do better then to get tired of my kids bugging me daily when I am trying to get something done! I love that I was blessed and given charge of 3 of the most amazing kids ever! And in honor of Ground Hogs Day (which the ground hog I'm sure will most definitely see his shadow) I just want to take a moment and encourage you and me!!!! That yes kiddos can sometimes test our patience:) but we were given the most amazing task of being their MOM! And their lives were not just handed over to us by some joker from who knows were, but given to us by the almighty God! He picked you and only you to parent those children, your children, His children! He loves that you are doing that even when we are not perfect or we get a bad attitude, he still loves us. So LOVE them and show them how much you LOVE them all the time! I am going to work on this so I hope you all will too! And maybe while we are at it lets read and maybe even memorize 1 Corinthians 13! Just so we know that we are showing them the right kind of love:) Love you!

Before the end of the Year!!!!!

2010-12-30T11:20:00.000-08:00

So I thought that since my husband was so generous this Christmas and got our family internet (that has not been working as well as we would like... anyway side note ha) that I would commit again to all of you to update and blog more often!!! Sorry for my lag in letting you all see my kiddos growing up. They as cute as ever and I intend to do my best to make sure that my family and friends especially all you that have moved away from good Ol' Great Falls, Montana... see the progress of home, kids, church, love, life, and my loving father God more often! Love you all see you more often in 2011!!!!!

Haircut time!

2010-05-10T13:55:00.000-07:00

I have been cutting my hubby's hair since we were first married. A good friend taught me and I have been doing it ever since. Well now, since I have another boy in the family I get the joy of cutting his hair too! I really also just wanted you all to get to see the funny little guy we get to be around daily. He sat very nicely for the whole thing, but of course for all almost 2 year olds was very happy when the job was done. The haircut didn't turn out too bad either!!!

Spring Time??

2010-05-01T11:58:00.000-07:00

You would have maybe never known that it was my little Noah and Emily sitting on the front steps one spring day for lunch!! The shoes tell a different kind of story. As I am sure all you mom's know when your little ones go through that stage where they want to wear shoes. It does not matter who's, the size, the make , the model, the color... they just want SHOES!!! So Noah of coarse loves his sisters most of all! At least they were not playing dress up, this morning otherwise it would have been beautiful pink heels that he would have been out there in. Just like the other day when we were at my neighbors to let the kids play and he came out with ones with hot pink feathers!!! The husband of my neighbor really did not know what to do, so he called it "CUTE!" Ha ha! I love my kiddos and love that they bring an interesting outlook on life. Soon becoming the ages of 2 and 4 they never cease to bring joy to my life!

Can't wait for more days that we can enjoy the sun in the outdoors! If the snow and cold weather will ever stop! So from a loving summer kind of gal, I am really looking forward to it! Flowers, dirt, grass, bugs, rays, and the enjoyment of the outdoors here we come. Hopefully!

Natalie Olivia Fleming

2010-03-06T01:02:00.000-08:00

Finally writing about our third beautiful child that was born January 6th, 2010.
Weighing in at about 6lbs 6oz. And only a mere 19 inches long. Today she is 2 months old, she is over 11 lbs and a little over 21 inches long. She is for sure our little chunky monkey! Short and Round!!! She is a wonderful baby, just a little sad if she ever gets gas.....

We found a sad little umbilical hernia that causes her such pain when she gets even the least bit of gas, so it makes for some rough feeding sessions if she is tired or mommy didn't eat quite the best food for her! But of course Noah and Emily love her tons and always want to fill her face with kisses!

We love our little sweet heart!!!

Illnesses!!!

2009-10-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

The faces full of green slime! The cry of a little one without their next dose of medicine. What is a mom to do that does not have enough lap space for two! And yet we are having another. If you could only see me now with my one and three year peering into the computer one on each leg holding on for dear life just wanting some snuggles to make the sickness feel better!!! Back to the little ones!!

The birthdays from May!!!!!!

2009-08-27T23:13:00.000-07:00

The joy that the day you were born on can bring to your life, is something that we have always taken time to do!!!! God has created everyone for a reason and celebrating that with people that you love means something to my family. Little miss Emily turned 3 the 15th of May and Noah Bradley turned 1 the 12th of May! We of course had a joint party that was a nice night of family fun!!! Compliments to the little sisters for the cupcake turtle cakes. The eating of them brought a world of fun for both kids and everyone present. Since I celebrated my birthday yesterday I thought that it would be fun to celebrate it by looking back on the fleming family birthdays! I love little noah with frosting, I think it is so joyous!!!

The summer of ...

2009-08-22T22:40:00.001-07:00

Vacation Bible School with lots and lots of kids making space for Jesus!!!
Kids growing and loving on each other!!! Noah finally is getting teeth!

And Traveling!!!! We made it, just Steve and I to a much needed get away! We found out some fantastic news while we were there as well! That the fleming household will be adding a member come the NEW YEAR!!! God has been good! Summer has been keeping me away from the computer, but updates and pictures are in the future!!

Friends and Pies!

2009-04-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

Well you know when you have never tried something because it is done by other people just fine. Well that is what I thought about baking pies I have never even tried because I have a grandma, aunts, and a wonderful mom that make them wonderfully. But the other day we happened to have some dear friends of ours over for a goodbye lunch. (since they have moved to England) Love you Glathars! Anyway they were there to commemorate the event! It was a delicious apple pie!!!
Emily still asks me daily "Mom can we make an apple pie with crunchies!!!" (You know the sweet little dessert what you do with the left over dough, Angela!!! another wonderful memory with friends)
"Yummy for my tummy" she says. It was quite a fun undertaking since emily will never let me do anything in the kitchen without her help. Dishes, cooking, baking... she loves to do them all with me and I love that time with her.
We took pictures of the undertaking and the little friendships that developed over the years.

Green Battles!!

