Elijah in Hockey and more

Elijah had another hockey game on sunday. So amazing to see the improvment in him from just a year ago. This time last year, he couldn't even stand up on skates. Now he can run, jump, fly across the ice. here he is playing Center and doing the faceoff, he won the draw.

Elijah's favorite position would efinately have to be playing goalie. He loves to dive after the puck and keep it from going in. He made some really great saves.

Chasing after the puck.

Nothing like watching a bunch of 4-6 year olds skating on the ice chasing a puck. They are like dominoes most of the time, but it's so entertaining to watch.

A boy after a father's heart. We got Samuel matching jersey to daddy for christmas. Now we all have jersey's, Elijah is just the odd man out with a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey. :) at least Samuel has no say yet.
So hard to believe Samuel is now 4 months old. Time sure flies by when you aren't paying attention, they grow right before your eyes and don't even realize it. He's my little snuggler. He loves giddy up horsey. He is still working on rolling over. He hates being on his tummy so I am sure he's in no hurry to really learn. My happy content little boy.


A rare picture of Samuel with mom. Seems like I hardly have any photos of me holding samuel.

Elijah is such a great big brother. He is always willing to help when he can. He can keep Samuel occupied when mommy is busy. I am blessed to have a wonderful family. Maybe my next post I will find baby pics of Elijah to compare the 2. you will be amazed how much they look alike. Will have to play guess which baby!! :)

25 Random things about myself....

I was tagged on Facebook, so I thought I would post it on here to, so if you happen to read this you are considered tagged and must do the following as well, either post in your blog or email. so TAG you are IT!!!

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged . You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.

1. When I was younger I never wanted kids! look at me today, I have 2!

2. I am a home body. I don't like being away from home very long.

3. I met my husband on Word of Life Island in '98 while doing STC.

4. I can't stand folding laundry, it just sits in a laundry basket to be picked up and washed again after is warn.

5. I love to cook and bake.

6. When I was little I wanted to be a nurse. I still do, hopefully I can start school soon

7. When my cousin was little she couldn't say my name Marci, it came out as "messy" guess I lived up to my name. :)

8. I graduated Highschool a semester early and I moved out.

9. I used to own a horse named Glory

10. I've never dyed my hair, it's naturally Red.

11. I have driving accross the United states 2 times and drove from Oregon to Alaska once.

12. I am a military wife and my husband has deployed 3 times already going on his 4th next month.

13. I hate to read. I don't like books. unless it's Green eggs and ham or something like that.

14. I can't drive a manual transmission. No desire to learn either.

15. I love Hockey, my son even plays and we have season tickets to Alaska Aces ECHL team.

16. I've been stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC; Ft. Lewis, WA; and Ft Richardson, AK.

17. I've moved 9 times in 7 1/2 years of Marriage.

18. I love board games, I used to have game nights with my friends, now we have them as a family.

19. I am a daddy's girl, always have and always will be!

20. I don't like to eat fish, I can't stand the smell either, but I LOVE to fish for fish.

21. I had 2 children born in 2 different states.

22. I survived my first Alaska winter alone with a 4 year old.

23. I can't stand the color pink. I am not girly at all.

24. I was told at the age of 4 I became a Child of God, but I confirmed it on my own at age 18.

25. I never pushed while in labor with my 2nd child, he just came out. :)

A look back at the last year...and the year to come!

2008 was a great year for our family. It started with nate returning home after a 15 month deployment to Iraq. He made it home for thanksgiving of 2007

2 months after being home we took a trip to Florida to see nates family, and found out a wonderful surprise....

Baby #2 was on it's way!! The was the best highlight of my year. We found out 4 months later that is was a boy. Samuel Roy Garland was to be his name.




While nate was away in California this summer doing some training, my best friend from Jr. High and High School came up to visit. I hadn't seen her in 10 years. what a great reunion it was.


My ever growing belly....





Elijah Turned 5!!! and Daddy was home for the first time for his Birthday....

Elijah Lost his first tooth....

Elijah's Starts school....my baby has grown up!!

Samuel was born Sept 24, 2008 at 7:48 pm 7lbs 14 oz

To end the year nates Mom and brother flew up for christmas....

God has blessed our family so much this last year and it was so nice to be a family. Looking to this new year is going to be a tough year as Nate deploys once again for another year. It's going to be a tough year on all of us but my key verse I am going to cling to for the year....

Phillipians 4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength.

Please pray for me and my family this year.

Samuel's First Christmas

Today was Samuel's first christmas, and the poor little guy was sick. After picking him up last night, I noticed he was unusually hot, when I took his temp it was 101.9. I called the nurse advise line and she just said that it's a virus and to just let it take it course, not much you can do for a little guy so small. He was still running a temp today but was awake long enough to take pics and enjoy his very first christmas. Our last one as a family for a while. Nate deploys in February.

Grandma Visit

My mom got the chance to fly up for a few days to see her newest grandbaby. Elijah sure enjoyed getting to see his grandma and showing off his new brother. here's a few pics from her visit. Hard to believe Samuel is already 7 weeks old. Time sure flies by quickly!! and he's growing fast!!

Smiles for grandma.....

Something fun to do with your kids

Gingerbread Play Dough Recipe

1 Cup flour

1/2 Cup salt

1 1/2 tsp each of Ground Cloves, Allspice, Ginger, and Cinnamon

1 Tbsp Vegetable oil

1/2 Cup water

Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Knead until smooth. Store in an airtight container; Refrigerate until ready to use.

that way if you kids decide to eat playdough at least you know it's edible! :)

13 well loved and happy years

I had to have my cat of 13 yrs put down yesterday. It was a really tough choice to make and really hard to say goodbye. She has been my cat since I was 16 and has been there for me throughout the years. It's hard to say goodbye to any animal, but a pet that has been with you for a long time makes it even harder. Suzie was a beautiful cat that didn't like anyone but me. She truely was MY cat. I am glad that I have gotten to keep her this long. Her blood still lives on, I have a friend that has one of her kittens (well not a kitten anymore) so I guess I can always go back to Oregon to see hazel. Life goes on I guess, just glad my kids are young enough to not really understand or hate me the rest of their life because we had to make a hard decission. All will be forgiven and forgotten. Rest in Peace my Suzie!!! You will be missed!!!