Ice!

We returned from Gatlinburg just in time for a winter storm. The snow was beautiful...but then the ice came...and then more snow. I don't ever remember seeing ice covering everything like it did this time. I was amazed at the beauty of it. (Yes, I am a "the cup his half full" type person). There have been major power outages in the city so we have had a house full of friends and family. Here are photos of the kids eating icicles.

This is the bird house in our backyard.

Picnic anyone?

It was really cold so when the snow boots came off we enjoyed lots of fun inside!

We made snow cream with the kids...it takes alot of snow to feed seven children!
We played games...


and then we just got silly!

Blessings from the Lord this week:

We have electricity, phone, and internet!

Steve had an unexpected week of vacation (his office has no power)

The kids (and Steve) had lots of fun in the snow

Snow cream!

We were able to spend lots of time with family and friends who needed a place to stay

Validation that we did need a 4 wheel drive (this is really Steve's input...to convince me the extra money we paid for a 4-wheel drive was necessary)

Gatlinburg

We are having a wonderful weekend in Gatlinburg. Steve's parents, siblings, and their children go each January. Joshua started counting down the days to Gatlinburg on December 26! Here is a snapshot of the events so far this weekend:

Taylor celebrated her 10th birthday

We made fruit roll-ups and although they did not turn out so well we had fun making them!

We made valentine cards...

Valentine cookies...
Here is Grandma with the grandkids.

...and lots of shopping!

Tomorrow we will visit the Aquarium...I am sure there will be more photos!

Katherine's New Word

Katherine, who has very few words, has a new word...Snow! We have had some incredibly cold weather this past week and began this week with an inch or two of snow. The kids had so much fun!

Steve made a snowball for Katherine and she held onto it until time to come inside!

Lydia making snow angels...we have snow angels all over the yard!

The kids waiting for Steve to pull them around some more. Katherine looks quite uncomfortable but was loving this. Everytime Steve stopped (to catch his breath) she would sign "more".

Pinkalicious

For Christmas Lydia received a book entitled Pinkalicious from my brother and his family. This book is perfect for Lydia. It is about a little girl who made pink cupcakes with her mom on a rainy day. She then eats so many...she turns completely pink! Pinkititis is the condition her doctor gives her. It is a great book, we read it many times everyday. Lydia has it memorized and reads it to Katherine as well. Anyway, today was a rainy day and Lydia asked if we could make pink cupcakes. I thought it was a great idea so we did. So far Lydia has no Pinkititis symptoms, but we will check first thing in the morning. Good thing her daddy is a Pediatrician, he'll know exactly what to do!

Joshua made white cupcakes with sprinkles.

Lydia enjoying her pink cupcakes, she kept asking for more, just like the little girl in the book. I honestly think she wanted to turn pink.

First Haircut

Katherine got her first haircut today. I have been delaying this day as long as I could. I knew she was going to look so much older...and she does. The change was not as dramatic as I had anticipated, but her hair no longer hangs in her eyes. She did great. She sat up in the chair (actually it was a pink jeep) and was not a bit phased by a stranger combing her hair (which had tangles), water squirting in her face, the scissors, or the hairdryer! The ladies said she could be a Gerber baby with her big brown eyes. I think so, but I am totally biased!
Before

After

2009

I have been pondering the past few days the question, "What will 2009 hold for the Baum Family?" Of course, no one but the Lord God really knows what this year will hold. "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." A verse I memorized years ago while contemplating which career path to take. I can't remember the reference, I am always bad at the references, and I am to tired to get up and look it up in the Word. Anyway, back to the topic of our upcoming year:

1. We hope to make a phone call to Dave Ramsey late in 09...our "We are debt free!" phone call. We have one more student loan to pay off and then we will be debt free except for our mortgage. What does this mean? Well first it means the Bimini Sunset Teak hardwood floors we have chosen will have to wait another year or so. For Steve, it means another year of Gazelle brand cinnamon rolls (those who have been through Financal Peace Univ. know what I am talking about). Otherwise, it means continuing the financial road we have been on for the past year. As Ramsey says, "we are living like no one else, so one day we can give like no one else."

2. Potty training. I love being a mom, I cherish being a stay-at-home mom. However, I hate potty training. It is the long-term benefit that gets me through. No more diapers (which helps the budget as well)! I will begin potty training Katherine this summer. She already likes to sit on the big potty, and insists on using toilet paper...maybe it won't be so bad after all.

3. Kindergarten. Joshua will begin school this coming fall.

4. Steve will be promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor at the school of medicine. This does not change his job, but it should come with a pay raise (again, helping the budget).

This is what we have come up with thus far. Stay tuned to see what the year does hold!