2009-03-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

This last week I have been bombarded with the essence of green, in many color's I might add. Coming out of either noses or eyes... I wanted to take beautiful pictures of my children that displayed the sure essence of the color's but then decided that just to make a good blog, I did not want to degrade my children. And say ahhhh!! Attack of the killer slime!!! Noah in particular looked as though he got punched in both eyes and his insides were coming out of his nose! Yes! So instead these are a few pictures of the two of them that I took prior to the illnesses. Hopefully your winter has been shy a few good battles of some green... stuff.

Bathing Beauties!!

2009-02-19T07:20:00.000-08:00

There is something to be said about the joy you share remembering the fun that you had, on bath night, with your siblings or by yourself. We all have these priceless pictures of our childhood's and probably enjoy even more taking them of your children. Emily and Noah love, love, love their bath night rituals. And even more they enjoy the fun of getting their pictures taken in the bathtub. The moment I start running the bath water I hear Emily come running and soon to follow the gleeful delight of Noah crawling behind her and realizing that he too gets to enjoy a nice warm bath for his next moments of entertainment. I am fond of bath nights! Children seem to calm themselves during this ritual, making it all the more wonderful to lay a warm, cuddly, content child down for that night's rest.

Laundry DAY!!!!

2009-02-17T15:01:00.000-08:00

The feel of wind in his ears, his grip growing tighter and tighter as he flies across the room, and the squeal of excitement from Emily when she hears her brother laugh. They had quite the afternoon of this. Who knew that you could find a thrill ride in doing a full weeks worth of laundry with my baby blue eyes.

Blast From the Past

2009-02-09T09:20:00.000-08:00

When we first moved into our old house we had a few of the young adults over. Just a few of the very entertaining pictures we found from that night in 2002. And oh my goodness I look at my hair and think what was I thinking. Look at how long it was. Of coarse the only thing that makes it ok that I had that long of hair is that my husband loved it, loved it.

Miss Katie and me.

My brother in law loving to sing, and show off for his not yet blushing bride Elisha. Who got married soon after in 2003. We had quite the night if playing, wrestling, laughing, and even running up to a local park and playing tag. The fun you have when your young.

What the holidays looked like.

2009-01-07T22:46:00.000-08:00

"I need to say good night to my cousins" ,"I need to go wake up my cousins", " I would like to please play with my cousins", these were just a few of the phrases that were heard by Emily on our Holiday and here are some of the few pictures that came along with being with the cousins.
Dress up and play-doh where just a few of the fun things that we got to endeavor in, with the cousins... and Grandparents.
Jacinda, Zach, Deanna, Emily and Noah five out of the eight Fleming Grandchildren.
Noah loving his time with Grandpa.

We needed to get our little one dedicated so on December 21st, Noah Bradley Fleming was dedicated. Steve's parents got to join us for this which blessed us greatly.

Noah and Emily got to meet a lot of their cousins this year. Which is so fun since I remember greatly all the fun that we had growing up visiting our cousins, we loved it. So these are my cousins twins, that are only days behind Noah in birthday. We had to let them all play together.

With all the Christmas festivities we got this year, it makes Emily talk about it everyday still. We are a family oriented type so we had Christmas with as many of the families that we could. First my family in Helena, MT. Then with Steve's family in Canada. The pictures that you saw above. What I love in pictures taken of Christmas morning is the sleepy eye look, caused from the excitement to get up and open presents no matter how late you went to bed the night before. It is seen a little in my hubby and I, but I missed taking a good picture of them cause I was too busy enjoying every moment, actually out from behind the camera.

Laughing...

2008-12-21T14:11:00.000-08:00

It is the best of the best medicine. One of the many good things that happen when you get together for the holiday's is get to laugh and have fun for some of the time. It makes for the most fun when you are not really in the mood for Christmas. And any pictures that might capture that are the best even if they are not perfect, the picture of people laughing brings joy to my heart, and hopefully yours as well.

Whether you are giggling or your mouth is opened as wide as it possibly can, with no sound even coming out (which is how the evans girls laugh most of the time) no matter how you may do it. Just do it, a lot, the next few weeks or years whatever you prefer.

My Friend Heather!

2008-12-20T20:33:00.000-08:00

It was Heather's Birthday on the 11th of this month, so we took her out for dinner. Jakers is always a fun place to go. For all of you that don't know, she lives with us and we get to enjoy that beautiful smile daily. Happy Birthday Heather, oh!!! Merry Christmas too.

Noah got to get in on the fun too. We had a fun girls night out that always turns goofy, which makes it that much more fun. The friends in this picture are (from the right) Rachel and her son Isreal, Debra, Marissa and Debra's daughter Eliana, Heather, Kassie, Noah and I. We closed down the place. Ha Ha.

My Noah the daredevil!!!

2008-12-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

This little guy loves to climb up on anything and everything. Loves to get into everything, especially the Christmas tree this year. But his favorite part of it all is STANDING!! That is standing up on anything. If it is alittle bit off the ground he will find some way to stand up using it. And look what he got on the corner of his eye because of it. The Nursery, Wednesday night brought me a sad cute little Noah, that of coarse lost his balance. Which makes falling his other favorite thing to do now that he is a mobile 7 month old, TODAY actually.

The picture does not do the cut justice. But if you look close it counts as his first shiner it made under his eye have a bruise too. I am glad that it was not worse then it was.

Still smiling, while he clutchs on for dear life.

These were all taken within minutes of eachother. Up on one thing then up to the next one. Look! One handed even, he has no fear. I just pray daily for protection that only God can bring cause mom is not fast enough these days. Ha ha.

Christmas tree hunting!!!

2008-12-07T22:01:00.000-08:00

We love to go and get our tree but have not been able to go for a few years until this year. Thanks to my friend Heather. So with a few of our friends from church we went up to the mountains and picked out the perfect tree.

All Smiles from the happy noah. Strapped in using the wonderful invention "the Moby". And the beautiful Emily just enjoyed being out in the wilderness for awhile.

Thanksgiving weekend!!!

