Our Little Artist....

When Josh and I first talked about homeschooling Ethan and Rachel while we are here in Idaho, I knew I could teach them their core subjects. I mean I do have an Education Degree :).  The only thing I was a little concerned about was art....that my friend, is something I am NOT very good at.  Thankfully, when you teach first graders anything you draw, even stick people, is a masterpiece in their book!

Well, below is a picture Rachel drew today....not too bad.  I don't know if it is because I'm such a wonderful teacher or that she really has her dad's artistic skills ( pretty sure it is the latter of the two) ...lol.

Happy Friday,
Michelle

President's Day Weekend...

After the past couple of weeks we have had with strep, stomach flu, etc, it was nice to spend a nice, relaxing weekend together as a family.  It's President's Day weekend so that meant Josh had Monday off too, which was an extra bonus!!

On Saturday, we took the kids to Boise.  Our first stop was to PetLand.  We had to get supplies for Miss Daisy May.  The kids had a blast looking at all the other animals in the store.
Next, we headed to the mall to eat!!!  We love the food court because everyone can choose what they want to eat.  Josh, Rachel and myself had Japanese food, while the rest of the gang ate McDonald's.  The funny thing was as we were eating there was this family behind us that just kept staring at us and smiling.  I could tell they were talking about us, but not quite sure why.  I'm pretty use to it because we have 4 kids that are so close in age...don't know why but everywhere we go people just think it's interesting!  Anyway as we were getting ready to leave they finally asked us " So are those 2 sets of twins?"  I smiled  and said no they are just really close in age.  The kids thought it was so funny to be called twins :)

Rachel was so excited to eat some Teriyaki Chicken..

Josh was too! 

Caleb and Ethan enjoyed their Happy Meal toys...

See the man and woman behind Michael's left shoulder...they are the ones who asked if we had twins...

It had snowed the night before and the mountains were beautiful...

After we took the kids to the Discovery Center and boy did they enjoy that!  It's a hands on Science Center in Boise with lots of fun things for the kids to do.  The pictures are on my iphone, so I will have to post those later.

Since Josh had the day off on Monday we decided to stay around the house and catch up on some housework.  My lovely husband took care of the kids all day so that I could do that....isn't he wonderful! It's amazing how much stuff you can get done without 4 kiddos around!  My lunchtime I had everything cleaned up!!  During this time, Josh took the kids outside and built a fire.  He's such and amazing daddy and the kids had a blast!!

Josh and Caleb waiting for the fire to start....

My love <3

They also roasted hot dogs for lunch....I don't think Rachel was liking the smoke..lol

These two absolutely adore each other...they are truly best buds!

Daisy decided to come out and enjoy the fun too!

After all the little kids went inside Josh let Ethan practice shooting his BB gun....

Needless to say we had a wonderful day........I LOVE my FAMILY!!!

Caleb turns 4!!

Happy Birthday sweet Caleb...my I cannot believe you are 4 today !!!!! It seems just like yesterday we were bringing you home!  What joy you have brought into our house.  You make us laugh and have the most passionate personality!  We love you SO much and wish you a wonderful birthday!!!

Caleb's Favorites at 4:

What's your favorite color? blue
Favorite TV show? Star Wars the Clone Wars
Favorite movie? Star Wars
Favorite person? Ethan
Favorite place? Disney World
Favorite veggie? none
Favorite thing to eat ? ham and cheese sandwich
Favorite breakfast food? cereal and milk
Favorite fruit? oranges
Favorite dessert/treat? ice cream
Favorite snack? cheese
Favorite place to eat out/restaurant? Jack in the Box
Favorite animal? squirrel
Favorite toy? Airplanes
Favorite book? David series by David Shannon
Favorite letter? Z
Favorite number? 3


Cutest conversation of the year:  " Mommy I know why my throat hurts"..." Why Caleb?" ....."Because there are bugs in there"..."Really, what kind of bugs?"...."There are bees, wasps, and ants!! That's why it stings so much!!" ( our conversation on the way to the Dr.....he had strep throat )


It is also my Mama's birthday too!!  I love you so much and I am truly blessed to be your daughter.  I wish you the happiest birthday ever!!! 




Smiles,
Michelle

Valentines Day at the Craig's House....

Year Round Valentine

I love you all through February,
Not just on Valentine’s Day;
I cherish you when flowers of spring
Appear in the midst of May.

I adore you in the summer,
When the air is filled with heat;
Without you in my life each day,
I wouldn’t be complete.

I treasure you in fall,
When leaves are turning gold;
I loved you when you were younger;
I’ll love you when you’re old.

I prize you in the winter,
When colder days are here;
I love you, love you all the time,
Every minute of the year.

So I’ll give to you this Valentine,
But I want to let you know,
It’s not just today, but always,
That I will love you so.

By Joanna Fuchs

Our celebration actually started yesterday, which seems quite appropriate to us since that is the day Josh asked me to marry him ( 15 years ago) !  Josh's work is having a big inspection this week, so I knew we might not see each other until late into the night. Plus, the poor guy has been REALLY, REALLY sick, so I thought this would cheer him up!  Josh is not much of a sweet eater, however he does LOVE Peanut M&M's.

I also got him the complete first season of Miami Vice...one of his favorite TV shows :)

I'm usually the one taking the pictures, so while I had the chance I made some pictures with some of my favorite Valentines...

Even Daisy got a Valentine present and she LOVED it!!

After I gave Josh his gift, I went into the kitchen and found Rachel making Valentines for us and her brothers ( isn't that the sweetest thing ever)!!

Well, Ethan liked it so much he made some too....