2008-12-02T22:51:00.000-08:00

A fun time had for everyone. Auntie Elisha got to visit which made game playing, sleeping, shopping, hanging, talking, driving, and anything else we might have done alittle bit more enjoyable.

Cousin Tyrell.

Dancing because we had cookies.

Playing games as usual. I think that we laughed harder that night then I have laughed in a long time.

A new Look!

2008-11-16T18:41:00.000-08:00

Sister's, sister's! What fun to have Elisha in town. In which I miss so much when she is not around. When any of the sister's are not around I miss them tons. (Amber)
Elisha and the man who created the blog!!! John Mack!
The Fleming Family!!!
Most Thankful for a wonderful Family! Sorry to the Litzinger's that couldn't be in this picture. And a Brother-in-law that loves to make sweet backgrounds for your blog, personalized in the most wonderful way!

Even More!

2008-11-04T21:22:00.001-08:00

Don't you just love when your kids have just woken up and they just have this little look on their faces. I do not know what the look really is but it is cute none the less.

Loving eachother more everyday they are together. Each morning right after little Noah wakes up, we hear a little squeal of excitement and giggling with the same wonderful greeting each day coming from Emily, "Ohhhhhh, Hiiiii, little buddy" ( in quite a high pitch too!!)

And just the other day while Noah was layed down for one of his naps that give mommy and emily some nice mommy, daughter time, she said, "Mommy I have two best buddies"

I say with a smile, " oh that is nice who are they?"

She points with one little finger to Elmo sitting beside her and replies, "Him"

I smile and then ask again "Oh, well who is your other best buddy?"

Emily replies, "Oh he just is Noah, he is sleeping!"

What two wonderful reasons to smile and be so very thankful.

MORE!!!!

2008-11-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

Emily & Noah on Halloween night. They are getting way too big and cuter than ever. Noah at almost six months is trying daily to crawl, taking after his big sis that crawled at five and a half months. I am so thankful to God for giving me two beautiful children. Thank you, Thank you.

My kiddos!

2008-10-31T01:13:00.000-07:00

All I want to do is have fun putting pictures up of my little ones that seem to never stay little for too long. So here you are... Emily Madison & Noah Bradley! Oh and Steven.

To join in on the whole knowing what you are thankful for I, think for the next few days I might just blog more pictures of the things in my life I am thankful for.

Birthdays! Birthdays! Birthdays!

2008-10-30T07:57:00.000-07:00

Today's Birthdays are shared by two important women in my life. My sister Amber Joy Litzinger is turning 29 today! And My mom in law Doris Flemings birthday is today too. (not sure if I should share her age :)) I Pray that both of their days are full of excitement and love from all of those around them. Amber is in California and my mom-in-law is somewhere in Asia, so please those around them today give them alittle hug today for their special day. Love you guys!

ELISHA MAY MACK

2008-10-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

Happy, Happy Birthday this is your special day. Happy, Happy Birthday that's why I'm here to say, Hey. Happy, Happy Birthday may all your dreams come true. Happy, Happy Birthday from all of us to you. Yeah! Elisha is 25 years old today! Yippee. it is pretty funny that on our new computer we didn't have any other picture then this one taken two christmas's ago. Beautiful as always. She is helping miss Emily in this pic which is what she is so good at doing all the time. Love You Elisha. Hope your birthday is grand.

Road Trip

2008-09-30T17:22:00.000-07:00

Just got back from our much needed couple days away. The fact that we could spare 2 days in our lives was close to a miracle. Sleep, swimming, eating and just plain old relaxation was on the menu. We enjoyed the time with our kids, and with each other immensely. Thank you Lord for the blessing of giving me a family to enjoy life with. OK so I have a pretty funny story to tell of our road trip back to the shining Great Falls.

A little while after a stop to use the restrooms Emily asked for a snack.

"May I please have berries" was her request.
These are a wonderful little invention of dried blueberries that she loves. So I gave her a handful.

"Mmmm, these are good" she said with delight.
Soon another plea of more, "Please, may I have some more" she asked
Another handful was handed back.
"Sank you" said the little voice joyfully.
It was quiet for a while cause you know the sound of a toddler eating food. (silence)
Then from the back a exclamation of

"Dad there's a berry in my nose"
"What" I exclaimed
"EMILY, your in big trouble if there is a berry up your nose, I said removing my seat belt. (I know, right)
Turning around in my seat (oh yeah, steve was driving) I asked again,
"Do you have a berry up your nose?"
With a wide eyed look she shook her head no, and quietly answered "yes"
I grab her chin pushing her head back to get a good look up her nose,
" Emily I do not see a berry up your nose, do you really have one up your nose?"
"ah- huh " she said still wide eyed.

By this time I had asked my husband a few times if he thinks that she really stuck one up her nose. And I have pushed on her nose from the outside to see if I could feel one, continuing to get more and more upset.
"She still says that she has one up there, what should I do, I can't see one." I say
"Just have her blow her nose" Steve said in all his wisdom

So I grab a kleenex stuck it up to her nose holding closed the opposite side of the one she said it was in, and said "BLOW"

"FFFF-THUMP"
Out came the blueberry!! Steve is gigglin and I have said a few times real fast "why did she stick a blueberry up her nose?"

What a child that we have. At least she is at the age where she tattles on herself, we might have never known of the blueberry before it was too late. LOL. Some days you do just have to laugh.

one of the most wonderful things

2008-09-25T13:18:00.000-07:00

These are the things that your kids bring to you that they are so excited about and you just smile and nod and say " Oh, that is amazing honey " Example: a ROCK that she wanted to throw

in the river.

Again and again and again.

And on a hot fall day what could be more fun. With her little rosy cheeks and everything.

September Two Thousand and Eight

2008-09-18T15:51:00.000-07:00

This season is so full of mood swings it is not even funny. In weather, it could be a mild fall day; now that the first day of fall is right around the corner, or because we live in Montana it could blizzarding, or even 90 degrees out ,which it almost hit just the other day.

It is also in our lives that our mood swings happen, especially during this season. Like Angela just blogged about 9/11 memories happen, school has just begun, summer just got over so we are waiting anxiously to get out the new fall decor, gotta get out the cold clothes boxes and start putting up the warm clothes (if you live in Cali, I guess you really don't have to think about this one) so many things are going on in our lives it may get a little crazy!!! Well, I have been trying to come up with solutions in our family, cause if you know me, I have usually about 12 things on my plate at a time. Do you want me to mention them?? Better not might ruin my mood. This is supposed to be an encouraging bloob, blog, boob, blog!!! Ha ha ha. I really did type that. Anyways...

So we have taken up doing things like evening walks, high school football games (which steve of course loves), watching hero's or smallville when the kids are in bed, ice cream, exercising (not for the weak at heart), meeting regularly with my hubby just to talk about life (we do have to actually have to schedule that one), one of our favorite's reading Emily's choice books usually the snake story, (story of Adam and Eve) and we hope to get out of town for a little bit this next weekend (yes) whatever it is to you and your families pleasure; do it, do it now. Don't wait another night they need you and you need it. God has given you your families to enjoy them. I have forgotten that many times but I choose even through the business of life I find joy in being with the family God has given me.

And just so you know I snuck the picture of me kissing noah in there of when he was just born he is quite the little porker now!

2008-09-12T21:36:00.000-07:00

Flashback Friday!!! These are from my pregnancy with Noah. I enjoy seeing my pregnant belly again. Don't all hate me at once, but I wouldn't mind thinking about having another little one soon in the shape of another belly!!! I had good pregnancies what can i say! Especially love the picture of my hubby and I.

The mom in me

2008-07-03T16:16:00.000-07:00

AHHHH!! The life of a mother. Means many things to me at this very moment some hard but most of all wonderful. Noah, Emily and I are doing good. Have loved having the cousins home even though they leave in just days! We spend most of our days trying to survive the hot in our house, waiting patiently for daddy to come home and chase Emily since mom has been doing it already and have said that is all I can do.

Just looking at the pictures Amber took of us makes me thankful for the beautiful things children bring into your life. Besides the hospital bills, questions of if we are parenting right, wondering why Noah is crying, trying to make the family happy. I praise my Lord Jesus for my amazingly smart daughter that can count to ten and keep me smiling daily, a handsome husband that loves me even when I cry for nothing, and the stunning son that is growing up way too fast. My heart is overwhelmed with some many emotions most of all the fact that being a mom never felt so good.

Noah Bradley Fleming

2008-05-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

Noah Bradley Fleming was born around 10:30 AM Monday, May 12, 2008. Enjoy the photos! He was exactly 7 pounds and 20 1/4 inches long!

Family

2008-04-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

The month of March was gone in a flash and we are already into the 2nd week of April. WoW! Well, the last two months have been full of many things one of those being Haircuts. Emily got her first haircut. The Saturday before Easter I decided ti make her baby hair grow better and healthier she needed a haircut and before bed we did it. It turned out A-line which was a total accident but cute as come be. She likes it and now talks about her hair to total strangers. So I thought that I would share some pictures of her Easter morning, one we got of the family, which has been our only one forever. Of coarse not having internet has made keeping up on blogging a big bummer, but hopefully that will all change soon.

Green Day!

2008-03-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's day. We had to take miss Emily to the parade downtown Great Falls, which she loved cause she gets "tweets" (candy in our language). It was windy of coarse so that was alittle cold but it was a good outing for the Fleming family. Being the family with the least amount of green on our bodies was sort of funny but pregnant women only have so much they can choose from right! Emily was sporting her green undies, and that was her green for the day! So to all you Irishmen, Happy Green Day!

Lovin' the belly

2008-03-11T13:36:00.000-07:00

Ok here are the latest belly pictures using missy's camera, not bad! I had to do these quick shots before I go crazy not getting to blog or even get on the internet FOREVER! Well, I find out Thursday if I am still measuring 3 1/2 weeks early! Of coarse it is great to have this little kicker inside me, the feeling of the rolls and twirls. But the pelvis is feeling pretty worked on. I am really low and straight out the front which is a little different then with little emily that made my belly big all over. Hope you are enjoying the beginnings of spring. Still trying to finish the upstairs of our house so we can enjoy or Spring with a new baby! Check you all later.

I'm back!

2008-02-10T10:58:00.000-08:00

Well, What can I say! Thank you so much for your prayers and concern for little miss Emily! She is slow in coming around especially since a rash that has covered her whole body that came on a week out of the hospital will not go away. But other then that she made an appearance at church which was a first in a month and she is getting back to her ways of a 21 month old. Sorry, after all that it has taken alittle bit to get back into the groove of things for mommy too. We are fastly trying to get our home in order to move in this next weekend. Which still has tons of work to be done but it is livable. I think we do not want to outlast our welcome at my mom's. I know she would always let us stay, but I also know that is in nice to have your home back too. So pics of the house and the belly to come. Just needed to give a little shout out, " We're Alive".

My ER baby!

2008-01-27T09:07:00.000-08:00

Little miss Emily has seen more ER docs and nurses then I care to see in my lifetime and she is only 20 months old. As many of you know we had a nice scare happen this weekend and for you that didn't let me share in that story. You know the snow blog, well that is were it all began. We are up in the mountains in 4 feet of snow at a nice lodge just outside of Lincoln, MT when my daughter woke up with a raspy voice. I thought oh! with my expertise in toddler illnesses...she sounds a little congested I hope she isn't getting sick! Gave her Tylenol and kept up with the retreat. After her first nap in turned into raspy breaths, after not eating any lunch which is not like her at all; for you that know the size and stature of my daughter, I knew in my heart something was wrong. I got all sorts of advice, give her caffeine, take her into the cold air, make her sleep, take her home. Which in turn I thought about each one and after many trips outside and one more not so productive nap, my daughter was turning purple and loosing any eye focus that she could of had. Since it was a blizzard and we were 2 hours from any doctor, I knew that a decision had to be made. ( An hour before this my gut was telling me to leave with a friend that was going back to Great Falls, who actually talked me into staying, and at the time seemed like a good decision. We were sent to Lincoln to be in charge of 52 leaders and kids from our church. So needless to say we were kind of needed.)