Here are the kids Valentines baskets stuffed full of goodies..

I found this at Walmart and thought the kids would love it.....I usually make them heart shaped pancakes anyway, but this year they are PINK!

Ethan and Rachel were the first to wake up and couldn't wait to get their baskets ( hence the bedhead and yes he does own jeans without holes, but he goes through them like crazy, so he wears these around the house).

Ethan getting ready to eat his pancakes...

Michael and Caleb finally woke up too and loved looking through their goodies....

I am one truly blessed woman.....I serve an awesome God, have an amazing husband and 4 of the best kids in the WORLD!!  Life can't get any better than this!! Wishing you all a Very Happy Valentines Day!!!


Smiles,
Michelle

When it Rains, it POURS!

Wow, if there was something going around these past two weeks, it has went through this house!  It all started last week when Caleb caught a stomach bug.  Then on Monday morning I woke up with a sore throat, by early Tuesday morning I was running a fever, having the chills and could barely swallow.  So, I went to the base Urgent Care and found out I had Strep Throat.  Thanks to modern medicine I was given two shots that made me fell alot better by that evening.  Plus Josh stayed home to take care of the kids and I got to rest ALOT during the day ( he is such a great husband and father).
Then poor little Rachel woke up this morning with a sore throat and fever. So off to the Dr. we go again! (this is where I am really thankful for military care...some complain, but I have never had a problem with any care we have gotten).  Sure enough she has strep too!  I had a dear friend who kept the other three kids for me while we went to the doctor ( sorry, Melissa and I pray your kids do not get strep).  When I went to go pick them up Ethan and Caleb were complaining about not feeling good.  They said their stomach hurt and their throat.  I checked their neck...and they were really swollen.  So it looks like both of them have it too!!  Oh, and in between all of this Josh calls me and he is at Urgent Care because he has the stomach flu ( it's been going around his office)
 And before you ask ( I always have someone who will), yes my children take vitamins everyday, they eat really good and  I have been sanitizing like crazy around here.  I could honestly buy stock in Lysol....lol.  It just happens to be one of those weeks where everything just hit.

I will be so glad when spring gets here....until then it is off to sanitize some more!

My Guide for Great 2011!

Have you ever had one of those weeks where nothing seemed to go right?  Well, that's how this past week went for me.  It just seemed everything was out of sorts, from the kids, to finances, to school, you name it and it was crazy!  I tried to figure out what was the problem and several things came to mind....for one I was not taking care of myself like I should. Not just physically but spiritually too.  I haven't been reading my Bible like I should or praying ( besides the 10 min thank you God for our day).  I have been worrying about things I cannot change and not focusing on the many blessings I have in my life.  I have been trying to fix everything myself instead of trusting my life completely to God.   This epiphany really hit me today when I read an email from my mother-in-love ( yes, I LOVE HER dearly).  Here is what it said:

A GUIDE FOR A GREAT LIFE

 *Health:*

 1. Drink plenty of water.
 2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
 3. Eat more foods that grow ON trees and plants and eat less food that is
     manufactured IN plants..
 4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
 5. Make time to pray.
 6. Play more games
 7. Read more books than you did in 2010 .
 8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
 9. Sleep at least 7 hours.
 10.Take a 10-30 minute walk daily.  And while you walk, smile.

 *Personality:*

 11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey
      is all about.
 12. Don't have negative thoughts on things you cannot control. Instead
      invest your energy in the positive present moment.
 13. Don't over do.  Keep your limits.
 14. Don't take yourself so seriously.  No one else does.
 15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
 16. Dream more while you are awake.
 17. Envy is a waste of time.  You already have all you need.
 18. Forget issues of the past.  Don't remind your partner of his/her
      mistakes in the past, that will ruin your present happiness.
 19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.  Don't hate others.
 20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
 21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
 22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are
      simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away but the lessons you
      learn will last a lifetime.
 23. Smile and laugh more.
 24. You don't have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree...

 *Society:*

 25. Call your family often.
 26. Each day give something good to others.
 27. Forgive everyone for everything.
 28. Spend time with people over the age of 70, and under the age of 6.
 29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
 30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
 31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.  Your friends will.
       Stay in touch.

 *Life:*

 32. Do the right thing!
 33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
 34. GOD heals.
 35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
 36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
 37. The best is yet to come...
 38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.


WOW, isn't that great!!!  So after reading this I decided to print it out and post it on my refrigerator.This is going to be my Guide for 2011!!  I'm going to try my best to live life to the fullest everyday and do everything on this list.  Will I succeed everyday, probably not, but it is goal I am going to strive for!!  


Here's to a BLESSED 2011!!!


Michelle

Pinewood Derby....

Ethan had his third pinewood derby last week!  He was so excited that his daddy was here to see him...it was actually the first one that he wasn't deployed or on TDY!  We honestly didn't know how he was going to do this year.  This was just a super busy month for Josh at work and he only had a day and a half to build the car from scratch.  You know what, Ethan won second place in his group & won Best Super Hero Car!!  Not too bad!  Here are some pics from the event... (thanks to my friend Melissa for the great photos, she's a professional photographer.....mine are the not so great ones..lol)

Getting Ready to Race

Isn't He Handsome

Rachel, Little Rachel, and Trey

 The Cars are Ready to Go

The Awards

Ethan Getting Ready to Race His Car

Setting the Cars Up

And Their Off!!

 The Boys were SO Excited!

 Hanging Out

Judging Best Looking, etc.

Ethan Won Second Place for His Group ( not bad for building it in a day and a half)

Until Next Year!!