After calling an ambulance because we wanted to see if this was as dire as it looked to be. We found out that our little sweetie was really on her last breath. After she was working so hard for so long to breath her little body just couldn't take it any more. Before we knew it we were leaving the camp and kids behind and starting on a journey that has yet to end with my daughter Emily Madison having a really bad case of Croup. That if you did not know was the #1 killer of children under the age of 4 in the twenties and thirties. Thank God for modern civilization that saved my daughter's life.
IV's, breathing treatments, and oxygen were swimming around in my head as we spent many hours in the hospital with my daughter holding tightly to me listening to every wees that came threw that tiny throat. We had a really nice room and great nurses and doctors that loved Emily's good nature, in spite of all the treatments, pokes, and jello they tried to give her. Emily was very brave through it all. But I am even more happy that my daughter has made it home safely, and will continue to get better as the days go along. She is finally eating again and starting to enjoy kid hood since air is getting to her body and back with more ease. I actually stayed really calm in and out of it all, until they let her out of the hospital and she seemed to have gotten worse again. And my strong mom self went into an emotional, sleepless and delusional, prego with an attitude pretty quick Thursday night, until Emily went to sleeping that night 6 hours instead of the 1 to 2 hours the nights before. WOW! My heart goes out to those that have the burden of dealing with terminally ill children, I would have to pray for more strength, cause this gal doesn't know how much more I could have taken.

Soft Shell Saturday!!!

2008-01-26T22:22:00.000-08:00

Taco's, Taco's, Taco's!! This happens to be my favorite meal while I am expecting. I think it is the fact that they are spicy, dairy, veggie, and just plain goodness in every bite. With Emily in my tummy I wanted them all the time and then even with this one, Yum I love to eat those. And it just so happens that they have certain days throughout the week that have the taco's discounted just so you can enjoy them even more. Hence the name soft shell Saturday. Which is a complete bummer that this day is like 20 minutes from being over and I did not get to have my discounted soft shell taco!!! I guess taco Tuesday will be calling my name even more. So Amber when you come home for your next visit we will have to go have TTTTTAAACCCOOOOO'SSS!

Snow snow snow snow snow and more snow.

2008-01-17T23:12:00.000-08:00

It is snowing or "nowing" that Emily calls it. Or even the other day she looked outside and said "Hi Brrrr" She is too smart to put snow, that it is cold, like when we say Brr... OK never mind I know that I am biased. Anyway all that to say that this weekend we will be taking full advantage of the tons of snow we have been getting. Sledding and outdoor sports, I know are on the agenda. So if you haven't made any snow angels yet this winter. You better go give it a try. Sorry for all you without a winter or winter weather. We will enjoy it for the lot of you. See when we get thawed out.... hee hee.

Nap Nap Nap Time.

2008-01-16T11:29:00.000-08:00

This is a very funny and questionable incident that I found myself in with Emily knee deep. You know those 8 track tapes that are or could be worth money know that CD, MP3, and IPOd's came out. Well I went in to my daughter's room (currently in the basement at my mom's till we get into our house) and since it is not her normal bedroom I do not know what is really in arm's length for her... Well, this is what I found

I have not told my father which these are his but he doesn't even have a 8 track player so. Opps! Sorry Dad. Emily's first little mischievous act, at least it wasn't a whole bottle of lotion all over her body or something like that. Oh and her great big smile tells the tail anyways.

A day in January!

2008-01-08T15:38:00.000-08:00

The laundry will never end, the dishes continue to gather, my house is not my home yet, and I feel more and more tired everyday. But on a happy note, my daughter loves to sing, read books and loves eskimo kisses. Husband is happy, works hard for me to get to stay home with my little one, and loves both of us dearly. Looking around at the life I am living in right now it looks like chaos but inside if you look closer it is pretty darn good. Take a second and think about all the good in your life on this day in January.

Our Biggest Christmas Present Ever!

2008-01-06T21:15:00.000-08:00

MY HOUSE!!!!!!!!!
the kitchen............
Dining and Living area, with my handsome hubby standing in it. We are so excited to see this work in progress (as we speak) to be a great endeavor for this new year. Happy 2008! The wall behind Steve has already been torn down, the bathroom gutted, and rooms upstairs prepped to paint. This is only a few pictures, of the house it has a full basement too. Double the size of our other home. Ohhh! It just screams potential to both Steve and I, especially when we walked in the door. Which has been the exciting part of this whole project, this is the only house we walked into when we started looking for homes, love at first sight. Maybe project at first sight, that will be a project for awhile, maybe a long while. Can't wait to show you some finished pictures. One day...............

Baby Oh baby!

2007-12-28T17:26:00.000-08:00

Sorry that it took this long to show you my little belly. But I thought before we take the christmas tree down we better get a couple snapshots. I am 20 weeks along, and we have our ultrasound this next week, but no we are not finding out the sex. Sorry, we are old fashioned. But in less then 4 months you all will get to find out what we are having along with us. I feel the baby move more and more daily, and Emily of coarse say's "my baby" every time I show her my tum tum.

Christmas

2007-12-26T16:16:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! Our family christmas was great. It always is. Miss Emily is now old enough to really enjoy unwrapping gifts and of coarse it was a hit. She loved every minute. Her favorite was a tea set and kitchenette (a wodden unit my grandpa built) she got from all of us. She makes us all dinner everynight!!! Then of coarse feeds us and her babies. All the dolls she plays with, all the time. Which I think an addition to the family, like the one she will be getting in May, will add to the fun of feeding the babies. Which is growing strong everyday. Hope your holidays all, are full of fun. And excitment like Emily Madison's.

Emily's favorite things!

2007-12-02T19:56:00.000-08:00

This is one of her favorite things... Dressup!! Every little girls dream to find any extra clothing laying around the house, that doesn't fit and put in any part of there little body they can find. (usually around the neck) This time she found some shorts, a couple shirts and a nice hat. She makes us laugh all the time, I love it.

And... Dancing with any music that she will turn up as loud as she can and twirl. Sometimes by herself but most of the time she will come and grab your hand and sign please over and over till you stand up and twirl with her. She loves it. So Grandma and Elisha love to dance and make her smile!

Without one!

2007-12-01T22:30:00.000-08:00

This fall we took some family pics and of coarse it made us all think of the family that we are missing for the pics, but they turned out cute and fun despite the fact that 4 of the 12 were away. But for this sister pic maybe Amber you can do some fancy photo shop and put yourself in there with us. Hee Hee. But of coarse in these cute pictures I was unaware of an important factor behind some things. Something that Rachel made mention to on her last comment. I am PREGNANT!!!!!!! 16 weeks, around?!? My due date is May 20th. And I just found out a couple of weeks ago. Sorry that most of you are just finding out, but life in the Fleming home has forever changed not just the fact that we have an addition coming. We also sold our HOUSE! We live with my Mom, again after 7 years almost. Quite the exciting time around here, being literally "Home for the Holidays" Hope this finds you all well and full, after a great Thanksgiving feast, and now onto the yummy cookie and goodies season. Love you all.

Conference here we come!

2007-10-17T14:35:00.000-07:00

Before we leave for the weekend, I decided that I would blog. For the first time ever we are leaving our 17 month old daughter with grandma for a whole weekend. Grandma took time off from work to spend a weekend with her granddaughter, while Steven and I are go off to Kalispell to chaperone 30 kids. I am alittle nervous. Except that the fact of Emily thinking the world of her grandma. I think we will do fine. So if you all hear of a mom crying cause she doesn't get to see her little girl for 3 days, call her Christel cause that will probably be me knowing these last few days. Oh! So emotional. Vision Conference here we come.

The sound of naps

2007-10-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

Well all the mom's can relate when I say the best sound of a nap is the peace and quiet of it all. Or the sound of us mom's getting to get to a little task that we probably won't get done with but feels good to start, that would otherwise not even get touched unless kid's were down for naps. My daughter has always had this nice soft way of talking to herself as she is getting to sleep and just waking up. Moaning and Squealing out of delight in and of themselves but, as of late it is more like "Mommy, mommy, hey, hey............... mommy" Silence for a few second's " Daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, ha ha ha, daddy, daddy, dadda. And a fun high pitch of the last few to get the point across that I am awake time to get me up!!!! And my favorite part of it all walking in and We are greeted with the best smile, and laugh that will brighten even the worst of days!

my hubby, the son of a preacher man.

2007-10-03T15:18:00.000-07:00

Well tonight is Gen church and my husband gets to shed some light on his thoughts with GOd's thoughts mixing together and coming up with something great, profound, meaningful, life filled, funny, and Steve all at the same time. (He is going to preach) This is the hardest for me because on days like this I am like.

Christel: " Steve what are you going to say?"
Steve: " Um...... Well........ you know talk about the stuff that God tells me too"

It gets to be Wednesday afternoon,..

Christel: "Hey honey how is the sermon going?"
Steve: " (SILENCE....................) "
Christel: " Are you going to be done by 6, (gen church starts at 7)
Steve: " I better be"

He is not mean about it, he just gets in these very focused, I can't talk to you because my mind is on other things mode. ( like when any guy plays halo) And all I can do is PRAY! I think that is why God made our hubby's like that so that we can take that extra time a lift them up. So if you haven't lately let this be your reminder pray for your husband. I love my husband more and more each day. Did you guys know that he is one of the best fathers I know!!!

2007-09-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Now that it is September I thought that it was a good month to blog. Ha Ha. I just wanted to get back into the world, to see all you again. Even though my blog is few and far between. I still love looking at everyones all the time. Emily has been growing by leaps and bounds. She will be 16 months on the 15th but she has the height of a 3 year old. She is a goliath to most kiddo's her age. And she eats like one too. So I wanted to put a few pictures that I took of her up for your enjoyment and mine. I'll be back... Hopefully sooner than later.

VBSVBSVBSVBSVBSVBS!!!!!!!!

2007-07-20T15:46:00.000-07:00

That is the time of my life right now. I haven't even gotten to see my friend Katie's new house, my mom's of MU, water my drying up flower's, put our house on the market, so we can buy a new car, all the things we were supposed to get done this summer. Now that it is half done... But some good news that says that God is watching over me and my family. Friends of ours are going out of town and have offered to let us borrow their car. Oh, the feeling of AC, room under my legs, not my hubby's sweaty leg touching mine, room enough to not only carry Steve, Emily and I but another member of the human race legally!!! Ha Ha. (Not that being close to your hubby all the time is all that bad ;))
So for those of you that don't know that we the Fleming family of Three. Have been driving in a 2 door dodge, dakota. We're Mommy (me) gets to sit on the middle hump with no where to put my long legs except the dash or draped over Emily! Our fam car broke down awhile back and we have yet the funds to buy another one till we sell our house, which will hopefully happen this next week God willing. But of coarse we are patient and thankful that we have faithful friends that trust us enough to let us have a break from the uncomfortable for a while!!! You are awesome!

Another day!

2007-07-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

July and I haven't posted since June. Ugh! I'm bad. The time has just flown by. Life has been so busy and crazy but of coarse not my excuse just fact. But I have loved looking and reading all of your blogs, just have not taken time for mine. Camp was a blast, 4th of JUly fun, and now working diligently on VBS. Vacation Bible School, which this year is a western theme. Yeehaw! Can't wait and that has been what my life has been taken up with. That, and a soon to be 14 month old that loves to sing, talk, say no, dance, say mommy, gama, baby, and a million other things that make 2 naps a day, Still a gift from God!!! Hope your wednesday's are as bright and shiny as mine has been, love you all!

2007-06-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

What a crazy day! Father's day passed without saying a hearty thank you to the father's in my life. What great men. I'm blessed to have men in my life that have helped me or help me daily to live my life to the fullest. So hope that you are honored for being the men you are meant to be.

But to give honor were it is due. I want to thank my hubby. A dad for a little over a year. And of coarse, has not mastered it but working daily on being the best dad Emily could ever need. She is so blessed to have him as a dad. And I am for having a faithful husband. Thanks Steve. We love you.

Number One!

2007-06-07T15:46:00.000-07:00

My little one just turned one! Yeah! She is so much bigger then most kids her age you would think that she was 2 or 3 but no she just turned one. It was a fabulous event. Alittle of both sides of the family came out to join in the fun. Both grandpa's were there. And the first eating of a cupcake was very eventful. And Auntie Missy made a great hippo cake. Hope everyone is well. We are growing by leaps and bounds.

Our toddler world!

2007-05-17T17:56:00.000-07:00

The new wonderful things that our sweet daughter does brings smiles to us daily. She loves to do that cheesy little smile, that many toddler's do with the big mouth and tiny squinty eyes. For any camera in site. Another of her favorite things to do is to point at her little belly. Not only to her mommy and daddy, but of course to any total stranger walking by. Flashing them by lifting up her shirt or dress to expose her very plump tummy, smiling the whole time. So adorable. She is growing so awfully fast.

Baby has been born!

2007-05-17T17:19:00.000-07:00

A new little girl has come into the world. Eliana Sophia was born May 9th at 2:09 pm. All is well with her and the Cotto family. She is so beautiful. She weighed 6lbs. It was so fun getting to hold a newborn again.

Spring time!

2007-05-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful Day!!! It has to be at least already 60 degrees and it just now 10 in the morning! Spring I think has officially sprung here which is wonderful waiting the long winter sometimes can be a drag! Looking to plant my flower beds and try to have a little of the green thumb my great mum has. The newest great thing for the spring is our new lawn mower that better last until I die cause it costs a pretty penny. But it is shiny, black and it actually starts. Which is a total plus seeing that our other one wouldn't. The yard will hopefully be great and green soon!

Happy Anniversary

2007-05-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

Today is Amber and Dan's anniversary. 8 years!!! Congrats you guys! Hope you are making the most of it. Miss you guys so so much. Much love. What a great family!

monday, Monday, MONDAY!!

2007-04-30T15:40:00.000-07:00

Today is Monday the day that my husband has off each week! So the day that Emily and I usually get to spend some daddy time. But we got a little different spin on the day today. Daddy is playing basketball so we got to come and spend some time with Grandma, so I could blog!! Otherwise it might have been a little while till I would have gotten to write anything!

We spent the week in Idaho with Steve's family and at a conference. It was much needed time with Grandma Doris and Grandpa Art, and even Auntie Angela. After that week, Emily has decided that she is big enough now to not nurse anymore before bed or anytime, unless it is an extra tired day then she will every once in a while snuggle in. Her being a year old in about 2 weeks is just making me amazed of how fast the time has gone. Time really flies when you are having fun!

Sisters, Sisters!

2007-04-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

SO last week someday it was National Sibling day! So in honor of the best sisters in the world, I wanted to put this picture up! I love you my beautiful sisters and friends! Thank you to all of you ladies that have been my sister's and my friend's. You are all awesome!

Sick, sick, sick!

2007-04-04T19:45:00.000-07:00

Sick babies. Talk about something that just makes your heart hurt. Recently My daughter had a fever that for 5 days didn't break103 degrees. It got as bad as 105 for a good hour. She was not the same little girl that I gave birth to. It was so sad to see her like that. Anyways after many calls to the doc and lots of calling the mom Sunday after church we had decided that it had been enough and we were taking her the next morning to see a doctor. (which all week they had said that she really didn't need to see anyone it is probably teething and if the fever only stays at 105 for more then an hour bring her in) Sunday night was the worst night yet and of coarse we wake to an ear full of ooze! Her ear drum had burst. She was all smiles, eating finally, and happy to not have all that pain. Bless her heart. She is doing great now except that daddy is sicker then a dog. (excuse the expression) Steven even stayed home from work and for him to do that means, he's sick! But a well home I know will come soon, just praying that I do not get any of it in the process.

Resting Day!

2007-03-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

Today was a snotnose day! Emily woke up with the crusties all over her face that only a warm washrag could cure. But what a cutie. We stayed in our pj's till 2pm it was great. And I also tried to do her hair since it is getting longer. Which fell out a couple minutes later but all in all, a great day!

Mom's United

2007-03-27T14:28:00.000-07:00

Muuuuuuu!!!! (moo) A few of the stay at home mom's and me got together and came up with this way of getting together and getting our kids together and encouraging one another and stuff. SO it is called mom's united or muu! And we do it at a different home every other week and have lunch and hang out. It so far has been such a blessing and Emily of coarse is learning so much from the other kids. Sucking from a straw after this week. It is a great way to learn life from the other ladies. Especially since the weather is starting to warm up we will get to go to parks, on picnics, to the pool. All sorts of fun!!!

Howdy!

2007-03-16T19:39:00.000-07:00

In honor of the big Charlie Russell art auction this weekend I thought I would saya little "Howdy ho partners, long time no see!!!" And the only fault of that is my own, believe me. Life just gets the best of me sometimes. Well, it has been a good leave of absence from writing. A lot has happened. My husband preached an awesome message, my lovely sister and her family made it back to their home in Kosova, Emily passed the twenty pound mark and is more than 30 inches tall, our friends Becky and Adam got engaged, Oh Emily also walked all on her own and turned directions all without falling, across our basement floor ( she has been taking steps but no real walking on her own), Marissa is yet again in swimming, being the little fish she is, umm... lots of pregnancies have been announced lately, which is so fun, and God is yet again doing awesome works in the lives of many through his faithfulness in Gen church and it is really exciting. Anyways I promised my sis that I would blog at least once a week so this will not have to be told each time, my life can be explained in littler spots from here on. Thank you for baring with me through the In and outs of blogging.

But before I leave you I want to add some pictures of our family, that we took before the Litzinger's went back!

To blog or not to blog that is the ?????

2007-02-25T09:39:00.000-08:00

Well that is not the thoughts that I have daily. But it is what I feel like. Not having Internet in my home makes it hard to find time in my life between naps, eating, playing, and all the other wonderful things involved in having a 9 month old; to come and blog. I either do it when I get to the church, or my mothers home. So sorry, but I will find away soon. Hope all you all are doing well. Love you.

Saturdays!!!!

2007-02-10T08:27:00.000-08:00

YOU know those wonderful days that you used to be able and sleep in late and enjoy a morning snuggling with your loved one. Or even when you used to get up real early and catch your fav Saturday morning cartoons. Well those days tend to be a little different these days with our lives full of soooooo much. But today seemed to have a completely different vibe to it. I woke up thinking of our great commission. The life God intended us to lead. And you know how I was kind of feeling sorry for myself that my sis is leaving soon. Well, I have forgotten the very important job that her life leads in that far away country she lives in. I got a glimpse of the importance that she is to the people over there, the lost people. And I had to ask for forgiveness this morning, God I am so sorry for my selfishness. Please if it will save the lives of those in Krush e' Vogel you can use Amber however you need. I am sure that the ladies there in Kosova are thinking the same remorse right now missing her friendship and love for her these past months. And probably can't wait to see little cute Caleb. So next time we are missing a loved one far away think of the people they are ministering to and loving just as much as they will ALWAYS love you.

My little Emily

2007-02-07T20:48:00.000-08:00

Going back through pictures and found this one. Steve's caption for this photo was, "Whatta you lookin' at?" It made me laugh. Hope it makes you laugh too.

Missing my sister already!!

2007-02-01T10:49:00.000-08:00

I don't know if any of you can imagine the sadness I have already began to feel about my Big sister leaving. For those of you who do not know, Amber Joy (typepad joyoutloud) comes to America to be with us only for a short time and then leaves for most of the year. This time she will be going with both of my nephew's, (Judah and Caleb) and their daddy Dan for who knows how long. They are not sure when they will get to return to the states either. And I am missing them already too much, this week they are visiting Dan's family in Ohio. So it is giving me a glimpse of the rest of the year without them. And it is not too fun! At least I still have my other sisters still around, blessed to have the best ones anyone could ever ask for. Elisha, Marissa and Amber are the friends I crave to spend time with. So for the next few weeks before the Litzinger family goes back, the family will be spending time together for sure.

Holding back tears and loving you all.

2007-01-22T16:51:00.000-08:00

Well, my hubby said that I needed to go on and have a moment of remorse for the Seahawks!

....................................................................................................................

There you go honey. Sorry about your team. Anyways, on to more blogging. Went away for the weekend to a youth retreat. The kid's that are leaders in gen church went and it was a great weekend to focus on the important things about making disciples for Jesus. It turned out great and Emily was a trooper. Mommy on the other hand came home pretty exhausted but happy that God once again changed the lives a few of the amazing kids in our church. A weekend full of worshipping and sledding will forever sit in my mind as a great year to start off 2007!!! Emily was looking pretty dazed after the weekend away from home, her hair is looking more and more like a little girl.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS!

2007-01-14T10:38:00.000-08:00

This one is for the favorite man in my life Steven Chad. I love you. In honor of the playoff games in Football, leading to the Superbowl. I have to say Go Seahawks!!!!! My husband was pretty sad thinking he had to be at church during the game against the Bears! For all of you that like sports, or just enjoy watching them

NOW that you have a hubby that loves them. Have a good day of Football!

laughing out loud

2007-01-11T10:16:00.000-08:00

Today has already been an incredible day! The sisters got together to do pilates and the kiddos got some cousin time. Emily just loves to watch Judah play and I am sure it inspires her to try and do more big girl stuff. And Pilates is always a exhilarating time of moves that you would not normally try and laughing at each other when you fall over doing them. As Elisha is collapsed on the floor, I ask "what happened to you" , "the tree pose happened to me" she said! Hope your Thursday is full of some laugh out loud times too.

Amber Joy

2007-01-04T13:34:00.000-08:00

To see a mother with her newest baby. In her raw beauty Amber Joy Litzinger is still stunning! I had to add this to my blog, especially since this wonderful woman inspires me daily. Love you Amber! The new mommy and her little guy Caleb Daniel.

Not so sassy!

2007-01-04T12:20:00.001-08:00

Sassy Shoe Thursday!!!!
Well, I guess they are not so sassy, but they are my newest ones. Steven my hubby got them for me for Christmas, I Love Rocket dogs! And so comfy!

2007-01-01T16:52:00.000-08:00

WOW!!! The holiday season officially wiped me out. Working on the Christmas program for the church, enjoying my new little nephew Caleb, and just the hussle and bussle of this time of year really oviously took over my life for the last month!! Merry Christmas AAAAANNNDDDD Happy New Year.... My daughter, Also floods my life with all the wonderful things that a little 7 month old would and I love it. The latest is her fun in trying to get all the wonderful colors of baby food anywhere on her body that she can. And then helping me clean up afterward.
Sweet Potatoes Anyone!

A Brave New World

2006-11-27T17:23:00.000-08:00

And not at all like the book if you have ever read it. I am finally entering the world of blogging. With my big sis being home and waiting for the new little Litzinger to be born we have a little time on our hands to enter me into this wonderful world of getting to know other people, better and more intimately. SO HELLO! Hope that I can be as wonderful and as interesting as you all. I also hope that I will be able to keep it up too. As long as life does not get too much in my way, I am excited to learn how to do this. I am usually horrid at keeping in touch so I hope that this will be a way that I can keep up on the lives I have missed and the ones that I love.